Episode 12: “A Date in the name of Rehearsal”
I wash my face in the bathroom and gaze at my reflection in the mirror. A plain and unremarkable face. I’ve been called a faceless background character by my classmates. I practice smiling in front of the mirror. It’s not easy to do well; my face just ends up looking strained.
I create a hairstyle using the beauty magazine I read thoroughly last night as a reference. I bought some wax from the convenience store.
“No problem… but there is a problem.”
Resetting feels different this time. I used to be able to cleanly erase any event. Yet, when I’m with Hanazono, it feels like there’s a lump in the depths of my heart.
I ask Pomekichi, who I brought to the washstand, for his opinion.
“I probably need to change seriously.”
Pomekichi doesn’t respond. Of course, he won’t. …Pomekichi is just a stuffed animal. However, I’ve developed an attachment to it. If I were to reset my feelings towards Pomekichi, I could easily throw it away without hesitation.
Thinking about that made my chest ache. It’s because I haven’t reset my feelings.
In elementary school, the orders of “adults” were absolute. So, I kept resetting to protect myself.
I wanted to live a normal life. But I probably didn’t make an effort. I kept resetting over trivial things and running away.
My eyes in the mirror seemed cloudy. …I didn’t become like this to be free. So, I’ll change.
I gently hug Pomekichi and place him next to the photo frame where Hanazono is reflected.
“I’m going. Don’t worry while I’m gone,”
I said, not expecting a response. But I felt a sense of relief come over me. I put on the suit I had picked out in middle school and left the house.
I headed to Yurakucho Line Ikebukuro Station, the closest subway station, to go to Toyosu Station. The line is always empty. My destination was a big cafe with delicious juice inside a shopping center. Since the shopping center has a movie theater, it’s just right.
The meeting spot was in front of Toyosu Station. I thought we could go together since we’re neighbors. But Hanazono said it was meaningful to meet up. I don’t understand the meaning.
Speaking of which, since I left the house, I’ve felt people’s gazes on me. Especially from women. I was bothered when a woman talked to me on the train earlier. I couldn’t respond well and lowered my head.
Do I look strange? No, that’s not it. This is Hanazono’s fashionable coordination. I believe in Hanazono. Should I really believe in her?
Right on time, I arrived at the above ground exit of the station, our meeting spot. The clear blue sky feels nice. It must be perfect date weather.
When I surveyed the area, I could see Hanazono a bit away with an anxious look on her face. Even from a distance I could tell today’s Hanazono was dressed up. Her hair was different than usual too.
I haven’t seen Hanazono like this since our middle school trip together. I felt my heart skip a beat.
Well, it must be my imagination. I should go over to Hanazono quickly.
“What are you saying? I don’t understand! Hey, don’t touch me!”
When I got close to Hanazono, two foreign men had already started talking to her before me. I cocked my head in puzzlement. Friends of hers? They have quite big builds.
[We’re superstars so let’s play together! you’re cute. A Japanese girl like you will surely come with hot guys like us]
[Hahaha, damn right. If you sees my muscles you’ll be head over heels. She probably can’t even speak French or English, but who cares. Just saying “cute” is good enough, right?]
[No mistake, hahaha!]
Southern French accents. I don’t have good memories of Southern France. So I don’t want to hear French much. I stepped in between the man trying to grab Hanazono’s arm.
Hanazono looked relieved when she saw me.
“Oh, Tsuyoshi… Thank goodness you’re here,” she said.
[Who’s this pretty boy?] [Is he your man? Whatever, piss off]
The bald man got close to my face. He has a big face. It looks like he does some kind of combat sport since his ears are misshapen and his face is full of scars.
[Why should I disappear? I’m going out with Hanazono]
[Huh? You can speak French! And with a Southern accent too! Play interpreter for us, we’re gonna play with this girl]
[Why should I have to do that?]
[Just do what I say!]
The bald man tried to grab Hanazono’s arm again. I grabbed his hand.
When this guy is close, I recall the fishy smell of Southern France. My reset emotions and patchy memories. Now’s not the time to get sentimental.
Today I’m practicing a date with Hanazono.
I won’t forgive anyone who tries to harm my friend.
I’m returning to that sensation–
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
[Don’t grab Jean’s arm! Get him, Jean! Do it, Jean! …Jean? What’s wrong?]
The one called Jean had a panicked look. It’s nothing much, I’ve just immobilized his arm.
Without hesitation, I called the police.
110.
Forcibly taking someone away is not good.
