Clannad VN:SEEN4505
Text
// Resources for SEEN4505.TXT
#character '＊Ｂ'
#character 'Kotomi'
#character 'Furukawa'
#character 'Ryou'
#character 'Kyou'
<0000>
// May 5 (Monday)
<0001>
// I suddenly woke up.
<0002>
// Feels like I was dreaming.
<0003>
// Or rather, some remaining sensation tells me that I was dreaming.
<0004>
// I yawn as I look at the watch... it's just 7:00AM.
<0005>
// I definitely mustn't sleep for the second time today.
<0006>
// \{\m{B}} (In any case, I should get up.)
<0007>
// I crawled out of my bed.
<0008>
// I arrived at our meeting place fifteen minutes early.
<0009>
// Kotomi still hasn't arrived.
<0010>
// Will she come early or will she come exactly in time? I was thinking which of the two, but I'm not particularly worried about it.
<0011>
// I lean against a wall and wait.
<0012>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<0013>
// It's quiet...
<0014>
// The birds are chirping high in the sky.
<0015>
// The clouds are floating separately...
<0016>
// I casually check around to see if Kyou is hiding.
<0017>
// \{\m{B}} "She already did it yesterday, so she'll probably arrive doing a tsukkomi on us today as well."
<0018>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<0019>
// \{\m{B}} "Who the hell is gonna do a tsukkomi on you!? You pervert!"
<0020>
// \{\m{B}} "..............."
<0021>
// I tried to retaliate using the same tsukkomi line that she would probably say, but I get no response.
<0022>
// \{\m{B}} "All right, it's settled then. Today's gonna be a fun date. This would be a genuine date with only two people."
<0023>
// \{\m{B}} "No matter what happens, I definitely won't let a tsukkomi enter."
<0024>
// \{\m{B}} "That's impossible!"
<0025>
// \{\m{B}} "..............."
<0026>
// There was no response, even when I did a quick boke gag.
<0027>
// This is making me a little sad in some way.
<0028>
// It was tiring doing a comedy act alone, not to mention Kotomi would probably be gazing and spacing out as she walks about.
<0029>
// She should be arriving in about five minutes.
<0030>
// I put my hand in my pocket and wait for her familiar footsteps.
<0031>
// I still think I can lure her out with something though. *
<0032>
// I felt a small pain piercing my heart every time I think of that. Guess I'm still not used to this feeling.
<0033>
// I stare at my shadow as the bright sun shines down on me.
<0034>
// Suddenly, I remembered.
<0035>
// About that gentleman I met the other day.
<0036>
// "\bIf you have the chance, please tell her this..."\b
<0037>
// "\bThat we still regret about what happened that day, even now."\u
<0038>
// I wonder what did he mean by that?
<0039>
// Should I tell Kotomi about that?
<0040>
// I don't know the full details, but it seems like there's nothing that can be done even if those words were to come from my mouth.
<0041>
// \{\m{B}} "Whew..."
<0042>
// I sigh as I realized that I ended up destroying my mood, even though I finally became excited.
<0043>
// I shook my head and closed my eyes.
<0044>
// But even still, our conversation at that time continues...
<0045>
// "\bAre you her lover?"\u
<0046>
// "\bNot right now, but... I'm thinking how nice it would be to be like that."\u
<0047>
// .........
<0048>
// \{\m{B}} "Guaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!"\shake{0}
<0049>
// I was writhing with embarrassment.
<0050>
// \{Kotomi} "........."
<0051>
// And just in front, observing that state of mine is Kotomi.
<0052>
// \{Kotomi} "Huntington's Chorea?"
<0053>
// \{\m{B}} "Wrong! And just what kind of disease is that?!"
<0054>
// \{Kotomi} "A type of a nerve disease. It is characterized by rapid involuntary movements of the face and body limbs for no apparent reason..."
<0055>
// \{\m{B}} "You don't need to explain. Hand me your things, I'll carry them."
<0056>
// I take the cloth bag that is in Kotomi's hand.
<0057>
// It's in a different shape from yesterday. It's a flat box as I look over it, and there's a stainless thermos flask inside.
<0058>
// Kotomi was still looking at me with worried eyes.
<0059>
// \{Kotomi} "\m{B}-kun, are you really not ill?"
<0060>
// \{\m{B}} "I was just thinking about some things."
<0061>
// \{Kotomi} "Thinking?"
<0062>
// That embarrassing phrase surfaces again as she stares right at me.
<0063>
// "\bNot right now, but... I'm thinking how nice it would be to be like that."\u
<0064>
// That's right... I haven't confessed to Kotomi yet.
<0065>
// Yesterday would have been officially the perfect time to do that, and these feelings would have all been settled then.
<0066>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<0067>
// I wonder if it'd be better if I'm the one going to confess?
<0068>
// I have a hunch that if I dragged this too long, something very bad would happen between Kotomi and I.
<0069>
// I think I should stop being only a mere friend in order to progress with Kotomi more than this.
<0070>
// Besides, if it's Kotomi, I think I'll be the only one disappointed, or she'll quickly say \bOK\u to me.
<0071>
// But it also feels like I'll only get a "\b???"\u response.
<0072>
// There's a possibility that something tasty will happen like she'll end up blushing bright red and be bothered...
<0073>
// There's also a potential that she'll cast aside her unknown serious boke character.
<0074>
// The result is really hard to read...
