Chapter 5: “Thawing Time”
“Waaa! Look, bunnies! bunnies!”
“No way! I know him. His name’s Bunnyman!”
“Smarty-pants rabbit. Promising young rabbit. Pat pat.”
Surrounded by lively kids, I get rubbed all over. Hmph, how bout that. Such is Bunnyman’s fame. Kids have incredible vitality. They seem to have excessive energy to spare.
“Excuse me. Thank you for listening to my request.”
“Oh no no. I’m the one who suddenly asked for your help.”
Bowing repeatedly comes the gentle-looking caretaker, playing with the kids together with me.
“Big sis, play with us! Plaaay!”
“Um, well, let’s see…what should we do?”
Himiyama-san is also super popular with the kids. She’s a kind, accepting big sister figure, and that aura gets conveyed to the children I guess. Even I I’d like her to play with me too.
“Umm…can you read us a picture book…?”
A girl with braided hair politely requests in a cowering manner. I put her on my lap.
“Of course, Usa. Let’s see. Once upon a time, in a certain place, there lived Grandpa Usa (Bunny), Grandma Usa, Mr. Mountain Usa, who went to cut firewood in the mountains Usa, down the hill he went with a Usa thud Usa thud Usa Don Usa Bura Usa Don Usa Bura Usa..”
“Yukito-kun, your gestalt collapsed!”
“Bunny?”
“I don’t get it.”
“I see.”
No need to explain again obviously, but Himiyama-san and I have come to volunteer at the daycare.
Requests of all kinds flood the influencer Yukito’s SNS daily, and participating in events like this is one of them. It was sudden but the kids seem happy and if it can reduce the burden even a little bit for the caretakers, banzai!
Unlike business propositions with monetary compensation, volunteer work like this purely relies on our conscience, but to begin with it’s not something we’d do expecting rewards.
Speaking of high school students, participating in volunteer work during summer vacation is a classic. Whether it’s saying insincere things during an interview or participating just to boost academic performance, as long as it helps someone, the reality may not matter. At the very least, we’re clearly welcomed here, and I think that’s plenty. Yup yup.
“Now, presents for everyone! What should I give?”
“Yaaay yaaay!”
“I want that towel!”
“Then I’ll take this pen!”
I generously give out Bunnyman goods I brought. The caretakers bow even more profusely. But don’t worry.
“Is it really okay? For you to give us all this…”
“Please don’t mind. It’s inventory clearance and stuff.”
Samples, giveaways – Bunnyman goods keep getting sent in large volumes but I have no use for them. So being able to clear the piling up goods like this kills two birds with one stone. The smiles of children are the nutrition of Bunnyman. (What a nice guy I am)
“Hey, onee-chan is Bunnyman’s friend?”
“Me? Well, I’m Bunnyman’s…”
Himiyama looks puzzled, glancing over at me. Her, my friend? No!
“This big sister is the ‘watchful bunny.’ usa”
“Yukito-kun!?”
The kids look puzzled at my answer. Oops, maybe ‘watchful bunny’ is a bit too complicated.
“Are you a couple? What’s a couple?”
“Lord Bunnyman plans to make his bride to get pregnant to expand his dominion, harboring ambitions to someday turn this planet into a Bunnyman paradise! Bunny bunny bunny bunny usa usa usa usa !”
Gahaha, well, Usa-sa-sa-sa-sa-sa, and I burst into laughter.
“A wife! Like mama!”
“Get pregnant!”
“Get pregnant, get pregnant, yay!”
“Um, I don’t think teaching weird stuff to the kids is… we might get complaints from parents too.”
With an apologetic look, a complaint comes in. Really, I’m very sorry. I prostrated myself.
And so Himiyama and I diligently carried out our volunteer work.
“Sorry for all the trouble.”
“What are you saying. It was for my sake. I should be thanking you.”
After finishing our volunteer work, we took a break at a family restaurant. Our stamina has depleted quite a bit but there’s a sense of accomplishment. The caretakers who do this daily have gotta be gods, plain and simple.
“But why a daycare center?”
“Oh right, I asked Toshifune-san about it. He said you had aspired to be a caretaker before. And the reason you gave up too.”
Himiyama-san’s expression clouds over. Must be a past she doesn’t wanna recall.
“Yeah…since long ago, I loved kids. After giving up being a teacher, I thought maybe I could be a caretaker instead. But when I actually met them face to face, it was no good. A rejection reaction I guess. I got scared. Those innocent, pure eyes looking at me innocently…it was frightening.”
Himiyama-san’s hands trembled noticeably. And not because of the cold draft.
“Now that I think about it, failure to conceive could have also been because of that. I said I wanted a baby but deep down I might have been scared. Like please don’t get born, I might not have sincerely wished congratulations from my heart. With conflicting feelings, I was praying for the opposite of my wish. So maybe that’s why I didn’t get blessed. Served me right. And now I’m this age already.”
She laughs somewhat self-deprecatingly. Her words irritated me.
“Hmph.”
“What’s wrong? You seem quite hmph for some reason…”
“Well, despite saying you’re at such an age, it seems like Mom could easily have a third child, so giving up seems premature. Rather, isn’t it prime age? Bustling with feminine charm?”
Women shouldn’t give up on having kids even in their late 30s. Forties is the absolute limit.
