"Did… somethin' happen yesterday?" "Huh?"
Asami suddenly asked me. I was busy putting products on the shelves, so I answered vaguely. My vague answer sure did irritate her, so she asked again, but this time more aggressively.
"Don't 'Huh?' me. Did somethin' happen between you and Yaguchi yesterday?"
"Yaguchi-san? Why?"
I was startled when I heard Yaguchi-san's name but tried not to show it.
Today we worked the same shift again, but he didn't speak to me. The awkward situation played into my hands, but it seems that Asami didn't like it.
If I told her about yesterday, it won't do any good for me nor Yaguchi-san. Although I felt guilty towards Asami, if Yaguchi-san decided not to say anything, then I won't tell anything either.
"I hate this side of you, Sayu-chaso." "Huh…"
Asami turned around and headed to the office, where Yaguchi-san was taking a break.
"W-What?"
I immediately followed her, and she, not paying attention to me, rushed inside.
"Huh? What happened?"
This was Yaguchi-san's voice.
I too hurriedly went inside. Yaguchi-san was sitting on a chair eating a bento, and Asami was standing in front of him with her hands on her hips.
"What did you do with Sayu-chaso yesterday?" Asami asked directly.
Yaguchi-san looked at her casually, then turned his gaze to me. His look was literally saying, "Did you tell her?" so I just shook my head.
He chuckled then responded to Asami's question.
"Um… I went to her place, then asked her if she wanted to have sex." "Huh?!"
"But… she refused."
"Well obviously! Are you a damn idiot?!"
Asami screamed while Yaguchi-san frowned and shook his head. "I won't know if I didn't ask."
"You should've known that even without askin'! Oh, and I hope you didn't assault her, did ya?!"
Yaguchi-san scratched his nose with his left hand, smiled, and said: "W-Well… Just a bit."
"Huh?!"
Hearing his words, Asami aimed a blow with her right hand and slapped him. The slap echoed through the office as Yaguchi-san's chopsticks fell on the floor.
I was surprised that he told her everything and I didn't expect this sudden slap…
"Ugh… It hurts, I even dropped my chopsticks." "Yeah, but it'll only hurt just this once."
Asami said coldly to Yaguchi-san, who was rubbing his cheek.
Yaguchi-san looked up at Asami and suddenly changed his expression. I couldn't see her face.
"Looks like you're used to it, and you might treat it as a part of your daily routine."
Asami continued with her voice trembling in anger.
"But for people who have already been hurt… whenever something bad happens, they don't just get new wounds, but the old ones reopen too."
Asami clenched her fist.
"And here you are, just like that, again and again, and again, and again… You're constantly hurting them through those invisible wounds."
There was so much anger in her voice. I've never seen her like that before, and I'm sure Yaguchi-san hadn't either. We remained silent and waited for her to say something.
Her shoulders were trembling and yet, she continued quietly.
"So pathetic. Hurting someone who's already been hurting a lot. You're the worst!"
Her voice grew louder as she spoke and by the end, she was screaming as if
emotions were bursting out of her. Motionless… Yaguchi-san was just staring at Asami in shock.
"Apologize to Sayu-chan." "Huh?"
"I said apologize!!"
"Okay, Okay… I got it. I will."
Yaguchi-san nodded under the pressure of Asami. He turned his gaze towards me and said, "I'm sorry!"
Now that all three workers were in the office, there was no one in the store.
Composing herself, Asami opened her mouth, frowned, and turned towards Yaguchi-san.
"Apologize. Be sure to apologize!" "I know, I know."
I don't know if Asami heard his answer, but she just walked past me and went into the store.
"Sorry for the wait!"
I heard a louder than usual voice from the cash register.
She left and we were alone. Relieving the tension, Yaguchi-san sighed. "Sheesh… What a bunch of do-gooders in here…"
"…"
Muttering, he looked at me. Then he guiltily bit his lower lip and slightly bowed.
"Sorry about yesterday." "Oh?"