<0075>
// Confess
<0076>
// Don't confess
<0077>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Kotomi."」
<0078>
// \{Kotomi} "?"
<0079>
// \{\m{B}} "If by chance, I'm..."
<0080>
// I stare at Kotomi.
<0081>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm..."
<0082>
// Kotomi's eyes flicker.
<0083>
// She looks at me and opens her soft lips a little.
<0084>
// \{Kotomi} "\m{B}-kun is...?"
<0085>
// She tilts her head and waits for me to continue.
<0086>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm..."
<0087>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<0088>
// \{\m{B}} "If I'm...\p actually a robot inside, what would you do?"
<0089>
// The confession I was planning ended up being a joke, with me being the heavy boke drunkard.
<0090>
// \{Kotomi} "........."
<0091>
// My partner looks at me with a familiar silence and serious look.
<0092>
// \{Kotomi} "Do you fire things like missiles?"
<0093>
// \{\m{B}} "Nope, I'm absolutely not loaded with any weapons."
<0094>
// \{Kotomi} "Do you have a self-destruct device installed?"
<0095>
// \{\m{B}} "It's sad to say that I also don't have that."
<0096>
// \{Kotomi} "I see..."
<0097>
// She seems a bit disappointed.
<0098>
// \{Kotomi} "If so..."
<0099>
// \{Kotomi} "Can I disassemble you?"
<0100>
// \{\m{B}} "Then I'll have you re-assemble me to the way I was then, please."
<0101>
// \{Kotomi} "How complicated is \m{B}-kun's framework?"
<0102>
// \{\m{B}} "I also haven't tried disassembling myself, so I don't know."
<0103>
// \{Kotomi} "Is it much simpler than an alarm clock?"
<0104>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<0105>
// I try to compare in my mind, my own blueprint and an alarm clock.
<0106>
// \{\m{B}} "... it's probably a good match."
<0107>
// \{\m{B}} "By the way, you disassembled an alarm clock when you were a kid, didn't you?"
<0108>
// \{Kotomi} "Yup."
<0109>
// \{\m{B}} "Did the reassembly go all right?"
<0110>
// \{Kotomi} "Well..."
<0111>
// \{Kotomi} "I ended up leaving one screw behind."
<0112>
// That seemed so typical to throw in a tsukkomi for.
<0113>
// \{Kotomi} "To tell the truth, when I managed to put it back, it worked well, but when the bell went on, it didn't stop..."
<0114>
// \{\m{B}} "You probably got scolded for that."
<0115>
// \{Kotomi} "Well..."
<0116>
// \{Kotomi} "Yup."
<0117>
// She quietly nods after thinking for a little bit.
<0118>
// \{Kotomi} "I was told that the clock has an important duty to do, so I shouldn't bother it."
<0119>
// \{Kotomi} "I was also told that only if the clock suddenly got broken that I should disassemble it and ask it to teach me its structure."
<0120>
// \{\m{B}} "Somehow... that's a strange way to get scolded."
<0121>
// \{Kotomi} "Well..."
<0122>
// \{\m{B}} "But... that's a good experience."
<0123>
// \{Kotomi} "Yup."
<0124>
// She showed a small but happy smile.
<0125>
// \{Kotomi} "\m{B}-kun, umm... well..."
<0126>
// \{\m{B}} "What is it?"
<0127>
// \{Kotomi} "If by chance, I..."
<0128>
// And like that, she stares straight at me.
<0129>
// For some reason, her cheeks suddenly blushed as I wait for her response.
<0130>
// \{Kotomi} "No, it's nothing..."
<0131>
// She smiled once again with a hint of shyness.
<0132>
// And for some reason, our topic is changing to something embarrassing.
<0133>
// Let's not...う。
<0134>
// There's definitely a more appropriate time and place for this sort of thing.
<0135>
// Besides...
<0136>
// I don't have the confidence right now to say I'm the right person for Kotomi.
<0137>
// \{Kotomi} "Perhaps, you are ill...?"
<0138>
// \{\m{B}} "I told you already that you're wrong."
<0139>
// \{Kotomi} "??"
<0140>
// I'll change the topic.
<0141>
// \{\m{B}} "By the way, it seems you're wearing the same dress as yesterday."
<0142>
// \{Kotomi} "Well... \m{B}-kun, do you hate this dress?"
<0143>
// She looks down on her own dress and asks in a low voice.
<0144>
// \{\m{B}} "Nope, I think it suits you well. I also said that yesterday too though."
<0145>
// \{Kotomi} "I'm glad."
<0146>
// She becomes relieved.
<0147>
// \{Kotomi} "I washed this last night at home."
<0148>
// \{Kotomi} "Because I decided that I would go with this dress if I'll be together with \m{B}-kun."
<0149>
// \{\m{B}} "I see..."
<0150>
// Her choice of clothing is quite mature, yet it doesn't quite fit with her personality.
<0151>
// That's right, I think Kyou also said something before like, "\bYou're unexpectedly adult-like."\u
<0152>
// And something like, "\bHer breasts are surprisingly big too..."\u
<0153>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<0154>
// I shake my head to drive away those worldly thoughts.
<0155>
// \{Kotomi} "?"
<0156>
// \{\m{B}} "Well then, where should we go today?"
<0157>
// \{Kotomi} "Umm, well..."
<0158>
// \{Kotomi} "There's this really wonderful place."
<0159>
// \{Kotomi} "I'm sure \m{B}-kun also loves that place."
