Traveling With a Beautiful Girl - Chapter 46: Depth Of Bond

『The train to Tokyo from platform 1 will be arriving shortly…』

The announcement echoes through the waiting room. It’s almost time to say goodbye.

“Both of you, thank you once again.”

Kanade-san gives a deep bow.

“I can’t thank you enough.”

“Same here, it was really fun… And, thank you for all the treats.”

“No, no, you’re welcome.”

“I’ll definitely repay this kindness someday, somewhere.”

“No need for that. Kids don’t have to worry about such things.”

“Didn’t you just refer to yourself as a child a moment ago?”

“Well, that was during a bargain sale.”

“Isn’t the distinction between adults and children a bit too vague?”

“Maybe. But once the two of you start working, maybe you could treat me to some sake.”

Upon hearing Kanade-san’s words, Nanase raises an eyebrow.

“If I’m still alive by then, I’ll gift you an entire brewery.”

“Hahaha, what’s that? Have you been given a terminal diagnosis?”

“I might be suffering from a rare disease where I’ll die if I don’t eat pancreas.”

Kanade-san laughed out loud, seemingly taking it as a joke. I wasn’t able to laugh. I tried to read Nanase’s expression, but I couldn’t decipher any emotion. After that, we exchanged contact information and headed towards the bullet train platform. Just before we boarded the train to Tokyo, Kanade-san spoke up.

“By the way, Riho-chan. I’ve been wondering for a long time now.”

“What is it?”

“Why do you refer to me as ‘anata’?”

I remember her getting asked the exact same question by some repeating year gyaru.

“…There’s no deep reason, is there a problem?”

“There’s a big problem. How you address someone expresses the depth of your relationship with them.”

“The depth of the relationship…”

Nanase briefly glances at me. When I sent a telepathic message implying that this is indeed the case, I was returned a suspicious look.

So, why then?

“Exactly. You and I are close friends of 10 years, so our bond is as deep as Lake Tazawa.”

“Well, we’ve never met until today, so there’s no way our bond is 423.4 meters deep.”

Too good, I can’t even.  Lake Tazawa is, indeed, the deepest lake in Japan.

Kanade-san is the type to pop quiz us from time to time, and Nanase is the type to respond immediately. Kanade-san nods in satisfaction.

“Nevermind the details. At least there should be a more suitable way to address me than ‘anata’, don’t you think?”

“Well, what am I supposed to say…”

Nanase gazes at Kanade-san, looking troubled. Feeling awkward, she averts her eyes and sighs in resignation before speaking.

“…Shinoda-san.”

“Well, let’s compromise on that.” With a smile resembling an older sister indulging her selfish younger sibling, Kanade-san responded.

“At least call Sho-kun by his first name.”

“Why?”

“Because I think your bond is as deep as Lake Baikal.”

“Wh-what? There’s no way our bond is 1620 meters deep…”

Nanase was flustered by the bombshell. On the other hand, I was too busy recalling that Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world to react. The bell signaling the departure of the train begins to ring. Kanade-san smiles sweetly at Nanase, whose cheeks are tinted a slight peach color, before dropping her final bombshell.

“At the very least, I think the potential is there for you two to develop a bond as deep as the Mariana Trench.”

The Mariana Trench. The deepest point in the world’s oceans. Before Nanase, who is opening and closing her mouth like a goldfish, can respond, I answer.

“…10,911 meters?”

Upon hearing my answer, Kanade-san grins mischievously.

“Correct.”

With a whoosh, the door closes and Kanade-san disappears from view.

As I watch the bullet train bound for Tokyo pull away, I feel a sense of accomplishment for being able to answer before Nanase for the first time. But upon further reflection, I realize I’ve been left with quite a remarkable statement, and I’m at a loss for words.