“If Ouka san were to have a third child, then that would probably be with you…”
“Oh my, do you have some insight into my mother’s love life?”
“No! Nothing like that. Nothing at all. Yeah, anything’s good! Anything!”
For some reason, Himiyama-san desperately denies it. Strange. Could mother secretly be dating someone and there’s a gag order around that person or something? This has me curious. Curious I tell ya!
“Yosh, I’ll ask mother when I get home–“
“Why do you not feel a sense of danger!? I think it’s better to stop because it’s definitely going to be a mess. Yukito-kun, you absolutely must not ask so innocently with that cute face of yours ‘kay? I’m begging you!”
“Yes ma’am!”
“I can’t trust those words at all so quit it! Honestly with you…”
I’ll pursue the issue about my mom later. Right now’s about Himiyama-san.
“But isn’t it weird? You seemed perfectly fine today too.”
It’s not like she was okay. I observed her. She was forcing herself and didn’t look well either.
Even still, Himiyama-san properly responded during the whole volunteer period.
“That’s simple. Because you, Yukito-kun, were by my side. It was very reassuring. I felt like I’d be alright. That’s why.”
“However, you did manage to overcome it, that’s a fact. You’ll be fine. For the next week starting today, let’s volunteer together aiming to conquer your fears completely. You’ll get used to it in no time.”
What Himiyama-san lacks is confidence. Self-assurance that she can accomplish it. We can only steadily build up from little things. Today was one step forward. For Himiyama-san’s sake.
“But having you waste so much of your summer break…”
“Because I think you’re worth it, that’s why I’ll do it.”
Himiyama-san murmurs a tiny “thank you”.
“Yeah…you did promise to save me after all. Then let me formally ask again. Yukito-kun, please help me. So I won’t cower in front of children anymore. To stand before them one day.”
“Leave it to me.”
Not just volunteering. There’s a need for the second arrow and the third arrow. I’ve already taken some steps.
It’s challenging with all the preparations and adjustments, but it seems like we’ll make it somehow. This is also thanks to Toshifune-san.
“Himiyama-san has such a lovely voice. Like a professional voice actress.”
“You think…so? First time anyone’s told me that but…”
While drastically changing everyday life habit, it’s clear that being diligent alone is far from enough to overturn the current situation.
“To overcome fear of people’s stares, you need to deliberately bathe in attention.”
I tightly grasped Himiyama-san’s hands and declared:
“Let’s do it. Idol!”
“……………Huh?”
Sweat distinctly trickled down Himiyama-san’s forehead.
“Daaaah, so tiiired!”
“But still, pretty crazy so many gathered huh. As always you move too fast Yukito.”
Lying spread eagle on the asphalt. My back feels practically scorched. Ow ow!
The refreshing pretty boy refreshingly wipes his sweat. Just that alone makes girls from other schools squeal. By now, he was quite the celebrity himself.
A corner of Kaihara Inn. We borrowed part of the parking lot and set up basketball hoops for the streetball tournament, and many youths gathered – high schoolers, college circles, adult hobby groups.
It’s not like we forcefully occupied the place illegally. Of course, already discussed it with Kaihara-san the manager beforehand. And while they call it parking lot, it’s meant for tourist buses not passenger cars. Currently not that many tourist buses stop at Kaihara Inn daily. We borrowed space roughly equivalent to one bus.
Hearing all this, one would wonder what merit Kaihara Inn gets out of it.
We won’t let them take a loss. With the third basketball boom surging nationwide, streetball fever has taken off but we who triggered it, have decided to go to Kyoto for a summer training camp.
We put out a call for opponent teams on SNS and got tons of applications flooding in not just from neighboring Nara, Hyogo, Shiga and Osaka prefectures but all over Japan. I posted the recruitment right after talking with Toshifune-san at the hospital parking lot by the way. Barely made it in time with the dubious summer camp preparations.
And so we would officially play against the 20 teams selected by lottery.
The venue and lodging were at Kaihara Inn. Securing lodging allows teams from afar to participate with peace of mind, which proved more effective than expected.
It’s a two day and one night schedule but I’m covering the lodging fees for 20 teams. That is to say, it’s an expense so no problems whatsoever. In the first place this summer camp also serves as promotion.
Our matches are being livestreamed so supporter excitement is through the roof over the incandescent battles between teams representing respective schools and regions. Comments fly wildly about.
Factoring in advertising costs, there’s no way this can end up in the red. A complete victory.
The previously deserted Kaihara Inn also gained huge crowds and popularity. Max motivation due to reservations from massive groups.
“Now then, time for the long awaited banquet!”
Loud cheers erupted from the gathered teams at my declaration.
Despite calling it a summer camp, only three people participated from our side – me, the refreshing pretty boy, and Masamichi.
Shiori isn’t participating. It’s unrelated to club activities after all, think about it.
A one night two day hot spring stay for a mixed gender group of a few high schoolers. No way her parents would permit that. It’d surely seem like nothing more than a group sex party. Too early for someone underaged.
No matter how PG I claim to be, I can’t make a 3P shot at night.
For some reason Shiori’s parents trust me so Shiori said it’s alright but I don’t wanna cause unease or worry for family, that wasn’t my intention. I’ll make up for this another time.
The banquet hall brimmed with energy. Alcohol strictly prohibited since there’s minors.