<0160>
// \{\m{B}} "That place... could it be that I also know of it?"
<0161>
// \{Kotomi} "Yup."
<0162>
// \{Kotomi} "\m{B}-kun also knows that place."
<0163>
// \{\m{B}} "And where is that place?"
<0164>
// \{Kotomi} "Well..."
<0165>
// \{Kotomi} "It's the school's library."
<0166>
// She says so with a bit of pride.
<0167>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<0168>
// Somehow, I managed to suppress the urge to do a double tsukkomi hand attack at her chest and the back of her head.
<0169>
// If she doesn't even respond to a boke gag that got recycled, then there's no doubt that Kyou is sleeping at her house.
<0170>
// \{Kotomi} "?"
<0171>
// \{\m{B}} "I understand, so let's go now."
<0172>
// \{Kotomi} "Yup. Let's go, \m{B}-kun."
<0173>
// Kotomi stands next to me.
<0174>
// We started walking while our shoulders touched each other.
<0175>
// The entire school doesn't have the presence of people... completely opposite of what it is usually.
<0176>
// Even students with club activities aren't here because of the holidays.
<0177>
// The sunlight streams silently through the leaves onto the pathway.
<0178>
// I had a bad premonition as we got near the school building.
<0179>
// The door to the shoe rack needs a proper key.
<0180>
// \{\m{B}} "You don't have the key to enter the school building, right?"
<0181>
// \{Kotomi} "Yup. The only one I'm holding is the key to the library."
<0182>
// \{Kotomi} "It's exclusively for my use."
<0183>
// \{Kotomi} "Because I'm an Honorary Librarian."
<0184>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm fine with that, but I wonder why...?"
<0185>
// I couldn't suggest going to a different place now that we were here.
<0186>
// And then, Kotomi started walking briskly.
<0187>
// \{Kotomi} "Over here..."
<0188>
// With her usual quick pace, she heads by the edge of the school building and turns the corner.*
<0189>
// \{\m{B}} "We wouldn't get anything even if we go that way..."
<0190>
// We suddenly stopped under a hallway window as I immediately followed her.
<0191>
// \{Kotomi} "We can get in from here."
<0192>
// She jolts and loosens the window frame without any words.
<0193>
// The window suddenly opened with a "\bthud"\u sound.
<0194>
// \{Kotomi} "You see?"
<0195>
// Somehow, the lock here seems to be left broken.
<0196>
// \{\m{B}} "I see... this is your hobby, right?"
<0197>
// \{Kotomi} "?"
<0198>
// \{\m{B}} "Never mind, I'll go first then."
<0199>
// I give back the things to Kotomi for a while and put my hands on the window frame.
<0200>
// \{Kotomi} "Once you are inside, you should immediately take off your shoes because they will scold you."
<0201>
// \{\m{B}} "Nope, that's not the reason why we're going to get scolded."
<0202>
// \{Kotomi} "??"
<0203>
// \{Kotomi} "Could it be, because we're not wearing our uniforms?"
<0204>
// \{\m{B}} "That's not it either."
<0205>
// \{Kotomi} "???"
<0206>
// \{\m{B}} "There are countless reasons, so I'll go on ahead."
<0207>
// There really wasn't anyone inside the school except Kotomi and me.
<0208>
// The atmosphere is different compared to when I'm skipping and strolling around during lesson.
<0209>
// It's like looking at a backstage that's slightly more out of this world than usual ... a strange feeling.
<0210>
// Kotomi just walks in without thinking about such things.
<0211>
// \{Kotomi} "We have arrived."
<0212>
// She took out the familiar key in her possession and opened the sliding door of the library.
<0213>
// The quiet and deserted room where you can only see books.
<0214>
// Even though I came here last Friday, it appears as if the state of this room has completely changed.
<0215>
// Is it because of the closed window that the scent of the dust and paper is stronger than usual?
<0216>
// Furthermore...
<0217>
// \{\m{B}} "Was the library this huge...?"
<0218>
// \{Kotomi} "Yup."
<0219>
// She nods for no reason.
<0220>
// Kotomi probably always saw the library like this before she met me.
<0221>
// \{Kotomi} "Umph."
<0222>
// Kotomi advances to the usual spot and immediately takes off her shoes and socks.
<0223>
// \{Kotomi} "Umph... ah, ah, ah..."
<0224>
// And as always, she jumps up in circle as if she's going to collapse.
<0225>
// \{Kotomi} "Whew..."
<0226>
// After that, she walks to the edge of the wall and leaves open the east side window.
<0227>
// I could feel the cold air disappearing as the light swayed along with the curtain.
<0228>
// \{Kotomi} "First is cleaning."
<0229>
// She brings out a mop from the tool's locker.
<0230>
// She diligently wipes the floor many, many times with her slender arm.
<0231>
// Kotomi, black-clothed and barefooted amongst the countless number of old books.
<0232>
// Just as I thought, it was somehow fresh and nostalgic.
<0233>
// The last thing she took out was the cushion, which she placed on the floor.
<0234>
// \{Kotomi} "Preparation is now complete."
<0235>
// As Kotomi says that, the library becomes a pretty snug-fit place.
<0236>
// \{Kotomi} "\m{B}-kun, are you hungry?"
<0237>
// \{\m{B}} "That's right. I woke up early today, so I'm a little bit hungry."
