Chapter 3 Part 4 – A crowded train brings us closer together

Translator: Chaos

Editor: Riciel

The side dishes and rice balls that Riko had made for us had been packed in a fancy lunch box, and now I was carefully carrying them in my backpack. We left the school by bus as planned, and after being dropped off in front of the Yokohama Station roundabout, we started our group activities.

“All right! Let’s go! – So, which line is it?”

Asakura, who seemed to have no idea where she was going despite her energetic walk, looked back at me. Sawa didn’t have the booklet for the excursion in his hand, of course, and Riko, the treasurer, was currently buying tickets for the four of us.

I guess I should be the one to answer…

First, we’ll take the Minato Mirai Line to Nihonodori Station…”

“Wow! How many stations are there?”

“After Yokohama, we take the Minatomirai line to Bashamichi, and then the… Nihonodori station.”

I could only answer the question in a robotic way.

“Oh, I see. You know a lot of things, don’t you, childhood friend?”

“No, I think it’s normal…”

You can check it by looking at the handbook, but don’t you think you should at least know your destination before that?

I kept this alternative reply in my head.

“It’s not normal, is it? I think it’s great that you do that, because I’m quite disorganized. You’re really dependable, aren’t you, childhood friend? That kind of thing makes a girl fall in love with you, doesn’t it?”

“Hey, I’m back…”

When I heard a familiar voice, I turned around and saw Riko with the tickets in her hand. For some reason, she was practically breathing on my shoulder.

Did she run back?

I’m wondering this since we should still have plenty of time.

Maybe she was worried about us waiting for her.

Riko is that kind of girl.

“Here’s your ticket.”

“Thank you.”

I thanked her and took the ticket she handed out to me. For a moment, I thought Riko was staring at me, but it was probably my imagination.

After that, we boarded the Minatomirai Line, which was quite crowded. We all were pushed to the back of the train car and were lost in the rush of people and crowds. Sawa and Asakura seemed to have been swept away in another direction, and I couldn’t see them. I’ve already told them about the station we’re getting off at, so I’m sure they could handle it.

“It’s really crowded here… I was so surprised. …”

In the same car, I could see a few students wearing the same high school uniform as ours. But fortunately, they weren’t this close that I could hear their conversation. I’m not sure if that’s why I felt relieved, but Riko spoke to me in a hushed voice.

… Is it okay to have a conversation today at least since we’re in the same group?

Normally, we deliberately split up when we leave the house and go to school separately.

But just for today, I can talk to Riko.

That made me happy, so I replied in a hushed voice.

“You’re right. But well, the Enoden line doesn’t go that far, does it?”

“… I’m riding the train with Minato-kun for the first time.”

I couldn’t believe Riko was thinking the same thing. Riko’s eyes narrowed shyly in front of my surprised face.

“It’s kind of refreshing.”

“Yeah…”

“Today, unlike usual, I don’t have to pretend that I don’t know Minato-kun… That makes me happy, hehe.”

I nodded back silently, knowing that it would be weird to say anything.

And then…

“Wha…!?”

The train went into a curve, and it jolted, causing Riko to lose her balance. I tried to catch her, but she fell into my chest with a thud. We both gasped at the same time as I held her in my arms.

“I’m sorry…”

“No, no…”

“What should I do? … I can’t move back…”

In the originally cramped train, the space Riko had been in was quickly filled.

“Can I stay here…?”

“Yes! As long as Riko is okay with it, yes…”

“Well, I’ll just be here a little longer…”

Riko responded shyly and turned her head down. I was thrilled to see the white nape of her neck through her long, silky hair. I tried to protect Riko from being squashed and prayed desperately that my heart rate would stop rising before Riko would notice it.

But if I had not been in the same group as Riko, would someone else have been here in my place?

Seriously… thank you, God.

Now, for the first time, I thought that being so plain that Riko considered me being harmless, wasn’t so bad.