Clannad VN:SEEN6800

Text

// Resources for SEEN6800.TXT

#character '＊Ｂ'
#character 'Sanae'
#character 'Akio'
#character 'Voice'
#character 'Nagisa'
#character 'Worker'
#character 'Yoshino'
#character 'Housewife'
#character 'Boss'
#character 'Mysterious Man'
#character 'Old Lady'
#character 'Johnny'
#character 'Father'
#character 'Man'
#character 'Kinoshita'
#character 'Sunohara'
#character 'Tomoyo'
#character 'Kyou'
#character 'Ryou'
#character 'Mei'
#character 'Koumura'
#character 'Ibuki'
#character 'Misae'
#character 'Waitress'
#character 'Store manager'

<0000>
// Nagisa - Day After
<0001>
// Upon entering the store, I see Sanae-san walking about hesitantly with a huge box.
<0002>
// \{\m{B}} "Good morning."
<0003>
// \{Sanae} "Ah, \{\m{B}}-san. Good morning."
<0004>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, let me take that for you."
<0005>
// \{Sanae} "Yes, I'll leave it to you."
<0006>
// \{Akio} "Oh, so you've arrived."
<0007>
// Pops is staring at me from the back of the store.
<0008>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah..."
<0009>
// \{\m{B}} "Good morning."
<0010>
// I could at least afford to be polite at greetings.
<0011>
// \{Akio} "Morning."
<0012>
// \{Akio} "Hey you, put on an apron."
<0013>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh... I don't have an apron."
<0014>
// \{Sanae} "Ah, is that so? I must've forgotten then."
<0015>
// \{Sanae} "We've prepared one for \m{B}-san as well."
<0016>
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, I see. Thanks a lot."
<0017>
// \{Sanae} "Would a panda-themed one be okay?"
<0018>
// \{\m{B}} "Panda? What do you mean?"
<0019>
// \{Sanae} "Well, it's patterned and has such a picture."
<0020>
// \{Akio} "With black and white checkers and a panda print by the chest."
<0021>
// \{Akio} "It's my old one. What, you don't like it? You brat."
<0022>
// \{\m{B}} "No... I'm fine either way."
<0023>
// \{Akio} "That's right,  you should just work to death like the pandas."
<0024>
// Pandas don't have such a connotation.
<0025>
// On graduation day.
<0026>
// Having not had any career counseling, I was feeling uncertain about my future.
<0027>
// \{Sanae} "Congratulations on your graduation, \m{B}-san."
<0028>
// \{\m{B}} "It certainly is a blurry road ahead."
<0029>
// \{\m{B}} "Because I kept dodging career counseling."
<0030>
// \{Akio} "Well, it doesn't matter much anyway? There are many different ways of making a living after all."
<0031>
// \{Sanae} "So, what do you intend to do for now?"
<0032>
// \{\m{B}} "Not really anything for the mo'......"
<0033>
// \{Akio} "What a shockingly dumb idiot... you haven't thought of anything huh?"
<0034>
// \{Akio} "How lame you are."
<0035>
// \{Sanae} "It must've been hard on \m{B}-san as well."
<0036>
// Even though Sanae-san was talking for me, it was really the mistake of my negligence.
<0037>
// \{Akio} "Isn't there anything you would like to do?"
<0038>
// \{\m{B}} "Well... I can't think of anything."
<0039>
// \{Akio} "That's what I'm saying, you can't just keep mucking around."
<0040>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, you're right, but I just can't find one."
<0041>
// \{Akio} "Hmmm..."
<0042>
// Pops gave a helpless sigh.
<0043>
// \{Akio} "Why don't you work here for now?"
<0044>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, is that okay?"
<0045>
// \{Akio} "Yeah. After all, Sanae's private school's been growing too."
<0046>
// \{Sanae} "That's right."
<0047>
// \{Sanae} "And besides, if you could take the morning shift..."
<0048>
// \{Sanae} "I could prepare Nagisa's lunch box."
<0049>
// \{Sanae} "I've always wanted to do it."
<0050>
// \{Akio} "That's right, you did say so."
<0051>
// \{Akio} "Well, it's all agreed then."
<0052>
// \{Akio} "By the way, the hourly wage is 30 yen."
<0053>
// \{\m{B}} "I quit."
<0054>
// \{Akio} "You idiot, I was just kidding. But it really is going to be low, so be prepared."
<0055>
// \{Sanae} "But in return, you can eat and live here for free."
<0056>
// \{\m{B}} "Thank you very much."
<0057>
// So, under the generosity of those two, I started working at the Furukawa Bakery."
<0058>
// The morning roster starts at five.
<0059>
// Assemble with pops, who'd already started baking.
<0060>
// The store opens at seven. That's when we try to produce the first load.
<0061>
// And take rounds at the cashier after opening.
<0062>
// At Furukawa Bakery, the busiest times are between seven to nine in the morning.
<0063>
// I haven't worked in the store at this time up until now, so I didn't know.
<0064>
// That's why it was tougher than I'd expected.
<0065>
// During spring break, Sanae-san also joined us.
<0066>
// She takes the bread pops had made and arranges them on the trays.
<0067>
// After that, she would chat with the customers.
<0068>
// Sanae-san at work seemed brilliant and charming.
<0069>
// Pops sure married a great person.
<0070>
// \{Sanae} "\m{B}-san,"
<0071>
// Having suddenly been called causes my heart to thrust.
<0072>
// \{\m{B}} "Y-yes? What is it?"
<0073>
// \{Sanae} "I'm only filling in until the end of spring break. After that, it's your job, \m{B}-san."
<0074>
// \{Sanae} "That's why you should clearly remember things like, the positions for each type of bread, as well as their prices."
<0075>
// \{\m{B}} "I understand."
<0076>
// \{Sanae} "Please do your best."
<0077>
// In the afternoon, the customers became scarce.
<0078>
// At this point it becomes quite dull.
<0079>
// Like the lazy Furukawa Bakery I've seen so far.
<0080>
// Pops, having baked up the last load, started loitering around the store.
<0081>
// \{Akio} "Geez, it's boring."
<0082>
// \{Akio} "All right, let's play catch with Sanae's bread."
<0083>
// \{\m{B}} "Let's not."
<0084>
// \{Akio} "Geez, you should enjoy your job more. Stop being so tight."
<0085>
// \{Voice} "Excuse me!"
<0086>
// I thought there was a customer, but it was Nagisa.
<0087>
// \{\m{B}} "What's with the call? Sure was confusing." 
<0088>
// Upon spring break, Nagisa's fever finally subsided.
<0089>
// Around now, she has been taking a light walk near the house.
<0090>
// \{Nagisa} "I was watching \m{B}-kun at work over there."
<0091>
// \{Nagisa} "That apron fits you well. It looks really cute, ehehe..."
<0092>
// That feels a bit embarrassing.
<0093>
// \{Nagisa} "Is there anything you need help with?"
<0094>
// \{\m{B}} "As you can see, we've got way too much time on our hands."
<0095>
// \{Akio} "All right, let's have a snow fight with Sanae's bread."
<0096>
// \{Akio} "Well, the correct term would be a bread fight."
<0097>
// \{Nagisa} "Um, mom is right behind you."
<0098>
// \{Akio} "What?!"
<0099>
// Turning around, pops came face to face with a teary Sanae-san.
<0100>
// \{Sanae} "So my bread is..."
<0101>
// \{Sanae} "... something that's made for throwing at people, isn't it-----?!"
<0102>
// With that, she turned around and dashed off.
<0103>
// \{Akio} "I love it----!"
<0104>
// In the same fashion, pops followed her out of the store.
<0105>
// So I was left alone with Nagisa.
<0106>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun has worked hard."
<0107>
// \{\m{B}} "Is that so..."
<0108>
// \{Nagisa} "You looked brilliant."
<0109>
// \{\m{B}} "All I do is type on the cashier."
<0110>
// \{Voice} "Excuse me!"
<0111>
// And then, a real customer came.
<0112>
// \{Nagisa} "Welcome."
<0113>
// Nagisa greets with a smile.
<0114>
// Just like that, a comfortable feeling expanded.
<0115>
// In that instance, I imagined a future where we would work side by side.
<0116>
// April 5 (Monday)
<0117>
// The opening ceremony of April.
<0118>
// \{Nagisa} "Well then..."
<0119>
// \{Nagisa} "I'll be going now."
<0120>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah.""
<0121>
// \{Sanae} "Take care."
<0122>
// \{Akio} "Yeah, have a good one."
<0123>
// Nagisa attended school on her own.
<0124>
// It'll be like this from every day onward.
<0125>
// Would she worry and stop at the foot of that slope again...?
<0126>
// No... definitely not.
<0127>
// Ever since that day, she has become strong.
<0128>
// That's why, I will watch her from here.
<0129>
// \{\m{B}} "... hang in there."
<0130>
// Encouraging her as such.
<0131>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay!"
<0132>
// That night, I went to Nagisa's bedroom.
<0133>
// Although a happy Nagisa appeared at dinner, I could see that she was pushing herself.
<0134>
// Pops and Sanae-san must've noticed it too.
<0135>
// \{\m{B}} "Nagisa, it's me."
<0136>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, yes, what's the matter?"
<0137>
// A voice answers from within the room.
<0138>
// \{\m{B}} "I'll come in."
<0139>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, please do."
<0140>
// Nagisa was seated, holding onto a stuffed Big Dango Family doll.
<0141>
// She must've been recounting today's school. It must have been depressing.
<0142>
// \{\m{B}} "I'll sit here."
<0143>
// \{Nagisa} "I'll get you a cushion."
<0144>
// \{\m{B}} "It's all right."
<0145>
// \{Nagisa} "But it's going to hurt your bottom."
<0146>
// \{\m{B}} "I did say it's fine."
<0147>
// \{Nagisa} "I see..."
<0148>
// She sat down once again, and went back to holding that stuffed dango.
<0149>
// \{\m{B}} "Did you find someone to talk to in your class?" 
<0150>
// \{Nagisa} "Having to repeat two years makes it feel hard to find a topic."
<0151>
// \{\m{B}} "What, and that makes you feel like an old lady?"
<0152>
// \{\m{B}} "It's just two years. It doesn't even make an age gap."
<0153>
// \{Nagisa} "Really...?"
<0154>
// Suddenly I thought.
<0155>
// Even if I try to correct her, I would only be pushing her further.
<0156>
// That's Nagisa's excuse right now.
<0157>
// \{\m{B}} "Those classmates... do they know?"
<0158>
// \{Nagisa} "What?"
<0159>
// \{\m{B}} "About... well, how you've repeated twice."
<0160>
// \{Nagisa} "I think they do."
<0161>
// \{Nagisa} "Ever since the opening ceremony, that rumor's been spreading around."
<0162>
// \{Nagisa} "That there's such a kid in the class."
<0163>
// \{Nagisa} "I heard a bit of it..."
<0164>
// \{\m{B}} "I see..."
<0165>
// \{Nagisa} "Besides, they've been classmates for a whole year, so everyone knows each other..."
<0166>
// \{Nagisa} "I stood out like a transfer student... so it was quickly uncovered."
<0167>
// \{\m{B}} "But there are people you recognize, right?"
<0168>
// \{\m{B}} "Like Nishina and Sugisaka?"
<0169>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes. I did hope that we could be in the same class."
<0170>
// So, chances of meeting would be thin if it wasn't...?
<0171>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, what about Tomoyo?"
<0172>
// \{Nagisa} "Sakagami-san was in a different class as well."
<0173>
// \{\m{B}} "I see..."
<0174>
// \{Nagisa} "I met Sakagami-san when returning from sports."
<0175>
// \{Nagisa} "She told me to hang in there as well."
<0176>
// \{\m{B}} "Sounds like what she'd say..."
<0177>
// \{Nagisa} "Yep, she's a very nice person."
<0178>
// \{\m{B}} "You should hang out with Tomoyo."
<0179>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh, that's... she's too distanced."
<0180>
// \{\m{B}} "The student council regroups at the end of the month, right? That way she'd be free too."
<0181>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm sure she'll be busy studying for exams."
<0182>
// \{\m{B}} "Even so, if it's her, she'd keep you company."
<0183>
// \{Nagisa} "Is that true? Would she...?"
<0184>
// \{\m{B}} "Probably."
<0185>
// \{Nagisa} "If she does, I'll be very happy."
<0186>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah. And you mustn't think that you can't make friends in other classes."
<0187>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah..."
<0188>
// \{\m{B}} "Besides..."
<0189>
// \{\m{B}} "You're a nice person, so even if you get along, I think that people wouldn't mind you."
<0190>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay, let's hope so..."
<0191>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, everyone will end up liking you."
<0192>
// \{\m{B}} "All you need is a connection."
<0193>
// \{Nagisa} "Yeah..."
<0194>
// \{\m{B}} "And secondly...\p yeah, about the drama club."
<0195>
// \{\m{B}} "Do you want to continue it?"
<0196>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes. I would."
<0197>
// \{\m{B}} "You should follow the proper regulations to gather members this year."
<0198>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, that's right."
<0199>
// \{Nagisa} "However..."
<0200>
// \{\m{B}} "However what?"
<0201>
// \{Nagisa} "There isn't a supervisor."
<0202>
// \{\m{B}} "Why? Isn't Koumura..."
<0203>
// Upon saying that, I suddenly remembered.
<0204>
// \{Nagisa} "Koumura-sensei retired last year..."
<0205>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, so he did..."
<0206>
// \{Nagisa} "But there's a new replacement teacher, maybe he'll take the role."
<0207>
// \{\m{B}} "That's it, you should ask early!"
<0208>
// \{Nagisa} "Yep... that's what I intended."
<0209>
// \{Nagisa} "But, he's a bit..."
<0210>
// \{\m{B}} "A bit what?"
<0211>
// \{Nagisa} "The teacher was a bit scary-looking... so I've been hesitating."
<0212>
// \{\m{B}} "But he only just looks scary, right?
<0213>
// \{Nagisa} "No, he seemed to have been in lifestyle counseling, and he was really snap-and-crack at introductions today."
<0214>
// That's true...
<0215>
// Not all teachers are kind old men like Koumura.
<0216>
// \{Nagisa} "He was a sports teacher, and didn't seem much like a counselor."
<0217>
// \{\m{B}} "Really..."
<0218>
// I put my hand on my face.
<0219>
// Why does her future seem to be so full of difficulty?
<0220>
// Shouldn't it be so common?
<0221>
// Having a group of close friends, chatting happily together, sweating in club-activities...
<0222>
// Why can't this small happiness be granted to her?
<0223>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm sorry, \m{B}-kun."
<0224>
// \{\m{B}} "What for?"
<0225>
// My voice was trembling.
<0226>
// \{Nagisa} "I've made you worry."
<0227>
// \{\m{B}} "It's okay... if you kept it to yourself, you'd feel worse."
<0228>
// \{Nagisa} "No, I've just been whining."
<0229>
// \{Nagisa} "Since I've decided to do my best, I'll do my best."
<0230>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, of course you should do your best."
<0231>
// \{\m{B}} "But, don't just curl up with your stuffed dango; come talk to me."
<0232>
// \{Nagisa} "This is thanks to you too, \m{B}-kun."
<0233>
// \{Nagisa} "Since you gave it to me..."
<0234>
// \{Nagisa} "That's why, it's like telling \m{B}-kun."
<0235>
// \{Nagisa} "I felt really relaxed."
<0236>
//\{Nagisa} "So in return, I hugged it closely."
<0237>
// \{Nagisa} "Ehehe..."
<0238>
// She tries to persevere by shutting down any sign of weakness.
<0239>
// Maybe I'm unreasonably forcing it out.
<0240>
// Maybe I'm just dragging down her will to become stronger.
<0241>
// \{\m{B}} "But, let me hear it too."
<0242>
// \{\m{B}} "Not like a complaint, but more like a discussion."
<0243>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, let's do that."
<0244>
// \{Nagisa} "However, I want to talk about happier topics with \m{B}-kun."
<0245>
// \{Nagisa} "I hope to talk about things at school with a smile."
<0246>
// \{\m{B}} "Uh huh, let's hope topics like these will increase."
<0247>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, I'll do my best to increase them."
<0248>
// Yet...
<0249>
// Even after that, I heard not one word about happy past times in school from Nagisa.
<0250>
// April 6 (Tuesday)
<0251>
// \{\m{B}} "How did it go with the club advisor?"
<0252>
// Once again, I was in Nagisa's room.
<0253>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, well..."
<0254>
// \{Nagisa} "Minoshima-sensei, who I mentioned yesterday, agreed to take the role."
<0255>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, isn't that great?"
<0256>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, I'm really glad."
<0257>
// But from her expression, Nagisa doesn't seem to be in a happy mood.
<0258>
// \{\m{B}} "What's wrong? Didn't it go smoothly?"
<0259>
// \{Nagisa} "Well, no... it went well, I guess, but how can I say..."
<0260>
// \{\m{B}} "Just tell me the whole story."
<0261>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<0262>
// \{Nagisa} "So I went to the staff room to negotiate."
<0263>
// \{Nagisa} "Minoshima-sensei was there, so we talked on the spot."
<0264>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay."
<0265>
// \{Nagisa} "And then, well... he didn't seem very interested..."
<0266>
// \{\m{B}} "So it wasn't smooth after all..."
<0267>
// \{Nagisa} "No, but then a teacher next to us heard the conversation..."
<0268>
// \{Nagisa} "So Minoshima-sensei was appointed as the advisor of the drama club on the spot."
<0269>
// \{\m{B}} "I see..."
<0270>
// \{\m{B}} "So what was that Minoshima's face like when he heard it?"
<0271>
// \{Nagisa} "That's... something I don't really want to mention."
<0272>
// Disapproval at best, and for the worst... can't even imagine. 
<0273>
// It couldn't be very amusing for a sports teacher to be supervising a drama club.
<0274>
// \{Nagisa} "However, Minoshima-sensei also has the role of sub-advisor for the track-and-field club, so I don't think that he would be around so often."
<0275>
// Was that a pity, or was that something to be thankful about? I have no idea.
<0276>
// However, since a club is not allowed to operate without supervision, it can't be a good thing.
<0277>
// \{Nagisa} "And..."
<0278>
// Looks like there are more hardships ahead.
<0279>
// \{Nagisa} "If I don't gather enough new members, the club would be canceled after all..."
<0280>
// \{\m{B}} "Is that so..."
<0281>
// April 7 (Wednesday)
<0282>
// \{Nagisa} "Today, I made a recruitment poster."
<0283>
// \{Nagisa} "I made the Big Dango Family as cute as last year's."
<0284>
// \{\m{B}} "I see..."
<0285>
// \{Nagisa} "I posted it on the notice board during lunch."
<0286>
// \{Nagisa} "But when I came back for cleaning duties... somehow, the poster had fallen to the floor."
<0287>
// \{Nagisa} "Picking it up, I wondered what happened."
<0288>
// \{Nagisa} "That's when people around me called out, 'Ahh, she found out'..."
<0289>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<0290>
// \{Nagisa} "When I wasn't around, it was torn off and passed amongst the class."
<0291>
// \{Nagisa} "I wonder what was wrong."
<0292>
// It's being labeled as different after having repeated two years.
<0293>
// No matter what she does, people will exploit her faults and pick on her.
<0294>
// If I was there with her... I'd comfort her on the spot...
<0295>
// And then, when classes finish, we'd probably stick the poster back up, together.
<0296>
// \{Nagisa} "Could it be the Big Dango Family?"
<0297>
// \{\m{B}} "No, there's nothing wrong."
<0298>
// \{\m{B}} "But I think it's just something that takes time."
<0299>
// \{\m{B}} "That's why you must endure it right now."
<0300>
// \{Nagisa} "I'd feel bad if it was torn off again..."
<0301>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, it's important that you insist. Have you done so?"
<0302>
// \{Nagisa} "Well, yes..."
<0303>
// \{Nagisa} "I asked them not to tear it off again."
<0304>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, that makes it alright. It won't be torn off again."
<0305>
// \{Nagisa} "I see... I believe you, so I'll stick it back up tomorrow."
<0306>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<0307>
// April 8 (Thursday)
<0308>
// \{Nagisa} "Sorry for bothering you while you're tired... but can I tell you something?"
<0309>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, sure."
<0310>
// \{Nagisa} "This morning, I put the poster back up."
<0311>
// \{Nagisa} "This time it wasn't torn off."
<0312>
// \{Nagisa} "From afar, I saw a new female student coming and stopping by the notice board."
<0313>
// \{Nagisa} "And I thought, did she notice the drama club's poster?"
<0314>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, of course she noticed."
<0315>
// \{\m{B}} "Or should I say, it's got an impact that makes it hard to ignore."
<0316>
// \{Nagisa} "I'll be happy if she becomes slightly interested."
<0317>
// \{\m{B}} "When is the introduction seminar?"
<0318>
// \{Nagisa} "The following Saturday."
<0319>
// \{Nagisa} "It's a combined event in the gym."
<0320>
// All those events were already over when Nagisa returned to school last year.
<0321>
// That's why it's a bit different than last year, when we were just doing it on our own.
<0322>
// But, for Nagisa's case, it'd be better to attend those planned events.
<0323>
// \{Nagisa} "I feel extremely nervous."
<0324>
// \{\m{B}} "After all, last year you'd only practiced and never did the seminar."
<0325>
// \{Nagisa} "Yeah... that's right."
<0326>
// \{Nagisa} "I'll try and remember the practice with \m{B}-kun and do my best."
<0327>
// \{\m{B}} "That's right. Even though there's been a blank, you'll be alright."
<0328>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes. When I perform, I'm thinking that \m{B}-kun is watching over me..."
<0329>
// \{\m{B}} "Why, that sounds like as if I'm dead."
<0330>
// \{Nagisa} "That's not it. But by then, \m{B}-kun will be busy at work."
<0331>
// \{\m{B}} "That's true."
<0332>
// \{Nagisa} "But honestly..."
<0333>
// \{Nagisa} "I wish that... \m{B}-kun could be there by my side, watching over me."
<0334>
// \{Nagisa} "So I would feel really strong inside...and be able to relax..."
<0335>
// \{Nagisa} "As if I could do my best..."
<0336>
// A hint of frailness.
<0337>
// In between this, the sadness in her surged, and her eyes moistened.
<0338>
// But she did not let any tears fall.
<0339>
// After desperately holding them in...
<0340>
// \{Nagisa} "But, this time I'll be fine by myself."
<0341>
// She said so with a smile.
<0342>
// April 10 (Saturday)
<0343>
// Today is the introductory seminar for clubs.
<0344>
// Because of the tension and anxiety, it's been impossible to talk to Nagisa since morning.
<0345>
// Even when she was leaving, her eyes were fixed on the notes for the speech.
<0346>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Nagisa."
<0347>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<0348>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh, were you calling me?"
<0349>
// One step slow, she responded to my calling.
<0350>
// \{\m{B}} "If you don't go now, you'll be late."
<0351>
// \{Nagisa} "Please wait a bit more. I've still got some time to recite this."
<0352>
// Once again, focusing her attention on the notes.
<0353>
// Geez, will she really be okay like this?
<0354>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Nagisa."
<0355>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<0356>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh? Were you calling me?"
<0357>
// \{\m{B}} "I want to make love to you, Nagisa."
<0358>
// \{Nagisa} "Sorry. But please do so after I return."
<0359>
// She quickly returns her gaze to her notes.
<0360>
// \{\m{B}} (Are you sure it's okay when you've returned...?)
<0361>
// \{\m{B}} (Wait, wasn't that the same as the morning before the drama rehearsals...?)
<0362>
// Recalling events from last year, I let out a wry smile.
<0363>
// \{Nagisa} "Well, here I go."
<0364>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, take care."
<0365>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<0366>
// \{\m{B}} "Do your best."
<0367>
// \{Nagisa} "... okay!"
<0368>
// In the end, she returned the encouragement with a smile.
<0369>
// Worried about Nagisa, I couldn't completely concentrate during work.
<0370>
// Right now, she should be standing on the stage of the gym.
<0371>
// Even if she's feeling awkward, she'll try her best for the introductory speech.
<0372>
// Or would she be speechless... standing frozen there on the stage?
<0373>
// \{\m{B}} (Argh, let's not think negatively!)
<0374>
// Shaking my head.
<0375>
// Clang.
<0376>
// The door opens, a customer starts browsing the store.
<0377>
// \{\m{B}} "Welcome."
<0378>
// Nagisa got home after an hour or so.
<0379>
// Leaving the store to Sanae-san, we went to grab a late lunch.
<0380>
// \{Nagisa} "... it was as tense as last year's stage drama."
<0381>
// After having lunch, Nagisa started talking.
<0382>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, isn't that so? I understand."
<0383>
// \{Nagisa} "The speech was... if \m{B} heard it, you'd probably say that it was not good at all..."
<0384>
// \{Nagisa} "Even so, I stood on the stage till the end... and spoke."
<0385>
// \{Nagisa} "What with everyone combining their strength to attempt a feat..."
<0386>
// \{Nagisa} "And that it is a wonderful thing, why don't we do it together?"
<0387>
// \{\m{B}} "I see..."
<0388>
// \{\m{B}} "Even if it felt awkward. As long as you've passed the message."
<0389>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes."
<0390>
// \{Nagisa} "And then... when leaving, I could hear a ring of applause."
<0391>
// \{Nagisa} "They were from Nishina-san and Sugisaka-san."
<0392>
// \{\m{B}} "Did you guys talk?"
<0393>
// \{Nagisa} "A little. Stuff like 'How are you doing?', and 'Do your best'."
<0394>
// \{\m{B}} "Is that so? I'm glad."
<0395>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes."
<0396>
// After all, a good outcome awaits only if you worked hard for it.
<0397>
// Even if it's modest, if it piles up, I'm sure it'll be great.
<0398>
// That's something I learned in my final days of school.
<0399>
// Something known even amongst the school life I hated.
<0400>
// \{\m{B}} "So, when will the new members be entering?"
<0401>
// \{Nagisa} "The forms are to be handed to the club advisors by next Wednesday."
<0402>
// \{Nagisa} "So, if I don't get two people by then..."
<0403>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah..."
<0404>
// Then the drama club will be canceled once again.
<0405>
// \{Nagisa} "There was a lot of new students..."
<0406>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, so you'd at least get two people with an interest in drama."
<0407>
// \{\m{B}} "Even if they're not interested, as long as it's known that the club leader is a cute girl like you, I'd join without hesitation."
<0408>
// \{Nagisa} "You didn't easily join though, \m{B}-kun."
<0409>
// \{\m{B}} "Was that the case?"
<0410>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, it was."
<0411>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm a difficult man to please."
<0412>
// \{Nagisa} "You're very honest."
<0413>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, that's just as much as I want to say..."
<0414>
// \{\m{B}} "But... I've always been by your side, right?"
<0415>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes... that's right."
<0416>
// \{Nagisa} "You've always been by my side."
<0417>
// \{\m{B}} "Along with that idiot, Sunohara."
<0418>
// \{Nagisa} "You mustn't call people idiots."
<0419>
// \{\m{B}} "People should start gathering again, just like that."
<0420>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes... that would be pleasant."
<0421>
// And so, the week ended.
<0422>
// April 12 (Monday)
<0423>
// \{Nagisa} "Well... I'll be off."
<0424>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, take care."
<0425>
// Nagisa left, with feelings of both hope and anxiety bottled up inside her.
<0426>
// On Monday, no registration forms were received.
<0427>
// April 13 (Tuesday)
<0428>
// Tuesday followed the same pattern.
<0429>
// April 14 (Wednesday)
<0430>
// So came Wednesday's deadline.
<0431>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm back..."
<0432>
// Upon return, one could make out the results just by seeing Nagisa's expression.
<0433>
// \{Nagisa} "Not even one registration form was received."
<0434>
// \{\m{B}} "I see..."
<0435>
// I don't know what's left to say.
<0436>
// \{Nagisa} "I think it's true that stage dramas are no longer popular."
<0437>
// \{Nagisa} "That's what Koumura-sensei told me last year."
<0438>
// \{\m{B}} "Something like that, I guess..." 
<0439>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<0440>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes..."
<0441>
// \{Nagisa} "And so, the drama club is canceled once again."
<0442>
// \{\m{B}} "I see..."
<0443>
// \{\m{B}} "But you've done all that you can, so don't feel depressed about it."
<0444>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay..."
<0445>
// \{Nagisa} "After all, the third-years will have to resign after School Foundation Day..."
<0446>
// \{\m{B}} "That's true. Why not relax and enjoy seeing the festival this year?"
<0447>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, let's do that."
<0448>
// \{Nagisa} "Last year's festival was busy, but it was really fun."
<0449>
// \{Nagisa} "Although I cried out aloud on the stage..."
<0450>
// \{Nagisa} "Even so, those were nice memories."
<0451>
// \{\m{B}} "Idiot... don't lose yourself in memories."
<0452>
// \{\m{B}} "Happier times are waiting ahead, so let's work for them."
<0453>
// \{Nagisa} "Sorry... that's right."
<0454>
// School topics had become scarce, like she had not one friend at all.
<0455>
// Even so, Nagisa was never absent, or even late to classes.
<0456>
// Only tightening her lips when leaving home.
<0457>
// Nagisa hung in there.
<0458>
// Whether it's from me, Sanae-san, or pops, such a Nagisa was warmly welcomed.
<0459>
// Only in this family would her smile be present.
<0460>
// Nagisa - Day After
<0461>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun... are you there?"
<0462>
// Nagisa's voice.
<0463>
// \{\m{B}} "What is it? You'll be late."
<0464>
// I stopped the work at hand and looked up.
<0465>
// \{Nagisa} "It's because you weren't in front of the store to see me off today."
<0466>
// \{\m{B}} "Oh... sorry."
<0467>
// \{Nagisa} "No, this is okay. It looks like you're busy."
<0468>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm off."
<0469>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, take care."
<0470>
// Feeling relieved from the sound of my voice, Nagisa left the house.
<0471>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<0472>
// After reconsidering, I left the store, catching up to Nagisa.
<0473>
// \{\m{B}} "Nagisa!"
<0474>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh?"
<0475>
// Stopping in her tracks, Nagisa turned around on the road.
<0476>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, what is it?"
<0477>
// \{\m{B}} "Take care."
<0478>
// Just to have it said properly.
<0479>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, okay."
<0480>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm off!"
<0481>
// In midst of the reflecting sunlight, Nagisa smiled as she spoke.
<0482>
// And so, without knowing, I...
<0483>
// Wanted to protect her with my own strength...
<0484>
// Such a feeling solidified in me.
<0485>
// Cohabitation
<0486>
// As always, just as the customers became scarce in the afternoon, I had time to kill in the store.
<0487>
// When pops finished baking the last bread, he merrily went off somewhere like a kid who had finished his homework.
<0488>
// \{\m{B}} (Guess I'll get some fresh air...)
<0489>
// I went out.
<0490>
// I look up at the refreshing sky, stretching out.
<0491>
// \{\m{B}} "Whew..."
<0492>
// And dropping my glance to what's ahead...
<0493>
// I found someone at the park on a tall spot.
<0494>
// A tall spot, which was definitely in the air. I was surprised for a moment.
<0495>
// But, looking closely, it's not something big to worry about. It's just a worker on a ladder.
<0496>
// It seems to be leaning on a street light.
<0497>
// It was a familiar scene.
<0498>
// At one point, I helped such a worker during my time in school.
<0499>
// And I should have realized on that day,
<0500>
// How I was so snug and carefree,
<0501>
// And how strict the society waiting for me was.
<0502>
// And even more, I was in the comfort of the lukewarm waters that was the Furukawa household.
<0503>
// At that time, that worker was a man whose age was not much different from mine... I should have been shocked at that.
<0504>
// \{\m{B}} (And even then, I'm still in a place like this...)
<0505>
// I remembered a lot of things, including that frustration.
<0506>
// As well as the somber lifestyle he lived with compared to mine.
<0507>
// If it's that kind of lifestyle, I can do that myself. Without pops or Sanae-san supporting me.
<0508>
// I freeze my eyes on the worker to discern his face.
<0509>
// He was far off, so I couldn't tell. But, I feel like his figure is similar. 
<0510>
// Doesn't matter if it was different. I impatiently ran up to him.
<0511>
// \{Worker} "Whew..."
<0512>
// The worker got down to the ground, and took a cigarette.
<0513>
// He looked up, nodding many times. Was he satisfied witih the work?
<0514>
// \{\m{B}} "Yoshino... san!"
<0515>
// I called his name.
<0516>
// \{Yoshino} "Hmm?"
<0517>
// He faced my way. It was Yoshino Yuusuke... err, Yoshino-san.
<0518>
// \{\m{B}} "Yo."
<0519>
// \{Yoshino} "........."
<0520>
// \{Yoshino} "... yeah. What's up?"
<0521>
// After thinking for a while, he greeted, as if he remembered.
<0522>
// \{Yoshino} "Umm... you're the guy who helped me out..."
<0523>
// \{Yoshino} "And there was the basketball game..."
<0524>
// \{\m{B}} "It's \m{A}."
<0525>
// \{Yoshino} "Oh, yeah. \m{A}."
<0526>
// \{Yoshino} "What is it? You have free time again?"
<0527>
// \{\m{B}} "Please hire me!"
<0528>
// I bowed my head.
<0529>
// \{Yoshino} "Eh, are you serious...?"
<0530>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes, I'm serious."
<0531>
// \{Yoshino} "That would help me out... we've been lacking in people, after all."
<0532>
// \{Yoshino} "But, you should also know, this is a difficult job."
<0533>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm more than prepared."
<0534>
// \{Yoshino} "A year ago, you were pretty crappy with just one, though."
<0535>
// \{\m{B}} "Well... if I get used to it, I should be fine."
<0536>
// \{Yoshino} "........."
<0537>
// \{\m{B}} "I'll work hard."
<0538>
// \{Yoshino} "I see..."
<0539>
// \{Yoshino} "Okay, I'll hire."
<0540>
// \{Yoshino} "When can you work?"
<0541>
// \{\m{B}} "I'd like for that to be next month."
<0542>
// \{Yoshino} "All right, I got it."
<0543>
// \{Yoshino} "Then, let's work hard in the future."
<0544>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes, let's do that."
<0545>
// We shook hands.
<0546>
// Looks like he was repairing the street lights.
<0547>
// Well... it was never there in the first place.
<0548>
// Which means he was installing them.
<0549>
// Which means that the post might have been there yesterday.
<0550>
// I didn't really remember too well.
<0551>
// I immediately walked to the bottom of the post.
<0552>
// \{\m{B}} "This wasn't here, was it?"
<0553>
// I talk to the worker at the top of the ladder.
<0554>
// \{Worker} "Hmm? Yeah, it wasn't."
<0555>
// He's probably a little older than I am. Even so, for a worker, he's young.
<0556>
// \{Worker} "Though this is just one for today, tomorrow I'll be putting another one up."
<0557>
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm..."
<0558>
// I was a little opposed to the change in this park.
<0559>
// I wonder if it's okay to have a street light here?
<0560>
// Saying that, the worker had a curious face.
<0561>
// \{Worker} "Wouldn't that be safer?"
<0562>
// \{Worker} "The area around here becomes pitch black when it gets dark, doesn't it?"
<0563>
// \{\m{B}} "I suppose."
<0564>
// \{Worker} "It's where people live, so they should look good."
<0565>
// \{\m{B}} "It's not oppressive, is it?"
<0566>
// \{Worker} "You say another strange thing." 
<0567>
// \{Worker} "The park itself was made for people, wasn't it?"
<0568>
// \{\m{B}} "I suppose so."
<0569>
// \{Worker} "Or perhaps you live out on the streets, camping out?"
<0570>
// \{\m{B}} "No, I do live under a roof."
<0571>
// \{Worker} "See? That's how it is."
<0572>
// The worker took a cigarette from his breast pocket and lit it.
<0573>
// He nodded many times. Was he satisfied with the work?
<0574>
// \{Worker} "Besides, what are you doing?"
<0575>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, I'm just slacking off like I want to."
<0576>
// \{Worker} "Got some free time?"
<0577>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, I guess."
<0578>
// \{Worker} "Tomorrow too?"
<0579>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, somewhat."
<0580>
// \{Worker} "If you'd like, could you help me out tomorrow?"
<0581>
// \{\m{B}} "Huh?"
<0582>
// \{Worker} "Tomorrow, we'll be putting up another street light over there."
<0583>
// The worker pointed in the direction of the woods, saying that.
<0584>
// Huh...?
<0585>
// It feels like I remember having had this discussion...
<0586>
// That's right...
<0587>
// He's the worker from that time who was falsely accussed of the dent in the car hood. I saved him there.
<0588>
// \{\m{B}} "You don't remember me?"
<0589>
// \{Worker} "Eh...?"
<0590>
// He narrows his eyes at my face.
<0591>
// \{Worker} "Y-yeah, oh, you're... maybe from that time, where you found the cat footprints..."
<0592>
// \{\m{B}} "That's right."
<0593>
// \{Worker} "This is an unexpected surprise."
<0594>
// \{\m{B}} "We had the same dialogue back then too."
<0595>
// \{\m{B}} "You kinda grabbed me and just had me help and stuff, right?"
<0596>
// \{Worker} "Well, not really like that."
<0597>
// \{Worker} "I wouldn't ask people who weren't prospective."
<0598>
// \{\m{B}} "Why, thank you."
<0599>
// \{Worker} "Yeah, so could you help me out? You've got time, don't you?"
<0600>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, I've got time to kill..."
<0601>
// \{\m{B}} "You serious?"
<0602>
// \{Worker} "I told you, didn't I?"
<0603>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, I mean, why do I have to help?"
<0604>
// \{Worker} "You said you had free time, didn't you?"
<0605>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<0606>
// \{Worker} "I'll be paying after all."
<0607>
// The young worker waited for my answer.
<0608>
// The register's waiting but, if it's this time, I know I'm free.
<0609>
// \{\m{B}} "... just about this time tomorrow sound good?"
<0610>
// \{Worker} "Yeah, I don't mind."
<0611>
// \{Worker} "Then, I'll see you tomorrow, at about the same time."
<0612>
// \{Worker} "Oh yeah, come in something you can easily move in. You'll be sweating."
<0613>
// The young man got onto a light truck and drove off.
<0614>
// The following day.
<0615>
// At about the same time, I stood at the park.
<0616>
// \{Worker} "You came early."
<0617>
// \{\m{B}} "It's because I promised."
<0618>
// \{Worker} "I also thought I might have said something absurd."
<0619>
// Certainly I thought it was ridiculous.
<0620>
// \{Worker} "Then, shall we start?"
<0621>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay."
<0622>
// \{Worker} "Good work. Thanks for helping me out."
<0623>
// ... I can't lift my arm.
<0624>
// Because I had been supporting him this entire time towards the street light.
<0625>
// On the other hand, the ladder was unstable just from him being on it.
<0626>
// My thighs were tense, and my calves were also in pain.
<0627>
// I took a seat on the ground, catching my breath with all my might.
<0628>
// I was confident in my strength but, I couldn't say the same for how I looked.
<0629>
// \{\m{B}} "This is a job that two people should be doing, isn't it?!"
<0630>
// My breath was also feeble as I spit that out.
<0631>
// \{Worker} "Hmm? What were you doing the entire time?"
<0632>
// \{\m{B}} ... taking care of a cash register in a bakery."
<0633>
// \{Worker} "That's a cozy job, not that it's bad."
<0634>
// \{Worker} "No matter what work there is, this much is normal."
<0635>
// Compared to me who should have been able to do this tough job, the man said that with a cool head.
<0636>
// More than that, I had realized.
<0637>
// How carefree and snug I had been living.
<0638>
// To begin with, I was living under the watch of pops and Sanae-san, without a single problem in my life.
<0639>
// I knew that, but it had been plainly pierced now in front of me.
<0640>
// The man in front of me did not differ in age all that much.
<0641>
// For him to say that was a shock to me.
<0642>
// \{Worker} "What's with that depressed face?"
<0643>
// \{\m{B}} "N-nothing..."
<0644>
// \{Worker} "But, you're pretty useful."
<0645>
// Not worrying about it one bit, he patted my shoulder.
<0646>
// \{Worker} "Really take your time when you work with others. You've got some strength there."
<0647>
// \{Worker} "That's what I think."
<0648>
// \{\m{B}} "Really..."
<0649>
// That won't save anyone.
<0650>
// \{Worker} "Whew... all that's left for today is two..."
<0651>
// Saying that, the man looked round.
<0652>
// I can't believe it. Even after the work just now, this guy's going for a second round?
<0653>
// Even more, the same thing that happened this morning might happen again.
<0654>
// \{Worker} "After that, I'll make another round and come back. I'll pay you then."
<0655>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay..."
<0656>
// \{Worker} "Sorry to keep you waiting."
<0657>
// \{\m{B}} "Not at all. You did come back, anyway."
<0658>
// \{Worker} "Here's your pay. Sorry, I'll have to give you half."
<0659>
// \{Worker} "Even though you didn't work a day, I did ask if you could go round."
<0660>
// The man presented a gray envelope.
<0661>
// Below it seems to be the company name written.
<0662>
// With pain still in my arm, I opened the envelope. Ruffle, ruffle, ruffle...
<0663>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, this isn't off, is it?"
<0664>
// \{Worker} "Hmm? I don't think so."
<0665>
// I handed the envelope over to the man for him to look.
<0666>
// \{Worker} "Not a mistake at all. Or are you complaining that it's too little?"
<0667>
// No matter how you think of it, it was too \bmuch\u.
<0668>
// From what he said, this was half of what it would be.
<0669>
// What if it was a full amount?
<0670>
// With this much money, I could eat on my own...
<0671>
// I decided right there.
<0672>
// \{\m{B}} "Please hire me!"
<0673>
// \{Worker} "Eh, are you serious...?"
<0674>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes, I'm serious."
<0675>
// \{Worker} "That would help me out... we've been lacking in people, after all."
<0676>
// \{Worker} "But, you should also know, this is a difficult job."
<0677>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm more than prepared."
<0678>
// \{Worker} "I see..."
<0679>
// \{Worker} "Okay, I"ll hire."
<0680>
// I was more than hopeful.
<0681>
// \{Worker} "When can you work?"
<0682>
// \{\m{B}} "I'd like for that to be next month."
<0683>
// \{Worker} "All right, I got it."
<0684>
// \{Worker} "I'm Yoshino. Nice to meet you."
<0685>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm \m{A}."
<0686>
// We shook hands.
<0687>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Nagisa,"
<0688>
// \{\m{B}} "I've got something to discuss."
<0689>
// The two of us sat, facing each other.
<0690>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, what might it be?"
<0691>
// \{\m{B}} "I've found a new job."
<0692>
// \{Nagisa} "... eh? You're changing jobs?"
<0693>
// This was really out of the blue for Nagisa. It was normal for her to be surprised that something this important was decided in a single day.
<0694>
// But, if I thrust ahead with this reality, I won't be continuing this way of living any longer, depending on another person.
<0695>
// \{Nagisa} "The bakery job didn't suit you?"
<0696>
// \{\m{B}} "No, that's not it. That's not the problem."
<0697>
// \{\m{B}} "To be frank, working with pops and Sanae-san was fun."
<0698>
// \{\m{B}} "The job's also fun, and you have meals and a place to stay added to that."
<0699>
// \{\m{B}} "But, I can't go with that. It's too spoiled."
<0700>
// \{\m{B}} "To be completely reliant on pops and Sanae-san..."
<0701>
// \{\m{B}} "I'd be a coward."
<0702>
// \{\m{B}} "That's why I've settled into a different job."
<0703>
// \{\m{B}} "It'll probably be a difficult one... even so, I'll be earning a lot more income than I am right now."
<0704>
// \{\m{B}} "And I'll find a nearby apartment and live there."
<0705>
// \{\m{B}} "And then, I'll be working on my own, without relying on anyone."
<0706>
// \{Nagisa} "You're... leaving the house?"
<0707>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, I am."
<0708>
// \{Nagisa} "No way... that's lonely."
<0709>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<0710>
// I fix my seating, facing the serious Nagisa.
<0711>
// \{\m{B}} "Would you come with me, Nagisa?"
<0712>
// I so informed her.
<0713>
// \{\m{B}} "If it becomes lonely, you can come back here."
<0714>
// \{\m{B}} "I don't mind if you'd like to do that at any time."
<0715>
// \{\m{B}} "But, I'd like to work hard so it's not like that."
<0716>
// \{\m{B}} "I want to bring you happiness with my hands."
<0717>
// \{\m{B}} "Just on my own."
<0718>
// \{\m{B}} "That's why I decided."
<0719>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, Nagisa?"
<0720>
// \{\m{B}} "Would you like to live together?"
<0721>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<0722>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay, I will."
<0723>
// \{Nagisa} "If you say so, \m{B}-kun, then I'll follow."
<0724>
// I was glad.
<0725>
// I'll protect Nagisa myself.
<0726>
// I feel like I've found a reason to live.
<0727>
// \{Nagisa} "I still have school... so we won't be able to do a lot of stuff..."
<0728>
// \{\m{B}} "That's fine, you don't have to do anything. Just be with me."
<0729>
// \{\m{B}} "Because I want to try it on my own."
<0730>
// The gears have been lifted and are turning.
<0731>
// Well, what's turning are my own feelings.
<0732>
// A person's feelings.
<0733>
// At eighteen years of age, I realized that.
<0734>
// I visited an apartment on a holiday.
<0735>
// A one-room with six tatami mats. Came with a washroom, at only 30,000 yen a month. It's quite cheap.
<0736>
// It was built twenty years ago, so it's quite old.
<0737>
// If I brought a normal girl to this place...
<0738>
// and then told her that we were living here, she'd definitely get a strange face and go home.
<0739>
// But, Nagisa was different.
<0740>
// \{Nagisa} "It's beautiful."
<0741>
// She said that, despite not having even looked for a single stain in the room.
<0742>
// And then, she stood in front of the small sink.
<0743>
// \{Nagisa} "It goes drip, drip, drip."
<0744>
// \{Nagisa} "I'd make meals for you every day, \m{B}-kun."
<0745>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, it'll probably get in the way of your studies, so don't worry."
<0746>
// \{\m{B}} "I'd just like for you to live here."
<0747>
// \{\m{B}} "If you do that, I'll work hard as long as I can."
<0748>
// \{Nagisa} "I don't want that."
<0749>
// \{Nagisa} "I'd rather you not be the only one working, \m{B}-kun.
<0750>
// \{Nagisa} "I'd also like to work hard."
<0751>
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm, I see..."
<0752>
// \{\m{B}} "Then let's do that."
<0753>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<0754>
// \{\m{B}} "Now... I'll have to convince your parents."
<0755>
// I hadn't talked to pops or Sanae-san about it yet.
<0756>
// I had to tell those two about my residence and job myself.
<0757>
// And then show how firmly determined we are.
<0758>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<0759>
// \{Nagisa} "But, if I ask them, I think it'll work out."
<0760>
// \{\m{B}} "No, that'd be cowardice."
<0761>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh? Cowardice, you say...?"
<0762>
// \{\m{B}} "Because I'm taking you away."
<0763>
// \{\m{B}} "If I don't tell them, the others won't feel my true feelings about it, would they?"
<0764>
// \{Nagisa} "That might be true. If it were me, I'm sure I'd have to say something nice about it."
<0765>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah. That, and this is a man's job. If I let you help out, I'll become depressed."
<0766>
// \{Nagisa} "Is that so...?"
<0767>
// \{Nagisa} "All right, then. I'll let you handle it, \m{B}-kun."
<0768>
// That night, I first talked directly to Sanae-san.
<0769>
// \{Sanae} "Is that so?"
<0770>
// \{Sanae} "I'm not opposed to it. You can think of it as my approval."
<0771>
// \{\m{B}} "But... I'm going to be taking away Nagisa."
<0772>
// \{Sanae} "\m{B}-san,"
<0773>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes?"
<0774>
// \{Sanae} "She's gotten a lot stronger since she met you."
<0775>
// \{Sanae} "And even now, she's still becoming stronger."
<0776>
// \{Sanae} "With you, \m{B}-san."
<0777>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah..."
<0778>
// \{Sanae} "Such a couple has already been decided. All I can do is see you off."
<0779>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<0780>
// I could feel tears coming out from the edge of my eyes.
<0781>
// What I have to do now...
<0782>
// Wouldn't that be taking away everything that's been piling up on top of Sanae-san...?
<0783>
// Even if the day should come...
<0784>
// Even so, was I okay with that?
<0785>
// \{\m{B}} "I apologize, for someone like me..."
<0786>
// That's why I apologized.
<0787>
// \{Sanae} "\m{B}-san, please hold confidence in yourself."
<0788>
// \{Sanae} "I'm sure you're a much more handsome man than you think."
<0789>
// \{\m{B}} "Of course I'm not..."
<0790>
// \{Sanae} "Not at all..."
<0791>
// \{Sanae} "It's because she came to love you."
<0792>
// Yeah... I at least have confidence in that.
<0793>
// It's because that she loves me...
<0794>
// That's why I'm taking her with me.
<0795>
// \{Sanae} "Of course, I love you as well."
<0796>
// \{\m{B}} "Haha... thank you so much."
<0797>
// \{Sanae} "Akio-san too."
<0798>
// \{\m{B}} "Serious?"
<0799>
// \{Sanae} "Yes."
<0800>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, he's the number one obstacle."
<0801>
// \{Sanae} "You haven't told him yet?"
<0802>
// \{\m{B}} "Not yet..."
<0803>
// \{Sanae} "Good luck!"
<0804>
// Sanae-san said nothing more than those words of encouragement at the end.
<0805>
// Because that's her personality, she probably thought that she didn't need to say more than that, yet that was also needless anxiety.
<0806>
// Sanae-san also understood. This was something I had to discuss, no matter what.
<0807>
// It felt like something testing me as a man on my own.
<0808>
// I tightened up.
<0809>
// For the time being, I looked for a good opportunity where pops was in a good mood.
<0810>
// But pops was a man who was blessed with conduct that can have feelings of joy and feelings of anger alongside each other.
<0811>
// If I were to describe it better, he'd be a "Ultra-hyper person".
<0812>
// Furukawa Bakery, in the peace of the afternoon.
<0813>
// Pops should appear soon, as he'll have time on his hands.
<0814>
// \{\m{B}} (Since he'll be taking a break and relaxing from finishing up the baking, I might be able to talk to him...)
<0815>
// I silently waited for him to appear.
<0816>
// \{\m{B}} (It's tense...)
<0817>
// And...
<0818>
// \{Akio} "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS-----?!"
<0819>
// An alarming, violent voice.
<0820>
// The origin of that appeared with perked up shoulders.
<0821>
// \{\m{B}} "W-what's wrong, pops?"
<0822>
// \{Akio} "What's wrong, you ask? I feel like crap!"
<0823>
// \{Akio} "Look at this!"
<0824>
// Saying that, he thrust a magazine onto the counter.
<0825>
// Picking it up, I looked at it.
<0826>
// \{\m{B}} "... fortune?"
<0827>
// \{Akio} "Yeah, look at the column for Cancer!"
<0828>
// "This month, something important to you will be snatched away by someone. You'll be in great shock, bedridden for a while."
<0829>
// \{\m{B}} (Guahhh.... this is so on the spot...)
<0830>
// \{Akio} "Hey, this makes your chest feel like crap, don't it?! Can't be an omen!"
<0831>
// \{\m{B}} "I-I guess..."
<0832>
// \{Akio} "How's yours? You go look at your own."
<0833>
// \{\m{B}} "Umm..."
<0834>
// \{\m{B}} "Today, you'll be snatching minor from someone else! The person will be in a fit of rage, so run away and you'll be victorious!"
<0835>
// \{Akio} "It's you-----?!"
<0836>
// \{Akio} "Even more, run away and you'll be victorious----?!"
<0837>
// \{\m{B}} "T-that's wrong, it's fortune, ain't it? Fortune!"
<0838>
// \{Akio} "Kahh, well, I guess..."
<0839>
// \{Akio} "But you know, the Dark Princess Kyouko-sensei in this fortune's pretty good..."
<0840>
// An unexpectedly cute person.
<0841>
// \{Akio} "Tch, even so this is the worst thing to get this month."
<0842>
// \{Akio} "Listen, don't get anywhere near me for a while, okay, you jinx!"
<0843>
// He straddled away.
<0844>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<0845>
// I stood there, dumbfounded.
<0846>
// \{\m{B}} "Sigh... what am I gonna do..."
<0847>
// I took a sigh.
<0848>
// \{Sanae} "Did you get to talk to him?"
<0849>
// \{\m{B}} "No, not yet..."
<0850>
// \{\m{B}} "Somehow, I feel like this month is unreasonable..."
<0851>
// \{\m{B}} "Damn that Dark Princess Kyouko..."
<0852>
// \{Sanae} "Huh? Who might you be speaking of?"
<0853>
// \{\m{B}} "No, it's nothing. Just some stupid fortune teller."
<0854>
// \{Sanae} "But, you'll be moving this month, won't you?"
<0855>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes, that's right."
<0856>
// \{Sanae} "In that case, you have to tell him soon."
<0857>
// \{\m{B}} "Y-yeah..."
<0858>
// \{Akio} "Uwahahahaha!!"
<0859>
// I heard a sudden, laughing voice.
<0860>
// \{Akio} "Hey, brat."
<0861>
// He was in such a good mood, it was creepy.
<0862>
// \{Akio} "Look at this. If you don't, I'll beat the crap out of you."
<0863>
// There was a plastic robot model on top of his hand.
<0864>
// \{Akio} "I went through troubloe to make this myself. How's that, you beat? Say you're beat, damn it."
<0865>
// He has been making that for some time? He's so childish.
<0866>
// \{Akio} "Look at this horn part. It's numbing! Ain't it numbing?"
<0867>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, not so much."
<0868>
// \{Akio} "Tch, young men these days don't know how good this is, do they?"
<0869>
// \{Akio} "Hmmm... it's cool."
<0870>
// I haven't seen pops in this good a mood. Now's my chance.
<0871>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, pops,"
<0872>
// \{Akio} "Huhh?"
<0873>
// He turns around to my voice.
<0874>
// \{Akio} "Ah..."
<0875>
// At that moment, the plastic model fell from his hand.
<0876>
// \{Akio} "Woah, what the hell?!"
<0877>
// He picked it up, and checked to see if it was okay.
<0878>
// \{Akio} "Wha... WHAT THE HELL IS THIS------?!"
<0879>
// \{Akio} "The horn's been busted off----!"
<0880>
// \{Akio} "Bastard, help me look for it!"
<0881>
// We looked desperately on the floor, but we couldn't find it.
<0882>
// \{Akio} "Crap, you really \bare\u a jinx!"
<0883>
// \{Akio} "Damn it, like I'll ever play with you again!"
<0884>
// Pops ran off.
<0885>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<0886>
// I stood there, dumbfounded...
<0887>
// \{Sanae} "Were you able to talk to him?"
<0888>
// \{\m{B}} "No, not yet."
<0889>
// \{\m{B}} "I guess I feel like I'm really pushing this..."
<0890>
// \{\m{B}} "Damn that **ndam..."