<0238>
// \{Kotomi} "It would be a little early, but do you want to eat lunch?"
<0239>
// \{\m{B}} "That's fine with me, but I haven't bought anything yet. I guess I should have bought something outside..."
<0240>
// Kotomi looks straight at me, and it seems she's about to say something.
<0241>
// \{Kotomi} "This might not fill you up \m{B}-kun, but..."
<0242>
// She brought forward the clothed bag containing the boxed lunch which she had placed on the desk.
<0243>
// \{Kotomi} "I want to eat this together."
<0244>
// She takes out a flat paper square box from inside it.
<0245>
// I'd been wondering about it when I was holding it.
<0246>
// \{\m{B}} "Is that some sort of pizza?"
<0247>
// Kotomi slowly shakes her head.
<0248>
// \{Kotomi} "It's an apple pie."
<0249>
// \{Kotomi} "It's my first time making it, so I don't know if I did it well..."
<0250>
// She opens the paper box.
<0251>
// A bittersweet scent suddenly escapes.
<0252>
// It's a round pie with fox-colored burn marks here and there.
<0253>
// It's luxuriously thick and round, and there are lattice shape decorations attached to it.
<0254>
// It seems there's a starch syrup on the surface, and it doesn't look different from those sold in stores.
<0255>
// \{\m{B}} "This is genuine, huh..."
<0256>
// \{Kotomi} "I think the way I baked it went well."
<0257>
// \{Kotomi} "I used Jonathan apples, and the butter I used is also salt free."
<0258>
// \{Kotomi} "I varnished it with apricot jam that's been ripened by rum for the finishing touch."
<0259>
// She rummages inside her cloth bag as she explains it to me wholeheartedly.
<0260>
// Two paper plates. A plastic knife, forks, and paper cups...
<0261>
// She lines up all the necessary things on the library reading desk.
<0262>
// I also pull in a nearby chair and seat myself in front of the readied dining table.
<0263>
// \{Kotomi} "And also, it's the first time I tried using tea leaves in black tea."
<0264>
// \{Kotomi} "The tea leaves I used are Lady Grey."
<0265>
// She's finally going to cut down the pie after pouring in the aroma of the expensive black tea into a cup.
<0266>
// \{Kotomi} "I'll be dividing this right now."
<0267>
// She puts the knife in the big pie and cuts it.
<0268>
// She first halved the pie, then she halved it again, and again...
<0269>
// It seems it's her first time earnestly cutting like this, making me break a smile.
<0270>
// The big semi-circular pie divided into four little pieces.
<0271>
// She then put the slices onto the two plates.
<0272>
// \{Kotomi} "Let's share."
<0273>
// She presents to me the larger portion after she said that.
<0274>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, thanks."
<0275>
// \{Kotomi} "Let's all eat."
<0276>
// \{\m{B}} "Let's eat."
<0277>
// Reciting that, I stab the fork into the pie.
<0278>
// I try stuffing all of the apple into my mouth.
<0279>
// I wonder if she baked this this morning; it's still slightly warm, and the sweetness is just right.
<0280>
// Kotomi was gazing at me as I tasted it.
<0281>
// \{\m{B}} "Is this really your first time making this...?"
<0282>
// \{Kotomi} "Yup."
<0283>
// \{Kotomi} "Ummm... is it not... delicious?"
<0284>
// \{\m{B}} "Nope, I say it's unbelievably good."
<0285>
// \{Kotomi} "???"
<0286>
// The machine's malfunctioning again.
<0287>
// It seems she's having a hard time replying when she's really tense, so I guess I have to rephrase what I just said before.
<0288>
// \{\m{B}} "Your homemade apple pie is really delicious."
<0289>
// \{\m{B}} "It's so delicious, that it's kinda hard to believe that it's your first time making it."
<0290>
// \{\m{B}} "I could eat a lot if it's this delicious."
<0291>
// \{\m{B}} "Do you understand now?"
<0292>
// She clears her mind.
<0293>
// \{Kotomi} "........."
<0294>
// \{Kotomi} "Ah..."
<0295>
// The wiring's finally connected.
<0296>
// \{Kotomi} "Well, \m{B}-kun, is that..."
<0297>
// \{Kotomi} "Really true?"
<0298>
// \{\m{B}} "It's really true."
<0299>
// \{Kotomi} "I'm glad..."
<0300>
// \{Kotomi} "I'm really happy."
<0301>
// Her smiling face seems like it's overflowing.
<0302>
// I stop my hand and look at that face of hers unintentionally.
<0303>
// \{Kotomi} "?"
<0304>
// \{\m{B}} "I just think that it's nice to see you smile."
<0305>
// \{\m{B}} "You had a hard facial expression when we first met."
<0306>
// \{Kotomi} "When we first met?"
<0307>
// Her eyes shifted.
<0308>
// \{Kotomi} "That time, I was nervous and a bit frightened so..."
<0309>
// She hangs her head a little as she answers.
<0310>
// \{\m{B}} "Is that so?"
<0311>
// She was nervous...? I don't seem to understand what she meant by that.
<0312>
// \{Kotomi} "Ah... well..."
<0313>
// She drops her eyes at the pie she was eating as if embarrassed.
<0314>
// \{\m{B}} "Can I have another piece?"
<0315>
// \{Kotomi} "Yup. I divided the two pieces exactly for two people to eat." *
<0316>
// \{\m{B}} "What would you do with the other half after that?"
