As I step outside, my drowsiness quickly wore off.
It was still pitch dark, and the warm, moist air enveloped my body.
It takes about five minutes to get to Shinozuka-san's house from here.
Beyond my parents' house and past Shinozuka's house, there's my grandfather's house.
The school is farther away, but ... it's not too far to worry about.
"It's pretty close to my house, isn't it?
"Yeah, I guess so. I haven't seen you since this morning."
I met Shinozuka on the morning I arrived late to school. At that moment, I couldn't help but say, "Let's go together.
... A small chance can start something. It was not a premonition of any kind.
I just wanted to go with her.
The two of us walked slowly through the residential area at night.
I didn't think that just walking would make me feel so peaceful.
"We'll meet there tomorrow, right? Shinjo, can you make it?"
"Maihama ... it'll be fine, I guess?" (Maihama Station – A railway transit system.)
"Yeah, I see. ..."
Shinozuka was silent for a moment.
The field trip in junior high school , It was a large bus that took the entire student body.
While everyone was talking happily, I was waiting alone.
"Where should we go?" "Your hair looks different from usual! " "I'm so excited!" "Let's buy lots of souvenirs!"
"Oh no, I forgot my wallet!" "Oh well, I'll lend you some money."
"I'm going around with him today and I'm going to confess my love to him today." "Don't do it, it'll be awkward."
Even though I was standing there all alone, I could hear what the students were saying.
I just keep my eyes on the bus car.
I didn't think, "Why am I different? I had already learned to kill my emotions by then."
I just remember feeling empty inside.
It was the same on the bus. The teacher would sing karaoke, and the students would take turns passing the microphone around. It was never my turn.
The seat next to me was empty. The person next to me had taken the liberty of using the simple seat and moved on to another student.
I kept looking out the window.
As I watched the scenery drift by, all I could think about was the development of my novel.
–Now that I think about it, maybe I was still lonely.
The two of us walked slowly.
When I looked at Shinozuka, she looked as if she wanted to say something.
I wanted to say something, but I was embarrassed. That's how I felt.
"Oh!"
"What's wrong, Shinjo? What's wrong with your voice?"
Yes, going to the meeting place alone would be ... lonely.
Then I should invite her. ... to go to the meeting place together.
You have to be brave. We went to school together the other day. We went to the shopping center together, didn't we? We even had dinner together a while ago.
After all this time…
We're almost in front of Shinozuka's house.
I can't bring myself to say it. It's just one word.
It shouldn't be a problem because we are friends. ... Still, a strange feeling comes up from deep in my chest.
I'm strangely nervous. It's a different morning, and it's like asking someone out on a date. ...
–I'm afraid to ask myself out. I can't help but imagine what will happen if I'm rejected.
I imagine what it would be like if she said no. "It's okay, I'm already at my house. ... See you tomorrow! Looking forward to–"
"Wait, wait, wait!"
I stopped in my tracks. I was worried that my voice was shaking.
"I'm not sure if my voice is shaking or not. ... I've never been to Maihama before. I've never been to Maihama in the first place. It's more efficient to follow someone who knows the area than to look it up, right?
I don't know why I'm talking so fast and piling on more words than usual.
Shinozuka put her hand on her chest and slowly opened her mouth.
That momentary pause was terrifying.
"Hmm, good .... I've been wondering if I should tell you too .... Yeah, and we're friends, so let's go together! Look forward to seeing you in your casual clothes! I'll remind you that I'm not just a jersey girl!"
I felt my whole body relax.
For some reason, I felt like laughing. I don't know why I felt like laughing.
"Oh, my God, why are you laughing? Thank you for telling me that ...."
It's fine, laughing calmed me down.
"Yeah, I'm looking forward to it. –Goodbye, then. Good night."
"Good night. Good night! Don't be late!"
Shinozuka turned around several times and headed for the door.
I watched her go until she closed the door.
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
Last night, I let my feelings get the better of me for today's update.
In the heat of the moment, I was working on a short story about cross-world romance, and before I knew it, I was asleep. It was a sound sleep.
–I woke up earlier than usual. I was surprised at how much I was looking forward to this day.
