Editing Ghost Hunt:Volume 8 Chapter 10 (section)

===<center>4</center>===

I was distressed.

While I was at the office, there were people I met as matter of course.

I loved all of them. To refer to them as friends was strange, however, I undoubtedly thought of them as siblings or relatives. I thought it would continue in this way for a long time.

—However, there are no relationships that are without goodbyes.

If I’m reluctant to say goodbye, then it would be best to express that sentiment. Because even if I get rejected, it’s not like I’ll die. I should appeal to them by saying that I don’t want to part ways. Then, what the other person does is another matter for that person.

That’s why I used a lot of notepaper this afternoon. I made calling cards with a variety of colored markers. To hide my embarrassment, I made them as vibrant as I possibly could. Occasionally, I drew comics that said, ‘Keep in touch,’ and put things like hearts all over the place. *giggle*

When I handed them out during tea time at three o’clock, everyone was shocked and laughed.

“Wow, Taniyama-san, you really are a high school girl.”

“It’s colorful and beautiful, Mai-san.”

“This old man is dizzy.”

“I’m questioning your aesthetic sense.”

“You have become desperate, haven’t you?”

Say whatever you like. I want to be contacted even if we cut ties.

“Still, this is a good idea. —Is there notepaper?”

Yasuhara-san said, then rummaged around and made an impromptu calling card.

‘A cheerful telephone-boy will be waiting for you anytime. ’

This was written on the calling card I recieved and I laughed really hard.

“Hey you, it’s not a [[Ghost_Hunt:Volume8_Translator's_Notes#Chat_Line|chat line]], you know.”

“There’s someone on each end of the telephone box, isn’t there...”

“He’s certainly cheerful.”

“He is, isn’t he?”

It was just like Yasuhara-san.

In the end, everyone told me their contact information and I felt very happy. Now, after the office closes, there’s no reason we can’t see each other again.

—Excluding a certain two people.

“If I gave these to Naru and Lin-san, it’d be hilarious.”

When I said this to no one in particular, a small silence descended.

I can imagine their reactions. One: Look astonished. Two: Say, ‘What are you thinking?’ Three: Dismiss it then and there.

“It’s because those two are insensitive.”

Ayako was the one who said this with a mingled sigh.

“We’re probably outside their consideration. Not that I even think I’d want to see them enough to keep in touch.”

“Really?”

If you can’t be honest, you’ll regret it.

“Oh, so you’re saying you’ll particularly want to see them?”

“Of course. I like both Naru and Lin-san to the extent that I’d want to contact them even if we cut ties.”

—Even though I say this, it’s not my honest opinion.

Though I thought so, Ayako stared at me in amazement.

“...What’s come over you? You’re being honest.”

“Yeah. I like them enough to be worried about them being sick and I like them enough to get annoyed when they have secrets.”

...I’m not being honest at all.

“Given that we’re outside their consideration, they won’t even think of us anymore. Since I like the pair tremendously, that means my feelings will be unrequited.”

“That’s an extremely futile unrequited love.”

“I agree. Still, even if I’m sad about unrequited love and say ‘I don’t like you two,’ it’s completely pointless. Even if I say such a thing, because I’m outside their consideration, they probably won’t even be hurt. After all, the moment they go off somewhere, they’ll forget about it.”

“That’s...true.”

“It’s incredibly pathetic and unattractive to be enamored of someone and say, ‘I hate you,’ out of spite that your feelings aren’t reciprocated. Without mutual love, the regard of another person isn’t appreciated. Instead, it’s desperate and tacky.”

Ayako looked the other way in slight embarrassment.

“You’ve sure grown up.”

Bou-san patted my head.

“...Well, humans are growing creatures. But they also regress.”

“That’s the fun of being human. I like your positive attitude, Mai-chan.”

“Me, too. I like you, Bou-san.”

Hug! *snuggle*

“You shameful lot...”

“Aw, Ayako is jealous. We’ll include you. Come here.”

“No way!”

“You’re not being honest! Still, I like you, Ayako. Including that dishonest side.”

“Me, too!”

“Stop it!”

“I like you!”

“Same!”

“Stop it!”

“Aw, you’re blushing!”

“Oh, my! She’s bashful, huh?”

“Yeah.”

“You two!!!”

In the middle of that ruckus, Masako cried out, ‘Ah!’ Yasuhara-san stood up.

“Shibuya-san.”

Just as Yasuhara-san swiftly opened the screen door, Naru and Lin-san passed in front of the patio. The bungalow that they were using was a little back from ours, so if they tried to go to the water’s edge, they would end up passing by here.

“...Perfect. Are you in a hurry?”

Naru appeared slightly dubious.

“I’m not in a hurry, but that doesn’t mean I have time to spare.”

“I have a few questions I want to ask. Could you spare some time for me?”

“...Right now?”

“I would prefer right now.”

..questions he wants to ask?

“Ask.”

“Then, please come inside.”

“Can’t you do it here?”

“The questions are a bit complicated. I’m very sorry. —I also have something I’d like to ask Lin-san, so please come in.”

Naru and Lin-san briefly exchanged glances. All of us also exchanged glances. What on earth had been set into motion?

The pair promptly went around the patio and appeared at the doorway.

“Come, come, please take a seat.”

Yasuhara-san pushed us aside to make spots for the two. He sat Naru and Lin-san down there, then sat himself down in front of them with a serious expression.

“...So, this is it.”

What will he ask?

“Which do you prefer, Darjeeling or Earl Grey tea?”

Naru furrowed his brows.

“Don't worry about tea. What did—”

“So then, which would you like? Would you like it hot or would you like it cold? How strong would you like it? Would you like it with milk or lemon? Or would you like Cambric Tea or Chai? Or would you like it flavored with apple? We have cookies and cold butter cake, but which would you like to have? Both?”

…*stunned*

“You see, it’s complicated, right?”

When Yasuhara-san grinned, Naru sighed.

“Is that what you wanted to know?”

“That is what I wanted to know.”

Naru sighed even deeper at Yasuhara-san’s completely serious reply.

“...Anything is fine.”

Waahhh. Does that mean Naru and Lin-san were drawn out by tea?

“Splendid. As one would expect from [[Ghost_Hunt:Volume8_Translator's_Notes#Echigoya|Echigoya]]!”

“How cunning!”

“[[Ghost_Hunt:Volume8_Translator's_Notes#Master_Smooth-talker|Master Smooth-talker]]!”


<noinclude>
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"
|-
| Back to [[Ghost Hunt:Volume 8  Chapter 9|Previous Section]]
| Return to [[Ghost Hunt|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Ghost Hunt:Volume 8 Chapter 11|Next Section]]
|-7
|}
</noinclude>