New encounters and friendships formed left and right amidst lively meals.
“So satisfying right? Stuff like this.”
Kouki seems sentimental somehow saying that. He did say he wants to do summery stuff.
“Happy now?”
“Huh? You dumb? It’s just getting started for us right?”
His smiling face shone brighter than the bald principal’s reflecting head he’s using as a lap pillow.
“Felt bad getting Masamichi wrapped up in this against his will.”
“Nah I actually aspired for stuff like this too. Plus I’m the chosen hero!”
Masamichi mischievously laughs. This man called Masamichi Mikuriya, the one inherited hero title from the Hotblooded-senpai.
Because Hotblooded-senpai retired for exams, team Snow Rabbits had no hero. So the new basketball club member Masamichi inherited the title of hero.
“About time huh. How’s it looking Kouki?”
I check my watch. The mood well heated up, it’s the peak time for revelry. Now or never!
“Barely took shape but, I say man, are we really going to do this?”
“Not like I wanna fall to being an extroverted jock forming bands and giving lives at culture festivals but, well, productions like this that look good on video are also necessary right. Character songs and stuff.”
“I got no clue what you’re talking on about.”
Think of it like abruptly shoehorned swimsuit episodes with no context to the main story in anime.
“How about Masamichi? Worst case just pretend. We’re not the main roles anyway.”
“I-I’ll somehow have it polished perfectly by showtime…”
“I feel bad for the clueless Kamishiro.”
The refreshing pretty boy worries over Shiori but, hehehe, she’ll surely be surprised.
The sight of a flustered Shiori with her ponytail thrashing around like a bucking bronco comes to mind.
However, Shiori isn’t here. The star right now is–.
I call out to Himiyama-san waiting on standby in the hallway.
“You look amazing. Like a real idol!”
Dressed in a glittery costume, Himiyama-san is stiff from nerves.
“Yu, Yukito-kun. Don’t I look weird? Won’t people think I’m some old lady who’s trying too hard? “
“Saying that when you’re so cute. I could fall for real–“
“I don’t mind if you do but…”
Taking a peek inside, the room darkens and explanations begin to flow about the entertainment ahead.
It started from an offer to create a CM song. Work on the songs to play in the second and third CMs was underway when I figured we should also use it to promote by having team Snow Rabbits form a band. Vocals by one girl member Shiori.
Big sis was another option but she didn’t seem too enthusiastic so Shiori got selected.
By the way, this project has been progressing without Shiori knowing just because it’s more interesting that way. The official debut of the song is planned for fall but I suddenly decided to secretly premiere it here at the summer camp. Problem is Shiori not being here for vocals.
Then it hit me, why not have it sung by Himiyama-san who scared of public attention?
Himiyama-san and I spent the entire week together volunteering. Perfect fit.
While Himiyama-san interacted with the kids extremely cautiously at first, after several days she seemed to have gotten quite used to it, behaving naturally. Her love for children comes across. But still lacking something.
So, I decided to take a rather aggressive strategy. This is a gamble. Gambling is strictly prohibited in the Kokonoe family, but I don’t intend to lose. I’m betting everything on Himiyama-san.
“I can’t believe to became an idol at this age…”
I try to encourage the worried-looking Himiyama-san. To be honest, it’s an extremely reckless strategy, but some strong-arming is probably necessary.
After Himiyama-san and I finished our volunteer work, we practiced for hours on end at the karaoke bar.
“Age doesn’t matter at all. It’s never too late to start something new. I myself am experiencing first family vacation for the first time at this age,”
We enjoyed the hot springs, battled at air hockey, applied massage oil. Encountered yokai and my smartphone was summoned to the heavens. Each and every one is a fond memory.
“The week I spent with Himiyama-san is a precious memory for me,”
I came to know a side of Himiyama-san I didn’t know before. I saw her grieve in despair, yet still laugh and cling to hope. The gentle expression she shows the children, enduring suffering, getting hurt yet trying to overcome the past. I won’t let the tears Himiyama-san has shed go to waste.
“Well…Yukito-kun. Yes, this stage you prepared for me…”
“Shall we give it our best shot?”
A handsome lively drummer takes a seat and taps the sticks a few times. Masamichi checks the tuning on his guitar, and the lighting preparations are perfect as well. I shoulder the bass.
“Yukito-kun, wait!”
My hand is grabbed and I’m called over in the hallway. It’s just the two of us in this space.
“Age really doesn’t matter. …You think so too, right?”
“Not at all. Even a 500-year-old loli is still an old woman if she talks with ‘wagahai’ like that.”
“I don’t really get that but…”
It’s undeniably a romance. The “loli baba” attribute is lacking around me. *Urgent recruitment!
“There’s just one thing I want you to tell me. Why…why are you doing so much for me?”
She looks at me with a dreadfully serious expression, as if waiting for a court ruling.
Himiyama-san’s question to me. I don’t even need to think about something so obvious. Because—
“You were kind to me. Because you told me you loved me….that’s all,” I said.
Isn’t that reason enough?
“I see…that’s how it was. Evil for evil, then kindness for kindness and favor for favor. And for love—”
I’m hugged by Himiyama-san.
“Hey, Yukito-kun. If I’m able to make a comeback, will you give me a reward?”
