Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093094471724561/episodes/16818792437924109597
Is it actually okay to make phone calls on trains? Is it legally problematic? Or is it just a matter of manners?
It can’t possibly be a crime just for making a phone call on the train, right?
Thinking about it calmly, that’s true. Making a call on a train this empty can’t possibly be a crime.
I’ve seen posters saying things like, “Please refrain from making calls as it may disturb others”. So, if you don’t disturb anyone, it’s fine to call, right? Then it should be fine to call now when it’s this empty…
That’s right, if I do disturb someone, I can just apologise. If I explain the situation, they’ll definitely understand.
The disturbance would only last a moment. If I don’t make this call now, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.
I’ll make the call. I’ll talk to Grandma.
…Hold on. How long until I get here?
About ten minutes… In that case, maybe I should wait…
Because you shouldn’t cause trouble, and it’s only ten minutes. …I can do it.
Besides, speaking in person conveys feelings better than a phone call, so I’ll tell her directly. That’s definitely better.
Breaking etiquette is wrong, after all. Thinking it’s okay as long as it’s not a crime is bad.
Even if I broke etiquette to talk to Grandma, she wouldn’t be pleased. So it’s better to wait another ten minutes, right?
…But if I don’t call now, will I regret it?
What if I don’t make it in ten minutes?
I’ll pluck up the courage and call. That’s what I’ll do. I won’t let myself regret it.
I take out my mobile and start dialling the number.
I feel like people are looking at me, wondering why I’m making a call when there aren’t that many others around.
My fingers freeze over my number.
Why am I so conscious of others’ eyes this time, when I usually dress like that?
Making a call should be easier than dressing up as a magical girl…
M-move to another carriage. I’ll go somewhere less crowded. If there are fewer people, I’ll make the call properly.
[Thank you very much for travelling with us today.]
An announcement.
Hang on, it’s not stopping, is it?
[Attention all passengers]
N-no, surely not? That’s the announcement they make when they suspend services, right?
…Does this train mean to stop?
Thinking I wouldn’t see Grandma anymore, I sank to my knees right there.
…Grandma, I’m sorry.
[Passengers in Carriage 5 will be able to make mobile phone calls for approximately 10 minutes from now.]
…Eh?
[I repeat. Passengers in Carriage 5 will be able to make mobile phone calls for approximately 10 minutes from now.]
…An announcement I’ve never heard before.
“Carriage 5 is this one, right? lucky. I just happened to want to make a call~. Ah, hello?”
Saying that, Shota-kun came over from the next carriage, drenched in sweat.
…Why is Shota-kun here?
No, that doesn’t matter right now. I have to call Grandma.
“Hello?!”
“Ah, hello. Keiko?”
“Yes. Can I speak to Grandma?”
“Yes.”
“Grandma!”
“…..”
I faintly heard what sounded like Grandma’s voice. She was already in that state.
“Grandma, I’m sorry. I caused you so much trouble, didn’t I? I’m sorry for dragging you around the amusement park when I was eight. You must have been exhausted, Grandma. I’m sorry for pestering you for Ringo-chan’s ballpoint pen. Mum said I wasn’t allowed to. I’m sorry for making you come to my class observation day when you were busy that day. I’m sorry I ran away when you scolded me for my mischief, even though you did it for my sake. I’m sorry I always insisted on eating Grandma’s cooking on Saturdays, just because I was being selfish. I’m sorry I made you watch Ringo-chan with me, even though you didn’t understand it. I’m sorry I sometimes asked to sleep with you, even though it made it hard for you to rest. I’m sorry, Grandma. For everything. For being such a granddaughter…”
“…!”
“I’m sorry. You must have hated it too, Grandma? I’m sorry. …I’m sorry.”
“…..”
“Hey. Don’t go saying sorry all the time. I did things for you because I cared about you. Don’t use sad words like sorry. Use words like thank you – it make both of us happy.”
So sorry was a sad word…
I’ve been apologising to Grandma all the time. I haven’t said thank you yet.
If Grandma did things for me out of love, I really must say thank you properly.
“Grandma. Thank you for going to the amusement park with me. Being with you made it so much fun the whole time. I still use that pen I begged you to buy me – it was my lucky charm during exams. Thank you. Thank you for coming to my class observation day. Because you were there, I raised my hand really hard that day. Thank you for telling me off for my own good. I ran away afterwards, but I was so happy when you found me. Thank you for cooking for me. I always looked forward to Saturdays. Even now, Saturday is my favourite day. When I talked about Apple-chan, you seemed so happy, so I just kept talking. Thank you for always listening. Thank you for not making fun of me when I asked if I could sleep with you. Sleeping with you made me feel safe. …Thank you.”
Don’t cry yet! There’s still more to say!
“Grandma, thank you! I’m so glad you were my grandma! I was so, so happy!”
“……”
“..Grandma, thank you…”
“……Yeah”
I have no memory after that. I collapsed in tears, my Japanese a jumbled mess, so much so I couldn’t even understand myself.
“Senpai. Please stand.”
It was a voice so thick with snot anyone could tell.
Shota-kun, his face even more a mess than mine from tears and snot, held out his hand.
“The train is arriving”
Ah, right.
“Sorry. …No, thank you.”
Taking Shota-kun’s hand, I pulled myself up.
“Good luck”
“You’re crying too much, you know~”
Seeing him crying even harder than me helped me regain a little composure.
“I’m off.”
Saying that, I headed for the hospital where my grandmother was.
Thank you… Shota-kun.
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