<0891>
// \{Sanae} "Huh? Who might you be speaking of?"
<0892>
// \{\m{B}} "No, it's nothing. Just some stupid Mobile Suit." 
<0893>
// \{Sanae} "But, I'm sure it'll be fine."
<0894>
// \{Sanae} "Just wait patiently, and if you talk to him seriously, he'll understand."
<0895>
// \{\m{B}} "Though it'd be nice if it turned out that way..."
<0896>
// \{Sanae} "It'll be fine!"
<0897>
// \{\m{B}} (Ahh, this week will end...)
<0898>
// Even the next day, I wasn't able to cut in, instead passing the time, worrying.
<0899>
// \{Akio} "Hey, brat!"
<0900>
// He called me from behind like a surprise attack.
<0901>
// \{\m{B}} (He scared me...)
<0902>
// \{\m{B}} "What...?"
<0903>
// I calmly return to him.
<0904>
// \{Akio} "Hang out with me."
<0905>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, pops, is it fine to leave the store like this?"
<0906>
// \{Akio} "There ain't no customers at a time like this."* \\ this line make me a litlle confuse with double nagative. ^^"
<0907>
// \{Akio} "Besides, if they came, we'll see 'em."
<0908>
// \{\m{B}} "Really..."
<0909>
// \{Akio} "Oh yeah."
<0910>
// \{Akio} "Come!"
<0911>
// Pops pulled out a bat.
<0912>
// I was the pitcher.
<0913>
// \{\m{B}} "Here I go, pops."
<0914>
// \{Akio} "Come at me as hard you can! In this neighborhood, I'm called the Man Who Bakes Bread on a Saucer."
<0915>
// I throw a light pitch.
<0916>
// Pops saw off that slow ball.
<0917>
// \{Akio} "Are you giving me crap?"
<0918>
// \{\m{B}} "Fine, I'll give you a better one."
<0919>
// I take the ball.
<0920>
// I couldn't lift my arm up to begin with, so I can't throw a high 
<0921>
// If it's a side throw, I might be able to put in power with my elbow.
<0922>
// Drawing in, I throw the second pitch.
<0923>
// \{Akio} "That pitch's garbage!"
<0924>
// Thwa-----ck!
<0925>
// A large flyball.
<0926>
// Even if I turned around, I wouldn't be able to tell where it went.
<0927>
// .........
<0928>
// ......
<0929>
// ... shatter!
<0930>
// \{\m{B}} "I think I heard something..."
<0931>
// \{Akio} "Just your imagination. Let's head back to work."
<0932>
// \{\m{B}} "Come on, you're the one who broke it!"
<0933>
// \{Akio} "I'm sorry for making you sad by breaking your glass window with a big home run, especially at my age..."
<0934>
// \{Akio} "There's no damn way I'm apologizing for that!"
<0935>
// \{\m{B}} "That's reality! Now go!"
<0936>
// \{Akio} "You go alone. You shouldn't be embarrassed at your age yet."
<0937>
// \{\m{B}} "I said you were the one who smashed it!"
<0938>
// \{Akio} "If I went, then that home run just now meant nothing. It's still 0-0."
<0939>
// \{\m{B}} "This ain't some match!"
<0940>
// \{Akio} "Tch..."
<0941>
// \{Akio} "So I have to go...?"
<0942>
// \{\m{B}} "Of course, idiot."
<0943>
// I walk with pops, putting the hand in my glove while he wields the bat on his shoulder.
<0944>
// \{\m{B}} (He's old enough to come... we're such idiots...)
<0945>
// \{Akio} "Oh yeah, by the way,"
<0946>
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm?"
<0947>
// \{Akio} "I'll raise your salary by 100 yen this month."
<0948>
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, thanks."
<0949>
// I'm not quite happy about 100 yen, so I'll just thank him for now.
<0950>
// \{Akio} "So, you see..."
<0951>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah?"
<0952>
// \{Akio} "Go on your own!"
<0953>
// Dash! He runs off.
<0954>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey! Are you a grade school kid?!"
<0955>
// I pull him back by the sleeve.
<0956>
// \{Akio} "I'm joking, idiot."
<0957>
// \{\m{B}} "You were seriously running off just now, weren't you?"
<0958>
// \{Akio} "Damn, do I have to go with 200 yen?"
<0959>
// I'm telling you, that ain't the problem.
<0960>
// I could barely see up ahead, but there was a gathering of people.
<0961>
// \{\m{B}} "Oh, over there. The neighbors are gathering round."
<0962>
// \{Akio} "Serious... this'll become quite a shameful sight..."
<0963>
// \{\m{B}} "You reap what you sow."
<0964>
// \{Akio} "Oh whatever..."
<0965>
// \{Akio} "Yo."
<0966>
// With a greeting, he forces his way through.
<0967>
// \{Housewife} "Oh my, Furukawa-san."
<0968>
// \{Akio} "Oh, my bad. That hit was mine."
<0969>
// \{Housewife} "You're mischievous as always, aren't you, Furukawa-san?"
<0970>
// \{Akio} "Nah, this snotty punk here wanted to see a really big home run."
<0971>
// \{\m{B}} "Weren't you the one who invited me?!"
<0972>
// \{Housewife} "Hehehe..."
<0973>
// \{Housewife} "It's okay, I nkow."
<0974>
// The old lady told me with a smile.
<0975>
// In the end, everyone knew pops' personality.
<0976>
// That's why no one criticized him at all. They just went on with a big laughter.
<0977>
// In front of me was a person who was much more of a kid than I was in terms of speech and conduct...
<0978>
// Even so, even I'd understand a scene like this.
<0979>
// As expected, Sanae-san picked a good person.
<0980>
// He may be a person not worthwhile, but he was a person who made others smile.
<0981>
// That was something probably more worhty than anything.
<0982>
// If he made them smile, then at that time, this person would be happy.
<0983>
// In that case, this person...
<0984>
// ... has the power to make others smile.
<0985>
// We headed back as the sun fell.
<0986>
// \{\m{B}} "I also..."
<0987>
// \{Akio} "Hmm?"
<0988>
// \{\m{B}} "Want to make people smile."
<0989>
// \{Akio} "Oh yeah, make 'em giggle."
<0990>
// \{\m{B}} "No, that's not what I meant..."
<0991>
// \{\m{B}} "Something more like you, pops."
<0992>
// \{Akio} "Hm? Did I do something?"
<0993>
// \{\m{B}} "You haven't been just making Nagisa and Sanae-san smile, but all the neighbors around."
<0994>
// \{Akio} "What, well... doesn't that make me an idiot?!"
<0995>
// \{\m{B}} "No, that's not it. I'm sure there's a good meaning to it."
<0996>
// \{Akio} "Hmph, I dunno myself."
<0997>
// \{\m{B}} "That's why I want to try that as well."
<0998>
// \{\m{B}} "Make others smile with my own ability."
<0999>
// \{\m{B}} "To my important person... \pNagisa."
<1000>
// \{Akio} "........."
<1001>
// \{\m{B}} "Is it okay if I take her with me?"
<1002>
// \{Akio} "Where...?"
<1003>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm renting an apartment close by, thinking I could start living on my own."
<1004>
// \{\m{B}} "Over there."
<1005>
// \{Akio} "You have that kind of money?"
<1006>
// \{\m{B}} "I got a new job that'll do. I'd be working recklessly to make a living."
<1007>
// \{\m{B}} "And like that, I'd work on my own, to make Nagisa smile."
<1008>
// \{Akio} "Nagisa..."
<1009>
// \{Akio} "What'd she say...?"
<1010>
// \{\m{B}} "She said she'd go."
<1011>
// \{Akio} "I see..."
<1012>
// \{Akio} "........."
<1013>
// For a while, the silence continued.
<1014>
// What's pops thinking about?
<1015>
// \{Akio} "I told you before the reason for us making the bakery, right?"
<1016>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah..."
<1017>
// \{Akio} "We had to attend to her small body, with all our might."
<1018>
// \{Akio} "Told her we'd be with her."
<1019>
// \{Akio} "That's why we've been with her."
<1020>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<1021>
// \{Akio} "But you know, a lot of time has passed since that day."
<1022>
// \{Akio} "She's no longer the child from that day."
<1023>
// \{Akio} "I've put into words my motives."
<1024>
// \{Akio} "If this time, she says she wants to be with you..."
<1025>
// \{Akio} "I've got nothing to say..."
<1026>
// He sighed, as if he were giving up.
<1027>
// I didn't once think that he could give up this easily.
<1028>
// But, that was... something he understood about Nagisa more than anyone else would.
<1029>
// Because he had been living all this time for his daughter's sake... that's what I think.
<1030>
// \{Akio} "Listen up."
<1031>
// \{Akio} "Leave the house together once a week,"
<1032>
// \{Akio} "And if her condition worsens, call Sanae."
<1033>
// \{Akio} "Keep those two promises."
<1034>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay, I got it."
<1035>
// \{Akio} "Whatever else you want to do, just do it."
<1036>
// Saying that, pops went ahead as if to leave me alone.
<1037>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<1038>
// Facing his large back...
<1039>
// \{\m{B}} "I'll continue to make her smile!"
<1040>
// I vowed.
<1041>
// To do what you've been doing so far.
<1042>
// This time it's me.
<1043>
// \{Akio} "Yeah, do that."
<1044>
// He swung the bat.
<1045>
// Sanae-san stood outside the store.
<1046>
// \{Sanae} "Did you two leave the store on its own?"
<1047>
// \{Akio} "Yeah, he said something about playing baseball."
<1048>
// What kind of person are you...?
<1049>
// \{Akio} "And then, he was merry, going, 'Yahoo! I'm the batter, 'kay?'..."
<1050>
// \{Akio} "'Hey, hey, you ain't a kid, so don't do a full swing', I said..."
<1051>
// \{Akio} "And screaming, 'That pitch's garbage---!', he swung real hard..."
<1052>
// \{Akio} "And who'd be the one who smashed the glass window, going, 'What am I doing...?', feeling blue and all? Huh?"
<1053>
// \{\m{B}} "Everything was your doing, wasn't it?"
<1054>
// \{Akio} "You looking at me like I'm some kid?!"
<1055>
// \{Sanae} "I'm sorry, \m{B}-san."
<1056>
// \{\m{B}} "I saw everything through."
<1057>
// \{Akio} "Why?! Even though he's younger than me, why do you think of me at this good age like that--?!"
<1058>
// \{Sanae} "I know you make robot models and play triangle base every day."
<1059>
// \{Akio} "Guwaahh! Am I a kid---?!"
<1060>
// Holding his head, he rolled about.
<1061>
// \{Sanae} "And you went out for quite a while."
<1062>
// \{Akio} "Tch... from tomorrow onward, my hobby'll be chess."
<1063>
// \{Sanae} "Do you know how to play that?"
<1064>
// \{Akio} "Dunno. If I groan with it in front of me, it'll get better."
<1065>
// \{Sanae} "You'll definitely get tired really quickly."
<1066>
// \{Akio} "Have I given that kind of impression--?!"
<1067>
// I became depressed over giving this person such respect such a while ago.
<1068>
// \{Sanae} "It's already dark, so let's close up."
<1069>
// \{Akio} "Yeah, today the game's set."
<1070>
// \{Akio} "By the way, I got the homerun, so you lose, man."
<1071>
// \{Akio} "Go home and cry, you loser!"
<1072>
// \{Akio} "That said, I'm sweating like crazy it's disgusting. I'll take a shower."
<1073>
// \{Sanae} "Okay."
<1074>
// \{Sanae} "Is it okay not to take a bath?"
<1075>
// \{Akio} "If I dip myself in such a place on a hot day like this, I'm gonna burn up!"
<1076>
// \{Sanae} "But taking a bath will relieve you of that fatigue, won't it?"
<1077>
// \{Akio} "I said it's okay!"
<1078>
// Pops went into the store.
<1079>
// \{Sanae} "All right then, I'll come with a change of clothes."
<1080>
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, Sanae-san,"
<1081>
// I hold back Sanae-san, who was about to continue inside.
<1082>
// \{Sanae} "Yes?"
<1083>
// \{\m{B}} "I told him."
<1084>
// \{Sanae} "About Nagisa?"
<1085>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<1086>
// \{Sanae} "How'd it go?"
<1087>
// \{\m{B}} "I got his approval."
<1088>
// \{Sanae} "I see. That's great."
<1089>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<1090>
// \{\m{B}} "I'll be leaving the house as planned at the end of this month."
<1091>
// \{Sanae} "Okay."
<1092>
// May 5 (Wednesday)
<1093>
// I moved out at the end of the consecutive holidays in May.
<1094>
// \{Akio} "Bastard, get a license."
<1095>
// Getting off from the light truck, pops first said that.
<1096>
// \{\m{B}} "Don't say something impossible. I ain't got any money."
<1097>
// \{Akio} "Hmph, well, this is the last of the crap I'm helping you out with."
<1098>
// \{\m{B}} "I know, pops. It'll be fine."
<1099>
// \{Akio} "I'll return to work now. I'll return to carry it later this evening."
<1100>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, thanks for the help."
<1101>
// \{Akio} "Tch, ain't that nice... living together, huh..."
<1102>
// Muttering that, he ran off.
<1103>
// \{\m{B}} "You'll also be all alone with Sanae-san, won't you?"
<1104>
// I saw him off.
<1105>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, now..."
<1106>
// I faced the light truck. The spread-out luggage was not few in number.
<1107>
// Speaking of needed things, at least there was stuff going from the TV to the drawers, and from the futon to the dining table.
<1108>
// Everything was old stuff that was locked up in the Furukawa household's storage room.
<1109>
// The fridge provided with the room was small.
<1110>
// I've decided to use the coin machines right in front of the apartment for any laundry.
<1111>
// That much should be enough. Any more than that would be simply luxury.
<1112>
// For now, I held the futon and went towards the room.
<1113>
// Nagisa was waiting there alone.
<1114>
// There still wasn't anything here yet but... just watching Nagisa standing in this room makes my chest throb.
<1115>
// The two of us will really be starting to live together.
<1116>
// Feelings of anxiety and hope were mixed together in that.
<1117>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, the luggage came?"
<1118>
// Nagisa asked first.
<1119>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, sorry but you'll have to move out of the way for a bit."
<1120>
// Taking off my slippers, I come in. I hung the futon on the wall... then the brittle surface peeled off.
<1121>
// \{\m{B}} "Uwaah, I'm suddenly breaking apart the room..."
<1122>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm, I'll help!"
<1123>
// \{\m{B}} "It's okay, this is a man's job. Just watch."
<1124>
// \{Nagisa} "But..."
<1125>
// \{\m{B}} "There's not too much luggage."
<1126>
// \{\m{B}} "You can bring tea afterwards."
<1127>
// \{Nagisa} "But..."
<1128>
// \{\m{B}} "I said it's fine."
<1129>
// Within an hour, we had finished cleaning up.
<1130>
// We sat down, facing together at the low, small dining table.
<1131>
// Nagisa sipped the tea she brought.
<1132>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<1133>
// Sip, sip.
<1134>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<1135>
// Sip, sip.
<1136>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm..."
<1137>
// \{Nagisa} "... what should I say at a time like this?"
<1138>
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm?"
<1139>
// \{Nagisa} "The two of us living together's started."
<1140>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, it has."
<1141>
// \{Nagisa} "What should I say?"
<1142>
// \{Nagisa} "Since it's started, should I say, 'Ready, Go'?"
<1143>
// \{\m{B}} "No, that'd be weird."
<1144>
// \{Nagisa} "Why not?"
<1145>
// \{\m{B}} "Because there's no goal."
<1146>
// \{Nagisa} "When you put it that way, that's true."
<1147>
// \{\m{B}} "Because living together mutually helps us, see..."
<1148>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm sure, 'Let's work hard', will do."
<1149>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah... that's true. You're wise, \m{B}-kun."
<1150>
// \{\m{B}} "Then, shall we?"
<1151>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<1152>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, please wait."
<1153>
// \{\m{B}} "What?"
<1154>
// \{Nagisa} "I thought of a vow we should be under."
<1155>
// \{\m{B}} "A vow?"
<1156>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes."
<1157>
// Putting down her teacup, Nagisa placed both her hands on her chest.
<1158>
// \{Nagisa} "I, Furukawa Nagisa..."
<1159>
// \{Nagisa} "will no longer cry. No matter what kind of pain there is, I'll work hard and climb over it."
<1160>
// \{\m{B}} "Uh, Nagisa,"
<1161>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes?"
<1162>
// \{\m{B}} "You can hold it in during times of sadness."
<1163>
// \{\m{B}} "During times of happiness, if you desperately try to hold in tears, you won't be joyous at all."
<1164>
// \{\m{B}} "Don't you think so?"
<1165>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, you're right. I'm sure that's right."
<1166>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay then."
<1167>
// \{Nagisa} "Well, one more time."
<1168>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<1169>
// \{Nagisa} "I, Furukawa Nagisa..."
<1170>
// \{Nagisa} "will no longer cry. No matter what kind of pain there is, I'll work hard and climb over it."
<1171>
// \{Nagisa} "But during times of happiness, I may end up crying."
<1172>
// \{Nagisa} "As I'm such a person..."
<1173>
// \{Nagisa} "Please take care of me."
<1174>
// Placing her hands on the mat, she bowed down.
<1175>
// \{\m{B}} "Same here as well."
<1176>
// I also bowed.
<1177>
// \{Nagisa} "Ehehe..."
<1178>
// Nagisa smiles.
<1179>
// \{\m{B}} "All right, let's go greet the neighbors while it's still bright out."
<1180>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<1181>
// The two of us made dinner.
<1182>
// The main menu was grilled fish, and a side dish of daikon. It also came with a simple touch of rice and miso soup.
<1183>
// Even so, we were really happy when we had finished making it, and it was very delicious when we ate.
<1184>
// We cleaned up, and watched TV for a while.
<1185>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, this day's gone fast, hasn't it?"
<1186>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, it has."
<1187>
// \{Nagisa} "We should take a bath soon, and get some rest."
<1188>
// It's ten o'clock.
<1189>
// \{\m{B}} "Oh yeah, you sleep at about eleven, don't you?"
<1190>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, well... just because I want to, doesn't mean I'm in such a rush."
<1191>
// \{Nagisa} "I was thinking of your health, \m{B}-kun."
<1192>
// \{\m{B}} "Ah... thanks. Then, I guess I'll take a bath."
<1193>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, please do."
<1194>
// Standing in the kitchen's narrow pathway, I pulled the curtain.
<1195>
// If not for the curtain, we would definitely need something to block it out later.
<1196>
// Flinging my clothes into the basket up above, I entered the bath.
<1197>
// Hiss...
<1198>
// \{\m{B}} (There's very little coming out...)
<1199>
// I turn the faucet.
<1200>
// \{\m{B}} (Aagh...)
<1201>
// \{\m{B}} (Temperature control's also pretty sensitive...)
<1202>
// Well, if I get used to this, I probably wouldn't think of it.
<1203>
// I washed my hair with the shampoo Nagisa uses.
<1204>
// \{\m{B}} "Go ahead."
<1205>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay. I'll be heading in, then."
<1206>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<1207>
// Coming in place of me, Nagisa stood, and pulled the curtains.
<1208>
// I'll use the dryer up ahead.
<1209>
// I plug it in, and the moment I flick the switch...
<1210>
// Whirr...
<1211>
// I hear the sound of ruffling clothes.
<1212>
// I turn back at the curtain.
<1213>
// \{\m{B}} (If I think carefully... I had never once been in \bthis\u kind of situation, have I...?)
<1214>
// I see Nagisa's bare feet under the curtain.
<1215>
// Her skirt fell there just now.
<1216>
// \{\m{B}} (Ahh... getting excited from just that shows just how innocent we are...)
<1217>
// But, that comes with living together.
<1218>
// I'm sure Nagisa was prepared for that.
<1219>
// No matter how unprepared we were...
<1220>
// \{\m{B}} (Gah, what am I thinking about?!)
<1221>
// I turn my eyes away from the curtain.
<1222>
// Evne though we both had decided to work hard together, what the hell am I gonna do to keep myself calm on the first day?
<1223>
// .........
<1224>
// Thud, the sound of the door closing.
<1225>
// \{\m{B}} (Well...)
<1226>
// \{\m{B}} (I've been holding it in like a man but... there's a limit to what I can take, see...)
<1227>
// I look once again at the curtains.
<1228>
// Calm myself down
<1229>
// Be serious, so that I won't get caught
<1230>
// \{\m{B}} (Come on, calm down...)
<1231>
// \{\m{B}} (I haven't even gone through the first day of work...)
<1232>
// \{\m{B}} (We had just started living together, so pops and Sanae-san wouldn't stand for this, would they...?)
<1233>
// Remembering the faces of those two allowing for Nagisa's independence... I naturally calmed down.
<1234>
// To step on their feelings... was not something I could do.
<1235>
// \{\m{B}} (We've got much bigger hurdles to cross, after all...)
<1236>
// \{\m{B}} (Otherwise, there'd be no meaning.)
<1237>
// I so suggested to myself.
<1238>
// \{Nagisa} "It was a nice bath."
<1239>
// \{\m{B}} "Nagisa, you're cute."
<1240>
// \{Nagisa} "T-thank you very much."
<1241>
// \{Nagisa} "But, to say that just as I come out of the bath feels a bit strange."
<1242>
// \{\m{B}} "I was holding it in. Just let me say it."
<1243>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay... though it's not that I hate it."
<1244>
// I so observed my words, probably thinking that this much would be allowed.
<1245>
// But, it really feels like she's become a lot cuter than before.
<1246>
// Is that because Nagisa changed...?
<1247>
// Or is it that I loved Nagisa a lot more than before...?
<1248>
// I really couldn't tell.
<1249>
// \{\m{B}} (If I don't get caught, it's fine, right...?)
<1250>
// \{\m{B}} (I'll quickly grab her underwear, and then put it back...)
<1251>
// \{\m{B}} (That should be fine, right...?)
<1252>
// \{\m{B}} (This is a situation for men, after all!)
<1253>
// I shuffle my feet in front of the curtains, and softly turn it over from under.
<1254>
// Up ahead... at the topmost basket, Nagisa's underwear made a small circle.
<1255>
// \{\m{B}} (Uwahh...)
<1256>
// \{\m{B}} (This is really exciting...)
<1257>
// If she opened the door now, what would I do? What excuse could I come up with?
<1258>
// \{\m{B}} (Ahh, hurry up and take it. It should still be warm right now...)
<1259>
// \{\m{B}} (Instead of the warmth, the smell...)
<1260>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, am I a damn pervert----?!"
<1261>
// I roll about, pulling in the curtain.
<1262>
// Clatter, clatter, clatter!\shake{3}
<1263>
// The hooks violently broke off.
<1264>
// \{\m{B}} (Oh crap!)
<1265>
// I put them back on in a hurry.
<1266>
// \{\m{B}} "Pant... pant..."
<1267>
// Even though I was just out of the bath, I was sweating all over.
<1268>
// \{\m{B}} (Am I an idiot...?)
<1269>
// \{Nagisa} "It was a nice bath."
<1270>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<1271>
// \{Nagisa} "What's wrong, \m{B}-kun?"
<1272>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh... why do you ask?"
<1273>
// \{Nagisa} "Well, because you're not looking this way."
<1274>
// \{\m{B}} "Y-yeah... it's nothing. Just thinking about stuff."
<1275>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, your hair is wet again."
<1276>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah..."
<1277>
// \{Nagisa} "Go ahead and use the dryer first."
<1278>
// \{\m{B}} "It's fine. If I leave it be, it'll dry up."
<1279>
// \{Nagisa} "You can't do that. If you sleep with your hair wet, you'll catch a cold."
<1280>
// Ahh, because it's the first day we're living together, so I want to jump up in the air...
<1281>
// If I'm going to have this much of a craving every day, I really will reach my limit...
<1282>
// I was lying down sideways without being able to fall asleep, the whole time staring at the ceiling I had become used to.
<1283>
// Nagisa also wasn't able to fall asleep, not once snoring.
<1284>
// \{\m{B}} (.........)
<1285>
// I just happened to find it amusing with the two of us as we are.
<1286>
// Living from now on like this feels as simple as playing house.
<1287>
// Though I've come this far making Nagisa happy on my own...
<1288>
// There are a lot more problems ahead of us just waiting.
<1289>
// I'm sure reality isn't that easy on us.
<1290>
// We really were kids in regards to that. It feels like we might simply break apart.
<1291>
// I don't know how strong one must be to cross that.
<1292>
// I just think that we should do the best we can.
<1293>
// Pops and Sanae-san are probably thinking in the same way.
<1294>
// The one passion of youth.
<1295>
// We should do whatever we want to do.
<1296>
// If it's within our grasp.
<1297>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, you awake, Nagisa?"
<1298>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, I am."
<1299>
// \{\m{B}} "I want to become stronger."
<1300>
// \{Nagisa} "I feel the same way."
<1301>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah..."
<1302>
// \{\m{B}} "So, let's work hard, okay?"
<1303>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm also going to end up working in a new place, without pops or Sanae-san to rely on so easily."
<1304>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm expecting that it'll definitely be painful."
<1305>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<1306>
// \{\m{B}} "You should also work hard, starting now."
<1307>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay..."
<1308>
// \{\m{B}} "And, if we do that for a year..."
<1309>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm sure we'll be so strong, we won't lose to anything."
<1310>
// \{Nagisa} "I also think the same way."
<1311>
// \{\m{B}} "You'll swear to that?"
<1312>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, I will."
<1313>
// \{\m{B}} "Let's work hard."
<1314>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<1315>
// Inside the lined up futon, I searched for Nagisa's hand.
<1316>
// Finding it, I grasped it.
<1317>
// While feeling the warmth of someone, I fell asleep.
<1318>
// May 6 (Thursday)
<1319>
// Work starts at eight in the morning. I had to visit an office I never been to before.
<1320>
// So I woke up at 6:30 to spare plenty of time.
<1321>
// While I was heating a miso soup alone...
<1322>
// \{Nagisa} "Good morning, \m{B}-kun."
<1323>
// Nagisa woke up.
<1324>
// \{\m{B}} "Sorry if I woke you up."
<1325>
// \{Nagisa} "No, I can do this for you. You should prepare to leave for work, \m{B}-kun."
<1326>
// \{\m{B}} "Idiot. Go back to sleep. It's just too early. You shouldn't doze off in class."
<1327>
// \{Nagisa} "It's okay. I can do this."
<1328>
// \{\m{B}} "Just sleep. This won't take long anyway."
<1329>
// \{Nagisa} "But I want to do the chores."
<1330>
// \{Nagisa} "Please."
<1331>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<1332>
// \{\m{B}} "Fine..."
<1333>
// We haven't fought before, but such conflicts from worrying about each other too much are bound to occur.
<1334>
// \{\m{B}} (Besides, she won't listen to what I say...)
<1335>
// I thought about it while watching Nagisa's back as she stood in a kitchen. 
<1336>
// \{\m{B}} "You see, you need more rest, since it's too early."
<1337>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, I will."
<1338>
// \{\m{B}} "Then don't oversleep. Make sure to set your alarm clock to avoid being late."
<1339>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<1340>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay, I'm off."
<1341>
// \{Nagisa} "Take care."
<1342>
// \{\m{B}} "Good morning."
<1343>
// I opened a door to a new workplace.
<1344>
// Inside, three men in working suits were having a conversation.
<1345>
// \{Yoshino} "So you came."
<1346>
// Only Yoshino-san responsed back to me.
<1347>
// \{Yoshino} "Go dress up in this quickly. Behind that locker." 
<1348>
// At the direction he was pointing, there was a row of lockers as a substitute dressing room. 
<1349>
// I went behind, and changed into the clothes given to me.
<1350>
// It must have been someone else's before. The work suit was filled with stains. 
<1351>
// I went back to where Yoshino-san was, but he was busy talking with his colleagues.
<1352>
// I was already alienated from the exciting atmosphere.
<1353>
// I waited with an uncomfortable feeling. 
<1354>
// At that moment, a middle-aged man wearing particularly shabby dress suit appeared.
<1355>
// One can easily notice with a single glance that he must be the boss here.
<1356>
// Yoshino-san accompanied me to that man.
<1357>
// \{Boss} "Yoshino-kun, is he the one who will be joining us starting today?" 
<1358>
// \{Yoshino} "Yes, that's correct. His name is..."
<1359>
// \{\m{B}} "It's \m{A}."
<1360>
// \{Yoshino} "He's the boss here. Make sure to formally introduce yourself." 
<1361>
// \{Boss} "Young, I see. How old are you?" 
<1362>
// \{\m{B}} "Eighteen years old."
<1363>
// \{Boss} "You must've graduated from high school recently. That's quite an ambitious spirit."
<1364>
// \{Boss} "It will be difficult for the first few days, but you'll get used to it later on."
<1365>
// \{Boss} "Don't overexert youself, just try your best."
<1366>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay. I'll try my best."
<1367>
// \{Boss} "Be careful not to get injured either."
<1368>
// After that, everyone scattered away to their work for today.
<1369>
// \{Yoshino} "Let's get going."
<1370>
// It seems that I'm assigned to assist Yoshino-san as a pair. 
<1371>
// \{Yoshino} "You've changed."
<1372>
// Yoshino-san spoke, as he was looking ahead in the vehicle, heading to where we're working.
<1373>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh? How so?"
<1374>
// And there's me questioning in the passenger seat.
<1375>
// \{Yoshino} "You look like a completely different person than the one I met first time."
<1376>
// \{\m{B}} "Is that so...?"
<1377>
// \{Yoshino} "Yeah. You were just a child back then."
<1378>
// \{\m{B}} "Are you saying that I look more mature now?"
<1379>
// \{Yoshino} "Nope..."
<1380>
// \{Yoshino} "More like a child struggling to become an adult."
<1381>
// \{\m{B}} "What... so I'm a child after all."
<1382>
// \{Yoshino} "But it's entirely different."
<1383>
// \{\m{B}} "How?"
<1384>
// \{Yoshino} "Your attitude has changed."
<1385>
// Perhaps... that could be reckoned as a signficiant change.
<1386>
// Without a will to step forward, a child will keep remaining as a mere child.
<1387>
// \{Yoshino} "I'm counting on you."
<1388>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay."
<1389>
// \{Yoshino} "Oh and... don't quit after the very first day. I'll be depressed if that happens."
<1390>
// \{\m{B}} "Don't worry. I'm here to work for real."
<1391>
// \{Yoshino} "Sounds good. Ready to go?"
<1392>
// The vehicle stopped.
<1393>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<1394>
// We both opened the door at the same time.
<1395>
// \{Yoshino} "This needs to be installed today."
<1396>
// \{Yoshino} "It's a different one from what you helped out with, but the basics are the same."
<1397>
// Yoshino-san took out a bundle of cardboard boxes from the back of the truck.
<1398>
// \{\m{B}} "What is this?"
<1399>
// \{Yoshino} "It's a street light. Model number... well you won't know what it means anyway."
<1400>
// \{Yoshino} "Memorize them as soon as possible. Checking the materials is part of the job."
<1401>
// Then Yoshino-san started opening the box, saying that.
<1402>
// I ran to the cargo to do something useful. I'm certain that tools need to be checked... 
<1403>
// \{Yoshino} "There's a helmet in the cargo, so wear it first. I told you this before."
<1404>
// With a sudden warning, I wore a helmet immediately.
<1405>
// I was pretty surprised.
<1406>
// Last time I helped for half a day, I wasn't told of anything.
<1407>
// He just ordered simple task such as handing him pliers or screws.
<1408>
// \{Yoshino} "Hello?"
<1409>
// \{\m{B}} "Y-yeah."
<1410>
// \{Yoshino} "You've changed a little." 
<1411>
// Yoshino-san spoke, as he was looking ahead in the vehicle, heading to where we're working.
<1412>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh? How so?"
<1413>
// And there's me questioning in the passenger seat.
<1414>
// \{Yoshino} "Your first impression when we met for the first time."
<1415>
// \{\m{B}} "So how do I look now?"
<1416>
// \{Yoshino} "Certainly... you look serious than before."
<1417>
// Perhaps... it's because now I'm away from pops and Sanae-san.
<1418>
// And the fact that I'm trying to protect Nagisa alone.
<1419>
// \{\m{B}} "Because I'm desperate..."
<1420>
// \{Yoshino} "Yeah, that's the right attitude." 
<1421>
// \{Yoshino} "Since this isn't easy labor."
<1422>
// \{Yoshino} "Oh and... don't quit after the very first day. I'll be depressed if that happens."
<1423>
// \{\m{B}} "Don't worry about that."
<1424>
// \{Yoshino} "Sounds good. Ready to go?"
<1425>
// The vehicle stopped.
<1426>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<1427>
// We both opened the door at the same time.
<1428>
// \{Yoshino} "This needs to be installed today."
<1429>
// Yoshino-san took out a bundle of cardboard boxes from the back of the truck.
<1430>
// \{\m{B}} "What is this?"
<1431>
// \{Yoshino} "It's a street light. Model number...well you won't know what it means anyway."
<1432>
// \{Yoshino} "Memorize them as soon as possible. Checking the materials is part of the job."
<1433>
// Then Yoshino-san started opening the box, saying that.
<1434>
// I ran to the rear cargo to do something useful. I'm certain that tools need to be checked... 
<1435>
// \{Yoshino} "There's a helmet in the cargo, so wear it first."
<1436>
// With a sudden warning, I wore a helmet immediately.
<1437>
// \{Yoshino} "Hello?"
<1438>
// \{\m{B}} "Y-yeah."
<1439>
// It's different from the cozy life I had up to now...
<1440>
// Back when I was working with pops and Sanae-san. 
<1441>
// I acknowledged this reality.
<1442>
// \{Yoshino} "Great. There should be one more ladder in the cargo. Set it up from the opposite side and climb it up."
<1443>
// I immediately followed the orders.
<1444>
// \{Yoshino} "Don't fall. I will say that again, don't fall."
<1445>
// \{\m{B}} "... could you please stop saying things that give an omen?"
<1446>
// I was holding up a street light. Even though it was temporary, I held it up while the circuits were being connected.
<1447>
// \{Yoshino} "Don't hold it with your arms alone. Support it with your whole body weight. That's a much safer approach."
<1448>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<1449>
// I couldn't respond back. I was told to support the street light with my upper body bent slightly behind, while I'm on a safe line connected to the pillar.  
<1450>
// But I couldn't do that. It's easier said than done. Plus, I'm not on the ground either.
<1451>
// Moreover, it's nonsense for someone to willingly unbalance himself on the top of a ladder. It's only few feet above, but it's still frightening.
<1452>
// \{Yoshino} "You must learn to do that whether you like it or not."
<1453>
// Yoshino-san simply told me so.
<1454>
// \{Yoshino} "Okay, it's done. You can let go."
<1455>
// I released the street light gently. It was fixed in a position but bent slightly forward.
<1456>
// \{Yoshino} "Now watch carefully while I'm locking it up properly."
<1457>
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, I can do a simple task like that."
<1458>
// \{Yoshino} "No. Just watch and learn first."
<1459>
// Yoshino-san had a doubtful face.
<1460>
// \{\m{B}} "I know how to do that."
<1461>
// I may be a rookie, but even I know how to screw a bolt.  
<1462>
// I want to work even a little, to take one step forward.
<1463>
// \{Yoshino} "... then take care of all the remaining ones. In diagonal order. Don't forget to check afterward."  
<1464>
// Yoshino-san climbed down a ladder.
<1465>
// I screwed the bolts in the instructed order and went down as well.
<1466>
// It won't be good as Yoshino-san's, but it should be all right, since I screwed as hard as I can.
<1467>
// \{Yoshino} "Finished?"
<1468>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes."
<1469>
// \{Yoshino} "Did you check?"
<1470>
// \{\m{B}} "I did. What's wrong?"
<1471>
// \{Yoshino} "Did you fasten it once more lastly? It has to be tightened all the way, parallel to the wall."
<1472>
// Yoshino-san and I climbed up a ladder again.
<1473>
// He was handling the bolt I worked on with skillful movement.
<1474>
// Among the screws, he touched one, and slowly twisted it after hammering with a wrench.
<1475>
// The wrench spun about half a circle.
<1476>
// \{\m{B}} "... no way."
<1477>
// I'm certain that I fastened it as hard as I can.
<1478>
// \{Yoshino} "You didn't tighten it properly."
<1479>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, but..."
<1480>
// Smack. A noise resounded. My helmet was hit with a wrench.
<1481>
// It didn't hurt, but a vibrating head caused spinning stars to hallucinate before me.
<1482>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<1483>
// \{Yoshino} "That's why I asked whether you really know how to do it or not."
<1484>
// He sure asked. And I answered I knew it.
<1485>
// But this ended up being the consequence.
<1486>
// \{Yoshino} "Even simple screwing has a technique. I trusted you since you claimed you knew."
<1487>
// I was completely speechless.
<1488>
// \{Yoshino} "This kind of work requires you to watch and learn. Then follow. It all begins from there."
<1489>
// \{Yoshino} "Listen. If you mess this up, it's game over."
<1490>
// \{Yoshino} "What will you do if the street light you installed falls off?"
<1491>
// Maybe... no, I will certainly regret it.
<1492>
// \{Yoshino} "And what if the victim below it was the person you treasure the most?" 
<1493>
// The person I care the most under the street light... Nagisa's face flashed in my head.
<1494>
// \{\m{B}} "I can't let that happen."
<1495>
// \{Yoshino} "That's why this work needs to be done perfectly. Dedication, nothing but dedication."
<1496>
// \{\m{B}} "... okay."
<1497>
// \{Yoshino} "As long as you don't forget about that, you'll be fine."
<1498>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes."
<1499>
// I sincerely bowed my head.
<1500>
// \{Yoshino} "Then let's move on to the next one."
<1501>
// \{\m{B}} "How many are left so far?"
<1502>
// \{Yoshino} "There's.... four left."
<1503>
// \{\m{B}} "... geh!"
<1504>
// Yoshino-san beamed with a slight smile after hearing my comment.
<1505>
// And the day's work was over.
<1506>
// I couldn't walk after taking a single step out of the office.
<1507>
// I sat down and leaned against wall.
<1508>
// My body was about to break from the excruciating labor.
<1509>
// I'm worried about waking up tomorrow morning.
<1510>
// Thinking what muscle pain will strike.
<1511>
// After a short rest, I headed home at a weary pace.
<1512>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm home."
<1513>
// \{Nagisa} "Welcome back."
<1514>
// I felt somewhat relieved just from seeing Nagisa standing in a kitchen.
<1515>
// \{Nagisa} "Dinner will be ready soon."
<1516>
// \{\m{B}} "I'll help."
<1517>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, you look really tired."
<1518>
// \{\m{B}} "I am, but just seeing your face healed me." 
<1519>
// \{Nagisa} "Thank you."
<1520>
// \{Nagisa} "But if you overwork, it will continue on for tommorow."
<1521>
// \{Nagisa} "So please, rest."
<1522>
// \{\m{B}} "Helping isn't really a big deal."
<1523>
// I staggered when I was about to approach Nagisa after taking my shoes off.
<1524>
// Nagisa only healed me mentally, and I was completely out of energy.
<1525>
// \{Nagisa} "What's wrong?"
<1526>
// Nagisa stared back with puzzled look.
<1527>
// \{\m{B}} "Nothing..."
<1528>
// \{\m{B}} "Maybe I should just rest..."
<1529>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes."
<1530>
// Holding me from behind so that I don't fall over, I entered the room.
<1531>
// Sitting down, my muscles relaxed as if my whole body was tired, and I completely laid down like that.
<1532>
// I moved my body with my will until Nagisa brought dinner.
<1533>
// \{\m{B}} "Thanks for the food."
<1534>
// \{Nagisa} "Let's eat."
<1535>
// A simple menu was set up, like the one last night.
<1536>
// But, for someone tired like me, I was absolutely happy with that.
<1537>
// If it were meat and fried stuff, my hunger would be satisfied.
<1538>
// \{\m{B}} "Did you buy things on the way home?"
<1539>
// \{Nagisa} "No, I simply got home and changed my clothes."
<1540>
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, I see."
<1541>
// I try to imagine.
<1542>
// The figure of Nagisa as a wife, going to buy stuff at a supermarket.
<1543>
// \{\m{B}} (Oh yeah...)
<1544>
// And my willpower goes up +50.
<1545>
// ... the only thing that's recovered has been just that.
<1546>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm, how did your work go?"
<1547>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah... I am certainly tired, since it is physical labor."
<1548>
// \{\m{B}} "But, I think that's how it starts. If I get used to it, it should get more fun."
<1549>
// Sure, it'd be nice if we talked about something else, but nothing comes up when trying to think of anything else beyond the first day.
<1550>
// \{Nagisa} "Is that so?"
<1551>
// \{Nagisa} "You've been hanging in there, \m{B}-kun."
<1552>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<1553>
// \{Nagisa} "You seem kind of cool."
<1554>
// \{\m{B}} "Though I looked like crap up until now."
<1555>
// \{Nagisa} "No, I do mean up until now and beyond."
<1556>
// \{\m{B}} "It's fine, I know it myself."
<1557>
// \{\m{B}} "Up until now, I've been relying on pops and Sanae-san... no way I look that good."
<1558>
// \{\m{B}} "I've only become a real working adult as of today."
<1559>
// \{\m{B}} "That's how I feel about it."
<1560>
// \{Nagisa} "Well then, today we shall commemorate you having become one."
<1561>
// \{\m{B}} "You feel like giving something?"
<1562>
// \{Nagisa} "What would you like?"
<1563>
// \{\m{B}} "I don't mind whatever."
<1564>
// \{Nagisa} "But, I don't have anything."
<1565>
// \{\m{B}} "Maybe something that doesn't have a shape...?"
<1566>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm, are words fine?"
<1567>
// Sure
<1568>
// Well, beyond words...
<1569>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, I'm fine with words."
<1570>
// \{Nagisa} "Well then..."
<1571>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, congratulations on becoming a working adult."
<1572>
// \{Nagisa} "And, work hard."
<1573>
// \{Nagisa} "For... \wait{1000}my sake."
<1574>
// .........
<1575>
// I never thought that Nagisa would say such a thing.
<1576>
// I felt all cozy, at the bottom of my heart.
<1577>
// The person I love needs me...
<1578>
// What relief that brought me to see such feelings.
<1579>
// \{Nagisa} "I said something quite sudden, ehehe..."
<1580>
// \{\m{B}} "Nah, it's fine. It's really encouraging."
<1581>
// \{Nagisa} "Really?"
<1582>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm glad then."
<1583>
// But, did using my willpower come up with such a strange idea...?
<1584>
// At the same time we finished dinner, fatigue immediately pushed onto me, and I flopped myself onto the counter.
<1585>
// Pushing all of the cleanup onto Nagisa...
<1586>
// Full of energy, I felt motivated to move on tomorrow.
<1587>
// But, I've completely run out of strength...
<1588>
// Coming out of the bath, I didn't wait for Nagisa to go in, and ended up falling asleep.
<1589>
// I no longer had any energy to do anything else.
<1590>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, more than words..."
<1591>
// \{Nagisa} "Something without form, and greater than words is difficult."
<1592>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, you can come up with something..."
<1593>
// \{\m{B}} "Such as..."
<1594>
// Something perverted...
<1595>
// No, words are enough
<1596>
// \{\m{B}} (Something perverted...?)
<1597>
// If I said that, what kind of reaction would Nagisa have? 
<1598>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, something perverted is fine...?"
<1599>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah... figure something out."
<1600>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh, I have to think about it...?"
<1601>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah. Since it's a blessing, I'd be happy if you were the one who came up with it..."
<1602>
// \{Nagisa} "Is that so..."
<1603>
// \{Nagisa} "But, I'm not sure how to make you happy, \m{B}-kun..."
<1604>
// \{Nagisa} "It's possible that you might end up hating me..."
<1605>
// \{\m{B}} "No, since it's you, no matter what happens, I'll always love you." 
<1606>
// \{Nagisa} "Is that so...?"
<1607>
// \{Nagisa} "In that case..."
<1608>
// \{Nagisa} "Then perhaps for dinner... \wait{1000}mouth-to-mouth feeding... how... is that...?"
<1609>
// \{\m{B}} "Ehh? You can really do that?!"
<1610>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, yes... if you're fine with it, \m{B}-kun, I think I'll give it a shot..."
<1611>
// \{\m{B}} "Though I'd be... fine with that..."
<1612>
// \{\m{B}} "But, it could be this small soya bean."
<1613>
// \{Nagisa} "T-that's... small, so that'd be a problem..."
<1614>
// \{Nagisa} "It might end up sticking on the mouth..."
<1615>
// But, can she do it...?
<1616>
// \{\m{B}} "Then, what do I do if I get thirsty?"
<1617>
// \{Nagisa} "Water?"
<1618>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<1619>
// \{Nagisa} "If, you're fine with it, \m{B}-kun... I'd also... feed that by mouth..."
<1620>
// \{Nagisa} "But... my mouth couldn't open, it'd end up remaining closed..."
<1621>
// \{\m{B}} "Like hell that would happen!"
<1622>
// \{Nagisa} "What?"
<1623>
// I wake up from my delusion.
<1624>
// For Nagisa to play with her food in that way was not like her at all.
<1625>
// I would end up being angry at her for thinking up such things in the first place.
<1626>
// \{Nagisa} "Like what, exactly?"
<1627>
// \{\m{B}} "Well..."
<1628>
// \{\m{B}} "I guess I"ll be happy with you congratulating me."
<1629>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, that's what I wanted to do in the first place."
<1630>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay, go ahead."
<1631>
// \{Nagisa} "It seems like you're kind of reluctant about it."
<1632>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm listening clearly."
<1633>
// \{Nagisa} "Then, I'll say it."
<1634>
// \{\m{B}} "Nah, words are fine."
<1635>
// Thinking it over, I said that.
<1636>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay. I also wanted to go with words."
<1637>
// \{Nagisa} "Well then..."
<1638>
// Coming out of the bath, I didn't wait for Nagisa to go in, and ended up falling asleep.
<1639>
// I no longer had any energy to do anything else.
<1640>
// May 7 (Friday)
<1641>
// Pain greeted me in the morning.
<1642>
// As I thought, I had muscular pains all over.
<1643>
// I can't do anything. I want to sleep.
<1644>
// I close my eyes again.
<1645>
// Ahh, how comfortable.
<1646>
// I don't want to think of anything else.
<1647>
// I'll just be like this...
<1648>
// .........
<1649>
// Zzzzzzz...
<1650>
// I heard a small sleeping sound.
<1651>
// I look at the neighboring futon.
<1652>
// \{\m{B}} (Nagisa...)
<1653>
// I'm sure if I were alone, I couldn't do anything.
<1654>
// I'd continue to be late, just like during school...
<1655>
// And without someone such as Koumura to restrain me in class...
<1656>
// Lose my job...
<1657>
// Continue on depraved...
<1658>
// And what would happen at the end?
<1659>
// I thought about that, while watching Nagisa's sleeping face.
<1660>
// But, right now I have someone I want to protect...
<1661>
// \{\m{B}} (Guess I'll work hard...)
<1662>
// Beating my body, I pulled out of bed.
<1663>
// \{\m{B}} "... good morning."
<1664>
// \{Yoshino} "You came on time."
<1665>
// Yoshino-san sat in front of me, coming out from the conversation.
<1666>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, I did come. I did seriously decide on working."
<1667>
// \{Yoshino} "Your body doesn't ache?"
<1668>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<1669>
// Parts of it did.
<1670>
// \{Yoshino} "Even though it does, hang in there with the job."
<1671>
// \{Yoshino} "We'll be going out soon, so get changed."
<1672>
// No kind words.
<1673>
// Though I felt it yesterday, it was kinda like the way he addressed me before when I helped him out was different.
<1674>
// \{\m{B}} (I guess it's normal, since I'm a subordinate of his...?)
<1675>
// \{\m{B}} (But, that seems a bit lonely...)
<1676>
// I think as such, while changing into some sooted clothes.
<1677>
// \{Yoshino} "\m{A}."
<1678>
// He caught me by the sleeves, calling me.
<1679>
// \{Yoshino} "Put this on you."
<1680>
// \{\m{B}} "What's this?"
<1681>
// \{Yoshino} "A compress."
<1682>
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, thank you very much."
<1683>
// \{Yoshino} "Don't mind me. I'm also the same way."
<1684>
// \{\m{B}} "I see..."
<1685>
// Though I nodded, I couldn't imagine Yoshino-san having muscle pains.
<1686>
// The place we went to work at was the same as yesterday's.
<1687>
// \{\m{B}} "The same place, isn't it?"
<1688>
// \{Yoshino} "Yeah. There've been few cars passing by here recently."
<1689>
// Today's job was to remove a broken street light and have it replaced.
<1690>
// \{Yoshino} "Okay, let's start."
<1691>
// \{\m{B}} "All right, then."
<1692>
// Holding the street light in my arms, I went up the ladder.
<1693>
// Though yesterday was simple work, today was different.
<1694>
// My entire body shrieked.
<1695>
// Gritting my teeth against the pain, I focused on the job.
<1696>
// \{Yoshino} "You're holding the spanner wrong. You can't put power into it that way."
<1697>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<1698>
// \{Yoshino} "That's why you have to support the screw and driver with your middle finger."
<1699>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<1700>
// \{Yoshino} "You've screwed that in too hard."
<1701>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<1702>
// \{Yoshino} "Didn't you do that yesterday?"
<1703>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<1704>
// \{Yoshino} "Concentrate. If you lose focus, you'll get injured."
<1705>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<1706>
// He had been more angry than he was yesterday.
<1707>
// \{Yoshino} "All right, we're done. Let's go."
<1708>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<1709>
// I was not in the mood to answer.
<1710>
// More than having lost my strength, I felt depressed.
<1711>
// I crumbled down in the passenger seat of the light truck.
<1712>
// I've finally come home.
<1713>
// I felt the fatigue from yesterday as well as that of today piling up.
<1714>
// Will the day I get used to this come...?
<1715>
// I shiver at if this pain would continue.
<1716>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm back..."
<1717>
// \{Nagisa} "Welcome back."
<1718>
// Just like yesterday, Nagisa was standing in the kitchen.
<1719>
// I didn't have the energy to offer my help today.
<1720>
// I cut to the back of the room, dragging my body, and fall limp.
<1721>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, are you okay?"
<1722>
// Nagisa stopped her hand, seeing how I was.
<1723>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, I am..."
<1724>
// \{Nagisa} "Are you feeling bad?"
<1725>
// She kneeled down beside me, asking that.
<1726>
// \{\m{B}} "It's okay, I'm just really tired..."
<1727>
// \{Nagisa} "Is that so...?"
<1728>
// \{Nagisa} "I bought some pork to give you some stamina."
<1729>
// \{Nagisa} "Eat up and get some rest."
<1730>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah... I will..."
<1731>
// \{Nagisa} "Well then, please wait a little while longer."
<1732>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, sorry for not helping out."
<1733>
// \{Nagisa} "Not at all, I'm fine with it."
<1734>
// She got up, and went back.
<1735>
// I feel like Nagisa's supporting me.
<1736>
// She came running straight for me, worried sick about me having fallen completely dead.
<1737>
// That was probably just how god damn disappointing I was.
<1738>
// Without falling apart, I was able to move.
<1739>
// When we ate dinner, Nagisa simply chimed in with a topic.
<1740>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, you're very tired."
<1741>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh?"
<1742>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm sorry for holding a one-sided conversation, even though you're tired."
<1743>
// God damn it.
<1744>
// \{\m{B}} "It's fun just listening to you, so I'll listen to as much as you want."
<1745>
// \{Nagisa} "Well, I think listening will make you tired."
<1746>
// \{Nagisa} "Besides, listening to me... is boring..."
<1747>
// \{\m{B}} "Hell it isn't."
<1748>
// \{Nagisa} "Thank you so much."
<1749>
// \{Nagisa} "That said, let's sleep early today."
<1750>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<1751>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah..."
<1752>
// I honestly nodded.
<1753>
// So that I can talk to Nagisa a lot more tomorrow.
<1754>
// \{Nagisa} "Well, good night."
<1755>
// \{\m{B}} "Good night."
<1756>
// The lights were out an hour earlier than yesterday.
<1757>
// At the same time, I fell into a deep sleep.
<1758>
// May 8 (Saturday)
<1759>
// I was at the same place the next day.
<1760>
// \{Yoshino} "Stop shivering, and stand straight. You're not a weak kid, are you?"
<1761>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm not... a kid..."
<1762>
// Though I denied it, it was certain my shoulders were shivering as I dragged my feet.
<1763>
// Even though I hadn't gotten used to this yet, the work was more or less making a fool out of me.
<1764>
// Even so, it was a fact that I wouldn't be getting this job done quick, not being able to raise my right shoulder.
<1765>
// \{Yoshino} "Open up the case. I'll deal with the coating."
<1766>
// I rise up the ladder, and open up the utility box that was installed to the telephone pole.
<1767>
// \{Yoshino} "You an idiot? You think that left hand of yours will reach?"
<1768>
// Yoshino-san ridiculed me from below.
<1769>
// I also think I'm an idiot. At any rate, if I could lift my right arm, I would have used it.
<1770>
// \{Yoshino} "Use both your hands."
<1771>
// \{\m{B}} "It's okay, I can do it like this!"
<1772>
// \{Yoshino} "... what?"
<1773>
// Oh crap. Yoshino-san's tone changed.
<1774>
// \{Yoshino} "Get down here. Right now."
<1775>
// ... he's getting more and more angry.
<1776>
// \{Yoshino} "Why are you doing such an awkward thing?"
<1777>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, doing it this way is easier for me."
<1778>
// Yoshino-san muttered an "I see" to himself, and said nothing more.
<1779>
// The next work site we came across was a difficult one.
<1780>
// But, Yoshino-san didn't say a word, simply watching.
<1781>
// Finishing the work for the day, I sit down in the passenger seat. All that's left to do is head back to the office.
<1782>
// \{Yoshino} "\m{A}."
<1783>
// Yoshino-san said, before turning on the engine.
<1784>
// \{\m{B}} "... yes, what is it?"
<1785>
// \{Yoshino} "I'll ask one more time, is that way of yours really easy?"
<1786>
// To ask me that all of a sudden makes me troubled to answer.
<1787>
// \{Yoshino} "How is it?"
<1788>
// \{\m{B}} "... yeah, this way is good. For me, anyway."
<1789>
// Yoshino-san gave me only a glance, and returned to looking ahead.
<1790>
// \{Yoshino} "... as long as you get the process right, it's fine."
<1791>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh?"
<1792>
// \{Yoshino} "But still, don't get injured."
<1793>
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, okay!"
<1794>
// Vroom, the truck went, at the same moment I answered.
<1795>
// We didn't walk that much today. That said, I wasn't tired.
<1796>
// I wonder if I'll be fine if I get enough sleep every day?
<1797>
// It feels like my strength's come back, and I've finally gotten up to speed.
<1798>
// It was the first time I came back home and was able to help with dinner.