“A reward? Anything you’d like.”
I recklessly promise without hesitating. If this gets Himiyama-san motivated, it’s a cheap price to pay. Himiyama-san is a reasonable adult, there’s no way she would make some unreasonable demand like wanting 100 trillion yen.
“Thank you. Then I absolutely have to succeed!”
Himiyama-san’s warmth leaves me.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes!”
I step into the darkened banquet hall. Thunderous applause welcomes our arrival.
The spotlight shines on Himiyama-san. This is just the opening act.
In the dim room, she shouldn’t be able to see the audience’s expressions. No need to shudder under their gazes.
Maybe she’s nervous, Himiyama-san’s shoulders are shaking.
“–Fight, Misaki!”
“….Mikiya-san?”
The president who slipped out of work to make an appearance is waving a light stick.
“Hey you guys, cheer her on too!”
“Just in time. Gramps!”
Looks like Toshifune-san I called up brought some other spectators with him.
It’s his granddaughter’s big stage debut. The cheers are passionate.
Oh, me calling him “gramps” was just for fun, don’t take it seriously!
“Papa, over there, over there! Yukito looks so cool!”
“Honored to be invited, crazy guy. I’ll enjoy my vacation. When I was young I used to give a pickaxe to boys ogling instruments in shop windows, telling them [You’ll be able to buy instruments right away if you mine some coal!] and—”
“Why are you drunk when you haven’t had anything to drink? Be quiet and listen!”
The talkative American dad got scolded by his wife.
Looks like the Tristy family came too. Leon-san and Mio-san are here as well.
It’s stacked, totally stacked. My efforts to invite people right and left paid off it seems.
“I can’t see them but there is no hostility in the gazes directed at Himiyama-san right now.”
“Yeah…I can tell….it’s warm.”
I slap Himiyama-san on the back trying to pump her up.
“Alright, let’s show them!”
“Oh no, my bra hook…! Really, Yukito-kun!”
I immediately prostrate myself. It was an act of god, I swear! Really! Honestly! Waaaaah!
“No matter what happens you’re always your usual self. But it helped loosen me up. Thank you.”
Himiyama-san laughs softly. Looks like she’ll be fine now.
The music starts as we begin the count. I also focus on the bass.
—And so the short live performance consisting of just one song opened its curtain.
◆
“I didn’t know Misaki-san had that kind of skill.”
“I’m just substitude vocalist. I won’t do it again.”
“Is that so? Then it was valuable to see such a rare sight.”
“How mean, Ryoka-sensei!”
“Fufu, isn’t it nice?”
I plop down into the hot spring. The earlier exhilaration still remained. A pleasant sense of fatigue.
To think I would become an idol at my age… The spotlight I experienced for the first time. The fancy idol outfit I wore for the first time. Cheered on by such a large crowd for the first time, I was simply having fun.
Looking back, this past week was truly fulfilling. My heart was about to break so many times, I felt crushed by anxiety again and again, I shuddered at the children’s smiles, and cried so much. But he was by my side the whole time.
Despite it being summer vacation he accompanied me without complaint day after day.
He supported me wholeheartedly both physically and mentally. Boundless gratitude wells up.
And I realized that I’ve become more and more attracted to his existence.
“Sorry to have Ryoka-sensei come all this way too.”
The person soaking in the hot spring next to me, shoulder to shoulder, is my now close friend Ryoka-sensei.
She’s another one of the people Yukito-kun invited. She came to see everything through to the end.
“Please don’t apologize. And also, I love hot springs.”
A gentle smile. I feel Ryoka sensei has also become much more mellow.
“And yet, I’ve put him through such bad experience.”
Letting out a small breath, Ryoka sensei’s eyebrows form worried arcs.
“I don’t regret it or think I made the wrong judgment or choice. But to think he was on a family vacation…I essentially called him back from Kyoto. I have to apologize to him and his parents for that.”
“But Ryoka sensei, if you hadn’t contacted Yukito-kun that day…I was happy that you did.”
Ryoka sensei did nothing wrong. It was because I collapsed. She couldn’t have known, so there was no helping it.
When he received the call, Yukito-kun didn’t say a word about being in Kyoto and immediately said “I’m on my way” before hanging up. Just being able to call him was enough. Just knowing he was worried about me was plenty.
And yet, no one could have imagined he would rush all the way here from Kyoto.
“Saying that makes me feel relieved. The actual performance is tomorrow, but are you okay?”
“If I say I can’t do it after all the preparations, Yukito-kun will get mad at me.”
“…I can’t imagine him being angry at all. I remember him being more tense when we were in elementary school, but now, he’s so laid-back and a very kind boy.”
Ryoka sensei smiles wryly. I recall the conversation before the live.
“Yukito-kun said, ‘Because you were kind to me, I’ll be kind to others.’ I think his essence hasn’t changed since those days. If you feel he has become kinder, it might be because the environment around him has become a kind world for him.”
“…That would be nice.”
A pleasant time with a friend. No need to pretend. I propose something to Ryoka sensei.
“You’ve put in so much effort for my sake. I want to thank Yukito-kun. I’m planning to invite him to a meal next time. Would you like to join us, Ryoka sensei?”
“Sure, I’ll join. …I have reflected on it. I asked for your help, and yet, I burdened a sixteen-year-old child. I tend to rely on others. Having someone reliable is troublesome. –I’m disqualified as an adult.”
