Oregairu (Indonesia):Jilid 7 Bab 6

Bab 6: Yukinoshita Yukino diam-diam pergi ke kota di sore hari

Ketika aku tersadar kembali, aku sudah terkapar di atas futonnya.

“Langit-langit yang asing…”

Aku memilah-milah memoriku. Hari ini seharusnya adalah hari karya wisatanya.

Pada hari pertama, kami pergi ke Vihara Kiyomizu-dera diikuti dengan Vihara Nanzen-ji. Untuk alasan tertentu, kami juga harus berjalan ke Vihara Ginkaku-ji. Musim gugur ini memanglah pemandangan yang menabjubkan dan bahkan perjalanan di sepanjang kanal Jalan Setapak Filsuf merupakan olahraga penutup yang bagus. Suasana hati antara Tobe dan Ebina dalam perjalanan santai mereka juga terlihat agak bagus.

Dan begitulah, dengan penyelesaian rencana hari ini, kami lalu pergi ke penginapan kami, menyantap makan malam kami, dan itulah itu.

Itulah itu, jadi mengapa aku sedang tertidur disini sekarang ini?

“Ah, Hachiman, apa kamu sudah bangun?”

Totsuka, yang sedang duduk di sampingku memeluk lututnya, berdiri, berlutut, dan menatapi wajahku.

“Ah, ya. Tidak tunggu, apa sebenarnya yang sedang terjadi disini…?”

Apakah aku memanggil keluar Raja Crimson dan entah bagaimana terlempar sepanjang jalan sampai ke kehidupan-pasca-nikahku-dengan-Totsuka-dimulai-sekarang TAMAT?

Begitulah yang kupikir, tapi yang jelas bukan itu yang terjadi karena aku dapat mendengar suara keras dan riuh datang entah dari mana di dalam ruangan ini.

“Arrrgh. Dia benar-benar mengelabuiku.”

“Hayato terlalu kuat!”

Ketika aku mengintip ke arah asal suara-suara tersebut, suara itu rupanya dari pria-pria dari kelasku yang sedang bersenang-senang, tertawa dan bertukar kata-kata diikuti dengan suara tepukan dan letusan.

Oke, aku sudah ada gambaran bagus akan apa yang sedang terjadi disini.

Rupanya, rencanaku untuk tidur sesaat setelah aku pulang setelah mengacaukan ritme kehidupan sehari-hariku tidak berhasil. Seluruh sore hari ini dihabiskan berjalan kesana-kemari dan setelah kita sampai ke salah satu penginapan acak dan menyantap hidangan besar, detik pas aku sampai ke ruanganku, aku jatuh pingsan.

“Waktu berbenam sudah selesai, tapi kata guru kamu bisa pakai kamar mandi di dalam ruangnya.”

“A-Apa!?”

Dengan kata lain, aku melewatkan kesempatan untuk berbenam dengan Totsuka berhargaku!?

Karena aku dihantam oleh syok seberat itu, aku melompat berdiri dari futonku. Kelihatannya aku mungkin perlu pergi membunuh Dewa…

Selagi aku mengertakkan gigiku karena frustasi, Totsuka menunjuk dengan tegas ke arah pintu masuk ruangan itu.

A-Apa maksudnya itu? Apakah mungkin dia sedang memberitahuku “Kamu begitu cabul, Hachiman. Bagi seorang cabul sepertimu, kamu boleh pergi berbenam di kolam taman sendirian saja” barangkali? Meski aku sebenarnya bukan seorang cabul ataupun pangeran…

Aku tidak dapat tidak khawatir akan prospek itu, tapi Totsuka melanjutkan kata-katanya dengan nada yang lembut.

“Kamar mandi ada di sebelah sana.”

“Oh begitu, trims.”

Aku lebih suka menjadi seunit dengan Totsuka dan pergi mandi bersama, tapi aku akan mengesampingkannya untuk kunikmati besok saja. Maksudku, karya wisata ini akan berlangsung selama tiga hari empat malam. Juga Ada dua kesempatan lagi yang tersisa untuk pergi berendam. Terlebih lagi, kita akan pergi ke penginapan di Arashiyama yang berarti berendam di kolam air panas. Sebuah kamar mandi terbuka. Itu akan menjadi yang terbaik.

Aku mandi dalam kegembiraanku.

Pas setelah aku keluar dari kamar mandi, mataku bertemu dengan mata Tobe, yang sedang tergeletak di lantai. Aku rasa dia kehilangan motivasinya setelah kalah telak. Tapi, dia melompat berdiri kembali dan memanggil diriku.

“Oh, Hikitani. Kamu sudah bangun, eh? Mau Mahjong sama kita? Benar-benar peredup semangat melihat berapa kuat orang-orang itu.”

Hei, apakah kamu mengajakku karena akan menjadi kemenangan mudah buatmu sebab aku kelihatannya lemah? Huh?

Tapi, kamu tahu, aku rasa dia datang mengajakmu dan berbicara denganmu adalah salah satu dari poin Tobe yang lebih baik. Namun, aku sebenarnya bukanlah tipe pria yang mengikuti alurnya dan bekerja sama dengan orang lain.