<1799>
// Though I say that, the kitchen was too small to stand in, so all I could do was bring the food to the room.
<1800>
// \{Nagisa} "How was work?"
<1801>
// \{\m{B}} "Not really all that different, but somehow I'm managing."
<1802>
// \{Nagisa} "Is that so? I'm glad."
<1803>
// \{\m{B}} "How was school?"
<1804>
// \{Nagisa} "Nothing really. It's the same as always."
<1805>
// Probably it isn't anything bad, but it pretty much meant there wasn't anything worth mentioning.
<1806>
// \{\m{B}} "I see..."
<1807>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah!"
<1808>
// Nagisa stopped her chopsticks, raising her voice.
<1809>
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm? What's wrong?"
<1810>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, those are the wrong chopsticks."
<1811>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh? Ah, you're right. These are yours."
<1812>
// \{\m{B}} "Though I've already eaten with these."
<1813>
// \{Nagisa} "Is it okay not to swap them?"
<1814>
// \{\m{B}} "Umm... you didn't use yours yet, did you?"
<1815>
// \{Nagisa} "I did... I put them to my mouth."
<1816>
// \{\m{B}} "All right, let's swap."
<1817>
// \{Nagisa} "... \m{B}-kun, you're thinking weird."
<1818>
// \{\m{B}} "Was I caught...?"
<1819>
// \{Nagisa} "We should clean them properly. Please hand it over."
<1820>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay..."
<1821>
// \{Nagisa} "Please don't give such a reluctant face."
<1822>
// \{Nagisa} "You're strange, \m{B}-kun."
<1823>
// There was finally room to throw in a joke.
<1824>
// I've probably become used to this way of living.
<1825>
// But, I vowed to come here to make Nagisa smile.
<1826>
// The way I am now hasn't reached that yet.
<1827>
// I still have a lot of things to do.
<1828>
// \{Nagisa} "Well, about tomorrow..."
<1829>
// Nagisa brought up, coming back from washing the chopsticks.
<1830>
// \{Nagisa} "Is it a day off work?"
<1831>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, it'll be okay."
<1832>
// Yeah. Tomorrow'll be the first Sunday since we started living together.
<1833>
// And, the day I promised pops to take Nagisa to him once a week.
<1834>
// Living together was a lot more problematic than I had imagined...
<1835>
// Even so, we somehow managed... yeah ,that's what I'll say tomorrow.
<1836>
// May 9 (Sunday)
<1837>
// Nagisa and I brought a cake and visited her parents' home.
<1838>
// \{Nagisa} "We're back."
<1839>
// We so greeted pops, who was standing in front of the store, as if he had free time.
<1840>
// \{Akio} "Hmm...?"
<1841>
// \{Akio} "It can't be..."
<1842>
// \{Akio} "No... am I hallucinating...?"
<1843>
// \{Akio} "Or maybe a mirage...?"
<1844>
// \{Akio} "No, it's the real thing..."
<1845>
// \{Akio} "It's..."
<1846>
// \{Akio} "It's you, Nagisa..."
<1847>
// \{Akio} "It's you, isn't it?!"
<1848>
// \{Akio} "IT \bIS\u YOU, NAGISA-----!!"
<1849>
// \{\m{B}} "Pops is out of tone, isn't he?"
<1850>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, it's me."
<1851>
// \{Akio} "You've finally come back!"
<1852>
// He immediately hugged her.
<1853>
// \{\m{B}} "We're going back at night."
<1854>
// \{Akio} "Tch, what's with you? You ruined the moving reunion scene!"
<1855>
// \{Akio} "Sigh... you're damn cold. Hurry up and go see Sanae."
<1856>
// Letting go of Nagisa, he lit the cigarette in his mouth.
<1857>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, let's go, Nagisa."
<1858>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<1859>
// Sanae-san was tending to the store alone inside.
<1860>
// \{Nagisa} "We're back."
<1861>
// \{Sanae} "Eh...?"
<1862>
// \{Sanae} "It couldn't be..."
<1863>
// \{Sanae} "No, maybe it's a hallucination...?"
<1864>
// \{Sanae} "Or perhaps a mirage?"
<1865>
// \{Sanae} "Is it possibly the real thing...?"
<1866>
// \{Sanae} "Na..."
<1867>
// \{Sanae} "Nagisa..."
<1868>
// \{Sanae} "It's you, isn't it?!"
<1869>
// \{\m{B}} "Your parents really are well suited to this joke."
<1870>
// \{Sanae} "Oh my, were we caught?"
<1871>
// \{Sanae} "It was Akio-san's idea."
<1872>
// \{\m{B}} "Even if you don't say so, I'd know."
<1873>
// \{Sanae} "It was a plan to see if we can pull a dramatic reunion, and keep Nagisa with us."
<1874>
// These parents sure have free time.
<1875>
// \{Sanae} "Something like that's useless, isn't it? Obviously, Nagisa wants to be with \m{B}-san."
<1876>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, I do."
<1877>
// \{Nagisa} "But, both you and dad are important to me, so it's really troubling."
<1878>
// \{Sanae} "It's okay, Nagisa. You can be wherever you want to be."
<1879>
// \{Sanae} "And, anytime you want to come back, you can."
<1880>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay, sure."
<1881>
// \{Nagisa} "But, since I decided to try staying with \m{B}-kun..."
<1882>
// \{Nagisa} "That's why it isn't simple."
<1883>
// \{Akio} "Tch, hurry and give up."
<1884>
// Pops stood behind us.
<1885>
// \{Akio} "You can feel all cozy in the large ocean of love you were raised up in, my daughter."
<1886>
// \{Akio} "Much more than crappy love coming from a dead, dried out frog."
<1887>
// He said something quite cruel.
<1888>
// \{Nagisa} "I think that's being spoiled."
<1889>
// Yeah, you tell them.
<1890>
// \{Nagisa} "I think I should come out of the ocean, and live in a place without water."
<1891>
// \{Nagisa} "And... even if I dry up, like a dead, dried up frog..."
<1892>
// \{Nagisa} "Someday, the rain will make the ground moist."
<1893>
// \{Nagisa} "At that moment, the dried up frog will also fill up with life."
<1894>
// Uh, I don't think it'll come back to life if you give it water.
<1895>
// \{Nagisa} "So please watch over us, until that day."
<1896>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, wait! Are you saying that my love's all dried up in the end?!"
<1897>
// \{Nagisa} "That's just an example."
<1898>
// \{\m{B}} "I know!"
<1899>
// \{Akio} "Tch, you have a bad mind, you know!"
<1900>
// \{Sanae} "Isn't it cute with that dead, dried up frog, \m{B}-san?"
<1901>
// Oh crap.... it's been too long since I've been caught in this stupid triangle. 
<1902>
// I pull out, sliding out from the side.
<1903>
// \{Nagisa} "......?"
<1904>
// \{Akio} "And what might you be doing?"
<1905>
// \{\m{B}} "Nah, nothing."
<1906>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, we have a cake. Let's all eat."
<1907>
// Nagisa brought up the bag she was holding.
<1908>
// We were sitting in a circle, eating.
<1909>
// Only a week's passed, and yet I've missed smiling this much. 
<1910>
// Thinking about it now, it was amusing for us four to be living together.
<1911>
// I really thought it was fun.
<1912>
// \{Akio} "Heh... so this guy got caught red-handed for the pervert he is? That's a masterpiece."
<1913>
// \{Nagisa} "No one's said that."
<1914>
// \{Akio} "Kah, it's a joke."
<1915>
// \{Sanae} "Akio-san's in no position to talk."
<1916>
// \{Sanae} "He sexually harassed her when they were alone. It's quite troubling." 
<1917>
// Pff!
<1918>
// I immediately spat out my black tea.
<1919>
// \{\m{B}} "A-are you serious?"
<1920>
// \{Akio} "Kah... not like she was that cute, was she?"
<1921>
// Without a doubt, to pull such an outrageous scandal on this person's "cuteness", means that she must really interest men.
<1922>
// \{Sanae} "There's no way he could concentrate on work if she wasn't."
<1923>
// \{Akio} "Tch, we're not talking about someone flipping over the skirt and peeping, are we?"
<1924>
// ... so she was ridiculously cute!
<1925>
// \{Nagisa} "You seem like a grade school kid, dad."
<1926>
// \{Akio} "Yeah, your daddy's full of energy."
<1927>
// A little \btoo\u full.
<1928>
// \{Akio} "Well, guys like us are like that, aren't they?"
<1929>
// He suddenly brought up.
<1930>
// \{Sanae} "Is that so?"
<1931>
// The girls all gather their attention. It's quite a difficult situation to answer...
<1932>
// Because it's such a hard thing to imagine, even now, you can't really deny it...
<1933>
// \{Akio} "You've done something like \bthat\u with him too, right, my daughter? Well? Answer me honestly."
<1934>
// \{Nagisa} "It's okay. \m{B}-kun is definitely not someone who cannot do that."
<1935>
// \{Akio} "What?!"
<1936>
// Nagisa's bombshell announcement, part deux.
<1937>
// \{Akio} "I-I see... well, don't really start feeling depressed now, lad."
<1938>
// He's suddenly getting the wrong idea...
<1939>
// That's normal...
<1940>
// Well, because it was a declaration that makes me look like a "Person Who Can't Do It"...
<1941>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun's a very kind person."
<1942>
// \{Akio} "I see, kind, huh... so covering up with that...?"
<1943>
// Pitiful eyes.
<1944>
// It feels like that I've become a miserable man in his mind...
<1945>
// Being in despair at this time...
<1946>
// \{\m{B}} "You've got the wrong idea. I'm quite capable."
<1947>
// I don't like this being so weird, with having to explain this in front of her parents...
<1948>
// Fix the misunderstanding
<1949>
// Let them think what they like
<1950>
// I gather my courage, and decide to fix the misunderstanding.
<1951>
// \{\m{B}} "You know, pops..."
<1952>
// \{Akio} "Hmm?"
<1953>
// \{\m{B}} "I... well... \pam \bnormal\u... as a man."
<1954>
// \{Akio} "Well, didn't Nagisa say it was because of a disorder...?"
<1955>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh? I didn't say that it was at all!"
<1956>
// \{Akio} "What... he's normal?!"
<1957>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, he's not strange in any aspect."
<1958>
// \{Akio} "I see... it was a misunderstanding..."
<1959>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes. I'm sure that I'm the one that's strange."
<1960>
// \{Akio} "Ehh?! You're the one?!"
<1961>
// \{Akio} "Sorry... brat..."
<1962>
// \{Akio} "Don't get into too much trouble..."
<1963>
// ... though my misunderstanding's been cleared up, Nagisa's been misunderstood.
<1964>
// \{Akio} "All righty... take a porn book with you back home."
<1965>
// \{Nagisa} "Dad, don't give him any strange things!"
<1966>
// \{Sanae} "We have such a thing in this house?"
<1967>
// \{Akio} "Oh \bCRAP\u----!"
<1968>
// \{Akio} "No, we do \bnot\u."
<1969>
// He's so damn slow.
<1970>
// We finish eating up the cake. Nagisa and Sanae-san began preparing dinner together, standing in the kitchen.
<1971>
// Pops went back to tending to the store, while I also helped him out.
<1972>
// Though I say that, there weren't any customers at this time...
<1973>
// \{Akio} "Nagisa... well..."
<1974>
// \{Akio} "Is unable to do that at all...?"
<1975>
// When we were left alone, pops suddenly brought up the topic.
<1976>
// \{\m{B}} "Uh, I dunno."
<1977>
// \{Akio} "There's no way in hell you wouldn't know!"
<1978>
// \{Akio} "I'm worried that she ain't satisfying you at all!".
<1979>
// \{Akio} "That's why you came to borrow a porn book, right...?!"
<1980>
// \{\m{B}} "I didn't come for that at all."
<1981>
// \{Akio} "Hey wait, then doesn't that look like I was the only one who was borrowing the book?!"
<1982>
// \{\m{B}} "That's not how it \blooks\u, that's how it \bis\u!"
<1983>
// \{Akio} "Weren't you the one who said that you'd borrow the porn book?!"
<1984>
// \{\m{B}} "I didn't say that one bit!"
<1985>
// \{Akio} "I was the one who said that---?!"
<1986>
// \{Voice} "Hey you two, don't be saying weird things in the store, okay--?"
<1987>
// Sanae-san's voice snaps us out of it.
<1988>
// ... we've become perverts, tending to the store.
<1989>
// \{Akio} "Then, what... she's normal?"
<1990>
// He asked in a quiet voice, after clearing his throat.
<1991>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, I guess..."
<1992>
// I'll let them think what they like. I sip my tea.
<1993>
// \{Akio} "Hey, Sanae. Should I tell you?"
<1994>
// Pff!
<1995>
// \{Sanae} "What, exactly?"
<1996>
// \{Akio} "Uh, it's a joke, so you don't need to know."
<1997>
// \{Akio} "Well, we're talking about what guys have to \bdo\u it. Right, my friend?"
<1998>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<1999>
// In the end, he was the only one who wanted to say it.
<2000>
// We finish eating up the cake. Nagisa and Sanae-san began preparing dinner together, standing in the kitchen.
<2001>
// Pops went back to tending to the store, while I also helped him out.
<2002>
// Though I say that, there weren't any customers at this time...
<2003>
// \{Akio} "Tch, so you can't do it?!"
<2004>
// When we were left alone, pops suddenly brought up the topic.
<2005>
// \{\m{B}} "Uh, I'm normal."
<2006>
// \{Akio} "Didn't you say it was because you couldn't do it?!"
<2007>
// \{\m{B}} "No I didn't! Your daughter said it in such a way that it was misunderstood!"
<2008>
// \{Akio} "Misunderstood?! Didn't she say something like, '\m{B}-kun's doesn't stand up'?!"
<2009>
// \{\m{B}} "Like hell she did!"
<2010>
// \{Akio} "Then it stands?!"
<2011>
// \{\m{B}} "It does!"
<2012>
// \{Akio} "It soared up?!"
<2013>
// \{\m{B}} "It damn well soared up!"
<2014>
// \{Voice} "Hey you two, don't be so noisy in the store, okay--?"
<2015>
// Sanae-san's voice snaps us out of it.
<2016>
// ... we've become perverts, tending to the store.
<2017>
// \{Akio} "Then, what... you're normal?"
<2018>
// He asked in a quiet voice, after clearing his throat.
<2019>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, like others... I think."
<2020>
// \{Akio} "Then, I guess it's \bthat\u.... in other words, you haven't had your chance at it yet?"
<2021>
// He's again a person who throws things that are hard to answer...
<2022>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, that's right... I think it's important. You got a problem?"
<2023>
// \{Akio} "No, not really. She's still in school, after all."
<2024>
// \{Akio} "If she did, it'd be an illicit sexual relationship. In other words, breaking school rules."
<2025>
// \{\m{B}} "Right."
<2026>
// \{Akio} "But you know..."
<2027>
// \{Akio} "She's at the right age."
<2028>
// \{Akio} "Because at that time, Sanae had already given birth..."
<2029>
// \{Akio} "So that's why I think it's fine!"
<2030>
// \{Akio} "Do it, do it!"
<2031>
// \{Akio} "\m{B}-kun, do it, wooo---!"
<2032>
// He wants me to pull something on his own daughter...
<2033>
// \{Nagisa} "Do \bwhat\u exactly, dad?"
<2034>
// \{Akio} "Ugh..."
<2035>
// He freezes up at Nagisa's entrance.
<2036>
// \{Nagisa} "I feel like my name was called."
<2037>
// \{Akio} "Really...?"
<2038>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, it did. Is it a prank?"
<2039>
// \{Akio} "Well, how should I put it...?" 
<2040>
// \{Nagisa} "You can't tell \m{B}-kun weird things."
<2041>
// \{Nagisa} "It's dad's fault if you flip over skirts like mom." 
<2042>
// Though she's instigating something a lot more dreadful...
<2043>
// \{Akio} "It's fine, my daughter. At that time, there won't be any skirts to flip over." 
<2044>
// \{\m{B}} (Guahh...)
<2045>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh, what do you mean?"
<2046>
// \{Akio} "Nagisa, I love you."
<2047>
// \{Nagisa} "That way of deceiving me has no effect!"
<2048>
// \{Akio} "Tch..."
<2049>
// Pops nodded me over to do it.
<2050>
// \{Nagisa} "What prank are you teaching him?"
<2051>
// \{\m{B}} "Nagisa, I love you."
<2052>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh? T-thank you so much."
<2053>
// \{Nagisa} "Um, I also..."
<2054>
// \{Nagisa} "Ahh, I've ended up being trapped by \m{B}-kun!"
<2055>
// Stupid girl...
<2056>
// After we finished up dinner, we hurried back for tomorrow.
<2057>
// \{Nagisa} "This is meat and potato stew."
<2058>
// Nagisa was holding a big Tupper container.
<2059>
// \{Nagisa} "There's two days' worth."
<2060>
// It was something she made with Sanae-san. She walked with it in her arm, as if it were special.
<2061>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<2062>
// \{\m{B}} "Seems you had quite a bit of fun."
<2063>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, cooking with mom is fun."
<2064>
// \{Nagisa} "My mom's really clumsy."
<2065>
// \{Nagisa} "Though I'm also the same, ehehe..."
<2066>
// She smiled, saying that.
<2067>
// It felt painful, thinking that I hadn't seen this smile for so long.
<2068>
// But, she said that she'd be with me...
<2069>
// And I had decided on working hard...
<2070>
// That's why I'll have to work hard...
<2071>
// But, will that effort to make her smile pay off?
<2072>
// That was just something I pulled out of the blue to make her happy for that moment.
<2073>
// Could I pull that off?
<2074>
// Is it okay if I can't right now?
<2075>
// Is it okay if I laugh at the end, after having endured it all?
<2076>
// Will I be crushed along the way?
<2077>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<2078>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<2079>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun,"
<2080>
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm?"
<2081>
// \{Nagisa} "Are you thinking about something?"
<2082>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, not really. What is it?"
<2083>
// \{Nagisa} "Let's talk when we get home. That way will be more enjoyable."
<2084>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah... I guess."
<2085>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<2086>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, are you awake?"
<2087>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah..."
<2088>
// \{Nagisa} "Was what I said during lunch bad...?"
<2089>
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm? What was?"
<2090>
// \{Nagisa} "That \m{B}-kun was..."
<2091>
// \{Nagisa} "A person that couldn't do that..."
<2092>
// Shiver.
<2093>
// A rigor shrieks through my body.
<2094>
// It couldn't be that Nagisa was concerned about that... even more, I couldn't think of her bringing it up after it had died out.
<2095>
// \{Nagisa} "Dad was really surprised."
<2096>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, it has a different meaning..."
<2097>
// \{\m{B}} "Besides, that's true..."
<2098>
// \{\m{B}} "If I did that, you wouldn't like it, would you, Nagisa...?"
<2099>
// \{Nagisa} "That's not the meaning I meant."
<2100>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh...?'
<2101>
// \{Nagisa} "About what dad was joking with mom about, I meant that you wouldn't do it at all."
<2102>
// \{\m{B}} "W-well, yeah, I know. Even I figured that one out."
<2103>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm glad in that case."
<2104>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<2105>
// \{Nagisa} "But, generally speaking..."
<2106>
// She continued talking.
<2107>
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm?"
<2108>
// \{Nagisa} "Generally speaking, umm... that sort of thing is..."
<2109>
// \{Nagisa} "Not something I don't hate."
<2110>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<2111>
// My body was again tense.
<2112>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm... if you're... being patient about it, \m{B}-kun..."
<2113>
// \{Nagisa} "There's nothing... \wait{1000}to be patient about..."
<2114>
// Remain silent
<2115>
// Deny it
<2116>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<2117>
// \{Nagisa} "What will you do...?"
<2118>
// \{Nagisa} "... am I... okay?"
<2119>
// \{Nagisa} "Well... I'm older, you see."
<2120>
// It wasn't natural at all for someone older than me ask what to do.
<2121>
// But, that's Nagisa doing the best she can.
<2122>
// That was probably her taking into consideration that I was holding back.
<2123>
// I could tell her body was moving.
<2124>
// \{Nagisa} "Would you listen, \m{B}-kun...?"
<2125>
// She whispered close to my ear.
<2126>
// If I were to tell her that it were fine...
<2127>
// I might not be able to turn back.
<2128>
// I was afraid.
<2129>
// But, because I loved Nagisa...
<2130>
// Because it was Nagisa that would do that...
<2131>
// It was normal for me to want to.
<2132>
// But, am I qualified right now to earn something like that...?
<2133>
// Am I really working that hard?
<2134>
// I really don't know...
<2135>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<2136>
// Yeah, I'll have to answer quickly...
<2137>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm..."
<2138>
// Before I could even decide... Nagisa opened her mouth.
<2139>
// \{Nagisa} "I'll come beside you."
<2140>
// Flipping over the futon... Nagisa softly slipped in.
<2141>
// Seems like all I did was pay attention, without answering...
<2142>
// I thought of not saying anything.
<2143>
// But, I couldn't do anything, like I were paralyzed.
<2144>
// Shuffle, shuffle...
<2145>
// Nagisa moves inside the futon.
<2146>
// Sticking right next to me... bringing her arms around my waist.
<2147>
// I felt her warmth channel through half of my body.
<2148>
// It felt really warm.
<2149>
// She was never this close.
<2150>
// Nagisa kept close.
<2151>
// My chest beat hard.
<2152>
// It was violent.
<2153>
// Without a doubt, up until now, my heart hadn't been racing this much.
<2154>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<2155>
// Nagisa pushed her nose against my nape.
<2156>
// And Nagisa's breathing was also warm... that part heated up.
<2157>
// And she put more power into the arms she had around my waist... embracing me.
<2158>
// Just from that alone... \pI felt I couldn't be a happier guy.
<2159>
// Being within Nagisa's arms.
<2160>
// That's how much I loved her.
<2161>
// The Nagisa that I love.
<2162>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<2163>
// And, Nagisa... \premained silent.
<2164>
// I was left to be enveloped in that feeling of happiness.
<2165>
// A while passed, and then I finally realized.
<2166>
// This was the best Nagisa could do.
<2167>
// Realizing that, I immediately let out a burst of laughter, feeling relieved.
<2168>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm... what are you laughing about...?"
<2169>
// She said that, separating her face from my neck.
<2170>
// \{Nagisa} "You still think I'm a kid, \m{B}-kun."
<2171>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm older than you. Your senior."
<2172>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, I know."
<2173>
// \{Nagisa} "Then, why are you laughing?'
<2174>
// \{\m{B}} "Well... how do I put this... it's because I'm happy."
<2175>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah... you are... I'm glad."
<2176>
// \{Nagisa} "But, I guess laughing is strange!"
<2177>
// \{\m{B}} "Then, what should I do? You want me to breathe wildly?"
<2178>
// \{Nagisa} "That would be more like it than laughing."
<2179>
// \{\m{B}} "Then, hug me."
<2180>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay..."
<2181>
// Squeeze.
<2182>
// \{\m{B}} "Nagisa..."
<2183>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes...?"
<2184>
// \{\m{B}} "Stronger..."
<2185>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, okay..."
<2186>
// Squeeze.
<2187>
// \{Nagisa} "How's that..."
<2188>
// \{\m{B}} 'That's really good..."
<2189>
// Though all she's doing is hugging me...
<2190>
// \{\m{B}} "After that... breathe on top of my nose, and it'll be perfect..."
<2191>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah... okay..."
<2192>
// \{Nagisa} "Blow~"
<2193>
// \{\m{B}} "Stronger...!"
<2194>
// \{Nagisa} "Blow~!"
<2195>
// ... this seriously is the best.
<2196>
// Though from the side, it looks so much like playing house it's amusing...
<2197>
// But, for us, that was the best we can love each other.
<2198>
// It'd be so miserable for Nagisa to embrace me right now.
<2199>
// It'd be so miserable, it felt like I'd lose my footing.
<2200>
// This is not the reason I was taking Nagisa with me.
<2201>
// \{\m{B}} "Thanks, Nagisa..."
<2202>
// That's why that's all I said back, staring up at the ceiling.
<2203>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh... is that okay?"
<2204>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah..."
<2205>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun... um... \wait{1000}you didn't want to do it...?"
<2206>
// \{\m{B}} "I do."
<2207>
// \{Nagisa} "Then..."
<2208>
// \{\m{B}} "But, I still want to hold back."
<2209>
// \{Nagisa} "Why's that...?"
<2210>
// \{\m{B}} "Because... I'm in the mood to hold back against just about everything."
<2211>
// \{\m{B}} "That's what it's like, not having finished..."
<2212>
// \{\m{B}} "And ending halfway on that note is scary..."
<2213>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, I kind of feel the same way..."
<2214>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes..."
<2215>
// \{Nagisa} "I didn't really think about this enough..."
<2216>
// \{Nagisa} "For the moment, I thought I'd want to embrace you..."
<2217>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, if you want to do jus tthat, then that's fine..."
<2218>
// \{Nagisa} "But, you said you wanted to hold back jus tnow."
<2219>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, I'm talking abouot doing \bit\u..."
<2220>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, doing \bthat\u..."
<2221>
// It couldn't be...
<2222>
// That the \bit\u she speaks of is hugging each other in the middle of the night...
<2223>
// \{Nagisa} "I'll also hold back."
<2224>
// ... that definitely \bis\u it.
<2225>
// How cute and loveable she is.
<2226>
// I laughed all of a sudden.
<2227>
// \{Nagisa} "Why are you laughing?"
<2228>
// \{\m{B}} "Because you're cute."
<2229>
// \{Nagisa} "You still think I'm a kid, \m{B}-kun."
<2230>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm older than you. Your senior."
<2231>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, I know."
<2232>
// There isn't such a cute senior as her.
<2233>
// \{Nagisa} "You're still laughing?"
<2234>
// Instead of answering her, I reached out my hand, and took hers.
<2235>
// And gripped it hard.
<2236>
// That's all I was satisfied with.
<2237>
// \{\m{B}} "Tomorrow'll come soon, so sleep."
<2238>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay, good night then."
<2239>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, night."
<2240>
// And while holding hands, I closed my eyes.
<2241>
// May 10 (Monday)
<2242>
// A brand new week begins, with the days at the workplace again.
<2243>
// \{\m{B}} "Good morning."
<2244>
// \{Worker} "Yo!"
<2245>
// I guess it simply ended with everyone greeting me.
<2246>
// I still felt like I was out of place.
<2247>
// \{Yoshino} "\m{A}, hold this."
<2248>
// \{\m{B}} "What is it?"
<2249>
// Yoshino-san handed me a bundle of paper.
<2250>
// They had English characters written on them.
<2251>
// \{Yoshino} "It's a voucher. This is the insulation pipe, and this is the waterproof case..."
<2252>
// Though Yoshino-san explained each thing, I really couldn't understand at all.
<2253>
// May 11 (Tuesday)
<2254>
// \{\m{B}} "Good morning."
<2255>
// \{Worker} "Yo, boy. Morning."
<2256>
// \{Worker} "Morning!"
<2257>
// The next day seems like they might have gotten used to me, calling me 'boy'. Guess it's like that.
<2258>
// Just as I went to get changed, the elderly coworkers stopped me.
<2259>
// \{Worker} "Hey young guy, did you see the weather forecast?"
<2260>
// \{\m{B}} "No, I haven't."
<2261>
// \{Worker} "I see. Tonight's gonna be raining. Careful out there."
<2262>
// \{Worker} "Nothing can really be done about the rain."
<2263>
// Everyone said.
<2264>
// I guess I have to worry about water just because we're working with electric stuff.
<2265>
// \{\m{B}} "Seems like it's rainin gotday."
<2266>
// \{Yoshino} "Yeah. The boss said that, too."
<2267>
// \{\m{B}} "What're we gonna do when it starts raining?"
<2268>
// \{Yoshino} "We'll work at night then. If it gets worse, we'll hold off."
<2269>
// \{\m{B}} "What if it's just raining cats and dogs?"
<2270>
// \{Yoshino} "We'll have to work quickly with a tarpaulin, though it's dangerous."
<2271>
// \{\m{B}} "Can we do something like that?"
<2272>
// \{Yoshino} "It's because the factory workers won't be waiting."
<2273>
// The clear skies in the morning also become filled with clouds at noon.
<2274>
// We still had one thing to do, but even now it looked like it was about to rain.
<2275>
// \{\m{B}} "Yoshino-san, it looks like it might rain. Will this still be fine?"
<2276>
// \{Yoshino} "You're fussy. Hurry up and get the cover. We gotta finish this up."
<2277>
// Though Yoshino-san was focused on the work, he sometimes clicked his tongue, looking up at the sky.
<2278>
// This was the first time I saw him so nervous.
<2279>
// Feeling cold winds brush against his cheeks, he finally settled things and turned around.
<2280>
// \{Yoshino} "\m{A}, get two tarpaulins, quick!"
<2281>
// \{\m{B}} "O-okay! I got it!"
<2282>
// In haste I ran to the light truck, taking blue-colored sheets and came back.
<2283>
// And just within that time, the asphalt began to dye black.
<2284>
// \{Yoshino} "Cover my hand with that. Make sure not to let go!"
<2285>
// I spread out the sheet and desperately covered Yoshino-san.
<2286>
// The rain began hitting us hard without mercy, and the sheet was enveloped in the wind, as if it would rip apart.
<2287>
// But while we went through it, I stopped caring about the rain.
<2288>
// Yoshino-san's performance was completely different.
<2289>
// Even though he should have been used to the same job by now, his speed, accuracy, everything was different.
<2290>
// Even more, when he was done, it seemed so tidy, it was like an example.
<2291>
// I was taught that, though getting the wiring right was important, so was how well the wiring needed to look.
<2292>
// He dealt with the rain on the wires, due to the possibility of fire or short circuits. 
<2293>
// His speed was many times quicker than mine.
<2294>
// \{Yoshino} "You cold?"
<2295>
// \{\m{B}} "... no."
<2296>
// Yoshino-san asked me, as I was unusually silent.
<2297>
// \{\m{B}} "I was just thinking that you were really amazing."
<2298>
// \{Yoshino} "... what's that mean?"
<2299>
// The rain continued on throughout the night.
<2300>
// I stared outside the window, looking at how it was.
<2301>
// \{Nagisa} "You were still working, despite the rain being so heavy?"
<2302>
// Before I knew it, Nagisa stood beside me.
<2303>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, I'm taking a break because it's raining hard."
<2304>
// \{Nagisa} "Really? It seems like the rain will continue."
<2305>
// \{\m{B}} "This isn't school, you know..."
<2306>
// \{\m{B}} "Even if I take a break, we can't progress with work, so only the schedule will be getting tighter."
<2307>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, that's right. I didn't really think it throughly."
<2308>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, truth is I don't really feel that way but... I think that's how it is."
<2309>
// A place like school does have limits, but even if you don't do anything, you can still move on.
<2310>
// Right now, I have to take these steps to move on.
<2311>
// If I take a break, my work will fall apart, and I'll be pushed aside.
<2312>
// There wasn't a single thing good about it.
<2313>
// \{Nagisa} "But, if you're taking a break, we can go buy something."
<2314>
// Oh, there is something good.
<2315>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, but, I think it's better that you rest at home, \m{B}-kun."
<2316>
// \{\m{B}} "Nah, it's fine. I'll come buy stuff with you, since I'm taking a break."
<2317>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay!"
<2318>
// May 12 (Wednesday)
<2319>
// I woke up the next day to the sound of the telephone ringing.
<2320>
// I was still sleepy at the time.
<2321>
// I creep out of the futon, and take the receiver.
<2322>
// \{Voice} "Ah, that you, \m{A}-kun?"
<2323>
// It was the boss' voice.
<2324>
// \{\m{B}} "It's quite early right now. What's wrong?"
<2325>
// \{Boss} "It's raining real hard today, so we're taking the day off."
<2326>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh? Is that so?"
<2327>
// \{Boss} "Yeah. When I heard from Yoshino, I thought I might not have told you, so I decided to give you call. Seems you didn't know."
<2328>
// \{\m{B}} "Huh."
<2329>
// \{Boss} "If I hear that it's going to stop raining tomorrow, then we'll work then. If it gets worse, then we'll decide."
<2330>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay, I understand. See you again soon."
<2331>
// \{Boss} "Okay, see you soon."
<2332>
// I put down the receiver. I heard the sound of the rain outside.
<2333>
// \{Nagisa} "How did it go, \m{B}-kun?"
<2334>
// Nagisa awoke, sitting up in her futon.
<2335>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, looks like I'm taking a break."
<2336>
// \{Nagisa} "That's... too bad."
<2337>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah. But you still have school. So get some rest until then."
<2338>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay, I will."
<2339>
// We cover ourselves with the futon and again lie down.
<2340>
// .........
<2341>
// ......
<2342>
// ...
<2343>
// I wake up. Outside was dark, so I couldn't really tell the time.
<2344>
// I take a look at the time. It's already eleven.
<2345>
// \{\m{B}} "Nagisa!"
<2346>
// Jumping up, and immediately pulling over the futon beside me, Nagisa wasn't there.
<2347>
// Looks like she awoke on her own and left.
<2348>
// \{\m{B}} (I guess... she's always like that...)
<2349>
// I find a note by her bedside.
<2350>
// "To \m{B}-kun. I've prepared breakfast for you. Unfortunately I haven't prepared anything for lunch, so try to make do. I'll be heading off."
<2351>
// Though it's already close to noon, so I began preparing to take breakfast.
<2352>
// \{\m{B}} (Well, now...)
<2353>
// After cleaning up, I thought to myself.
<2354>
// What should I do right now?
<2355>
// To begin with, I didn't really have any hobbies. 
<2356>
// I haven't seen any movies, nor do I listen to music. If there was sports, I didn't have a ride. 
<2357>
// Thinking really hard...
<2358>
// \{\m{B}} (... I'm such a boring guy, aren't I?)
<2359>
// But well, there is a girl that loves this kind of guy...
<2360>
// Though it should be fine for me to find some hobby, today just happened to be personal time.
<2361>
// But because it'll end pretty soon, even if I did come up with a hobby, I shouldn't be continuing it.
<2362>
// \{\m{B}} (In that case, what should I be doing today...?)
<2363>
// Well now, what should get me started?
<2364>
// Watch TV
<2365>
// Fish through the drawers
<2366>
// I turn on the TV.
<2367>
// Even if I flip through the channels, there didn't seem to be any interesting programs.
<2368>
// \{\m{B}} (That's what this time's like, huh...)
<2369>
// A fitness woman appeared on the screen. 
<2370>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<2371>
// I decide to try the same position she's making.
<2372>
// "One, two, three, four."
<2373>
// \{\m{B}} "One, two, three, four."
<2374>
// "This will relieve menstrual pain."
<2375>
// \{\m{B}} "Oh really?"
<2376>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, what the hell am I doing---?!"
<2377>
// My body felt in pain all over.
<2378>
// Nagisa won't be coming back until three.
<2379>
// And I'm all alone in the room.
<2380>
// That's right, this situation is... where I can do whatever the hell I want...
<2381>
// I reach out my hand to pull out the drawer.
<2382>
// And there was Nagisa's...
<2383>
// \{\m{B}} "Why the hell am I so damn lucky---?!"
<2384>
// I pull the entire thing out, and it rolls over.
<2385>
// Thud... roll, roll, roll!\shake{3}
<2386>
// The stuff I pulled falls out, coming on top of my head.
<2387>
// \{\m{B}} (Oh crap--!)
<2388>
// I quickly stuff everything back in.
<2389>
// I clean everything up so it's the way it was before.
<2390>
// \{\m{B}} "Pant... pant..."
<2391>
// \{\m{B}} (I'm an idiot...)
<2392>
// \{\m{B}} "Sigh..."
<2393>
// I could never think wasting time like this own my own could be this painful.
<2394>
// Being bored doing nothing, even if I did do something, being in a miserable situation all alone was not something I could put up with.
<2395>
// \{\m{B}} (Nagisa...)
<2396>
// Thinking about it, I guess we could do whatever when we were together.
<2397>
// \{\m{B}} (Hurry and come back...)
<2398>
// \{\m{B}} (And then let's go and buy stuff...)
<2399>
// I stood in the falling rain, holding an umbrella.
<2400>
// The ends of my trousers were a little wet.
<2401>
// .........
<2402>
// ......
<2403>
// ...
<2404>
// I catch a glimpse of students coming home.
<2405>
// One by one, they pass in front of me.
<2406>
// I found the third-year emblem attached on them.
<2407>
// \{\m{B}} (Oh, they're Nagisa's classmates...?)
<2408>
// Our eyes meet, and then they frankly turn away.
<2409>
// \{Voice} "\m{B}-kun!"
<2410>
// The voice I've waited for.
<2411>
// Nagisa trots down the hill.
<2412>
// \{\m{B}} "That's dangerous."
<2413>
// \{Nagisa} "You surprised me, \m{B}-kun. Did you come to meet me?"
<2414>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, I came since it's nearby."
<2415>
// \{Nagisa} "Nearby... were you taking a stroll in this kind of rain?"
<2416>
// \{\m{B}} "Y-yeah. That's right. A stroll." 
<2417>
// \{Nagisa} "That's really surprising."
<2418>
// \{Nagisa} "But I'm happy."
<2419>
// The students passing by looked at us with curiosity.
<2420>
// Isn't that obvious with this pairing?
<2421>
// \{\m{B}} "Let's go, Nagisa."
<2422>
// We quickly left, as I thought that another bad rumor might start up with her.
<2423>
// We came back home for a bit, and after Nagisa changed out of her clothes, we went to the grocery store.
<2424>
// Nagisa brought the goods to the basket I was holding.
<2425>
// While talking about things that happened today.
<2426>
// That alone was more enjoyable than watching television or playing games.
<2427>
// May 13 (Thursday)
<2428>
// The next day was clear. It was business as usual.
<2429>
// \{Boss} "... with that said, try not to get into any accidents."
<2430>
// \{Boss} "Let's also work hard all day today."
<2431>
// After our pep talk, each one of us went to our respective places.
<2432>
// Yoshino-san and I got on the light truck.
<2433>
// \{Yoshino} "... I'm hungry."
<2434>
// Yoshino-san murmured, as if pouting.
<2435>
// It was because we hadn't finished the work in the morning, and continued without taking lunch. It's already two-o'clock in the afternoon.
<2436>
// The reason was that the road was rough, holding us up. Though my poor performance also had something to do with it.
<2437>
// In times like this, you can't really make up any excuses.
<2438>
// I remained silent, tackling the work.
<2439>
// \{Yoshino} "\m{A}, how many more do we have left?"
<2440>
// Yoshino-san asked me that when cleaning up as work was done.
<2441>
// \{\m{B}} "Umm... five."
<2442>
// I stared at the checklist, saying that. Recently I've ended up holding it.
<2443>
// Though it'd be normal for Yoshino-san to check.
<2444>
// \{Yoshino} "Four o'clock... this ain't gonna end..."
<2445>
// \{Yoshino} "The propane man won't make it to the last new building until at least 6, so we're not done until then."
<2446>
// \{\m{B}} "What'll we do?"
<2447>
// \{Yoshino} "It's obvious. We're gonna go overtime and change things around. Let's go on inside the new building."
<2448>
// \{\m{B}} "The place's in the opposite direction. I think we'll end up taking a detour..."
<2449>
// \{Yoshino} "That can't be helped."
<2450>
// \{\m{B}} "Huh."
<2451>
// Yoshino-san pulled something out of the pocket from his waist.
<2452>
// It was a cellphone.
<2453>
// If I were a fully working adult, would I already have one?
<2454>
// \{Yoshino} "I've told the boss, so let's go. We'll go to the last new building, and go from there."
<2455>
// Finishing the call, he told me that.
<2456>
// \{\m{B}} "Umm, how late do you think it'll be before we finish?"
<2457>
// \{Yoshino} "Maybe nine or ten o'clock? It's not easy to tell when it'll end."
<2458>
// I felt a little bit pressured.
<2459>
// There's also tomorrow. He's probably thinking that he'd like to come home early, if possible.
<2460>
// \{Yoshino} "Oh well... \m{A}, have a look at the next area."
<2461>
// \{\m{B}} "Huh?"
<2462>
// \{Yoshino} "Don't do anything. Just leave all of the materials and tools there."
<2463>
// \{\m{B}} "... huh."
<2464>
// It was a drag in the end.
<2465>
// Whatever. I'll just do the best I can.
<2466>
// The day had already come to a close.
<2467>
// Looking at the time, it was already past eight.
<2468>
// At this time, I felt like doing nothing.
<2469>
// All I did was follow Yoshino-san's orders, bringing the tools, transporting the materials, and organizing the parts.
<2470>
// But with the fact that the remaining five places had almost taken up half an hour to finish... did this have much of an effect?
<2471>
// \{\m{B}} "We're done."
<2472>
// \{Yoshino} "Yeah."
<2473>
// It was already past nine when we headed back to the company.
<2474>
// \{Yoshino} "Sorry for keeping you up this late. I'll give you a ride."
<2475>
// When I changed out of my clothes, Yoshino-san was waiting for me.
<2476>
// \{\m{B}} "It's fine. I can walk home."
<2477>
// \{Yoshino} "Idiot, don't hold yourself back."
<2478>
// I was foricbly pulled into the truck.
<2479>
// \{\m{B}} "... I'm sorry."
<2480>
// \{Yoshino} "What are you apologizing about?"
<2481>
// \{\m{B}} "That I wasn't of any use today."
<2482>
// \{Yoshino} "This isn't the first time you weren't able to do anything. Don't worry about it."
<2483>
// Though Yoshino-san said so, my self-hatred didn't disappear.
<2484>
// Even during dinner, I was looking back at today's work.
<2485>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, are you listening?"
<2486>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh? Yeah, I am."
<2487>
// \{Nagisa} "Then tell me what I was talking about just now."
<2488>
// \{\m{B}} "Y-yeah, sure. Umm..."
<2489>
// What'd she say next Sunday was gonna be...?
<2490>
// I'm sure next Sunday's...
<2491>
// School Foundation Day 
<2492>
// Cow Chasing Festival 
<2493>
// Naked Apron Day 
<2494>
// \{\m{B}} "School Foundation Day."
<2495>
// \{Nagisa} "It's like that every year. Though I did say it was different this year."
<2496>
// This year is... oh yeah.
<2497>
// Mock examinations 
<2498>
// Cow Chasing Festival 
<2499>
// Naked Apron Day 
<2500>
// \{\m{B}} "Mock examinations."
<2501>
// \{Nagisa} "That's right. You listened well, \m{B}-kun."
<2502>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah. I heard everything you said in your sleep."
<2503>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh...? Did I say that in my sleep?"
<2504>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah. You went, '\m{B}-kun, you're so cool. I love you so much, it's troubling'."
<2505>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh...?"
<2506>
// \{Nagisa} "Really...? That's very embarrassing..."
<2507>
// Even though I meant it as a joke... did she really see such a dream...?"
<2508>
// \{Nagisa} "I'll try to be careful, so that I don't talk in my sleep."
<2509>
// \{\m{B}} "Even if you try, I don't think that's possible."
<2510>
// \{Nagisa} "I don't want you to hear me talking in my sleep..."
<2511>
// \{\m{B}} "Err, well, sleeptalking's jus tlike that."
<2512>
// \{\m{B}} "So, what about these mock exams?"
<2513>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh, mock exams?!"
<2514>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, the timing on your surprise is strange."
<2515>
// \{\m{B}} "Then, you'll be going to school on Sunday?"
<2516>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, I'm sorry. We won't be together, \m{B}-kun."
<2517>
// \{\m{B}} "I see... well, it can't be helped."
<2518>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<2519>
// \{\m{B}} "Umm... then, you plan on going to university, Nagisa?"
<2520>
// \{\m{B}} "Cow Chasing Festival."
<2521>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh? What's that?"
<2522>
// \{\m{B}} "The cows are let loose downtown, and everyone goes chasing after them, like, 'Wahhhh----!'"
<2523>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, you didn't hear me at all, did you?"
<2524>
// \{Nagisa} "The school wouldn't ever do that."
<2525>
// \{\m{B}} "Y-yeah, I"m joking, hahaha..."
<2526>
// \{Nagisa} "Was it a joke? I didn't notice."
<2527>
// \{Nagisa} "Then tell me what I was really talking about."
<2528>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh...?"
<2529>
// Mock examinations 
<2530>
// Dango Chasing Festival 
<2531>
// Naked Apron Day 
<2532>
// \{\m{B}} "The Dango Chasing Festival."
<2533>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh? What might that be?"
<2534>
// \{\m{B}} "The dango are let loose downtown, and everyone goes chasing after them, like, 'Wahhhh----!'"
<2535>
// \{Nagisa} "You mustn't do something like that!"
<2536>
// \{Nagisa} "The dango are weak at running, so they'll be immediately caught!"
<2537>
// \{\m{B}} "Actually, I'm surprised they walk with that body..."
<2538>
// \{Nagisa} "Of course they can!"
<2539>
// \{Nagisa} "Actually, they fly so that they can walk."
<2540>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, I don't really care about some small creation like that..."
<2541>
// \{Nagisa} "Not caring about it is bad!"
<2542>
// \{Nagisa} "That's the one thing that brings the Big Dango Family their charm!"
<2543>
// \{Nagisa} "There's a big difference between knowing and not knowing that!"
<2544>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm sure you're saying that as if teasing the dango all the time, because you haven't seen them walk!"
<2545>
// \{\m{B}} "Err, well, I'll just leave alone whether their way of walking is cute..."
<2546>
// \{Nagisa} "Don't leave it alone, it is cute!"
<2547>
// \{\m{B}} "Y-yeah, it's cute. I'm sure it's cute. Yup."
<2548>
// Why is it that she gets angry about the dango...?
<2549>
// \{\m{B}} "Naked Apron Day."
<2550>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh? What might that be?"
<2551>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, it'd be a day where you're naked, except for the apron, making meals and stuff."
<2552>
// \{Nagisa} "There's no such day!"
<2553>
// \{Nagisa} "A girl making meals like that would be very weird!"
<2554>
// \{\m{B}} "Err, well, you could call it a man's romance."
<2555>
// \{Nagisa} "Do you like such weird girls, \m{B}-kun?!"
<2556>
// \{Nagisa} "My bottom would be completely visible!"
<2557>
// \{\m{B}} "Just saying it might not be bad or..."
<2558>
// \{Nagisa} "You're very strange, \m{B}-kun!"
<2559>
// \{\m{B}} "So, what was it you were talking about again?"
<2560>
// \{Nagisa} "You really didn't hear at all, did you?"
<2561>
// \{Nagisa} "You didn't hear at all, \m{B}-kun."
<2562>
// \{Nagisa} "You didn't hear me while I was talking, \m{B}-kun."
<2563>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, sorry. Seriously, I was kinda spacing out. Thinking about my work and stuff."
<2564>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, about your work...?"
<2565>
// \{Nagisa} "That's important."
<2566>
// \{Nagisa} "I got angry for a little bit, I'm sorry."
<2567>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, it's fine..."
<2568>
// I was also really terrible there.
<2569>
// \{Nagisa} "Well then, I'll say it one more time."
<2570>
// \{Nagisa} "Next Sunday will be mock examinations at the school."
<2571>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh...? Then you'll be going to school next Sunday?"
<2572>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, I'm sorry. We won't be together, \m{B}-kun."
<2573>
// \{\m{B}} "I see... well, it can't be helped."
<2574>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<2575>
// .........
<2576>
// Mock examinations...?
<2577>
// \{\m{B}} "Umm... then, you plan on going to university, Nagisa?"
<2578>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, well..."
<2579>
// \{Nagisa} "Not that I'm planning on going to university or anything..."
<2580>
// \{\m{B}} "But mock examinations are supposed to bring up your own marks well enough for the first school you picked, right?"
<2581>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, that's right."
<2582>
// \{Nagisa} "But, all I'm doing is..."
<2583>
// \{Nagisa} "Taking it with everyone, because everyone else is taking it."
<2584>
// \{\m{B}} "I, see..."
<2585>
// Considering Nagisa's personality, it was simple to understand that.
<2586>
// She wasn't one that wouldn't do something that everyone else at school wasn't.
<2587>
// \{\m{B}} "I see... then, do your best."
<2588>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<2589>
// \{Nagisa} "But, what about you, \m{B}-kun...?"
<2590>
// \{\m{B}} "I'll be fine."
<2591>
// I couldn't just let her be worried.
<2592>
// \{\m{B}} "I'll figure out how to kill time."
<2593>
// \{\m{B}} "It should be okay if we go bother your parents' place afterward."
<2594>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes."
<2595>
// May 14 (Friday)
<2596>
// The usual time when the work for the day was already done.
<2597>
// \{Yoshino} "Huh?"
<2598>
// Yoshino-san gave a surprised voice, talking to the cellphone.
<2599>
// Though this is the first time we had a call during work like this, this is also the first time I've seen him with such a face.
<2600>
// \{Yoshino} "... okay, I understand. Then we'll finish here and head up."
<2601>
// \{\m{B}} "What happened?"
<2602>
// \{Yoshino} "We've got an emergency job. The boss was on his way to swap some indoor equipment, and the vehicle got into an accident."
<2603>
// \{Yoshino} "Though he's okay, he's broken his leg. The only one who can deal with it is me."
<2604>
// \{\m{B}} "If you're fine with it, I can come as well."
<2605>
// \{Yoshino} "You go home."
<2606>
// \{\m{B}} "But it feels awkward letting you be the only one working overtime."
<2607>
// And then the ring tone echoed.
<2608>
// \{Yoshino} "Yes, it's Yoshino...\wait{1500}...\wait{1500}...\wait{1500} I'll pass it over to him."
<2609>
// Yoshino-san was silent, handing me the cellphone.
<2610>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes, this is \m{A}."
<2611>
// \{Boss} "Good work."
<2612>
// It was the boss.
<2613>
// \{Boss} "I'm sorry for suddenly bringing this up, but could you go with Yoshino tonight, \m{A}-kun?"
<2614>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh?"
<2615>
// \{Boss} "It's impossible for one person to deal with installing the indoor equipment. They can't carry it up to the ceiling, see."
<2616>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay, I understand. I'll come."
<2617>
// \{Boss} "Hearing that relieves me. Okay, pass it over to Yoshino."
<2618>
// We returned to the company and got onto the vehicle.
<2619>
// Instead of a light truck, it was a big minivan.
<2620>
// \{\m{B}} "What's with this ridiculously big cardboard box?"
<2621>
// \{Yoshino} "That's the indoor equipment."
<2622>
// \{\m{B}} "Umm, what's this indoor equipment?"
<2623>
// \{Yoshino} "... an air conditioner for business use. You've at least seen them in stores, right?"
<2624>
// Why didn't he tell me that from the beginning?
<2625>
// \{Yoshino} "It's hung from the ceiling via a pipe, so it has to be supported by two people."
<2626>
// \{\m{B}} "I suppose. Both of us have to carry it at the same time."
<2627>
// \{Yoshino} "We'll take up a lot of time. You sure you don't want to head back?"
<2628>
// \{\m{B}} "No, I'm fine."
<2629>
// Having to deal with this, I wonder if Nagisa's waiting, making dinner?
<2630>
// Yoshino-san ran for a bit, and then passed over the cellphone.
<2631>
// \{Yoshino} "You should at least call your girlfriend. Don't make her worry. You also wanted to work overtime yesterday, didn't you?"
<2632>
// \{\m{B}} "... t-thank you very much."
<2633>
// Gah, I dunno how to use this...
<2634>
// \{Yoshino} "Dial the digits, then press the Call button."
<2635>
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, okay..."
<2636>
// I do as he tells me.
<2637>
// Bringing it to my ear, I hear the ringing sound.
<2638>
// Then it paused, and after a moment of silence, I heard Nagisa's voice. 
<2639>
// \{\m{B}} "Nagisa? It's me."
<2640>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun? What's wrong?"
<2641>
// \{\m{B}} "Umm... it looks like I'm going to be working overtime..."
<2642>
// \{\m{B}} "So could you eat dinner on your own? Sorry."
<2643>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay, I understand."
<2644>
// A reasonably good answer.
<2645>
// Nagisa may be stubborn, but she's by no means selfish.
<2646>
// \{\m{B}} "Later."
<2647>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay. Good luck with your job!"
<2648>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<2649>
// \{\m{B}} "Umm... I can turn it off with this button, right...?"
<2650>
// I push this red button, and end the call.
<2651>
// \{\m{B}} "Thank you very much."
<2652>
// \{Yoshino} "Yeah."
<2653>
// .........
<2654>
// \{Yoshino} "Replacing the indoor equipemnt isn't that difficult."
<2655>
// \{Yoshino}"Just that a lot of dust's built up in this old thing, so be careful not to let it fall on you."
<2656>
// \{Yoshino} "You should cover it up with a sheet."
<2657>
// Yoshino-san gave me the tools he had, and explained how to use them one by one.
<2658>
// The two of us pulled the heavy equipment out, and put it into new mountings.
<2659>
// Gah, it appears that strength over there is a problem. Yoshino-san began taking off the ceiling.
<2660>
// \{Yoshino} "\m{A}, have a look."
<2661>
// I grab a foothold, and peep into the black opening above the ceiling.
<2662>
// Doesn't seem like I've seen it, or rather, I was looking at a different world.
<2663>
// Long and thin metal pieces were supporting the ceiling mortar, with cords stretching across in parallel.
<2664>
// The dust that had collected up over the years shone brightly, glittering in the flashlight.
<2665>
// \{Yoshino} "Didn't expect the ceiling construction would be brittle."
<2666>
// \{Yoshino} "Since it'll be hanging from the supports, we definitely have to use them for the cabling."
<2667>
// \{Yoshino} "Same with the air conditioner. If we distribute the strength of the supports, then there shouldn't be a problem."
<2668>
// \{Yoshino} "Just look, you don't have to work. You'll definitely be useful if you do."
<2669>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay, I understand."
<2670>
// And then Yoshino-san returned to his work.
<2671>
// May 15 (Saturday)
<2672>
// \{Yoshino} "\m{A}, here."
<2673>
// Yoshino-san handed me a small blackboard.
<2674>
// Written on it was the name of the construction site, as well as an explanation of the switchboard we dealt with.
<2675>
// \{Yoshino} "Stand and hold that."
<2676>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay."
<2677>
// I said as such.
<2678>
// \{\m{B}} "What is this?"
<2679>
// \{Yoshino} "We have to take a picture for the construction site ledger."
<2680>
// \{\m{B}} "Ledger? What kind of thing is that?"
<2681>
// \{Yoshino} "... ask the boss about the difficult stuff."
<2682>
// Yoshino-san made me do a lot of things, taking photos all the while.
<2683>
// \{Yoshino} "You look pretty good there, so don't move for a while."
<2684>
// \{\m{B}} "Is this actually any good?"
<2685>
// \{Yoshino} "It doesn't matter."
<2686>
// \{\m{B}} "Is this really okay? I could do something completely different."
<2687>
// \{Yoshino} "You're noisy. Just look like that and you'll be fine."
<2688>
// Yoshino-san said in a rough voice. It's better I don't say anything more.
