Volume 2 - CH 4.2

If I Bring the glass Closer

Translated by 64990022

Chapter 4: If I Bring the Glass Closer

Part 2

[Meet me at this location an hour from now, the cafe isn’t hard to find.]

After texting Mikage, I quickly left the house. The street was quiet, the bright moon and the streetlights competed to provide light. The asphalt crunched a little. It smelled like a summer night.

Before I got to Zeze Station, I called Yukito for the key.

–“Don’t lose the key and be back by eleven.”

“‘Kay”

–“Don’t make a mess, not a single stain, and then–” After thoughtfully breaking off the sentence once, “Don’t bring a girl over, my cafe’s not a love hotel.”

“I’ll report to you, Yukito.”

–“That’s my line, trespasser”

Good grief… I won’t ever grow into this kind of adult. But well…

“Even on short notice, thank you, Yukito.”

I’m grateful, stupid cousin.

–“Well, whatever you’re doing, good luck.”

◆　◆　◆

There was still some time left before the appointed time. I left the “close” sign on the door as it was and turned on the lights. I sat at the counter and idly looked at the hands of the clock on the wall.

–“Why do I have to go?” Mikage had said.

“I’ll wait anyway,” I replied.

If it turned out to be a wasted trip, then so be it. It wasn’t a long walk anyway.

“Fuu…”

I had done everything I could, this was my last gamble…

The previous time was Fujimiya, the first being–

Ring. The bell rang.

“You’re insufferable.”

My heart flopped a little at the unexpected visit. It wasn’t the appointed time yet…

“Hmm? Akashi, Io-kun. Second time we met today… or rather, the third”

“Some strange coincidences today, huh?”

Well, the second one wasn’t a coincidence, though.

“The Internet says this store’s way past closing time. You’re not up to something shady, are you?”

“My cousin owns the place, if that helps.”

Mikage walked toward me, one step at a time, as if to make sure, and stopped about three meters away. 

Then, after looking at my face and my whole body closely, she said, “You’re a guy. No wings nor halo.”

“I’m afraid mortals can’t take on my full splendor, you’ll make do with this form.”

At my joke, she puffed.

Now it was my turn to study her. She was wearing a thin white cardigan with a deep slit on the side. Her cotton shorts and light blue high-cut sneakers went surprisingly well together. Her rough and simple outfit in a cafe at night was nothing short of amazing. The disconcerting difference between the model and the background made her look like an angel.

“Sit down as you like.”

“If you say so.”

I moved to the nearest table and she swiftly sat down across from me. The shutters were down, so there was no need for the usual secluded seat.

“I’m glad you came.”

“I don’t want to. You guilt-tripped me.” If she wanted to convey her displeasure, she failed. Her pouting face was like a sulking child’s: cute.

“You’ve helped me out with the consultation… there’s no way I could bluntly refuse.”

“If I’m to say, I’ve been expecting you”

“You’re stubborn.” She shook her head. “Since I’ve come all the way here, let’s get the formalities out of the way.”

“…”

“Thank you for helping me with the confession. I’m in your debt.” She smiled placably, as if we weren’t arguing just a second ago.

“So you can do that even in this circumstance.”

“Nothing would change the fact that you had helped me. I am grateful as much as I’m annoyed by your actions. I like to keep my feelings separate.”

“Oh, really?” As expected, or perhaps I should be impressed…

“Although you’ve successfully called me out, don’t think that my answer would change. You should have known that, didn’t you?” In an eyeblink, her eyes were sharp and critical.

Well, here comes the ordeal.

She probably wanted to finish quickly. Hmph, let us see whose resolve will be stronger.

“Fine, but I’ll ask anyway. You came for my advice to get together with Hibiki, despite having no romantic feelings towards him.”

“That’s not it…”

“That’s it. I know. So, I want to know why, that’s all. We all hide things, tell a lie once in a while, I’m not blaming you.”

“…”

She put her chin on her clasped hands. She frowned, but her eyes were unwavering.

Silence reigned for several moments.

“A question, please,” she finally said.

“Go on.”

“Why are you so bent on this? What’s your motive?”

That question was natural. Why was I so fixed on her feelings? That was the first thing anyone would have thought.

Although she had been saving this as the last deterrent since she knew that by most probability, I wouldn’t answer.

Ahh, there was no way I could betray Shida.

“I can’t say.”

“So, you want me to reveal my secret while keeping yours?”

“I know. It sounds unreasonable.”

“Hmp…”

She seemed calmer than I expected. Another silence fell.

She heaved a big sigh. “Then, I shouldn’t have come,” she lamented.

She stretched and deflated. It was a spectacle. Her shoulders had dropped only a little, but her atmosphere changed completely.

“Can we relax a little? No games, no probing. I’m tired.” She chuckled tiredly. Her voice sounded a little sweet.

My body relaxed, flushing out several hours worth of stress and anxiety.

“Yeah. Good idea.”