<0317>
// \{Kotomi} "I'll save it for a mid-day snack."
<0318>
// She smiles like a little kid.
<0319>
// If I can always be with her, it appears like she'll smile for real.
<0320>
// But even so, why is there always this faint pain throbbing in my heart?
<0321>
// I remembered those words again.
<0322>
// "\bIf you have the chance, please tell her this..."\b
<0323>
// "\bThat we regret about what happened that day, even now."\u
<0324>
// No matter what kind of meaning it has, there's no way for me to understand.
<0325>
// It's just that he is uttering the weight of the word called "\bregret"\u even now.
<0326>
// I think of it one more time.
<0327>
// If I should tell Kotomi about that.
<0328>
// Tell her about the gentleman's words
<0329>
// Leave it for now
<0330>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Kotomi."」
<0331>
// \{Kotomi} "?"
<0332>
// I adjust the position of my chair and turn to face Kotomi.
<0333>
// \{\m{B}} "I met that person last Saturday."
<0334>
// \{Kotomi} "That person?"
<0335>
// \{\m{B}} "The man wearing glasses and a business suit... well, the person who you called a '\bbad man.'"\u
<0336>
// Kotomi freezes her hand and looks straight at me.
<0337>
// \{\m{B}} "And also, he asked me to tell you something."
<0338>
// \{Kotomi} "... what did he say?"
<0339>
// She asks quietly and with her usual facial expression.
<0340>
// \{\m{B}} "He said '\bWe're not asking for forgiveness. We regret about that day even now.'"\u
<0341>
// \{\m{B}} "I don't really understand what he meant, so I won't ask for any details."
<0342>
// \{\m{B}} "But that man was serious."
<0343>
// I said the meaning of my words in a cheerful way as much as possible.
<0344>
// Kotomi didn't say anything for a while.
<0345>
// \{Kotomi} "I understand."
<0346>
// She said only that as she began to put the knife at the divided apple pie.
<0347>
// \{Kotomi} "\m{B}-kun, do you want to eat more apple pie?"
<0348>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, didn't you say '\bI'll save it for mid-day snack'\u just a while ago?"
<0349>
// \{Kotomi} "Well..."
<0350>
// \{Kotomi} "But, I guess I want \m{B}-kun to eat all of it."
<0351>
// \{Kotomi} "Because I'm already full."
<0352>
// \{\m{B}} "Well then, thanks."
<0353>
// Kotomi watches me while she smiles as I consume the apple pie.
<0354>
// After that, the only thing left now is Kotomi's smile and the empty paper plates.
<0355>
// \{\m{B}} "Thanks for the food."
<0356>
// Also satisfied myself, I gave Kotomi a smile.
<0357>
// In the end, I decided to stay silent about it for now.
<0358>
// Nothing can be done even if I say it, and I think that gentleman knows it too.
<0359>
// If... if we start to feel that both of us had become much important to each other, then...
<0360>
// I'll surely come to know about it.
<0361>
// I have that kind of premonition.
<0362>
// \{Kotomi} "Thanks for the food."
<0363>
// \{\m{B}} "Thanks for the food."
<0364>
// It was almost past noon when we finished eating.
<0365>
// Usually, we must clean up the library desk for the mess, but today, we're kinda held back.
<0366>
// For now, both of us can do anything we like.
<0367>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<0368>
// Although... I realize that we don't have anything we can do in this room.
<0369>
// Incidentally, I also realize that right now, we're secretly together in this room.
<0370>
// I look at Kotomi's appearance.
<0371>
// \{Kotomi} "........."
<0372>
// She puts her fingers together in front of her and moves them restlessly as if embarrassed.
<0373>
// \{\m{B}} "What are we going to do now?"
<0374>
// I try and ask her.
<0375>
// \{Kotomi} "Well..."
<0376>
// Kotomi also looks at the floor and thinks.
<0377>
// \{Kotomi} "Together..."
<0378>
// She said it suddenly...
<0379>
// So I thought, but she becomes silent again.
<0380>
// \{\m{B}} "Together? What?"
<0381>
// \{Kotomi} "Well..."
<0382>
// \{Kotomi} "Together..."
<0383>
// \{Kotomi} "I want to read a book together with you."
<0384>
// That's what I thought.
<0385>
// \{Kotomi} "??"
<0386>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey... isn't a book something you can't enjoy reading together?"
<0387>
// \{Kotomi} "???"
<0388>
// \{\m{B}} "Well... we could also try though..."
<0389>
// Our hobbies are different; more than that, our reading speed is completely different.
<0390>
// Anyhow, I won't mind if we're kids looking at a picture book, but I don't think it would be that fun for us to do now. *
<0391>
// Kotomi's head is still inclined, looking at me.
<0392>
// It was her unusual thinking-it-over face.
<0393>
// If Kotomi really wants that, then I have no reason to hesitate.
<0394>
// \{\m{B}} "Well? What book are we going to read?"
<0395>
// \{Kotomi} "Well..."
<0396>
// Her gaze went everywhere as she started to speak.
<0397>
// She becomes silent again.
<0398>
// I feel that today's Kotomi is a bit different from usual.
<0399>
// It seems she's opening up to me bit by bit, those things that she's been locking inside her heart...
<0400>
// Of course, I don't feel bad about it.
<0401>
// It's just...
<0402>
// How do I say it... it feels like she's moving at a quick pace.