<2689>
// Finishing the work, I got onto the passenger seat.
<2690>
// Beside me, Yoshino-san was enthusastic with something on the camera he was looking at.
<2691>
// Looking over, there was a small monitor on the camera, as well as the picture he took today.
<2692>
// \{\m{B}} "Is that a digital camera?"
<2693>
// \{Yoshino} "Yeah. What, this your first time with this too?"
<2694>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes."
<2695>
// \{Yoshino} "Here."
<2696>
// He handed it over.
<2697>
// \{Yoshino} "If you push this, you can take a look at the pictures taken today."
<2698>
// I did as he said, operating it.
<2699>
// On the LCD was the blackboard.
<2700>
// \{\m{B}} "You can't use normal cameras anymore?"
<2701>
// \{Yoshino} "We could use disposable ones. But digital cameras are cheaper."
<2702>
// \{\m{B}} "Really?"
<2703>
// Though I was surprised, on the other hand I had a whiff of loneliness.
<2704>
// Same for what I was holding.
<2705>
// I never had a scene during my school days where this was being used.
<2706>
// Things I didn't know about spread round, and then, the scenery outside me changed.
<2707>
// \{Yoshino} "Hey, what's wrong?"
<2708>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh?"
<2709>
// \{Yoshino} "Thinking about something?"
<2710>
// I was indulged in my thoughts for a period of time.
<2711>
// \{\m{B}} "No..."
<2712>
// But, since this also helps my own work, it shouldn't have meant anything bad.
<2713>
// \{\m{B}} "So, what'll we do with this photo?"
<2714>
// I asked that, trying to be as cheerful as I could.
<2715>
// \{Yoshino} "Take it to our contractor."
<2716>
// \{\m{B}} "And then?"
<2717>
// \{Yoshino} "I dunno. Maybe we'll keep it."
<2718>
// \{\m{B}} "Yoshino-san"
<2719>
// \{Yoshino} "What is it?"
<2720>
// Flash.
<2721>
// I turned toward Yoshino-san, taking a shot.
<2722>
// The immediate flash went on its own. I wonder if it was dark?
<2723>
// \{\m{B}} "... ah, Yoshino-san, you were surprised."
<2724>
// I pick out the splendid photo of Yoshino-san's surprised face.
<2725>
// \{Yoshino} "... hey."
<2726>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm sorry, I thought I might try to surprise you or something."
<2727>
// \{Yoshino} "Well, it's fine."
<2728>
// Yoshino-san suddenly pulled the camera away.
<2729>
// \{Yoshino} "So, what embarrassing picture shall I take?"
<2730>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh?"
<2731>
// \{Yoshino} "You took a picture of me on your own. So I'll also take a picture of you too. Got a problem?"
<2732>
// I had a bad feeling.
<2733>
// \{Yoshino} "Well?"
<2734>
// \{\m{B}} "... n-no, no problem."
<2735>
// \{Nagisa} "So, what kind of picture did he take?"
<2736>
// \{\m{B}} "Low jeans."
<2737>
// \{Nagisa} "Low jeans... what do you mean by that?"
<2738>
// \{\m{B}} "Like wearing my jeans halfway."
<2739>
// \{Nagisa} "He took a picture of your bottom?!"
<2740>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah. I said that it was okay for him to take with it half down..."
<2741>
// \{\m{B}} "If he'll go with it half-down, even if I told him being naked was better, he wouldn't listen." 
<2742>
// \{\m{B}} "And then, he said he'd take my face normally."
<2743>
// \{\m{B}} "I also had the urge to stay like that, going to the next site."
<2744>
// \{Nagisa} "Really? That's strange."
<2745>
// Nagisa was laughing while she was listening to my story.
<2746>
// And that smile of hers made me laugh.
<2747>
// The two of us laughed for quite a while.
<2748>
// May 16 (Sunday)
<2749>
// \{Nagisa} "Well then, I'll be going."
<2750>
// Today was the day of the exams.
<2751>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, take care."
<2752>
// I was usually the one who was seen off, but instead I saw her off.
<2753>
// And again, the time where I was all alone began.
<2754>
// Well, there's stuff I have to do soon.
<2755>
// Today's good weather, so I'll dry the futon, and bring clothes to the coin laundry.
<2756>
// Seems that'll finish the morning.
<2757>
// I dried the futon and did the laundry.
<2758>
// With nothing to do, I stared at the television.
<2759>
// \{\m{B}} (Even though Nagisa's working hard with the exams, what the hell am I doing...?)
<2760>
// \{\m{B}} (Well, is it fine just working hard on the weekdays...?)
<2761>
// The short news program ended, followed by a cooking recipe show.
<2762>
// It was about simple Chinese-styled fried rice.
<2763>
// \{\m{B}} (If it's that much, I could probably handle it...)
<2764>
// When I noticed, it was already noon. I remembered the way to make it.
<2765>
// And then gave it a shot.
<2766>
// Though it wasn't really all that perfect, it was so simple it was disappointing.
<2767>
// Though I simply added the "simple" connotation to it.
<2768>
// Giving it at a try, it tasted pretty good.
<2769>
// \{\m{B}} (I guess I could do with this on my time alone.)
<2770>
// Putting down the plate...
<2771>
// Clatter.
<2772>
// The entrance opened.
<2773>
// \{Akio} "Yo."
<2774>
// ... it was pops.
<2775>
// \{Akio} "Oh, what? You made food?"
<2776>
// \{Akio} "Hah! You kinda look so pathetic, like a guy who ran away from his bride."
<2777>
// He came in as he pleased.
<2778>
// \{Akio} "You made that on your own?"
<2779>
// \{Akio} "Lemme see how it is."
<2780>
// \{Akio} "Hmm..."
<2781>
// \{Akio} "Not enough pepper."
<2782>
// \{Akio} "Shake it here and there."
<2783>
// \{Akio} "Hmm... like this. This bitter flavor. That's a \bman\u's fried rice."
<2784>
// \{Akio} "Come on, hurry and eat."
<2785>
// \{Akio} "Eat, and then we'll go out and play."
<2786>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<2787>
// \{\m{B}} "... eh?"
<2788>
// \{Akio} "What's with that face, as if you've eaten a fish that's been killed by a peashooter?"
<2789>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm sure that facial expression wouldn't change at all."
<2790>
// \{Akio} "It means, 'What's with that frightened face of yours'! You under a rock?"
<2791>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, playing... with me?"
<2792>
// \{Akio} "Yeah. Didn't you say something about having free time all alone? That's why I came to invite you, didn't I?"
<2793>
// \{\m{B}} "Oh... Nagisa said that...?"
<2794>
// \{Akio} "Not like I'm being asked to or anything. It's just that I happen to be free today as well."
<2795>
// \{\m{B}} "Uh, aren't you always playing with the kids?"
<2796>
// \{Akio} "I'm also saying they aren't around today either!"
<2797>
// \{\m{B}} "Umm, it's going to get cold, so do you mind if we talk while eating?"
<2798>
// \{Akio} "Yeah, do whatever you want."
<2799>
// \{Akio} "... but this is a pretty filthry room, you know. You should have Nagisa in a much better room, idiot."
<2800>
// \{\m{B}} "I've got no money, so what can I do?"
<2801>
// \{\m{B}} "So, where exactly are we going to be playing?"
<2802>
// \{Akio} "We'll just decide that when we get there."
<2803>
// \{Akio} "Get it, brat...?"
<2804>
// \{Akio} "Just think of it as having fun, m'kay...?"
<2805>
// Those were words I couldn't understand well. One thing after another; was it a good or bad thing?
<2806>
// \{Akio} "So, what do you wanna do?"
<2807>
// \{\m{B}} "I don't like baseball. Since I'm doing physical labor, I don't want to be moving around on holidays."
<2808>
// \{Akio} "Another milk run, huh...?"
<2809>
// \{Akio} "Well, whatever. I'll respect that opinion of yours. Because..."
<2810>
// \{Akio} "... having fun means getting along."
<2811>
// I also couldn't tell whether or not that was good \bor\u bad.
<2812>
// \{Akio} "How about knock, door, run?"
<2813>
// That's not \brespectful\u at all!
<2814>
// \{\m{B}} "What's so fun about that...?"
<2815>
// \{Akio} "Doesn't make your heart run wild and fast?"
<2816>
// \{\m{B}} "Don't!"
<2817>
// \{Akio} "Tch, depressing guy..."
<2818>
// \{Akio} "Then, let's see... since we're all grown-up adults here..."
<2819>
// \{Akio} "Let's go do something perverted, then!"
<2820>
// \{\m{B}} "Pff!"
<2821>
// I spat out the fried rice by accident. 
<2822>
// \{\m{B}} "Something fun that's perverted? Exactly what...?"
<2823>
// \{Akio} "Like, let's see..."
<2824>
// \{Akio} "Put a toy bear in Sanae's back."
<2825>
// \{Akio} "Doing that, her clothes might come off by accident."
<2826>
// \{\m{B}} (.........)
<2827>
// \{\m{B}} (... might be good...)
<2828>
// \{\m{B}} "HEY, WHAT THE HELL AM I THINKING---?!"
<2829>
// \{Akio} "That was \bmy\u idea, you know."
<2830>
// \{\m{B}} "No, that's not what I meant."
<2831>
// \{Akio} "So what, you don't like that either?"
<2832>
// I guess its' fine.
<2833>
// Forget it
<2834>
// If pops is around, I could blame anything on him.
<2835>
// \{\m{B}} "I guess it's fine."
<2836>
// That's why I answered as such, not thinking deeply about it.
<2837>
// \{\m{B}} "Obviously not!"
<2838>
// \{Akio} "I see, that's too bad..."
<2839>
// \{Akio} "Then, we could try Nagisa."
<2840>
// \{\m{B}} "Try what?"
<2841>
// \{Akio} "Put a bear in her back."
<2842>
// \{\m{B}} "Why?"
<2843>
// \{Akio} "Because you were against it with Sanae, right?"
<2844>
// \{Akio} "In that case, we have to do that with Nagisa."
<2845>
// \{Akio} "Or do you want to do this with some passerby or something?"
<2846>
// \{\m{B}} "Uh... doing that with some random passerby is bad... worst-case the police'll..."
<2847>
// \{Akio} "See? That's why Nagisa."
<2848>
// \{\m{B}} "I also don't want that!"
<2849>
// \{Akio} "You don't want this, you don't want that... what the hell, man?!"
<2850>
// \{Akio} "You don't want to see Nagisa screaming 'Noooo---!' with her clothes coming off?!"
<2851>
// \{\m{B}} "Like I'd do something as offensive as that!"
<2852>
// \{Akio} "Well... I see... she's your girlfriend, after all..."
<2853>
// She's also \byour\u daughter.
<2854>
// \{Akio} "I guess we'll have to do this with Sanae."
<2855>
// You'd do that to your own wife, wouldn't you...?
<2856>
// \{Akio} "Okay, well, first, we gotta get us a toy. Come on!"
<2857>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm still washing clothes!"
<2858>
// \{Akio} "Do that later, okay? Later!"
<2859>
// \{\m{B}} "Actually, I said I was against this, didn't I?!"
<2860>
// He dragged me out of the room.
<2861>
// \{Akio} "This is her favorite toy shop."
<2862>
// \{\m{B}} "Favorite...?"
<2863>
// \{Akio} "Yo."
<2864>
// Pops went first into the store.
<2865>
// \{Voice} "There!"
<2866>
// Something fell with the sound of a voice.
<2867>
// \{Akio} "Weak..."
<2868>
// There was the figure of a middle-aged man holding a white pole, crouched where pops had jumped to.
<2869>
// \{Mysterious Man} "Hah!"
<2870>
// And the pole swung past him again.
<2871>
// Pops jumped up.
<2872>
// \{Mysterious Man} "Hah! \wait{1000}Hah! \wait{1000}Hah!"
<2873>
// \{Akio} "Hmph, \wait{1000}hmph, \wait{1000}hmph!"
<2874>
// And pops barely managed to dodge each of his attacks, one by one.
<2875>
// And then...
<2876>
// \{Mysterious Man} "Hah!"
<2877>
// Thud!\shake{1}
<2878>
// \{\m{B}} "Ow!"
<2879>
// I got hit, becuase pops suddenly disappeared in front of me.
<2880>
// \{Mysterious Man} "What... the guy you took along's stupid, huh?"
<2881>
// \{Akio} "Sorry, but he's an amateur. Don't worry about him."
<2882>
// \{Mysterious Man} "Heh... you should be glad this wasn't a real beam saber."
<2883>
// \{Akio} "Haha, like a real beam saber exists in this world." 
<2884>
// \{Mysterious Man} "Heheh... I guess."
<2885>
// \{Mysterious Man} "Welcome!"
<2886>
// \{Mysterious Man} "Look as much as you want!"
<2887>
// ... what kind of clerk is he?
<2888>
// \{Akio} "Hey brat. You look real pale there. Look, heheh!"
<2889>
// Pops immediately grabbed a toy bear with a smile on his face.
<2890>
// \{Akio} "Though this is the plan..."
<2891>
// \{Akio} "One of us has to find a big bear. The other has to put it in Sanae's back."
<2892>
// \{Akio} "Which do you wanna do?"
<2893>
// \{\m{B}} "I don't care whatever, you do it all yourself. I said I didn't want to do this."
<2894>
// \{Akio} "Hmph..."
<2895>
// \{Akio} "You've already become an accomplice coming with me to buy this, haven't you?"
<2896>
// \{Akio} "I guess I could do it myself."
<2897>
// Impossible, no way.
<2898>
// \{Akio} "Or what, you're that scared about this?"
<2899>
// \{Akio} "And you're gonna protect Nagisa with that courage of yours?"
<2900>
// \{\m{B}} "It's not being scared or anything."
<2901>
// I suddenly responded like that, hearing Nagisa's name.
<2902>
// \{Akio} "Then, you do it."
<2903>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm putting it in?!"
<2904>
// \{Akio} "Then, let's decide with rock, paper, scissors to make this fair."
<2905>
// \{\m{B}} "O-okay..."
<2906>
// \{\m{B}} "There'll be a problem if I put it in."
<2907>
// \{Akio} "Like hell there will."
<2908>
// And you're her \bhusband\u?
<2909>
// \{Akio} "Then let's decide with rock, paper, scissors."
<2910>
// \{Akio} "You've got no complaints if we do, right?"
<2911>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, not really but..."
<2912>
// \{Akio} "Or what, you're that scared about this?"
<2913>
// \{Akio} "And you're gonna protect Nagisa with that courage of yours?"
<2914>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay already... let's do this..."
<2915>
// \{Akio} "Hmph... if you're sure..."*
<2916>
// I'm not really in the mood to get into this, but I don't want him to say that I can't protect Nagisa from something like this.
<2917>
// And if I win, it'll be fine. If I win.
<2918>
// \{Akio} "Here we go... rock, paper, scissors!"
<2919>
// Pops was paper.
<2920>
// I was rock.
<2921>
// \{\m{B}} "... guahh!"
<2922>
// \{Akio} "Listen, don't you screw up. You do, and I'm taking Nagisa back!"
<2923>
// And you're her \bfather\u?
<2924>
// Still...
<2925>
// Is it okay for me to be putting something in Sanae's back...?
<2926>
// If she hates me over that...
<2927>
// And even more, if Nagisa finds out...
<2928>
// \{\m{B}} "Uwaahhh....!"
<2929>
// \{Akio} "What's with that face of yours?"
<2930>
// \{\m{B}} "This really is a bad idea...!"
<2931>
// \{Akio} "What are you so worried about? You thinking that you'll be hated?"
<2932>
// \{\m{B}} "W-well..."
<2933>
// \{Akio} "I'm saying it's fine. She's not one to hate people."
<2934>
// \{Akio} "Especially you."
<2935>
// \{Akio} "Hey, since when did she consider you a special guy---?!?!"
<2936>
// \{\m{B}} "You were the one who said that!"
<2937>
// \{Akio} "Well, I'll let lit slip this time. You put it in."
<2938>
// This is already so ridiculous...
<2939>
// We were finally in front of Furukawa Bakery.
<2940>
// \{\m{B}} (I'm so damn tense...)
<2941>
// \{Akio} "Listen, I'm gonna call Sanae out."
<2942>
// \{Akio} "Then, I'll go, 'Woah! There's a super-big bear crawling around! Ah, it went over that way!'"
<2943>
// \{Akio} "Then, you'll take that, and stuff it in Sanae's back."
<2944>
// \{Akio} "And then, you'll go along with, 'Uwaah! It went inside your clothes!' You listening, man?"
<2945>
// \{\m{B}} "Y-yeah... I'm listening..."
<2946>
// Why did I end up in something like this...?
<2947>
// \{Akio} "If that happens, she'll practically go naked in broad daylight!"
<2948>
// \{Akio} "Oh man, this is exciting!"
<2949>
// \{\m{B}} "It really is..."
<2950>
// \{Akio} "Having fun's like this, you know."
<2951>
// \{Akio} "Come on, let's go."
<2952>
// Pops entered the store.
<2953>
// And immediately took Sanae-san out.
<2954>
// \{Sanae} "Good afternoon, \m{B}-san. You're alone today?"
<2955>
// \{Sanae} "Are you having fun with Akio-san right now?"
<2956>
// \{\m{B}} "Y-yeah..."
<2957>
// To me, that pure smile of hers is painful right now...
<2958>
// \{Akio} "Woah! There's a super-big bear crawling around!"
<2959>
// Oh boy, pops has started the gag...
<2960>
// \{Sanae} "Eh?!"
<2961>
// \{Akio} "Ah, it went over that way!"
<2962>
// \{Sanae} "Eh?! Where?!"
<2963>
// I stood behind her.
<2964>
// \{\m{B}} (I'm sorry, Sanae-san...)
<2965>
// The toy bear was held in one of my hands.
<2966>
// \{\m{B}} "Oh no, it's creeping into Sanae-san's back!"
<2967>
// Already having pulled Sanae-san's coat back...
<2968>
// I then throw the toy in.
<2969>
// Until I felt the warmth of Sanae-san's body.
<2970>
// And immediately pulled back.
<2971>
// \{\m{B}} "Uwaah... it went inside your clothes!"
<2972>
// \{Sanae} "Eh...?"
<2973>
// \{Sanae} "Ehh...?"
<2974>
// Puff. 
<2975>
// ... eh?
<2976>
// \{Sanae} "SOMEONE TAKE IT OUT-----!!"
<2977>
// She ran away like lightning.
<2978>
// \{Akio} "Oh crap, it's worse than expected!"
<2979>
// \{Akio} "Hey brat, if we don't stop her, this'll be bad! She'll run forever, crying in the streets!"
<2980>
// ... oh man...
<2981>
// ... I made her cry...
<2982>
// ... I made Sanae-san cry...
<2983>
// \{Akio} "Hey brat, you listening?!"
<2984>
// \{\m{B}} "Uh... ehh?"
<2985>
// \{Akio} "We'll take her on both sides. If we don't, she won't stop!"
<2986>
// \{Sanae} "Waaaaahhhh!!"
<2987>
// Sanae-san whooshed in the direction of the park.
<2988>
// \{Housewife} "Oh my... Sanae-san today's in such a hurry..."
<2989>
// A housewife from the neighboring house's garden looked over, saying that. 
<2990>
// \{Akio} "Come on, you go that way. I'll go chase her afterward. Okay?"
<2991>
// \{\m{B}} "Y-yeah..."
<2992>
// \{Akio} "Here we go!"
<2993>
// \{Akio} "AARGGHHH---!! SANAE----!! THAT WASN'T ME---!!"
<2994>
// Pops dashed off.
<2995>
// \{\m{B}} "Damn it..."
<2996>
// \{\m{B}} "I'M SORRY, SANAE-SAN-----!!"
<2997>
// I ran after her, yelling that.
<2998>
// That day, the three of us ran in the city until it became dark, carrying war cries with us.
<2999>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, the person that was with them was me..." 
<3000>
// \{Nagisa} "I was surprised."
<3001>
// \{Nagisa} "When I came back, mom was running in front of the apartment."
<3002>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, I really thought it was inexcusable."
<3003>
// The bear that I had put inside Sanae-san's clothing fell at the spot we ran from in the first place...
<3004>
// \{Nagisa} "Anyways, dad talked about it. I understand."
<3005>
// \{\m{B}} "Uh, well, I guess I also got on the wrong boat... or maybe I went too far with the prank..."
<3006>
// \{\m{B}} "Uh, well, I guess I also went too far with the prank..."
<3007>
// \{Nagisa} "But it seemed fun."
<3008>
// \{\m{B}} "Are you serious...?"
<3009>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes. The three of you looked like you were all playing."
<3010>
// Though I thought Sanae-san was desperate...
<3011>
// \{Nagisa} "You, mom, and dad all have such a good relationship."
<3012>
// \{\m{B}} "I guess..."
<3013>
// \{\m{B}} "Well... in the past, we didn't run together like this..."
<3014>
// \{Nagisa} "That's right. Up until now, there hasn't been anyone that's been running with them."
<3015>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm also weak at running, so I couldn't even do at least that."
<3016>
// \{Nagisa} "That said, I do feel that you've tightened bonds, \m{B}-kun."
<3017>
// \{\m{B}} "If Sanae-san doesn't hate me..."
<3018>
// \{Nagisa} "It's fine. She's not angry at you at all."
<3019>
// \{\m{B}} "I guess..."
<3020>
// Whew...
<3021>
// I'm more tired than I was during the weekdays...
<3022>
// \{\m{B}} "So, how did it go?"
<3023>
// \{Nagisa} "The exams? They went as always."
<3024>
// \{\m{B}} "Get good grades, okay?"
<3025>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<3026>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm, and..."
<3027>
// \{Nagisa} "Next Sunday's School Foundation Day."
<3028>
// \{\m{B}} "Oh, I see."
<3029>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes."
<3030>
// \{Nagisa} "I thought I'd like to have a lot of fun during School Foundation Day. This time there's a lot of guests."
<3031>
// \{Nagisa} "Many booths will be out, so I can go around eating different things."
<3032>
// \{Nagisa} "That's what I thought."
<3033>
// \{\m{B}} "That's good. Take it slow this year."
<3034>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<3035>
// \{Nagisa} "That said..."
<3036>
// \{Nagisa} "I'd like you to come as well, \m{B}-kun."
<3037>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh...?"
<3038>
// \{Nagisa} "Maybe not...?"
<3039>
// \{Nagisa} "You have work?"
<3040>
// \{\m{B}} "Uh, I don't think so..."
<3041>
// \{\m{B}} "Oh yeah... outsiders are allowed in, aren't they?"
<3042>
// \{Nagisa} "That's right."
<3043>
// \{Nagisa} "If things work out for you, I'd like for you to come on that day."
<3044>
// \{Nagisa} "And... I'd be really happy if you were beside me."
<3045>
// \{Nagisa} "I want to go with you to see the programs, as well as the festivities they're holding."
<3046>
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm, well, I think right now should be fine."
<3047>
// \{Nagisa} "Really?!"
<3048>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<3049>
// \{Nagisa} "Of course, I don't want to push you. If you could, that'd be nice..."
<3050>
// \{Nagisa} "But, I'd like for you to. Though I'm just being selfish..."
<3051>
// The way she's asking is contradictory.I could tell how eager Nagisa was wishing for this.
<3052>
// I also feel the same way.
<3053>
// I'm sure I'm not getting a second chance with this.
<3054>
// Going on a date at the school with Nagisa...
<3055>
// I'd also like for that to happen.
<3056>
// That should have been the scene I was wishing for before I graduated.
<3057>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, let's do that."
<3058>
// I returned an answer to her.
<3059>
// May 17 (Monday)
<3060>
// \{Boss} "\m{A}-kun, do you have a second?"
<3061>
// \{\m{B}} "What is it?"
<3062>
// After the pep talk, the boss called for me.
<3063>
// \{Boss} "We made a mistake with the place we're working on at noon. So, instead of leaving you to do nothing, could you sort this?"
<3064>
// He handed over a pile of vouchers. It was ten centimeters thick.
<3065>
// \{Boss} "You can sort by dates, okay?"
<3066>
// \{\m{B}} "Sure."
<3067>
// I collected the various, tied-up vouchers.
<3068>
// Looking at it, there were item stock numbers that I also knew nothing about.
<3069>
// \{\m{B}} "Umm, since it's in March..."
<3070>
// I neatly order them one by one.
<3071>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm done."
<3072>
// \{Boss} "Good work. Take some tea, and have a break."
<3073>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay, thank you very much."
<3074>
// As I stared at the giant teacup that was held in one hand, Yoshino-san came back.
<3075>
// \{\m{B}} "Welcome back."
<3076>
// \{Yoshino} "Yo."
<3077>
// Yoshino-san passed by, sitting in front of the desk.
<3078>
// \{\m{B}} "What is it?"
<3079>
// \{Yoshino} "You were doing sorting?"
<3080>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, the boss told me to."
<3081>
// \{Yoshino} "Amazing."
<3082>
// \{\m{B}} "Huh?"
<3083>
// \{Yoshino} "Uh, I meant the voucher sorting."
<3084>
// \{\m{B}} "It's just sorted by dates."
<3085>
// \{Yoshino} "That's impossible for me."
<3086>
// \{\m{B}} "Huh."
<3087>
// \{Yoshino} "I'd mess it up in five minutes."
<3088>
// \{\m{B}} "Really?"
<3089>
// I stopped short of saying that I'd have wanted to see that.
<3090>
// Work finished in the afternoon, and the truck headed in the direction of the office.
<3091>
// \{Yoshino} "After the week ends, it'll get busy."
<3092>
// \{\m{B}} "Really?"
<3093>
// \{Yoshino} "Because we got a new contract. It's a lot like the subcontract we have right now, but it's a lot bigger."
<3094>
// \{\m{B}} "Bigger... how much, do you think?"
<3095>
// \{Yoshino} "I'm not sure of the fine details, but it's valued at ten million yen."
<3096>
// \{Yoshino} "Even the boss is being more and more unreasonable, since that's his job."
<3097>
// \{Yoshino} "Someday, the boss'll also want to take on a big contract, and have the company grow."
<3098>
// \{\m{B}} "That'd be nice if it became so."
<3099>
// \{Yoshino} "It doesn't \bbecome\u so. We \bmake\u it so."
<3100>
// I nodded silently to Yoshino-san, as if I were muttering.
<3101>
// When I came back, Nagisa was in high spirits, singing some tune while making dinner.
<3102>
// \{Nagisa} "Dango, dango~"
<3103>
// \{\m{B}} "What, we have dango for dinner?"
<3104>
// \{Nagisa} "No, it's pork miso soup."
<3105>
// \{\m{B}} "Then sing 'Pork, pork~', okay?"
<3106>
// \{Nagisa} "There's no such song!"
<3107>
// \{\m{B}} "A parody's fine, isn't it? That's a convenient way for me to figure what's for dinner."
<3108>
// \{Nagisa} "Forget about it being convenient or anything. I just wanted to sing and have fun."
<3109>
// \{\m{B}} "What's so fun?"
<3110>
// \{Nagisa} "School Foundation Day..."
<3111>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah..."
<3112>
// I have to tell her about what I heard from Yoshino-san.
<3113>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Nagisa,"
<3114>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes?"
<3115>
// \{\m{B}} "It looks like after the week's over, things are going to get busy."
<3116>
// \{Nagisa} "Is that so...?"
<3117>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, that's what they said today."
<3118>
// \{\m{B}} "So if I weren't able to go..."
<3119>
// Have fun on your own...
<3120>
// I bite my tongue, just before I said it.
<3121>
// It isn't fun at all to be going round the booths on your own.
<3122>
// Will it end up that way if I go working on Sunday?
<3123>
// Will Nagisa go off on her own into the crowd, going round the booths, and seeing the performances...?
<3124>
// ... I don't want to imagine that at all.
<3125>
// It would have been better for her to take classes normally...
<3126>
// It would have been better for festivals not to end up like that.
<3127>
// Festivals shouldn't be so lonely, let alone going on your own.
<3128>
// \{\m{B}} "Just, if..."
<3129>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes?"
<3130>
// \{\m{B}} "If I don't come, call Sanae-san."
<3131>
// \{\m{B}} "She'll definitely come right over."
<3132>
// \{Nagisa} "Sure... I don't mind."
<3133>
// \{Nagisa} "Besides, we did decide to work hard this year..."
<3134>
// \{\m{B}} "But, that doesn't have anything to do with this."
<3135>
// \{Nagisa} "No, I really don't mind at all."
<3136>
// \{Nagisa} "I was just saying that I'd be happy if you could come, \m{B}-kun."
<3137>
// \{Nagisa} "That's all."
<3138>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<3139>
// \{\m{B}} "I see..."
<3140>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes."
<3141>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay."
<3142>
// I didn't say any more than that.
<3143>
// May 18 (Tuesday)
<3144>
// \{Old Lady} "Thanks so much for your help."
<3145>
// \{\m{B}} "Oh, not at all."
<3146>
// We came to do electrical work at a house.
<3147>
// Greeting the old lady, it was a bewildering task.
<3148>
// \{\m{B}} "We have work like this, don't we?"
<3149>
// \{Yoshino} "We don't often do this, but since it's related to our field, it works out."
<3150>
// \{\m{B}} "Huh, guess it's something you have to remember."
<3151>
// \{Yoshino} "It's all in the fundamentals, so if you get the hang of it, it's pretty simple."
<3152>
// \{\m{B}} "Roger that."
<3153>
// We worked in the attic during the afternoon.
<3154>
// We checked using a multimeter, and noticed the outlet to the second floor was out. There might be a break somewhere.
<3155>
// That said, the switchboard does have a breaker, so a fire won't start up.
<3156>
// Even so, we came to fix the breaker, as it was dropping out every so often.
<3157>
// \{Yoshino} "Was there any signal?"
<3158>
// \{\m{B}} "Nothing at all."
<3159>
// \{Yoshino} "Then, I'll go further in. I'll give a signal, so when that happens, lift the breaker and try again."
<3160>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay, I understand."
<3161>
// Yoshino-san disappeared inside.
<3162>
// Looking further above the ceiling, Yoshino-san switched his flashlight on and off twice.
<3163>
// The signal.
<3164>
// I check the current. Apparently, the resistance from before had disappeared.
<3165>
// \{\m{B}} "Looks okay."
<3166>
// \{Yoshino} "Okay, bring me thirty centimeters of cable. Cut off four centimeters from each end."
<3167>
// I did as he said, and handed it over.
<3168>
// \{Yoshino} "A mouse or something probably gnawed on it. That's the cause."
<3169>
// Yoshino-san showed the cable to the old lady, it looking as if an insect ate through it.
<3170>
// \{Yoshino} "It's been dealt with for the time being, so it should be fine."
<3171>
// \{Yoshino} "If anything happens, please call us."
<3172>
// Yoshino-san and I offer her a courteous expression, and move on to our next place. 
<3173>
// Finishing work, and changing clothes at the office...
<3174>
// \{Boss} "Hmm, we're quite parched..." 
<3175>
// \{Yoshino} "You going to bring in a night shift?"
<3176>
// \{Boss} "If we did that, we'd be taking in too much work."
<3177>
// I heard Yoshino-san and the boss talking inside.
<3178>
// Seems like the schedule's harsh. We're short on hands.
<3179>
// \{Yoshino} "\m{A}."
<3180>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes, what is it?"
<3181>
// Being called out, I came to see him as I was zipping up my jeans.
<3182>
// \{Yoshino} "Are you free on Saturday?"
<3183>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes, if it's Saturday."
<3184>
// \{Yoshino} "What about Sunday?"
<3185>
// Next Sunday's School Foundation Day. I have to go there.
<3186>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm sorry. If possible, I'd like to keep Sunday open."
<3187>
// Yoshino-san nodded with a sound, gazing at the schedule.
<3188>
// \{Yoshino} "I see. Okay, come Saturday. Sunday was meant to be a holiday anyway, so don't worry and get some rest then."
<3189>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay, then. Thank you so much."
<3190>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm back."
<3191>
// \{Nagisa} "Welcome back."
<3192>
// Nagisa stops with the housework, looking at me.
<3193>
// \{\m{B}} "Looks like next Sunday'll be fine."
<3194>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh, you don't have any work?"
<3195>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, they said that I should get some rest and not worry about it."
<3196>
// \{Nagisa} "Really? That makes me really happy."
<3197>
// \{Nagisa} "With that, we can go to School Foundation Day."
<3198>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, we can."
<3199>
// \{Nagisa} "I'll be done in a bit. Please wait for a while."
<3200>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay."
<3201>
// I pass behind Nagisa, coming into the room.
<3202>
// I heard Nagisa humming from within the kitchen.
<3203>
// May 19 (Wednesday)
<3204>
// \{Yoshino} "Looks like we're simply changing and cleaning the bulbs."
<3205>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes, I suppose."
<3206>
// I said that, checking the voucher.
<3207>
// He pulls over the truck so that it doesn't block traffic, and checks the material and tools.
<3208>
// \{Yoshino} "\m{A}, go on ahead and bring the bulbs out."
<3209>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay, got it."
<3210>
// I begin loosening the strings on the ladder.
<3211>
// Something I've done many times.
<3212>
// I think I could deal with the procedure and cleanup on my own now.
<3213>
// Gah, I'm not so lucky with the site we're at today.
<3214>
// \{\m{B}} "... what do I do?"
<3215>
// It was a site where I could only murmur, stunned.
<3216>
// It'd be usual to any other worker though.
<3217>
// It's just that the footing was bad, and the ladder's right side wouldn't stand.
<3218>
// If I lean it on the left and reach out with my right hand, this work should be simple.
<3219>
// Up until now I had done this on the other side, particularly with my left hand, getting the job done easily.
<3220>
// I work with an unreasonable stance, unable to do anything about the place.
<3221>
// Even so, when I tried to close up the street light in its case, it wouldn't reach.
<3222>
// If it were to come off, the safety belt would pull on the telephone pole and ladder, and I'd have to ride it down.
<3223>
// \{Yoshino} "Something the matter?"
<3224>
// \{\m{B}} "N-no, nothing at all."
<3225>
// For me to be bewildered at the top of the ladder, it must have been strange for Yoshino-san, watching from there.
<3226>
// I readied myself.
<3227>
// Pulling the safety belt in my pocket at maximum, I fixed the ladder onto the telephone pole.
<3228>
// I did so, so that the hook on my stomach wouldn't come off.
<3229>
// Like this, even in the worst-case scenario I'll finish while hanging about.
<3230>
// \{\m{B}} "... okay."
<3231>
// All that's left is for me to push my body with all my might.
<3232>
// \{Yoshino} "\m{A}, wait a second."
<3233>
// \{\m{B}} "Y-yes?"
<3234>
// \{Yoshino} "If you slip off, you'll break your abdomen." 
<3235>
// \{\m{B}} "Huh?"
<3236>
// \{Yoshino} "Come off right now."
<3237>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh? What's going on?"
<3238>
// \{Yoshino} "You can't lift your right arm, right?"
<3239>
// I wasn't able to tell what he was saying to me so suddenly.
<3240>
// \{Yoshino} "Hurry it up."
<3241>
// \{\m{B}} "O-okay..."
<3242>
// I said that, getting off the ladder.
<3243>
// In the end, Yoshino-san worked on the site alone.
<3244>
// All I did was hold the materials and bring up the tools.
<3245>
// Along the way to the next site...
<3246>
// \{\m{B}} "... how did you tell?"
<3247>
// I asked him.
<3248>
// \{Yoshino} "Tell what?"
<3249>
// \{\m{B}} "That... I couldn't lift my right arm."
<3250>
// It can't be helped if he were to tell me I had to stop working.
<3251>
// But, I wanted to know Yoshino-san's feelings, as he had never said anything.
<3252>
// \{Yoshino} "I can tell by looking."
<3253>
// \{\m{B}} "Then, why didn't you say anything?"
<3254>
// \{Yoshino} "Saying anything wouldn't do much. Or is there hope that it'll get better?"
<3255>
// \{\m{B}} "N-no."
<3256>
// \{Yoshino} "Then it's fine, right?"
<3257>
// \{\m{B}} "Of course not!"
<3258>
// \{Yoshino} "Calm down."
<3259>
// \{\m{B}} "I've always kept quiet about my shoulder being messed."
<3260>
// \{Yoshino} "But, you endured it, right?"
<3261>
// I looked up.
<3262>
// I could only hear him comforting me.
<3263>
// \{Yoshino} "Certainly, if you can't lift that arm of yours, this job isn't suited for you."
<3264>
// \{Yoshino} "But, you endured it this entire time, and no matter what came your way, you were able to do it, right?"
<3265>
// \{Yoshino} "I was watching that the entire time."
<3266>
// And he was watching... that far...
<3267>
// \{\m{B}} "Thank you so much."
<3268>
// I thanked him in a teary voice.
<3269>
// \{Yoshino} "Idiot. Don't thank me."
<3270>
// \{Yoshino} "There's nothing to thank me about. No, it's not possible. Because of you, after all."
<3271>
// \{\m{B}} "... eh?"
<3272>
// \{Yoshino} "Even if I said I'd help you, you'd remain silent and do it yourself, so I wouldn't be of any help."
<3273>
// \{Yoshino} "But, this time, rely on me."
<3274>
// \{\m{B}} "But..."
<3275>
// \{Yoshino} "What reason do you think I'm here for?"
<3276>
// \{\m{B}} "I don't want to be causing you any more trouble though..."
<3277>
// \{Yoshino} "I'll be frank. I don't consider you a problem at all."
<3278>
// \{Yoshino} "So don't hold back, and rely on me."
<3279>
// \{Yoshino} "I too, can't do anything, if I were alone."
<3280>
// \{Yoshino} "That's why the boss, all the co-workers, and you are here."
<3281>
// \{Yoshino} "That's work, after all. You can rely on us for things you can't do."
<3282>
// \{Yoshino} "And then, given time, I'll hear..."
<3283>
// \{Yoshino} "your words of gratitude."
<3284>
// I nodded slighlty, murmuring a yes.
<3285>
// I don't know if he heard that.
<3286>
// But, it was as if Yoshino-san saw me nod.
<3287>
// May 20 (Thursday)
<3288>
// \{\m{B}} "Good morning."
<3289>
// \{Worker} "Yo!"
<3290>
// \{Boss} "Good work. Must be tough with the heat."
<3291>
// \{\m{B}} "I suppose. It certainly feels like summer."
<3292>
// \{Worker} "Oh that's right lad, you happen to have a towel?"
<3293>
// \{\m{B}} "No, I don't."
<3294>
// \{Worker} "Johnny-saaan, we have a towel?"
<3295>
// \{Johnny} "It's at the bottom of the slip, ain't it, boy?"
<3296>
// \{Worker} "Oh, yeah, it's there. Hey lad, have this."
<3297>
// \{\m{B}} "Is it fine?"
<3298>
// \{Johnny} "What, you have it now so don't worry about it, boy."
<3299>
// \{\m{B}} "Thank you so much."
<3300>
// I hadn't noticed up until now since we hadn't talked, but it's possible that a lot of them are interesting.
<3301>
// Closing up my locker in the locker room, I met Yoshino-san.
<3302>
// \{\m{B}} "Good morning."
<3303>
// \{Yoshino} "Yo. Oh, here, \m{A}."
<3304>
// Thud.
<3305>
// \{Yoshino} "... at least catch it."
<3306>
// \{\m{B}} "Please don't throw it all of a sudden. But what is this?"
<3307>
// Yoshino-san threw me a brand new belt.
<3308>
// Two big bags were attached on one side, probably to put something in.
<3309>
// \{Yoshino} "Hurry and put that on."
<3310>
// \{\m{B}} "Huh?"
<3311>
// \{Yoshino} "We're going straight to work, so put that on. You've seen that belt every day, haven't you?"
<3312>
// \{\m{B}} "O-okay."
<3313>
// I tightened the belt like how the boss did.
<3314>
// \{Yoshino} "And here's this."
<3315>
// \{\m{B}} "Please don't throw it at me. You're close by, after all."
<3316>
// With a disappointed look, Yoshino-san put a casket on top of the chair.
<3317>
// There were brand new tools inside, when I opened it to take a look.
<3318>
// \{\m{B}} "... is it okay to use these?"
<3319>
// \{Yoshino} "You think you're going to use a belt with no tools?"
<3320>
// \{\m{B}} "T-thank you so much."
<3321>
// In haste I took out the vinyl, and put the tools into the belt--- the tool bag.
<3322>
// I was happy with just that.
<3323>
// \{Yoshino} "We've got eight things on the list today, so let's be quick."
<3324>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay."
<3325>
// \{Yoshino} "Where are we headed first?"
<3326>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh?"
<3327>
// Thud.
<3328>
// He hit me lightly with his fist.
<3329>
// \{Yoshino} "... double-check. You said it before, didn't you?"
<3330>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes, I'm sorry."
<3331>
// I hurriedly pulled the map and slip off the dashboard.
<3332>
// \{\m{B}} "Umm, first thing we have is repairs to a lane. Check the power distribution board, replace the bulbs, as well as cleanup. Second one is..."
<3333>
// Yoshino-san nodded each time, driving the truck.
<3334>
// \{Yoshino} "You go and do it, \m{A}."
<3335>
// \{\m{B}} "What?"
<3336>
// \{Yoshino} "It's a power board check, bulb switch and cleanup after all. You can do it yourself."
<3337>
// \{\m{B}} "Is that okay?"
<3338>
// \{Yoshino} "You can do that much, right?'
<3339>
// \{\m{B}} "Y-yes!"
<3340>
// When I answered, Yoshino-san immediately went to the two telephone poles that were closeby.
<3341>
// This was the first time I did this work on my own.
<3342>
// Though I've done this all the time, doing it alone has me tense.
<3343>
// There was a transformer substation at Yoshino-san's telephone pole, looking much like a drum can. He was looking closely at it, to see if there were any fuses blown, or any shorts.
<3344>
// \{\m{B}} "Is it fine over there?"
<3345>
// \{Yoshino} "Without a doubt."
<3346>
// He answered with a small voice. Looks like I should also start working.
<3347>
// First, I have to secure the footing.
<3348>
// I pull out the three or four pieces that are keeping the telephone pole from causing an accident.
<3349>
// I have to make sure that these are firm and tight.
<3350>
// As a precaution, I tied my safety belt to a metal fixture, also bringing it along with the pole.
<3351>
// Like this I won't fall, and even in the one in a million chance I do, I'll be hanging in midair.
<3352>
// You could say that this wasn't too difficult.
<3353>
// But that's because I usually use the ladder. Right now though, Yoshino-san's using it.
<3354>
// I cautiously go about my work.
<3355>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm done."
<3356>
// \{Yoshino} "Okay. Then wait there a bit."
<3357>
// I do as Yoshino-san says. He comes down his pole.
<3358>
// Looking up for three minutes, he then gave a nod.
<3359>
// \{Yoshino} "Well, I guess it's fine."
<3360>
// \{\m{B}} "What?"
<3361>
// \{Yoshino} "Well, it's good."
<3362>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh?"
<3363>
// \{Yoshino} "... oh whatever."
<3364>
// Yoshino-san said no more, getting on the truck.
<3365>
// I came as if chasing after him, getting into the passenger seat.
<3366>
// \{\m{B}} "... you weren't praising me, were you?"
<3367>
// \{Yoshino} "Hmm?"
<3368>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, when you said it was fine."
<3369>
// \{Yoshino} "I guess."
<3370>
// \{\m{B}} "It feels like that's the first time you've done so."
<3371>
// \{\m{B}} "I guess I've improved, right?"
<3372>
// \{Yoshino} "That's obvious. You've been doing the same thing every day, right?"
<3373>
// I was happy, to be honest.
<3374>
// I've always been feeling out of place here.
<3375>
// That was where my place was, the reality of which I fit in.
<3376>
// When we came to the office, I heard from everyone.
<3377>
// The seniors covered in dirt.
<3378>
// \{\m{B}} (Yeah, I really couldn't have thought of that at the time...)
<3379>
// Looking out the window, I thought that, seeing the students coming home from some school.
<3380>
// The classmates who sat beside me had all graduated, and even now, are striving to study harder.
<3381>
// I'm the only one here.
<3382>
// But I'm not alone.
<3383>
// I'm with people covered in dirt, just like me.
<3384>
// That was my choice... \pthe place that I had chose to come upon.
<3385>
// May 21 (Friday)
<3386>
// \{Yoshino} "Okay, we're starting. You remember the procedure we explained?"
<3387>
// I throw as much of the work process deep into my head.
<3388>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes, it should be fine."
<3389>
// \{Yoshino} "Okay. Then assist me after the work today. We're repairing the tarpaulin box, after all."
<3390>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay, got it."
<3391>
// \{Yoshino} "Pass me the oblique nipper." 
<3392>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay.\p..... huh? Yoshino-san, didn't you have it?"
<3393>
// \{Yoshino} "My hands are full so I didn't take it. Pass it to my left hand."
<3394>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay."
<3395>
// \{Yoshino} "Now pass me 210 millimeters of VVF cabling. Both ends should be skinned."
<3396>
// \{\m{B}} "How many centimeters? If we're using a crimp, I could skin it two centimeters."
<3397>
// \{Yoshino} "I can still make do if you go four. Remember that."
<3398>
// \{Yoshino} "Then give me the 25.......\p no, the 38 wire wrapping. Length should be..."
<3399>
// Yoshino-san measured the length of the bundle of lead.
<3400>
// \{\m{B}} "Protective tubing, right? Standard or fireproof?"
<3401>
// The wire wrapping was something that was used to protect the electric lines.
<3402>
// It was made of various fire-resistant materials.
<3403>
// \{Yoshino} "Guess we'll fireproof it for now. In case it burns."
<3404>
// \{\m{B}} "Is 12 centimeters fine?"
<3405>
// \{Yoshino} "Yeah, that should be good. You know it pretty well."
<3406>
// \{\m{B}} "This isn't too hard to deal with."
<3407>
// \{Yoshino} "Cut the black bushing so that it'll fit in the cut opening. You can measure it."
<3408>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay."
<3409>
// I took a measurement of the cut opening on the switchboard.
<3410>
// If the metal board we've been cutting were left to corrode, it'll be painful if it were to pass by the lines.
<3411>
// And the plastic bushing will be covering that part.
<3412>
// I put the knife to the bushing.
<3413>
// A mark was engraved to mark a centimeter.
<3414>
// The work efficiency was dropping with having to measure each and every single thing, so this was done to reduce time spent.
<3415>
// I cut everything off leaving only a centimeter, and then put in the bushing.*
<3416>
// No matter how many times this was done, it would be seated, albeit slightly off.
<3417>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm done."
<3418>
// \{Yoshino} "Okay. Then clean up, I'm also done here."
<3419>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay, got it."
<3420>
// In the car on the way back.
<3421>
// \{Yoshino} "You did pretty well today."
<3422>
// \{\m{B}} "Really? Thank you very much."
<3423>
// \{Yoshino} "Well, if you didn't remember, I'd just yell at you."
<3424>
// I returned a bitter smile.
<3425>
// \{\m{B}} "Please, do get more and more angry. I still have a ways to go."
<3426>
// \{Yoshino} "Heh, you're talking."
<3427>
// Just from looking at me, Yoshino-san smiled. It was a manly smile.
<3428>
// May 22 (Saturday)
<3429>
// I was called by the boss while changing clothes.
<3430>
// \{Boss} "Sorry, \m{A}-kun, but would you mind waiting a moment?"
<3431>
// \{\m{B}} "What's the matter?"
<3432>
// \{Boss} "Well you see, Yoshino-san's been called off to an emergency job somewhere else, so he won't be around."
<3433>
// \{\m{B}} "So, what will I be doing?"
<3434>
// \{Yoshino} "I'll be done real soon, so wait for the time being."
<3435>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay, then."
<3436>
// So I waited at the office on standby as told.
<3437>
// ... bah.
<3438>
// Free time. Nothing to do.
<3439>
// Though I tried to help out with the office work the others were doing like before, but they politely refused.
<3440>
// It seems like there's not much I can do.
<3441>
// Well, whatever. I'll just take some tea for the time being.
<3442>
// \{Boss} "\m{A}-kun, a minute."
<3443>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes, what is it?"
<3444>
// \{Boss} "Do you mind the map and voucher for today's site?"
<3445>
// \{\m{B}} "I don't mind. I'm kind of free for now."
<3446>
// \{Boss} "Do you know all of the part numbers?"
<3447>
// As he said that, I pulled several vouchers out of my pocket and looked at them.
<3448>
// There wasn't a single number I hadn't seen.
<3449>
// If it's this batch of numbers, it'd be all the work I've done up until now.
<3450>
// \{\m{B}} "I think it should be fun. These are all numbers I remember."
<3451>
// \{Boss} "Then, go ahead to the next site and get started. If I see Yoshino, I'll point him your way."
<3452>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh? This is pretty far..."
<3453>
// Today's site was ten kilometers away from where I was.
<3454>
// \{Boss} "I'll take you there. All the parts and equipment's been transported, and there shouldn't be any heavy equipment today."
<3455>
// \{\m{B}} "Is it okay for me to be doing this on my own?"
<3456>
// \{Boss} "Yoshino-san told me that it should be fine now for you. Well, if anything happens, don't forget to call us."
<3457>
// \{\m{B}} "Huh..."
<3458>
// I'm not sure what to do with something so sudden.
<3459>
// It's just that, I wasn't anxious with having to do work, despite it being done alone.
<3460>
// When I got to the site, the street light was already installed.
<3461>
// It looks like just the the wiring and testers have already been hooked up.
<3462>
// I took out the vinyl-wrapped parts that were tied to the drum can.
<3463>
// \{\m{B}} "Let's see, it should be brought out over there... and then..."
<3464>
// I check the procedure one by one, murmuring it aloud.
<3465>
// Before I knew it, I remembered.
<3466>
// I remembered things here and there, in regards to when I put these parts together.
<3467>
// When I messed it up.
<3468>
// When I wasn't able to do it many times.
<3469>
// And when Yoshino-san kept on scolding me.
<3470>
// All of it was tied together. 
<3471>
// Bringing out the safety belt, I climbed up the telephone pole.
<3472>
// All that was left was to test the lighting.
<3473>
// Normally this'd be done automatically via the switchboard, but there was a test switch installed.
<3474>
// Even though the street light was right in the sunlight, it shone brightly.
<3475>
// \{\m{B}} "It's up..."
<3476>
// I was happy.\p I really was happy.
<3477>
// As I was claening up, the small truck stopped by.
<3478>
// Seems Yoshino-san's come.
<3479>
// \{\m{B}} "Nice to see you."
<3480>
// \{Yoshino} "Mmm."
<3481>
// Yoshino-san had almost passed me, seeing the street light.
<3482>
// \{Yoshino} "You did this on your own?"
<3483>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes. I did everything I remembered, one by one."
<3484>
// \{Yoshino} "You checked the contacts?"
<3485>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes. All the circuits, down to the last one."
<3486>
// \{Yoshino} "Did you take the right amount of coating?"
<3487>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes, it was a bit long but I made sure of it."
<3488>
// \{Yoshino} "You cleaned up?"
<3489>
// \{\m{B}} "I will be in a while."
<3490>
// \{Yoshino} "Okay. Well done."
<3491>
// \{\m{B}} "T-thank you so much!"
<3492>
// \{Yoshino} "Bring the tools to the truck. I'll send you off."
<3493>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay. Then I'll go ahead and clean up."
<3494>
// \{Yoshino} "Yeah."
<3495>
// I went back to cleaning.
<3496>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm done now."
<3497>
// \{Yoshino} "Okay."
<3498>
// Yoshino-san was still staring at the street light.
<3499>
// \{\m{B}} "What's the matter?"
<3500>
// \{Yoshino} "Oh, nothing."
<3501>
// \{\m{B}} "Is something wrong?"
<3502>
// \{Yoshino} "The current's running fine, so it's okay. Don't worry."
<3503>
// \{\m{B}} "Huh."
<3504>
// \{Yoshino} "You have your holiday tomorrow, right?"
<3505>
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, yes. There's something I'd like to do tomorrow."
<3506>
// \{Yoshino} "School festival?"
<3507>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes."
<3508>
// \{Yoshino} "Going with your girlfriend?"
<3509>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes. We'd like to go together."
<3510>
// \{Yoshino} "I see. Go ahead and take a break."
<3511>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay, thank you so much."
<3512>
// \{Yoshino} "Then, let's go."
<3513>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay."
<3514>
// I came back, triumphant.
<3515>
// It's been so long since I felt so complete.
<3516>
// And tomorrow will be the School Foundation Day I spend with Nagisa.
<3517>
// I thought this was the best day ever.
<3518>
// May 23 (Sunday)
<3519>
// \{Nagisa} "You slept well?"
<3520>
// Nagisa asked while taking breakfast.
<3521>
// \{\m{B}} "That's my line."
<3522>
// \{Nagisa} "Me?"
<3523>
// \{Nagisa} "I took a lot of sleep."
<3524>
// \{\m{B}} "Your eyes aren't red?"
<3525>
// \{Nagisa} "Of course they wouldn't be."
<3526>
// \{\m{B}} "You'd definitely be so excited and not get any sleep."
<3527>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm not such a kid."
<3528>
// \{Nagisa} "Isn't that the same with you, \m{B}-kun?"
<3529>
// \{\m{B}} "Why?"
<3530>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm, well..."
<3531>
// \{Nagisa} "... because it's our date."
<3532>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, I guess so."
<3533>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes. That's why you shouldn't have gotten any sleep, \m{B}-kun."
<3534>
// \{\m{B}} "Why?"
<3535>
// \{Nagisa} "Because... it's your date with me."
<3536>
// It was fun having her say it so many times.
<3537>
// \{Nagisa} "... though I apologize for not being such a cute girl."
<3538>
// Nagisa continued.
<3539>
// \{\m{B}} "You know,"
<3540>
// \{\m{B}} "You said that back then, right? Don't look down on yourself."
<3541>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, okay. Is that so..."
<3542>
// \{\m{B}} "Come one, tell me one more time."
<3543>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay..."
<3544>
// \{Nagisa} "You shouldn't have gotten any sleep, \m{B}-kun."
<3545>
// \{\m{B}} "Why?"
<3546>
// \{Nagisa} "Because it's a date."
<3547>
// \{Nagisa} "With such a cute girl."
<3548>
// \{Nagisa} "Wait, I don't want to say something like that about myself!"
<3549>
// I was quite pleased.
<3550>
// \{Nagisa} "Well then, I'll be going first."
<3551>
// Nagisa stood at the door.
<3552>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah. I'll meet with you in an hour."
<3553>
// It'll open to the public at ten o'clock.
<3554>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay, I"ll be waiting."
<3555>
// \{\m{B}} "Take care."
<3556>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm off."
<3557>
// After seeing Nagisa off, I went back to the room.
<3558>
// While watching the morning talk show to kill time, the phone rang.
<3559>
// \{\m{B}} "Hello? This is \m{A}."
<3560>
// \{Boss} "That you, \m{A}?"
<3561>
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, hello. What's up?"
<3562>
// \{Boss} "Hey, do you know what happened at the site yesterday?"
