After getting off the monorail, Yukinoshita and I strolled around Chiba Station in the evening. There
is still a long time before rush hour, and many students and women can be seen on the road. Soon,
white-collar office workers in suits will overwhelm this area.
If it was some time ago, that is, a few weeks ago, you could still see college students who just
enrolled to attend the orientation meeting dragging a long line, holding a simple sign made of
cardboard suitcases for the great ethnic migration, but now spring is already at its end, the season is
approaching early summer, and such a scene will not be seen.
So, under the snow half a step away from me, I walked ahead unimpeded. Because she has been to
that store many times, there is no trace of confusion in her footsteps.
We walked along the main road of the station. When we just passed the five-way intersection,
Yukinoshita suddenly stopped.
"What's wrong? Lost?"
"How could it be possible..."
I spoke to her, but she squinted and stared over. She lifted the bangs that hung in front of her
eyebrows, showing a troubled smile.
"Arrive earlier than I thought, I'm thinking about what to do..."
"Is that so...it's rare for you to make such a mistake."
Regarding the specific time and place of the dinner, I completely left it to her without asking, but
when she said that, I only noticed that it was only evening, and it was a bit early for dinner. As usual,
Yukinoshita will arrange the time properly to ensure that we arrive at the destination on time or a
few minutes in advance. For the thoughtful Yukinoshita, this mistake is really too low.
Isn't she a bit nervous too... Oh my god, this is in contrast to the usual, too cute?
I arbitrarily explained in my heart, and nodded there alone, but the facts are not like this.
Yukinoshita cast a cold glance at me and said:
"It's not a mistake... I'm afraid that if I don't do this, someone will run away."
I heard a hint of resentment and dissatisfaction in her tone, so I gave a dry laugh. Oh my God, she is
really thoughtful!
"It's good to have a little more time. About how much time is there?"
Yukinoshita heard my question and glanced at the time of the phone.
"Almost an hour."
"So, what should I do? How about going home?"
I almost unconsciously gave advice to go home, but to a surprise, Yukinoshita smiled and nodded.
"Okay. Can I trouble you to send me home? By the way, stay for dinner before leaving? But mother
and sister will be together."
"Oh, oh..."
Even if I make a joke, she will immediately counterattack...I have nothing to do! No matter how
many times I did it again, I can only see the future of having dinner with Yukinoshita-san and her
daughter! Oh my God, Yukinoshita Yukino is really thoughtful... It seems that I can't escape, although
I have known it a long time ago.
"Just find a place to pass the time..."
"Well, just do that."
As we said, we began to look around.
At this time, I met with the eyes of Yukinoshita.
"What, what? Where are you going?"
"You can go anywhere..."
I asked Yukinoshita hesitantly, and she raised her eyebrows in embarrassment.
Then, we fell silent...
We starred with big eyes and small eyes, unable to think of what to say, and sighed with a smile.
Wait a minute, can this be the legendary thing? When you ask where you want to go, you can reply
with one sentence to go anywhere, so as to test the classic routine of the man's taste.
No, Yukinoshita would not do such troublesome things... But thinking about it carefully, this person
is already troublesome!
In this way, I can only mobilize all my wisdom to derive the most perfect answer.
Okay, ask a question to Yawata. Where do girls usually choose to pass the time?
I thought about it for a while, but an ultra-high-performance AI of my level, of course, can only come
up with answers such as "Desperately looking for a good boy in Tabelog when I go out with a girl. It's
really overwhelming." . (Note: Tabelog "食べログ" is Japan's largest food review site) Do you think
you are playing "Renmen Fish SEAMAN"? Is this AI called Yawata actually short for "self-righteous
fool"? (Note: The Roman sound of "self-righteous fool" in Japanese can be abbreviated to AI)
If I'm alone, I can go anywhere to kill the time. For example, go to a nearby ramen shop to fill my
stomach, hang around in a bookstore, or play with a mobile phone in the rest area of a convenience
store, but now it's considering two people, I don't want to be too casual.
What do men and women in the world do at this time? I can do it without making the atmosphere
too tense and killing time with a relaxed feeling, but it is too difficult for me to pick a more
fashionable place.