“Sori. Tidak tahu bagaimana cara perhitungan poinnya.”

Tobe tidak berusaha mendorong masalahnya lebih jauh lagi setelah aku dengan lembut menolak tawarannya. Dia menjawab dengan “apa kamu serius” dan pergi kembali ke lingkaran Mahjong itu.

Aku benar-benar tidak tahu bagaimana menghitung poinnya. CPU di dalam game biasanya secara otomatis menghitungkannya untukmu, itulah mengapa.

Totsuka ikut ke dalam grup Mahjong itu juga dan kelihatannya dia sedang diajari aturannya, tapi sesaat setelah dia melihatku, dia melambaikan tangannya.

Lalu sekarang, apa yang mau dilakukan? Aku sedang berpikir mungkin aku seharusnya pergi tidur, hanya untuk diinterupsi oleh pintu yang dicampakkan dengan berani.

“Hachimaaan, mari kita bermain dengan sedikit Uno saja daripada hal-hal sepele yang lain!”

Zaimokuza datang untuk mengajakku seperti bagaimana Nakajima akan pergi mengajak Isono.

“…Tidakkah kamu ada sesuatu untuk dilakukan dengan kelasmu?”

Karena dia telah memasuki ruangannya seakan sudah seharusnya, aku pikir aku harus menanyakannya. Selagi Zaimokuza membuka mulutnya, dia menerjang ke arahku untuk memelukku. Aku melepaskannya dariku dan mendudukannya.

“Dengarkan aku Hachiemon. Orang-orang itu mengerikan. ‘Sori Zaimokuza. Permainan ini hanya untuk empat orang’ adalah apa yang mereka bilang padaku dan aku harus menunggu giliranku seperti seorang pecundang menyedihkan.”

Tidaklah menunggu giliranmu itu normal? Lagi pula, kamu sedang berbaur dengan baik bersama mereka dan aku pikir itu cukup bagus buatmu. Pergi bergaul sama mereka, men.

“Oh, permainan apa yang kalian mainkan?”

Totsuka datang dengan sebuah pertanyaan dan Zaimokuza membusungkan dadanya.

“Npaka, npaka, si Kerajaan Dopakon dari Alam Mimpi !”

Jangan mencoba meniru si Kerajaan Krayon dari Alam Mimpi.

“…Namun, memainkan sebuah permainan yang menghancurkan tali pertemanan dalam karya wisata?”

Entahkah Dokapon ataupun Momotetsu, semuanya adalah permainan yang mengeluarkan setan di dalam diri seseorang. Tidak masalah jika itu hanya sebuah rencana keji yang disulap oleh orang jahat. Toh itu akan menjadi alat yang berguna ketika pertempuran di mulai.

Masalahnya adalah suasana buruk ketika kamu memainkan permainannya dengan sekelompok orang-orang pemarah. Tali pertemanan akan pasti menjadi tegang sebagai hasilnya. Jika kita mempertimbangan masalah lain, maka si orang itu yang kehilangan motivasinya dan menyuruh semuanya “kamu yang gerakkan pionku saja” sambil membaca manga merupakan masalah yang satu lagi.

Aku memang ingat sesuatu seperti itu terjadi sekali saat di sekolah dasar.

“Jadi begitu ya, mari kita main UNO.”

“Ah, itu terdengar bagus. Mereka sedang mengajariku aturan Mahjong tapi aku tidak mengerti sama sekali.”

Zaimokuza menarik keluar kartu UNO dari kantong dadanya dan mengocok kartunya seperti seorang penyulap.

Dia mulai membagikan kartu-kartunya.

“Aku akan memulai duluan.”

Sesaat setelah dia mengatakannya, dia tiba-tiba menampilkan sejumlah kartu R.

“Riba, riba, riba, riba, riba!”

Riba, riba, riba, riba benar-benar menjengkelkan, apakah kamu menyanyikan Somebody Tonight atau semacamnya?

Aturan arahnya berganti ke arah berlawanan berkat kartu reverse Zaimokuza, membuatnya menjadi giliranku setelahnya diikuti dengan Totsuka. Dari sini, permainannya berlanjut sama seperti setiap permainan UNO lain: Aku membuang selembar kartu, kartu skip itu, hanya untuk dihantam oleh kartu Draw Two yang kubalas dengan kartu Draw Four dengan warna kartu yang kurasa tidak akan dimiliki mereka.

Pas aku menyadari permainannya sedang pada puncaknya, aku hanya memiliki sisa dua kartu. Zaimokuza dan Totsuka memiliki total lima kartu jadi aku berada pada posisi superior.

Aku kemudian menyambut hangat giliranku. Pas saat aku sedang akan membuang satu kartuku, Zaimokuza membuat erangan kecil dan memanggilku.

“Omong-omong, Hachiman, rencananya kemana kamu akan pergi besok?”

“Huh? Jangan mengangkat hal-hal yang tidak relevan di tengah pertandingan.”