"I don't think the offer was a bad thing… But I went a little too far… Kinda lost my head."
He said quietly while looking at the floor. He then lifted his head and looked at me again.
"I've only ever had sex consensually. It would be bad if I ruin my record…" "What are you…?"
I didn't expect that. I always thought that he was a terrible person.
However… looking at his current expression, it looks like he isn't that bad. It's just as if something has changed us, and we've become different.
"Um…" "Yeah?"
I decided to ask.
"Why did you tell Asami about everything but my past? I wouldn't have any excuse."
What he said yesterday, "We did it every day when you were at my place…" Of course, there was no excuse for his actions, but I can understand his way of thinking, "If we've done this before, why can't we do this now?"
However, he didn't.
Yaguchi-san looked at me in confusion and then tilted his head in surprise. "I promised not to talk about your past if you brought me to your place." That answer surprised me.
He said that he just wanted to talk, but tried to rape me. And yet, he was going to keep the promise.
His strange behavior made me laugh. "Pfft…"
"Why are you laughing?" "You're really weird, you know?" "Huh?"
As soon as he said that, he raised his eyebrows.
"I don't think that I'll be able to forgive you… for yesterday…" Yaguchi-san slightly tilted his head and I continued.
"But I'm not angry anymore. It's just that… Yesterday, I was really scared. But if you pull off something like that again, I'll…"
My eyes were full of determination. Looking at me, he opened his mouth in surprise.
"I'll get really angry."
I said while he stood with his mouth open for a few seconds and then took a deep breath.
"How scary… Fine, I promise. I won't do that anymore… I already know that you have a terrifying watchdog."
Yaguchi-san said with irritation and picked up the chopsticks from the floor. "Although that 'guy' who lives with you… he's strange, isn't he?"
"Huh?"
He threw the chopsticks into the trash can and shrugged.
"He has this young girl next to him who's so attractive, but he's not even trying to get laid with her. He's really missing out."
"A-attractive…?"
"Yeah. Haven't you noticed it yourself?" Yaguchi-san smiled like he did yesterday.
"My cheek really hurts, I need to cool it down. I'll go buy a drink."
He got up from his chair and headed for the door. On the way, he turned around and pointed his finger at me.
"I apologized. So make sure to tell Asami-chan." "Oh, yeah…"
"And also…"
He scratched his head and raised his eyebrow.
"Tell her that she'd be a lot less scary if she kept talking like a gal when she's angry."
"How about you tell her that yourself?"
In response, he just smiled at me and left the office. I was there alone.
Even though I found Yaguchi-san terrifying yesterday, I'm surprised that I don't have that feeling anymore.
Although the reason was obvious… Yesterday, I was saved by Yoshida-san.
And today, Asami helped me.
It's just that people are protecting me.
And I've never felt so encouraged to keep moving on.
*
"Huh? Yoshida-cchi won't come home today?" "Yeah… Looks like it."
After work, Asami came over as a matter of course. I was cooking dinner in the kitchen when I got the message from Yoshida-san.
『 Sorry. There are problems at work and I have to deal with them. So I'm going to stay at the office for the night. I wish I could go home, especially after what happened yesterday… I'm really sorry. Cook only for yourself. Leave the house only if necessary. If something happens, message me right away. 』
Yoshida-san would usually send short messages. But this time, he sent a really long one.
Asami looked at the screen and we read through the text together. "Whoa, he's too worried. Is he your daddy or what?"
"Well… It's my fault though… I gave him a reason to worry." I said as Asami glanced at me and poked me in the side.
"It's not your fault, Sayu-chaso." "…"
I didn't know what to answer, so Asami took my phone and started typing a message.
"What?" "Wait a bit…"
She said cheerfully while typing quickly.
『 Yo, Yoshida-cchi, Asami here! ☆ I'm at your house rn. Since you're gone, I'll look after Sayu-chaso tonight. Great idea, don't ya think? Hurry up and respond! 』
The content surprised me.