Starbucks? To Starbucks? Is it all right to go to Starbucks? However, if you order something wrong at
Starbucks, don't you think it's super inferior? But at my level, my mental quality is extremely strong,
and I dare to order a medium cup of iced coffee at Starbucks, so I will definitely not lose face.
However, I usually despise those "jerk creative workers who are sitting next to the Starbucks window
and knocking on the MacBook, exuding a remote office atmosphere". If I choose Starbucks at this
time, I feel like I have lost. But if you want to say that, you lose when you think Starbucks is
fashionable... fashionable people don't think Starbucks is fashionable. This is common knowledge.
It took me about 0.2 seconds to start thinking at a super high speed that even a baseball comic
batsman would be surprised. A man nodded vocally. At this moment, Yukinoshita tilted her head
with an incredible look.
"what happened?"
"No... Where I am going..."
"You can go anywhere..."
When I said this, I actually wanted to leave it to her to make a decision, but she smiled embarrassed
again and repeated what she had just said. I know she meant to leave it to me to decide, but now
the problem lies.
"That's what I said, but it doesn't feel good to choose a place according to my hobbies... It's better to
choose a more suitable place? Don't you think?"
Hearing what I said, Yukinoshita was stunned. After blinking two or three times, she suddenly
laughed, and then she covered her mouth and turned her back.
Hey, what's wrong, what's going on, did I say something funny? I messed up again? I looked at
Yukinoshita anxiously and found her shoulders trembling non-stop.
"...That, Yukinoshita-san?"
Did she poke her weird smile again? I thought so, and spoke to Yukinoshita, only to see her exhale a
little, holding back her smile and turning back. It seemed to be really funny to her, she wiped the
corners of her eyes and smiled with a smile on her mouth.
"So, you will consider these things too."
"No, it's not what you think... It's just that I think I have to find a place to rest anyway..."
She was really ashamed to be pointed out like this.
In order to cover up the shame on my face, I scratched my cheek and chatted, so Yukinoshita smiled
softly.
"Sorry, it really works anywhere."
"Is this... that's good. In other words, is it really okay? Are you not testing me? I take it seriously?"
"How could I be testing you? What can I test through this kind of thing?"
Yukinoshita heard my uneasy question and replied with some speechlessness.
No, there is such a person in the world, through this kind of thing to test the man's taste. I'm
referring to the world's most lovely scum girl named Isshiki Iroha.
My thoughts may have appeared on my face, Yukinoshita played with the black hair that hung down
to her chest, and whispered as if defensively:
"I'm not testing you... It's just that I haven't done anything like passing the time. I don't know what
to do... Well, if you say anything strange, I will be embarrassed."
After speaking in a low voice, she raised her eyes to look at me as if she was spying on my
expression.
Her tone was different from usual, full of childishness, and her affectionate attitude was also very
cute. The corners of my mouth couldn't help but began to rise, so I hurriedly covered my mouth in
order to get confused.
I am afraid that Yukinoshita and I have very little experience in this area. So even things that I didn't
take much to my heart before, now I am very concerned about it.
For example, it will be good for face, and it will be strong. Or maybe they choose to be silent because
they are worried about saying the wrong thing.
This change may be the proof that the relationship has changed. Thinking about it this way, I can't
help feeling that these subtle discords are also pretty good.
Now it's useless to be cool anymore.
The unpromising appearance was seen as early as this year, and even if he wanted to restore his
image, sooner or later he would show his feet.
And I know very well that Yukinoshita is actually quite useless.
So, it's easier and more casual.
"Then go to that Mita." (Note: Coffee shop name)
I said in a relaxed tone, pointing to a sign that came into my sight. So Yukinoshita also looked over
and made a sound similar to sigh.
"KouMeiDa... This is my first time..."
"Oh, really. Kumita tastes quite good. The snack beans that come with the drink are delicious, and
the portion of the dishes is very large, giving people a very affordable feeling. The actual ice and fire
are more than the photos. A big circle, in turn, can be considered a menu fraud. Would you like to
order one?" (Note: "Ice and Fire" is Kumita's signature dessert)
"Didn't I tell you not to eat anything"
After I finished speaking with a smug look, Yukinoshita, who had originally shining eyes, glared over.
"Hahaha, don't worry. When I think about what happened after this, my stomach hurts to death.
Even if I like Kumata, I can't eat it..."