<3563>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh? Nothing really."
<3564>
// \{Boss} "Well, Yoshino said just now, 'Sorry, I messed up, so I'll go and fix it'."
<3565>
// I didn't say anything.
<3566>
// This shouldn't have been Yoshino-san's messup.
<3567>
// Because this was the first time I worked on my own.
<3568>
// \{Boss} "No matter how many times I told him, he kept apologizing, saying it was his messup."
<3569>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm going over there right now!"
<3570>
// \{Boss} "Wait, I don't think it's necessary for you to go, \m{A}-ku..."
<3571>
// \{\m{B}} "Excuse me!"
<3572>
// Hanging up, I rushed out of the apartment.
<3573>
// It's because yesterday's site was along the north side of the farm road...!
<3574>
// I ran.
<3575>
// It would have been better to take a bus, but I didn't know the routes.
<3576>
// I knew that the road was going to be quite far.
<3577>
// But, I have to get going.
<3578>
// I know that Yoshino-san wants me to go to the school festival today, no matter what.
<3579>
// That's why, he said, "It's my messup".
<3580>
// I don't want to leave Nagisa alone.
<3581>
// But, I especially don't want Yoshino-san to be burdened with this.
<3582>
// There's still time until it opens.
<3583>
// I'll go to the site, apologize, get the job done, then head to school.
<3584>
// I'll definitely be able to make it.
<3585>
// \{\m{B}} "... h-hey, you can take a break...."
<3586>
// \{Yoshino} "You should be the one taking a break."
<3587>
// I was catching my breath, having run up here the whole time.
<3588>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm sorry..."
<3589>
// Finally recovering, I bowed my head down to Yoshino-san in silence.
<3590>
// \{Yoshino} "For what?"
<3591>
// \{\m{B}} "If I did this right, this shouldn't have happened in the first place."
<3592>
// \{Yoshino} "It's my messup. It's not your fault."
<3593>
// \{\m{B}} "But..."
<3594>
// \{Yoshino} "........."
<3595>
// \{Yoshino} "... you're in the way of work, head back."
<3596>
// \{\m{B}} "I'll do it! Please! Let me get this done right!"
<3597>
// \{Yoshino} "You can't. Go back."
<3598>
// \{\m{B}} "Please! Let me take responsibility!"
<3599>
// \{Yoshino} "Don't scream so loud."
<3600>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
<3601>
// Yoshino-san's shoes were in my field of vision, as I bowed down.
<3602>
// \{Yoshino} "You're not an obedient kid, are you...? I told you to head back."
<3603>
// \{\m{B}} "Wasn't I the one that made a mistake?! Why, Yoshino-san?!"
<3604>
// \{Yoshino} "I didn't see your carelessness. That's why it's my messup."
<3605>
// Yoshino-san said only that, returning to his work.
<3606>
// I wasn't able to do anything, only bowing my head.
<3607>
// It was so regrettable and miserable, that I almost cried.
<3608>
// \{Yoshino} "You don't have to lower your head. Go back."
<3609>
// Yoshino-san said that, taking the cable coating off.
<3610>
// \{\m{B}} "I won't go back."
<3611>
// \{Yoshino} "... you wanted to go and have fun, right?"
<3612>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh?"
<3613>
// \{Yoshino} "The school festival. You said it yourself, didn't you?"
<3614>
// \{\m{B}} "... yes."
<3615>
// \{Yoshino} "Your girl's waiting for you, right?"
<3616>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes."
<3617>
// \{Yoshino} "Then, be by her. That's your duty, \m{A}."
<3618>
// \{\m{B}} "That's why I won't go."
<3619>
// \{Yoshino} "Why? You can go and have fun today."
<3620>
// \{\m{B}} "Because if I left this alone and went back to the school, she'd be sad."
<3621>
// \{\m{B}} "I... can't lie to her."
<3622>
// \{\m{B}} "That's why I definitely wouldn't be able to enjoy it."
<3623>
// \{\m{B}} "Bearing the guilt myself, without taking any responsibility, I can't face her."
<3624>
// \{\m{B}} "That's why I have to do this work."
<3625>
// \{Yoshino} "Are you an idiot?"
<3626>
// \{\m{B}} "I guess."
<3627>
// Yoshino-san flipped his forelocks over, as if they were in the way.
<3628>
// \{Yoshino} "... bring the No. 25 low voltage insulation, six meters of it. Right now."
<3629>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh...?"
<3630>
// \{Yoshino} "Hurry up and get to work."
<3631>
// \{\m{B}} "O-okay!"
<3632>
// When the job was done, I headed to the school without changing my clothes, covered in dirt.
<3633>
// The day had already ended.
<3634>
// Is she still at the school? Or maybe she had already gone back to the apartment?
<3635>
// Even if the slightest possibility existed, there was nothing else other than for her to run up to me.
<3636>
// There was a figure in front of the school gates.
<3637>
// \{\m{B}} "Nagisa!"
<3638>
// I ran over, bringing her into my sights.
<3639>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun."
<3640>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm sorry..."
<3641>
// I could only apologize.
<3642>
// \{Nagisa} "Please don't. There's nothing you could apologize for."
<3643>
// \{Nagisa} "You did tell me from the start that it might have turned out this way."
<3644>
// \{Nagisa} "Even so, I was festive on my own, continuing on saying that I'd like for you to come..."
<3645>
// \{Nagisa} "To have bothered you and worried you like this..."
<3646>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm the one I should apologize. I'm sorry for saying such selfish things."
<3647>
// \{\m{B}} "Something like this ain't selfish... it's normal, right?"
<3648>
// \{\m{B}} "Because it's a date we'd have fun together on, right...?"
<3649>
// \{\m{B}} "You're too humble..."
<3650>
// \{\m{B}} "You can say more things if you want. I'll continue on hard to grant it..."
<3651>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, not so much as effort..."
<3652>
// \{\m{B}} "I want it to be like that..."
<3653>
// \{\m{B}} "Because there a lot of things I want to enjoy with you, Nagisa..."
<3654>
// \{\m{B}} "Though... we can't do with today..."
<3655>
// \{\m{B}} "So, you shouldn't apologize either..."
<3656>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay..."
<3657>
// \{Nagisa} "Then, could I be selfish and say one thing?"
<3658>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, say as much as you want."
<3659>
// \{Nagisa} "Please eat this with me."
<3660>
// Inside the paper bag to her chest was roasted corn.
<3661>
// \{Nagisa} "Though it's probably cold by now..."
<3662>
// She had bought two, and continued on waiting for me this whole time.
<3663>
// \{\m{B}} "Sure, of course."
<3664>
// "I took one out."
<3665>
// \{Nagisa} "It's really big. I don't think we'll be able to finish it for dinner."
<3666>
// \{\m{B}} "Of course. It's the tama festival today, after all."
<3667>
// \{Nagisa} "I suppose... ehehe...."
<3668>
// She happily took hers out of the bag.
<3669>
// And we went home, eating that.
<3670>
// And talked together, as if we had fun the whole day like we should have.
<3671>
// May 24 (Monday)
<3672>
// The next morning.
<3673>
// My feet were heavy, coming into the office.
<3674>
// To be honest, I didn't want to come.
<3675>
// To cause that much trouble, what face would I put on?
<3676>
// Coming closer to the company step by step, only meaningless fear and bitter self-hatred grew.
<3677>
// Finally, I was in front of the company.
<3678>
// I put my hand on the sliding door, and after taking a breath, readied myself.
<3679>
// \{\m{B}} "Good morning! Sorry about yesterday!" 
<3680>
// \{Boss} "Morning. So, sorry about what?"
<3681>
// \{Worker} "Oh, the young guy. You ran all the way to the site the other day, didn't ya?"
<3682>
// \{Worker} "Our new young guy's got some admirable willpower."
<3683>
// I looked up, dumbfounded.
<3684>
// Where everyone should have been blaming me, they were praising me.
<3685>
// \{\m{B}} "Umm... why...?"
<3686>
// \{Johnny} "Why? You ran to the place, didn't you, boy?"
<3687>
// \{\m{B}} "Huh."
<3688>
// \{Johnny} "Hey, Yuu-san, this kid doesn't know the conditions, do you, boy?"
<3689>
// I coudldn't tell exactly what he was saying.
<3690>
// Just that Yuu-san happened to be Yoshino-san, as he came from inside, heeding the call.
<3691>
// \{Yoshino} "\m{A}? Morning."
<3692>
// An unusual smile.
<3693>
// \{\m{B}} "Good morning."
<3694>
// \{Yoshino} "You have a mysterious face there."
<3695>
// \{\m{B}} "Of course. I came here thinking that you would have an angry face..."
<3696>
// \{Yoshino} "Messups can't be helped."
<3697>
// \{Yoshino} "The problem is how to recover."
<3698>
// Calm words.
<3699>
// \{Yoshino} "If you do the best that you can, everyone will definitely appraise you."
<3700>
// \{Yoshino} "That's what I like about this kind of job."
<3701>
// \{Yoshino} "I thought you did absolutely everything you could yesterday."
<3702>
// \{Yoshino} "That's why everyone's saying so."
<3703>
// \{Yoshino} "Everyone thinks the same way."
<3704>
// \{\m{B}} "B-but if I had done it right..."
<3705>
// \{Yoshino} "You'll get used to screwing it up."
<3706>
// Though I'm grateful that Yoshino-san says that, but I couldn't agree.
<3707>
// \{\m{B}} "B-but, I ruined your holiday, Yoshino-san..."
<3708>
// \{Yoshino} "It's not for your sake. It's for the customer's."
<3709>
// \{Yoshino} "Because it was a job that had to be finished before before yesterday."
<3710>
// \{Yoshino} "You still don't get it?"
<3711>
// Silent, I shook my head.
<3712>
// Instead, I felt so inexcusable.
<3713>
// That's why I couldn't depend on Yoshino-san's kindness.
<3714>
// Doing that, Yoshino-san's expression changed in a subtle way.
<3715>
// Only just a bit, but almost as if he did.
<3716>
// \{Yoshino} "... if you do think something this insignifcant is inexcusable, then remember this."
<3717>
// \{Yoshino} "If you have the will to always continue in this job, you'll soon have to deal with a new person."
<3718>
// \{Yoshino} "Someone like you, who's young, who doesn't have a direction."
<3719>
// \{Yoshino} "When the time comes when he messes up, you'll have to follow up."
<3720>
// \{Yoshino} "If you want to return the favor to me, do that."
<3721>
// \{Yoshino} "That's your job."
<3722>
// \{Yoshino} "For that is also..."
<3723>
// \{Yoshino} "Love."
<3724>
// Though it'd be better if he didn't make that his last word...
<3725>
// But, I didn't really have any words to return either.
<3726>
// I was too much of a burdening child.
<3727>
// But, the day where I will walk on my own wil come.
<3728>
// That's why.
<3729>
// \{\m{B}} "... okay! I will! I'll remember!"
<3730>
// \{\m{B}} "That's why... I'll... work......\p my... hardest..."
<3731>
// I couldn't bring out any more words. That's why I kept bowing, on and on.
<3732>
// \{Yoshino} "You seem so tearful there."
<3733>
// Yoshino-san murmured as if shocked, and everyone patted my shoulder, as if sympathizing.
<3734>
// Now that I look back upon it, today might actually have been the day I really started.
<3735>
// Cohabitation 
<3736>
// A lot of things have begun to move.
<3737>
// I've been doing well at work since that day.
<3738>
// And when it got dark, I'd talk a lot with Nagisa, brushing off the weariness from the job.
<3739>
// Simply waking up early was painful as always, but when I see Nagisa's sleeping face, my willpower builds up.
<3740>
// Nagisa also got to talk a lot with Nishina and Sugisaka.
<3741>
// That was becasue they had finished with the choir club, and finally got some time.
<3742>
// And thus, our calm life together began.
<3743>
// I went to visit the Furukawa household once a week.
<3744>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm, \m{B}-kun, could I ask you for some advice?"
<3745>
// Nagisa asked holding some plastic containers.
<3746>
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm?"
<3747>
// \{Nagisa} "It's about dad."
<3748>
// \{\m{B}} "What happened to pops? Did he trouble Sanae-san with some harassment again?"
<3749>
// \{Nagisa} "That's not it."
<3750>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm... well..."
<3751>
// \{Nagisa} "It seems that dad formed a small theatrical company with the people he performed with, and they're launching."
<3752>
// \{\m{B}} "Heh... that's somewhat, great."
<3753>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes..."
<3754>
// It was probably hard for Nagisa to stomach.
<3755>
// He should still have been a member, hadn't he given up on his dream.
<3756>
// \{Nagisa} "They gave my dad an invitation to come to their performance."
<3757>
// \{Nagisa} "Dad must want to go."
<3758>
// \{\m{B}} "I guess. They're old friends, after all."
<3759>
// \{Nagisa} "But, he has work, so he's said he isn't going."
<3760>
// \{\m{B}} "Work? It's just for half a day. What's he saying?"
<3761>
// \{Nagisa} "No, it won't be for half a day. This performance is in Kyushu."
<3762>
// \{\m{B}} "Guahh... that's far..."
<3763>
// \{Nagisa} "Even if he took a bus, he'd be gone for two days."
<3764>
// \{\m{B}} "But, it's okay for him to leave the shop open for at least two days, right?"
<3765>
// \{Nagisa} "Dad leaves the shop a lot to play but, every morning he bakes the bread."
<3766>
// \{\m{B}} "I see... then he'd have to close the shop down for two days."
<3767>
// \{Nagisa} "Dad doesn't want to be negligent, so I think he'd say he wouldn't go."
<3768>
// \{Nagisa} "He's continued on in the bakery this whole time without stopping..."
<3769>
// That wasn't the only reason. He probably also has his own responsibility.
<3770>
// He'd act as if something like that had absolutely no meaning to him in front of her.
<3771>
// That's the kind of feeling I had about it.
<3772>
// \{Nagisa} "But, I'd like him for to go if possible."
<3773>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, I know."
<3774>
// \{Nagisa} "That's why, \m{B}-kun..."
<3775>
// \{Nagisa} "How about baking for him instead?"
<3776>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<3777>
// \{\m{B}} "You will?"
<3778>
// \{Nagisa} "I meant you!"
<3779>
// \{Nagisa} "I did say '\m{B}-kun' clearly."
<3780>
// \{\m{B}} "It'd be impossible for me to replace pops."
<3781>
// \{Nagisa} "You worked with them, \m{B}-kun."
<3782>
// \{\m{B}} "But it had nothing to do with baking."
<3783>
// \{Nagisa} "You also helped mom."
<3784>
// \{\m{B}} (Sigh...)
<3785>
// \{\m{B}} (That reassures me...)
<3786>
// I suddenly spaced out.
<3787>
// \{\m{B}} "Besides, I also have a job."
<3788>
// \{Nagisa} "It's next weekend. You don't have any work on Saturday. Didn't you say so, \m{B}-kun?"
<3789>
// \{\m{B}} "I did, yeah..."
<3790>
// \{Nagisa} "I have school, so I won't be able to help until the afternoon."
<3791>
// \{Nagisa} "I actually want to bake it but... it's a lot of physical work, so a lot of it is impossible for me."
<3792>
// \{Nagisa} "That's why I'm asking you, \m{B}-kun."
<3793>
// \{Nagisa} "Or maybe you can't...?"
<3794>
// Not that I can't, but it's impossible
<3795>
// Guess we'll have to...
<3796>
// \{\m{B}} "Not that I can't, but it's impossible."
<3797>
// \{\m{B}} "Besides, pops couldn't rely on me for that."
<3798>
// \{Nagisa} "It's also something I'm asking fo you."
<3799>
// \{\m{B}} "Even if you did, it's obvious it's impossible."
<3800>
// \{\m{B}} "He prides himself in that pretty well, after all."
<3801>
// Besides, he'd be so stubborn not to let this slip by, even with this.
<3802>
// \{Nagisa} "That might be true..."
<3803>
// \{\m{B}} "Besides, this time won't be the only time for the company, would it? They just launched, so they're only beginning."
<3804>
// \{\m{B}} "Maybe in the future, they'll come nearby."
<3805>
// \{Nagisa} "I suppose. That's probably true."
<3806>
// Pops probably wants to maintain a natural relationship with Nagisa just as much as she does.
<3807>
// I think it's better Nagisa not deal with this.
<3808>
// \{\m{B}} "Pops can at least write back an answer, and we don't need to worry much more than that."
<3809>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay..."
<3810>
// She nodded slightly, and didn't bring up the topic again.
<3811>
// \{\m{B}} "Guess we'll have to..."
<3812>
// \{Nagisa} "You'll help out?!"
<3813>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah... I know how you feel."
<3814>
// \{Nagisa} "Thank you so much!"
<3815>
// A man with a large build was leaning against an iron bar in the park, smoking a cigarette.
<3816>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, isn't that pops?"
<3817>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, it's dad."
<3818>
// \{\m{B}} "He's slacking off again."
<3819>
// We dropped by the park.
<3820>
// \{\m{B}} "Pops!"
<3821>
// \{Akio} "Yo."
<3822>
// \{Akio} "Oh, it's you guys."
<3823>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm back, dad."
<3824>
// \{Akio} "Yeah, welcome back."
<3825>
// \{Nagisa} "Dad, please look at this."
<3826>
// \{Nagisa} "It's vegetables that I cooked. Would you like to try them?"
<3827>
// \{Akio} "Yeah, I'll take 'em in one shot."
<3828>
// \{Nagisa} "You can't eat that way! I'd like for you to taste the flavor."
<3829>
// \{Akio} "Yeah, I'll do that."
<3830>
// \{Nagisa} "And also, there's something really nice I'd like to talk to you about."
<3831>
// \{Akio} "Oh? You're coming back to the house? Sounds like great news."
<3832>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm not! I want to be with \m{B}-kun!"
<3833>
// \{Akio} "Tch, I know. Don't make that so damn clear already, okay? He'll be so giddy, see!"
<3834>
// Nagisa looked at me.
<3835>
// \{Nagisa} "He's not really giddy."
<3836>
// \{Akio} "He just suddenly went back to a serious look. He's a broody lech."
<3837>
// \{Nagisa} "What's broody? I don't know what that is."
<3838>
// \{Akio} "Talking about how he's such a lech, but covers it up like it's all normal."
<3839>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun's not like that!"
<3840>
// \{Nagisa} "To hold on keeping that covered up... I don't think that would be excusable."
<3841>
// ... don't say something like that in front of your parents.
<3842>
// Like always, it took a while before we got to the question we needed to get to.
<3843>
// Glancing over to Furukawa Bakery, Sanae-san had just come out, and happened to find us.
<3844>
// Smiling, she came over.
<3845>
// \{\m{B}} "Yo."
<3846>
// \{Sanae} "Good afternoon, \m{B}-san."
<3847>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, mom. I'm back."
<3848>
// \{Sanae} "Welcome back."
<3849>
// \{Sanae} "Akio-san!"
<3850>
// Greeting Nagisa with a smile, she turned to pops and made a cute scowl.
<3851>
// \{Akio} "Yo, Sanae."
<3852>
// \{Sanae} "Akio-san, you can't."
<3853>
// \{Sanae} "You always disappear on the spur of the moment."
<3854>
// He really was slacking off.
<3855>
// \{Akio} "Y-yeah..."
<3856>
// \{Akio} "I got bored 'cause there weren't no customers. Sorry."
<3857>
// \{\m{B}} (Giving some excuse won't fix it...)
<3858>
// \{Sanae} "You were bored...? Then, that can't be helped."
<3859>
// \{\m{B}} (It did?!)
<3860>
// \{Akio} "Yeah, I was just having some fun so that I wouldn't be bored. I'll go take care of the shop."
<3861>
// \{Sanae} "Please do."
<3862>
// Oh man, I don't think I can slack off on baking the bread compared to a childish man like him...
<3863>
// \{Nagisa} "That said, \m{B}-kun will be taking your place and baking the bread on Saturday and Sunday."
<3864>
// \{Akio} "Oh, I'm lucky. Then I can sleep until noon."
<3865>
// \{Nagisa} "That's not it! Please go and see the play!"
<3866>
// \{Akio} "Play?"
<3867>
// \{Nagisa} "That's right. Your friends from the theatrical company that launched invited you to come."
<3868>
// \{Akio} "Tch... where the hell did you hear that?!"
<3869>
// \{Sanae} "I told her."
<3870>
// Sanae-san really is an honest person.
<3871>
// \{\m{B}} "Go and see them. I'll be baking all the bread."
<3872>
// \{Akio} "You know...! This ain't a job to be handing over to some damn amateur!!"
<3873>
// \{\m{B}} "Weren't you saying, 'Oh, I'm lucky', just now?"
<3874>
// \{Akio} "... shut up, that was a joke!"
<3875>
// I knew it...
<3876>
// In front of Nagisa, he wasn't one that could touch the topic of drama.
<3877>
// \{Nagisa} "Dad, please, go and see them!"
<3878>
// \{Sanae} "Akio-san, don't be stubborn and go."
<3879>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, just go."
<3880>
// \{Akio} "Shut up, okay?"
<3881>
// ... why only me?
<3882>
// \{Nagisa} "Dad, I'd like for you to behave normally."
<3883>
// \{Nagisa} "I've been thinking about this."
<3884>
// \{Nagisa} "... in regards to me."
<3885>
// \{Akio} "........."
<3886>
// \{Sanae} "Umm, I'll come and bring some tea."
<3887>
// Sanae-san stood from her seat.
<3888>
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, I'll go and use the washroom, then."
<3889>
// I also went at the same time, leaving that place.
<3890>
// Gah... in the end, Nagisa's persuasion didn't work out. Pops didn't agree to it at all.
<3891>
// Nagisa was angry the whole time as we headed back.
<3892>
// \{Nagisa} "He still wouldn't leave it to you, \m{B}-kun, saying something so rude!"
<3893>
// \{Nagisa} "Dad is so stubborn!"
<3894>
// \{\m{B}} "Uh, well, I'm glad you covered for me but... don't be so agitated..."
<3895>
// \{Nagisa} "I could have persuaded him a little more! It's so regretting!"
<3896>
// \{Nagisa} "It bothers me so much!"
<3897>
// \{Nagisa} "Hmph, hmph!"
<3898>
// For Nagisa to be this angry is quite rare.
<3899>
// \{\m{B}} "You being angry is kind of interesting."
<3900>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh? What's interesting?"
<3901>
// \{\m{B}} "Your face."
<3902>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh? Is it that strange...?"
<3903>
// \{\m{B}} "And I was thinking like, there's such a person at this time that's expressing her anger, huh...?"
<3904>
// \{Nagisa} "That's embarrassing!"
<3905>
// Well, you're making that face again...
<3906>
// It felt like I got something done today, having seen a face of Nagisa's I never knew.
<3907>
// Cohabitation
<3908>
// And then, June ended...
<3909>
// And busy times went by.
<3910>
// Cohabitation
<3911>
// And then, June ended...
<3912>
// Work went well during June.
<3913>
// Cohabitation
<3914>
// And then, June ended...
<3915>
// May went by, and June ended...
<3916>
// The rainy season came upon us.
<3917>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm, \m{B}-kun,"
<3918>
// Seated at dinner.
<3919>
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm?"
<3920>
// \{Nagisa} "I have something to talk about!"
<3921>
// She was unusually tense.
<3922>
// It was something painful to discuss, without a doubt.
<3923>
// \{\m{B}} "What, you want a swimsuit?"
<3924>
// \{Nagisa} "No, that's not it!"
<3925>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, well... \wait{1000}not that I don't want one but..."
<3926>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay then, let's go buy one during the holiday tomorrow!"
<3927>
// \{Nagisa} "Ahh, well... is it really okay to be buying a swimsuit, I wonder...?"
<3928>
// \{\m{B}} "I'd also like to see what you look like in one. You don't happen to have a school swimsuit, right?"
<3929>
// \{Nagisa} "No... but, I don't really mind even if it was a school one."
<3930>
// \{\m{B}} "I do."
<3931>
// \{\m{B}} "I guess I really want to make my girl look cute."
<3932>
// \{\m{B}} "And all the men will be stuck looking at you... ahhh, feels so glorifying."
<3933>
// \{Nagisa} "No way, no one's seen me in a swimsuit!"
<3934>
// \{Nagisa} "I don't really think such a style... is any good..."
<3935>
// \{\m{B}} "As long as you're cute, it's okay."
<3936>
// \{Nagisa} "Even if I'm cute..."
<3937>
// I glared at Nagisa, telling her that it was fine, just before she denied it.
<3938>
// I told her not to look down on herself, and thus, she remembered.
<3939>
// \{Nagisa} "Ahh... I guess... I'm cute after all, so I'm sure it'll be okay!"
<3940>
// \{Nagisa} "Wait, if I say that, I'll be a weird girl!"
<3941>
// That made me so happy.
<3942>
// \{Nagisa} "Geez, seems you're playing with me, \m{B}-kun!"
<3943>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, don't pout like that. We'll go shopping in a rush, then."
<3944>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay!"
<3945>
// \{Nagisa} "Wait, that's not it!"
<3946>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh? You don't want to go buy any?"
<3947>
// \{Nagisa} "Sure, I'd be happy to, but not tomorrow."
<3948>
// \{\m{B}} "Why?"
<3949>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm, \m{B}-kun,"
<3950>
// \{Nagisa} "I have something to talk about!"
<3951>
// She went back to her topic.
<3952>
// \{\m{B}} "Why are you being formal?"
<3953>
// \{Nagisa} "Well... you see..."
<3954>
// \{\m{B}} "I don't want to."
<3955>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh? I haven't even talked yet."
<3956>
// \{\m{B}} "Knowing you, I'm sure you're proposing something that I'd be reluctant about."
<3957>
// \{Nagisa} "That might be true..."
<3958>
// \{Nagisa} "But, we've lived together for two months, now."
<3959>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<3960>
// \{Nagisa} "Every week, we go to my parents' house..."
<3961>
// \{Nagisa} "But..."
<3962>
// \{Nagisa} "We haven't gone to your house, \m{B}-kun..."
<3963>
// I knew it...
<3964>
// I didn't want to come to this.
<3965>
// It felt like I was knocked from heaven, down to the depths of hell.
<3966>
// Even though I had been having so much fun...
<3967>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, how many times have you gone to see your father since you graduated?"
<3968>
// \{\m{B}} "Like I'd know."
<3969>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun!"
<3970>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, you have to tell me clearly."
<3971>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<3972>
// \{\m{B}} "Once, when I packed my stuff and left... that was all..."
<3973>
// \{Nagisa} "I see..."
<3974>
// \{Nagisa} "Then, let's go and see him tomorrow."
<3975>
// \{\m{B}} "I don't want to."
<3976>
// \{Nagisa} "Why?"
<3977>
// \{\m{B}} "Because..."
<3978>
// \{\m{B}} "I've been working so hard..."
<3979>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, I know..."
<3980>
// \{\m{B}} "I'd at least... like to spend time on the holidays with you."
<3981>
// \{Nagisa} "I promise I'll spend time with you next time, okay, \m{B}-kun?"
<3982>
// \{\m{B}} "No. Tomorrow, too."
<3983>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun..."
<3984>
// \{\m{B}} "Don't... you understand?"
<3985>
// \{\m{B}} "That distance between me and \bthat person\u..." 
<3986>
// \{\m{B}} "A distance that will never be filled."
<3987>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes..."
<3988>
// \{Nagisa} "But, you've also become a working adult, and have gone through a lot of difficult things."
<3989>
// \{Nagisa} "You've worked hard, climbing over everything."
<3990>
// \{Nagisa} "If it's now, I thought you might be able to go meet him, to confront him."
<3991>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<3992>
// I wonder...
<3993>
// Have I... gotten stronger?
<3994>
// From the day when I ran away?
<3995>
// Maybe I was deceiving myself, so that I wouldn't look at that...
<3996>
// Besides that, I've been working hard with everything else.
<3997>
// All for you, Nagisa.
<3998>
// That's why...
<3999>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun,"
<4000>
// \{Nagisa} "I'll be with you. I always will be."
<4001>
// \{Nagisa} "If we're together, we can beat anything."
<4002>
// \{Nagisa} "Am I wrong?"
<4003>
// You are
<4004>
// .........
<4005>
// \{\m{B}} "You are."
<4006>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh... I am?"
<4007>
// \{\m{B}} "I've been doing everything to make you smile and be happy."
<4008>
// \{\m{B}} "But, even if I tried with my father, it'd be useless..."
<4009>
// \{\m{B}} "I'd just feel terrible..."
<4010>
// \{\m{B}} "Well? Am I right?"
<4011>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm independent now... I don't need my father."
<4012>
// \{\m{B}} "I only need to work as hard as I can for the two of us."
<4013>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, you're stubborn."
<4014>
// \{\m{B}} "You too..."
<4015>
// This might have been the first time where we put our opinions against each other without pulling back.
<4016>
// \{\m{B}} "You have a good family, so you must think it's simple."
<4017>
// \{Nagisa} "I wonder about that..."
<4018>
// \{Nagisa} "It's just that I was thinking that if it was you right now, you could face forward a lot more."
<4019>
// \{Nagisa} "Or maybe I had the wrong idea?"
<4020>
// \{\m{B}} "You talk pretty well..."
<4021>
// Words like having the wrong idea or being a letdown really hurt a man's self-respect.
<4022>
// \{\m{B}} "You have the wrong idea."
<4023>
// Even so, I didn't pull back.
<4024>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<4025>
// For a while, the two of us were silent.
<4026>
// There weren't any words even after we finished eating, and while we cleaned up.
<4027>
// Nagisa was seated at the desk. Was she doing her homework?
<4028>
// I looked at her from behind, turning down the TV volume.
<4029>
// \{\m{B}} (Is she angry...)
<4030>
// \{\m{B}} (If that's the case, it's a bit rare...)
<4031>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm gonna go take a shower."
<4032>
// Saying just that, I stood up.
<4033>
// Finishing up and returning to the room, Nagisa was seated.
<4034>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm back."
<4035>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<4036>
// She remained looking at her notes, making only that response.
<4037>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<4038>
// Even at ten o'clock, there wasn't any indication of her working.
<4039>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Nagisa, it's already ten o'clock. You should go and take a shower."
<4040>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<4041>
// \{\m{B}} "Or what, you're not taking one today?"
<4042>
// \{\m{B}} "You've been sweating, right?"
<4043>
// \{\m{B}} "Is it okay when I hug you after you've sweat?"
<4044>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<4045>
// \{\m{B}} "Are you fine with that...?"
<4046>
// \{\m{B}} (Are you so stubborn that you'll keep that up until I sleep...?)
<4047>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<4048>
// What should I do?
<4049>
// Should I apologize?
<4050>
// But, I was just persistent in what I thought was right.
<4051>
// To apologize for that is strange.
<4052>
// But, I want her to face me.
<4053>
// I want to talk like we always do.
<4054>
// .........
<4055>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Nagisa..."
<4056>
// Just at the same time when I didn't know what to do anymore, calling her name weakly...
<4057>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm done!"
<4058>
// Nagisa held her notes high.
<4059>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh...?"
<4060>
// \{Nagisa} "I've finished all of my homework!"
<4061>
// Scrubbing her knees, she faced me, saying that.
<4062>
// \{Nagisa} "With this, I can go out with you all day, \m{B}-kun."
<4063>
// \{\m{B}} "All day...?"
<4064>
// \{Nagisa} "Shopping."
<4065>
// \{Nagisa} "You didn't want to go?"
<4066>
// \{\m{B}} "W-well... I did say that, didn't I...?"
<4067>
// I was so relieved, I thought I let out a tear.
<4068>
// She wasn't ignoring me. She was only concentrating.
<4069>
// \{Nagisa} "We don't have to buy anything. I'd just like to see the place where swimsuits are sold."
<4070>
// \{\m{B}} "No, I'll buy it. I definitely will. I'll buy whatever you wear."
<4071>
// \{Nagisa} "No way, I'm not going to be wearing any of it, so you don't have to force yourself to buy anything."
<4072>
// \{\m{B}} "Then, one thing that you like."
<4073>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay... if it's one thing that I like, then I might pester you."
<4074>
// \{\m{B}} "Fine, I'll buy that. I definitely will."
<4075>
// \{Nagisa} "All right. I'll ask you then."
<4076>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<4077>
// When she puts it that way... I can't tell her she is.
<4078>
// We want to work hard and conquer every obstacle.
<4079>
// We've been working hard this whole time so...
<4080>
// But... have we...
<4081>
// really become any stronger... if it's the two of us?
<4082>
// Even if... \pit's something like this that can't be helped...?
<4083>
// \{\m{B}} "Then..."
<4084>
// \{\m{B}} "Would you always hold my hand?"
<4085>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes."
<4086>
// \{\m{B}} "If we part... I may run away then."
<4087>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay. I won't let go until we come back."
<4088>
// The next morning.
<4089>
// The two of us stood in front of the nameplate labeled '\m{A}'.
<4090>
// The place I haven't visited ever since graduating.
<4091>
// And... the first time Nagisa really did come here.
<4092>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm tense..."
<4093>
// From Nagisa's standpoint, it was a simple situation involving meeting the parent of the boyfriend she's been living with, nothing more.
<4094>
// Ahh... if only \bthat person\u were a normal parent.
<4095>
// If that happened, Nagisa would also get along much like I do with pops and Sanae-san... create a new family, and live happily ever after.
<4096>
// It was inexcusable to have such a parent that wasn't.
<4097>
// \{\m{B}} "You're sweating."
<4098>
// \{Nagisa} "Oh, I see..."
<4099>
// She raises the hand she's holding mine with.
<4100>
// \{\m{B}} "Wanna dry off?"
<4101>
// \{Nagisa} "No, it's fine."
<4102>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm... unless you're feeling bad, \m{B}-kun..."
<4103>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, well... even if you are, I won't let go!"
<4104>
// She grasped my hand tightly.
<4105>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<4106>
// \{\m{B}} "Well... \pI'm sorry."
<4107>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh?"
<4108>
// \{\m{B}} "To make you feel pressured just from seeing my father..."
<4109>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm also bringing a problem here..."
<4110>
// \{\m{B}} "And I didn't want to come see him either..."
<4111>
// \{Nagisa} "No, that's completely fine."
<4112>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, well... meeting your father is what's tense."
<4113>
// \{Nagisa} "About how you like a girl like me..."
<4114>
// \{Nagisa} "But it really makes me happy that you can endure being with me in regards to your problem."
<4115>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, well... saying it makes me happy is rude."
<4116>
// \{\m{B}} "No, it's fine."
<4117>
// \{\m{B}} "I can understand that."
<4118>
// \{\m{B}} "I had those feelings ever since I met you, after all."
<4119>
// \{Nagisa} "Is that so...? Then I'm glad."
<4120>
// \{Nagisa} "Then let's go, \m{B}-kun."
<4121>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<4122>
// My father was sleeping lifelessly in the living room.
<4123>
// \{Nagisa} "Has he always been sleeping over there?"
<4124>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<4125>
// \{Nagisa} "He'll catch a cold."
<4126>
// \{\m{B}} "He's used to it."
<4127>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, father."
<4128>
// I shake his shoulder.
<4129>
// \{Father} "Mmm..."
<4130>
// He cleared his throat, and then opened his eyes.
<4131>
// \{Father} "Ahh..."
<4132>
// \{Father} "That be you, \m{B}-kun...?"
<4133>
// Moving his body, he then moved to a kneeling position.
<4134>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm, nice to meet you!"
<4135>
// Nagisa deeply bowed to my father, facing him.
<4136>
// \{Father} "Eh...?"
<4137>
// Someone other than me was in the house. This was a situation that never happened once before.
<4138>
// But after the moment my father was surprised, he immediately fell calm.
<4139>
// \{Father} "Are you... \m{B}-kun's friend?"
<4140>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes... I'm Furukawa Nagisa."
<4141>
// \{Nagisa} "We're close friends from school... in the same year."
<4142>
// \{Father} "Oh... \wait{1000}how about now?"
<4143>
// \{Nagisa} "Now... umm... well..."
<4144>
// I showed him the hands that we were holding.
<4145>
// \{\m{B}} "We're going out."
<4146>
// \{Father} "Oh... \wait{1000}you finally did as well, \m{B}-kun..."
<4147>
// \{Father} "I'm glad, I'm glad..."
<4148>
// What a hateful smile...
<4149>
// \{Nagisa} "The two of us are living together."
<4150>
// \{Father} "Where at?"
<4151>
// \{Nagisa} "It's an apartment close by. I'll guide you there."
<4152>
// Don't.
<4153>
// \{Father} "An apartment... wouldn't it be small?"
<4154>
// \{Nagisa} "It might be small, but it doesn' thave to be wide."
<4155>
// \{Nagisa} "The space we have right now is enough."
<4156>
// \{Father} "Renting at first is painful, isn't it?"
<4157>
// ... you think you know what you're talking about?
<4158>
// \{Father} "This house is rented though but... you can use it if you need to. There are rooms left over."
<4159>
// \{Nagisa} "No... that's too much."
<4160>
// \{Nagisa} "We left the house, so that we'd work hard with our own power."
<4161>
// \{Nagisa} "That said... I'm grateful you offered, but we'll have to turn it down."
<4162>
// \{Father} "I see..."
<4163>
// \{Father} "You can come any time. In troubling times, you can tell me."
<4164>
// \{Nagisa} "Thank you so much."
<4165>
// Nagisa looked at my face.
<4166>
// ... he's a nice person.
<4167>
// That's what her eyes tell me.
<4168>
// That's why I expected what she'd say next.
<4169>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm... \m{A}-san,"
<4170>
// Nagisa so called my father.
<4171>
// \{Father} "Hmm?"
<4172>
// \{Nagisa} "I apologize, to have been... keeping \m{B}-kun away for all this time."
<4173>
// \{Father} "It's okay..."
<4174>
// \{Nagisa} "It might have been painful for you."
<4175>
// \{Nagisa} "That's why..."
<4176>
// Don't say it...
<4177>
// ... I'll always bring \m{B}-kun with me.
<4178>
// Don't say that.
<4179>
// I tightened my grip on Nagisa's hand.
<4180>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<4181>
// Nagisa stopped... \pclosing her eyes.
<4182>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah... well..."
<4183>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm... really sorry."
<4184>
// ... she picked up what I felt.
<4185>
// \{Father} "Well... you don't have to apologize like that..."
<4186>
// \{Father} "I'm happy that we're meeting like this."
<4187>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay." 
<4188>
// \{Father} "Really, you can..."
<4189>
// \{Father} "come at any time."
<4190>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay, thank you very much."
<4191>
// And from there, we continued on to trivial topics.
<4192>
// Like stuff about how vacant land's being used up, how the area around us has changed a little bit, etc.
<4193>
// Nagisa perservered to make things favorable, and all I did was listen in.
<4194>
// \{Father} "\m{B}-kun?"
<4195>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh...?"
<4196>
// He suddenly talked to me.
<4197>
// \{Father} "\m{B}-kun... you've been eating her cooking every day, haven't you?"
<4198>
// He repeated himself.
<4199>
// \{\m{B}} "Y-yeah..."
<4200>
// \{Father} "I'm envious. I've always been eating take-out food."
<4201>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm... it'll be noon very shortly, so how about I make some?"
<4202>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay?"
<4203>
// I gave her a glance, telling her that much was fine.
<4204>
// To be sitting at a dining table with my father gave me the shivers.
<4205>
// Besides, how many years had it been?
<4206>
// But, if I can put up with this, I'll just sit without making eye contact and finish this.
<4207>
// That was the attitude I promised Nagisa earlier.
<4208>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah..."
<4209>
// That's why I thought I should hang on.
<4210>
// Nagisa opened the refrigerator.
<4211>
// \{Nagisa} "There's nothing here."
<4212>
// \{\m{B}} "Guess we'll have to go and buy something."
<4213>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes."
<4214>
// \{Nagisa} "Are you coming?"
<4215>
// \{\m{B}} "Of course."
<4216>
// Leaving my father, we headed off for the grocery store.
<4217>
// It had been an hour by the time we got back.
<4218>
// \{Nagisa} "We were a bit slow. I'll make it quickly."
<4219>
// \{Father} "It's fine, I'll be patient."
<4220>
// She went past my father, returning to the kitchen.
<4221>
// \{Nagisa} "Will you also help, \m{B}-kun?"
<4222>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, I'll help but..."
<4223>
// \{\m{B}} "Are we gonna do this like this?"
<4224>
// How long have we been holding hands exactly?
<4225>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes."
<4226>
// \{\m{B}} "My left hand's pinned down, and your right hand holding the kitchen knife will be juggling around."
<4227>
// \{Nagisa} "We can do this well."
<4228>
// \{\m{B}} "We'll definitely get injured!"
<4229>
// \{Nagisa} "Really?"
<4230>
// \{\m{B}} "Oh, whatever. I lose. Let go, so you can handle it the way you need to."
<4231>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm not letting go."
<4232>
// \{\m{B}} "I won't run away."
<4233>
// \{Nagisa} "It has nothing to do with that."
<4234>
// \{\m{B}} "If you don't, my left hand'll be in trouble."
<4235>
// \{Nagisa} "I see... then it can't be helped."
<4236>
// \{\m{B}} "I'll hold you from the back instead."
<4237>
// \{Nagisa} "If you do that, I'll get injured!"
<4238>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm joking, I'm joking. I'll watch you right from behind."
<4239>
// \{Nagisa} "Then I'm relieved."
<4240>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay, let go."
<4241>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<4242>
// Pain ran through my fingers as I opened them. Was it bent the entire time?
<4243>
// My palm finally had a breath of fresh air.
<4244>
// The sweat from the two of us cooled off.
<4245>
// \{Nagisa} "Well then, I'll be starting."
<4246>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, good luck."
<4247>
// While staring at Nagisa from behind, I heard a voice from afar.
<4248>
// Did he turn on the TV?
<4249>
// Then I heard another sound.
<4250>
// A voice mixed with my father's.
<4251>
// \{\m{B}} (A guest...?)
<4252>
// I peep in. There was an unknown man. They happened to look my way.
<4253>
// \{Man} "Good afternoon."
<4254>
// He bowed to me.
<4255>
// \{Father} "Mm... \m{B}-kun,"
<4256>
// My father looked back at me, seated on the floor.
<4257>
// \{Father} "This is Shijou-san."
<4258>
// \{Father} "My co-worker."
<4259>
// Co-worker...
<4260>
// From before? Or someone new?
<4261>
// If it's a co-worker from before, then I'll have faith in that.
<4262>
// As far as I know, there shouldn't have been anyone bad.
<4263>
// A drinking friend from when he was triumphant and full of energy.
<4264>
// But if it's a new co-worker, then I definitely wouldn't.
<4265>
// The way my father is now, he shouldn't be able to tell who's good or bad.
<4266>
// If he's come with some profitable discussion, without a doubt he'd take it suspecting little to nothing.
<4267>
// \{\m{B}} "What job?"
<4268>
// \{Father} "An antique store."
<4269>
// I never heard anything like that.
<4270>
// \{\m{B}} "Go away."
<4271>
// I declared with a low voice.
<4272>
// \{Man} "Eh...?"
<4273>
// \{Father} "\m{B}-kun, this person's a good man."
<4274>
// \{\m{B}} "I said go away."
<4275>
// I repeated that, ignoring my father's words.
<4276>
// \{Man} "Y-yeah..."
<4277>
// \{Man} "I'll come another time, \m{A}-san."
<4278>
// \{\m{B}} "Don't come again!"
<4279>
// \{\m{B}} "I'll beat the shit out of you if you do!"
<4280>
// \{Father} "........."
<4281>
// My father was dumbfounded, seeing him off.
<4282>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey..."
<4283>
// \{\m{B}} "Have you talked to your old co-workers?"
<4284>
// \{Father} "Yes..."
<4285>
// \{\m{B}} "Really?"
<4286>
// \{Father} "No... not yet..."
<4287>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<4288>
// I said nothing for the remainder of my anger.
<4289>
// \{Father} "But you know... I thought I might get lucky or something so..."
<4290>
// \{Father} "I haven't had anything good come in so long..."
<4291>
// \{Father} "This time, really..."
<4292>
// I grab his shoulder.
<4293>
// \{\m{B}} "Something important like that isn't decided through a gut feeling, you idiot!"
<4294>
// \{\m{B}} "Your gut feeling over your ridiculous luck...!"
<4295>
// \{\m{B}} "I don't know what the hell you think of me but...!"
<4296>
// \{\m{B}} "Even I'm not so stupid as to let myself roam around so miserably...!"
<4297>
// \{\m{B}} "Because you see...!"
<4298>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm your goddamn family!"
<4299>
// \{Father} "........."
<4300>
// We stopped for a while.
<4301>
// He put his hand to his chin.
<4302>
// And then then brushed his unshaven face.
<4303>
// \{Father} "\m{B}-kun..."
<4304>
// \{Father} "Come on, today..."
<4305>
// \{Father} "Your girlfriend came so..."
<4306>
// What...?
<4307>
// Is that your excuse now?
<4308>
// An excuse to get away from the fact you can't tell your real family?
<4309>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<4310>
// I want to hit something, I don't care what.
<4311>
// The wall or the glass will do.
<4312>
// Throw a punch
<4313>
// Deal with it
<4314>
// I swung my arm.
<4315>
// Clatter, a large sound.
<4316>
// I don't remember too well what happened afterward.
<4317>
// The back of my hand was hot.
<4318>
// Nagisa embraced me.
<4319>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, you can't...!"
<4320>
// \{Nagisa} "You'll cut your hand...!"
<4321>
// \{Nagisa} "You have to go and see a hospital...!"
<4322>
// The scenery changed.
<4323>
// A familiar hallway.
<4324>
// Yeah...
<4325>
// I came from this abominable place, didn't I...?
<4326>
// I was relieved with just that.
<4327>
// Nagisa was with me.
<4328>
// And always will.
<4329>
// Looking at my hand, there was a white bandage wrapped around.
<4330>
// I look down at the lower half of my body.
<4331>
// Blood had stained my trousers.
<4332>
// Nagisa looked at me all the while. It felt like she said I had to have them washed up.
<4333>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, do you want to take a bath?"
<4334>
// \{Nagisa} "Just your body, so that your hand doesn't get in?"
<4335>
// \{Nagisa} "It might be difficult, so I'll help."
<4336>
// \{\m{B}} "Well... my body's hot, so it'll be bad."
<4337>
// \{Nagisa} "Then, how about just your legs?"
<4338>
// \{\m{B}} "I guess."
<4339>
// I had been always calm ever since coming back to the apartment...
<4340>
// It really felt like Nagisa was about to cry.
<4341>
// Even though she didn't hate my father...
<4342>
// Even though she had prepared lunch...
<4343>
// It was all my fault it had all gone to ruin...
<4344>
// Even so, Nagisa wanted to cry, being beside me.
<4345>
// I wanted her to know how much I had regretted that.
<4346>
// And then... I comforted her, telling her it was fine.
<4347>
// But...
<4348>
// That was being naive.
<4349>
// I turned around in the darkness towards Nagisa's back.
<4350>
// \{\m{B}} (In the end... I've always been running like this... haven't I...?)
<4351>
// Dealing with the pain on my own... I spent the night without sleep.
<4352>
// I closed my eyes.
<4353>
// And take a deep breath to cool off.
<4354>
// \{\m{B}} (Nagisa...)
<4355>
// \{\m{B}} (... Nagisa...\p Nagisa...)
<4356>
// I repeatedly called her name in my mind.
<4357>
// \{\m{B}} (I'll be calm soon, okay... Nagisa...)
<4358>
// My trembling hand...
<4359>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<4360>
// It was enveloped in the warmth of someone else's.
<4361>
// \{Nagisa} "What's wrong, \m{B}-kun?"
<4362>
// Ahh... I really...
<4363>
// did calm down in an instant.
<4364>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, there was yelling just now."
<4365>
// \{\m{B}} "Oh...\p it's nothing."
<4366>
// \{Nagisa} "Then, I'd like for you to help me."
<4367>
// \{Nagisa} "Something difficult just came up."
<4368>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay..."
<4369>
// Understanding the situation, I was grateful that Nagisa took me away.
<4370>
// After that, my father and I didn't exchange any words.
<4371>
// I only talked with Nagisa.
<4372>
// It had been many years since we sat at the dining table for a meal, but...
<4373>
// That wasn't a family meal.
<4374>
// It was just one of those meals that acquaintances happen to have...
<4375>
// Even more, it was unpleasant, like the relationship between them wasn't that strong...
<4376>
// ... that kind of meal.
<4377>
// On the way back.
<4378>
// \{Nagisa} "You hung in there, \m{B}-kun."
<4379>
// \{\m{B}} "I didn't do anything, though..."
<4380>
// \{Nagisa} "You did by coming."
<4381>
// \{Nagisa} "And you were there until the end."
<4382>
// \{\m{B}} "I guess... since I've always been running away..."
<4383>
// \{Nagisa} "I think this much is fine."
<4384>
// \{Nagisa} "If only it weren't so, strange."
<4385>
// \{\m{B}} "Like that there wasn't any family...?"
<4386>
// \{\m{B}} "Didn't you say so before... that even if separated, somehow we could communicate...?"
<4387>
// \{\m{B}} "No one communicated to anyone."
<4388>
// \{\m{B}} "Not even... in the heart."
<4389>
// \{\m{B}} "Even so, is that fine?"
<4390>
// \{Nagisa} "Well, the last thing I meant was... that it wasn't strange at all."
<4391>
// Is that related...?\p Even now?
<4392>
// \{Nagisa} "Even the neighbors talk about how boys leave the house and only come back on New Year's."
<4393>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<4394>
// If she's really speaking of thinking it's fine to go once or twice a year...
<4395>
// In that case, it feels like I could put up with it.
<4396>
// Because if I gained the power to face forward, even a little, then I'd feel that I've been saved.
<4397>
// Because... I've always been running away.
<4398>
// I didn't want Nagisa to see that me.
<4399>
// But, in the end... Nagisa was beside me, so...
<4400>
// \{\m{B}} "Nagisa..."
<4401>
// \{\m{B}} "I sometimes get afraid."
<4402>
// \{Nagisa} "About?"
<4403>
// \{\m{B}} "When I'm thinking about the meaning of my life."
<4404>
// \{Nagisa} "The meaning of your life?"
<4405>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah..."
<4406>
// \{\m{B}} "I was able to meet you, Nagisa."
<4407>
// \{\m{B}} "And... now I'm able to be with you."
<4408>
// \{\m{B}} "See... if I'm with you, and can make you happy, then that makes me happy."
<4409>
// \{\m{B}} "No matter how painful my work becomes, I'll sweat it off and continue working."
<4410>
// \{\m{B}} "And when I come back home, you're there."
<4411>
// \{\m{B}} "Everyday, those days are my one and only happiness."
<4412>
// \{\m{B}} "That's why I think that's my meaning of life."
<4413>
// \{\m{B}} "But, I also think that just happened to happen."
<4414>
// \{\m{B}} "If I were never to have met you, what would I be doing right now...?"
<4415>
// \{\m{B}} "For what reason would I be living for...?"
<4416>
// \{\m{B}} "In such a family... with such a terrible bond..."
<4417>
// \{\m{B}} "I wouldn't have any friends after I graduate..."
<4418>
// \{\m{B}} "Even the people that work hard..."
<4419>
// \{\m{B}} "I wouldn't be working hard for any of them..."
<4420>
// \{\m{B}} "Exactly what would I be living on...?"
<4421>
// \{\m{B}} "Other than living with you, Nagisa, I don't think I hold any meaning to my life."
<4422>
// \{\m{B}} "That's why I'm afraid..."
<4423>
// \{\m{B}} "It's like saying that we met by fate..."
<4424>
// \{\m{B}} "I don't believe in such a thing."
<4425>
// \{\m{B}} "That's why I think it was fortune."
<4426>
// \{\m{B}} "It was good luck that brought me to you."
<4427>
// \{\m{B}} "Thinking that, it feels like there's no universal meaning to my life."
<4428>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<4429>
// \{Nagisa} "At that time... I think someone else will be with you, \m{B}-kun."
<4430>
// \{\m{B}} "Really...?"
<4431>
// \{\m{B}} "I think I'd be alone."
<4432>
// \{\m{B}} "It's because it's you, that you want to be with me."
<4433>
// \{\m{B}} "Particularly you from before. You were saying that, weren't you?"
<4434>
// \{\m{B}} "At the time, I was like that."
<4435>
// \{\m{B}} "Though as I grow older, I may think differently about it..."
<4436>
// \{\m{B}} "Even so, I'm sure if I never met you, then I would be alone."
<4437>
// \{\m{B}} "And...\p my father would trouble me..."
<4438>
// \{\m{B}} "I'd be at a loss, having even no support..."
<4439>
// And then, when I discover that I have no meaning to my life, what would happen?
<4440>
// The root of my fears is within that.
<4441>
// I felt like the vague, massive existence called "living" was swallowing up the small existence called "me". 
<4442>
// It would be overwhelming... not something I would resist.
<4443>
// Even if I shouted alone, it'd be useless.
<4444>
// Even strong willpower would not reach.
<4445>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Nagisa, could I come over there...?"
<4446>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, sure... go ahead."
<4447>
// I left my futon, and slipped into Nagisa's.
<4448>
// The warmth of her body was cozy.
<4449>
// For a while, we looked at each other in the darkness, without touching each other.
<4450>
// And then in the end, I hugged her.
<4451>
// Pulling her small back in with both my arms.
<4452>
// Our chests touching together was warm.
<4453>
// Our faces touched, our noses brushing against each other.
<4454>
// A pleasant scent came from her.
<4455>
// I'm being supported by something this small but, just hugging her like this calms me like a child.
<4456>
// Yes, I met someone such as her.
<4457>
// I was lucky.
<4458>
// But, this was reality.
<4459>
// I'll stop, and not think too deeply about this anymore.
<4460>
// And after that, all that's left is to continue protecting her.
<4461>
// I'll just think that and live on.
<4462>
// That's what I thought.
<4463>
// Passing through the middle of July, the days became warm and humid.
<4464>
// The setting sun lit the room up at evening, bringing steep and high temperatures.
<4465>
// Nagisa prepared dinner like that. I figured she was tired from the heat, so I went out to a junkyard and picked up an electric fan.
<4466>
// There would be a lot of people lined up buying one before the heat wave came, and so I was able to find one without much trouble.
<4467>
// It blew, could hang, and everything was working. Wherever our hands could reach, it could as well, so it filled its function well.
<4468>
// It was placed in a corner of the room.
<4469>
// \{\m{B}} "Just this makes the room suddenly feel so small..."
<4470>
// \{Nagisa} "But, it feels like summer's come. It's somehow elegant."
<4471>
// \{\m{B}} "You're saying it."
<4472>
// She pushes the switch and turns it around.
<4473>
// \{Nagisa} "It's really cool."
<4474>
// She brings it close to her face, fluttering her forelocks.
<4475>
// \{\m{B}} "But, I guess I really do want an air conditioner."
<4476>
// \{Nagisa} "The fan is enough."
<4477>
// \{\m{B}} "It'll just keep getting hotter, you know."