Tch, pria ini harus menanyakan tentang hal yang paling menjengkelkan. Aku bergolak dengan niat membunuh dan pas saat aku baru akan menjawabnya, dia tiba-tiba memalingkan kepalanya ke arah Totsuka.

“Kalu begitu tidak apa-apa. Kemana kamu akan pergi Tuan Totsuka?”

“Um, Aku pikir kita akan pergi ke Vihara Eigamura dan Ryouan-ji. Setelah itu—“

Totsuka meletakkan kartunya di lututnya dan membuat postur melihat ke atas untuk mencoba mengingat apalah tempat itu. Karena dia terlihat sangat imut, aku melempar diriku ke dalam percakapannya.

“Setelah itu Vihara Ninna-ji dan Vihara Kinkaku-ji.”

“Ah, itu benar.”

Selagi dia mengatakannya, Totsuka segera membuang selembar kartu.

Pas saat itu, Zaimokuza melompat berdiri dan menunjukku dengan penuh semangat.

“Oke, Hachiman, kamu tidak mengatakan UNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

“Kh, huh…”

Pada saat kenyataan itu menghantamku, aku sudah terlambat. Totsuka sudah membuang kartunya.

“Yaaaay!!”

“Yaaaaay!”

Zaimokuza berteriak dengan kegembiraan atas keberhasilannya dan ketika dia mengangkat tangannya, Totsuka juga mengangkat tangannya dan mereka saling tos.

Huh, apa-apaan, mereka berdua ikut ke dalamnya bersama? Tidak tunggu, aku juga mau tos dengan Totsuka…

Itu kotor, Zaimokuza, benar-benar kotor.

Dia merebut timingnya dariku ketika dia memanggilku. Itu benar-benar tidak adil…

Tapi, aku sepenuhnya puas karena Totsuka yang sedang bergembira sangatlah menggemaskan.

“Hachiman, pinalti, pinalti!”

“Memang, Hachiman! Permainan pinaltilah itu! Tetap pada posisimu saat kami berpikir apa hukumanmu!”

Mereka berdua benar-benar bersemangat tinggi, sebuah efek samping dari suasana meriah pada malam dari karya wisata itu.

Yang lain juga bertindak dengan cara yang sama dan grup Mahjong di arah yang lain itu benar-benar luar biasa bersemangatnya pada ide yang sama seperti permainan pinalti.

“Baik, si pecundang besar akan…”

Yamato, yang menyatakan, melirik ke arah Oooka.

“Pergi ke ruangan para gadis dan ambil beberapa permen!”

“Oh, apa kamu seriuuuus, kalian harus mengheeeeeeeentikannya!”

Itu terlontar… Mengusulkan untuk pergi ke ruangan para gadis sedikit banyak adalah hal yang normal bagi kelompok di sebelah sana. Tapi, Hayama berusaha untuk menahan kegembiraannya sebagai respon akan usulan itu.

“Ah, tentang itu, Atsugi sedang menunggu di atas tangganya.”

“Tidak lucu…”

Yamato menyegel tutup mulutnya.

Si guru pendidikan jasmani, Atsugi, memancarkan aura yang mengintimidasi dan berkat dialek Hiroshimanya yang misterius, kamu tidak bisa tidak berada pada bagian penerima akan ekspresi wajah kerasnya. Terlebih lagi posisinya sebagai guru pendidikan jasmani, dia sering ften intermingled with the sports clubs, jadi mereka mungkin tidak begitu bagus berurusan dengannya. Aku tidak lebih baik, tentu saja.

“Baik kalau begitu, menyatakan cinta pada para gadis! Ayo kita mulai!”

Oooka dengan cepat melontarkan usulan lain dan segera mendalaminya. Tobe dan Yamato mengomplain dengan booan diikuti dengan yang lain. Hayama tersenyum getir saat dia menjatuhkan sebuah batu.

Mereka terus menerus membuang tsumo-tsumo dan ketika akhirnya giliran Tobe, dia meninggikan suaranya.

“Ah, tsumo.”

Ketika dia menjatuhkan batunya, semua orang menghela.

“Tch, mengapa kamu harus mengatakannya, kamu tidak berguna. Pergi nyatakan cinta.”

“Kami akan membunuh ente. Pergi keluar dari sini dan nyatakan cintamu, ente pecundang.”

Oooka dan Yamato mengutuknya.

“Ada apa dengan perlakuan itu, yo!?”

Tobe melawan sementara Hayama tertawa saat dia menjatuhkan batu-batunya.

“Yah, kamu tahu Tobe, kamu betul pecundang. Kalau begitu, kenapa tidak kamu pergi membelikan kami beberapa jus sebagai permainan hukumanmu?”

“Meskipun aku tidak kalah!? Toh aku sedang akan pergi membeli sesuatu karena toh aku haus!”

Jadi toh kamu pergi juga… Sungguh orang jujur… Itu merupakan hukuman yang ringan dari Hayama, tapi dia tentu menggunakan sejumlah kata-kata itu tadi…

Ketika Totsuka melihat Tobe keluar dari ruangannya, dia bergugam.

“Ah, kita juga agak haus huh?”