I let out a dry laugh and unknowingly rubbed my stomach. Seeing this, Yukinoshita said in a low
voice:
"You really can't help it."
Then she smiled slightly.
× × ×
Just as the fragrant aroma of coffee swept over the tip of his nose, his mood was incredibly high.
This is certainly not because of the refreshing effect of caffeine in the aroma of coffee. Like Pavlov's
dog, the habit of drinking a drink to cheer himself up before work automatically stimulates the
energy in the body. (Note: Pavlov, the founder of the classical conditioning theory)
I seem to have heard that in recent years, American universities have conducted such experiments.
As if to prove the conclusion of this experiment, Yukinoshita looked a little excited after entering
Kumita.
The clerk took us to the booth. As soon as I sat down, Yukinoshita started to look around, making
small sighs.
I sat in the seat opposite her, looked at her with a smile, opened the menu quickly and placed it in
front of her.
"There are so many kinds."
Yukinoshita leaned out happily to look at the menu, then turned over with joy.
This is what happens when I go to a certain store for the first time. I don't care, just watch it... I can
order later, otherwise I just order a medium iced coffee, you don't need to care about me...
I held my cheek and cast a warm gaze at Yukinoshita, like an uncle, when she noticed my gaze and
rotated the menu by ninety degrees to make it easier for me to see it.
"What are you going to order?"
"Coffee."
Upon hearing my straightforward answer, Yukinoshita smiled abruptly.
"I know, but even coffee has many types."
"Right. I have to struggle for a long time every time. It is better to say that I am now. After all, this is
a coffee shop. Ah, drinks other than coffee are on this page."
With that, I turned the menu to the next page. After all, Yukinoshita likes tea more than coffee... For
example, this one called Ise and black tea is pretty good, I show her my finger.
"But this is a coffee shop."
Yukinoshita tilted her head, pressed her index finger to her mouth, and then turned the menu back
to the coffee page, but not long after she turned it over, she immediately turned back to the black
tea page, and then frowned.
She kept scrolling through the menus and comparing them back and forth. After struggling for a
while, her hand suddenly stopped.
"That one..."
"Ok?"
What's up? Have you decided yet? I asked with my eyesight, but Yukinoshita gave me a peek and
said timidly:
"...I, it is not convenient for me, can I go to your side?... It is not convenient for me."
what? How could it be inconvenient... Why do you have to say it twice? Besides, isn't the menu right
in front of us, and now you're alone, there's no need to sit next to me. What is this person talking
about, how cute is it, and can it just be enough?
By the way, can we not speak so politely all of a sudden? You make the atmosphere so serious, and I
feel nervous.
Can't you speak more naturally? How embarrassing ...
"...Ah, yes, if you don't mind, please."
As a result, I was too bad myself! Because of her, I even started to speak politely.
I replied quickly and in a panic, and Yukinoshita's expression softened. She stood up quietly, and
then came to me next to me with small stiff steps.
I moved my body and sat in the seat, so Yukinoshita sat down in the place I had left.
Then, a moment of silence struck us both.
Obviously, we are closer than before, but the number of conversations is less than before, so the
subtle breathing sounds clearer. Although most of them are mine.
While worrying about whether I was sweating or whether there was a strange smell on my body, I
took a peek at Yukinoshita and found that she seemed to be checking comfort. She was squeezing
the sofa and stool under her, which looked like a check. The cat in his bed.
After the inspection, she reached for the menu and put it between us in order to make it easy for me
to read it.
"This makes it easier to see..."
She exhaled, whispered, and then cast a glance at me seeking approval.
does it? Do you really think so? Hmm... I think it's a bit subtle... I don't even bother to look at the
menu anymore, so I don't think it has become more convenient. It's better to look at it as just now...
But I can't keep turning my body in the opposite direction under the snow. I have to get used to this
unexpected distance.
After quietly exhaling a breath on my shoulders, I sat upright little by little.
"Have you decided?"
Hearing my voice, Yukinoshita raised her head looking at the menu and smiled happily.
"I want Sakura no Azuki Komachi... the name is cute."[Name of a tea probably.]
"Yeah, it's cute, really cute, super cute."
Seeing her blushing and adding in a low voice, I nodded vigorously in agreement. Well, very cute and
cute. The name, appearance, and reason for choosing are all lovely.