<4478>
// \{Nagisa} "It's fine. There have been times back at home where we didn't use cooling either."
<4479>
// \{\m{B}} "But, the setting sun is pretty strong on this room."
<4480>
// \{Nagisa} "It's fine. I can deal with it."
<4481>
// \{\m{B}} "You sure?"
<4482>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, I am."
<4483>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, if it gets hot, you can go in your underwear."
<4484>
// \{Nagisa} "No I won't!"
<4485>
// \{Nagisa} "I'll wear normal clothing, with an apron, and make dinner that way!"
<4486>
// \{\m{B}} "The fan's blowing a pretty strong wind."
<4487>
// \{Nagisa} "It's not strong, but it is blowing."
<4488>
// \{\m{B}} "Don't waste electricity, okay?"
<4489>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<4490>
// And then, summer's true arrival.
<4491>
// I worked, sweating a waterfall.
<4492>
// On that day, work even finished up early.
<4493>
// \{Boss} "\m{A}-kun, Yoshino-kun,"
<4494>
// The boss called us, just as we finished changing our clothes.
<4495>
// \{Boss} "I've got something to talk about. Is that fine?"
<4496>
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, sure. What might it be?"
<4497>
// Yoshino-san nodded silently.
<4498>
// \{Boss} "Well, have a seat."
<4499>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay."
<4500>
// The three of us faced each other, taking a seat.
<4501>
// \{Boss} "Well you see, \m{A}-kun,"
<4502>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes?"
<4503>
// He began talking, looking at me.
<4504>
// \{Boss} "See, my old collagues are going to be heading a department at our parent company."
<4505>
// \{\m{B}} "Huh."
<4506>
// \{Boss} "They're looking for someone who can supervise them."
<4507>
// \{\m{B}} "Huh."
<4508>
// \{Boss} "Of course, not saying that you'd immediately become a site foreman, but you're one to watch and learn, \m{A}."
<4509>
// \{Boss} "You'll be treated as a full-time employee, so your wage will go up, as well as job security."
<4510>
// The boss put up this amount into the computer and showed it to me.
<4511>
// \{\m{B}} "Woah, that's amazing."
<4512>
// It was 1.5 times my salary.
<4513>
// \{Boss} "That's a far off large company for you."
<4514>
// \{Boss} "Well? You feel like giving it a shot?"
<4515>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh...?\p Do you mean me?"
<4516>
// \{Yoshino} "He's talking to you, isn't he?"
<4517>
// \{\m{B}} "But what about you, Yoshino-san...?"
<4518>
// \{Yoshino} "I can't."
<4519>
// \{\m{B}} "No way, he was talking about something so good too, wasn't he?"
<4520>
// \{Yoshino} "Yeah, he is."
<4521>
// \{\m{B}} "Then you should go, Yoshino-san. They are talking about needing a site foreman."
<4522>
// \{\m{B}} "If it were you, you'd be at least capable of supervising anywhere."
<4523>
// \{Yoshino} "No, this is where you should be going."
<4524>
// Yoshino-san yielded.
<4525>
// It wasn't the usual angry voice he had, but a gentler one.
<4526>
// \{Yoshino} "I'd like for this company to grow."
<4527>
// \{Yoshino} "And the boss has his obligations."
<4528>
// \{\m{B}} "Why me, though?"
<4529>
// \{Yoshino} "Don't get the wrong idea. You're not going in my stead or anything."
<4530>
// \{Yoshino} "You've got much better memory than I do, and you're strong in numbers. You're not a person who should only be working in the field."
<4531>
// \{Yoshino} "You're not a person who would end his entire life doing subcontracts."
<4532>
// \{Yoshino} "I wonder about when the time comes for you to pick things up, but you lived up to my expectations."
<4533>
// \{Yoshino} "So to speak, you've beaten the expectations that the boss and I have of you."
<4534>
// \{Yoshino} "If you go to the parent company, the scale of work will increase.  Your salary will increase, and your living will be better."
<4535>
// \{Yoshino} "You'll have more things to do."
<4536>
// \{Yoshino} "You still have potential. I don't want to waste that here."
<4537>
// \{\m{B}} "But, I want to be working with you and the boss..."
<4538>
// \{Boss} "That's not it, \m{A}-kun. Though we're grateful that you say that."
<4539>
// Was the boss flattered? He rubbed his nose as he said that. 
<4540>
// \{Boss} "I was also the one who recommended you to Yoshino."
<4541>
// \{Boss} "And the one who said, 'Let \m{A} go and do it', was Yoshino."
<4542>
// \{Boss} "I was surprised at first, but when we talked, I also felt the same way."
<4543>
// Saying just that, the boss looked at Yoshino-san.
<4544>
// \{Yoshino} "I'm not really sociable, and other than technique, I have nothing worthwhile."
<4545>
// \{Yoshino} "Sure, I've gotten used to being a worker, but supervising is more difficult."
<4546>
// \{Yoshino} "That's why I thought you should become one."
<4547>
// \{Yoshino} "Go and study, and hurry and turn into a supervisor."
<4548>
// \{Yoshino} "I'll wait for the day where I work under you, \m{A}."
<4549>
// \{\m{B}} "N-no way..."
<4550>
// I bowed my head, as if I were embarrassed.
<4551>
// I have no idea what kind of face I should be putting on.
<4552>
// I was genuinely happy, being praised... being recognized.
<4553>
// To have grown into such a person...
<4554>
// From the time when I was one to refuse hanging out with others back in my student days...
<4555>
// People change this much, don't they?
<4556>
// That was also thanks to him.
<4557>
// The face of the one I love came to mind.
<4558>
// \{\m{B}} (The sound of the cicadas is loud...)
<4559>
// \{\m{B}} (Well, there's a lot of trees here, so that's obvious...)
<4560>
// All of the students looked at me with suspicion.
<4561>
// It's obvious when you're dressed up in slightly dirty clothing, with all the students giving you looks on the way home.
<4562>
// Besides, I was happy and optimistic, so I didn't really care about that at all.
<4563>
// That's why when I saw Nagisa, I ignored everyone's looks, and rushed to her.
<4564>
// \{\m{B}} "Nagisa!"
<4565>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah... \m{B}-kun, what's wrong?"
<4566>
// \{\m{B}} "Listen up, I've got really good news."
<4567>
// \{Nagisa} "Wait a second, I'm
<4568>
// \{\m{B}} "Don't worry about something like that."
<4569>
// \{Nagisa} "Calm down, \m{B}-kun. I'm not going anywhere."
<4570>
// \{Nagisa} "I'll always be with you."
<4571>
// With a smile, she pinned down my stray feelings.
<4572>
// Even so, the pace at which Nagisa walked was slow.
<4573>
// \{\m{B}} "If I hold on any longer, I'm gonna have a nosebleed."
<4574>
// \{Nagisa} "You won't."
<4575>
// And she
<4576>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay, I've
<4577>
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm, let's see..."
<4578>
// \{\m{B}} "Just telling you is kinda wasteful."
<4579>
// Instead of telling, I irritated her.
<4580>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, you're saying the same thing my dad says."
<4581>
// \{\m{B}} "Geh... are you serious?"
<4582>
// \{Nagisa} "Dad's always playing like that."
<4583>
// \{\m{B}} "You listen up now, you hear?"
<4584>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, please, do tell."
<4585>
// \{\m{B}} "You know, I kinda hate being on the receiving end..."
<4586>
// \{Nagisa} "You really are just like dad."
<4587>
// \{\m{B}} "Listen, damn it!"
<4588>
// \{Nagisa} "The way you talked was also just like dad."
<4589>
// \{\m{B}} "Guahhh! How the hell should I talk?!"
<4590>
// \{Nagisa} "You're becoming more and more like him."
<4591>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm going home."
<4592>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, let's do."
<4593>
// \{\m{B}} "Don't follow!"
<4594>
// \{Nagisa} "The apartment we're going to is the same."
<4595>
// \{\m{B}} "I see... that's true, huh..."
<4596>
// \{\m{B}} "Damn it!"
<4597>
// \{Nagisa} "Let's talk on the way home."
<4598>
// She walked beside me.
<4599>
// \{\m{B}} "Tch, fine. I'll tell you."
<4600>
// I gave up.
<4601>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay, I'm listening."
<4602>
// \{\m{B}} "The boss from my workplace had some really good news."
<4603>
// \{Nagisa} "What kind?"
<4604>
// \{\m{B}} "Old colleagues of his are going to be heading a construction company."
<4605>
// \{Nagisa} "I see."
<4606>
// \{\m{B}} "At some point, they'll be looking for someone to supervise them."
<4607>
// \{\m{B}} "As a company employee."
<4608>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh...?"
<4609>
// \{Nagisa} "Could it be, that you, \m{B}-kun...?"
<4610>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah. I was recommended."
<4611>
// \{Nagisa} "Really? That's such wonderful news!"
<4612>
// \{Nagisa} "That's really nice."
<4613>
// \{\m{B}} "Even I'm happy about it."
<4614>
// \{Nagisa} "Isn't that great, \m{B}-kun?"
<4615>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, it is."
<4616>
// \{\m{B}} "I didn't think my break would come this early."
<4617>
// \{Nagisa} "It's because you've been working hard!"
<4618>
// \{\m{B}} "No, I still have a ways to go..."
<4619>
// \{\m{B}} "Even so, something like this is pretty nice..."
<4620>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm so glad for you!"
<4621>
// It was as if Nagisa was delighted about herself.
<4622>
// I think it's okay, seeing that.
<4623>
// \{Nagisa} "Today's dinner is a little on the luxurious side. Is that fine?"
<4624>
// \{\m{B}} "Obviously I think it'll be fine but... well, I guess if it's a little, then yeah."
<4625>
// \{Nagisa} "Then, I'll go and spend a little more while getting some things."
<4626>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah. We'll have a toast after."
<4627>
// \{Nagisa} "Is juice okay?"
<4628>
// \{\m{B}} "You know... I'm a working adult."
<4629>
// \{Nagisa} "How old are you?"
<4630>
// \{\m{B}} "18..."
<4631>
// \{Nagisa} "You're a minor then."
<4632>
// \{\m{B}} "Even though I am, I'm not in school anymore. Just ignore that."
<4633>
// \{Nagisa} "You can't!"
<4634>
// \{\m{B}} "Guahh!!!"
<4635>
// \{Nagisa} "Even if you yell, you can't!"
<4636>
// \{\m{B}} "Toast!"
<4637>
// Clink.
<4638>
// The sound of the glass touching echoed in the six half-mat room.
<4639>
// \{Nagisa} "You'll also be satisfied with this, \m{B}-kun."
<4640>
// Champagne with 0.2% alcohol was poured into the glass.
<4641>
// \{Nagisa} "Even a minor can drink if it's just this."
<4642>
// \{\m{B}} "I'll just get drunk over fifty shots..."
<4643>
// \{Nagisa} "You won't eat dinner if you take that much."
<4644>
// \{\m{B}} "I'll try."
<4645>
// \{Nagisa} "You mustn't!"
<4646>
// \{Nagisa} "It's such a waste to give up this cooking."
<4647>
// My eyes fall on the low dining table.
<4648>
// There was a big pork cutlet, garnished with cabbage.
<4649>
// \{Nagisa} "This is the best meat they have at the grocery store, so I think it's very soft."
<4650>
// Looking at it, I remembered.
<4651>
// \{\m{B}} "Oh yeah, it was also pork cutlet when I was at your house for the first time, wasn't it?"
<4652>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah... now that you mention it, it was."
<4653>
// \{Nagisa} "The meat might also have been the same."
<4654>
// \{\m{B}} "The amount of cabbage piled up here is pretty much the same."
<4655>
// \{Nagisa} "There's a lot of it, so it should be delicious."
<4656>
// \{Nagisa} "Have it like this, with the sauce over it..."
<4657>
// Everything that was done to it was the same.
<4658>
// Looking at it, it brought me a smile.
<4659>
// Even though we're living in such worse conditions than before, we were more at ease.
<4660>
// On that day, I should have felt uncomfortable.
<4661>
// On such a relaxing and calm day.
<4662>
// But, I'll be moving on through such days from now on.
<4663>
// After we finished cleaning up, Nagisa sat at the table alone.
<4664>
// \{\m{B}} "Homework?"
<4665>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, it's two courses worth."
<4666>
// \{\m{B}} "I see..."
<4667>
// \{\m{B}} "Want me to help?"
<4668>
// \{Nagisa} "I don't want to cheat."
<4669>
// \{\m{B}} "I see... cheating, huh?"
<4670>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes. I have to do this alone."
<4671>
// I thought that we'd share that happiness today until we went to sleep, but it seems it won't.
<4672>
// I was watching TV at a low volume behind Nagisa, who was studying.
<4673>
// \{\m{B}} (This isn't interesting...)
<4674>
// \{\m{B}} (Ahh... watching TV like this probably ended the day full of happiness today, hasn't it...?)
<4675>
// I look over at Nagisa.
<4676>
// She was doing her homework, without looking aside.
<4677>
// Hug her from behind
<4678>
// Be nice and watch TV
<4679>
// It's not like this happiness ran off.
<4680>
// If we happened to share this again on a day where she had none, we'd finish the discussion.
<4681>
// Besides, I liked seeing Nagisa do her very best.
<4682>
// That's why I looked at her the whole time... as if watching over her.
<4683>
// I sit right behind where Nagisa is as she's facing the desk, and hug her from behind.
<4684>
// \{Nagisa} "What's wrong, \m{B}-kun?"
<4685>
// Nagisa looked back. At a distance, I could tell the number of eyelashes she had.
<4686>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, just wanted to cling onto you. Am I in the way?"
<4687>
// \{Nagisa} "No, you aren't at all."
<4688>
// \{\m{B}} "Can you do your homework like this?"
<4689>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes... if it's like this, then I don't mind at all."
<4690>
// \{Nagisa} "I'll be calm, and instead I might be able to work."
<4691>
// \{\m{B}} "You're not hot?"
<4692>
// \{Nagisa} "It's fine. The fan's running."
<4693>
// \{\m{B}} "I see... then, let's just be like this."
<4694>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<4695>
// Her eyes fall on the notes spread out on the table.
<4696>
// I can tell that her eyes are moving across the notes.
<4697>
// Sometimes they twinkled with surprise.
<4698>
// Was she puzzled over it? Her lips tightened up.
<4699>
// \{\m{B}} (... cute...)
<4700>
// Embrace her more strongly
<4701>
// I'll probably in the way, so remain like this
<4702>
// I suddenly tightened my embrace.
<4703>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah..."
<4704>
// Her lips loosened up, and she let out a small voice.
<4705>
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, sorry..."
<4706>
// \{Nagisa} "Not at all... I was just a bit surprised..."
<4707>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm... even if you do that, I don't mind at all."
<4708>
// \{\m{B}} "Really?"
<4709>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes..."
<4710>
// \{\m{B}} "If you want to, then I'll do that."
<4711>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<4712>
// Her eyes once again returned to the notes.
<4713>
// \{\m{B}} (Nagisa sure smells nice...)
<4714>
// \{\m{B}} (Even though she hasn't taken a bath...)
<4715>
// I put my nose to her nape, and enveloped myself in that smell.
<4716>
// \{\m{B}} (Maybe it's the smell of her hair...?)
<4717>
// \{\m{B}} (Wonder about her body...?)
<4718>
// \{\m{B}} (Does a girl smell good, even if they've been sweating...?)
<4719>
// Check
<4720>
// That would most certainly be rude
<4721>
// I tug her collar, and thrust myself into her chest.
<4722>
// \{Nagisa} "Waah!"
<4723>
// Nagisa made a voice, and jumped back.
<4724>
// \{\m{B}} "Don't mind me, just study."
<4725>
// \{Nagisa} "Right now was just..."
<4726>
// \{\m{B}} "That was certainly in the way, wasn't it...?"
<4727>
// \{Nagisa} "Well, not really but..."
<4728>
// \{Nagisa} "It just surprised me a little bit..."
<4729>
// \{Nagisa} "But, well..."
<4730>
// \{Nagisa} "I don't reallly want you to be looking at such a particular place..." 
<4731>
// \{\m{B}} "Looking at what?"
<4732>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh...?"
<4733>
// \{\m{B}} "I wasn't really looking at anything though."
<4734>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah... just my misunderstanding..."
<4735>
// For some reason she was blushing.
<4736>
// \{Nagisa} "Then I'll return to studying."
<4737>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay."
<4738>
// She again faced the desk.
<4739>
// I also cuddled in close, like I had done just now.
<4740>
// This time I did so silently, without surprising her.
<4741>
// I tugged her collar looking in the opening.
<4742>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<4743>
// I check inside.
<4744>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm... \m{B}... kun..."
<4745>
// I put my nose to her collarbone, and take a whiff.
<4746>
// Sniff, sniff...
<4747>
// \{Nagisa} "Waah!"
<4748>
// She again jumped back.
<4749>
// \{\m{B}} "Huh?"
<4750>
// \{Nagisa} "Are you doing something right now, \m{B}-kun?!"
<4751>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh? Doing what...?"
<4752>
// Oh yeah, speaking of which, she said something about not wanting me to look...
<4753>
// Ah, that's right.
<4754>
// \{\m{B}} "You're probably thinking that I wanted to take a look at your breasts."
<4755>
// \{\m{B}} "That's off."
<4756>
// \{Nagisa} "Really...?"
<4757>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah. I was taking a whiff of your scent, so don't mind."
<4758>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh...?"
<4759>
// \{Nagisa} "You shouldn't do that!"
<4760>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh? Really?"
<4761>
// \{Nagisa} "You can't take a whiff of a girl that hasn't taken a bath!"
<4762>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, sorry..."
<4763>
// \{Nagisa} "I think you're strange, \m{B}-kun!"
<4764>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, I thought taking a whiff of the girl that you like was normal..."
<4765>
// \{Nagisa} "Because, I'm expecting something else might not be accompanying the smell." 
<4766>
// \{Nagisa} "Wait, I definitely did say something strange!"
<4767>
// \{\m{B}} "Really?"
<4768>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes... that said, don't take a whiff again."
<4769>
// \{Nagisa} "Until I take a bath, taking a whiff is \bprohibited\u."
<4770>
// \{\m{B}} "That's too bad..."
<4771>
// \{\m{B}} "Somehow, it seemed really interesting that I'd get some claim on unknown waters with girls."
<4772>
// \{Nagisa} "You can't claim that!"
<4773>
// If I did that, she'd get angry...
<4774>
// I'll just be like this.
<4775>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<4776>
// I look at her from the side as she studied.
<4777>
// Even so, she's cute.
<4778>
// Is it strange to think that your own girlfriend was this cute?
<4779>
// When you're with a girl for a long while, and find a negative aspect she has, you might honestly stop thinking she was cute...
<4780>
// \{\m{B}} (But... I can't find anything bad about her...)
<4781>
// \{\m{B}} (Even though we've been together for a long time...)
<4782>
// \{\m{B}} (Even now, I love her still, just like before...)
<4783>
// I say it, so to put it into words.
<4784>
// \{\m{B}} "I love you, Nagisa."
<4785>
// Hugging her strongly, I cuddle my face by her nape.
<4786>
// I'll be in the way, so I'll just remain like this.
<4787>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<4788>
// I look at her from the side as she studied.
<4789>
// Even so, she's cute.
<4790>
// Is it strange to think that your own girlfriend was this cute?
<4791>
// When you're with a girl for a long while, and find a negative aspect she has, you might honestly stop thinking she was cute...
<4792>
// \{\m{B}} (But... I can't find anything bad about her...)
<4793>
// \{\m{B}} (Even though we've been together for a long time...)
<4794>
// \{\m{B}} (Even now, I love her still, just like before...)
<4795>
// I say it, so to put it into words.
<4796>
// \{\m{B}} "I love you, Nagisa."
<4797>
// Saying that, I strongly hug her.
<4798>
// \{\m{B}} (... oh snap...)
<4799>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm..."
<4800>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah... that really got in the way just now, didn't it..."
<4801>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, yes..."
<4802>
// \{Nagisa} "I can't really study..."
<4803>
// \{\m{B}} "Sorry..."
<4804>
// I was never one to keep silent and control myself while hugging her.
<4805>
// I let go, so to let her concentrate on studying.
<4806>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah... but, even if you do stop, I don't think I can concentrate on studying..."
<4807>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh? Then, what'll you do?"
<4808>
// \{Nagisa} "I'll take a break for a bit..."
<4809>
// \{Nagisa} "During which time, I'd like for you to hug me..."
<4810>
// Hug.
<4811>
// Before I could even think, I embraced her body from behind.
<4812>
// \{Nagisa} "Please... wait a second..."
<4813>
// Loosening up, Nagisa changed her posture in my arms. She faced her body towards me, making it easier.
<4814>
// I tighten the embrace once again.
<4815>
// The upper part of our bodies touched each other, giving a perfect embrace.
<4816>
// But, to have this posture while sitting, it was unreasonable for the lower part of our bodies, and was painful.
<4817>
// Holding that posture, I brought Nagisa's body down to the ground.
<4818>
// Nagisa also stretched out her legs, willingly coming under me.
<4819>
// My arms ended up being crushed from under her, so I shifted them to her neck.
<4820>
// Doing that, our bodies were touching each other from head to toe.
<4821>
// I push my face in Nagisa's nape to the point of being persistent, and then tightened the embrace my arms had.
<4822>
// Nagisa also did the same with my back, as if responding.
<4823>
// \{\m{B}} (Ahh... this really is getting in the way of her homework...)
<4824>
// \{\m{B}} (But, today... we worked as hard as we could... and I was recognized today so...)
<4825>
// \{\m{B}} (It should be fine...)
<4826>
// The heat built up at the points where we touched.
<4827>
// Even so, we continued hugging each other, without letting go.
<4828>
// \{Nagisa} "We're back."
<4829>
// \{\m{B}} "Yo."
<4830>
// On a tropical afternoon, the two of us came through the Furukawa household again.
<4831>
// \{Akio} "Oh, welcome back. Hot, ain't it?"
<4832>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, it really is."
<4833>
// \{Akio} "You shouldn't stay long in the sunlight, m'kay?"
<4834>
// \{Nagisa} "I know."
<4835>
// \{Akio} "Even in the shop here, we've got no air conditioner so it's hot."
<4836>
// \{Akio} "Take a break further inside where there's one."
<4837>
// \{Nagisa} "It's okay. I'm used to the heat, so I'm fine."
<4838>
// \{Akio} "Oh... that's right, you don't have one in the apartment."
<4839>
// \{Akio} "Hey, Sanae!"
<4840>
// As if he remembered, pops called into the house.
<4841>
// \{Akio} "Nagisa's back, so go get her something cold!"
<4842>
// ... what about me?
<4843>
// \{Nagisa} "That said, we do have an electric fan. \m{B}-kun found it."
<4844>
// \{Akio} "Even if you have that, the room's hot, so all you got blowing at you is hot air."
<4845>
// \{Nagisa} "It's quite cool."
<4846>
// \{Akio} "Well, don't pretend to endure it. If it's hot, you can come back here and cool off."
<4847>
// \{Nagisa} "No, even at work \m{B}-kun's sweating even more, so I couldn't come to cool off on my own."
<4848>
// \{Nagisa} "I want to wait for him back at the apartment."
<4849>
// \{Akio} "Tch... a daughter that won't take in parental love."
<4850>
// \{Sanae} "Akio-san's just being lonely."
<4851>
// Sanae-san brought a tray out.
<4852>
// \{\m{B}} "Yo."
<4853>
// \{Sanae} "Good afternoon, \m{B}-san."
<4854>
// Her summer clothing dazzled in my eyes.
<4855>
// \{Sanae} "Is everyone okay with ice coffee?"
<4856>
// \{Akio} "Yeah, you're charming today as well, Sanae."
<4857>
// \{Sanae} "Thank you so much!"
<4858>
// The conversation isn't even budging at all.
<4859>
// \{\m{B}} "I'll have one."
<4860>
// I take my share.
<4861>
// The four of us hold our glass cups and drink through the straw, continuing to talk.
<4862>
// Inside the store, the family had all gathered round inside the house, feeling like a built-up technique.
<4863>
// Even if a customer came and saw this, they'd pay no attention and just probably buy some bread.
<4864>
// \{Nagisa} "You really are lonely, dad."
<4865>
// \{Akio} "Well you see... we've been this way for the past nineteen years..."
<4866>
// \{Akio} "When summer comes, I remember... going to the mountains or the beach..."
<4867>
// \{Nagisa} "That troubles me when you say that."
<4868>
// \{Sanae} "It's fine, Nagisa. If you nod to Akio-san's selfish words now, he'll be able to endure."
<4869>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh... why, I wonder?"
<4870>
// \{Akio} "Hmph... you think you can make it so simple? That said, pop quiz."
<4871>
// \{Akio} "Now, what event do I have planned for this summer?"
<4872>
// \{Akio} "One, beach barbeque."
<4873>
// \{Akio} "Two, beach battancue."
<4874>
// \{Akio} "Three, beach Fujioka Barbara."
<4875>
// \{Akio} "Now, which'll it be?"
<4876>
// \{\m{B}} (Who the hell's the last one...?)
<4877>
// \{Nagisa} "All of them have similar words, so it's troubling."
<4878>
// \{\m{B}} "The last's absolutely wrong, isn't it?!"
<4879>
// \{Akio} "They all start with 'ba', don't they?!"
<4880>
// \{Akio} "You can go do the Fujioka Barbara on your own, man."
<4881>
// \{Sanae} "If it's fun, please let us know."
<4882>
// \{\m{B}} (Ahh, It's Idiot World...)
<4883>
// \{Akio} "So Nagisa, what's your answer?"
<4884>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay, it's number one, the beach barbecue."
<4885>
// \{Akio} "Buzz! The right one is number two, the beach battancue."
<4886>
// \{Sanae} "You can do the battancue alone, Akio-san."
<4887>
// \{Sanae} "We'll go with the barbecue, okay, Nagisa?"
<4888>
// \{Akio} "Keh, yeah, that's the right one."
<4889>
// \{Nagisa} "Really?! I'm looking forward to it!"
<4890>
// \{Akio} "Okay, it's decided."
<4891>
// \{Sanae} "I think there's the Bon holidays. Do you have those days off, \m{B}-san?"
<4892>
// \{\m{B}} "I think it should be fine."
<4893>
// \{Akio} "You can work a crapload, okay?"
<4894>
// \{Nagisa} "No, if \m{B}-kun doesn't go, then I won't either."
<4895>
// \{Akio} "Tch... then I guess he can carry the luggage."
<4896>
// \{Nagisa} "You can't do that either! \m{B}-kun's everyday work is already tiring."
<4897>
// \{\m{B}} "It's fine, even if it's luggage."
<4898>
// \{Akio} "All right!!! He said something real good, there!"
<4899>
// \{Nagisa} "Even so, you can't! I won't allow it!"
<4900>
// She's fighting her father in my place. Quite a reliable girlfriend.
<4901>
// \{Sanae} "I'd also like to see Akio-san boast his strength!"
<4902>
// \{Akio} "Leave it to me! I'll carry it all!"
<4903>
// With one word, Sanae-san finished the topic quickly.
<4904>
// \{Akio} "Damn it... why am I carrying the luggage..."
<4905>
// Nagisa and Sanae-san were in the kitchen, having their chatter as always while preparing dinner.
<4906>
// I helped with the store.
<4907>
// \{Akio} "Is it becuase \byou\u appeared that I've become the comedian?"
<4908>
// \{\m{B}} "And up until then you were the comedian...?"
<4909>
// \{Akio} "Of course. I'm the man of the house, you see."
<4910>
// \{Akio} "I dunno if Nagisa's told you herself, but you see she's like..."
<4911>
// \{Akio} "'I've fallen in love with dad... but, that's something that \bshouldn't be\u'..."
<4912>
// \{Akio} "And then we'd go, 'Nagisa's a strange girl!' and she went on through puberty like that..."
<4913>
// ... that's an absolute lie.
<4914>
// \{Akio} "And then, you appeared..."
<4915>
// \{Akio} "'Even now, I like you the best, dad, so I'll endure that greenick'... saying that, she went to you."
<4916>
// \{\m{B}} "Like Nagisa said greenick at all!"
<4917>
// \{Akio} "She did, you greenick!"
<4918>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm not a greenick!"
<4919>
// \{Akio} "Nagisa said it so, you're a greenick!"
<4920>
// \{\m{B}} "She would never say something like greenick!"
<4921>
// \{Akio} "Why you greenick! Someone who's so green he's never used his d*ck!!"
<4922>
// \{Voice} "Hey you two, please don't be yelling strange things in the shop, okay--?"
<9999>
// \{秋生}「渚が言ってるんだから、ヘナチョコなんだよっ！」
<9999>
// \{秋生}「渚が言ってるんだから、ヘナチョコなんだよっ！」
<4923>
// Sanae-san's voice from afar.
<4924>
// \{Akio} "Gah... cough!"
<4925>
// \{Akio} "Greenick..."
<4926>
// He said that, as if murmuring.
<4927>
// \{\m{B}} "I said I'm not!"
<4928>
// \{Akio} "So what? You claiming you've dishonored yourself as a man?"
<4929>
// \{\m{B}} "Ugh..."
<4930>
// He caught my tongue.
<4931>
// \{Akio} "Even now, she must be talking with Sanae. 'My boyfriend's a greenick', see."
<4932>
// The personality he speaks of is different.
<4933>
// \{Akio} "You know, it doesn't mean you've brought some bad thing into the peace of your home."
<4934>
// \{\m{B}} "Didn't I tell you before... that I held Nagisa dear...?"
<4935>
// \{Akio} "You say that, but how many years have you lived with her?!"
<4936>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, just two months."
<4937>
// \{Akio} "Even so, that's long..."
<4938>
// \{Akio} "And what have \byou\u been doing during that time?"
<4939>
// ... he's such a person that asks bad questions.
<4940>
// \{Akio} "All righty, take a porn book with you."
<4941>
// Ahh... at this point, he'd probably say something like this...
<4942>
// \{Akio} "Or what, you'd prefer Sanae's underwear?"
<4943>
// Slam, thud-----!!!\shake{3}
<4944>
// I suddenly hit the back of my head against the door.
<4945>
// \{Akio} "Idiot, you plan on destroying the shop?!"
<4946>
// \{\m{B}} "Because you said something outrageous!"
<4947>
// \{Akio} "Tch, be quiet... Sanae'll yell at us."
<4948>
// \{Akio} "........."
<4949>
// \{Akio} "So..."
<4950>
// \{Akio} "Which do you want?"
<4951>
// \{\m{B}} (... I'm picking?!)
<4952>
// Pops' treasured porn book
<4953>
// Sanae-san's underwear
<4954>
// Don't want either
<4955>
// \{\m{B}} "P...\p porn book..."
<4956>
// \{Akio} "Oh, so you've finally felt like taking one. Keep a tight hold on it, so no one finds out!"
<4957>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah..."
<4958>
// It shouldn't be too perverted, right...?
<4959>
// ... I can't. As a person, I feel picking that is not something I should do...
<4960>
// But, if I say that now, I might be able to get it...
<4961>
// Hey wait, I want that?!
<4962>
// Nagisa's got hers at home, doesn't she?!
<4963>
// \{\m{B}} "Guahhhh---!!"
<4964>
// \{Akio} "Are you that troubled, geez..."
<4965>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, I don't want anything anymore..."
<4966>
// \{Akio} "Eh? You sure?"
<4967>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah..."
<4968>
// Forget it... pretend like it never existed...
<4969>
// I feel like I'm really regretting this...
<4970>
// \{Akio} "I see... well, whatever."
<4971>
// \{Akio} "If you were to have picked Sanae's underwear, I'd rip apart your relationship with Nagisa for your whole life, you know."
<4972>
// \{\m{B}} (Oh snap-----!)
<4973>
// If it's him, he'd really do it just on those grounds alone.
<4974>
// \{\m{B}} "I don't want either."
<4975>
// \{Akio} "Bastard, you not satisfied with that product lineup?"
<4976>
// \{\m{B}} "That's just what you like, isn't it?"
<4977>
// \{Akio} "I see... I'm a man. In other words, you're a girl."
<4978>
// \{\m{B}} "No matter how you look, I'm a man..."
<4979>
// \{Akio} "Hah, what man are you, not having a single porn book you don't read secretly?!"
<4980>
// \{Akio} "You're a girl! You've got no guts!"
<4981>
// Ahh... is this where I'm going to leave it at, going home without a porn book?
<4982>
// \{\m{B}} "All right..."
<4983>
// I was really annoyed, so I answered like that.
<4984>
// \{Akio} "Oh, you gonna take one back?"
<4985>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<4986>
// \{\m{B}} (Well, I'd be lying if I said I didn't have an interest in it...)
<4987>
// \{Akio} "Keep a tight hold on it, so no one finds out."
<4988>
// We also returned home ahead of time to take dinner.
<4989>
// I've still got work from tomorrow onward.
<4990>
// \{Nagisa} "For four people to go to the beach is so wonderful! I'm looking forward to it!"
<4991>
// \{\m{B}} "I regret it a bit. I wanted to do something too."
<4992>
// \{Nagisa} "But you're busy, \m{B}-kun."
<4993>
// \{\m{B}} "When I think about it, I can do it at any time... like this though, I'm simply useless."
<4994>
// \{\m{B}} "I guess for now, when summer break starts, we'll go to the pool."
<4995>
// \{Nagisa} "Sure, I don't mind, but why?"
<4996>
// \{\m{B}} "Before we go and see, I want to check first."
<4997>
// \{Nagisa} "Check what?"
<4998>
// \{\m{B}} "Your swimsuit."
<4999>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh...?"
<5000>
// \{\m{B}} "A new swimsuit that the two of us'll pick."
<5001>
// \{\m{B}} "For now, I'll pick it myself first."
<5002>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay... sure.
<5003>
// \{Nagisa} "It's a bit bold, so I'm shy..."
<5004>
// \{\m{B}} "Bold? Isn't something like that normal?"
<5005>
// \{Nagisa} "I'll end up with a bare stomach."
<5006>
// \{\m{B}} "That's a swimsuit for you."
<5007>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, but I want show courage."
<5008>
// \{Nagisa} "I want to show you, \m{B}-kun."
<5009>
// \{\m{B}} "Sure, I'm looking forward to it."
<5010>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay!"
<5011>
// I think as I look at Nagisa, giving a shy smile.
<5012>
// Things are... really getting along.
<5013>
// It was really painful when I started working though...
<5014>
// But, these were the days I was looking forward to by climbing over that.
<5015>
// \{Nagisa} "By the way... what's that?"
<5016>
// Nagisa looked at my chest and asked.
<5017>
// I was holding a paper bag there.
<5018>
// Inside... was the porn book pops gave me.
<5019>
// \{Nagisa} "Something you got?"
<5020>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, what do you call it... personal stuff."
<5021>
// \{Nagisa} "Something you left back at the house?"
<5022>
// \{\m{B}} "Something like that."
<5023>
// \{Nagisa} "What might it be? I'm interested."
<5024>
// A girl's intuition is... frighteningly strong.
<5025>
// \{\m{B}} "Just some magazine. Stuff I threw away... for a while."
<5026>
// \{Nagisa} "What magazine?"
<5027>
// \{\m{B}} "Umm... cars and motorcycles."
<5028>
// \{\m{B}} "You like those?"
<5029>
// \{Nagisa} "No, not really..."
<5030>
// \{Nagisa} "But, if you like it, \m{B}-kun, then I'd like to also come to like it."
<5031>
// \{Nagisa} "If I do that, we can talk a lot."
<5032>
// \{\m{B}} "You don't have to force yourself."
<5033>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm not forcing myself. I just want to."
<5034>
// \{Nagisa} "I'll try reading it a bit when we get back."
<5035>
// \{\m{B}} "I-I see... hmm, I wonder..."
<5036>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, you have a somewhat troubled face."
<5037>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh? Really...?"
<5038>
// If I bring it like this on the way back, I'll definitely get caught...
<5039>
// No offense to pops, but I gotta lose this somewhere...
<5040>
// \{Nagisa} "What are you looking for? You were searching restlessly just now."
<5041>
// \{\m{B}} "Err... nothing."
<5042>
// I didn't get a chance to throw it out...
<5043>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, please go and take a shower first."
<5044>
// \{\m{B}} "I can take one later."
<5045>
// \{Nagisa} "You always go first, \m{B}-kun."
<5046>
// \{\m{B}} "I'll be fine with later today."
<5047>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<5048>
// She stared at me.
<5049>
// I give her a quick smile.
<5050>
// \{Nagisa} "You're strange, \m{B}-kun."
<5051>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<5052>
// \{Nagisa} "Is it that magazine?"
<5053>
// \{\m{B}} (She's got me red-handed...)
<5054>
// \{Nagisa} "Is it a magazine I can't see?"
<5055>
// \{Nagisa} "If you say I can't look at it, then I won't."
<5056>
// \{Nagisa} "But, well... you can't keep secrets."
<5057>
// \{Nagisa} "I never hide anything from you, \m{B}-kun."
<5058>
// Ahh... my chest hurts.
<5059>
// When you criticize me like that, I end up not being able to resist anymore.
<5060>
// \{\m{B}} "Sorry..."
<5061>
// \{\m{B}} "It's...\p it's a porn book."
<5062>
// I hang my head, knees hitting the ground.
<5063>
// \{Nagisa} "A perverted book?"
<5064>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes, a perverted book."
<5065>
// \{Nagisa} "You wanted to look at it, \m{B}-kun?"
<5066>
// \{\m{B}} "That's a guy for you..."
<5067>
// \{Nagisa} "I see..."
<5068>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<5069>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm a bit shocked."
<5070>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, I'm sorry..."
<5071>
// \{Nagisa} "Are there cute girls in there...?"
<5072>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, I haven't seen it yet, so I have no idea."
<5073>
// \{Nagisa} "Then, you're looking because there might be...?"
<5074>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, I guess it'll be like that..."
<5075>
// \{Nagisa} "Then... is it that you like other girls...?"
<5076>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh?"
<5077>
// It couldn't be that she... was jealous of girls in magazines?
<5078>
// \{\m{B}} "That's not it, Nagisa. You'll always be number one to me."
<5079>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, not number one, but you're the only one I'll love."
<5080>
// \{\m{B}} "I wouldn't have any feelings for any other girls."
<5081>
// \{\m{B}} "That's the truth."
<5082>
// \{Nagisa} "Thank you so much..."
<5083>
// \{Nagisa} "Then, \m{B}-kun... is it because of me that you want to look at other girls...?"
<5084>
// \{Nagisa} "Am I still holding you back, \m{B}-kun...?"
<5085>
// \{\m{B}} "Well... I... guess it... could be like that..."
<5086>
// \{Nagisa} "I want you to tell me clearly."
<5087>
// \{Nagisa} "If you tell me..."
<5088>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<5089>
// ... nod.
<5090>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<5091>
// \{Nagisa} "Let's watch TV."
<5092>
// Slip!
<5093>
// I immediately slipped over.
<5094>
// \{Nagisa} "We have to watch the news."
<5095>
// \{\m{B}} (She didn't say the most important part...)
<5096>
// I wanted to tease Nagisa, who had forcibly turned the conversation away.
<5097>
// I sit against the wall, and slowly pull out the contents of the paper bag, beginning to look at the front cover.
<5098>
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm, the girls in here aren't cuter than Nagisa..."
<5099>
// \{\m{B}} "But, it can't be helped. I'll have to deal with it..."
<5100>
// With only a copy in hand, I begin turning the page.
<5101>
// .........
<5102>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun..."
<5103>
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm?"
<5104>
// Nagisa was staring this way.
<5105>
// \{Nagisa} "I don't want to look at that..."
<5106>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah... I also don't like looking at this either."
<5107>
// \{Nagisa} "Then, I want you to tell me clearly..."
<5108>
// \{Nagisa} "If you tell me..."
<5109>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<5110>
// \{Nagisa} "Then, I'll let you see... just for a bit."
<5111>
// \{\m{B}} (Uwaah...)
<5112>
// \{\m{B}} (She said it...)
<5113>
// \{\m{B}} (I'm such a cruel man...)
<5114>
// Say you want to
<5115>
// Leave it be
<5116>
// Gulp...
<5117>
// Swallowing in my mouth... I prepare myself.
<5118>
// \{\m{B}} "I want to...\p see yours, Nagisa."
<5119>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<5120>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay..."
<5121>
// \{Nagisa} "Please look..."
<5122>
// Time slows down.
<5123>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm..."
<5124>
// \{Nagisa} "Is my underwear fine...?"
<5125>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh? Just your underwear?"
<5126>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm... even under...?"
<5127>
// \{\m{B}} "These people take off everything..."
<5128>
// ... what cruel things am I saying, huh?
<5129>
// \{Nagisa} "Then..."
<5130>
// \{Nagisa} "Just a little, for a moment..."
<5131>
// \{\m{B}} "Umm... where...?"
<5132>
// \{Nagisa} "... my chest but... is that fine...?"
<5133>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<5134>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh, below...?"
<5135>
// \{Nagisa} "I definitely won't do below..."
<5136>
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, well, the chest is fine. That's enough."
<5137>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay..."
<5138>
// \{Nagisa} "Then, here..." 
<5139>
// Nagisa takes off her sleeves.
<5140>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah... my stomach will be bare..."
<5141>
// \{\m{B}} "Obviously it would..."
<5142>
// The first time I've seen Nagisa's stomach.
<5143>
// Wasn't too thin nor too big. Just about the right beauty. 
<5144>
// The texture was so nice, almost to the point of me wanting to touch it.
<5145>
// And Nagisa pulls off her sleeves further.
<5146>
// From under, two hills covered in white underwear gazed at me.
<5147>
// \{\m{B}} (Ahh, amazing... somewhat exciting...)
<5148>
// \{\m{B}} (Though it isn't big... to say that I like big ones are a bit...)
<5149>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun..."
<5150>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh?"
<5151>
// The top of her chest pushed down on the clothes she took off.
<5152>
// \{Nagisa} "Like this..."
<5153>
// \{Nagisa} "Softly...\wait{1000} turn them over... and look."
<5154>
// \{\m{B}} "Is that fine?"
<5155>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes..."
<5156>
// \{Nagisa} "But... just for a bit...\wait{1000} you can't stare at them..."
<5157>
// \{Nagisa} "When you've looked, please put them back..."
<5158>
// \{\m{B}} "Umm...\p how far can I look?"
<5159>
// \{Nagisa} "As far s you want to, \m{B}-kun..."
<5160>
// \{\m{B}} "Roger..."
<5161>
// A very delicious situation...
<5162>
// From henceforth, I'll be getting to see a part of Nagisa that no other man shall...
<5163>
// Nagisa's showing that to me... for me.
<5164>
// Stretching my arm, I pluck her bra with my fingers.
<5165>
// \{\m{B}} (It's quite tight...)
<5166>
// I do it more strongly... and slowly flip it over.
<5167>
// Nagisa... closes her eyes, bearing with the situation.
<5168>
// And then... I lift up the part I'm holding.
<5169>
// A third one was... exposed to open air.
<5170>
// Wonder if this is called the underbust... it's expanding out.
<5171>
// \{\m{B}} (Amazing... it's cute... and indecent...)
<5172>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun...\wait{1000} you've taken too long..."
<5173>
// \{\m{B}} "Uh, well, I haven't seen anything yet..."
<5174>
// \{Nagisa} "You're lying... you've looked quite a lot..."
<5175>
// \{Nagisa} "It's... over now!"
<5176>
// \{\m{B}} "... eh?"
<5177>
// Nagisa swiftly pulls back.
<5178>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay, that's a wrap!"
<5179>
// She dusts off the clothing she just fixed.
<5180>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<5181>
// I had frozen solid in a miserable posture, as if I were still flipping over her underwear.
<5182>
// \{\m{B}} (No way... I still hadn't seen it...)
<5183>
// \{Nagisa} "Like this, you won't have to look at a perverted book."
<5184>
// \{\m{B}} (I still haven't seen it...)
<5185>
// But, she did so just because of that...
<5186>
// \{\m{B}} (Damn it...)
<5187>
// I reluctantly throw out the book that pops gave me.
<5188>
// \{Nagisa} "You're honest, \m{B}-kun."
<5189>
// ... and you're praising me?
<5190>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm joking."
<5191>
// Saying that, I put the book back into the bag, and carefully close it up.
<5192>
// And then, I turn my attention to the television set.
<5193>
// \{Nagisa} "Joking, what do you mean...?"
<5194>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm..."
<5195>
// \{Nagisa} "Were you teasing me...?"
<5196>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, I was serious at first, but somehow it became teasing you, so I stopped."
<5197>
// \{Nagisa} "Not at all... I wasn't thinking of it like that."
<5198>
// \{Nagisa} "It was for you, \m{B}-kun, so... even if it's embarrassing..."
<5199>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, if I make you show me through that, I'd just become hated."
<5200>
// \{\m{B}} "We'll do this again in a more, natural way, okay?"
<5201>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<5202>
// \{\m{B}} "Besides, I'll throw out the book, anyways."
<5203>
// \{Nagisa} "Really?"
<5204>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<5205>
// \{Nagisa} "... I'm glad."
<5206>
// After breathing a sigh of relief, she turned her attention towards the TV.
<5207>
// \{\m{B}} "She really is jealous of the Gravure girls, isn't she...?)
<5208>
// \{\m{B}} (How innocent...)
<5209>
// \{\m{B}} (Well... she did give a cute response...)
<5210>
// I threw out the bag as is into the garbage.
<5211>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah..."
<5212>
// Nagisa let out a voice, seeing that.
<5213>
// \{\m{B}} "I told you it's fine. Come on, let's go watch TV."
<5214>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<5215>
// We reseat ourselves so we cuddle up.
<5216>
// \{Nagisa} "You really are kind, \m{B}-kun."
<5217>
// \{\m{B}} "Not at all, really..."
<5218>
// \{Nagisa} "That's what I love about you, \m{B}-kun."
<5219>
// \{Nagisa} "Ehehe..."
<5220>
// Even though it's all my fault, when she puts it that way, I really do feel like I'm a hateful guy.
<5221>
// I'll seriously reflect upon that...
<5222>
// Our summer break began.
<5223>
// Last year, for me it was supposed to have been normal as well, but it abruptly came to a halt.
<5224>
// And it was something that I couldn't visit again.
<5225>
// If there's a long break, it would have to be when I retire.
<5226>
// Will I continue working until then?
<5227>
// Did the days in which I played like a kid really end?
<5228>
// I realized that such a thing had happened at this point in time.
<5229>
// \{\m{B}} "You've always been waiting at home. Got time? Let's do something we like."
<5230>
// \{Nagisa} "I have a lot of homework from school, so I can't really play like that."
<5231>
// \{\m{B}} "If you're gonna do homework, let's do it at your parents' place. It's cool there, right?"
<5232>
// \{Nagisa} "It's okay, I'll do it here."
<5233>
// Right now, it's dark, so spending time here for a while would be preferable. However, during the day, this room is going to be scorching hot.
<5234>
// There are a lot of things we can do during the holiday. I don't have experience with that but, Nagisa does.
<5235>
// From every day onward, we're going to be going through the heat.
<5236>
// \{\m{B}} "You don't want me to get an air conditioner...?"
<5237>
// \{Nagisa} "No need."
<5238>
// Stubborn...
<5239>
// \{\m{B}} "I think there's one that isn't too expensive..."
<5240>
// \{Nagisa} "The air coming from an air conditioner isn't really good for the body."
<5241>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm fine with the air from a fan."
<5242>
// When she puts it that way, I'm in no position to be pushing her.
<5243>
// \{\m{B}} "I'll just tell you though..."
<5244>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<5245>
// \{\m{B}} "I think this is too much for my sake."
<5246>
// \{Nagisa} "Something like this is perfectly fine."
<5247>
// \{Nagisa} "Being told to go back to my parents' place is painful."
<5248>
// \{Nagisa} "I've been thinking about a lot of things while waiting for you at home, \m{B}-kun."
<5249>
// \{Nagisa} "Like what I could make for dinner..."
<5250>
// \{Nagisa} "Like what you thought was delicious..."
<5251>
// \{Nagisa} "That was really fun, so I'm happy."
<5252>
// \{Nagisa} "Being told not to do that is lonely."
<5253>
// \{Nagisa} "Because this place is..."
<5254>
// \{Nagisa} "The home in which you and I live, \m{B}-kun."
<5255>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<5256>
// I see...
<5257>
// I was being too shallow...
<5258>
// Since that day where we began living together...
<5259>
// This place wasn't as if it were a single-room apartment... it should have been our home.
<5260>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah... I guess."
<5261>
// \{\m{B}} "But, it'll do more harm than good if you push your body. Keep that in mind."
<5262>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<5263>
// This time, she nodded obediently.
<5264>
// Nagisa was bedridden the whole time last summer.
<5265>
// That's why when I see Nagisa in her summer clothing, it makes me happy.
<5266>
// Entering summer break, it was first Saturday. As promised, I took Nagisa to the community pool.
<5267>
// There was so many people that we were taken aback, but we got used to it.
<5268>
// After a few hours, within that confusion, we were having fun, without being embarrassed about it. 
<5269>
// I didn't meet anyone I know, but the Furukawa Bakery customers brought along their kids, and Nagisa got wet in the swimsuit many times.
<5270>
// I was smiling there.
<5271>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, it seems you've gotten kinder."
<5272>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh... really?"
<5273>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes. Even when I talked to other people, you were always smiling."
<5274>
// \{\m{B}} "That's because when your own girlfriend's talking to a lot of people in a cuddly way, my face has a way of becoming like that." 
<5275>
// \{Nagisa} "But you were different back then, \m{B}-kun."
<5276>
// \{\m{B}} "I wonder in what way?"
<5277>
// \{Nagisa} "... you were a bit distant, standing there."
<5278>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<5279>
// \{\m{B}} "... probably."
<5280>
// \{\m{B}} "I was probably never one to smile with others around..."
<5281>
// Was I certainly thinking that way back then?
<5282>
// Like they were all annoying.
<5283>
// At the time, it was absolutely depressing with other people meddling around and being noisy.
<5284>
// The relationship between people was depressing.
<5285>
// Now though, if it's not like that...
<5286>
// Being one that was linked to others because of Nagisa, I knew better.
<5287>
// In that it wasn't all that bad.
<5288>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun,"
<5289>
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm?"
<5290>
// \{Nagisa} "Could we hold hands?"
<5291>
// \{\m{B}} "Y-yeah."
<5292>
// I'll do anything now.
<5293>
// I smiled at myself.
<5294>
// The boss was discussing what to do during the Bon holiday during our pep talk.
<5295>
// All of us got three days off.
<5296>
// Compared to back in school, it was quite short, but for me right now, it was enough.
<5297>
// \{Yoshino} "What'll you do?"
<5298>
// \{\m{B}} "I've got plans."
<5299>
// \{Yoshino} "Going travelling with your girlfriend?"
<5300>
// \{\m{B}} "We're going to the beach."
<5301>
// \{\m{B}} "Not just my girlfriend, but her parents as well."
<5302>
// \{Yoshino} "Oh, going with the family? Quite rare these days."
<5303>
// \{\m{B}} "What'll you do, Yoshino-san?"
<5304>
// \{Yoshino} "Me? I wonder."
<5305>
// \{\m{B}} "Maybe you'll go somewhere with your girlfriend?"
<5306>
// I don't know if he has one, but I tried asking.
<5307>
// \{\m{B}} "Maybe you'll go somewhere with your girlfriend?"
<5308>
// \{\m{B}} "Maybe you'll go somewhere with Ibuki-san?"
<5309>
// \{Yoshino} "I guess... if I can, then that'd be nice."
<5310>
// Saying just that, he headed off to the office.
<5311>
// Was Yoshino-san hiding his embarrassment, I wonder?
<5312>
// I also went after him, so as to not get a late start.
<5313>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm back."
<5314>
// \{Nagisa} "Welcome back."
<5315>
// Nagisa was within the heat, standing in front of the stove.
<5316>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, I'll go and shower first."
<5317>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, sure... today's really hot..."
<5318>
// \{\m{B}} "Actually, you're also sweating."
<5319>
// Sweatdrops were forming on her face and forehead.
<5320>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm fine."
<5321>
// Her hands are full, so it doesn't look like she can wipe it.
<5322>
// I took out a handkerchief and dried it.
<5323>
// \{Nagisa} "Thank you so much."
<5324>
// \{Nagisa} "If I don't mix this, it'll burn."
<5325>
// \{\m{B}} "Then, if you're doing something like this, you can't stop, huh?"
<5326>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh...?"
<5327>
// I hug Nagisa from behind.
<5328>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah... yes... I can't stop..."
<5329>
// And again, sweat from her cheek dripped down and rubbed against mine.
<5330>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, it's shaking..."
<5331>
// \{\m{B}} "Then do it slowly."
<5332>
// \{Nagisa} "It's okay, I'll be done soon."
<5333>
// She turned off the heat from the stove.
<5334>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay... like this it won't be dangerous... so I can take anything."
<5335>
// When a girl says something like "I can take anything", it'll get exciting, even if she says no...
<5336>
// \{\m{B}} "Then... look this way."
<5337>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<5338>
// Within my relaxed arms, Nagisa turned halfway.
<5339>
// I embrace her. Her sweaty body touched mine.
<5340>
// \{Nagisa} "Is it fine if I haven't taken a shower...?"
<5341>
// \{\m{B}} "You'll just sweat again."
<5342>
// \{Nagisa} "Then..."
<5343>
// Nagisa tightened her embrace on me.
<5344>
// \{\m{B}} "Nagisa..."
<5345>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, \m{B}-kun...?"
<5346>
// Only the upper part of our bodies separate, and we look at each other.
<5347>
// Cute lips.
<5348>
// Nagisa probably also noticed that. She closed her eyes... and brought her lips to me.
<5349>
// I also did the same.
<5350>
// Ring, ring, ring, ring...
<5351>
// Just before we kissed, the phone rang.
<5352>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah... a phone call."
<5353>
// \{Nagisa} "I'll go and get it."
<5354>
// \{\m{B}} "Y-yeah..."
<5355>
// If we ignore it, would another phone call come...?
<5356>
// I reluctantly let her go.
<5357>
// Nagisa knelt in front of the phone, and picked up the receiver.
<5358>
// \{Nagisa} "Hello...? Ah, yes, that's right."
<5359>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun,"
<5360>
// Nagisa handed me the phone.
<5361>
// \{Nagisa} "It's a man by the name of Kishita-san."
<5362>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh? For me?"
<5363>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes."
<5364>
// Kishita...\p who might he be?
<5365>
// Without remembering, I took the phone.
<5366>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes, it's me."
<5367>
// \{Voice} "That you, \m{B}-kun?"
<5368>
// An elderly voice. I immediately remembered him as a co-worker of my father's from long ago.
<5369>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes, that's right."
<5370>
// \{Kishita} "Your father's been... arrested."
<5371>
// ...... eh?
<5372>
// \{Kishita} "He's been doing some shady dealings..."
<5373>
// ... what?
<5374>
// \{Kishita} "\m{B}-kun, are you listening?"