Ryoka sensei smiles with a troubled expression. …That’s right, Yukito-kun is only sixteen.
It somehow seems unbelievably difficult.
Who else but Yukito-kun could make something like this happen?
Kaihara Ryokan. I never thought I would return here again.
The road we were supposed to part ways with. Despite the supposed farewell, the connection that Yukito-kun bring us together again.
“Even so, he must have pushed himself considerably in order to prepare all this.”
If it was just for my sake, there would have been no need to go out of his way to use the Kaihara Inn like this.
Not only me. Mikiya-san and this Kaihara Ryokan are all part of the plan to save everything.
Could it be that Mikiya-san asked Yukito-kun to act as an intermediary between us? Even if that was the case, Yukito-kun didn’t need to go this far. To try save everything, such arrogance, greed and effrontery. But at the same time I find myself thinking, maybe he would do that.
—You taught me. You proved it with your actions.
That there’s nothing you have to give up on. Seize all the happiness you can get your hands on, do everything you want, and it’s fine to do that. It’s fine to desire happiness.
“Ryoka sensei. If I overcome this, I’m thinking of taking the teacher employment exam again.”
“….Misaki-san?”
Ryoka sensei’s eyes open wide and big teardrops start spilling out.
“I see…you’re going to challenge it again. Thank goodness. I’m so relieved—”
My resolve I’ve kept hidden in my heart. I haven’t told Yukito-kun yet. Will Yukito-kun be happy for me?
If you hadn’t been here, there’s no way I could have had this feeling, right?
“I’ve caused you endless worry all this time, Ryoka sensei.”
“It’s fine! The fact is it was my fault to begin with, for destroying both your futures.”
When I told her I gave up being a teacher, Ryoka sensei repeatedly apologized in tears.
Even though Ryoka sensei must have had an agonizing time herself. With no way to escape after I left, forced to continue working at that living hell as homeroom teacher. She’s an outstanding educator I’m not fit to tie the shoelaces of.
And yet she was always genuinely concerned about me afterwards.
An extremely wonderful woman I look up to. My ideal educator. I admired her greatly.
“But…there’s another dream I have now.”
I’ve also been influenced by Yukito-kun it seems. It makes me laugh how my state of mind has changed.
“…A dream?”
“Through volunteer work I interacted a lot with children. They were angelically adorable. I really do love kids after all—I genuinely felt from the bottom of my heart that I wanted a child of my own.”
It was a dreamlike time. It was tough having to entertain them but those were blissfully fulfilling moments.
“Yukito-kun is trying to save everything. All the happiness within grasp. So I decided not to give up either. If I have two dreams, I should try finding a way to make both dreams come true, right? Instead of having to make the sad choice of giving up on one or the other. “
As people live on they compromise and give things up more and more with age.
Crushed by reality being told by adults who have given up “You’re still going on about such dreamy things?” Justifying it to themselves that this is what being an adult means while forgetting to resist.
“I see. I’m sure you can manage either just fine, Misaki-san. You’re still so young.”
Age, that’s more important than anything. Ryoka sensei understands this as well.
Mixed in with Ryoka sensei’s words I sensed faint resignation. I couldn’t bear it.
“Speaking of which, I heard you’ve been going to a marriage consultation service, Ryoka sensei…”
“Ohh….please don’t ask too much about that. …The results have been less than ideal.”
She averted her eyes awkwardly. Just like me, Ryoka sensei is reluctant about happiness.
A beauty with financial power and good family background. Ryoka sensei should have been spoiled for choice.
And yet she still isn’t married now because Ryoka sensei fears it.
I gave up being a teacher and Yukito-kun became isolated. Unable to become happy herself after causing that. Resistance towards the happiness right before her eyes even as she desires it from the bottom of her heart.
But that’s no longer necessary. I’m reaching for the future. So—
“But you said you wanted a child too, didn’t you Ryoka sensei?”
“Even if I say that, without a partner…Before I knew it, I’ll be in my forties soon.”
She looks gloomy. Ryoka sensi is approaching a critical age.
It doesn’t matter when she gets married or takes the teacher employment exam but it’s different when it comes to having children.
There’s a clear time limit on that. Younger is preferable.
The probability of natural conception declines with age. Once in the forties especially, that probability takes a steep dive and the risks rise. In matchmaking, men tend to place importance on age as well, because for men who want a family and children, age becomes the most vital factor.
“Ryoka sensei. You do have a candidate though, right? An extremely wonderful one at that. …Don’t you think?”
“……………Huh?”
◆
“Misaki, there you are!!”
“Mikiya san? What happened, why are you in a place like this?”
When Mikiya found Misaki, he called out to her. He had been looking for her to talk but it seems she had gone outside the inn. Right before the date changes. Mikiya recalled nostalgic times under the full moon.
“…Who could have imagined you would become an idol.”
“Having you say it again makes me feel kinda embarrassed,”
she said, though it didn’t seem to particularly bother her. It was an irreplaceable experience for Misaki, that was the truth. Walking slowly, they continued the conversation, filling the gap in time.
“He’s amazing… When he came back and told me about you, I was surprised by one thing after another. He taught me just how little I actually knew about you. In the end, I was looking down on you the whole time. Then the days started changing rapidly. The change was instantaneous.”