“Memang. Yah kalau begitu, Hachiman, permainan pinaltumu adalah persis itu. Belikan kami beberapa minuman.”

“Baiklah. Apa yang kalian mau? Ramen untuk Zaimokuza, kalau begitu?”

“Hmph, itu adalah usulan yang menarik…”

“Jangan berpikiran kotor.”

Kelihatannya Zaimokuza perlu memakan waktu sejenak untuk memberikan jawabannya jadi aku melihat ke arah Totsuka. Sesaat setelah aku melihatnya, Totsuka tersenyum, nipa~.

“Aku akan serahkan padamu Hachiman.”

“Baiklah.”

Aku berdiri dan meninggalkan ruangannya.

×　×　×

Suara langkah kakiku bergema saat aku menuruni tangganya.

Kamar-kamar di lantai atas die rooms on the floor above were designated for the girls. Menurut desas-desusnya, Atsugi sedang berjaga-jaga di atas tangganya untuk mencegah lelaki manapun untuk pergi lebih jauh, tapi tidaklah pantas menghabiskan waktu dan usahaku untuk memastikannya.

Mesin sodanya berada di lobi yang berlokasi di lantai satu.

Kami diperbolehkan untuk berkeliaran di lobi jika sudah hampir waktunya tidur. Tapi, karena semua orang sedang sibuk berbaur dengan teman-teman mereka, tidak ada seorangpun yang mau repot-repot datang ke bawah sini. Itu untuk mengatakan, satu-satunya orang yang akan datang ke bawah sini adalah orang-orang seperti aku dan Tobe yang dipaksa untuk membeli barang karena permainan pinalti.

Pada sudut lobi di depan mesin penjual minumannya adalah Tobe.

Dia mengambil sekaleng minuman dan membeli lebih banyak lagi setelahnya. Tobe menyadari diriku sesaat setelah aku mendekat.

“Oh, Hikitani, kerja bagus~.”

“Ya.”

Sapaannya selalu “kerja bagus~” entahkah pagi ataupun malam. Itu hampir serupa dengan sapaan “yahallo” Yuigahama. Setelah kami bertukar sapaan, aku berganti tempat dengan Tobe dan berdiri di depan mesin penjual minuman itu.

Tapi, aku dapat merasakan tatapan aneh ini menusuk punggungku, jadi aku berpaling.

Cukup anehnya, Tobe masih berdiri disana.

“Ada apa?”

Ketika aku dengan ragu menanyakan pertanyaan pada Tobe yang masih berada disini meski telah menyelesaikan tugasnya, dia tergelak.

“Naaah, Hikitani, kamu sedang bekerja cukup keras dan semua itu demi diriku. Aku semacam ingin untuk berterima kasih pada ente atau semacamnya? Kayak, Umpan bagus atau begitulah.”

Untuk informasimu, umpan itu tidak tercatat jika kamu tidak menyarangkan golnya.

“Aku tidak benar-benar berbut banyak. Yang sebetulnya melakukan usaha terbesar adalah Yuigahama. Pergi berterimakasih padanya.”

“Aah, Aku memang berencana melakukan itu juga. Tapi aku pikir aku akan berterimakasih pada ente juga. Berkat ente berdua, Aku sudah akan siap untuk menyatakan cinta, ente tahu? Tapi aku akan bergantung pada ente juga besok!”

Setelah dia mengatakannya, dia segera bergegas pergi.

Hm, Aku rasa dia semacam pria yang baik. Entahpun itu hal yang bagus atau hal yang buruk, dia adalah tipe yang bergerak mengikuti alurnya. Dengan kata lain, dia adalah pelayan pada suasananya…

Namun, mungkin karena dia memiliki sifat seperti itulah makanya tidak ada apapun yang berkembang dengan Ebina. Tidak usah dipikirpun dapat terlihat mengapa dia tidak dapat membuat pendekatan yang cocok karena dia akan merespon pada setiap detik yang berubah di dalam suasananya.

Itu akan menjadi perjalanan yang susah…

Pernyataan cinta, huh? Itu tidak akan mudah, tapi aku harap itu akan sukses untuknya.

Karena aku tiba-tiba disergap oleh kelelahan, aku memutuskan untuk meminum sedikit kopi MAX manis untuk mengusirnya.

I stared at the selection of choices in the vending machine from the top, one by one.

…?

Once more, I stared at the choices, but this time from the bottom.

Again, as if I was looking for the GaGaGa books at a bookstore, I carefully examined each selection. If I decided to cut corners, I get the feeling I’d completely skip over the blue spine of that book.

But, no matter how much I looked, I couldn’t find the can of sugar (MAX).

Eh… what’s going on here?

I kept searching and searching, but it’s just Pachimon MAX coffee that’s sold here!

This is Kyoto… As expected of the royal castle spanning thousands of years…

I compromised and went with a café au laut instead. Well, the can was just as long so same thing, I suppose.

I opened the can and sank onto the sofa in the corner of the lobby.

Although I was entrusted with buying drinks as punishment for losing, I didn’t have it in me to return to the room that was turned into a Mahjong parlor.