We were to meet in front of Shinotsuka's house at 7:00.
It's only four o'clock in the morning. ... I can't help but think that I'm too early, but I decided to write the continuation of the otherworldly romance that I reworked yesterday to keep my mind from wandering too quickly.
As I write, I look at my watch over and over again.
The time hasn't passed at all. Although I was concerned about the time, my writing was going well.
The story is about a hero who was betrayed by humans and a demon king who is hated by the world.
The two met at the bottom of hell and became friends.
There are still no romantic elements in the story, but I'll finish the story with a foreboding ending.
"Okay."
It was a little early, but I decided to leave the house.
I arrived at ... thirty minutes before the appointed time.
It's funny, I'd be mistaken for a pervert if I stayed in front of the house like this. I knew I had to go to ... just in time.
When I stopped to think about it, the front door of Shinozuka's house opened.
"I'm going to go now! Mom, please look forward to the souvenirs!"
"Oh my goodness, ugh ..., I'm so glad Anri is having fun .... Mom's so happy."
"Oh, my God, you're overreacting! Hey, I'm going to a friend's house and–Shinjo!?"
My eyes met with Shinozuka's at the door.
I see, so Shinozuka woke up early and tried to go to my house because she was done getting ready.
I'm sure she's really looking forward to ... Destiny Land.
"Oh, good morning, I woke up a little early ..., sorry, I got here early."
"Eh, uh, yeah, that's okay, .... Well, let's go to Maihama station and look around! Heh, ..., oh, wait, Mom!"
Shinozuka's mother opened the door, which she tried to close once.
I greeted her mom.
"I'm sorry to trouble you so early in the morning. It's nice to meet you, I'm Shinjo, Shinozuka-san's friend."
"Oh, good morning! I'm Anri's mom. ... Are you the rumored Shin-kun? I've heard about you from Anri and Saeko! Have fun today!
"I'm so embarrassed, I'm going to go ... now!"
"See you later!"
The mother, who looked just like Shinozuka, waved her hand and closed the door.
Shinotsuka, blushing, turns to me.
"G-Good morning, ...."
"...."
I couldn't find my voice. I saw Shinozuka's wearing casual clothes for the first time.
There was a different ... Shinozuka standing there.
The clothes are certainly fashionable. She was wearing a white dress with a thin jacket over it. The shoes on her feet also looked very good. As a man, I don't know what kind of clothes she was wearing. It was a very girlish outfit. She had her hair down, which she usually wears in a bun, and she didn't have any stray hairs. It was smooth and silky.
Her blond hair glistened in the morning sun.
Her pure white skin looked crystal clear.
I was amazed at how much I could see just by not wearing a jersey. ... Are you a model or something? It's not a matter of ... clothing. It's not about the clothes.
"Hey, Shinjo? Are you okay? I'm more dressed up than usual today, you know? What do you think?"
The words that finally came out of his mouth were simple ones that he forced out and hid his embarrassment.
"... its awesome."
"What, is that a compliment? Hey, Shinjo, what about it?"
I was too embarrassed to look at Shinozuka's face.
"Hey, Shinjo, turn around! I'm already at .... Hmm, But I'm glad. The first person who saw me in my casual clothes today was Shinjo."
"... Oh, yeah."
We both started walking towards the station.
I'm not sure if we're friends or not, but I can be natural with Shinozuka.
I'm sure Shinozuka feels the same way.
Because the smile on her face in the morning sun was so lovely and cute.
I whispered in a small voice. It's okay, I'm sure they can't hear me.
"... It looks really good on you and you look cute."
I'm not sure if she heard it or not, but I'm sure she had.
"Oh, haha, Shinjo finally gave me a compliment."
"... No, that was me talking to myself."
"Oh, you were definitely complimenting me, aren't you? You're not being honest anymore."
"Walk forward. You're gonna fall."
"Okay, okay. –Hey, Shinjo, let's enjoy the field trip!
"Yeah, let's have fun!"
The moment the two met at the meeting place, today's field trip began.
It was their first field trip with friends.
The anticipation that I had been waiting for so long turned into reality.
That made me happy.
_________________________
~To be continue~