<0403>
// But in the end... Kotomi said...
<0404>
// \{Kotomi} "I guess it's all right."
<0405>
// She gives me a modest smile and it seems she decides to hide her treasure from me one more time.
<0406>
// I think it might be because of me.
<0407>
// \{\m{B}} "I'll accompany you to what you want to do today, so leave it all to me."
<0408>
// \{\m{B}} "Or you don't want to?"
<0409>
// \{Kotomi} "Not at all. I'm really happy."
<0410>
// \{Kotomi} "Since \m{B}-kun has been taking real good care of me."
<0411>
// \{Kotomi} "It's really fun when I'm together with \m{B}-kun..."
<0412>
// \{Kotomi} "So, I also want to take good care of \m{B}-kun."
<0413>
// \{Kotomi} "That's why..."
<0414>
// \{Kotomi} "I want to let \m{B}-kun decide what he wants to do..."
<0415>
// She narrows her eyes as if trying to ask the right thing. *
<0416>
// Kotomi looks more mature than usual because of the dress that's showing a bit of her chest.
<0417>
// I thought to myself, "She's a Kotomi that I don't know of."
<0418>
// I have an uncomfortable feeling from when we first met.
<0419>
// She has this facial expression which seems like praying before she cuts the pages of her favorite books.
<0420>
// To understand everything, I must accept Kotomi, and the Kotomi who's a child that doesn't know anything...
<0421>
// This time, I'll watch.
<0422>
// The light is swaying like a wave over the cushion.
<0423>
// \{\m{B}} "If that's the case..."
<0424>
// I opened my mouth.
<0425>
// \{\m{B}} "Won't you let me hear you read books?"
<0426>
// \{Kotomi} "Eh...?"
<0427>
// Surprised, she tilts her head.
<0428>
// \{\m{B}} "I like to watch Kotomi reading books, and I also like your voice."
<0429>
// \{\m{B}} "Is it no?"
<0430>
// Her facial expression changes to a really cheerful expression, just from me asking that.
<0431>
// \{Kotomi} "Not at all. That's really, really wonderful."
<0432>
// \{Kotomi} "\m{B}-kun, which book do you like?"
<0433>
// \{\m{B}} "That's right... a book that's been written by a Japanese novelist."
<0434>
// \{\m{B}} "Also, something that's fun to read."
<0435>
// \{\m{B}} "And also, it's your favorite book."
<0436>
// \{Kotomi} "A book that's written by an Japanese novelist, fun to read, and also my favorite book."*
<0437>
// \{Kotomi} "I'll go search."
<0438>
// She stands up and runs towards the bookshelves.
<0439>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Kotomi---"
<0440>
// \{Kotomi} "..............."
<0441>
// It seems I have no choice but to wait.
<0442>
// Exactly twenty minutes later.
<0443>
// Kotomi returned from the forest of bookshelves, holding unto her chest a single book.*
<0444>
// \{Kotomi} "I'm done choosing..."
<0445>
// \{\m{B}} "Thanks for your hard work."
<0446>
// \{Kotomi} "I don't know if \m{B}-kun will somehow like this..."
<0447>
// \{\m{B}} "We won't know unless you read it, right?"
<0448>
// \{Kotomi} "Yup, I'm going to read then."
<0449>
// \{\m{B}} "Read the parts you like if it's long."
<0450>
// \{Kotomi} "Yup, I understand."
<0451>
// She seats on the yellow cushion.
<0452>
// She then opens the cover and flips its page.
<0453>
// \{Kotomi} "About a long time ago..."
<0454>
// \{Kotomi} "For a brief spell from autumn to winter, I lived as a member of a weird family."
<0455>
// \{Kotomi} "And during that time, I had this one true love..."
<0456>
// She started talking with a little difficulty.
<0457>
// Only a little time has passed, but it seems it's obviously a short story.*
<0458>
// I listen carefully without worry.
<0459>
// Honestly speaking, I'm glad that was the content.
<0460>
// Just listening to her musical voice echoing around is enough for me.
<0461>
// Kotomi looks like she's in daze during that time. Her voice has become smooth, and I can feel that each line carries a sentiment.
<0462>
// I rest my chin in my hand, looking at her eyes that are chasing down the letters with her finger that's placed on the page.
<0463>
// .........
<0464>
// ......
<0465>
// ...
<0466>
// Where is this place?
<0467>
// I can hear a sound from somewhere.
<0468>
// A sound I haven't heard before.
<0469>
// But still, it's a nostalgic sound.
<0470>
// GyoOoOoOooOOOooOOoooOoOoOooOoOo~n\shake{0}
<0471>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<0472>
// \{Kotomi} "For me to pass the Comedian Training School, I must practice playing the violin."
<0473>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, it would be impossible no matter what, if that's how you'll practice."
<0474>
// \{Kotomi} "It's violin talk."
<0475>
// \{\m{B}} "I see... that's a new genre..."
<0476>
// \{Kotomi} "If Dango Flowers bloom--- I'll be happy~"
<0477>
// Kotomi strokes the violin and, at the same time, hums a meaningless song.
<0478>
// \{\m{B}} "Dango...?"
<0479>
// I had a bad premonition as I turned around. And behind me was Furukawa.*
<0480>
// She was simmering something in a big pot.
<0481>
// \{\m{B}} "What the hell is that pot for?"
<0482>
// \{Furukawa} "I'm boiling bread."