I agreed with all my strength and kept saying cute, so Yukinoshita seemed a little embarrassed, she
closed her mouth and twisted her body uncomfortably. Then she cleared her throat and turned the
topic to me.
"Which one would you like?"
"Kumida special black coffee. The name is very cute."
After I said with a smug look, Yukinoshita frowned for some reason, and said in surprise:
"...lovely?"
"Isn't it cute... Do you think it looks like an igloo? Since it looks like my cat, it must be cute." (Note:
"Kumida Black Coffee" and "Igloo" are pronounced Close, komekuro and kamakura respectively)
To be honest, Kamakura is not a beautiful cat. It always looks defiant. Because it is a male American
shorthair cat, it has a very strong physique. When he lies on my lap, he's too heavy to move. He is
still old. He only kissed Komachi and not me. When I touched him, he would show an expression of
unpleasantness. It's actually not that cute, but these are not cute. The place makes people feel cute,
so it is really cute.
Seeing me panting hard and insisting so strongly, Yukinoshita's stern eyes softened.
"Listen to you, it's really cute."
She closed her eyes and nodded gently. Hey... Is your judgment standard too casual? Just look
through the cat filter and everything is cute, right? How cute are you.
It's really a human-shaped cat food that likes cats the most... Just when I thought about it, this
human-shaped cat food was a little closer to me.
"Hey, do you have photos?"
"Yes, but you can wait a moment, I will order things first."
Yukinoshita asked with an expression of excitement that couldn't be restrained, and the tone was
more casual than usual. I gently stopped her and pressed the summoning bell for the waiter.
Then I quickly told the waiter who came over the important things.
"Sakura's red bean Komachi and Kumida special black coffee."
"Okay, please sit down for a while."
The waiter answered with a hearty smile, and left after recording the order. Okay, then next is the
cat time that people look forward to!
"Here."
I turned on my phone, clicked on the album, and placed the phone in front of the Yukinoshita.
"Thank you."
She thanked, and immediately picked up the phone and started scrolling.
It's great for you to be so happy to watch, but my technique for taking photos of cats is as bad as
Komachi. You take it so seriously that I feel a little embarrassed.
But Yukinoshita still seemed to be very satisfied. She stared at the photos closely, as if she was about
to plunge her head into the phone. From time to time, she nodded slightly and said, "That's it...". No,
what is so... what is so so...
Time passed by minute by minute, until the order of drink was delivered, Yukinoshita finally looked
up from the phone.
She happily looked at Adzuki Komachi in front of her, and hurriedly took out her phone and took a
picture. Well, I haven't forgotten this time. When I drank bubble tea before, I drank it before filming.
I looked at this scene with a smile on my face, and I was very pleased with her growth. At this
moment, Yukinoshita suddenly glanced at me.
Then, she sat up a little bit, leaned her body to my side, and then stretched out her left hand holding
the phone and pressed the camera button in the selfie mode.
what? What is this woman doing... Why did she take pictures without authorization... Then why
should she show a shy smile on her face...
It seems that she has to say one thing well.
I pretended to have a headache and held my forehead with my hand, and then covered my
expression like this, while hiding my hot face, I sighed deeply.
"I said, you are giving me a headache..."
"Eh?"
I secretly looked out from the gap between my fingers and saw Yukinoshita was tilting her head in a
daze.
"You shoot me like this, how do you say it, it makes my head hurt..."
"Yes, I'm sorry. I think this should be shot together...so just, that..."
Seeing her hurried appearance, I understood.
I'm afraid I often take pictures together when I go out with Yuigahama and Isshiki. After all, those
two people like to take selfies at every turn.
If you think about it seriously, photos are generally taken with others.
My photos are usually landscapes, cats, and ramen. I gradually forget that this thing is to be taken
with others. It is said that the strength of a person's relationship can be clearly seen from the phone
album.
In this case, I should also carry out consciousness reforms in the future. You can't keep saying that
"photographing will take people's soul away."
I will gradually become familiar with this sense of distance in the future. Moreover, seeing her taking
pictures so happy, I don't want to stop her.
"No, it's okay to take pictures, but remember to tell me before you take pictures..."
"Ok..."
