Volume 1 - CH 3.6

One thing came to mind.

[Are you free this Sunday?]

The moment I sent the message, the “read” quickly popped up. Her reply was also fast.

[I’m free. But why?]

[Wanna go out somewhere together?]

The read receipt was there, however, no reply came. Hahh, she’s probably misunderstood. I can’t just leave out the explanation because it’s long, right?

[I’ll call you]

After sending the message, I called her. The call reang for three–four times. Didn’t she just chat with me? What’s taking her so long? 

–“Hello?”

“Mornin’” 

–“All of the sudden… Two of us? Why…?”

“Something crossed my mind. If we limit the scale to just school, the data would be unbalanced.”

–“Eh?”

Here’s what I mean. If we limit it to the boys at school, there might be some elements missing.

An experiment that satisfies the conditions of her having a brief contact with a variety of people and within my monitoring range. My wording might be rude, but to do so, we needed to go out somewhere.

“How is it? What a brilliant idea, isn’t it?”

By the way, I got the keyword from Inada’s “get-together”. Going out might even give us some clue.

–“I-in theory, I kinda understand…”

“And?”

“But that’s a… da–”

“Hn? … Yup, well, by definition, a date.”

–“Fueh?!”

[TN:Smoothest date invite ever.]

What kind of voice is she making?

“Wait, just by definition? If our intention isn’t like that, it shouldn’t be any problem, right? We are gathering data for your case.”

It’s not that I wasn’t bothered. But that doesn’t change anything, we’ve got work to do.

–“G-Got it! But…um…”

“Yeah?”

–“It’s my first, so I don’t know how it should go…”

“I told you it’s not a date! Don’t think anything and just come!”

Good grief… I was trying to not be conscious about it, why won’t you cooperate… I’m nervous too, you know.

◆　◆　◆

And then the day came.

We met up in front of the central ticket gate of JR Kyoto station, the exit with the Kyoto Tower on the side.

As I fiddled with my phone, a voice called, “Sorry for the wait”

“Um, hi.”

I intentionally moved up one stop and arrived a little earlier than Minato. By the way, it took me only ten minutes from my house to here. Twenty from Kuze High via the Keihan Line. The Kyoto station was just that close to Shiga Prefecture.

[TN: I have never been there myself, and using Google Maps didn’t help, so there might be some errors in directories]

Shiga Prefecture was secretly amazing. The distance from Kyoto secured its position as a B-class city. It’s a different story if you go to the other side of Lake Biwa though.

No, this is not the time.

“I’ve already finished my lunch, is that okay?” She asked.

“Oh, yep, I don’t mind.”

How do I explain Minato in casual clothes? Well, firstly, beautiful.

Gorgeous white blouse with wide cuffs and a large bow at her collar. The long pale green split skirt that gave an occasional glimpse of her calves was dazzling. The black bag across her shoulder also added accent to her overall look. Although simple, her outfit catches people’s attention without being obnoxious. 

In addition, to avoid being recognized by any familiar faces, she wore a pink mask and stylish glasses. Even with half of her face obscured, she had an overwhelming presence.

Indeed, an appearance worthy of Kuze High’s Top Three.

By the way, I wore a black mask too. But there was nothing interesting about me, so I’ll leave it at that.

“Let’s go”

“Yeah…”

Somewhat awkward, we started walking side by side. Along the main road, we headed north along the main street toward our first destination. 

“So, nothing to focus in particular, right?”

“Yup,” I replied, “Go shopping normally and go home. The number of people you like, increase or not, it will be a hint anyway. We’re eliminating possibilities one by one here.”

Yes, the purpose of going out today was to get hints for the Falling-in-love Peculiarity. This isn’t a date. But despite that, we couldn’t just walk around, that would be a waste of time. That was why we decided to accompany each other as we went shopping.

First was my turn. My target was earphones. 

“I’m going all out today, just wait for me, earphones.”

“You’re an earphone geek?” Did I sound that eager?

“Kinda, well, mostly it’s for work.”

As the Yodobashi Camera’s escalator carried us up, she asked. 

[TN:I think this should be it: https://images.app.goo.gl/ULNjYpsbGTzeg5J68]

“‘Work’? You mean as the Angel?”

“Yup. Specifically, it’s one of the excuses for touching the target’s face naturally.”

When we reached the wireless section, I quickly ran my eyes over the displayed earphones. The types of earphone was its own mystery, but I have my own way of choosing.

“The expensive and rare ones are easier to lend.” I said as I inspected one of them.

“Aah, so that’s what you meant.”

“Yup. I brought up the topic about earphones and steered my way to it. ‘Wanna try?’, and then when they are satisfied, I reach to take it off. If my hand could graze the slightest of their faces, it’s mission complete.”

“That’s some creativity…”

“Trial and error. Pretending to brush something from their hair’s convenient too, but that would raise suspicion.”

Excuses for touching the target’s face, the more the better. I’m carrying a lot of risks here.

Well, that Minato found out, that’s a special case. 

“Bone conduction or noise canceling types are the best. Most people wanted to try them. They’re expensive, though. Thanks to that, whatever’s left of my already little part time wages are gone too.”

“Eh? You’re…spending all your money on these?”

“Strictly speaking, not all. But a good chunk of it, though. Investment in my work isn’t something I’d regret… Damn, this one’s two thousand yen !”

“Um…Why do you go to such lengths?”

I was gawking at the price tag when she asked.

“To such lengths?” I repeated.

“I think I had asked once before too. How you spend your money, how serious you are. You’re strangely earnest. I’m curious about that…”

“…”

I suppose that would be a normal response to my attitude.

Well then, how do I answer?

“I honestly didn’t expect you to be this serious when I asked for your help. Although I did have high hopes for the Angel and that rumored power.”

“I’m happy you think like that. But, well, how do I explain… It’s my policy. Obsession, maybe. No, you just ask why am I so obsessed…”

“Is this… one of the things you don’t want to say?”

“Well, something like that. I think this is not the place to talk about such things. Please just forget it.”

That wasn’t even an excuse, just plain refusal to talk. But I think this is better than beating around the bush stubbornly. 

Besides, if it’s Minato…

“Got it. Sorry I asked you something unnecessary.”

“No, it’s okay. I’m the one keeping things from you, sorry.”

Asking about the other side while keeping yours secret. I usually do this in normal cases, but being face to face like this only made it worse. 

But she didn’t seem to mind at all. Instead, she was studying one of the high-quality earphones in the showcase. Her face was unconcerned, as if she had forgotten about the earlier conversation.

I’m grateful for your attitude, Minato.