[I’m calling the police now. Japanese police are excellent. What I feel from you two is a nasty smell. Oh, the police? Right now some foreigners are harassing me. –Please give me a response. –Ah, excuse me, I’ll switch back to Japanese.]
[He called the cops!? Jean, let’s scram!]
[O-Omar, wait. I can’t move my hand…, I lived in the slums so I know, this guy’s dangerous if we mess with him…]
When I let go, the foreign men ran off. I described the men’s appearances to the police and hung up, then turned to Hanazono.
She had looked uneasy, but her complexion quickly returned to normal.
I’m glad. If something happened to my friend, I would– How would I feel? I feel like I almost grasped something. It’s not just my imagination. I definitely felt something just now.
Hanazono’s long hair shone beautifully in the light. Her clothes were totally different than her normal lazy outfit. She was wearing very cute clothes. Plus light makeup and a fashionable hairstyle.
I unconsciously gasped. I wasn’t consciously aware, but Hanazono is a girl after all–
I have to say something or this awkwardness won’t go away. I’m too nervous to find the words.
“–S-Sorry I’m late… Your c-clothes are cuter than u-usual…”
“Pfft…hahaha! What’s with that attitude? And actually, you were right on time. …And when you say my clothes are cute, you’re not supposed to mention the clothes!”
“I see, I’ll remember that for next time.”
“Yeah, thanks! Tsuyoshi…that was cool,”
Hanazono whispered while looking down. It was so quiet that ordinary people probably couldn’t have heard it. But to me, it was clear as day. I felt the temperature of my face rise. I got even more flustered for some reason. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.
“W-What did you say just now?”
“Nothing at all! Come on, let’s go!”
With a broad grin, Hanazono strode off ahead of me.
Yeah, she hasn’t changed from middle school.
We headed to the shopping center.
Inside is a movie theater. As we walked, we chatted about random things. I felt refreshingly carefree.
“Well, it’s been a while since we went out together, just the two of us… I’m really glad we can go out again…”
“Yeah, you were never straightforward, Hanazono. There are many things I don’t understand about you.”
“Yeah…that’s true. Hehe, it’s nostalgic, isn’t it? I really was an idiot back then. If only I had been more straightforward…”
“Even now, you’re the only one I can talk to normally, Hanazono….I’m grateful.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine with Tanaka-san too. You work together, right? Today is a date practice run so I’ll be really pushy!”
“Yeah, I trust you more than anyone, Hanazono.”
“Y-You idiot…jeez, you’re too straightforward, Tsuyoshi. But I guess that’s what’s good about you…”
That reminds me, I had a question for Hanazono. Let me try asking her. I always knew Hanazono wasn’t straightforward, but there are some things I won’t know unless I ask directly.
“By the way, why did you say you liked Midosuji senpai even though you didn’t? I still don’t really understand that, even now that my feelings for you have been reset.”
Hanazono stopped walking. I waited for her words.
“…Pfft, yeah it’s painful. But just being together was–“
She took a deep breath and said to me:
“Well, I was embarrassed. I got teased by my friends, and I thought they’d make fun of you too… Anyway, I was an idiot and not straightforward, but I did like you. I had the foolish confidence that you definitely liked me back…maybe that’s why.”
My head started to spin in confusion. I can’t process the information well. It would be easier to solve a math puzzle.
“S-Sorry. I don’t understand…”
“That’s okay, you don’t have to understand. To put it simply, I was hiding my shyness. Yeah, hiding my foolish shyness…”
“I see, hiding your shyness–“
I feel like I understand but actually don’t. Still, Hanazono said back then she wanted to start over as friends.
I can’t recall my feelings from before they were erased. But Hanazono must be special to me.
“Hanazono.”
“Hm? What is it?”
“–I must have liked you too back then. I can’t remember what those feelings were anymore. But I’ll do my best to try and recall them.”
I heard Hanazono sniffle. I hope she hasn’t ruined her nice makeup.
“Dummy…it’s okay. Those kinds of feelings aren’t something you can get back through effort, they have to come naturally. So go forward, Tsuyoshi. This time I’ll do my best!”
“It’s quite complicated.”
“It’s not that complicated at all! Just act according to your true feelings. It’ll be okay, I’ll be by your side if anything happens!”
“That’s reassuring.”
“Yeah! Come on, it’s time for the movie! Hurry!”
Hanazono smiled brightly at me despite her eyes being red.
As expected, Hanazono’s expressive face is wonderful, I thought, as if it were someone else’s business.
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I hope these couple will make it.
Let him be happy now.
I like hanazono characters development
Thanks for the chapter