As I took a small sip of the slightly sweet coffee, a recognizable figure appeared from the corner of the lobby.

The one who appeared while walking briskly in a grand-like manner was Yukinoshita Yukino.

She was sporting a rough appearance with her hair tied up as if she had just gotten out of the bath, a rare sight.

Yukinoshita headed in the direction of the souvenir corner of the hotel in her current appearance.

When she got there, she was intently staring at one of the shelves… Well, for Yukinoshita to be examining whatever item so seriously meant she was going to get it.

Yukinoshita put her hand to her lips, thought a little, and having finally decided, she stretched out her hand towards the merchandise. But, it was that exact moment. That exact moment when Yukinoshita took note of her surroundings.

Of course, her eyes met with mine since I was staring at her the entire time.

Yukinoshita pulled back her stretched out hand and returned to the path she came from with a feigned expression.

…The same old pattern. I communicated a “good night” to Yukinoshita and sipped the rest of my café au lait.

But, Yukinoshita briskly walked in my direction.

She stood in front of me with her arms crossed and looked down towards me in my sitting position.

“Quite the coincidence to meet you this late at night.”

“That’s something that should’ve been said earlier…”

Rather, I was surprised that she took the trouble to come tell me that. Still, what’s with this girl and that haughty attitude of hers…?

“What’s wrong? Did you run away since it was too difficult to stay in the room?”

“The young folks entrusted me with a mission, that’s all. You?”

Yukinoshita sighed with a fed up expression.

“…My classmates pulled me into their discussions. Why do they like talking about those things so much?”

W-What kind of conversation could that be… It wasn’t of any interest to me, but it felt like she’d get angry at me if I asked about it so I kept it to myself. Instead, times like this were where I should say something to ensure my well-being.

“Well, you should consider getting into it yourself if you’re going to get asked about it. Not a bad thing, right?”

“You talk like it has nothing to do with you. In the first place, during the Culture Festival, you…”

The stare that looked down on me turned into a sharp glare that pierced at me halfway through.

“M-Me…? No, wait. I’m not at fault here.”

I hadn’t a clue what she was referring to, but for now, I made sure to be insistent about it. When I did, Yukinoshita pressed against her temples and closed her eyes. She opened her mouth in resignation.

“…It’s nothing. So, what are you doing here?”

“A little break from fun. How about you? Weren’t you going to buy a souvenir?”

“Not at all. Something just caught my eye, that’s all.”

Yukinoshita averted her gaze with a slight sigh.

Is that so? I thought for sure she was going to buy it since she was looking at it so seriously, but I suppose she was just looking at the Kyoto special edition of Pan-san.

“Aren’t you buying any souvenirs?”

“It’ll just get in the way if I buy them now. I’ll buy them on the way home.”

“I see. Have you already decided what to buy?”

“Pretty much. Well, it’s basically just the stuff Komachi wanted me to get. Ah, any places with a god of studies around here?”

I figured I’d ask anyway. Don’t let me down, Miss Yukipedia. Yukinoshita blinked and turned her head.

“Praying for Komachi’s success?”

“Yep.”

When I answered, Yukinoshita smiled. As the older brother, I’m very happy that my little sister was loved by so many people.

“…Let’s see.”

Yukinoshita sat down next to me while in thought. Well, making conversation while standing was tiring after all. I followed up by making some distance between her and me.

“Kitano Tenman-gu shrine is quite famous.”

“Tenman-gu huh, I’ll keep that in mind.”

I’ll head over there too once we get to move around as we want on the third day. There’s also the charm that I’ll have to buy, but making a prayer was definitely going to cost some money. Carrying a hamaya on the way home might be a pain too... then again, would the person still be blessed even if they didn’t write on the wooden plaque?

“…It’s fine that you’re concerned about Komachi, but how’s the request going?”

Agh, crap, I was swimming around in my thoughts there.

“It’s along the lines of not going well, but not going bad either.”

When I answered, Yukinoshita averted her eyes, looking apologetic.

“I’m sorry, I’m not of much help since I’m in another class.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m in the same class and I haven’t done squat.”

“I think you should at least be a little concerned there…”

As we continued the conversation, Ms. Hiratsuka passed by. She was wearing a coat over her suit and for some reason, she was wearing sunglasses even though it was dark out.

As soon as she noticed us, she looked obviously bewildered.

“W-Why are you guys here?”

“Well, I just came here to buy some drinks. What are you doing here at this hour, teach?”

“M-Mmm… D-Don’t tell anyone, okay? Keep it a secret, okay?”

Ms. Hiratsuka was insistent with her reminders and since she looked more feminine than usual, my heart skipped a few beats. I was a little embarrassed and the words “Shizukacute” floated around in my head, but her next words completely destroyed the thought.

“U-Um… I-I was just going to… Go get some ramen…”

She’s no good. I’d like you to return my words of adoration back.

Both Yukinoshita and I looked at her hopelessly, but Ms. Hiratsuka crossed her arms and corrected her posture as if something came to mind.

“Hm. Well, if it’s you two, then it should be fine.”

“Come again?”