"Is it really okay for you to stay the night with me?" "It's fine. It's fine."
"Won't your parents be worried?"
I asked, and her eyes moved for a moment. I was surprised, but Asami smiled and shook her head.
"Everything's alright, really. They won't be home again tonight anyways." "I see…"
I regretted asking that question.
The phone vibrated and a message came from Yoshida-san.
『 Sorry. If you don't mind, please do. I'm relying on you. Thanks. 』
Seeing this, Asami smiled.
"Yay, Sayu-chaso! We'll be together all night! That's a blast!" "Yeah… Blast!"
Asami's smile was so soft and contagious, so I smiled too.
"Then shall we have dinner? I'm hungry." Asami asked, but she suddenly shook her head.
"You know what? We should be fine without dinner for now." "Huh?"
"I want to go somewhere. Let's go together." She pointed out the window.
It was past 8 pm already and dark outside. "At a time like this…?"
"Yup, exactly at this time."
"Well, if we go together, everything will be alright. Let's go!" "You sure understand everything, Sayu-chaso."
Asami clapped her hands.
"Well, it's decided then. Let's go." "W-Wait, where to?"
"You'll like it. Oh, but before, I need to drop by home." "Okay, sure."
Asami ran to the front door, while I was turning off the stove and light. I put the phone in my pocket and we left the house.
"There are only a few street lights. It's scary to walk alone at night." "Huh? Isn't that fine?"
"There are a lot of street lights near my house and they are so bright that it's
annoying." "I see."
We chatted and walked along an unknown road. It was a 10-minute walk from Yoshida-san's house, but the buildings were completely unfamiliar to me.
As Asami said, there were many bright street lights. Houses around looked good.
"Can you wait here for a sec?" Asami said suddenly, smiling at me. "Y-Yeah."
I nodded. She took out her wallet and pulled out a thin card. Then she inserted it into the device next to the large gate. Something beeped loudly and the gate started opening slowly.
"Huh?!"
I saw a huge house behind the large gate. It looked more like a "building" rather than someone's "house."
"I-Is this your house?" I asked.
Asami looked at me and nodded. The smile on her face was somewhat lonely. She quickly went inside. Something rang and Asami came out with a bike. "I'm back!"
"A bike?"
"Yup, the place is a bit far for walkin', so let's ride this."
"Um… Me too?"
"Uh-huh, you'll sit on the back." "Together? Will everything be alright?"
If the police catch us, we will be interrogated. "Then you can go on your own two feet." "You're so mean!"
"Don't worry, that place's almost rural, so there are no popo there." "Popo…"
Asami closed the gate while talking, got on her bike, and patted the pillion. "C'mon, hop on."
"Okay…"
I sat on hesitantly. Asami waited for me then started pedaling. The bike swayed, and I lost my balance.
"Whoa…"
"Grab onto me. Hold on tight." "O-Okay…"
I grabbed Asami's waist and regained my balance.
We were riding, and the wind blew over me. My legs were cold, but the upper part was warm… It was Asami's warmth.
We've only met recently, so why do I feel so calm? I was lost in my thoughts.
"Hey, Asami."
"Huh?"
I didn't notice how I began to speak. "You know…"
"What?"
"I came here from Hokkaido." "Whoa, that's crazy far. What for?"
Will I be able to say the truth? Will I be able to do this now?
I didn't think about it, and I just started telling her where I am from and who I am.
Asami continued to pedal slowly, while rhythmically nodding to me.
I felt like something big, black and heavy, something I was holding in myself, started to gradually melt and disappear in the darkness of the night.
I told her the story of how I lived before I arrived here, how I met Yoshida- san, Yuzuha-san, Asami and how I got to know Gotou-san.
When I finished, Asami had already stopped pedaling. "Here we are."
Asami said as she stopped the bike. I finally noticed that the scenery around me had changed.
"Whoa…"
We were atop a small hill. It was a park with a small bench and a lawn. There was so much vegetation that I was surprised that there was a place like this in the city.
