Volume 2 - CH 5.2

So, as friends.

Translated by 64990022

Chapter 5: So, as friends.

Part 2

“‘Hibiki-kun’ is a character I created.”

Perhaps because it was a weekday afternoon, we practically had the train all for ourselves. We found a doorside seat and sat there.

“Appearance, character settings, name. I made it all up. I do feel a little bad for him, existing to be my scapegoat. Haha, why am I even feeling sorry for an imaginary character.”

The train rattled on.

Her shoulder bumped mine. I shy away. “Did you notice he’s too good to be real? I can’t figure out the right amount so I kinda maxed out his stats.” A tired, wry smile escaped Mikage’s lips. 

Childhood friends, handsome, kind, go to a good university, and is a model. Maybe it really was too much. I wasn’t doubting anything at first since it was Mikage, but now… it did sound unrealistic.

“Well, anyway, let’s get on with today’s date, ‘kay?”

So this was what I got wrong. She wasn’t faking a relationship, the other party didn’t exist in the first place.

“So that’s how it is…”

“Sorry, Angel. I’m sorry.” She wouldn’t look at me. Not that I would like to see.

I was glad we weren’t sitting across from each other.

“And sorry, that’s all I could say for now, the rest have to wait until the end.”

“That’s the deal. I don’t mind.”

Whoooosh. The world plunged into darkness as we entered a tunnel.

“Thank you,” her voice almost lost in the wind.

◆　◆　◆

The train dropped its speed as it entered the Osaka Station. As we inched closer, overhanging buildings increased in intensity.

According to Mikage, this was today’s destination. As soon as I got down to the platform, I was almost swept away by the crowd. I raised my hand to signal who was a little further away. I waded to a corner and waited for her there

“Whew.” She dropped by next to me.

“I can’t believe a station is this large…”

“Yup, amazing, right? A dozen kilometers difference between our rural school and this metropolis. Actually this is my first time around here,” she admitted.

Mikage was already back to her usual self, looking around with interest.

The ceiling had a dome-like roof, and a glass-walled connecting passageway crossed over the platform. A series of escalators run along this corridor and down to the underground floor.

I was already feeling confused by the simultaneous feeling of spaciousness and complexity. I thought Kyoto Station was a real deal. Apparently, I was still too naive…

“So, what’s next on schedule?”

“Y’know what? I don’t have a schedule.”

“Huh? And what’s to be proud of?!”

She has no plan? Wait, she did say she hadn’t been here before…

“There’s plenty of spots, cafes or whatever it is ‘round here. Might as well as go with my gut and walk around”

[TN: She’s nothing short of chaotic energy.]

Not knowing how to react, I decided to let her take the reins. “You lead, I tag along?”

“That’s the gist.”

“I don’t feel like I can trust you…”

At her suggestion, we got off the platform and we went down the nearest escalator. After paying for the ride over, we both went through the central ticket gate together. The road quickly split into the north and south exits, and Mikage stopped at the junction.

“Which way?”

“I thought you’re leading.”

“My decision tells me to ask you. Will you, Akashi-kun?”

“Whichever way you want.”

“Now that’s just mean.”

Mikage pivoted her head back and forth from side to side several times, crossed her arms, and grunted again. After a while, however, she turned towards the north exit and began to walk slowly.

“Oh, another escalator.”

“I suppose you don’t know where it’s going.”

“Everyone with an eye can tell it’s going up?” She quipped.

“That’s not what I mean.”

We appeared from between two buildings, LUCA and another LUCA, which I wasn’t sure what the difference was.

From there, there were several more options, including escalators, exits, and transfer routes.

“Akashi-kun, in times like this.”

“Yeah?”

“We get to the highest point and get a good look.”

“That’s pretty much the idiom ‘Fools and smoke likes to be up high’”

“So I’m a smoke? Sounds cool,” she laughed out loud.

Then, as if on impulse, she took my hand.

“H-hey!”

“Here we go, Akashi-kun!”

Soft… no, focus. She led me to an elevator. It looked like an older sister pulling along a brother, so I shook free as soon as we hopped on. I had no qualms about experiencing the softness, but I needed to do that. I decided to trust that it was a wise decision.

“Gee, you don’t have to be so reserved.”

“I don’t think reservation has anything to do with this.”

“Soft, wasn’t it,” she whispered.

“…”

I take that back.

Pulling away was the right call.

“Oh, there’s a plaza this high up!”

A sign that said “Plaza of Timespace” was in front of the elevator door. Like its name, it was a somewhat mysterious space with a golden pole clock erected. People sure go all-out when designing shopping mall resting areas, huh?

Most people here appeared to be waiting, there were lots of benches for this purpose.

“See that ferris wheel?”

“Why is it so red…”

“There might be an amusement park here?”

“No… This place is called Hep Five… The ferris thing’s the only thing around, like a fancy ion, I guess.” Of course, I just got this information from my phone.

“Let’s take a break.” Without waiting for me, she sat down.

“I thought we’ve just got started.”

“I’m physically fine, but the crowds and the elevation changes are making me tired,” she complained.

“I suppose.”

Up high, the air felt fresher.

“So walking around like this for the rest of the afternoon?”

“Yup. touring Osaka afterschool during the test period, sounds like a delinquent,” she chuckled.

“Wait, so this was why you told me to study plenty last week?”

“Exactly!”

“So you’ve already studied.”

“Nope.”

“Too bad. Me neither.”

So this didn’t really hamper our study, because we don’t do one in the first place. Hopeless kids…

“What a crew you’ve assembled.”

Mikage suddenly brought up the subject.

“Crew?” Did she mean the guys at the rooftop? Probably them.

“You’re quite strange yourself too,” she added.

“Why do you think so?” I wasn’t much of a question.

“You guys are so calm with me.”

“…” That’s…

“Remember when I thought you were a girl and my reasons for it?.”

“I do.” If anything, it had an impact on me. “I wasn’t interested in you.”

“Yeah.”

“And they weren’t?”

“Yeah.”

Unlike last time, she was no longer guilty or cautious.

That day, she told me that everyone tended to pamper her. I could definitely see that happening. The more I got to know her, I could imagine that clearer.

“They’re like that to anyone. For Hiura… well, she feared for her directness.”

“Despite her being such a cute girl?”

“Minato’s on the same level as you, and Fujimiya’s like that. So none of us had any reason to be overly conscious of you, do we?”

“You have a point.” Her eyes traced the ferris wheels. It was moments before she continued. “I had fun.”

“Hm…”

“I never knew. It was… That was my first time eating lunch like that—”

She said nothing more.

I remember the smile she had on that day.