After a chance encounter with that boy at the inn, things Mikiya found hard to believe continued one after another. The encounter truly altered everything. The wheels were set in motion.
Reservation requests keep pouring nonstop into the Kaihara Inn.
The employees who had gloomy feelings about the inn’s prospects now seem refreshed like fish in water. Same for Mikiya’s mother. She’s brimming with motivation from the waves of work crashing down.
“I don’t know the details well but apparently it’s something called ‘holy site pilgrimage’ or something.”
“That’s just like Yukito-kun. Our understanding can’t reach that level.”
The boy who comes up with random things and then actually executes them. He’s done the inn a great favor.
“But still, I’m at a loss over that video.”
While the influencer boy’s huge publicity for the inn is appreciated, that last part was quite unexpected. The “Souvenirs I Gave After Getting Them from a Panty Crane Game” series Yukito Kokonoe has uploaded to SNS, every single video has easily surpassed one million views and is a hot topic.
Despite being a formidable opponent, the only one who remained composed was the homeroom teacher, Fujishiro sensei. When she opened the souvenir, expecting a famous sweet, it turned out to be an unexpected gift. She exclaimed, “[Oh, so you have the nerve to present me with such a thing. Very well, get down on your knees!]” and went on giving strict lecture. As for the student council president, Keido, her reaction ranged from, “[T-This is! Wait for me, I’ll change right away!]” as she suddenly put her hand on the skirt, leading to an unexpected broadcast accident where the episode ended abruptly. The reactions varied widely, making it a hot topic.
And more than anyone, the name of this place as the holy land of street basketball has now spread nationwide, in name and reality, to a completely different generation and customer demographic than before.
The blessing that fluttered down. For the Kaihara Inn, it was an event that pulled them back from the brink of ruin.
No one knows how long the street basketball boom will last. One year? Two years? Or maybe it will fizzle out in half a year. But none of that matters.
“He bought us time.”
The inn had been silent as the grave. The fact that the situation took such a dramatic turn could be called a miracle. They will review their policies and rebuild their management during this grace period they have been given. And more than anything, they finally have the precious time they so desperately needed.
And for Mikiya, there was one other important thing. A chance to reconcile.
He couldn’t be more grateful to the boy who gave him those things. He tied together again the bond Mikiya had once let go of.
The boy bowed his head and said “Please help Himiyama-san” to him.
He was doing everything he could for Misaki’s sake. And that’s exactly why he chose Mikiya and the Kaihara Inn.
Mikiya was struck in the chest by the way the boy lived. At the same time, he was ashamed of himself. For lacking determination.
He had been desperately struggling along somehow until now. But no matter how desperately, just how much of Mikiya’s own will had been reflected in that? He had lived as the successor son of the inn since he was born.
It was imperative for him to inherit the inn, and matters related to the inn were always top priority. For someone forced to go along with living like that, coming to detest it would probably be natural too. And reality was that his partner left him for it, even giving up the marriage, and he lost custody of his child as well.
All that remained was an inn laden with debt and a foolish divorced man.
He stretched out his hands everywhere trying to find funds to keep the inn going somehow.
Yet the helping hand he awaited came from someone related to Misaki instead.
What had he been doing, Mikiya repeatedly asked himself.
And then Mikiya witnessed something he had never seen from Misaki before.
She seemed to have been forced into becoming an idol and was singing. But her expression was filled with a sense of fulfillment. He saw Misaki’s smile that he hadn’t seen at all when they were dating.
Prioritizing the inn wasn’t wrong. However, if he had paid just a little more attention to his partner and tried to protect that smile, perhaps she never would have left him.
A man’s regret over failing to cherish what he should have cherished most. But the chance visited him unexpectedly again.
Not for the inn’s sake that had fallen into financial trouble. Not because his mother told him anything. Mikiya made the decision by his own will that he wanted to walk beside Misaki again, wanted to support her by his side again.
“Hey Misaki. I want us to start over again. Not for anyone else’s sake, just for you and me.”
Misaki caught her breath at the strong Mikiya somehow different from before.
“Misaki-san. I can only watch over you, but I’ll be cheering you on. Do your best.”
“…Yes. One day, I want us to stand shoulder-to-shoulder as teachers again, Ryoka sensei.”
“I look forward to it.”
We firmly shook hands. I truly wished from my heart that such a day would come.
“I’ve helped out as much as these old bones can handle.”
“You as well, Grandfather. Just having you make time in your busy schedule to come here is plenty.”
“I was surprised when that boy first told me about this but oh well. Go ahead and have your fun. I wonder just how many debts that boy intends to incur in my name… Will I even be able to pay them back within my lifetime…”
“It will be fine, Grandfather. I’ll take care of the payments.”
—I’ll spend my whole life repaying this favor to Yukito-kun. I’m betting everything on it.
“Gahahaha! Is that right, I’ll leave it to you then, Misaki. Be sure to show me at least one great-grandkid while you’re at it.”
“If Yukito-kun say OK, I can do it right away.”
Grandfather let out a hearty laugh as he left. Just like Ryoka sensei he’ll probably watch over me. How much have I worried and disappointed so many people up until now.
