My Girlfriend is a Death Row Inmate

Chapter 22 – Traces of a Dream

Restaurant “Tessei (鉄星)”.

It was a weekend, and during the daytime, the place was quite crowded. Perhaps it would be even busier at night. Nevertheless, it wasn’t a wildly popular spot to the extent of being always fully booked. Such places were more common in the city nowadays. Unfortunately, this Kidatsu City was somewhere between urban and rural – seventy percent rural, to be exact. So unless it was featured on TV, such phenomena rarely occurred.

And when Shizuku Nanagi entered, no one paid any attention. Perhaps someone would notice a busty beauty entering, but who would think she was a death row convict?

Well, where did she get those clothes anyway?

I was the only one feeling uneasy about her sitting by the window, while Shizuku seemed content just looking outside.

“No one seems to notice.”

“Expecting a death row convict to dress normally? Or even walk in? Only imaginative novelists or those trapped in their fantasies would think so. But still… facing you was the right choice.”

“Why is that?”

“I can see your face better. Not that your face is particularly good, but there’s something about it. I want to keep looking at it.”

“For someone who claims to like honesty, your compliments are strangely indirect. Can I take that as a compliment?”

“I like honest people because I’m twisted myself. But if you want me to be straightforward, I’ll try. I like you.”

That was too straightforward. Shizuku knew she wasn’t one for beating around the bush, but I wished she wasn’t so upfront in public. It felt like a public proposal, and I could feel my face burning.

I covered my face with my hand, not wanting to show my embarrassment. Or so it seemed. In reality, I wanted to peek at her chest, which settled heavily on the table between her fingers. One might wonder why I would even hide when she herself was welcoming me openly. It was just that I didn’t want to be seen through. I had been taught that such perverted actions were unacceptable.

“Now, what shall we order? By the way, how much money did you bring?”

“I have 80,000 yen. But since we’ll continue going on dates from now on, I don’t want to spend it all here.”

“Hehe, I’m not that big of an eater. Plus, if I get too full, the rest of our date might not be as enjoyable. I’ll just eat until I’m 80% full.”

Shizuku’s gaze fell on the menu. Since I found it troublesome to think, I just went with the menu I’ve always ordered before and continued thinking about the date plan. Though I often go with the flow, if there’s time to think, it’s better to invest a little. This is time necessary to maximize Shizuku’s enjoyment.

—How about a movie?

That’s fine and all, but there was no movie theater nearby. If I were planning to end today with a movie, it wouldn’t be a problem, but I think it’d be a bit much. There were still plenty of places I wanted to go. Why would I want to end it with a movie when I’m not even a movie enthusiast? Even if I were to end it with a movie, it’s something to think about a little later. Not now.

—The amusement park?

There wasn’t one nearby, but we could easily spend half a day or more enjoying ourselves at an amusement park. However, considering that it was the weekend, it’s likely to be crowded, which I don’t particularly like. I hate waiting. If I were allowed to freely fondle Shizuku’s breasts while waiting, then maybe…

No, even if that were the case, doing something like that in public would definitely make me a pervert. And not the kind that’s welcome. Even if Shizuku welcomed it, I wouldn’t. Being labeled a pervert is worse than being a pathological liar, and it’s a fact, so there’s no escaping it.

Also, it would be troublesome if I ran into any classmates. Specifically, the part where I have to explain about Shizuku.

“Maybe the special hamburger would be good. Oh, and the daily salad seems quite… Eh? It doesn’t say what’s in it, what does that mean?”

“It’s the daily special, so the contents aren’t written. But look, there’s a note at the bottom right saying they’ll make it from the salad ingredients available, see?”

“Ah, I see. That makes sense. It’s an interesting place.”

“That menu is quite popular, you know.”

――― How about karaoke?

I’m not confident in singing. Rejected.

――― Theater.

It depends on the play.

Why do I have to be denied by my inner self for suggesting something? Whether the other person is a death row inmate or not, it’s still a date, so shouldn’t I stick to my own preferences? Planning something enjoyable for her, isn’t that what a real date is about?

“Do you like sports, Shizuku-san?”

“Hmm? Oh, yeah, I quite like them. Can’t really move properly in these clothes, though. So if we’re going somewhere like that, I’m totally game. I’m confident in my stamina.”

“Really?”

With a half-smile, I expressed doubt, and Shizuku’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“If you’re going to say that much, I’ll show you later. You’ll never be able to follow me, will you?”