After a moment of trying to decipher the meaning of her words, Yukinoshita turned her head.

Ms. Hiratsuka flashed a smile at Yukinoshita and when she looked at me, she gave me a mischievous grin.

“I’m sure Yukinoshita will keep to herself, but unfortunately, I can’t say the same for Hikigaya.”

“That’s cruel…”

I’m definitely going to tell on you. I don’t have anyone to tell though.

Having looked at my rebellious attitude, Ms. Hiratsuka cleared her throat and added.

“As such, I’ll treat you to a bowl in return for your silence. So, how about some ramen?”

…Ramen, you say? So basically, go with you, huh?

Kyoto ramen, this’ll be my first time. My stomach was already ready to digest, possibly a side effect from youth. Rather, just hearing the words ramen made my stomach feel emptier.

“Well, if you say so.”

When I answered, Ms. Hiratsuka nodded in delight.

Aaah, can’t wait for some Kyoto ramen. As these thoughts ran rampant in my head, Yukinoshita, who was sitting next to me, quietly stood up.

“Well then, I’ll be going back.”

She bowed beautifully to Ms. Hiratsuka and turned in the other direction. Ms. Hiratsuka called out to Yukinoshita from behind.

“Yukinoshita, you come along as well.”

“No, that’s…”

Yukinoshita turned halfway around and dropped her eyes with a troubled look. Ms. Hiratsuka smiled with a grin when she saw that.

“Oh, you can think of it as extracurricular activities. It’s not that late after all.”

“But, I’m still dressed as I am right now.”

She squeezed the loose cuffs on the sleeves of each hand and spread out her dress as if she was making a bow. Ms. Hiratsuka took off her coat and tossed it to the reluctant Yukinoshita.

“You can wear that.”

Oh dear, what’s with her? So cool. I’m gonna fall for her at this rate. Indeed, the times were all about the “Shizukacool” and not “Shizukacute”.

“There’s no room for refusal, huh…”

“Looks like it.”

Yukinoshita sighed lightly and wore the coat she was handed in resignation.

“Now then, let’s get going.”

Taking us along for the trip, Ms. Hiratsuka walked along on her heels and as the sounds of the heels hitting the floor echoed, she gallantly headed for the night Kyoto.

×　×　×

The night breeze was uncomfortably cold as we made our way from the hotel. I should note that I’m out here in my indoor clothes too…

“Kyoto sure is cold.”

Ms. Hiratsuka looked at my outfit and gave me a mocking smile.

Once we made it onto the street, Ms. Hiratsuka slightly raised her hand. Immediately, a small sized taxi that was cruising by stopped abruptly.

“Go ahead, Yukinoshita.”

Yukinoshita was guided by the acting chaperone, Ms. Hiratsuka. After she adjusted her coat, she nodded to Ms. Hiratsuka and boarded the car.

Next, Ms. Hiratsuka paved the way for me as well.

“You too, Hikigaya.”

“That’s fine, teach, you may go in first.”

However, I objected to the notion. When I did, Ms. Hiratsuka had a surprised and impressed reaction and responded accordingly.

“Oh, you’re the ladies-first type? How you’ve grown. But, you don’t need to worry about me.”

“Eh… N-No matter how many years you tack on, you’re still a lady you know! Please have more confidence in yourself!”

With a wide grin plastered on her face, Ms. Hiratsuka grabbed my forehead.

“It’s because the middle seat in the back has the highest rate of death, you see…”

“Ouch, ouch, ouch.”

With the iron claw grasping my head, I was thrown inside the taxi. She seemed to have increased the variations of her attacks, simple body blows notwithstanding. This was clearly a mutual display of growth for the both of us.

“…Silly.”

“Shaddup. It’s my form of kindness.”

“I think your idea of kindness is completely mistaken…”

Ms. Hiratsuka sat next to me. I was under the impression that three people in the back seats of this tiny taxi would be tight, but since Yukinoshita and Ms. Hiratsuka had slender figures, there was actually a lot more room than I thought. Phew… I wasn’t sure what I’d do if we were jammed together in this small space.

“Take us to Ichijouji.”

Ms. Hiratsuka instructed the driver and the taxi went on its way.

Ichijouji; it was a place that may have been familiar to those who were fond of Miyamoto Musashi. On the very grounds of Ichijouji laid the sagarimatsu pine, famous for bearing witness to the life and death duels between Musashi and the Yoshioka School. Supposedly, this wasn’t actually based on actual history and instead stemmed from a literary piece further down the line.

With that being said, Ichijouji was apparently one of the prominent, competitive ramen areas, evident from the many famous stores lined side by side.

That made up the bulk of the conversation until we arrived at our destination. The taxi sure was fast. Way faster than the salamander.

And once we got off the taxi, a shocking scene laid before my eyes.

“T-This is Tenka Ippin…”

Indeed, Tenka Ippin, the best under the heavens. And I don’t mean beauty here. I’ve heard nothing but rumors of this place. In the soup they use was a liquid consistency that enwraps around the noodles, submerging the chopsticks that you stick in.

As I trembled in my own passion, Yukinoshita spoke up behind me.