And above there was a dazzling starry sky. "Beautiful, isn't it?"
"Yeah…"
"I like this place."
Saying this, Asami left her bike at the edge of the park and headed to the center of the lawn.
And there she laid down, I did the same thing. My gaze was directed to the sky.
"It really is beautiful, you can see the stars even though we're in the city." "When I saw it for the first time, I was amazed too."
Asami smiled and sighed. "Father's a politician." "Huh?"
"And mother's a lawyer. Cool, right?" "Are you talking about yourself?" "Yup."
Breathing out through her nose, she continued.
"They were always busy with work since I was a little kid so I was always left to myself. It's not that I was unhappy, but it was lonely. I started to hate that huge house."
"I see…"
"To annoy my parents, I started this 'gal' thing. Mom fainted and dad was
enraged. They didn't even think why I did this." "That's how…"
"My mother always warned me what would happen if I didn't take my studies seriously. So I worked hard…"
Asami is really smart. From what I heard, she has amazing grades. I was a little jealous about it.
"Mom wanted me to become a lawyer. I already figured it out when I started high school. But I'm not interested in it."
"Yeah, I don't think it suits you." "Haha, that hurts, y'know?"
Asami fell silent. I was waiting for the continuation, but Asami remained quiet. Surprised, I looked at her. For some reason, she was blushing.
"Huh?! What happened?"
"Um… Well… Promise me you won't laugh…" "Huh?"
"Promise me that you won't laugh, okay?!" "I-I won't!"
I was confused, but Asami was dead serious. Hearing my answer, Asami quietly said.
"I want to become a writer."
"Wow! You'll definitely become one!" "W-Well, it would be nice if I will…"
"Don't worry, you definitely will."
I saw Asami's school essays, and I always admired how good they were. "Okay, okay… Enough."
Even in the dark, it was clear that she blushed. Asami continued to speak, just to hide it.
"That's why I want to study literature instead of law." "I see…"
"My mother immediately opposed it." "As expected…"
Asami sighed and pointed to the stars.
"That was our first serious fight. And for some reason, dad took my side."
Asami narrowed her eyes slightly, looking at the sky. I looked at her face, she seemed a little more mature.
"We then, as now, laid and looked at the stars. I was so stunned by this beauty, and dad said, 'Your problems are nothing compared to the universe.'"
Asami chuckled and closed her eyes again.
"I thought to myself, 'Suddenly start speakin' on such a grand scale, what the hell's this baldie talkin' about?'"
"Savage."
"Just how can I, an ordinary person, compete with the universe?" Asami said. She smiled, but then became serious.
"It's just that… I couldn't agree with his words, but looking at the starry sky,
I started to think." "About what?"
After a short pause, Asami quietly, but clearly said. "What's my life among these huge stars?"
Asami spoke, looking at the starry sky. She looked really beautiful.
"From the stars' point of view, we sure are insignificant and small. But each of us still has our own story, own future and each of us lives in our own little world."
"…"
I looked at the stars, and Asami's words penetrated my soul. "I know I'm rambling."
Asami took my hand.
"You also have your own story, Sayu-chaso, your own future. They are only yours, no matter what… I understand, that this story isn't the most pleasant, and yet…"
Squeezing my hand tightly, she looked at me. Our gazes met. "Everything has a meaning and a purpose. Everything will be fine." "…"
My eyes started to well up.
Asami continued to speak while still looking at me.
"Your path was very painful. It's unbelievable how hard it was. I understand how diligent you are, I know how you told yourself, 'I must move on… I gotta keep walking…' But you know what? Why not use a bike from time to
time?"
"Yeah… Yeah…"
"You managed to walk here, so I'm sure you can make your way back." "Right!"
I hugged Asami.
My eyes were burning. Since I came here, I cry all the time. "Hey, don't cry, don't cry… Don't…"
I pressed my head to Asami and didn't see where she was looking, but I heard her sniffing.
On a small hill under the stars. Asami and I cried for a few minutes.