There was a faint expectation in her eyes, and I nodded as if I fully accepted it. The next date spot was decided. She’ll be pleased there too.

“Okay, we’ve decided on our order.”

“Shall I call for them then?”

I pressed the button and waited for the waiter to arrive. With nothing to do, including thinking, I glanced around the store for a moment. While talking to Shizuku, it was just noise, but now, as I listened carefully, I could hear various conversations.

“Do you know about it? The method to touch the Akashic Records. Everyone who has led a successful life has touched the Akashic Records—“

“Does that mean I can be successful too!? Please tell me!”

I heard a conversation I shouldn’t have. I have no obligation to stop it, so I won’t, but listening further would only reveal the scammer’s tactics, so I shut it out. Let’s listen to other voices.

“This news is crazy, right?”

“What’s up?”

“You know, that thing about a naked woman found in a trash can. The body… fused with the trash can.”

“Huh? That’s too scary.”

“Maybe back alleys are more dangerous than we thought. I’m starting to get scared of shadows. It’s better to walk in the sun, after all.”

…A naked woman?

My gaze instinctively shifted to Shizuku. I couldn’t imagine her obtaining clothes through legitimate means, being the infamous convict she was. I was scared to ask, but now that I’ve overheard it, curiosity got the better of me. While Shizuku eagerly awaited the food, I timidly inquired.

“Shizuku. How did you get those clothes?”

“Hmm? Oh, these. I think it’s better not to ask too much.”

“Um, did you… do something to someone?”

I couldn’t say anything further, fearing it might become the truth. Contrary to my fear, she shook her head.

“No way. If I caused trouble during our date, the pills would come flying. You know, there are convenient carriers… no, finders in the underworld. People who can handle crazy stuff. I asked that person.”

“What about the money?”

“It seems to be paid from where he’s being used, so it’s free. It seems suspicious as an employment arrangement, but I’m not bothered by the details.”

Is there really such a convenient person? Should I trust those words? The answer was yes without hesitation, but even so, the fact that I’m making choices like this shows what a hopeless man I am. That’s why I’m often called weak-willed.

I don’t remember who said it to me, though.

“Thank you for waiting. I’ll take your order now,”

The clerk arrived.

“Mmm. It’s delicious. Ah, seriously, I feel like I’m getting addicted to it.”

“It’s at a level where you could make money out of it. If you eat something like this, wouldn’t you not be able to eat my cooking anymore?”

“Even if my palate grew refined, your cooking will always be special. Every time I eat it, my whole body heats up, I start yearning for human warmth, my consciousness becomes hazy, and the person in front of me becomes so dear—”

“Are you saying I’m putting some dangerous drug in the food?! I don’t have anything like that! Stop spreading rumors!”

“It was just a little joke.”

Maintaining a friendly atmosphere, I also ate my meal.

“Ryu! You eat way too fast. Can’t you slow down a bit for us?”

“Seriously. Ryuma, why are you in such a hurry?”

I looked around in surprise, but there was no one there. There was no conversation happening ‘between two people’ beyond the window. Ever since that strange dream and getting involved with Shizuku, something weird has been happening to me.

“Is something wrong?”

She didn’t seem to be doing anything. She was concerned about me, but most of her attention was still on the meal. The timing of events since getting involved with Shizuku was just that, timing, and I think the likelihood of her being involved is very low.

So why am I being reminded of memories I’d rather forget? It’s like being regularly reminded of a murder charge even after being released from prison. Even if you’ve reformed, the stigma of the crime remains for life. Even if you understand it intellectually, constantly being reminded of it would sour anyone’s mood.

As an example, let’s say it’s not a crime. How would you feel if every trivial mistake you made in the past was constantly brought up? Even the most insignificant things would eventually become tiresome.

“…Shizuku, you don’t know about my past, do you?”

“If I did, I think I’d know your name too. And if I did know, not asking for your name wouldn’t be much of a bargaining chip, would it? That wouldn’t be fair.”

It’s a statement from the side that would be at a disadvantage. But valuing fairness is a good thing. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be any negotiation.

“…Must be my imagination.”

“What is?”

“Oh, it’s nothing, just something on my mind.”

Concluding it’s just auditory hallucinations, I continued my meal.

―――It’s too loud. If I eat quickly, I’ll have more free time afterward.