Every Sin Deserves Punishment - Chapter 21: Summer Festival with the Seniors

Chapter 21: Summer Festival with the Seniors

“Hello? Is this Ichigaya-san’s smartphone?”

I was studying at home when I received a call from Suda-senpai. The only contact registered on my smartphone was for Yoshiki, needless to say.

At first, I was cautious and ignored the call, but after multiple rings, I got annoyed and answered. As soon as I did, I heard the voice of a knee-stroking femme fatale, and that’s how it all began.

“Senpai, I have one question for you first.”

“UmU.” (T/N: Go on.)

“How do you know my smartphone number?”

“I heard it through the voice of the wind.”

It was an obvious lie, but she spoke it fluently.

Indeed, she was a femme fatale who toyed with pure-hearted boys. She was used to lying.

“Are you a mysterious person? Or are you simply a person who writes poems in your notebook?”

“How do you know that? Anyway, there’s a festival today, so let’s meet at 5 p.m. at Ikebukuro Station.”

“Ha?”

She hung up, leaving an elongated “See ya.” I couldn’t help but stare at my smartphone.

“See ya? She didn’t even wait for my response, the hell is that woman talking about.”

There was no way I was going. I immediately tapped the screen and called back, but it didn’t connect no matter how many times I tried.

“Seriously…?”

A cold feeling settled in my chest. What should I do? If I wanted to meet at the designated place, I had to leave home right away.

I didn’t say I would go. There was no reason for me to be blamed for not showing up. I reached for the mechanical pencil on the table, stopping my fingers just before they touched it.

I had quit the broadcasting club. There were now limited opportunities for me to meet the seniors. I might be gossiped about for not going to the festival, but the incident that bore my “For The Sake of Love” nickname had already spread throughout the school. Suda-senpai had the potential to be a femme fatale, but she wasn’t that reckless enough to just bother me.

But those seniors had helped me a lot. Was it okay to just ignore this and not show up?

“Ah fine!”

I got up and started getting ready to go out. It was a festival, but I didn’t have time to put on a kimono. I grabbed a random jacket, put it on, took my pouch, and left the house.

I took the train and stepped onto the platform at Ikebukuro Station. The shadows of people were like a raging flood, overflowing from the bustling city and writhing as if they were about to spill out.

Just as I was about to give up searching, my smartphone vibrated in my pocket. I answered immediately and hurried to the designated spot.

Looking up, I saw countless lanterns hanging from the ceiling. The warm light formed a line, transforming the streets into their night-time face. People gathered at the stalls and play corners, smiling and spreading joy with their friends and lovers.

I tried to avoid looking at them as much as possible and continued walking.

Five minutes after I arrived at the meeting place, a figure in a kimono approached.

The blue sleeve went up.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting. Did you wait for long?”

“I did. Why are you late when you’re the one who called me over?”

“Sorry~ I was a bit caught up with something~”

Namisugi-senpai closed one eye and clapped her hands. Her small stature made her look more like a mischievous child than a femme fatale. To be honest, she only looked like Suda-senpai’s younger sister. I hope she doesn’t become like her older sister, a femme fatale.

Suda-senpai rounded her eyes.

“Huh? Shouldn’t you be saying the usual line here?”

“Usual?”

“Like ‘I didn’t wait for long.’ It’s a classic, right?”

“I don’t know that.”

“No way!? Here I thought you were used to this kind of thing! Don’t you know that it takes time for girls to get ready?”

“I know that, but I’m not used to it.”

From the outside, maybe I looked like I was having fun.

Come to think of it, I was envied as a two-timer at the entrance ceremony. I had cleared up the misunderstanding with Yoshiki, but did Nakiri see me that way too? It’s quite a shock.

Suda-senpai sighed in exasperation.

“What a waste. If you know that, you should put it into practice, or people will think of you as that kind of person.”

“I’ll consider it.”

“You won’t get a girlfriend if you continue to act like that.”

I felt a sharp pain in my chest. Instead of answering, I turned around.

“Eh? Where are you going?”

“Weren’t we here for the festival?”

