“No, I’m sorry. I think we’re meeting for the first time.”
“Oh? That must hurt your self-esteem. There’s no one in this world who doesn’t know me.”
“Hmm, I’ve just started watching TV recently. I often watch shows with dogs and cats.”
“…So you really don’t know who I am?”
“That’s what I’ve been saying, we’re meeting for the first time.”
The girl’s hostile gaze softened. Why? And then it changed to a curious look.
“Then let me tell you. I’m Saionji Nozomi, the top idol reigning in this celebrities’ class. I’m the second most famous person here.”
“I see, Saionji-san. As a fellow student in the special class, please take care of me.”
“…You don’t seem surprised at all. …Well, whatever. I have no interest in people from Class E. Hurry up and leave.”
“That’s a strange thing to say. Just because we’re divided by letters, that doesn’t mean there’s discrimination. We’re all just normal students, children.”
“Is that so? Children have their own world, you know? There are differences from birth.”
“That’s… a sad way of thinking.”
But the atmosphere felt odd. Even Saionji’s words seemed tinged with sadness.
“I have no intention of arguing with you. You’re below me, that’s all.”
“Hmm, let me go back to the faculty office. Maybe Teacher Tokita is there.”
“Hey, are you even listening? I’m–Ah, senpai…”
Footsteps were heard from the hallway. A familiar rhythm, but not Hanazono, Tanaka, Toudou, or Sasami. One was Hiratsuka Sumire, wearing a different uniform and waving at me. The other, I didn’t recognize, but the footsteps felt strangely nostalgic.
The footsteps quickened, gradually approaching me.
It wasn’t an unfamiliar face – it was one of the girls in the photo frame.
“Ah! Senpai Dōjima! You’re at school!”
Saionji’s words stuck in my mind. Dōjima… I know that name… my soul is reacting to it.
“Dōjima… Ayame…”
The filing cabinet in my mind opens – at that elementary school, the name Dōjima was special, given to the most excellent students.
My consciousness drowns out Saionji’s voice. I gaze at the girl, no, the woman, called Dōjima.
Slightly shorter than me, slender limbs, a graceful figure.
Hiratsuka just waves lightly without approaching. She seems to have pulled Saionji back into the classroom, creating this moment just for me and Dōjima.
Dōjima looks at me with tears in her eyes.
One of the people in the apartment photos… I have a self I don’t know about.
“To, dō, you?”
“I don’t know you, but… it feels so nostalgic.”
“We couldn’t graduate together…”
“I’m sorry, I don’t understand.”
“I wanted to chat more.”
“My apologies, though it’s scattered, there are times I can remember. You are Dōjima Ayame.”
“That’s impressive in itself. I was searching for you, you idiot.”
“I’m sorry, I’ve been at this school the whole time.”
“It’s Eri’s fault. She erased my recognition ability, but why now–the next experiment stage?”
“I don’t know. But someday I’ll remember you, Ayame.”
“That’s enough for me.”
The woman called Dōjima gently embraced me. She had a lovely scent, nostalgic and warm, making me feel sleepy and at peace.
“Wh-wh-what!? You know Dōjima-san!? You’re hugging her!? Ah, ah, are you going to kiss!? What do I do!?”
Saionji’s blushing face is covered by her hands, but peeping through the gaps.
“Give them some privacy!”
Hiratsuka pulls Saionji back into the classroom.
“So Toudou came to this special class too… No, it must be a good thing. His aura feels different from before. This time, surely–“
At that moment, Dōjima’s phone vibrates. She checks it.
“I have to go. But we’ll meet again soon, and then we can talk.”
“I see, if we’ll meet again. …Is this what they call a reunion?”
“Haha, you can make jokes like that now. See you later, and leave the rest to Hiratsuka-san.”
Ayame Dojima had departed.
I had come just to ask about the sports festival, but I found myself in a situation I couldn’t quite grasp.
In times like these, I’d like to calm down by drinking some coffee.
Hiratsuka and Saionji came out of the classroom.
“H-hey, are you and Dojima-senpai…lovers? Embracing like that is…so lewd! You could even get pregnant!”
“What are you saying? That’s biologically impossible… And she’s not my girlfriend. She’s probably just an old classmate from elementary school.”