<0483>
// \{\m{B}} "Why are you boiling bread?!\p Also, that pot somehow stinks. And it really stinks!"
<0484>
// \{Furukawa} "Tonight, the dango will begin their love."
<0485>
// I peer inside a box that was placed on the floor.
<0486>
// \{\m{B}} "Woah..."
<0487>
// The box is filled with squirming dango.
<0488>
// Furukawa scoops a bread broth with a ladle and pours it to the loving dango.
<0489>
// The big family of dango are becoming darker and darker one by one very fast.
<0490>
// \{Furukawa} "Ah! The dango are..."
<0491>
// Furukawa moves around in confusion as the whole family gets annihilated.
<0492>
// The way they expanded was quite weird as well.
<0493>
// I wonder if something happened with the function of my brain?
<0494>
// Next to Furukawa is Fujibayashi, who was doing a fortune telling with playing cards for some reason.
<0495>
// Shuffle, shuffle, shuffle.
<0496>
// Scatter...
<0497>
// She sluggishly but correctly lines up the cards on the floor.
<0498>
// \{Ryou} "........."
<0499>
// \{Ryou} "I understand."
<0500>
// \{Ryou} "The result of the fortune telling tells me that \m{A}-san is suffering from schizophrenia."
<0501>
// \{\m{B}} "Who has schizophrenia?!\p More than that, how did you know about that using fortune telling!?"
<0502>
// \{Ryou} "Umm... you can also call it a nervous breakdown..."
<0503>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<0504>
// \{Kyou} "You shouldn't, Ryou. He's my patient."
<0505>
// \{\m{B}} "I was thinking it's about time for you to show up..."
<0506>
// \{Kyou} "By the way, don't you think this room stinks?"
<0507>
// \{\m{B}} "That's due to Furukawa's boiled bread."
<0508>
// \{Kyou} "The smell of boiled bread is indeed not good for human health."
<0509>
// \{\m{B}} "You're talking about nonsensical things and your lines have become weird too."*
<0510>
// \{Kyou} "That's also because of the smell of the boiled bread."
<0511>
// \{\m{B}} "Anyway, this is a dream, right? It must be, right? Because no matter what, everyone wouldn't be this twisted unless it's a dream."
<0512>
// \{Kyou} "Won't you quickly buy something delicious?"
<0513>
// \{\m{B}} "At least listen to people even in dreams~!"
<0514>
// \{Ryou} "Ummm... excuse me, I need to be going to the hospital now..."
<0515>
// \{\m{B}} "You too, what you are talking about doesn't relate to us!"
<0516>
// \{Furukawa} "The dango, the dango!"
<0517>
// \{Kotomi} "There's an absurd smell because of the dango~" *
<0518>
// Gyon Gyon Gyon Gyon
<0519>
// GyoOoOooOooOooOOo~~n
<0520>
// .........
<0521>
// ......
<0522>
// ...
<0523>
// \{\m{B}} ".................."
<0524>
// \{Kotomi} "Are you awake now?"
<0525>
// Kotomi, who was sitting on the floor, was looking at me.
<0526>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<0527>
// \{Kotomi} "?"
<0528>
// \{\m{B}} "It appears I was watching a really bad dream."
<0529>
// \{Kotomi} "??"
<0530>
// \{Kotomi} "A scary dream...?"
<0531>
// \{\m{B}} "It was probably more of a random dream rather than scary."
<0532>
// \{Kotomi} "I see..."
<0533>
// She stares at me as if I'm still having a dream, and then she narrows her eyes as if relieved.
<0534>
// There was a closed book on her lap.
<0535>
// Perhaps, she's already finished reading.
<0536>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm sorry."
<0537>
// It seems I always end up sleeping whenever Kotomi starts to read books.
<0538>
// \{Kotomi} "Not at all."
<0539>
// \{Kotomi} "You see... I like watching \m{B}-kun sleep."
<0540>
// \{\m{B}} "Me too, I like to sleep where Kotomi is."
<0541>
// I return my gaze and stretch as I sit.
<0542>
// The inclining evening sunlight dyes the library books with an expressionless color.
<0543>
// Two pieces of the cut apple pie were placed on the plate over the reading desk.
<0544>
// \{Kotomi} "I was thinking that it was about time for \m{B}-kun to wake up, so I readied the pie I cut before."
<0545>
// \{\m{B}} "The one you divided, huh?"
<0546>
// \{Kotomi} "Yup, the one I'll share with you."
<0547>
// \{\m{B}} "The truth was, you planned to eat it at three o'clock, right...?"
<0548>
// \{Kotomi} "It's already 5:30 afternoon, but it's still a snack."
<0549>
// \{\m{B}} "You're hungry, right?"
<0550>
// \{Kotomi} "Yup, I'm a little hungry."
<0551>
// \{\m{B}} "Alright, let's eat then."
<0552>
// Kotomi began preparing at once.
<0553>
// \{Kotomi} "The black tea has become a little cold though..."
<0554>
// \{\m{B}} "It's all right, it's warm enough."
<0555>
// She pours the remaining black tea in the paper cup she's holding, and then we say...
<0556>
// \{Kotomi} "Let's all eat."
<0557>
// \{\m{B}} "Let's eat."
<0558>
// This is the second time we said that today.
<0559>
// The texture of the apple is softer; even the taste seems better.
<0560>
// \{\m{B}} "It tasted better than during noon. I wonder if it's because I'm hungry..."