We were in the hallway of a certain classroom. Though to be more accurate, it’s probably some kind of studio set made to look like a classroom rather than actual school grounds. But the interior looks no different from a real classroom.
With this many children gathered, lively chatter arises naturally. There are fifty children here.
With the trend of reducing class sizes to 35 students progressing in elementary schools, having this number in one class is probably refreshing for the children even considering classes that fail to meet capacity due to the declining birth rate.
That said, the children gathered here have a mix of grades and are pretty evenly distributed.
Their eyes were sparkling brightly, brimming with energy and excitement.
“Umm…will we get to see the bunnyman again afterwards?”
A girl probably around eight years old timidly approached and asked.
“Yup. So just be patient for a little while ‘kay?”
“Yaaay♪”
The girl’s face instantly lit up. When I pat her head she nods delightedly and toddles back to the others.
“Thank you for the invitation. But is it really alright…?”
“Since we made the request of you, please don’t worry about it. Rather, thank you for agreeing to chaperone them. We would feel uneasy with just us for these numbers…”
“Oh no no, it’s nothing. I’m a full-time housewife so I have plenty of free time.”
The female chaperone gently laughs things off. Strictly speaking I shouldn’t be the one answering but it can’t be helped.
The parents who brought their children are spending time freely in the hallway like this as well.
These children here were gathered by Yukito-kun through his giveaway event. He made a big announcement that he would give away the popular limited edition basketball shoes that had become hard to obtain.
The condition was that entrants had to be elementary school children. Applications poured in and he gathered a good gender and grade balance.
They chose which model of shoes they wanted on the entry form after providing their address and child’s shoe size at reception. For some reason there was a witch model option for the new model though why would that be me?
Getting forced into becoming an idol or witch, I feel like I’m just being manipulated but could anyone other than Yukito-kun accomplish stuff like this? He went to such great lengths for my sake alone.
We explained to the parents and children that this was just extra. They would simply be taking a 45 minute lesson in the classroom. It’s only natural for the guardians to be doubtful over whether this is really okay.
The only ones who know the truth are those of us here. But that’s fine. It benefits everyone with no losers.
There isn’t a single person here who will end up unhappy. So very like Yukito-kun.
“Misaki-san, it’s about time.”
“Yes!”
I’m urged by Ryoka sensei. Yukito-kun was nowhere to be seen at some point.
I glance around but he’s not anywhere. I instantly become uneasy.
But it can’t be helped I guess. Because we’ve been together all this time—.
I didn’t realize just how reassuring his presence was until he disappeared, leaving me anxious like this.
Maybe he’s intentionally hiding himself from view. So I don’t keep relying on Yukito forever, so I don’t depend on Yukito-kun. I become aware of just how clingy I’ve become.
I wasn’t like this when I was with Mikiya san though…
Taking a deep breath, I enter the classroom. The children’s stares instantly focus on me.
The lesson contents I’ve prepared are the kind of thing that children of different ages can enjoy, not something you could really call a lesson. I just have to demonstrate what I made together with Yukito-kun. This was put together by the two of us as well.
If I can just get through this time somehow, I was planning to tell him I’m trying to become a teacher again afterwards. My first step forward. But— why—
“—Ah!”
My body trembles clatteringly. I try to call out but my throat catches. Profuse sweat. My heart races more intensely. The stares aimed at me seem terribly frightening now, making my heart shrink away tightly.
Oh…as expected, no good after all huh. The intermittent disappointment at myself comes again. Pitiful and miserable.
If I look up, Ryoka sensei and Grandfather are watching anxiously from the hallway. The parents are giving me suspicious looks as well from my obviously unsettled behavior.
Noticing the disturbance spreading through the children as well with the mood shift.
I have to say something… Even as I think that, I remain facing down unable to lift my head.
“I’m…sorry…”
Just faintly apologizing in a small voice no one else can hear. I couldn’t do it after all.
I betrayed their expectations. Ruined everything Yukito-kun did for me. Overcome by frustration to the point I want to flee this place. My fragile heart crumbles again with a crack.
Despair dominates my chest. The future I painted once more is smeared out black and I’m flung back into hell again.
What was I feeling pleased about I wonder. I knew that place was where I belonged from the start.
Tears spilled down bit by bit. Cast down to the pits of dejection, only chagrin remains.
“—Misaki-san!”
Ryoka sensei runs over having judged there’s no helping it.
Blocking her voice, I hear a soft beloved voice reach my ears faintly.
(Himiyama-san, Himiyama-san! What are you doing! Hurry and start—)
“…Yukito-kun?”
As Himiyama-san freezes up after entering the classroom, a commotion is beginning to spread.
I figured this was an emergency situation so I whispered
(Yukito-kun…? Wh, why are you in a place like that?)
(How can I be beside Himiyama-san if I’m not here right?)
(Ahh! …You, to the very end….)
Huh, you wanna know where I am? I gotta tell you then huh.
That’s right! I was hiding under the teacher’s desk this whole tiiiime! Pow! Pow!
I’d been wanting to try hiding here at least once y’see. I’m satisfied now.
Buuut, I realized after hiding that, isn’t staying here for 45 minutes kinda rough?
While it may be youthful indiscretion, there’s a high possibility of full body muscle pain by the time it ends.
Since the lesson started I’m pretty much just a suspicious person now, so I got no choice but to obediently stay put.
