Traveling With a Beautiful Girl - Chapter 4: Tabata→Tokyo

“I never thought we’d actually go.”

As the train bound for Tokyo on the Keihin Tokyo Line swayed, I muttered to myself.

“What, are you unhappy about it?”

Sitting next to me, Nanase asked with a sullen face.

“No, it’s not that I’m unhappy, but…”

“But what?”

“My mind hasn’t caught up with the situation yet.”

After stopping my classmate’s suicide, we ended up going on a trip together.

What’s the title of this light novel?

“I’m aware that I made a bold decision myself.”

“It’s good that you’re aware.”

“I made the decision to accompany a pervert who suddenly hugged me.”

“What!? It couldn’t be helped in that situation!”

“So it also can’t be helped that you’ve been glancing at me since then?”

“No, no, that’s not the case!”

“Your eyes are swimming like crazy.”

“They’re not swimming that intensely!”

But that was a lie. My eyes were swimming as intensely as a butterfly, not just a crawl. Of course, part of it is that I’m nervous being so close to the most beautiful girl in our grade. But more than that, I’m on edge about how to communicate with someone who was trying to die just a moment ago.

I think that every single word I say could change Nanase’s mood. It feels like I’m walking through a minefield.

“You don’t have to be so tense, you know.”

As if she read my mind, Nanase said that.

“…Did you notice?”

“You’re easy to read. It’s uncomfortable being treated so carefully, so just treat me normally. Don’t worry, I’ve decided not to die for now.”

Her words made my heart feel much lighter.

“I’m grateful you said that.”

“Thank me.”

Nanase raised the corners of her mouth just a little. I can’t help but be captivated by her modest yet lovely smile.

“Now you’re staring at me.”

“No, it’s just… an irresistible force!”

“Irresistible force? What do you mean?”

Nanase brought her face closer.

“Well, that is…”

“That is?”

A mischievous, devilish smile came close to my face. A sweet scent wafted around, and my head was spinning. It seems that Nanase is delighted when she has the upper hand over others. This is bad, in more ways than one.

“Well, if you want me to treat you normally, can you stop calling me ‘you’?”

(T/N: She calls him “貴方”= Anata)

Forced to change the topic, Nanase visibly frowned.

“You want me to call you by a nickname? No, we’re not a bacouple.”

“I’m not saying you have to close the distance that much!”

“What are you talking about? You closed the distance to zero yourself just a moment ago.”

“Ugh… I can’t argue with that.”

“But you’re right… I overlooked calling you by your last name.”

“Overlooked, that’s an exaggeration.”

“I never had anyone to call by their last name. I basically call everyone ‘you.'”

I suddenly realized. I’ve never seen Nanase talking to other classmates in the classroom. The girl who boasted top status in grades, sports, and charisma, always moved- alone without flocking with anyone, a solitary beautiful girl.

In other words, a high-spec loner.

“Are you thinking something rude?”

“No, not at all.”

It seemed that Nanase’s sharp words came from her difficulty in communicating with others. Even calling people “you” might be a result of Nanase’s own consideration.

As I thought about it…

“Takahashi-kun.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll throw you out the window.”

“Why!?”

“Because I mustered up the courage to call you by your last name, and you responded as if you were only using half your brain. Did my effort vanish into thin air?”

“You say such scary things so casually.”

“Ah, maybe you didn’t have any brains to begin with?”

“No, if I didn’t have any, I wouldn’t be able to talk in the first place…”

“That’s true. But…”

For a moment, Nanase’s expression darkened.

“…Well, it’s fine. I’ll call you by your last name.”

I felt like there was a strange pause, but maybe it was just my imagination. Anyway, now that we’ve agreed to call each other by our last names, the train arrived at Tokyo Station.