Hiratsuka lightly hit Saionji’s head.
“Don’t you seem a bit silly despite your looks? Calm down, will you?”
“…I am calm. I’m a mature idol, you know!”
…I feel a bit tired. I’d like to rest my head. I really feel like having a bitter coffee.
“Hey Toudou, you’ve got that ‘I want coffee’ look on your face. I’ll take you to a delicious place.”
“Hmm, as I expected, you’re reliable, Hiratsuka. I don’t understand, but I’ll leave it to you.”
“That’s right, I’m a mature idol. …I won’t get flustered by just a little kiss. …I wonder what a kiss feels like…”
Leaving the flustered Saionji behind, Hiratsuka and I exited the school building.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
In middle school, the tapioca shop in Shinjuku where Hanazono and I used to go had closed down. It was a hot summer day. The coffee tapioca I had ordered there was bitterly delicious, so I wanted to drink it again.
Hiratsuka took me to Shinjuku, and we entered a cafe called Starbucks in front of the station.
I ordered an “Extra Coffee Caramel Frappuccino” and took a seat.
“Saionji Nozomi, the supposedly trouble-making top idol, huh. The rumors are probably just that – rumors. Anyway, I don’t really care.”
“Ah, I’m not that interested. By the way, Princess-“
“That’s not my name.”
“Ah, yes, Hiratsuka. Why were you with that woman [Dojima] at our school? And why at our school? I thought you went to a different school.”
Hiratsuka had a slightly mischievous look on her face.
“Hehe, Dojima-san is my mentor. I’ve been learning a lot from her. I guess you could say I was there to scout your school. And I might even transfer in.”
“Hmm, can you transfer that easily? In any case, I welcome Hiratsuka coming to our school.”
“Yeah, thanks. Hey, doesn’t this feel like a date? Two of us going to a cafe after school and all.”
“Hmm? Is this a date? Isn’t a date when two people who are interested in each other make plans and meet up?”
“Muu, there are all kinds of dates, you know. Anyway, I’m interested in you, Toudou.”
“…That is….”
I could definitely sense some affection from Hiratsuka, but I wasn’t sure how to respond to it. Suddenly, the memories of Hanazono and Tanaka came to mind.
“Ahaha, it’s rare to see you so flustered, Toudou. Nah, don’t worry about it. Hey, isn’t your Frappuccino super sweet?”
The Extra Coffee Caramel Frappuccino I was drinking was very sweet, but I liked it. Hiratsuka was drinking something called a “Soy Latte” – I’d heard of soy milk before but never tried it.
“Wanna try it?”
“Eh? Yeah, let’s trade!”
Now that I think about it, I vaguely recall Tanaka’s face turning red when I once offered her my half-finished juice. I wonder what that meant.
…But who cares about the meaning. I’m just happy to be able to share these memories.
Anyway–
“When I was talking to that student, Saionji, I felt a strong presence from the back of the classroom. What was that all about?”
“Well, Saionji isn’t just a regular student. That was probably one of her bodyguards or something.”
“Bodyguards? I see, that makes sense. But why would a student need bodyguards at school?”
“Regular students don’t need them, but someone as famous as Saionji probably does.”
I see, that’s how it is.
“Hehe, wanna go to the arcade after this?”
“Ah yes, I know the game center. That’s where there are those photo booths.”
“Ohh, have you used them before?”
I briefly closed my eyes. That day had been special.
“…I remembered.”
All the memories of Tanaka had vanished. I had pieced together fragmentary information to reconstruct our relationship, but the only thing I had truly remembered was that exchange on the bench.
Only the affection remained. Even that had been erased.
But now, the memories have resurfaced within me.
“Toudou?”
I picked up my phone. There was a photo of me and Tanaka together.
“I hadn’t been able to recognize this photo. I had lost my memories of Tanaka. I couldn’t even perceive memories related to her. But–“
That day’s passion had changed me. It was almost a miracle. I had given it my all. I could have easily become a lost, forgotten person.
Suddenly, Hiratsuka’s hands were trembling. Her expression was unreadable.
“I see… That’s good. I’m really glad… Toudou, you’re amazing.”
“Um, Hiratsuka, why are you crying?”
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