Traveling With a Beautiful Girl - Epilogue: If I Am With You
As declared, I treated Riho to a high-quality eel dish, causing my wallet to shriek in pain.
9 pm.
With bags in hand, we arrived at Bentenjima Station. We’re about to embark on our journey to a new destination tonight.
“Do you have anywhere you want to go?”
I posed the familiar question to Nanase.
“Let me think…”
Watching her contemplate, hand on her chin, I began to mull over our past exchanges. Looking back, she had always responded with Heaven, Hell, the Afterlife, the Underworld to this question. It seemed like her kind of dark humor, relating to death. It had become a routine pattern and I found myself excited to see what kind of witty comeback she would come up with next.
Let’s try predicting. Following Underworld, maybe the Netherworld? Or…
“How about Nagoya? It’s geographically close. And, I want to try miso katsu.”
That was unexpected. It seems the comedy routine era has ended for Riho.
…No, that’s not it.
This change signifies a shift in her mindset.
It’s evidence that her focus has shifted from death to life.
Yeah, that must be it.
That’s got to be it.
“What are you smiling about?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
I feigned laughter, as if to hide the tears welling up in my eyes. I patted her head in a friendly manner. Unlike before, she didn’t seem to mind. As I stroked her silky black hair, I began to think.
I have no idea what kind of journey awaits us.
There are a mountain of unresolved issues. Matters regarding our parents, school, finances, and Nanase herself. If asked whether I’m anxious, I wouldn’t be able to deny it. But there is one thing I know for sure.
If I’m with Riho, this journey will definitely be fun. I am certain of this, I thought again.
“How long are you going to keep petting me?”
“Ah, sorry.”
I quickly withdrew my hand. She wasn’t wearing her usual disgruntled expression. A smile was playing on her lips.
“So, what’s it gonna be?”
I responded to her inquiry with a smile.
“Sounds great, Nagoya. I’m looking forward to it.”
It seems our spontaneous journey will continue for a while.