“Is this store famous?”

“Yeah, it’s quite a hit throughout the nation actually.”

“Did we really have to go out of our way to come here…?”

Now that she mentioned it, that was true. However, there was another reason why I was so moved.

“You see… for some reason, there isn’t a store in Chiba. In the entire Kanto region, Chiba’s the only one without it…”

According to my long and expansive years of history (seventeen years’ worth), Chiba was sung as the promised place (by me), but regardless, I could not consider Chiba perfect. The one reason for this imperfection was this very store, Tenka Ippin.

“Well, at some point, there was one in Chiba.”

Finishing up her before-dinner smoke energetically, Ms. Hiratsuka stomped the floor.

“T-There it is! Chiba’s one and only walking ramenpedia! No, I mean one and single!”

“You’re correcting your sentences the wrong way, Hikigaya.”

“Ouch ouch ouch.”

Her voice sounded cheerful, but my skull was saying otherwise.

“There are stores all over Japan, but it’s definitely more awe-inspiring to be here in front of the main store. You can’t say anything about the taste if it was a small chain shop either. I always wanted to try eating here once.”

After finally releasing my head, Ms. Hiratsuka gazed at the outline of the store with eyes full of emotion.

“Now then, let’s enter.”

Luckily, there were plenty of seats in the store.

We sat at the counter in the order of Ms. Shiratsuka, Yukinoshita, and then me.

“Kotteri.”

Ms.Hiratsuka ordered without even a glance at the menu. Well, I wanted to try the kotteri from TenPin myself, what with the rumors and all.

“Same for me here.”

“…”

I didn’t hear an order from Yukinoshita so I looked over at her. When I did, I couldn’t help but be at a loss for words when I saw how Yukinoshita fidgeted as she looked around her.

She pulled at my sleeve.

“…Hey, is that soup?”

It was as if her expression was full of fear. No, that actually might’ve been correct. But, you know, how exactly are you going to eat if you’re this scared? And that naritake, it wasn’t so much soup as it was just fat. It’s super good though.

Ms. Hiratsuka chuckled at Yukinoshita’s amusing behavior and opened up a menu for her.

“There’s assari soup too. I think it might be more to your liking.”

“Ah, no thank you. I feel full from just looking at it…”

Yukinoshita shook her head in surprise with a frightened expression that resembled a cat.

“Oh? In that case, why don’t we get a small plate and you can try some of it.”

Even with Ms. Hiratsuka’s suggestion, Yukinoshita still looked frightened, but she reluctantly nodded in agreement.

Once we made our orders, it took some time before the ramen was brought to us.

I picked up the chopsticks and clapped my hands.

“Thank you for the food.”

Hooo boy! The thick feeling that’s left on these chopsticks! I can’t get enough of it!

The droopiness of the soup that fully coated the noodles. The thick and deep texture of the soup was something you could only taste at places like Tora no Ana in Chiba.

What the heck, this is gooood!

“Here, Yukinoshita.”

Ms. Hiratsuka softly placed a small dish in front of Yukinoshita. Yukinoshita looked a little lost, but having set her resolve, she grabbed chopsticks and a spoon. She gently adjusted her hair behind her ears and slowly lifted the spoon to her mouth. The way she had drunk and swallowed the dense soup was so excessively captivating that I had to avert my eyes.

After wiping the soup around her mouth, she made a really serious expression.

“…What a violent taste.”

Yay, so accurate.

As we welcomed the delicious taste of ramen, as late as it was, I couldn’t help but think whether doing this was a good thing or not. The thought left my lips.

“Still, should a teacher really be doing this?”

So I said, but Ms. Hiratsuka remained calm.

“Of course not. That’s why I’m paying for your silence.”

“Isn’t that even less becoming of a teacher…?”

Yukinoshita responded with a shocked tone, but Ms. Hiratsuka continued eating without looking the least bit agitated.

“Teachers are human as are adults. We commit mistakes just as any other person would whether we’re aware of it or not.”

“Won’t you be reprimanded if you get caught?”

I’ll probably get dragged into that too though.

“That won’t happen. At the very least, they’ll just call me in as a formal measure, give me a few words of disagreement, and keep it at that.”

“Can you really call that a scolding…?”

I was in agreement with Yukinoshita. Ms. Hiratsuka drank up the remaining soup in her bowl and neatly wiped her mouth with a napkin. She then turned our way.

“It’s different. Being told to not cause any trouble and being asked to clean up any problems are completely different.

“I don’t get it.”

“…I wonder. Maybe it’s because we don’t have any experience being scolded?”

Yukinoshita placed her lightly gripped hands on her chin and was lost in thought digging through her memories. Ms. Hiratsuka nodded her head after looking at Yukinoshita.

“I see, then let me scold you properly. I wasn’t really planning on doing any scolding but I guess I was a little too naïve.”

“No, that’s quite all right.”

I waved my hands and declined the offer. If she does any more and I suffer even more body injuries, I’ll become used goods and I’ll have to have you take responsibility and take me for a husband. But wait, that’s actually my goal all along…

While I was restless about various things, Yukinoshita looked perfectly calm.