“Uhm… Are you angry?”

“Not really.”

What I said was true. I was a bit irritated so I just turned around to not let it show.

I should know how to control my own emotions. I can’t be swayed by just inconsiderate words.

The pleasing sound of geta sandals quickly approached from behind.

“Sorry. I guess I got a little carried away because it’s a festival.”

“Namisugi-senpai isn’t at fault. Not Namisugi-senpai at least.”

“See? You are mad. I said I’m sorry.”

Suda-senpai caught up as well. Judging by the slight furrow in her brows, it seemed she felt at least a little guilty.

I let out a small sigh and turned around.

“It’s fine, just be more careful next time. By the way, why did you invite me today? The two of you don’t need a companion, especially Suda-senpai.”

“Eh? Hey, did I just get dissed?”

Namisugi-senpai smiled at me. So, you’re trying to lighten the mood, huh? You’re so kind. I’ll ignore you if my prediction is wrong, as it would be troublesome.

“I see. Suda-senpai, are you trying to cover up the fact that you don’t have a boyfriend by using me as a substitute?”

“If you say that again, you’ll be in big trouble, baby.”

“I won’t say it.”

We moved forward through the sweet-smelling space. Yakisoba, takoyaki, and chocolate bananas. Festival-style makeup was applied to the food, decorating the festival scenery.

“Oh, apple candy! I want to buy it!”

“Me too!”

The seniors rushed to the stall, returned with red spheres on sticks, and approached us.

“You know, apple candy always looks delicious at festivals, but the apples inside are usually mushy.”

“I know what you mean. I always buy it and get disappointed.”

“Excuse me, ladies, what does it say on that stall over there?”

“Apple candy…

Apple candy…”

“That’s right, apple candy. Both of you, close your mouths.”

“I wish I could try juicy apple candy. Do you think it’s possible?”

“I doubt it. I’d like to see a passionate apple candy seller.”

It’s no use, my sarcasm doesn’t work.

An old man with a menacing look was staring at me. I understand that it’s business interference, but don’t take it out on me, the attendant, just because you can’t glare at the girls.

I pushed the two of them and left the scene.

When asked if I wanted to eat something, I bought yakisoba without red pepper and followed the two of them, feeling the warmth in my hands.

“By the way, Ichigaya-san…”

“What is it?”

“How long do you plan on having that gloomy expression?”

I felt my breath catch. I stopped and stared at Suda-senpai’s back.

Two figures stopped at the end of my gaze. The smaller one blinked her eyes.

“Oh my, you’re really gonna mention that now?”

“It doesn’t make sense to keep it a secret, so I thought I might as well say it directly to him.”

I was so annoyed. Suda-senpai seemed to want to say that, shifting her gaze. I could only laugh at her bluntness.

“I see. The invitation was just an excuse to say that, wasn’t it?”

A vague feeling of discomfort pressed against my chest.

Everyone keeps talking about things I don’t want to be touched on. I’m getting tired of hearing what I want to say.

I sighed dramatically.

“If I made you feel uncomfortable, I apologize. But I’m doing what I should be doing. I quit the broadcasting club, and I avoid places where people gather. I don’t think it’s fair to ask more of me.”

“I’m not asking you to stop restraining yourself.”

“Then it’s fine, isn’t it?”

“Even if it’s fine for you, it’s not fine for others. You know you’re called the ‘Servant Pudding,’ right? Don’t you have any thoughts about that?”

“I think they’re just bored. There are always people like that, so I try not to pay attention to them.”

It was like that when I was in elementary school too.

People got excited when someone was bullied, without realizing that it caused suffering for me and my mother. Some unknown strangers felt good without knowing who was being bullied or who was suffering.

Who asked for their sympathy? They were no help when it mattered, yet they used others as a means to feel good for themselves. Just thinking about it makes my stomach churn.

Suda-senpai put her left hand on her waist.

“It’s like you’re missing the point. I’m not interested in your opinion about the nickname. Why do you enjoy tormenting yourself like a martyr and doing volunteer work? It’s painful to see, and I can’t bear it.”

“Uwah, Maki, you’re really harsh.”

