Episode 2 – I’ve Found You

Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16817330649624871134/episodes/16817330649771671876

♠

“Wow, there are quite a few stores there after all.”

Kaneko said happily as we arrived at Akaitohama station, my hometown, after being swayed by the train from the nearest station to the school.

“It used to be a peaceful place until recently. It’s become unsafe because of the increase in the number of people. Even this morning, it was quite difficult.”

“Oh, is that about the pervert?”

“Eh, you know about that?”

“Yeah, it’s been a hot topic since this morning. There was a rumor that a guy wearing our uniform caught the culprit. He got a big reputation among the girls, and they were all yapping and screaming even though they didn’t even know who he was.”

“R-really?”

“Well, if there really was such a brave guy, he would be really popular. Oh, you know what?”

“……Eh?”

Kaneko stares at me with suspicion, and I’m confused.

Could it be that you thought it was me too?

If so, should I confess?

In fact, it was me who caught the culprit by accident.

So the rumor is that it’s me.

I was not sure if he would believe me, and I wondered what good it would do if I told him that it was actually just an accidental stumble.

But I don’t want the rumor to spread on its own and grow by itself.

So I decided to tell him.

“Well, actually.”

“Really? You saw him? That guy?”

“Eh?”

“W-what did he look like? You know, I’ve always wanted to be a hero like that. Was he a student at our school? What was he like? How tall was he? Was he a senior?”

“N-no, um.”

“What’s the big deal? Well, I wonder if he is someone who takes this train every day. If so, you’d recognize him right away.”

“……”

I couldn’t say anything to Kaneko, whose eyes were shining.

The “hero” high schooler you admire is actually me, and I’m not brave or anything, I’m just weak in the legs and feet.

I can’t say it.

I don’t want to disappoint him by telling him.

“I’m sorry, I don’t remember his face at all.”

“Eh, seriously? That’s a shame, but you’re going to be taking this train tomorrow, right? If you see someone who looks like him, let me know. I want his autograph.”

“Y-yeah. If he’s there.”

I’m sure he doesn’t want my autograph, though.

As I exited the ticket gate, I looked at Kaneko, who was still in a good mood.

I held up my pass gently to the machine, feeling embarrassed.

◇

“Oh, so this is Akaitohama. It’s nice.”

The next place I took Kaneko, who was now a tourist, was Akaito Beach.

It is a place where the sea breeze blows pleasantly and the sound of rippling waves soothes the soul.

It was a weekday afternoon, so there were not many people there.

It would be a disaster on weekends.

“Hey, Kaneko, do you like the ocean even though you’re a boy?”

“That’s prejudiced. Besides, there are a lot of jinxes about this place.”

“Is it about a man and woman who walk together on Akaito beach will get married?”

“As expected of a local, you know your stuff. I actually have a girl I’m after, and I’m thinking of asking her out next time.”

“I see. So that’s why you brought a local to visit.”

“That’s right. I’m glad I got to know Sendai in the end. I’m looking forward to working with you in the future.”

“Yeah, it’s my pleasure. Well, if you’re going to visit, don’t do it on weekends.”

“Why?”

“Because there are men and women walking around. You’ll never know who you might end up with.”

“Haha, indeed. Then, I’ll go when there are not many people around. All right, let’s go home.”

“I’ll walk you to the station. I mean, I guess there’s a girl you like”

“Well, that’s normal for a high school student. Do you have one too, Sendai?”

“No. I’m not in a sports club like you. And I’m not popular with girls.”

“Really? You’re skinny, and I think you’d look good if you were dressed more proper.”

“Yeah, yeah, I wish a girl would say that about me.”

With this sulky remark, I took Kaneko to the station.

As we headed toward the station, the number of people began to increase.

As I was getting fed up with the number of people even on a weekday, I noticed a female student standing still at the roundabout in front of the station.

“That’s?”

“Oh, she’s really pretty……or rather, is that Hyori senpai?”

“What, do you know her?”

“No, I’ve never talked to her, but she seems to be quite famous in school. She’s extremely beautiful, but she seems to hate men. I know her because one of my seniors was severely rejected by her. Well, you’d better stay away from her.”

“I see. But, is this her hometown? I’ve never heard of her.”

“I don’t know. But maybe that’s why she didn’t have any friends.”

“Hmmm.”

I glance at someone called Hyori.

I’m not sure if I’ve seen her before or not,……maybe she’s the one who was standing in the courtyard after the entrance ceremony for a long time.

……She looks forward with a blank expression all the time and doesn’t move.

It’s like a mannequin standing there.

But she’s beautiful.

If she’s that beautiful, I’m sure she’ll be popular even if she has a bad personality.

Well, she’s a beauty I have no connection with.

“Well, I’ll leave you here.”

“Yeah, see you tomorrow.”

We eventually reached the station’s ticket gate and parted ways with Kaneko.

I turned around and went back out of the station.

Then,

“She’s still there.”

Hyori san was still standing at the station roundabout.

Just from her backside, I could sense her distinctive aura of unapproachability, and she exuded an atmosphere that suggested she must be a beautiful woman.

Of course, I didn’t have the courage to talk to a woman I had never talked to before, and there was no reason to talk to her in the first place, so I went on my way home.

♥

“I’ve found you.”

I could somehow imagine him getting on and off at this station.

Or rather, I deduced it from the information.

I asked the teacher, [How many people commute by train at our school?] and he replied that there were only a few in his grade.

He also told me that most of them were from Akaitohama station, which was an aside but important information.

The teacher wondered with a look on his face why I was asking such a question, but when I told him about the incident on the train this morning, he agreed with me.

But I wondered if it was fate that had led me to him so quickly.

“Fufu, I wonder where his home is? I love his back view too…..I can’t wait to get to know you better.”

I slowly followed behind him, staying a little further away.

I was a little hesitant, wondering if this was a behavior stalker or not.

No it’s not.

I love him and he told me that he loves someone like me.

So, if we are in love with each other, it’s not stalking or anything.

Fufu, I wonder if he would be surprised if I suddenly came over to his house.

How did you know? Would he look at me strangely?

No, I’m sure he would understand my healthy feelings.

I’m sure he will understand.

“I’ll be waiting for you, Tokiwa kun. I love you.”