Volume 7 - CH 11

Rain was pouring endlessly at Changi Airport today, like it was some kind of payback for the clear weather we had over the past few days. The sky was now filled with grey clouds, and silver droplets of water fell to the ground. That being said, this won’t have any influence on our flight, so we simply underwent the same procedures when we first departed in Japan and started making our way from the waiting area. After passing through the gate, we then boarded the plane.

I’m sure it’s a coincidence that I had the same seat as on the way here, but when I gazed out of the window, the view was entirely different. Or rather, I couldn’t even see the sky. The raindrops just hammered against the window, and everything beyond the window looked blurry. I was counting the drops I could see and leaning against the seat when a voice spoke up from next to me.

“You seem pretty chill today, eh?”

“I feel like I could pass on smoothly even if we fell to our deaths.”

“Stop lying.”

“Too obvious, huh?”

“I would rather bet on the fact that the devil himself would tell you to go home.”

“So you’ve already decided that I’ll end up in hell?”

“If Yoshida knew about this, he’d definitely say that,” Maru said and glanced to his side.

Just as when we arrived on our first day of the field trip, we sat in rows of four, starting with me next to the window, followed by Maru and Yoshida. The latter was currently busy talking to his female neighbor—

“So you say, but he seems pretty fulfilled if you ask me?” I whispered back to Maru.

The reason for that was pretty simple.

“They even exchanged LINE IDs,” Maru said.

He did work hard, so I think the reward is more than deserved.

“But then why are you lashing out at me like this?”

“Now listen here. Should I tell you the line of the owner of the inn from the world’s most famous game?”

“And what would that be?”

“Thou hadst a good night’s sleep I1—”

“I didn’t come back that late, okay?!”

I think I must have said that a bit louder than I thought because even Yoshida and the people around us turned to look at me. What a regrettable picture he painted for me. I wish he didn’t poison my mind like that. All we did after that was watch the sunset together in silence and then head back to the hotel together. And with the way he phrased that, he must have realized what kind of relationship Ayase-san and I have. He even used the word ‘relationship’ in his message to me earlier. And he wasn’t done yet. He narrowed his eyes as I cleared my throat.

“So, what happened?”

…I figured things would go down this path. Then again, with so many people around us, it’s not anything I could declare loudly and with confidence. That’s why I kept it as vague as possible.

“Well… everything worked out.”

“I know that.”

Maru’s comment caused me to nod in resignation, but it started me thinking about how he even knew that. I never once had mentioned that I went to see Ayase-san. How does he know? It can’t be from Ayase-san herself.

“Can I ask how you found out?”

“I sadly cannot tell you any personal information about my client.”

“What kind of detective bureau are you working at?”

“Anyway, I’m just happy everything worked out. Are you finally willing to admit that much?”

“Well…”

On the way home, Ayase-san and I discussed a few things. She apologized for making the blunder of letting Narasaka-san find out about our relationship, but I just mentioned that Maru was probably not in the dark anymore, so we were both equally clumsy. And then we decided that we’d stop trying to force things to stay hidden. Our relationship may not be something we can flaunt in public, but it’s not something we should have to sacrifice our desires for to hide.

Our relationship as siblings and lovers might be met with a gaze of contempt by the other couples in this world. Even so, we’ve both walked this path to the point that we don’t want to turn around anymore. The warmth we felt while embracing each other on that bridge is something we both came to cherish.

“I’ve gotta step in where it’s necessary, right?”

“You’re not some kind of prophet… I didn’t think things would end up this way.”

“Really? Well… everything you’ve warmed up will probably cool down a bit when entrance exams roll around the corner.”

He made it sound like that’s why he gave me a push. It feels like I was just a pawn in a play directed by Suisei High’s top catcher in the baseball club. Though I hadn’t been aware of that in the slightest.

“I’m sure you’re aware, but try not to overdo it. You’ll be examinees starting next April.”

And now he’s telling me not to overdo it… Just what does he think Ayase-san and I are up to?

“You’re not my mother.”

“My good friend, you might seem rational now, but that’s because your past experiences have caused you to pump the brakes when necessary. Don’t speed up too much now.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Hey, what were you guys talking about?” Yoshida turned towards us.

“That I helped Asamura with his entrance exam studies.”

“Ack, you’re worried about that already?!”

“Yoshida… You’re aware that all of us will be examinees in a bit more than a month, yeah?” Maru said, and Yoshida groaned.

“I don’t wanna think about that!”

“Time doesn’t stop for anybody.”

And now he went for a job change from prophet to sage. The machine we were in rattled briefly, accelerating down the runway. The lines of water became more and more horizontal. By the time I felt myself getting pressed against the seat, we had already leaned backward, and we stormed upwards through a black cloud. The plane shook a lot more than it did on our trip here, and the signs for the seatbelts didn’t turn off.

“I really wanted to remember the final moments before we left this place behind us…” Maru said with a regrettable tone, and Yoshida answered without a worry in the world.

“You can just come again, right?”

Upon hearing that, I agreed. We can always come again. Ayase-san and I… together. And once the plane made it through the black cloud, we were greeted with an endless blue sky. The sign for the seat belts was turned off, too. Right below us, you could still barely see the shoreline of Singapore. And during the entire flight back, I didn’t even sleep a minute. I was finally able to enjoy the famous plane food I had heard so much about.

By the time we reached Japan, the sun had already begun to set. After the whole school year split up at the airport, Ayase-san and I waited for our train and boarded it. Compared to when we headed off a few days ago, it was a lot more crowded, but since this was the first stop, we easily found a place to sit. With a strong shaking sensation, the train began moving. As you’d expect, we were both exhausted. We were mostly just yawning, and no proper conversation came up.

After a brief silence, I realized that a bit of weight was on my shoulder. When I looked to my side, I saw Ayase-san breathing gently as she slept. I’ve seen her doze off a few times from a distance, but I think this might be the first time I’ve gotten to see her sleeping face from up close. The scent of her hair drifted up to my nose. And her eyelashes are so long… All these little things caught my attention.

Along with her faint breathing, her chest slowly moved up and down. I could almost feel her pulse being transmitted toward me, which made my own heart rate spike. When I became aware of this, I grew worried that Ayase-san might be able to feel it, too. Oh yeah, when we visited my family, we slept in the same room, but even then, I didn’t get to see her sleeping face. Right now, it looks so defenseless. And realizing how much closer we’d gotten made me feel warm and happy inside.

—But that’s because your past experiences have caused you to pump the brakes when necessary.

Maru’s words came back to mind. Brakes, huh? Did I open up my heart to her just as much as she did to me? Maybe I should try to bring us to an equal level? After all, relying on others in times like these is very important. Each rattle of the train fused together to create a pleasant rhythm as my body was gently shaken left and right. Though I bet it’d be a lot more pleasant if it remained calm altogether.

1A reference to an inn owner in Dragon Quest 1, as well as the title of a manga which references that