After I told Yukinoshita softly, she lowered her head and made a depressed voice. Before the
change, it was impossible for her to see this expression now. Because her reaction is quite fresh, and
it doesn't feel bad, but I don't want her to think too much, I didn't intend to be so serious.
"Also, remember to send me a copy later."
I cleared my throat deliberately and quickly added a sentence, so Yukinoshita raised her head, tilted
her head to show a puzzled expression, and then she blinked a few times, and then seemed to finally
understand what I was trying to say, and smiled.
"Ok."
With a smile on her face, she hummed a small tune while operating the phone. However, her fingers
suddenly stopped, seeming to be aware of something, and she opened her mouth with a small "ah".
Oh, did you find out... Actually, we still don't know how to contact each other...
"So, that, that's what, contact information..."
Because it was too embarrassing to ask for the contact information until now, I stubbornly said,
Yukinoshita nodded when I heard it.
I only asked about the contact information now, the order is really strange.
But if you don't take advantage of this opportunity or find an excuse, you will always be confused
about the timing of the exchange of contact information. From the result, it is OK if there is no
problem.
"My phone number and email address are this."
"Ah, well, thank you..."
I showed Yukinoshita the screen with the contact information, so she started to input information
into her mobile phone in a panic. Seeing her saying and typing a word, I felt a little sorry for her,
In the old days of clamshell machines, you could exchange contact information with one key through
the infrared function. Now, you can scan the QR code through chat apps like LINE. It should be easier
to exchange contact information.
But my phone does not have that kind of function and APP. No, it may actually be there, but I don't
know it, at least I am not very skilled.
There are only so few people in contact with me so far, so it's no problem to rely on emails and text
messages.
However, considering the future, such as after entering university, it is still necessary to install such
basic communication tools.
I heard that there are more people contacting each other through private messages on chat apps
and social networking sites. In this environment, if one person has different means of contact, the
pressure on costs will be great. Because what can be done by sending it to the LINE group chat has
to be reposted specifically.
"Sure enough, LINE is more convenient?"
It seems that it's finally time for me to introduce LINE... Can I use the emojis of "Guangmei" and
"Ouhuo" to bombard me... Why has the emoji of "Sweet Dream Cat" not come out yet... …[ Chinese
things maybe.]
With a tragic consciousness, I asked casually.
"If it's a short conversation or notification of something, LINE is very convenient..."
Yukinoshita put her hand to her mouth, thinking while talking, but suddenly stopped halfway
through the conversation, revealing a quiet smile.
"...But I like taking the time to write the email slowly and the time waiting for the reply."
"...is it."
I think her answer is really pleasing. Not annoying, pure, smart and straightforward beauty, very
suitable for her.
But it would be a little embarrassing if she knew that I was thinking about these things, so I
pretended to yawn.
"Then use it separately depending on the situation."
I replied casually, and Yukinoshita nodded.
"Why don't you create an account first?"
"Well, let's create it now."
In fact, it's certainly true that LINE is more convenient. Especially emoticons are extremely
convenient. When you don't know how to reply, just send an inexplicable emoticon package, which
will not only leave the fact that you have replied, but also stop the conversation. The emoji is a good
thing...it is the essence of the culture that breeds communication barriers...
I created the account while happily thinking about what emoji to add.
After creating it, I showed the picture to Yukinoshita, and we immediately added friends to each
other through the QR code.
"Then you try to post some news. For example, a photo of a cat."
"okay."
Haha I understand, this is the purpose of this person. But it's better not to say it. I randomly selected
a picture of Kamakura and pressed the button of the paper airplane, so the word "read" appeared
next to the message.
Did it go smoothly? I glanced aside to confirm, but found that Yukinoshita-san was happily staring at
her phone screen. This person, obsessed with cat photos, didn't notice my sight, right?
So, is this the famous "I can't read it back"?
Unexpectedly, I was completely uneasy and didn't feel hurt at all. Maybe it's because I'm used to my
words not being able to convey to others...
I was thinking about these things. At this moment, the phone rang a beep.
I looked at the phone and found that Yukinoshita had posted the photo just now, with the sentence
"For Kamakura-san's photo, thank you."
"Kamakura-san...? you are so respectful that you are scary... It should be said that it is terrifying to
be too respectful."