“I don’t mind since I’ve never been scolded before.”

“Yukinoshita, being scolded isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It just means that someone’s looking out for you.”

Yukinoshita’s shoulders dropped slightly from Ms. Shiratsuka’s words. She lowered her head and looked downwards. I hadn’t the slightest idea if something had caught her eyes or not.

Ms. Hiratsuka gently patted Yukinoshita’s shoulder.

“I’m looking over you, so don’t worry and make all the blunders you want.”

We got off the taxi that drove us back and Ms. Hiratsuka began walking in the opposite direction of the hotel.

“I’m going to go buy some sake for a good drinking session. See you. Be careful on your way back.”

Is that really okay?

Ms. Hiratsuka waved her hands and we responded in the same fashion. Yukinoshita and I began walking towards the inn. We were both silent but I felt this was completely natural for the both of us.

“……”

“……”

Yukinoshita was a few steps ahead of me.

But, suddenly she stopped. She started looking around restlessly.

…I guess this was what you’d call common sense built from experience, but I somewhat understood why Yukinoshita was having a lot of trouble.

“To your right.”

“…I-I see.”

She adjusted the coat that she hadn’t given back to Ms. Hiratsuka and covered her face to avoid the night breeze.

I made a bitter smile, took a small breath, and began walking ahead of Yukinoshita. I’ll at least show her the way back.

The sound of her footsteps slowing down indicated that she had an idea of what I wanted to do.

But the sound of those footsteps gradually grew farther.

Thinking it was weird, I turned around only to see that the distance between me and Yukinoshita had widened considerably.

“If you’re that far apart from me, you’ll get lost again…”

“No… um…”

I asked her but I didn’t get a clear response. She lifted up her coat and buried her face in the collar which drowned out her voice.

I had no idea what she was trying to say, but it’d be a pain if we separated here and she ended up getting lost. With that in mind, I waited for her to come my way.

As we stood in our opposing positions, Yukinoshita and I stared at each other. Still, what the heck were we doing here…?

As we stood there for a moment, Yukinoshita let out a resigned sigh.

“I wouldn’t have minded if you went ahead…”

She murmured and reluctantly walked up to my side. This was similar to winning over a stray cat I suppose.

“Nah, I don’t think it really matters if I go on ahead or not. It’s right over there anyway.”

“…Maybe not for you, but it does for me.”

I couldn’t help but respond with an inarticulate answer. Well, it’s considered good manners to act like you didn’t hear anything if the other party looked like they were having trouble saying something.

“What does?”

“Um… this late at night… being seen together is a bit…”

It wasn’t all that cold yet Yukinoshita was retreating back into her coat while hiding her face.

“…I-I see.”

Now that she mentioned it, I calmly began thinking about our current situation. Sure, all we did was meet with each other almost near night time.

It was definitely something not to be so conscious of and not to be worried about and even weird either. Totally nothing at all.

I should note that this is the first time I’ve seen Yukinoshita like this.

She would keep her eyes peeled to my feet just so she wouldn’t get lost all the while being cautious of her surroundings.

The way she’d embarrassingly hide her eyes and the way she’d slightly extend her hands out to me to stop me from going too far ahead only to pull them back were things I’d never seen her do before.

Those awkward gestures were infectious and I unconsciously started to move my right hand and foot in unison. Because of that, the inn felt far.

Both Yukinoshita and I were by no means walking alongside each other but as we walked, it felt like we weren’t at all close yet we weren’t at all far away from each other either.

Once we finally made it up to the lobby of the hotel, I suddenly felt tired.

There were definitely going to be students ahead. If Yukinoshita’s being conscious of her surroundings, then it’d be best to separate here.

I stopped in my tracks to let Yukinoshita go on ahead and I slightly raised my hand.

“See you.”

“…You as well, good night… Um, thank you for walking me back.”

After she answered, she started on ahead. We’re already indoors yet she was still wearing the coat. Since she was walking so fast, the cuffs of the coat kept fluttering around.

I thought about useless things like whether she was planning to return the coat back or not while making my way back to my room.

When I entered, the room was still being used as a mahjong parlor.

“Ah, Hachiman, welcome back.”

Totsuka and Zaimokuza were playing old maid.

“Where did you go? You took your time.”

“Really?”

Well, it was about two hours I’d say since I left.

“So, where’s my nourishment and ramen?”

“Ah.”

Oh right, I was still in the middle of my punishment game.

“Don’t tell me you forgot?”

I paid no attention to Zaimokuza who looked at me as if I was an idiot. I took up a provocative attitude instead.

“…Hmph, as if. I have it alright… Right here.”

I pointed sharply at my stomach and Zaimokuza’s face was colored with shock.

“W-What!? You went out to eat… what a frightening man…”

Zaimokuza wiped the sweat at his brow and sent me a look of respect. Hmph, too ez.

But, there was one more person who didn’t fall for it.

“Then, guess you’ll be doing another run, huh?”

Totsuka smiled and demanded another errand. Phew, Totsuka’s super scary…

Catatan Translasi

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