<5375>
// ... doing what?
<5376>
// ... what's going on?
<5377>
// ... I can't understand at all.
<5378>
// ... why?
<5379>
// \{Kishita} "\m{B}-kun, your father's been arrested by the police. That's how it is."
<5380>
// My father's...
<5381>
// Why?
<5382>
// Ahh... I don't know.
<5383>
// I can't understand at all.
<5384>
// Since when have I become such an idiot...
<5385>
// \{Kishita} "Let me talk to the girl just now."
<5386>
// \{Kishita} "Hey, come on, pass the phone to her."
<5387>
// \{Kishita} "When you've calmed down, she'll tell you what's happened."
<5388>
// The receiver falls from my hand, down to the floor.
<5389>
// I stared at Nagisa, who picked it up in haste.
<5390>
// Because it was a small city, the rumor spread fast.
<5391>
// A few days later, the boss called me...
<5392>
// Not meaning anything bad, but he told me to pretend that the new employment topic never happened.
<5393>
// \{Boss} "No one thinks of you as being bad at all, \m{A}-kun."
<5394>
// \{Boss} "You can work here like you've always have up to now."
<5395>
// \{Boss} "Because everyone here understands you, \m{A}-kun."
<5396>
// \{Boss} "It's just that the timing's a little bad..."
<5397>
// Ahh... I worked all this time... and had even gained something.
<5398>
// If I worked hard, something good up ahead would be waiting for me...
<5399>
// That's what I thought.
<5400>
// And it's been lost...
<5401>
// Not because of me...
<5402>
// But because of that person.
<5403>
// Even though I live as if I didn't have a relationship with him...
<5404>
// Even though I'll be doing everything on my own...
<5405>
// Even though I'll be doing everything I can to make the one I love happy...
<5406>
// Even so...
<5407>
// Ah... how could something be like this?
<5408>
// Am I cursed...?
<5409>
// ... by that man?
<5410>
// Nagisa and I sat facing each other.
<5411>
// The two of us bow, and I remember something from when we first started living together.
<5412>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Nagisa..."
<5413>
// \{\m{B}} "How about we..."
<5414>
// \{\m{B}} "Leave this city?"
<5415>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<5416>
// \{Nagisa} "We can't..."
<5417>
// \{Nagisa} "That would be running away."
<5418>
// \{Nagisa} "That's not facing forward..."
<5419>
// \{\m{B}} "I've always been running away..."
<5420>
// \{\m{B}} "It's fine now, right...?"
<5421>
// \{\m{B}} "This'll be the last time."
<5422>
// \{Nagisa} "We can't..."
<5423>
// \{Nagisa} "You can't be crushed by this, \m{B}-kun."
<5424>
// \{Nagisa} "I want you to... make me happy... in this city."
<5425>
// \{\m{B}} "I'll make you happy."
<5426>
// \{\m{B}} "But, even if it weren't this city, I can still do it, right?"
<5427>
// \{\m{B}} "As long as it's me, you'd say it's fine, right?"
<5428>
// \{Nagisa} "That's..."
<5429>
// \{Nagisa} "if it's you, \m{B}-kun, then wherever it is, it's fine."
<5430>
// \{Nagisa} "But, we can't leave this city in a time when we aren't facing forward."
<5431>
// \{Nagisa} "If we do... this will become a place that we can't come back to."
<5432>
// \{Nagisa} "This is the city where I was born."
<5433>
// \{Nagisa} "The city I've been raised in."
<5434>
// \{Nagisa} "It's our city."
<5435>
// \{Nagisa} "Am I wrong?"
<5436>
// \{\m{B}} "Even if all good things go to ruin?"
<5437>
// \{Nagisa} "All good things go to ruin...?'
<5438>
// \{Nagisa} "I've gained a lot of things."
<5439>
// \{Nagisa} "Meeting you was the number one thing, \m{B}-kun."
<5440>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<5441>
// Nagisa...
<5442>
// You really are here for me.
<5443>
// I'm such a blockhead to not be listening to what you have to say...
<5444>
// Even though it occurred to me as being stubborn, my miserable tears came flowing out.
<5445>
// Even though I knew...
<5446>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun... is it painful?"
<5447>
// As I lowered my head, Nagisa took my hand.
<5448>
// \{Nagisa} "Is what I"m saying... tormenting you, \m{B}-kun?"
<5449>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<5450>
// \{Nagisa} "The only one who can understand that torment... is you, \m{B}-kun."
<5451>
// \{Nagisa} "All I can do is be with you."
<5452>
// \{Nagisa} "So, please tell me."
<5453>
// \{Nagisa} "Is it painful?"
<5454>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<5455>
// \{\m{B}} "... it's painful."
<5456>
// \{Nagisa} "I see..."
<5457>
// \{Nagisa} "Then... one day, when we're facing forward..."
<5458>
// \{Nagisa} "At that time, we can leave the city."
<5459>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<5460>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah..."
<5461>
// One day, when I stand in the same place that person does... how would I feel?
<5462>
// At that time, would I have nothing to regret?
<5463>
// If I did... then...
<5464>
// I might begin to regret my entire life for a long time.
<5465>
// Right now, I just have to believe in myself.
<5466>
// If I came to regret it...
<5467>
// As long as Nagisa's with me, then I can stand back up again.
<5468>
// So, let's move on ahead.
<5469>
// Together.
<5470>
// Walking on... a girl was up ahead.
<5471>
// She faced me, standing there.
<5472>
// \{Nagisa} "I've been waiting, \m{B}-kun."
<5473>
// She so said to me.
<5474>
// \{\m{B}} "What are you doing here...?"
<5475>
// \{Nagisa} "I came to see your father with you, \m{B}-kun."
<5476>
// Who did she hear it from...?
<5477>
// My boss... or Yoshino-san...?
<5478>
// \{\m{B}} "Go back."
<5479>
// \{Nagisa} "Why? Can't I come with you?"
<5480>
// \{\m{B}} "You can't."
<5481>
// \{Nagisa} "Just don't be so selfish for today. This is really important."
<5482>
// \{\m{B}} "For me, this is really important."
<5483>
// \{\m{B}} "But this doesn't have anything to do with you, does it...?"
<5484>
// \{Nagisa} "That might be true but..."
<5485>
// \{Nagisa} "But, I also want to think that it's important to me as well..."
<5486>
// \{Nagisa} "Even if you think that this has nothing to do with me..."
<5487>
// \{Nagisa} "I also want to think that this has only to do with me... and that it's very important."
<5488>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<5489>
// \{\m{B}} "... do what you want."
<5490>
// We got onto the train, and went to the neighboring town.
<5491>
// I heard that my father was being detained in this city.
<5492>
// I asked the police, and managed to get there.
<5493>
// Nagisa's breath hit me from behind.
<5494>
// Thinking about it, it's probably because I've been moving so fast.
<5495>
// Without looking back, I passed through the gate.
<5496>
// My father faced me from behind the glass... as if he were a prisoner.
<5497>
// He's probably still a suspect.
<5498>
// \{Father} "........."
<5499>
// His gentle expression, as always.
<5500>
// Even when I'm there, he didn't once raise an eyebrow.
<5501>
// He didn't allow it.
<5502>
// In haste, he lowered his head, begging.
<5503>
// He wished to be forgiven.
<5504>
// With an...\p apology for everything in the ten years up to now.
<5505>
// \{Father} "........."
<5506>
// But...\p he remained silent.
<5507>
// That's why I started.
<5508>
// \{\m{B}} "What do you..."
<5509>
// \{\m{B}} "What do you want to do...?"
<5510>
// I couldn't hold down the trembling in my voice.
<5511>
// \{\m{B}} "Do you like messing around with people's lives...?"
<5512>
// \{\m{B}} "I don't think of you as my father at all..."
<5513>
// \{\m{B}} "But, everyone else does."
<5514>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm your son..."
<5515>
// \{\m{B}} "The son of a damn criminal...!"
<5516>
// \{Father} "........."
<5517>
// \{\m{B}} "You not interested in talking anymore...?"
<5518>
// \{\m{B}} "You don't have any words to say to the son that you've continued to trouble...?"
<5519>
// \{\m{B}} "Stop..."
<5520>
// \{\m{B}} "Stop screwing around!!!"
<5521>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun!"
<5522>
// A warm hand touched me from behind.
<5523>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<5524>
// \{\m{B}} "That's enough..."
<5525>
// \{\m{B}} "I don't want to say any more..."
<5526>
// \{\m{B}} "Go and waste the rest of your filthy life!"
<5527>
// Spitting that out, I turned around.
<5528>
// I can't tell where I'm walking anymore.
<5529>
// The anger flashed on and on in my eyes, so no scenery came through.
<5530>
// When I came to I was under a dazzling scenery.
<5531>
// My arms trembled.
<5532>
// They would never stop trembling now, even if I held them down.
<5533>
// \{\m{B}} "Uuuuuaaaggghhhhh!!!
<5534>
// I helplessly beat at the wall.
<5535>
// The pain surged through the fists that were striking.
<5536>
// The shivering ceased, instead covered up by the pain of my hands.
<5537>
// \{Voice} "\m{B}-kun!"
<5538>
// A voice from afar.
<5539>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<5540>
// The sound of running footsteps.
<5541>
// She immediately embraced me.
<5542>
// \{Nagisa} "What are you doing, \m{B}-kun?!"
<5543>
// \{Nagisa} "Show me your hands!"
<5544>
// \{Nagisa} "... this is terrible..."
<5545>
// \{Nagisa} "What are you doing...?!"
<5546>
// Something was holding onto my painful hands.
<5547>
// Even more, it had weakened the pain.
<5548>
// When that happened, the anger rose again, and my arms began trembling.
<5549>
// I have to hit the wall again.
<5550>
// I pull my arm.
<5551>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah...! You can't, \m{B}-kun!"
<5552>
// Just before I did, she strongly held onto me.
<5553>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey...! Don't get in the way...!"
<5554>
// \{Nagisa} "I will get in the way!"
<5555>
// \{Nagisa} "You're doing something stupid, so I'm getting in the way!"
<5556>
// \{\m{B}} "It's not stupid...! If I don't, I won't be at peace...!"
<5557>
// \{\m{B}} "Leave me!"
<5558>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, this isn't you!"
<5559>
// \{\m{B}} "It is! I'm calm, so let me do it!"
<5560>
// \{Nagisa} "Look at me, \m{B}-kun!"
<5561>
// Both her hands grasped onto my cheeks.
<5562>
// And she pulled it ahead to her face.
<5563>
// \{Nagisa} "Do you understand, \m{B}-kun? It's me, Nagisa."
<5564>
// \{\m{B}} "I told you I'm calm, you idiot...
<5565>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, I'm your girlfriend, Nagisa."
<5566>
// \{\m{B}} "I know that...!"
<5567>
// \{Nagisa} "The Nagisa that loves you, \m{B}-kun..."
<5568>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah..."
<5569>
// \{Nagisa} "And I'm the Nagisa that believes you love me, \m{B}-kun."
<5570>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<5571>
// \{Nagisa} "Am I wrong...?"
<5572>
// \{Nagisa} "Is what I said wrong...?"
<5573>
// \{\m{B}} "No..."
<5574>
// \{\m{B}} "It's right..."
<5575>
// \{\m{B}} "I also... \p
<5576>
// love you too..."
<5577>
// \{Nagisa} "Then, please take a seat."
<5578>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm here for you, \m{B}-kun."
<5579>
// \{Nagisa} "Not for anyone else."
<5580>
// \{Nagisa} "Just for you, \m{B}-kun."
<5581>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<5582>
// \{Nagisa} "Bring your hands around."
<5583>
// \{Nagisa} "And hug me."
<5584>
// \{\m{B}} "O-okay..."
<5585>
// I bring my arms around. And then tighten my grip.
<5586>
// \{\m{B}} "Nagisa..."
<5587>
// I pushed my neck against Nagisa's nape, where sweat was running down.
<5588>
// \{\m{B}} "Nagisa..."
<5589>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, \m{B}-kun?"
<5590>
// They went along the palm of my hand many times.
<5591>
// She devoted herself to strength to put myself back together.
<5592>
// And doing that, strongly affirming my existence.
<5593>
// That would support me, and hold me together.
<5594>
// Finally, my feelings of anger became that of the gentle feelings I had towards Nagisa.
<5595>
// \{Nagisa} "Have you calmed down?"
<5596>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah..."
<5597>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<5598>
// \{\m{B}} "... my hands hurt."
<5599>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm sure if you step in the bath, it'll get better."
<5600>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah... I'll just take a shower."
<5601>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<5602>
// I see people passing by over Nagisa's shoulder.
<5603>
// They passed by, pretending to not see us hug each other.
<5604>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<5605>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Nagisa..."
<5606>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes?"
<5607>
// \{\m{B}} "Let's get married."
<5608>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<5609>
// She answered, without hesitating.
<5610>
// \{\m{B}} "Is that fine...?'
<5611>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, I've always thought of no one else other than you, \m{B}-kun..."
<5612>
// \{Nagisa} "That's why... I'm happy."
<5613>
// \{\m{B}} "... is that true?"
<5614>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes."
<5615>
// \{\m{B}} "Are you fine with a miserable man like me?"
<5616>
// \{Nagisa} "Even I'm miserable."
<5617>
// \{Nagisa} "But, like this, we can support each other and hang in there."
<5618>
// \{Nagisa} "We've become strong like that up until now."
<5619>
// \{Nagisa} "That's why from now on, we'll get even stronger."
<5620>
// \{Nagisa} "If we're together."
<5621>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<5622>
// A sensation spread throughout my entire body.
<5623>
// Was it something that was fired from my heart?
<5624>
// Or is it from Nagisa's words?
<5625>
// No, from Nagisa herself...
<5626>
// I don't care.
<5627>
// I was happy.
<5628>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Nagisa,"
<5629>
// \{\m{B}} "Always be with me, okay?"
<5630>
// \{Nagisa} "Sure, I always will be."
<5631>
// \{\m{B}} "No matter what happens and when..."
<5632>
// \{Nagisa} "Sure, no matter what happens, and I'll always be with you."
<5633>
// In that case, I feel like I can get back up anytime.
<5634>
// \{\m{B}} "Thank you..."
<5635>
// \{\m{B}} "Then, I'll make you happy, Nagisa."
<5636>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, please do."
<5637>
// Let's live happily...
<5638>
// ever after.
<5639>
// Saturday morning.
<5640>
// I stood in front of the Furukawa household alone.
<5641>
// How much of a shock would it be to them that I would be taking their daughter?
<5642>
// Even I don't know too well.
<5643>
// But for example, if right now, someone else stole Nagisa away from me, I would probably fall into the depths of despair.
<5644>
// And if the pain that her parents would feel resembled that...
<5645>
// No, even so, I want Nagisa.
<5646>
// The one most important thing in the world I can be proud about is that I needed Nagisa.
<5647>
// And that I also believe Nagisa thinks that way.
<5648>
// That's why if anyone got in the way, it'd be utter nonsense.
<5649>
// I'll move on ahead like a man.
<5650>
// I step forward.
<5651>
// \{Sanae} "Welcome!"
<5652>
// Sanae-san was tending to the store.
<5653>
// \{Sanae} "Oh my, \m{B}-san!"
<5654>
// \{\m{B}} "Yo."
<5655>
// \{Sanae} "It's early, isn't it?"
<5656>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes... Nagisa also came as well."
<5657>
// I called them in advance to let them know I had something to discuss.
<5658>
// \{\m{B}} "Where's pops?"
<5659>
// \{Sanae} "Seems he took off to have some fun when I wasn't looking."
<5660>
// \{Sanae} "Sorry about that."
<5661>
// \{\m{B}} "It's okay..."
<5662>
// \{Sanae} "It's something important, right?"
<5663>
// \{\m{B}} "You can tell?"
<5664>
// \{Sanae} "Yes. When you called over the phone, your voice was very tense."
<5665>
// That's Sanae-san for you. She's probably figured what it is.
<5666>
// \{Sanae} "Sorry to hear about your father..."
<5667>
// \{\m{B}} "Thanks... I'm fine. It's nothing, really."
<5668>
// \{\m{B}} "Just that, I guess Nagisa..."
<5669>
// \{\m{B}} "really is okay with someone like me..."
<5670>
// \{Sanae} "No one cares about that. Not Nagisa, not Akio-san, and not me, either."
<5671>
// \{\m{B}} "But the rest of the world cares."
<5672>
// \{\m{B}} "Actually, the truth is... I lost my chance for a new position."
<5673>
// \{Sanae} "That's regrettable..."
<5674>
// \{Sanae} "But, there must be a lot of other ways."
<5675>
// \{Sanae} "There isn't just one road, after all."
<5676>
// \{Sanae} "No matter what path you take... if it's her, she'll go with you wherever you go, \m{B}-san."
<5677>
// \{Sanae} "No matter where."
<5678>
// \{Sanae} "Isn't that right?"
<5679>
// She really did see through me.
<5680>
// I really am no match for her.
<5681>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes. That's what she's said."
<5682>
// \{Sanae} "That must be her true feelings. Please believe in that."
<5683>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay, thanks a lot."
<5684>
// \{Akio} "Damn those kids..."
<5685>
// Pops appeared, holding a bat over his shoulder.
<5686>
// \{\m{B}} "Yo."
<5687>
// \{Akio} "What, it's you? Why are you here?"
<5688>
// \{\m{B}} "I gave you a call that I'd be coming today, didn't I?"
<5689>
// \{Akio} "Like I remember small stuff like that!"
<5690>
// He has a rough way of speaking as always.
<5691>
// \{Akio} "So, what is it? You came to buy bread?"
<5692>
// \{Akio} "Sorry to break it to ya, but just because you're my girl's boyfriend, you ain't getting any discount."
<5693>
// \{Akio} "You'll be paying double!"
<5694>
// \{\m{B}} "Sell at the normal price!"
<5695>
// \{Akio} "And what do \byou\u think you plan on doing?"
<5696>
// \{\m{B}} "At least I came as a customer to buy bread!"
<5697>
// \{Akio} "Tch... then buy Sanae's bread. If its hers, you can buy at normal price."
<5698>
// \{\m{B}} "Sanae-san's behind you, though."
<5699>
// \{Akio} "Eh?"
<5700>
// \{Sanae} "My bread is..."
<5701>
// \{Sanae} "regular price, isn't it-------?!"
<5702>
// Crying, she ran off.
<5703>
// \{Akio} "Wait, hers isn't supposed to be normal price?!"
<5704>
// \{Akio} "Tch... she's in complete confusion... oh whatever!"
<5705>
// Pops stuffed himself with Sanae-san's bread. Then...
<5706>
// \{Akio} "From tomorrow onward, your bread'll be ten thousand yen-----!"
<5707>
// He ran off in the same manner.
<5708>
// \{\m{B}} (This store won't last long...)
<5709>
// And I stood there dumbfounded, assuring myself of that.
<5710>
// Actually, I came here to talk about something important, didn't I?
<5711>
// I go after them.
<5712>
// \{Akio} "Tch... I didn't catch up..."
<5713>
// Pops stood still.
<5714>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, pops."
<5715>
// \{\m{B}} "I've got something important to talk about. When you've calmed down, you wanna listen?"
<5716>
// \{Akio} "Oh, something to tell me? You want me to listen?"
<5717>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes, I do."
<5718>
// With all my might, I gave pops a serious look.
<5719>
// Even up to now, it was like that.
<5720>
// He's a slippery guy but, if I give him a serious look, he'll listen carefully.
<5721>
// \{Akio} "I see. Good eyes, there."
<5722>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, this time I'm serious."
<5723>
// \{Akio} "Okay, in that case..."
<5724>
// \{\m{B}} "What?"
<5725>
// \{Akio} "Hardball."
<5726>
// I was an idiot...
<5727>
// This person doesn't have a serious moment. I knew that all too well.
<5728>
// \{Akio} "Heh... it's been a while since I've used skill..."
<5729>
// Pops and I faced each other from a distance in the park.
<5730>
// Pops had a softball in his hand. I had a metal bat in mine.
<5731>
// The last time we did this, the positions were reversed.
<5732>
// \{Akio} "Hmph, in this neighborhood, I'm the man who bakes bread here, called Nomo!"
<5733>
// \{Akio} "Taste my 160 km
<5734>
// Go be a pro.
<5735>
// \{Akio} "Well, I won't demand you make a home run."
<5736>
// \{Akio} "If you manage to get a hit in, that's fine. As long as it's not a tumbling grounder or a topfly, it's your win."
<5737>
// That's an easy thing.
<5738>
// No matter how much better co-ordination pops had compared to the average Joe, I could at least make it fly forward.
<5739>
// In short, all I have to do is hit.
<5740>
// \{Akio} "If you do that, I'll listen."
<5741>
// \{\m{B}} "I don't just want you to listen. I want unconditional acceptance!"
<5742>
// \{Akio} "Hmm?"
<5743>
// \{\m{B}} "Anyone can just listen. I'm not interested in winning just for that."
<5744>
// \{\m{B}} "You'll listen to what I say and nod, got it?"
<5745>
// \{Akio} "Hmph, then if I win, then I won't give a crap about what you have to say."
<5746>
// \{\m{B}} "Sure, that's fine."
<5747>
// \{Akio} "Interesting..."
<5748>
// \{Akio} "Let's go, brat!"
<5749>
// Pops whips the ball...
<5750>
// The pitch.
<5751>
// Thud!
<5752>
// Strike.
<5753>
// Thud!
<5754>
// Strike.
<5755>
// Thud!
<5756>
// Strike.
<5757>
// \{\m{B}} "Kuahh..."
<5758>
// ... complete defeat.
<5759>
// \{\m{B}} (I seriously can't scratch him...) 
<5760>
// \{Akio} "Hey, your shoulder in pain or something?"
<5761>
// \{\m{B}} "Huh?"
<5762>
// \{Akio} "If you swing trying to cover up for your right shoulder, you won't hit, idiot."
<5763>
// \{\m{B}} "It's not injured or anything."
<5764>
// \{Akio} "I suppose. I'd be worried if you put that up as an excuse."
<5765>
// \{Akio} "Well, if you're up for it again, you can tell me at any time."
<5766>
// \{Akio} "Uwahahahaha!"
<5767>
// With a lively smile, he ran off.
<5768>
// \{\m{B}} (I see...)
<5769>
// \{\m{B}} (If I'm swinging the bat, I won't get what I want, will I...?)
<5770>
// \{\m{B}} (In other words...)
<5771>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm an idiot..."
<5772>
// To miss such an important chance...
<5773>
// I hurried after pops.
<5774>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey pops, that was a joke."
<5775>
// \{\m{B}} "Just listen."
<5776>
// \{Akio} "Hmm?"
<5777>
// \{Akio} "Men don't go back on their words. I don't recall you being like that."
<5778>
// \{\m{B}} "Certainly you don't recall it like that, but it's foolish to be putting a topic into that kind of match."
<5779>
// \{Akio} "'That kind of match'?"
<5780>
// \{Akio} "You know, a match is a battle and nothing more. Doesn't matter what's involved."
<5781>
// \{Akio} "You fight in a Water Works game? That's hardball. A \bman's\u battle. Am I wrong?"
<5782>
// Forget it... it's impossible to convince this person.
<5783>
// I was an idiot to promise such a thing...
<5784>
// \{Akio} "Well, when you've practiced enough to take a shot, come."
<5785>
// \{Akio} "Be sure to bring something more enjoyable than the grade kids."
<5786>
// \{Sanae} "You're going home today?"
<5787>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes."
<5788>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<5789>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm an idiot."
<5790>
// \{Sanae} "What?"
<5791>
// \{\m{B}} "Hes' just having fun."
<5792>
// \{\m{B}} "Is he getting tired of the grade kids now? I've like replaced them, and he's just playing."
<5793>
// \{\m{B}} "To hang out with him for that, and not be able to discuss an important thing... how am I going to tell Nagisa about this?"
<5794>
// \{Sanae} "You can just leave it be."
<5795>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<5796>
// \{\m{B}} "I've only told Nagisa but... my shoulder's bad."
<5797>
// \{\m{B}} "So it isn't something so simple."
<5798>
// \{Sanae} "You can't swing the bat?"
<5799>
// \{\m{B}} "No, I can. It's not that bad that I can't swing."
<5800>
// \{Sanae} "Then if you work hard, you'll probably make it."
<5801>
// \{Sanae} "How about trying for Nagisa's sake?"
<5802>
// \{Sanae} "Even so, when you can't make it, please consult me."
<5803>
// Saying that, she gave a smile.
<5804>
// Sanae-san's right.
<5805>
// If I try hard, I'll reach it someday.
<5806>
// No matter how unsightly.
<5807>
// I should have known that from experience.
<5808>
// No matter what happens.
<5809>
// \{\m{B}} "Sanae-san,"
<5810>
// \{Sanae} "Yes?"
<5811>
// \{\m{B}} "I really am no match for you, Sanae-san."
<5812>
// \{Sanae} "Huh? All I'm saying is what I think."
<5813>
// \{\m{B}} "That's why."
<5814>
// The next day.
<5815>
// I stood in the same place again.
<5816>
// \{Akio} "Hmph, this brat just doesn't learn, does he...?"
<5817>
// I've come for my revenge.
<5818>
// \{Sanae} "Hang in there, you two!"
<5819>
// Today, even Sanae-san came to cheer us on.
<5820>
// It was a peaceful bakery.
<5821>
// \{Akio} "Taste my famous 1-meter drop forkball!"
<5822>
// Go be a pro.
<5823>
// \{\m{B}} "Come!"
<5824>
// Thud!
<5825>
// Strike.
<5826>
// Thud!
<5827>
// Strike.
<5828>
// Thud!
<5829>
// Strike.
<5830>
// I've come for my revenge, yet again.
<5831>
// \{Akio} "Why do we have to fight on this rainy day?!"
<5832>
// \{Akio} "Are we high school players?!"
<5833>
// \{Sanae} "I'll have a bath ready and warmed up, okay?"
<5834>
// Sanae-san stood in the park, holding an umbrella.
<5835>
// \{\m{B}} "In hardball, the situation doesn't matter, does it?"
<5836>
// \{Akio} "Hmph... I guess!"
<5837>
// \{Akio} "However, I'm getting tired now."
<5838>
// \{Akio} "So this'll be the last."
<5839>
// \{Akio} "We won't be having any more rematches."
<5840>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<5841>
// \{\m{B}} "... all right."
<5842>
// \{Akio} "Tch, take my seven ninja body split demonball!" 
<5843>
// Go to the circus.
<5844>
// \{Akio} "Uryaaahhh!"
<5845>
// Thud!
<5846>
// Strike.
<5847>
// Thud!
<5848>
// Strike.
<5849>
// Thud!
<5850>
// ... strike.
<5851>
// \{Akio} "Well? You get it...?"
<5852>
// .........
<5853>
// Am I giving up...?\p Right here and now?
<5854>
// No...
<5855>
// \{\m{B}} "Please, throw one more ball!"
<5856>
// Yelling that, I ran over to him.
<5857>
// \{\m{B}} "A match with just one more ball!"
<5858>
// \{Akio} "Tch, what the hell are you?"
<5859>
// \{Akio} "What are you so desperate about?"
<5860>
// \{Akio} "You can't win, you know."
<5861>
// \{Akio} "I'm in a completely different league from you."
<5862>
// \{Akio} "Give it up already..."
<5863>
// Spitting that out, he returned to the store.
<5864>
// I stood there dumbfounded in the rain.
<5865>
// And someone passed an umbrella over to me.
<5866>
// It was Sanae-san.
<5867>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<5868>
// \{\m{B}} "Sanae-san,"
<5869>
// \{\m{B}} "He doesn't know, does he?'
<5870>
// \{Sanae} "What?"
<5871>
// \{\m{B}} "It feels like he's been cracking the whip at me."
<5872>
// \{\m{B}} "Thinking I'm still a kid..."
<5873>
// \{\m{B}} "Thinking that it's absurd for me to protect anyone..."
<5874>
// \{Sanae} "You're thinking too much. Akio-san's always like that."
<5875>
// \{\m{B}} "I suppose..."
<5876>
// \{Sanae} "Then, shall we head back?"
<5877>
// \{\m{B}} "No, I'll stay."
<5878>
// \{Sanae} "What?"
<5879>
// \{\m{B}} "The level between us is large, so all I have left is my enthusiasm."
<5880>
// \{Sanae} "I suppose."
<5881>
// Sanae-san smiled at my words.
<5882>
// \{Sanae} "This time, I won't stop you."
<5883>
// \{Sanae} "It's very important, after all."
<5884>
// \{Sanae} "Be careful not to catch a cold."
<5885>
// \{Sanae} "Until you're done." 
<5886>
// Lowering the umbrella, I was once again hit by rain.
<5887>
// I looked at Sanae-san as she gave me a smile.
<5888>
// \{\m{B}} "Sanae-san,"
<5889>
// \{Sanae} "Yes?"
<5890>
// \{\m{B}} "I also like you as well."
<5891>
// \{Sanae} "Thanks!"
<5892>
// I practiced swinging, tracing pops' pitches in my mind.
<5893>
// I won't be coming back to baseball again, will I?
<5894>
// It's just for right now.
<5895>
// Just for that one pitch.
<5896>
// A person stood beyond the fog of rain.
<5897>
// \{Akio} "It's raining real hard, geez."
<5898>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<5899>
// \{Akio} "Can you see the ball?"
<5900>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm sure I can see through it."
<5901>
// \{Akio} "Fine by me. Last pitch, got it?"
<5902>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<5903>
// I set up the bat.
<5904>
// \{\m{B}} (I haven't been this serious about baseball, have I...?)
<5905>
// Even considering gym classes.
<5906>
// \{\m{B}} (To be doing this after having graduated puts a smile on my face.)
<5907>
// I see a red umbrella. Sanae-san was also watching.
<5908>
// Pops begins his motion for the pitch.
<5909>
// The rain blurred my vision, so I couldn't see well.
<5910>
// ... he pitched.
<5911>
// \{\m{B}} (One...)
<5912>
// \{\m{B}} (two...)
<5913>
// \{\m{B}} "Three!"
<5914>
// No sound came.
<5915>
// Just a recoil.
<5916>
// ... what happened, I wonder?
<5917>
// At the edge of my vision, a red umbrella swerved.
<5918>
// \{Sanae} "It's a home run!"
<5919>
// Sanae-san said.
<5920>
// I threw the bat away, and rushed over.
<5921>
// In front of pops.
<5922>
// I slide into the ground, kneeling down...
<5923>
// And while covered in mud, I yelled.
<5924>
// \{\m{B}} "Please leave Nagisa to me!"
<5925>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<5926>
// I hear only the sound of the rain.
<5927>
// My body temperature dropped.
<5928>
// Even so, the beating in my chest alone was rapid...
<5929>
// And for the longest time, I didn't catch my breath.
<5930>
// \{Akio} "........."
<5931>
// \{Akio} "Kah..."
<5932>
// \{Akio} "... this guy's similar to me."
<5933>
// \{Sanae} "He's just like you. I noticed it long, long ago."
<5934>
// I heard pops and Sanae-san talking.
<5935>
// \{Akio} "He's in quite a hurry to become an adult."
<5936>
// \{Sanae} "Indeed."
<5937>
// \{Akio} "He's still a kid, though."
<5938>
// \{Sanae} "All the more reason."
<5939>
// \{Akio} "Yeah, that's right."
<5940>
// .........
<5941>
// ......
<5942>
// ... I didn't hear an answer, even once.
<5943>
// \{Akio} "Are you trying to give yourself a facial with the mud there?"
<5944>
// \{Akio} "Come on now, how about raising your head?"
<5945>
// \{Sanae} "It's fine now, \m{B}-san."
<5946>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh...?"
<5947>
// \{\m{B}} "But... your answer...?"
<5948>
// \{Akio} "Did you forget what you said?"
<5949>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh?"
<5950>
// \{Akio} "Didn't you say that if you won the match, I'd have to listen and agree silently to what you say?"
<5951>
// \{Akio} "I agreed immediately after hearing what you said, idiot!"
<5952>
// \{Akio} "But you know..."
<5953>
// \{Akio} "You make Nagisa sad, and I'm taking her back right away."
<5954>
// \{Sanae} "Isn't that great, \m{B}-san?"
<5955>
// \{Sanae} "So, please stand up."
<5956>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay!"
<5957>
// \{Sanae} "\m{B}-san,"
<5958>
// \{Sanae} "Nagisa is our dream."
<5959>
// \{Sanae} "And from today onward, you'll also be our dream, \m{B}-san."
<5960>
// \{Sanae} "Both of your happiness is our dream."
<5961>
// \{Sanae} "So, please be happy with her."
<5962>
// \{Akio} "You can drown in sorrow alone, you bastard."
<5963>
// \{Sanae} "Akio-san!"
<5964>
// \{Akio} "I'm joking, idiot."
<5965>
// \{Akio} "You also be happy, okay?"
<5966>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah..."
<5967>
// \{\m{B}} "I will, with her."
<5968>
// \{Akio} "Oh, speak of the devil. The princess has arrived."
<5969>
// Turning around, there was another red umbrella coming in close by.
<5970>
// There were a lot of things we wanted to talk about.
<5971>
// I was covered in mud, and rushed up to her.
<5972>
// And like that, Nagisa and I were engaged.
<5973>
// After Nagisa graduates, we'll register our names.
<5974>
// That's a half year away.
<5975>
// A lot of things happened, and summer ended.
<5976>
// I was once plunged into the abyss, and once again rose up.
<5977>
// Because Nagisa was there.
<5978>
// On days when she came home with a painful face, I took her hand and we slept.
<5979>
// On days when my willpower just about ran out, we slept with my head in Nagisa's arms.
<5980>
// And like that, two of us lived out our days. 
<5981>
// There was nothing more to fear.
<5982>
// For me, it's great as long as Nagisa's here.
<5983>
// We'll live strong forever.
<5984>
// No matter how many times we fall, we'll rise again.
<5985>
// And then my life became devoted to nothing but making Nagisa happy. That was my only goal.
<5986>
// Even this much had a simple answer.
<5987>
// We'll push on forever.
<5988>
// The second trimester began, and Nagisa also began heading to school.
<5989>
// As usual, it didn't look like she could make friends, but at home she smiled when she talked with me.
<5990>
// When Nagisa's school clothing changed to winter clothing, I realized fall had come.
<5991>
// That period that was called as such also went by.
<5992>
// Just when I thought it was getting chilly, it was already winter.
<5993>
// And then...
<5994>
// The best day in the year I was looking forward to had come.
<5995>
// Christmas, and Nagisa's birthday.
<5996>
// This year, the two of us spent it together.
<5997>
// She went ot a department store and bought me a pear wristwatch.
<5998>
// She must have been so happy with me putting it on my hand, as she made big strides in her walking.
<5999>
// It was as if we were a couple dating that weren't in high school.
<6000>
// And as we went along a desolate road, we passed by a toy store.
<6001>
// And we saw it.
<6002>
// Beyond the stained window, it was enshrined there so extravagantly.
<6003>
// A Big Dango Familly stuffed doll.
<6004>
// It was differently colored from the one I bought last year.
<6005>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm, \m{B}-kun,"
<6006>
// \{Nagisa} "In the house we have a dango there that's been there all alone... so I'd like for them to be together."
<6007>
// Nagisa said so, grasping my hand firmly.
<6008>
// And like that, two dango were piled up in the corner of our room.
<6009>
// Nagisa's probably already forgotten about the wristwatch she bought.
<6010>
// She was always happy with the two dango, embracing them.
<6011>
// I was at least shocked.
<6012>
// But, that was the Nagisa I know.
<6013>
// We spent New Year's with Nagisa's parents.
<6014>
// Pops drank sake with the remainder of the food from the occasion.
<6015>
// And beside him, Sanae-san was sorting New Year's cards.
<6016>
// Nagisa and I sat together, watching TV.
<6017>
// \{Akio} "Oh yeah, Nagisa,"
<6018>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes?"
<6019>
// \{Akio} "You're already twenty, right?"
<6020>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, twenty years old."
<6021>
// That's right... Nagisa has turned twenty. An adult.
<6022>
// I am still nineteen.
<6023>
// Thinking about it, I felt really out of place.
<6024>
// Nagisa is in her twenties, while I'm still in my tens.
<6025>
// I looked at her from the side as she talked to pops.
<6026>
// A miserable face.
<6027>
// Ahh, you really will be my senior for my entire life, huh?
<6028>
// An adult woman, huh?
<6029>
// Indeed when he inquires as such, my age is inappropriate.
<6030>
// It's strange. I put a smile to my face.
<6031>
// \{Akio} "All right, then will ya keep your promise?"
<6032>
// \{Nagisa} "What?"
<6033>
// They continued.
<6034>
// \{Akio} "You promised didn't you?"
<6035>
// \{Akio} "You said you'd drink sake with me when you turn twenty."
<6036>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh?! I never made that promise!"
<6037>
// \{Akio} "Yeah you did."
<6038>
// \{Akio} "Every night when I was drinking alone and went to the washroom, you said you had pity on me..."
<6039>
// \{Akio} "Said that when I drank, you'd drink together with me..."
<6040>
// \{Nagisa} "Since when?"
<6041>
// \{Akio} "Hmm, let's see... when you were still in grade school."
<6042>
// \{Nagisa} "I don't remember that!"
<6043>
// \{Nagisa} "Even more, you must have been half-asleep!"
<6044>
// It must have been pops' fabrication from the start.
<6045>
// \{Akio} "What... that was a lie...?"
<6046>
// \{Akio} "Damn it... ever since that day, I was always looking forward to it..."
<6047>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh... really...?"
<6048>
// \{Akio} "Huh?"
<6049>
// \{Nagisa} "You were always looking forward to it...?"
<6050>
// \{Akio} "Yeah... I lived, counting the days on my fingers..."
<6051>
// I should also know... when Nagisa sympathizes for him, she won't be able to refuse.
<6052>
// Though, Nagisa drinking sake...
<6053>
// \{\m{B}} (It's way too interesting...)
<6054>
// So I continued looking on.
<6055>
// \{Akio} "Sanae hasn't taken a single drop though..."
<6056>
// \{Sanae} "Indeed. I'm weak with sake. I'd immediately feel terrible."
<6057>
// \{Akio} "I don't know how many years it's been since I drank alone..."
<6058>
// \{Sanae} "It would have been nice if I could join you."
<6059>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<6060>
// \{Nagisa} "... all right. I'll drink."
<6061>
// Preparing herself, she said that.
<6062>
// \{Nagisa} "But should I drink...?"
<6063>
// \{Akio} "It's fine, you're my daughter, damn it!"
<6064>
// \{Sanae} "That's right!"
<6065>
// She's also \byour\u daughter.
<6066>
// \{Nagisa} "In that case, I'll have one."
<6067>
// In her hand was a small cup of Japanese sake.
<6068>
// \{Akio} "All right, take it in one shot!"
<6069>
// \{Nagisa} "It's my first time, so I can't really take it in one shot."
<6070>
// \{Nagisa} "I'll taste it first."
<6071>
// Though I wonder how it'd go for her first taste at alcohol being cold sake?
<6072>
// She brings her nose to the cup.
<6073>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<6074>
// It seems pretty strong to her.
<6075>
// \{Sanae} "Nagisa, you don't have to force yourself."
<6076>
// \{Nagisa} "No... I should at least take one cup for dad's sake."
<6077>
// \{Akio} "Nagisa... just now, you made me feel glad I gave birth to you more than ever before."
<6078>
// Don't think about such a thing.
<6079>
// Even more, Sanae-san was the one who gave birth.
<6080>
// \{Akio} "It's fine. The smell of alcohol won't catch on you, so gulp it down in one shot!"
<6081>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay..."
<6082>
// Will she be fine doing something like that?
<6083>
// Maybe she won't collapse?
<6084>
// I'm a little worried...
<6085>
// Though it's just a small cup, so even if she pushes herself, it'll simply end with her feeling bad...
<6086>
// \{Nagisa} "Here I go."
<6087>
// \{Akio} "Go!"
<6088>
// Swerve.
<6089>
// Nagisa immediately drank the cup.
<6090>
// Gulp.
<6091>
// The sound of her throat.
<6092>
// \{Nagisa} "I drank it..."
<6093>
// \{Akio} "Whew...."
<6094>
// \{Akio} "That was pretty good the way you drank it, Nagisa..."
<6095>
// \{Nagisa} "Is that so...? In that case, I'm glad."
<6096>
// \{Akio} "Yeah, it's the best feeling."
<6097>
// \{Akio} "That said, give it one more shot."
<6098>
// Pops took the cup, and again poured sake in.
<6099>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah... okay."
<6100>
// \{Nagisa} "Then..."
<6101>
// I should stop this soon
<6102>
// Continue looking on
<6103>
// \{\m{B}} "Nagisa, quit with that."
<6104>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh?"
<6105>
// Surprising her with an urgent voice, she looked my way.
<6106>
// \{\m{B}} "With the way you are, you take one more and it'll immediately come over."
<6107>
// \{Nagisa} "Come over... what will?"
<6108>
// \{\m{B}} "You'll feel bad, maybe feel suffocating,"
<6109>
// \{\m{B}} "Don't take Japanese sake lightly."
<6110>
// \{Akio} "Why do you know...?"
<6111>
// \{Nagisa} "Is that so?"
<6112>
// \{Nagisa} "Then, I'll take my time."
<6113>
// \{Nagisa} "And when I don't feel that bad, I'll take another cup."
<6114>
// \{Nagisa} "Is that fine, dad?"
<6115>
// \{Akio} "Y-yeah..."
<6116>
// \{Akio} "Tch..."
<6117>
// He looked my way... giving me the hint I said something unnecessary.
<6118>
// \{Sanae} "You're kind, \m{B}-san."
<6119>
// I'm grateful for Sanae-san's follow up.
<6120>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<6121>
// In the blink of an eye, Nagisa's face became red.
<6122>
// \{Nagisa} "I feel like I'm burning a lot..."
<6123>
// Putting her hands to her cheeks, she said that.
<6124>
// \{\m{B}} "You okay?"
<6125>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, I don't feel bad."
<6126>
// \{Nagisa} "But I feel kinda dizzy."
<6127>
// \{\m{B}} "Don't take any more."
<6128>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, you seem so far off."
<6129>
// \{Nagisa} "Could I come in closer?"
<6130>
// \{\m{B}} "I think you're close enough."
<6131>
// \{Nagisa} "No I'm not, you're far away!"
<6132>
// She got up once and fixed her seat, leaning right by my arm.
<6133>
// \{Nagisa} "Now I'm close. Ehehe..."
<6134>
// \{\m{B}} "I'll be frank, but you're drunk..."
<6135>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm not drunk at all..."
<6136>
// \{\m{B}} "People who are drunk say that..."
<6137>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<6138>
// And she immediately stared at me, close by.
<6139>
// Even though Sanae-san and pops are right in front of us...
<6140>
// \{Akio} "Bastard... you better be grateful to me..."
<6141>
// \{Sanae} "Quite a happy scenario, isn't it, \m{B}-san?"
<6142>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, happy you say but..."
<6143>
// Besides that, it's so damn embarrassing for Sanae-san to be looking at us.
<6144>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Nagisa, Sanae-san's looking."
<6145>
// \{Nagisa} "Is something wrong with mom?!"
<6146>
// \{Nagisa} "Are you interested in my mom, \m{B}-kun?!"
<6147>
// ... jealousy?!
<6148>
// \{Sanae} "Please don't mind me."
<6149>
// \{\m{B}} "W-well..."
<6150>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Nagisa!"
<6151>
// \{\m{B}} "You're an adult now, so don't take so much sake that you'll become weird..."
<6152>
// I try persuading her again.
<6153>
// \{Nagisa} "That's right, I'm twenty years old."
<6154>
// \{Nagisa} "How old are you, \m{B}-kun?"
<6155>
// \{Nagisa} "That's right, I know! You're nineteen!"
<6156>
// She asked alone, and answered alone...
<6157>
// \{Nagisa} "Being nineteen means you're still quite a cute child."
<6158>
// \{Nagisa} "That said, you have to listen to what adults like me say."
<6159>
// Ahh, this is like listening to people that go to to the city... which one of us looks more like a kid...?*
<6160>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, come in closer."
<6161>
// \{\m{B}} "What are you doing...?"
<6162>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, do you hate what I do?"
<6163>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, that depends on the circumstances..."
<6164>
// \{Akio} "Bite at him."
<6165>
// \{Nagisa} "I won't do that!"
<6166>
// I guess one more cup should be enough.
<6167>
// I watched.
<6168>
// \{Sanae} "Nagisa, I think you should probably stop."
<6169>
// Sanae-san came in to stop her.
<6170>
// \{Nagisa} "No... I'm still fine."
<6171>
// \{Sanae} "Alcohol takes time, so even if you're fine right now, you might overdrink by then."
<6172>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh...?"
<6173>
// \{Sanae} "If Akio-san's lonely, then I'll drink in your place."
<6174>
// \{Sanae} "That said, you can stop now, okay Nagisa?"
<6175>
// \{Sanae} "Well, please pass that over."
<6176>
// \{Nagisa} "This?"
<6177>
// \{Sanae} "Yes."
<6178>
// As Nagisa said that, she returned the small sake cup.
<6179>
// Instead, Sanae-san picked it up with her fingers.
<6180>
// \{Akio} "Hey, don't."
<6181>
// \{Sanae} "To make you so lonely all the time..."
<6182>
// Without listening to pops holding her back...
<6183>
// Gulp.
<6184>
// ... she drank.
<6185>
// \{Sanae} "........."
<6186>
// \{Akio} "Sanae..."
<6187>
// \{Akio} "You okay?"
<6188>
// \{Sanae} "I also think another cup'll be fine."
<6189>
// \{Akio} "I see..."
<6190>
// In the blink of an eye, Nagisa's face became red.
<6191>
// \{Nagisa} "I feel like I'm burning a lot..."
<6192>
// Putting her hands to her cheeks, she said that.
<6193>
// \{\m{B}} "You okay?"
<6194>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, I don't feel bad."
<6195>
// \{Nagisa} "But I feel kinda dizzy."
<6196>
// \{\m{B}} "Don't take any more."
<6197>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, you seem so far off."
<6198>
// \{Nagisa} "Could I come in closer?"
<6199>
// \{\m{B}} "I think you're close enough."
<6200>
// \{Nagisa} "No I'm not, you're far away!"
<6201>
// She got up once and fixed her seat, leaning right by my arm.
<6202>
// \{Nagisa} "Now I'm close. Ehehe..."
<6203>
// \{\m{B}} "I'll be frank, but you're drunk..."
<6204>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm not drunk at all..."
<6205>
// \{\m{B}} "People who are drunk say that..."
<6206>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<6207>
// And she immediately stared at me, close by.
<6208>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<6209>
// Even though Sanae-san and pops are right in front of us...
<6210>
// \{Akio} "Bastard... you better be grateful to me..."
<6211>
// \{Sanae} "So romantic!"
<6212>
// \{\m{B}} "Romantic, you say but... isn't this different...?"
<6213>
// \{Nagisa} "Why are you denying it, \m{B}-kun?"
<6214>
// \{\m{B}} "Come on, Nagisa, Sanae-san's even looking at us..."
<6215>
// \{Nagisa} "Is something wrong with mom?!"
<6216>
// \{Nagisa} "Are you interested in my mom, \m{B}-kun?!"
<6217>
// ... jealousy?!
<6218>
// \{Sanae} "That also interests me!"
<6219>
// \{Sanae} "Are you interested in me, \m{B}-san?!"
<6220>
// Sanae-san's also drunk?!
<6221>
// \{Akio} "Oh boy, this is a real carnage!"
<6222>
// Pops elegantly looked on alone.
<6223>
// ... one of them is your wife, you know.
<6224>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, answer me!"
<6225>
// \{\m{B}} "Ehhhhh...?"
<6226>
// I am
<6227>
// I'm not
<6228>
// \{\m{B}} "I am."
<6229>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh...?"
<6230>
// \{\m{B}} "Because she's your mother."
<6231>
// \{\m{B}} "I'd like for her to remain healthy..."
<6232>
// \{\m{B}} "Isn't that normal?"
<6233>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah... yes... that's true..."
<6234>
// Seems I managed to get out of that one well.
<6235>
// \{Akio} "He dodged the question."
<6236>
// \{\m{B}} (Guahh...)
<6237>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh?"
<6238>
// \{Akio} "Come on, answer, you interested in her as a woman?"
<6239>
// \{Sanae} "It doesn't seem so suitable, it's so exciting!"
<6240>
// S-Sanae-san...
<6241>
// Please, don't get this started.
<6242>
// Even for Nagisa's sake, who's giving me a worried look, I'll have to be manly...
<6243>
// \{Akio} "Sanae's breasts are big!"
<6244>
// Thud!\shake{3}
<6245>
// With what pops said, everything I had decided as a man fell straight onto the desk...
<6246>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, why are you so bothered?"
<6247>
// \{Akio} "Hmph... that's proof he's interested in Sanae..."
<6248>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh... is that true, \m{B}-kun?!"
<6249>
// \{\m{B}} "No, no, no!"
<6250>
// \{Sanae} "You're not?!"
<6251>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, in good favor!"
<6252>
// \{Nagisa} "So you are?!"
<6253>
// \{\m{B}} "Guahhh! What the hell did I do---?!"
<6254>
// \{Akio} "Heh... study well."
<6255>
// \{Akio} "This is how a \bman\u becomes an adult."
<6256>
// \{Akio} "Because there'll be a lot of good things to come."
<6257>
// \{Akio} "Sanae, you can leave him alone now. It's fine if you don't like such a guy."
<6258>
// \{Sanae} "No it isn't!"
<6259>
// \{Akio} "Sanae-----------!!"
<6260>
// It was an uproar.
<6261>
// \{\m{B}} "You okay...?"
<6262>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, I'm really... okay..."
<6263>
// \{\m{B}} "But, you feel bad, don't you?"
<6264>
// \{Nagisa} "Just a bit."
<6265>
// \{Nagisa} "If I lie down, it should finish soon."
<6266>
// \{\m{B}} "While you're taking a break, I'll go and have a bath."
<6267>
// \{Nagisa} "We're not going back today?"
<6268>
// \{\m{B}} "It's a bother, isn't it?"
<6269>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm..."
<6270>
// \{Nagisa} "I'd like for the two of us to be alone..."
<6271>
// \{\m{B}} "We are now, aren't we?"
<6272>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, yes..."
<6273>
// Nagisa was sitting down on the spread out futon.
<6274>
// \{\m{B}} "What's up?"
<6275>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm..."
<6276>
// \{Nagisa} "Just that you like mom, \m{B}-kun."
<6277>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, I do."
<6278>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<6279>
// \{\m{B}} "I also love you."
<6280>
// \{\m{B}} "You understand the difference?"
<6281>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah..."
<6282>
// \{Nagisa} "... thank you so much."
<6283>
// \{\m{B}} "Idiot, don't thank me."
<6284>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm..."
<6285>
// \{\m{B}} "What?"
<6286>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<6287>
// \{Nagisa} "... is it okay that my chest is small?"
<6288>
// Nagisa was...
<6289>
// worried about such a thing.
<6290>
// It's weird. It's too weird.
<6291>
// I burst out into laughter in front of her worried look.
<6292>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh? Eh?"
<6293>
// \{\m{B}} "As long as it's you, I'm fine if it's flat."
<6294>
// \{Nagisa} "It's not flat. It does show up, so don't be alarmed."
<6295>
// \{Nagisa} "Wait, I just said something strange!"
<6296>
// \{Nagisa} "I don't really know what would be a relief..."
<6297>
// \{\m{B}} "I guess."
<6298>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes..."
<6299>
// \{Nagisa} "Ehehe..."
<6300>
// She finally gave a smile. I wonder if she's relieved?
<6301>
// \{\m{B}} "Come on, lie down now. The water's waiting for me."
<6302>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, okay. Take care."
<6303>
// Nagisa lay down, and I left into the hallway.
<6304>
// I heard the voice of Sanae-san and pops talking from the living room.
<6305>
// \{Sanae} "Akio-san, Nagisa's quite happy, isn't she?"
<6306>
// \{Akio} "Hmm? Yeah... I guess..."
<6307>
// \{Sanae} "She really loves \m{B}-san, doesn't she...?"
<6308>
// \{Akio} "I can tell..."
<6309>
// \{Akio} "Tch... why someone so useless...?"
<6310>
// \{Sanae} "Not at all. Compared to the other guys around here, \m{B}-san is quite reliable."
<6311>
// \{Akio} "Really...?"
<6312>
// \{Sanae} "Besides, Nagisa's happy with just being with him."
<6313>
// \{Sanae} "With just that... leaving the two of them together is good enough."
<6314>
// How calm this moment is...
<6315>
// I'm living together with the person I love.
<6316>
// And there are people who are watching over us with open arms.
<6317>
// I really... have to work hard...
<6318>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm not..."
<6319>
// \{Sanae} "Eh...?"
<6320>
// \{Sanae} "Sniff... I don't interest you at all, do I, \m{B}-san...?"
<6321>
// You definitely are drunk.
<6322>
// \{Nagisa} "You have dad, mom!"
<6323>
// \{Akio} "That's right, Sanae. Forget about the daughter's guy."
<6324>
// \{Sanae} "No. Even if he doesn't mind me, I won't forget that I like \m{B}-san."
<6325>
// \{Akio} "Bastard, I'll kill you..."
<6326>
// \{\m{B}} "W-why...?"
<6327>
// \{Sanae} "But, I like him as part of family."
<6328>
// \{Sanae} "\m{B}-san is Nagisa's fiancée, after all!"
<6329>
// I wonder if she's sober now?
<6330>
// \{Sanae} "Nagisa, how about I get drunk and attack him?"
<6331>
// She's still drunk!
<6332>
// \{Nagisa} "Don't do that!"
<6333>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun's an important person..."
<6334>
// \{Akio} "Tch!"
<6335>
// \{Nagisa} "I just want to remain like this."
<6336>
// She took my hand, and leaned her face on my shoulder.
<6337>
// \{Nagisa} "Is it okay to be like this?"
<6338>
// \{\m{B}} "Y-yeah... sure."
<6339>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm glad, ehehe..."
<6340>
// Her body was so up close it was almost hot.
<6341>
// Nagisa played with my shoulder by rubbing it with her face for a while, and finally...
<6342>
// \{Nagisa} "Zzzz..."
<6343>
// She ended up sleeping like that.
<6344>
// \{\m{B}} "Whew..."
<6345>
// I breathed a sigh of relief.
<6346>
// To be flirting in front of both her parents, and being in completely cold sweat, it wasn't any good at all.
<6347>
// I was just tired...
<6348>
// \{Sanae} "Youthful, isn't it?"
<6349>
// ... it's embarrassing.
<6350>
// \{Sanae} "But, I'm happy..."
<6351>
// \{Sanae} "To see Nagisa like that."
<6352>
// \{Sanae} "Akio-san, Nagisa's quite happy, isn't she?"
<6353>
// \{Akio} "Hmm? Yeah... I guess..."
<6354>
// \{Akio} "If he weren't going to, I would send him flying to Morocco right about now."