(Himiyama-san will be fine. You were awesome as an idol too, have confidence!)
(Thank you, Yukito kun…)
I poke Himiyama-san’s beautiful legs with my finger trying to encourage her.
Shaking off the trauma flashback, now’s the time for Himiyama-san to make a leap forward.
Himiyama-san faces forward. She checks each student’s face one by one, firmly burning their images into her eyes.
“I’m sorry, I was just feeling a little unwell for a moment. But I’m alright now.”
A gentle, kind, beautiful voice to reassure the children. She seemed just like the normal Himiyama-san.
“Shall we get started then?”
Whew, that’s a relief. Himiyama-san should be fine now I figure.
I give a small wave to Sanjoji sensei seeing me hiding here so the children don’t realize.
Noticing me, Sanjoji sensei makes a troubled face but waves back with a wry smile.
Now we just have to pass the time until everything ends smoothly. Ahh geez. But man…I’m bored….
And then something strange happened!
(Wha—…Himiyama-san? Why are you… Himiyama-san!)
Her skirt steadily rides up right before my eyes. This goes way beyond panty shot territory!
I was enthralled by her sexy shorts but I snap back to my senses.
(Just what are you doing at a time like this!?)
(I thought Yukito-kun might be bored so why not, it’s the panties you gave me right? Wanna touch?)
(I absolutely do not!)
My mind was thrown into complete disarray.
(C’mooon, I’m innocent y’know? It’s fine if you tease me a little…)
(Please just do your job properly, Lewd Sensei!)
(Yeess♪…You scolded me. But Yukito-kun, I love times like this with you the most. My heart feels at ease and very calm. Thank you. I’ll be fine now.)
(…Himiyama-san)
By behaving as normal, she maintains composure. If that means Himiyama-san has to sexually harass me, I have no choice but to meekly accept.
D-Don’t get the wrong idea! It’s not like I’m happy about it or anything ‘kay!?
And so, I was forced to appreciate Himiyama-san’s panties for 45 minutes.
“I did it…I succeeded! As a teacher once more—!”
“Congratulations, Misaki-san!”
Sanjoji sensei wipes away tears with a handkerchief, celebrating as if it were her own accomplishment.
“WuuuaaaaHHH MisakiiiIII! I’m so happpy for you!”
And this guy bawling his eyes out without any care for appearances is Toshifune-san. Looks like he’s relieved with the worries solved.
I borrowed Toshifune-san’s power preparing this location. He really lives up to his reputation as a big shot. Things progressed at an incredible pace thanks to Toshifune-san. This barely-in-time schedule wouldn’t have actualized without him.
As I was nodding my head like a supporting boyfriend I’m strongly embraced by a stumbling Himiyama-san.
“I stood tall! Because you were here, because you were by my side the entire time—!”
For reference, Himiyama-san “thing” is suffocating me. I won’t say what though. I’m wrapped in “that”.
“If things had stayed the way they were, I might have collapsed again. But, I made it. Everything is thanks to you. –Yukito-kun. Listen. I’m thinking of trying to become a teacher again.”
“Misaki-san, Kokonoe-kun is in serious trouble!”
I was rescued by Sanjoji-sensei. Abababababa. Phew, it was heaven. Well, of course.
“S-Sorry, okay!? I got too excited because I was so happy.”
“I’m happy too, so it’s okay, but is that so? You’re going back to being a teacher?”
This time, I was embraced with a bit of restraint. It seems there’s no option for Himiyama-san other than to hug me.
“Yeah. Now, I think I won’t make the same mistakes. Because you taught me that I can always start over. So, I’ll give it my best. Yukito-kun, will you support me?”
“Of course.”
Himiyama-san would surely become an amazing and popular teacher with the students.
Because she can empathize with them. There will be students saved by her kindness.
Everything is returning to its proper form. I felt like I finally corrected what I had distorted.
“…But you know, there’s still some anxiety.”
“Anxiety?”
Himiyama-san’s expression clouds over. I’m determined to see things through all the way, taking responsibility.
Because that’s my atonement towards the girls I traumatized.
“I want to keep believing you’ll stay by my side forever. To prove that, I need courage.”
Courage. An emotion I completely lack.
“What should I do?”
My mentality is robust like the unseverable synthetic metal Prometheus. So I don’t know.
“—That’s…you know.”
I get kissed while still embraced. A sweet, sweet kiss.
“Himiyama-san, what are you—!?”
“Please…leave your mark on me. That way, I’ll be able to feel Yukito forever right?”
She smiles at me mischievously like that, catching me off guard. My strength leaves me limply from fatigue.
“Well, I guess this much is…”
“No, I’m absorbing your vitality. It’s approved by Grandpa.”
“There’s a vampire here!?”
As expected of Kyoto with its 1,200 year history. All kinds of supernatural creatures like monsters and vampires run rampant here.
“—Maybe I should look for an onmyoji or something…”
Somehow, I end up muttering that absentmindedly.
“–Um, you know! Didn’t you say you were looking for an Onmyoji? Coincidentally enough, despite appearances My name is Jagaima Kururu, a novice onmyoji! People are always teasing me for being a klutz but I’ll have you know even Grandma has praised my genuine skill! giggle“
“No more women please!”
Someone take her awayyy… Dang…my encounter rate is way too high…?!
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