"Very, weird? How to call it...I don't know how to call someone else's cat respectfully."
Yukinoshita showed a slightly shocked expression, then pursed her lips,
"Isn't it enough to just call by the name...or the nickname like Ka-kun."
Although I never call an cat as Ka-kun, my parents and Komachi both call it that, so this is the official
nickname for our family. Since there are more people called Ka-kun, it would be better to change the
official name to Kaa-kun.
While I was thinking about these things, Ka-kun faction seemed to add another person...
"Yuki-kun... Yuki-kun..."
Yukinoshita looked at the photo of the Kamakura and kept thinking. Then she gave a happy smile.
This is no longer the cat's favorite joy, but the cat's favorite Monpetit... It feels like she will start to
carry her with her. (Note: Xiyue and Monpetit are both cat food brands under the same company,
but Monpetit is positioned to be more upscale and more expensive. Chulu is the brand name of
snacks (ie cat strips) for cats. The full Chinese name is Yi Nabao Miao good tweeting)
"By the way, why don't you just raise one..."
Since she like cats so much, it's okay to have one to live with... I asked the doubts I had been holding
in my heart. As a result, Yukinoshita, who had a happy face, put away her smile.
"It's not easy to raise it if you live alone. If possible, I want to start raising kittens, but kittens must be
taken care of, so I have to ask for leave from school..."
"Hey... ask for leave... are you too exaggerated..."
"This is a major event related to their lives. Did you think of raising cats too easily? Can you sing the
"Mow White Manifesto" completely?" (Note: "Mow White Manifesto" is adapted from Sada Yazhi's
famous song "Guan Bai Manifesto", the lyrics changed the husband's request to his wife to the cat's
request to the owner)
"Your hobby is heavy... Your ideas are amazing and admirable... 'Miaobai Manifesto' I can sing..."
She cast a stern look at me and began to talk about the truth. Although her tone was too serious and
made me a little scared, what she said was not wrong.
However, great principles are for speaking, not for listening.
They went in through my one ear and came out of other, so I can change the subject!
"In other words, don't you live with your family now, then there is nothing to worry about."
Yukinoshita touched her temple as if she was suffering from a headache, and sighed deeply. Then,
she said in an extremely solemn and genuine voice:
"...Do you think those people can take good care of children?"
"It's heavy...no, it's really convincing."
I said I have a clue about this. The mother's way of raising children gives people the feeling that "the
lion will push his son into the deep valley to kill him." It must be terrifying to cats. Let alone cats,
even I am afraid of humans. Do you really want to eat with those people after this? (Note: The
correct proverb is "the lion will push his son into the deep valley")
Just when I was shaking with fear, Yukinoshita suddenly took off the strength of her shoulders and
quietly looked into the distance.
"And... I should move out soon."
"Ah, so too. Then I will go to university."
"Yes, this is indeed the reason..."
what? "This is indeed true"? Is there any other reason? ——I wanted to ask, but I couldn't ask.
Because Yukinoshita's eyes were moist, she lowered her head.
Her long eyelashes fell gently like petals wet by the morning dew, her teeth biting her full and
gorgeous lips, and she exhaled softly as if she was holding her mouth without crying.
Her profile looks illusory and distressing. At this time, Yukinoshita wiped away the teardrops from
the corners of his eyes with her slender fingers, then covered her mouth with her hands and sniffed.
"If you want to move out, you will be separated from the cat. It's absolutely sad...so, there is no way
to raise it at home..."
"This, this..."
This person just imagined the scene of being separated from the cat that I had not started raising,
and she made such a tragic look... Even in the expressions I have seen so far, the degree of sadness is
definitely one of the best.
At this time, in fact, just ask her to come to my house to watch the cat, but this is really
embarrassing.
And using the cat as an excuse to invite her to her home, inexplicably feels like a scumbag. For
example, "I'm keeping a cat. Do you want to see the photos?" "Hey, it's cute!" "Yeah? Oh, don't you
want to see the cat at my house?" It sounds like an ulterior motive. Like a frivolous man.
I hope that Yukinoshita Yukino will not be fooled by such boring tricks.
...No, I'm getting more and more worried about her. So, I made a firm vow in my heart, and
exchanged contact information anyway, and I will send her some cat photos regularly in the future