Editing Mushi Uta:Volume 4 Chapter 3 (section)

==3.02 Chiharu Part 4==

Chiharu’s window-side seat was bathed in the warm sunlight.

The spring cleaning of the school compound had just ended, and everyone had returned to their classrooms for short homeroom.

Letting the words of the form teacher drift pass her ears, Chiharu gazed out of the window.

The black floor of the courtyard laid bare after all the fallen leaves were cleared during the cleaning. Sunlight reflected off the surface of the small pond and glittered, and the occasional glimpse of koi carps could be seen swimming underneath. A broom probably forgotten by someone was left leaning against the wall of the passageway.

Apart from the teacher’s words forming the BGM, the school was wrapped in a serene silence. There were a few minutes before the chime ring, after which chaos would inevitably descend from the rush of students going home. Someone probably told a joke in the class next door as the sound of people bursting into laughter could be heard.

One may feel sleepy from the tedium in addition to this weather, but that was not so for Chiharu. Usually in these circumstances, she would hum at a volume only she could hear to herself and converse with the ‘somebody’ in her mind.

It is as peaceful as always around here. Really, it feels as if things like war and natural disasters only happen inside of television screens.

It’s like they don’t have a sense of reality at all?

Is somebody out there fighting even now?

Is someone dying somewhere out there?

Hey, how about at your side?

Are your surroundings as peaceful as it is here? Or are there people fighting there? Could it possibly be that… you yourself is in the middle of a battle?

“Are you listening, Ayukawa?”

Being pointed out by the teacher, Chiharu returned to attention.

She came to sense of her own reality, to that of an undisturbed classroom.

Pretending to face the front and listen to the teacher’s words, she stealthily stole a glance at the courtyard.

Spring break is coming very soon over here. …Plans? I don’t have anything like that in particular. At most, I would be hanging out around the streets with my friends. Or perhaps, should I actually go on a trip by myself somewhere? Where do you think would be a good place to go?

The chime signalling the end of school rang.

“Chiharu~. We’re going to the karaoke now, you coming too?”

Turning around to the voice calling her, Chiharu found her friends gathered around. The boy who confessed to her a few days ago was in the group as well.

“Ah, sorry. I have something to attend to today.”

“Really? Aren’t you done with the student council’s work? Is it something important?”

“Hmm, is it important? Yep, it’s important.”

When Chiharu nodded, the male student averted his gaze.

…It’s not like that, it’s not like I’m bothered by that. There’s just something I want to do, really, that’s all.

She apologised to the boy in her mind and said sorry to her friend who invited her.

“Sorry about that. Well, that’s it. Bye bye, see you tomorrow. Take care of yourselves.”

She swiftly left the classroom and started to headed home.

She went down the stairs and retrieved her shoes from the shoe rack. Leaving the school compound, she headed in the direction of her home.

Having ended school before noon today, the sun was directly above her head. Bathed in the early spring sunlight, she walked along with light footsteps while humming.

When she reached her house, she found that the door to the entrance was locked. Her mother must have gone out.

“…?”

In the apartment facing her house, the windows of that particular unit were opened. She thought that that was unusual, or rather this was the first time she saw it open. Did somebody move in?

She shut her curtains and changed. She chose a blouse and jeans along with the casquette as headwear for today. Making sure to put her wallet into her back pocket, she left the house.

She felt like walking today. Leaving her bicycle as it is, she set out for the streets.

Humming as she walked, she soon reached the boulevard.

She entered the coffee shop right next to the station, bought a milk tea and a sandwich and sat on the counter by the window side. Setting her hat on the table, she then commenced on her meal.

“…Now, then.”

After she was done filling her stomach, she put on her hat. She left the shop and came to the front of the station.

She observed the gantry for a while before walking away.

Her next destination was ‘URBAN’. It seemed that construction was still on hold for now, and there were no signs of people around anywhere.

Passing through the fence, she headed for the Urban Dome. She entered the entrance of the dome, ascended the stopped escalator and proceeded to the lounge on the second floor.

The paradise was in good health today too.

The midday sun rays filtered down the domed ceiling onto the foliage.

“Hi there, how are you doing?”

Chiharu spoke out in a soft voice with a smile.

The long-haired girl was lying on her side sleeping. White legs extended from the hem of her thin cloth-like garment. Her face was still as pale as a doll, but it looked much more vitalised compared to a few days ago.

“Where did you go yesterday? I was chasing after you, you know?”

Chiharu once again laid down on the floor and poked the girl’s cheeks with her index finger. The girl looked slightly bothered and creased her eyebrows.

“Well, whatever. The next time you wake up, I’ll talk to you properly. If it is the case that… you know about my matters, there’s plenty of things I want to hear from you.”

She stood up with a smile.

“Today shall be just a greeting since I have something on. I’ll come by again, ''my darling''.”

Sending her a flying kiss, Chiharu turned on her heels.

Suddenly, a ''gatan'' sound came from the entrance.

“…?”

She thought that there was somebody, but did not see the figure of anyone when she descended the escalator. Chiharu tilted her head in wonder and left the dome.

Leaving the premises of ‘URBAN’, Chiharu returned to the station.

She walked down the roundabout by the station entrance and stopped before the gantry. She joined the youths sitting on the guardrail and hummed to herself.

Chiharu was waiting.

She continued to wait while gazing at the people walking by.

She did not feel bored, however.

That was because she had someone to talk to.

Someone whom she had known since long ago despite not knowing their name nor face.

…It is very warm here at my side. And it should be getting even warmer too. It was like this last year, and also the one before that.

Chiharu conversed in her mind.

And surely, it would not change next year. Nor the year after and many after. And I would probably be leading this kind of peaceful life from now onwards too, forever and ever.

—And without remembering anything too.

She seemed to hear somebody muttering from afar.