Translator: Lilo
Editor: Ryuubii

Chapter 2: Average Day Was Well Off The Average Value

Act 3(2)

Along with Takinami senpai, I rode onto a subway in the Gakuentoshi station.

That said, the Seishin-Yamate Municipal Subway Line, although called a subway, runs on the ground level, so it does not look like a subway at all. Looking out the window, you will see a valley spreading out below, and cars that look like toy cars were running on the road there. Incidentally, the next station, Sogoundo-Koen Station, used to boast the highest elevation for a subway station in Japan until a few years ago.

The train wasn’t too crowded, but wasn’t empty enough for us to sit next to each other – so we just stood side by side, holding on to the strap.

At a quick glance, no students seem to be wearing the same uniform.

“I can’t believe you didn’t accept it when I went out of my way to invite you on a date. This is troubling.”

“You’re still going on about that?”

I took a glance at Takinami-senpai, who was seriously pondering beside me, and was taken aback.

In fact, it was probably a serious situation. Putting aside how many men have approached her in the past, I must be the only person who has ever been asked out by Takinami-senpai and turned her down without a second thought.

“I just got a bright idea. I should just go to your house.”

“Hey, don’t be stupid.”

What outrageous thing is she talking about?

“I mean, think about it. If you won’t go when I invite you, I’ll just have to drag you out myself.”

“…I’m never letting you in, you hear?”

I’m currently in the Hasumi family’s care, and even if I were to return to my original home, I would be the only one there. Letting Takinami Ruika in? What kind of joke is that?

“But,”

She suddenly changed into a serious tone.

“Are you really sure you’re doing alright in your home?”

“Well, somehow.”

She asked me with a worried look, to which I replied in a casual tone. But in turn it made me hate myself.

‘I’m always dodging everything… huh.’

There were many things I can’t say, but I don’t want to lie either, so I end up dodging, playing dumb, and acting like I don’t know every time, even to Takinami-senpai, who was seriously concerned about me.

If that’s the case, should I at least give a sincere answer now?

“To be completely honest, I’m all over the place right now. But, I’ll tell you what I can, once things settle.”

“Alright. I understand.”

Takinami-senpai nodded, being reassured and somewhat happy.

“Alright, It’s my stop.”

I found myself listening to the announcement in the train, indicating that the next stop was Myodani Station, where I should get off.

“Eh? Shizuru, isn’t your stop at Shin-Nagata Station?”

“……”

That was stupid. I started going to school from the Hasumi house, and naturally, my stop would change as well. I was careless. Should I have made my stop in Shin-Nagata and then gone back to Myodani so that she would not be suspicious?

“I have some business here.”

“Is that so?”

Takinami-senpai was still somewhat skeptical of my ambiguous reply.

It seemed that I ended up lying to her once again.

“…Then, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

When we arrived at the station shortly after, I said my goodbyes with a bad aftertaste in my mouth and got off the train.

“Shizuru.”

My name was called and I turned around.

And then, Takinami-senpai, who should have been standing in the middle of the car holding the strap just a moment ago, came near the door.

But she didn’t say anything.

She just stared, as if observing me. I was a little afraid that she might see through my mind.

『The door will now close. Please be careful.』

Eventually, an announcement was heard and the doors were about to close.

“There we go.”

Takinami-senapi jumped out of the train.

“Hey, that was dangerous―?!”

She took one more step and came right in front of me, put her hands behind my neck and brought her face close to mine.

I was so shocked that I tried to pull my face back. But of course I couldn’t escape. On the contrary, she pulled me closer.

However, Takinami-senpai stopped moving suddenly.

“…Did you think I was gonna kiss you?”

The tips of our nose were almost touching each other.

She had a nasty mischievous smile. Beyond her, a train was already running with its doors closed.

“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t do such a shameful act. Because, I’m gonna have you kiss me, Shizuru.”

“…Do you even have a sense of shame in the first place?”

I was only barely able to say that, and Takinami-senpai brilliantly dismissed my point and smiled innocently.

“Hey, stay with me and drink coffee while we wait for the next train.”

Then she removed her arms from around my neck, stepped back, and asked.

“Again, why?”

“Distractions.”

“I said it before, right? I can find myself beside you.”

She uttered with the accelerating train in the background.

Takinami Ruikai once asked me.

『You. Do you have your own proper self?』She said―.

It was also directed at herself.

She had been reading the expectation from the people around her and had been responding to it by becoming Takinami Ruika that everyone idolized her to be, but she was worried that she had no “self” and was “empty.”

However, when she met me, she came to a conclusion.

She doesn’t have to play coy with me, being that we’re of the same kind.

And that was what she meant by self.

In other words, Takinami Ruikai’s self is found beside Makabe Shizuru.

Even I idealized her to be beautiful, kind, and always have a gentle smile on her face. But, her coming to my side without any warning and showing me her other side was really annoying – and also made me a little bit happy.

“…Well, whatever.”

I replied. On the platform, where silence returned after the train had gone.

“But, whose is this distraction for? Not for me, I assume.”

“It doesn’t matter who it is for.”

Takinami-senpai stated in an easygoing manner.

I figured that was the case, so I quickly made my way to the vending machine.