<0561>
// \{Kotomi} "Apple pies are delicious, even if they're cold."
<0562>
// The room has become darker, and the only shining things from the setting sun are the outlines of the bookshelves.
<0563>
// She probably won't be able to read books now.
<0564>
// And we can't make any light in the school building where there shouldn't be anyone.
<0565>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Kotomi."
<0566>
// \{Kotomi} "?"
<0567>
// \{\m{B}} "Once we eat this, let's head home."
<0568>
// \{Kotomi} "Yup."
<0569>
// She immediately understood when I told her, nodding obediently.
<0570>
// \{Kotomi} "Today was really fun."
<0571>
// \{\m{B}} "Compared to yesterday, which is more fun?"
<0572>
// \{Kotomi} "Well..."
<0573>
// \{Kotomi} ".................."
<0574>
// \{Kotomi} "I can't compare."
<0575>
// Her forelock sways and she smiles happily.
<0576>
// I put the last piece of the apple pie in my mouth, and I savoured its flavor before I swallowed it.
<0577>
// \{\m{B}} "Thanks for the food."
<0578>
// I put my hands together.
<0579>
// \{Kotomi} "\m{B}-kun."
<0580>
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm?"
<0581>
// Kotomi didn't say anything for a while.
<0582>
// I wonder how many times did she show that today? That face that looks like brooding about something.*
<0583>
// She took out something from the bottom of the cloth bag while I kept looking at her.*
<0584>
// It seems like an old book.
<0585>
// She rubs the front cover to clean it, but the title is still illegible.
<0586>
// \{Kotomi} "Umm... well... I want \m{B}-kun to hold this."
<0587>
// She gently places it in front of me.
<0588>
// \{\m{B}} "But... isn't this important to you?"
<0589>
// I have a hunch even though I haven't looked inside.
<0590>
// I'm sure she probably has read this hundreds of times too.
<0591>
// \{Kotomi} "I already memorized everything that's written in there."
<0592>
// She smiles as if embarrassed.
<0593>
// \{\m{B}} "But you see, I won't be able to read this book..."
<0594>
// As I hesitate on accepting it, Kotomi said something surprising.
<0595>
// \{Kotomi} "I don't want you to read it."
<0596>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh?"
<0597>
// \{Kotomi} "I don't want you to read it."
<0598>
// The word piles up making me confused.
<0599>
// \{Kotomi} "It's all right to just hold into it."
<0600>
// \{\m{B}} "But..."
<0601>
// \{Kotomi} "........."
<0602>
// Kotomi's eyes flicker.
<0603>
// That feeling came back again.
<0604>
// Her matureness and the child in her which doesn't know anything.
<0605>
// And the Kotomi that I don't know which is hidden between them...
<0606>
// \{\m{B}} "All right then."
<0607>
// I took the book from her.
<0608>
// I suddenly noticed that its skin has the feeling of being left for months or years.
<0609>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Kotomi. The truth is..."
<0610>
// ... you really want to read this together with me, right?
<0611>
// I end up swallowing those words.
<0612>
// Kotomi slowly stands up.
<0613>
// She advances her slender feet to the west side window, and there, she slowly turns to face me.
<0614>
// \{Kotomi} "I've decided."
<0615>
// \{Kotomi} "That I won't come here as much as possible."
<0616>
// \{Kotomi} "Because even if I'm here, it wouldn't be as fun as before."
<0617>
// \{Kotomi} "It's much more fun to be with everyone."
<0618>
// \{Kotomi} "It's much more fun to be with \m{B}-kun."
<0619>
// \{Kotomi} "That's why, I'll be with everyone."
<0620>
// \{Kotomi} "I'll take lessons properly, listen carefully to the teacher, get along with everyone in the class..."
<0621>
// \{Kotomi} "The truth is, I've known for a long time that this is what I should do..."
<0622>
// She wasn't saying those to me. *
<0623>
// The bookshelves look like historic ruins inside the backlight.
<0624>
// The tens of thousand of book bindings that came to watch Kotomi even now.*
<0625>
// It was as if they were carefully listening to Kotomi's voice.
<0626>
// Kotomi bowed at them in the end.
<0627>
// \{Kotomi} "\m{B}-kun, let's go home."
<0628>
// She then gave me a smile.
<0629>
// \{\m{B}} "You should properly lock the door."
<0630>
// \{Kotomi} "Yup..."
<0631>
// There was a small metallic sound that echoed inside Kotomi's purse.*
<0632>
// We then left the library, and I'll be back to having a short nap during tomorrow's lunch break.
<0633>
// \{Kotomi} "Everything will be all right with this."
<0634>
// She puts away her treasured key that has her own name.
<0635>
// I'm sure the chance she'll be using it will decrease.
<0636>
// As for that, Kotomi should be getting more friends.
<0637>
// We were crouching in the twilight, at the hallway where there's no one.
<0638>
// If I compare it to a book, it probably means a single chapter had ended.
<0639>
// I wonder what's waiting ahead...?
<0640>
// \{\m{B}} "Let's go."
<0641>
// \{Kotomi} "Yup."
<0642>
// Kotomi unconsciously held on to my palm that was stretching out to her.
<0643>
// I realized that this is the first time we've held hands together.
Sơ đồ
Đã hoàn thành và cập nhật lên patch. Đã hoàn thành nhưng chưa cập nhật lên patch.