“It’s okay. I came here to settle things once and for all.”

“Then let me be clear. Please leave me alone. I don’t want anyone else to interfere with how I decide to live my life.”

“If that’s what you want to say, there’s something else you should do first. Have you ever thought about how your friends might feel when they see you like this? If you’re going to say that, then make sure you hide it perfectly so that no one worries about you. Smile every day, be cheerful, and enjoy your life. If you can’t do that, then confide in someone you trust, complain, or whatever. Don’t bottle it up alone.”

My thoughts froze for a moment. It took me a few seconds to understand the meaning of what the pushy woman had said.

Confide in someone you trust? She sounded like she was concerned about me. Wasn’t she here to criticize me?

Namisugi-senpai shrugged her shoulders.

“Saying ‘confide in someone’ might make boys lament.”

“I’m this kind of person. I don’t care if people only look at my appearance. They can make a face like Munch’s if they want.”

Suda-senpai made a “3” shape with her mouth.

When did “Munch” become a verb? Suda-senpai, the mature beauty, saying “confide in someone” might indeed shatter the admiration of boys who heard it. I could imagine boys despairing and screaming.

In contrast, Namisugi-senpai burst into laughter.

“Haha! Maki is really so funny!”

“You’re always funny, me!”

The women opened their mouths and started to giggle.

My thoughts, on the other hand, were surprisingly calm, in contrast to the two women’s high spirits.

I had never considered it. I had unconsciously assumed that no one in this world was concerned about me.

No, that’s not it, I had been avoiding thinking about it.

I wanted to be punished. I didn’t know how to calm down the self-punishment impulse that dwelled in my heart, so I looked for things that might be helpful to others and did them one by one. Even though I knew my hair was an odd color, I left it as it was and willingly became the butt of jokes.

That self-punishment impulse still lives in my heart, and I have no idea how to resolve it.

Even so, I know what to do in situations like this.

“I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful in the future.”

I bowed my head slightly.

I was angry at her rude tone, but if I had made her feel uncomfortable, I had a head to bow. I had experience with revenge dramas and knew how to maintain a poker face. I would do it thoroughly this time.

However, the seniors often scolded me. They knew about the violent nature of “For The Sake of Love,” yet they pointed out my bad points without hesitation. When I was a child, lectures were just annoying, but now I felt a slight sense of relief when I was scolded.

Even after my mother passed away, there were still people watching over me. I never imagined that this fact would warm my heart so much.

Suda-senpai smiled softly.

“Yeah, I’m sorry for being so harsh too. I might have taken it out on you a bit.”

“She was depressed because you wouldn’t consult with her, you know?”

“Hey, Futaba! Don’t say that. Okay, the lecture is over. Let’s enjoy the festival!”

“Y-Yeah!”

The seniors raised their fists.

I tried to raise my arm, and my gaze fell on the hill in the distance, which was in full bloom.

It was fireworks. I was transfixed by the light that exploded in the sky, and in the next moment, I spotted Nakiri.

I was about to make a strange sound, but this was the third time, so I discreetly hid in the shadows and watched her.

She probably came to enjoy the festival with her friends. Around Nakiri were men and women I had seen in the school building. They were having a good time, talking and smiling together.

It was the kind of youth scene I had once imagined. In front of such a heartwarming scene, I felt a slight sense of discomfort.

“Street clothes…”

The source of my discomfort was Nakiri’s outfit. An off-the-shoulder top and pants that showed her ankles. She stood out from the others wearing yukata.

For a moment, I was disappointed that I couldn’t see Nakiri in a yukata, but then I saw her elegant face looking up at the night sky.

The expression of sorrow reminded me of a past scene.

It was when I was still using the name Fushikura. At that time, I was excited to see Nakiri in a skirt, and when the curfew approached, Nakiri always made that expression.

My heart was restless.

I wanted to do something to dispel the shadow on her face. It was a desire I had felt back then, and I pressed my feet into the ground.

What was my childhood friend, now a complete stranger, thinking as she looked up at the night sky? I was thinking about that until Senpai called me.