<6355>
// ... what the hell is Morocco?!
<6356>
// \{Sanae} "It's fine. Nagisa's happy with just being with him."
<6357>
// \{Sanae} "So he definitely wouldn't make her sad at all."
<6358>
// \{Akio} "Really...?"
<6359>
// \{Sanae} "How about you, \m{B}-san?"
<6360>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh?"
<6361>
// \{Sanae} "Are you happy being with Nagisa?"
<6362>
// \{\m{B}} "Well... of course."
<6363>
// \{\m{B}} "The reason I dated her was because I liked her..."
<6364>
// \{\m{B}} "If we're always together... then I really would be fine... with just that."
<6365>
// \{Sanae} "Is that so?"
<6366>
// \{Sanae} "Nagisa really is fortunate, isn't she?"
<6367>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<6368>
// How calm this moment is...
<6369>
// For the person I love to be sleeping beside me.
<6370>
// And there are people who are watching over us with open arms.
<6371>
// I really... have to work hard...
<6372>
// Just as the holidays were about to end, Nagisa fell ill.
<6373>
// Maybe I might have pushed her too much during the break?
<6374>
// But, Nagisa said this was normal.
<6375>
// If it's normal, then she'll end up taking a long while.
<6376>
// Just as I promised pops, I called Sanae-san.
<6377>
// She said she'd take care of Nagisa while I was off working.
<6378>
// \{\m{B}} "I apologize..."
<6379>
// \{Sanae} "Not at all. I may have left baking bread, but the store itself is fine."
<6380>
// \{Sanae} "Akio-san's taking care of the store."
<6381>
// ... though I'm worried about \bthat\u.
<6382>
// But, this was something I promised him in the first place.
<6383>
// He's probably taking care of Sanae-san's part.
<6384>
// Even for Nagisa's sake, I'll have to let this be.
<6385>
// \{\m{B}} "You really won't go back to your parents' place?"
<6386>
// One evening, I asked that.
<6387>
// \{Nagisa} "No. Even if I've fallen ill, this is my house. I want to rest here."
<6388>
// \{Nagisa} "Though it is quite a bother..."
<6389>
// \{\m{B}} "That's fine though..."
<6390>
// \{Nagisa} "When I get better, I'll help."
<6391>
// \{\m{B}} "Don't force yourself."
<6392>
// I did whatever housework I could.
<6393>
// So that I wouldn't trouble Sanae-san either.
<6394>
// Work was doing fine, so it was not really anything big.
<6395>
// And just like so far, Nagisa's fever prolonged itself.
<6396>
// She didn't attend school for two months.
<6397>
// One day when I came back, Sanae-san was waiting, having dinner prepared.
<6398>
// \{Sanae} "Welcome back."
<6399>
// \{\m{B}} "Uwaah, I apologize."
<6400>
// \{\m{B}} "I'll take over."
<6401>
// \{Sanae} "It's fine."
<6402>
// \{Sanae} "It'll be fine soon, so you can take dinner first."
<6403>
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, sure. Guess I will."
<6404>
// \{Sanae} "Do you mind if I use the bath first?"
<6405>
// \{\m{B}} "Not at all... I'm starved, anyway."
<6406>
// \{Sanae} "Then I'll quickly use it. During that time, please eat with Nagisa."
<6407>
// \{\m{B}} "Sure."
<6408>
// Entering the room, Nagisa was lying down on her side as always.
<6409>
// And just like always, I put my hand to her head, and checked her temperature.
<6410>
// \{\m{B}} "Seems about right."
<6411>
// \{\m{B}} "How do you feel?"
<6412>
// \{Nagisa} "Fine."
<6413>
// \{\m{B}} "Can you eat Sanae-san's food?"
<6414>
// \{Nagisa} "If it's the usual, I think I can eat."
<6415>
// \{\m{B}} "Then, I guess you're doing fine as always."
<6416>
// When I say "doing fine as always", I wonder if it was good or bad...?
<6417>
// I couldn't really tell.
<6418>
// Maybe it was to ease my mind...?
<6419>
// Nagisa's hand squirmed from under the futon, and grasped mine.
<6420>
// \{Nagisa} "But, in the end... I'm again troubling both you and mom."
<6421>
// \{Nagisa} "I wasn't able to help... it's regrettable..."
<6422>
// \{\m{B}} "But, you've worked hard to get this far, haven't you?"
<6423>
// \{\m{B}} "Even now you're hanging in there, so just get some rest."
<6424>
// \{\m{B}} "No one thinks of you as being a bother."
<6425>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay..."
<6426>
// \{Sanae} "Today, I talked to Nagisa's homeroom teacher."
<6427>
// As we drank tea, Sanae-san began talking.
<6428>
// \{Sanae} "Even if she were to rest through the third trimester, she'll graduate."
<6429>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh... really?"
<6430>
// \{Sanae} "Yes. Until then, it's better she attend, but there shouldn't be a problem."
<6431>
// \{\m{B}} "Isn't that great, Nagisa?"
<6432>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, yes... it's great."
<6433>
// \{Nagisa} "Thank you so much."
<6434>
// Nagisa thanked both me and Sanae-san.
<6435>
// \{\m{B}} "It's not just us. You worked hard for a year."
<6436>
// \{Sanae} "You really hung in there, Nagisa."
<6437>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes..."
<6438>
// \{Nagisa} "But, it's still not over."
<6439>
// \{Nagisa} "If I can... I'd like to attend the remainder of my classes."
<6440>
// \{Nagisa} "It's lonely leaving it to end like this..."
<6441>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah. I know how you feel."
<6442>
// Counting, there was a month of school left for her.
<6443>
// The graduation ceremony's in a month.
<6444>
// \{Sanae} "Well then. I believe Akio-san starving to death is quite lonely, so I'll take my leave."
<6445>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay, thank you so much."
<6446>
// \{Sanae} "I'll leave the cleaning to you, \m{B}-san."
<6447>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes, of course."
<6448>
// I saw Sanae-san to the entrance.
<6449>
// \{Sanae} "This spring, you'll have your name registered, won't you?"
<6450>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes... I can finally do that."
<6451>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm sure work's endeavoring... so I'll work harder and harder."
<6452>
// \{Sanae} "\m{B}-san, you really do need her, don't you?"
<6453>
// \{\m{B}} "Yes, of course."
<6454>
// \{\m{B}} "I haven't thought of my life without her..."
<6455>
// \{Sanae} "Nagisa's body is weak, so be with her as much as you can. Please take care of her."
<6456>
// \{\m{B}} "Sure, I'll do as much as I can. So that I wouldn't be hated..."
<6457>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh? Didn't we have this discussion before?"
<6458>
// \{Sanae} "Yes, we did!"
<6459>
// Saying that, Sanae-san smiled.
<6460>
// \{Sanae} "I'm so glad that she met you, \m{B}-san."
<6461>
// \{\m{B}} "Me as well. For someone as cute as her to pick someone like me who's sympathizes for her and not anyone else..."*
<6462>
// \{\m{B}} "There should be many more others who are just as capable of making her happy."
<6463>
// \{Sanae} "There aren't."
<6464>
// She said sharply, almost to the point of smiling.
<6465>
// I really do like Sanae-san as well.
<6466>
// \{Sanae} "Well then, I'll be seeing you."
<6467>
// \{\m{B}} "Thanks again."
<6468>
// One, two weeks passed, and Nagisa's fever didn't fall.
<6469>
// As well as on her graduation day.
<6470>
// Nagisa remained in her room gazing at the scenery outside, and graduated.
<6471>
// ... without being in her school uniform. Without being seen off.
<6472>
// When the sakura petals began to bloom...
<6473>
// Nagisa's fever finally fell, and she calmed down.
<6474>
// She got up, and was able to do the chores in the house.
<6475>
// \{Nagisa} "It's my school uniform."
<6476>
// Standing in front of me, Nagisa had a vinyl bag with her uniform in it.
<6477>
// \{Nagisa} "It came back from the cleaners."
<6478>
// \{Nagisa} "I won't be wearing it anymore, but I'd like to keep it dear."
<6479>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah..."
<6480>
// She spread it along the floor, and began neatly folding it up.
<6481>
// She might not be able to wear it anymore.
<6482>
// It'd be nice if she got to for just a bit.
<6483>
// She might not be able to return to that time.
<6484>
// She might not be able to finish what she left undone.
<6485>
// With no thoughts coming to mind... I remembered Sunohara's face.
<6486>
// Back when we were students, he was in the dormitory, and went back to his parents' place after graduating.
<6487>
// I forget where in the rural areas, but I think it was in the Touhoku region.
<6488>
// Anyways, it was far away.
<6489>
// Those days are far past gone now, and we never really contacted each other.
<6490>
// Though he's not the only person I know back from school...
<6491>
// And he's not the only person acting like an idiot wearing a school uniform...
<6492>
// But if it's him, no matter how unreasonable it is, he should be with us.
<6493>
// When evening came, and Nagisa chose to enter the bath, I opened the closet.
<6494>
// I pulled out the school register of names from deep within, and looked for Sunohara's family number.
<6495>
// Finding it, I picked up the receiver, and immediately dialed.
<6496>
// \{Voice} "Yes, this is the Sunoharas."
<6497>
// His mother's voice.
<6498>
// \{\m{B}} "Umm, this is \m{A}. Is Youhei-san there?"
<6499>
// \{Voice} "Who might you be?"
<6500>
// Seems I'll have to introduce myself somehow.
<6501>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm a classmate of his from when he was in school. If you tell him it's \m{A}, he'll know who it is."
<6502>
// \{Voice} "Umm... Youhei's living in a dormitory now, and isn't at the house."
<6503>
// \{\m{B}} "A dorm?"
<6504>
// In an instant, the nostalgic view of Sunohara's room from a year ago appeared in my mind.
<6505>
// \{Voice} "His company's dormitory."
<6506>
// Of course. That place is no longer the room I spent my time with Sunohara at... it should be some other male student's room now.
<6507>
// \{\m{B}} "... in that case, could you tell me his phone number?"
<6508>
// \{Voice} "Sure... is that fine?"
<6509>
// \{\m{B}} "Please."
<6510>
// .........
<6511>
// I take the receiver, and dial the numbers I jotted down just now.
<6512>
// \{Voice} "Yes, this is the Satsuki Dormitory."
<6513>
// A middle-aged woman's voice.
<6514>
// \{\m{B}} "Is Sunohara Youhei there? This is \m{A}."
<6515>
// \{Voice} "Okay, please wait a moment."
<6516>
// .........
<6517>
// \{Voice} "Yes, this is me."
<6518>
// A slightly forced voice.
<6519>
// \{\m{B}} "Sunohara? It's me, \m{A}."
<6520>
// \{Sunohara} "Eh...? \m{A}? Really?!"
<6521>
// In an instant, the voice from back then returned. Time means nothing.
<6522>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah. Doing well?"
<6523>
// \{Sunohara} "I am but... there's a lot of unreasonable stuff. Listen man, only you'd understand."
<6524>
// \{\m{B}} "I'll listen another time. Just listen to what I have to say."
<6525>
// \{Sunohara} "Tch, you're still bossy, even when you've graduated."
<6526>
// \{\m{B}} "Isn't that fine? We're friends."
<6527>
// \{Sunohara} "So, what is it?"
<6528>
// \{\m{B}} "I want to hold a graduation ceremony."
<6529>
// \{Sunohara} "Huh...?"
<6530>
// \{\m{B}} "You know Nagisa's graduating this spring, right?"
<6531>
// \{Sunohara} "Yeah, Nagisa-chan is? You guys still going out? That's amazing."
<6532>
// \{\m{B}} "Don't worry about that, idiot. Listen up."
<6533>
// I bring us back to the topic. Doing so, I gave an outburst.
<6534>
// \{\m{B}} "For the past year, she's been working hard going to school with no friends."
<6535>
// \{\m{B}} "But, turns out she didn't go to the graduation ceremony."
<6536>
// \{\m{B}} "It's too lonely, right?"
<6537>
// \{\m{B}} "That's why, I'd like for us to hold the graduation ceremony that we had on that day."
<6538>
// \{\m{B}} "It's been a month since the graduation, but we spent time with her more than anyone else, see."
<6539>
// \{Sunohara} "........."
<6540>
// \{\m{B}} "Come on, Sunohara."
<6541>
// \{Sunohara} "........."
<6542>
// \{Sunohara} "I'm in the middle of training so..."
<6543>
// \{Sunohara} "If I do that, I'm going to get fired..."
<6544>
// \{\m{B}} "Sorry!"
<6545>
// \{Sunohara} "You want me to get fired?!"
<6546>
// \{\m{B}} "If you're gone for just a day, you won't."
<6547>
// \{Sunohara} "I will!"
<6548>
// \{\m{B}} "You're not so flexible, are you?"
<6549>
// \{Sunohara} "It's not me that's not flexible, it's the company!"
<6550>
// \{\m{B}} "Isn't there something you can do?"
<6551>
// \{Sunohara} "It might be fine on one of my holidays..."
<6552>
// \{Sunohara} "Even so, it's a round trip throughout the day, right...? It's painful."
<6553>
// \{\m{B}} "Come on, for my sake."
<6554>
// \{Sunohara} "For Nagisa-chan's, sake, right?!"
<6555>
// \{\m{B}} "It's the same, whoever it is."
<6556>
// \{Sunohara} "Then I'll try taking a day off. I won't know when it'll be, though."
<6557>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay, I'll match it up with what you get."
<6558>
// \{Sunohara} "Then, I'll contact you later."
<6559>
// \{\m{B}} "No, don't do that."
<6560>
// \{Sunohara} "Why?"
<6561>
// \{\m{B}} "There's a chance Nagisa might pick up the phone."
<6562>
// \{Sunohara} "........."
<6563>
// \{\m{B}} "If she does, she'll figure out what we're scheming, right?"
<6564>
// \{Sunohara} "........."
<6565>
// \{\m{B}} "Hello?"
<6566>
// \{Sunohara} "Hey..."
<6567>
// \{Sunohara} "Could it be... you're living with Nagisa-chan...?"
<6568>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, didn't I tell you?"
<6569>
// \{Sunohara} "I didn't talk with you for a year, you know."
<6570>
// \{\m{B}} "Oh, sorry, it just happens to be that way, see."
<6571>
// \{Sunohara} "BASTARD, YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE HAPPY, AREN'T YOU?!?!"
<6572>
// \{\m{B}} "Sorry!" 
<6573>
// \{Sunohara} "Even going as far as getting me fired... my interest in coming there is gradually disappearing."
<6574>
// \{\m{B}} "Even if it does, come!"
<6575>
// \{Sunohara} "I'm the best guy, aren't I?!"
<6576>
// \{\m{B}} "That's why I'm asking you."
<6577>
// \{Sunohara} "........."
<6578>
// \{Sunohara} "Tch... fine."
<6579>
// \{Sunohara} "You can call me during this time. I'll pick up again."
<6580>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, I will."
<6581>
// \{Sunohara} "See ya."
<6582>
// \{\m{B}} "Later."
<6583>
// I put down the receiver.
<6584>
// I returned to the same idiotic feeling I had before.
<6585>
// It felt like I could go through with the graduation, or anything.
<6586>
// Yeah.
<6587>
// We put together that mish-mash basketball team and won, and also revived the abolished drama club for School Foundation Day.
<6588>
// If we return to that time, we can do anything.
<6589>
// And...
<6590>
// \{\m{B}} "Nagisa, let's go on a date next Sunday."
<6591>
// For a while, after a day passed, I invited her as such.
<6592>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay, let's."
<6593>
// \{Nagisa} "Where'll we be going?"
<6594>
// \{\m{B}} "Secret."
<6595>
// \{Nagisa} "Why? I'd like for you to tell me."
<6596>
// \{\m{B}} "Secret."
<6597>
// \{Nagisa} "That worries me."
<6598>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm not trying to trick you or anything."
<6599>
// I just wanted her to be innocently surprised, and enjoy it.
<6600>
// I wanted to be beside her when she makes that face.
<6601>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm sure it'll be a good memory. So wait and look forward to it."
<6602>
// \{Nagisa} "If you put it that way, then okay. I won't ask anything more and wait."
<6603>
// And then, the promised day was tomorrow.
<6604>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Nagisa..."
<6605>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes?"
<6606>
// \{\m{B}} "For the date tomorrow..."
<6607>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes?"
<6608>
// \{\m{B}} "I'd like for us to be in our school uniforms."
<6609>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh...?"
<6610>
// \{\m{B}} "No?"
<6611>
// \{Nagisa} "School uniform... you mean the one we wore?"
<6612>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, the one you always wore."
<6613>
// \{Nagisa} "That's embarrassing..."
<6614>
// \{\m{B}} "You wore it just a while ago, didn't you?"
<6615>
// \{Nagisa} "That's true..."
<6616>
// \{Nagisa} "But, I've already graduated."
<6617>
// \{Nagisa} "In that case, it'd be like lying."
<6618>
// \{\m{B}} "It's fine. We're still on spring break."
<6619>
// \{\m{B}} "When April comes, the school entrance and opening ceremonies will be held, and then this year's curriculum will start."
<6620>
// \{\m{B}} "That's why right now, no one's a student."
<6621>
// \{\m{B}} "We won't bother anyone."
<6622>
// \{\m{B}} "It'll be just the two of us, for one day only. Let's return to the school."
<6623>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay?"
<6624>
// \{Nagisa} "But, if the people nearby see us, it'll be really embarrassing."
<6625>
// \{Nagisa} "I was congratulated by many people when I graduated."
<6626>
// \{Nagisa} "If I walk there in my school uniform, I'll be thought of as a really strange girl."
<6627>
// \{\m{B}} "It'll be early in the morning, so it's fine."
<6628>
// \{Nagisa} "It'll be late when we come back."
<6629>
// \{\m{B}} "Then, you can bring a change of clothes. You can change there when we go back."
<6630>
// \{Nagisa} "Will we be found...?"
<6631>
// \{\m{B}} "Doubt it."
<6632>
// \{Nagisa} "It sounds very dangerous."
<6633>
// \{\m{B}} "That's why it's interesting, right?"
<6634>
// \{Nagisa} "I suppose so..."
<6635>
// \{\m{B}} "So, what do you think? You gonna come wearing your uniform?"
<6636>
// \{Nagisa} "Hmm..."
<6637>
// After thinking about it for a while...
<6638>
// \{Nagisa} "If you want me to do that, then I will, \m{B}-kun."
<6639>
// In the end, that's how she answered.
<6640>
// \{\m{B}} "I see. Then, it's decided."
<6641>
// \{\m{B}} "Don't change your mind suddenly in the morning, okay?"
<6642>
// \{Nagisa} "Don't worry, I won't."
<6643>
// \{Nagisa} "But, this really is quite..."
<6644>
// On that day, there wasn't a single cloud in the sky.
<6645>
// And everyone was taking the day off.
<6646>
// A miraculous day.
<6647>
// \{Nagisa} "Good morning."
<6648>
// A voice from behind.
<6649>
// \{\m{B}} "Morning."
<6650>
// \{\m{B}} "It would have been better if you could sleep a little more."
<6651>
// \{Nagisa} "Well, I was excited, so I couldn't get sleep."
<6652>
// \{Nagisa} "After all, wearing a school uniform and walking outside really puts me on my toes."
<6653>
// \{\m{B}} "You'll be fine. You've graduated like a month ago."
<6654>
// \{\m{B}} "I've been a year now, so I'm the idiot."
<6655>
// \{Nagisa} "You're still young, \m{B}-kun, so it still suits you."
<6656>
// \{\m{B}} "I suppose. You've got a pretty good age."
<6657>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun... do you hate me?"
<6658>
// \{\m{B}} "I love you."
<6659>
// \{Nagisa} "T-thank you so much..."
<6660>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<6661>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, you deceived me just now!"
<6662>
// \{\m{B}} "About what?"
<6663>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm just one year ahead of you, so I don't want you to say I've got a good age."
<6664>
// \{\m{B}} "But, I'm still in my tens. And you?"
<6665>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh...?"
<6666>
// \{Nagisa} "My twenties..."
<6667>
// \{\m{B}} "That's how it is."
<6668>
// \{Nagisa} "It seems like you don't want me to wear my uniform, \m{B}-kun!"
<6669>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm joking, I'm joking. You're young."
<6670>
// \{Nagisa} "It's fine. I'm a granny, after all."
<6671>
// \{Nagisa} "Today, as a girl who has strange tastes, I'll be sticking closely to you, \m{B}-kun."
<6672>
// \{Nagisa} "I can't even cross my arms anymore."
<6673>
// It was a very beautiful answer.
<6674>
// After taking a light breakfast, the two of us made our own preparations.
<6675>
// I had already become so familiar with seeing Nagisa appear in her school uniform after changing.
<6676>
// But, it seems it was not the same for me, as she laughed when she saw my figure.
<6677>
// \{\m{B}} "What?! Is it that strange?!"
<6678>
// \{\m{B}} "Damn it, so at some point I grew that old huh...?"
<6679>
// \{Nagisa} "Not at all."
<6680>
// \{\m{B}} "You're laughing ridiculously though!"
<6681>
// \{Nagisa} "Because it's the \m{B}-kun from two years ago."
<6682>
// \{Nagisa} "Because it's been that way."
<6683>
// Tears built up at the edge of her eyes.
<6684>
// \{Nagisa} "Because you've still been, the \m{B}-kun from when we met."
<6685>
// \{\m{B}} "Oh, I see..."
<6686>
// \{\m{B}} "Then I guess it's normal."
<6687>
// \{Nagisa} "It's too normal."
<6688>
// \{\m{B}} "But you know... walking together like this at this time is a bit of a drag..."
<6689>
// \{Nagisa} "We're such a weird pair."
<6690>
// \{\m{B}} "Let's go so we're not discovered."
<6691>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, we definitely should."
<6692>
// \{\m{B}} "Then, let's go."
<6693>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay!"
<6694>
// After leaving home, Nagisa heart was racing the entire time.
<6695>
// She walked, being so paranoid.
<6696>
// \{\m{B}} "Being taken into custody is not really a laughing matter..."
<6697>
// \{Nagisa} "It's the spring holidays, so I don't think that'll happen."
<6698>
// \{\m{B}} "I suppose... we \bare\u a young guy and girl on a beautiful spring holiday."
<6699>
// \{Nagisa} "That would be fine."
<6700>
// \{Nagisa} "This path is...?"
<6701>
// \{Nagisa} "To the school."
<6702>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<6703>
// \{Nagisa} "We're going to the school?"
<6704>
// \{\m{B}} "That's right."
<6705>
// I nodded.
<6706>
// \{\m{B}} "It's a surprising spot for a date."
<6707>
// \{Nagisa} "Really? I don't believe that."
<6708>
// \{Nagisa} "If the teachers find us, they'll get angry."
<6709>
// \{\m{B}} "It'll be fine."
<6710>
// \{Nagisa} "Amazing! They're in full bloom!"
<6711>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, sure looks pretty."
<6712>
// We climbed up the hill lined up with rows of sakura trees.
<6713>
// \{Nagisa} "Was it to show me this? Thank you so much."
<6714>
// \{\m{B}} "Nope. This is just the icing on the cake."
<6715>
// \{\m{B}} "Come on."
<6716>
// Looking up, a dazzling light shone before our eyes.
<6717>
// We covered our eyes to block it.
<6718>
// And doing that, we saw them.
<6719>
// The people that were waiting for us.
<6720>
// \{Sunohara} "Yo, long time no see."
<6721>
// \{\m{B}} "Who the hell are you?"
<6722>
// \{Sunohara} "Come on, that isn't what you do when it's been a while since you've last met."
<6723>
// \{\m{B}} "You couldn't be Sunohara, could you?"
<6724>
// \{Sunohara} "Of course."
<6725>
// \{\m{B}} "Uwaaaahahahahaha!!!"
<6726>
// I burst out in laughter.
<6727>
// \{\m{B}} "What the hell's with the color of your hair?"
<6728>
// \{Sunohara} "This is my natural color!"
<6729>
// \{\m{B}} "Doesn't suit someone like you. Okay now, be sure to dye it gold afterward."
<6730>
// \{Sunohara} "My company'll fire me!"
<6731>
// And behind him were faces I knew.
<6732>
// Nishina, Sugisaka, everyone was there waiting in their uniforms.
<6733>
// \{Tomoyo} "Long time no see."
<6734>
// \{Kyou} "You doing well?"
<6735>
// \{Ryou} "It's been a while."
<6736>
// \{Mei} "Hey there, Nagisa-san."
<6737>
// \{Nagisa} "Everyone..."
<6738>
// Nagisa took a step forward.
<6739>
// \{Nagisa} "What's going on today?"
<6740>
// Nagisa still hadn't realized.
<6741>
// \{\m{B}} "A graduation ceremony, with Furukawa Nagisa and friends present."
<6742>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh...?"
<6743>
// \{Voice} "So, shall we start?"
<6744>
// The number one person behind them...
<6745>
// Koumura spoke peacefully.
<6746>
// \{Koumura} "Now, we shall begin the graduation ceremony with Furukawa Nagisa and all friends present."
<6747>
// His opening ceremony voice passed well into the wind.
<6748>
// We faced the school, forming a line side-by-side.
<6749>
// \{Koumura} "The school anthem."
<6750>
// We all sang the school anthem.
<6751>
// It was louder than anyone else from our own graduation ceremony.
<6752>
// It echoed just about everywhere.
<6753>
// And then, a graduation ceremony diploma for Nagisa alone.
<6754>
// \{Koumura} "... Furukawa Nagisa."
<6755>
// He called her name.
<6756>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes."
<6757>
// Answering, she walked over to Koumura.
<6758>
// He presented the diploma.
<6759>
// After taking it, Nagisa turned around to us, and gave such a clear face.
<6760>
// Everyone gave an applause.
<6761>
// When that finished, Nagisa softly brought it to her chest.
<6762>
// And then she opened her mouth slowly.
<6763>
// She's beginning her speech.
<6764>
// It was a formal response that was no farewell.
<6765>
// \{Nagisa} "In regards to my life in this school..."
<6766>
// \{Nagisa} "There were a lot of painful things."
<6767>
// \{Nagisa} "In my case, I was shy, and was terrible at making friends..."
<6768>
// \{Nagisa} "Even so, when second year ended... I was finally able to enter a circle of friends..."
<6769>
// \{Nagisa} "When I became a third year, I thought we could get along a lot more."
<6770>
// \{Nagisa} "But the following year, I fell absent for almost all of the days from school..."
<6771>
// \{Nagisa} "The next time I was able to attend, it was two weeks after the opening ceremonies."
<6772>
// \{Nagisa} "I was probably the only one left in my new class."
<6773>
// \{Nagisa} "Time passed, and nothing changed..."
<6774>
// \{Nagisa} "Knowing that, I couldn't move anymore."
<6775>
// \{Nagisa} "That's why I stood at the bottom of that hill."
<6776>
// \{Nagisa} "And then..."
<6777>
// \{Nagisa} "The one who egged me on was \m{B}-kun."
<6778>
// \{Nagisa} "From that day forth... he egged me on, as I stood worried at the bottom of the hill."
<6779>
// \{Nagisa} "He said that if things change, then I should find new things."
<6780>
// \{Nagisa} "He so encouraged."
<6781>
// \{Nagisa} "And for that month, I was supported by Sunohara-san, Nishina-san, Sugisaka-san, and Koumura-sensei..."
<6782>
// \{Nagisa} "And even more people supported me, and formed the drama club."
<6783>
// \{Nagisa} "It was something that definitely could not be done alone."
<6784>
// \{Nagisa} "We had a match with the basketball club."
<6785>
// \{Nagisa} "To win, we all worked as one."
<6786>
// \{Nagisa} "I learned that, even if it was a short time... if we all work together, we can do something amazing."
<6787>
// \{Nagisa} "And then, I worked hard for the recital at School Foundation Day."
<6788>
// \{Nagisa} "Though I did cry on the stage..."
<6789>
// \{Nagisa} "I was able to perform the play to the very end."
<6790>
// \{Nagisa} "It was the first time I worked towards a single goal, and accomplished that."
<6791>
// \{Nagisa} "Someone like me..."
<6792>
// \{Nagisa} "Was being supported by many people."
<6793>
// \{Nagisa} "But, my body again fell ill..."
<6794>
// \{Nagisa} "And I slept at home the entire time."
<6795>
// \{Nagisa} "Through second and third trimesters... being supported by my family, and being with \m{B}-kun..."
<6796>
// \{Nagisa} "Spring came around."
<6797>
// \{Nagisa} "Everyone graduated, and Koumura-sensei retired..."
<6798>
// \{Nagisa} "I really did become alone again."
<6799>
// \{Nagisa} "Even so, I was still in the mood to try again for one more year."
<6800>
// \{Nagisa} "I wanted to become stronger."
<6801>
// \{Nagisa} "Even though my body's weak... I still wanted to live strongly."
<6802>
// \{Nagisa} "And what that courage brought me was everyone here."
<6803>
// \{Nagisa} "Being alone for a year was painful."
<6804>
// \{Nagisa} "It was like living in a world as a completely different person, with classmates two years younger than me."
<6805>
// \{Nagisa} "When they formed groups, I was left alone."
<6806>
// \{Nagisa} "At ball game rallies, I was weak with sports, so I was merely a bother to them."
<6807>
// \{Nagisa} "Even at School Foundation Day, I went around all alone."
<6808>
// \{Nagisa} "During this year, I was alone almost the whole time..."
<6809>
// \{Nagisa} "Even so..."
<6810>
// \{Nagisa} "Even so, I, actually..."
<6811>
// \{Nagisa} "Even so, I actually..."
<6812>
// \{Nagisa} "don't think that my life as a student will ever be replaced."
<6813>
// \{Nagisa} "A school that I've once hated..."
<6814>
// \{Nagisa} "It took me five years to graduate..."
<6815>
// \{Nagisa} "Being left alone at the school was lonely."
<6816>
// \{Nagisa} "But now, I love it so much."
<6817>
// \{Nagisa} "In the end..."
<6818>
// \{Nagisa} "I loved it because it was the place I tried hard at."
<6819>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<6820>
// \{Koumura} "Hm..."
<6821>
// \{Koumura} "Congratulations... \wait{1000}on your graduation."
<6822>
// Koumura's gentle congratulatory address.
<6823>
// Nagisa's long, long school life...\wait{1000} came to a close.
<6824>
// At the same time, as if a dam was cut down, Nagisa's tears began to build.
<6825>
// \{Nagisa} "Thank you... so much..."
<6826>
// Bowing to cover her face, saying just that, she began crying.
<6827>
// Tears built up over a year.
<6828>
// Not because it was painful, but because it was happy.
<6829>
// It should be fine for her to cry as much as she wants.
<6830>
// Turning around, pops and Sanae-san were there, standing close to the gate.
<6831>
// And beside them was Misae-san, as well as Ibuki-sensei.
<6832>
// They must have been in her field of vision the entire time.
<6833>
// \{Koumura} "That is all... \wait{1500}the ceremony is now over."
<6834>
// The four move to the side of the gate, and give an applause.
<6835>
// \{Akio} "Congratulations."
<6836>
// \{Sanae} "Congratulations on your graduation."
<6837>
// \{Ibuki} "Congratulations, Nagisa-chan."
<6838>
// \{Misae} "Congratulations, you two!"
<6839>
// And beside them was Misae-san as well.
<6840>
// They must have been in her field of vision the entire time.
<6841>
// \{Koumura} "That is all... \wait{1500}the ceremony is now over."
<6842>
// Pops, Sanae-san, and Misae-san all move to the side of the gate, and give an applause.
<6843>
// \{Akio} "Congratulations."
<6844>
// \{Sanae} "Congratulations on your graduation."
<6845>
// \{Misae} "Congratulations, you two!"
<6846>
// And beside them was Ibuki-sensei as well.
<6847>
// They must have been in her field of vision the entire time.
<6848>
// \{Koumura} "That is all... \wait{1500}the ceremony is now over."
<6849>
// Pops, Sanae-san, and Ibuki-sensei all move to the side of the gate, and give an applause.
<6850>
// \{Akio} "Congratulations."
<6851>
// \{Sanae} "Congratulations on your graduation."
<6852>
// \{Ibuki} "Congratulations, Nagisa-chan."
<6853>
// They must have been in her field of vision the entire time.
<6854>
// \{Koumura} "That is all... \wait{1500}the ceremony is now over."
<6855>
// Pops and Sanae-san move to the side of the gate, and give an applause.
<6856>
// \{Akio} "Congratulations."
<6857>
// \{Sanae} "Congratulations on your graduation."
<6858>
// In that, we pass through the school gates in our school uniforms.
<6859>
// Through the place that I graduated one year ago.
<6860>
// Nagisa also turned around. It was the gate she would no longer pass through.
<6861>
// \{Nagisa} "Thank you so much."
<6862>
// She said that in the end.
<6863>
// What path will we be walking from now on?
<6864>
// There was only one thing for certain.
<6865>
// It was that we'll always be taking the same path.
<6866>
// Nagisa took my hand.
<6867>
// \{Nagisa} "Let's hold hands and head home."
<6868>
// It was the dream I had wished of once upon a time, being granted.
<6869>
// Holding hands, walking in our school uniforms.
<6870>
// Even those with us bantering around was just as I imagined it.
<6871>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<6872>
// \{\m{B}} "I'll be with her..."
<6873>
// What kind of feelings did I have, being here?
<6874>
// Even I didn't know myself.
<6875>
// Those emotions didn't waver.
<6876>
// It felt like I was reading off a script.
<6877>
// \{Father} "Oh...?"
<6878>
// My father awed in admiration.
<6879>
// \{Father} "I see... that's cause for celebration."
<6880>
// \{Father} "... congratulations."
<6881>
// \{Nagisa} "Thank you so much."
<6882>
// Nagisa bowed alone.
<6883>
// \{Father} "Umm, you were Nagisa-san, right?"
<6884>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, Nagisa."
<6885>
// \{Father} "Please take care of \m{B}-kun."
<6886>
// \{Nagisa} "I certainly will."
<6887>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm not perfect on a lot of things... but even so, I'll do my best."
<6888>
// \{Father} "My best wishes."
<6889>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<6890>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm..."
<6891>
// \{Nagisa} "You should also hang in there, father."
<6892>
// \{Father} "I'm a carefree person."
<6893>
// \{Nagisa} "If there's anything you need, please tell me."
<6894>
// \{Father} "It's fine. Thank you."
<6895>
// \{Father} "........."
<6896>
// Seems like the conversation's over.
<6897>
// \{\m{B}} "It's time. Let's go."
<6898>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay..."
<6899>
// \{Nagisa} "Well then, \m{A}-san, we'll come again."
<6900>
// \{Father} "Yeah..."
<6901>
// A withering voice, as if phlegm was entangled in his throat.
<6902>
// It was miserable.
<6903>
// Nagisa and my father looked at each other for a while.
<6904>
// \{Nagisa} "Well then..."
<6905>
// She turned around, as if showing regret.
<6906>
// \{Nagisa} "There are many more things we have to do after this."
<6907>
// Nagisa told me.
<6908>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<6909>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun?"
<6910>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, I guess..."
<6911>
// Yeah, from today onward, that person'll be Nagisa's father-in-law.
<6912>
// A deep connection was formed.
<6913>
// \{Nagisa} "Is something the matter, \m{B}-kun?"
<6914>
// Nagisa peeps in at my covered face.
<6915>
// \{\m{B}} "No, it's nothing."
<6916>
// \{\m{B}} "So, shall we go?"
<6917>
// I took Nagisa's hand and grasped it.
<6918>
// The feeling of something metal on her finger.
<6919>
// Her wedding ring shone.
<6920>
// On the way back, we visited the government office, and submitted our marriage registration.
<6921>
// ... \m{A} Nagisa.
<6922>
// That will be Nagisa's full name from now on.
<6923>
// \{Nagisa} "I'll have to be careful not to write Furukawa by accident."
<6924>
// \{\m{B}} "I guess."
<6925>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{A} Nagisa... \m{A} Nagisa... \m{A} Nagisa..."
<6926>
// That's probably it. She repeated that quietly the entire time.
<6927>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{A} seems masculine for a last name."
<6928>
// \{\m{B}} "That's because it's my name."
<6929>
// \{Nagisa} "Really? Furukawa's quite feminine."
<6930>
// \{\m{B}} "That's because it's yours."
<6931>
// \{Nagisa} "I wonder...?"
<6932>
// \{Nagisa} "But, I guess a name like \m{A} Nagisa makes me feel like I've gotten stronger."
<6933>
// \{Nagisa} "Like... I'm being protected."
<6934>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<6935>
// It felt like a scale fell off from my eye.
<6936>
// Since it was decided that way, I couldn't help thinking that.
<6937>
// But what Nagisa said was the truth.
<6938>
// \{\m{B}} "You sure say some really embarrassing things."
<6939>
// \{Nagisa} "You said so yourself, \m{B}-kun."
<6940>
// \{Nagisa} "That I should say things so embarrassing it'd make me roll over."
<6941>
// \{\m{B}} "I did?"
<6942>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes. You did."
<6943>
// \{Nagisa} "That's why I'm saying."
<6944>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm the happiest girl in the whole, wide world!"
<6945>
// \{\m{B}} "Guah...!"
<6946>
// \{\m{B}} "That really was embarrassing..."
<6947>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun,"
<6948>
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm?"
<6949>
// \{Nagisa} "Let's live happily together."
<6950>
// \{\m{B}} "Y-yeah..."
<6951>
// \{\m{B}} "Leave it to me."
<6952>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay!"
<6953>
// \{Nagisa} "We've submitted it."
<6954>
// She reported to the Furukawa household.
<6955>
// \{\m{B}} "I'll be calling you father-in-law from now on."
<6956>
// Putting it that way, pops wrapped himself up with both his arms.
<6957>
// \{Akio} "That gave me the goosebumps just now! Don't do that, it's a jinx!"
<6958>
// He said something outrageous.
<6959>
// \{\m{B}} "But you're my father-in-law now, you know?"
<6960>
// \{Akio} "If you're going to put it that way, I'm gonna call ya my son, m'kay?!"
<6961>
// Even I had the goosebumps.
<6962>
// \{\m{B}} "Brrrr! Stop it, father-in-law!"
<6963>
// \{Akio} "Guahhhh---!! Stop it, my son!"
<6964>
// \{\m{B}} "Guahhhh---!! Stop it, father-in-law!"
<6965>
// \{Akio} "Guahhhhh---!!"
<6966>
// \{\m{B}} "Noooooo--!!"
<6967>
// When I came to, the two of us were rolling on the floor.
<6968>
// \{\m{B}} (We're a stupid pair...)
<6969>
// \{Sanae} "May I also join in?"
<6970>
// \{\m{B}} "It doesn't give you the chills, does it, Sanae-san?"
<6971>
// \{Sanae} "Please give it a try."
<6972>
// \{\m{B}} "Mother-in-law."
<6973>
// \{Sanae} "Yes?"
<6974>
// It was as usual.
<6975>
// We had a pleasant celebration at the household.
<6976>
// On the table, we had first-class sushi. Pops had a beer can to go with it.
<6977>
// \{Akio} "So, when's the wedding?"
<6978>
// \{\m{B}} "After I save some money."
<6979>
// \{Akio} "Kaah! Why'd you marry such a poor guy as him?!"
<6980>
// \{Nagisa} "Because I love him."
<6981>
// \{Akio} "Don't answer honestly! You'll make your father sad!"
<6982>
// \{Sanae} "Akio-san's also not one to speak."
<6983>
// \{Akio} "Huh? About what...?"
<6984>
// \{Sanae} "You don't have any money at all either."
<6985>
// \{Akio} "Uu..."
<6986>
// \{Sanae} "He's got debts, and bought this house, and has been struggling to make ends meet."
<6987>
// \{Sanae} "Even so, we had our wedding two years after."
<6988>
// \{Akio} "Was that it...?"
<6989>
// \{Sanae} "But, I was happy."
<6990>
// \{Sanae} "As long as I'm with you, Akio-san."
<6991>
// \{Akio} "S-Sanae..."
<6992>
// \{Akio} "Hey, you guys are in the way!"
<6993>
// \{\m{B}} "This isn't our celebration...?"
<6994>
// \{Sanae} "In other words, what I meant to say was, being with the person you love is the most important thing."
<6995>
// \{Nagisa} "Indeed. In this case, it's \m{B}-kun."
<6996>
// \{Akio} "Damn it... I'm feeling a bit agitated..."
<6997>
// \{Akio} "Why did our daughter fall in love with a guy like this?"
<6998>
// Is he really celebrating...?
<6999>
// \{Sanae} "Akio-san, today's a congratulatory day!"
<7000>
// \{Akio} "Meh? Yeah, well... I guess..."
<7001>
// \{Akio} "Then, cheers---!"
<7002>
// \{Akio} "Okay, how about we play the King Game?"
<7003>
// No we \bwon't\u.
<7004>
// It was late at night when we returned to the apartment.
<7005>
// \{\m{B}} "Guess we're back."
<7006>
// \{Nagisa} "We're back."
<7007>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<7008>
// Not one thing had changed in the room, but since today it feels like it's changed.
<7009>
// Nagisa was pretty worked up; I wonder if she was thinking the same thing?
<7010>
// \{\m{B}} "What's wrong?
<7011>
// \{Nagisa} "Starting from today, we'll again have a new start."
<7012>
// \{\m{B}} "I guess."
<7013>
// \{Nagisa} "I may be incompetent, but let's do our best."
<7014>
// \{\m{B}} "I'll do the same."
<7015>
// For the two of us to bow our heads down to the floor was weird.
<7016>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay, you can get up."
<7017>
// \{Nagisa} "All right."
<7018>
// The place all to ourselves.
<7019>
// Our home.
<7020>
// Nagisa came out of the bath, and was spreading out the futon to prepare to sleep.
<7021>
// Watching her from behind, I was thinking about things, dozing off.
<7022>
// What I should do, and a lot of other stuff.
<7023>
// \{\m{B}} (Oh yeah...)
<7024>
// \{\m{B}} (Today's the first night we've been newly wed, right...?)
<7025>
// That suddenly came to mind.
<7026>
// And Nagisa's bottom waved in front of me.
<7027>
// \{\m{B}} (What I should be doing...)
<7028>
// The lower part of my body ached in a hurry.
<7029>
// \{\m{B}} "Guahh--!"
<7030>
// I rolled about on the floor.
<7031>
// \{\m{B}} (How could I be thinking about something so perverted on a joyous day like this?!)
<7032>
// \{\m{B}} (But, well, that might also be normal...)
<7033>
// \{Nagisa} "Is something the matter, \m{B}-kun?"
<7034>
// Nagisa scrubbed her knees and came closer.
<7035>
// \{\m{B}} "W-well... I was thinking about work tomorrow and stuff."
<7036>
// \{Nagisa} "So much that it made you scream?"
<7037>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, not that much... just over..."
<7038>
// \{Nagisa} "Work hard. You're the man of the house, \m{B}-kun."
<7039>
// \{\m{B}} "Y-yeah..."
<7040>
// \{\m{B}} (But how long has it been since we went out...?)
<7041>
// \{\m{B}} (Actually, we're a married couple now, aren't we?!)
<7042>
// \{\m{B}} (Time has nothing to do with it...)
<7043>
// \{\m{B}} (We're not playing house...)
<7044>
// \{\m{B}} (Anytime we want to, I guess we could...)
<7045>
// \{\m{B}} (Ahh, but, she's... a bit slow on this... and if it becomes a disappointment, then what...?)
<7046>
// \{\m{B}} (Well, she said before that she didn't hate something like this...)
<7047>
// \{\m{B}} (But, does she \breally\u understand what that is...?)
<7048>
// \{\m{B}} (When she gets pulled into it without knowing, what'll happen...?)
<7049>
// \{\m{B}} (Would I just stare in shock at her with her panties exposed like that...?)
<7050>
// \{\m{B}} (This doesn't bode very well at all...)
<7051>
// \{Nagisa} "I also have to work hard and find a job soon."
<7052>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<7053>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh...?"
<7054>
// With one word, Nagisa ripped my thoughts to shreds.
<7055>
// \{Nagisa} "A job. I can't be loafing around at all."
<7056>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, it's fine if you stay at the house."
<7057>
// \{Nagisa} "But... that would mean you'd be working alone, \m{B}-kun."
<7058>
// \{Nagisa} "I also want to work hard."
<7059>
// \{Nagisa} "Of course, that's not to say I'll neglect chores at home."
<7060>
// \{Nagisa} "I'll be sure to come home and make dinner, waiting for you."
<7061>
// \{Nagisa} "I'll also do the laundry as well as the cleaning."
<7062>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, of course I'll help but..."
<7063>
// \{\m{B}} "Umm..."
<7064>
// \{\m{B}} (She isn't really flexible...)
<7065>
// \{\m{B}} (What should I say...?)
<7066>
// \{\m{B}} "But you know... you should get some rest for a while. You still haven't gotten better, have you?"
<7067>
// \{Nagisa} "No, I'm fine now."
<7068>
// \{\m{B}} "That might be true now... but at some point you'll get worse again..."
<7069>
// After saying that, I damned myself.
<7070>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm, I..."
<7071>
// \{Nagisa} "Don't want to always be weak just because my body is weak."
<7072>
// \{Nagisa} "I don't want to become frightened thinking about when I'll get worse."
<7073>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, sorry... I guess..."
<7074>
// What I said was treating Nagisa as if she were weak. That's why I apologized.
<7075>
// \{Nagisa} "No, it's okay. I might have said something to hurt you..."
<7076>
// \{\m{B}} "It's okay..."
<7077>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun,"
<7078>
// \{Nagisa} "Is it okay for me to go find a job?"
<7079>
// \{\m{B}} "Sure."
<7080>
// \{\m{B}} "But consult me when you've decided."
<7081>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, I will be."
<7082>
// \{\m{B}} "Whew..."
<7083>
// I rolled over the futon that Nagisa laid out.
<7084>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun,"
<7085>
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm?"
<7086>
// \{Nagisa} "Sorry for being selfish."
<7087>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, you weren't selfish at all."
<7088>
// \{\m{B}} "You're more modest than any other girl, I think."
<7089>
// \{Nagisa} "I wonder...?"
<7090>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah. Because you're not one to indulge yourself in anything."
<7091>
// \{Nagisa} "Well... I don't really want anything."
<7092>
// \{\m{B}} "That's also being modest."
<7093>
// \{Nagisa} "Is that so...?"
<7094>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, so how about this."
<7095>
// \{\m{B}} "When you start working, our budget'll be a little better..."
<7096>
// \{\m{B}} "We'll go buy some clothes you can dress up in."
<7097>
// \{Nagisa} "I still don't want it right now."
<7098>
// \{Nagisa} "Besides, we have a lot of things right now."
<7099>
// \{\m{B}} "I know. But you know, something like that's important."
<7100>
// \{\m{B}} "Even for me, I'm happy with just you dressing up and being much cuter."
<7101>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh...?"
<7102>
// \{Nagisa} "Am I wearing clothes that don't suit me...?"
<7103>
// \{\m{B}} "No, that's not what I mean..."
<7104>
// \{\m{B}} "What do you call it, the latest trends?"
<7105>
// \{Nagisa} "That's true... I might not have anything that's brand new."
<7106>
// \{\m{B}} "Then that's fine. We can figure something fun out of that."
<7107>
// \{Nagisa} "If you say you'd like to do that, \m{B}-kun... then I also feel a little like I want to."
<7108>
// \{\m{B}} "Oh, really. Then it's decided. Okay?"
<7109>
// \{Nagisa} "Sure."
<7110>
// \{\m{B}} "Oh yeah... since you're a girl, you should be more selfish."
<7111>
// \{\m{B}} "You shouldn't be so reserved, see."
<7112>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<7113>
// \{Nagisa} "Then..."
<7114>
// \{Nagisa} "Could I say one more selfish thing?"
<7115>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, if you want."
<7116>
// \{Nagisa} "Then today..."
<7117>
// \{Nagisa} "Could we sleep in one futon?"
<7118>
// I stared up at the ceiling.
<7119>
// Nagisa and I slept on each end of the futon.
<7120>
// Our arms touched a little bit.
<7121>
// \{Nagisa} "It's like being a married couple."
<7122>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, we are."
<7123>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, that's right, ehehe..."
<7124>
// She seems happy.
<7125>
// Nagisa just wanted to feel that, didn't she?
<7126>
// Doesn't seem like there was any meaning bigger than that.
<7127>
// That's why I also felt relieved, gripping her hand.
<7128>
// Nagisa did the same.
<7129>
// \{Nagisa} "We've been working hard for a year since that day."
<7130>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah..."
<7131>
// \{Nagisa} "You said so yourself back then, \m{B}-kun."
<7132>
// \{Nagisa} "If we worked for a year, we'll become so strong that nothing will beat us down."
<7133>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<7134>
// \{Nagisa} "I feel like we've gotten stronger."
<7135>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, I think so."
<7136>
// \{Nagisa} "But we still have a way to go."
<7137>
// \{Nagisa} "There's still much ahead of us."
<7138>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah... I guess."
<7139>
// \{\m{B}} "There's a lot of things ahead of us. Difficult, painful, and sad things."
<7140>
// \{Nagisa} "If I'm with you, \m{B}-kun, we can stand against it."
<7141>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, let's go at it."
<7142>
// \{Nagisa} "Sure."
<7143>
// Nagisa sure has gotten stronger.
<7144>
// Two years ago when we met...
<7145>
// The Nagisa I knew had a worrying face.
<7146>
// \{Nagisa} "What are you smiling about?"
<7147>
// Nagisa looked my way.
<7148>
// \{\m{B}} "Well..."
<7149>
// I was also probably the same.
<7150>
// Back then, I was probably ridiculous.
<7151>
// I didn't know too well, myself.
<7152>
// \{Nagisa} "Well then, good night."
<7153>
// Nagisa faced upward, closing her eyes.
<7154>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, night."
<7155>
// I also closed my eyes.
<7156>
// \{Nagisa} "I have something to talk about."
<7157>
// Nagisa cut in at dinner the next evening.
<7158>
// \{\m{B}} "Oh, what is it? You can tell me."
<7159>
// \{Nagisa} "I gave Nishina-san a phone call at noon today."
<7160>
// \{\m{B}} "With Nishina? What is it now?"
<7161>
// \{Nagisa} "When we had the graduation ceremony, she told me her number."
<7162>
// \{Nagisa} "She was also beside you, \m{B}-kun."
<7163>
// \{\m{B}} "Really? I don't remember too well."
<7164>
// \{Nagisa} "She said if I had nothing to do, that she had something for me."
<7165>
// \{Nagisa} "That's why I gave her a call."
<7166>
// \{\m{B}} "Okay."
<7167>
// \{Nagisa} "It went on for a while. I'm sorry."
<7168>
// \{\m{B}} "It's fine."
<7169>
// \{Nagisa} "Nishina-san's studying to enter music school, it seems."
<7170>
// \{\m{B}} "Oh? She's going for another shot at entering...?"
<7171>
// \{Nagisa} "And it doesn't seem she saved up much money, so she's starting a part-time job."
<7172>
// \{Nagisa} "Next month, there'll be a new family restaurant opening up."
<7173>
// \{\m{B}} "Hmm..."
<7174>
// \{Nagisa} "She said to me, 'How about joining me?'"
<7175>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm also looking for work, so I thought it was a good moment."
<7176>
// \{Nagisa} "I also want to try."
<7177>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, wait, calm down."
<7178>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<7179>
// \{\m{B}} "It means you'll be a waitress."
<7180>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, that's right."
<7181>
// \{\m{B}} (Waitress means standing work...)
<7182>
// \{\m{B}} (Seems painful...)
<7183>
// \{\m{B}} "You're starting work, yeah?"
<7184>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes."
<7185>
// \{\m{B}} "I'll be frank, it's harder than it looks."
<7186>
// \{Nagisa} "I know, I'm prepared."
<7187>
// \{\m{B}} "You might be teased by the seniors."
<7188>
// \{Nagisa} "The job's recruiting for new people, so there'll be none."
<7189>
// \{\m{B}} "Then, it'll be the boss. The boss might sexually harass you or something."
<7190>
// \{Nagisa} "No way, there'll be so many customers he won't be."
<7191>
// \{Nagisa} "Besides, Nishina-san will also be there."
<7192>
// \{Nagisa} "Of course I don't plan on relying on her, but she'll help out in times of need."
<7193>
// She certainly would. An acquaintance of hers bringing her to a place to work where she won't be alone will always leave me at ease.
<7194>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm grateful for your concern. But I think this much is normal."
<7195>
// \{\m{B}} "I see... I guess so."
<7196>
// Worrying any more than this would be branded as hesitating because she has a weak body.
<7197>
// \{\m{B}} "All right. I'll approve."
<7198>
// \{Nagisa} "Thank you so much."
<7199>
// \{\m{B}} "But at least tell pops and Sanae-san."
<7200>
// \{\m{B}} "I really think we should tell them about something like this."
<7201>
// \{Nagisa} "Sure, I don't mind."
<7202>
// Coming out of the bath and a towel on my head, I dialed their number.
<7203>
// Nagisa also stood beside me, watching for what would happen.
<7204>
// Ring, ring, ring... pluck.
<7205>
// \{Voice} "Yeah, this is the Furukawas."
<7206>
// Pops' voice.
<7207>
// \{\m{B}} "It's \m{A}."
<7208>
// \{Akio} "Oh, my son, what's up?"
<7209>
// \{\m{B}} "Guahh!"
<7210>
// Clatter!
<7211>
// I hung up by accident.
<7212>
// \{Nagisa} "What's wrong, \m{B}-kun?"
<7213>
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, well... somehow I'm kinda bad at phone calls, it seems."
<7214>
// \{Nagisa} "Really?"
<7215>
// I call again.
<7216>
// Ring, ring, ring... pluck.
<7217>
// \{Akio} "Yeah, Furukawa's."
<7218>
// \{\m{B}} "It's \m{A}, father-in-law."
<7219>
// \{Akio} "Guooooo--!!"
<7220>
// Clatter!
<7221>
// ... he hung up.
<7222>
// \{Nagisa} "What's wrong, \m{B}-kun?"
<7223>
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, well... I'll try calling again."
<7224>
// Ring, ring, ring... pluck.
<7225>
// \{Akio} "Hey, this is your father-in-law."
<7226>
// Clatter!
<7227>
// We both hung up at the same time.
<7228>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<7229>
// Nagisa's looking me with a mysterious face.
<7230>
// I call yet again.
<7231>
// Ring, ring, ring... pluck.
<7232>
// \{Akio} "Furukawa's..."
<7233>
// \{\m{B}} "You said it yourself and hung up, didn't you?"
<7234>
// \{Akio} "Yeah, that was suicide just now. It's too much of a joke."
<7235>
// Well, it's not a joke, but the truth...
<7236>
// Saying that would make him hang up, so I'll shut up.
<7237>
// \{Akio} "So, what? You giving birth to a kid?"
<7238>
// \{\m{B}} "You're jumping to conclusions too fast."
<7239>
// \{Akio} "Tch, then what?"
<7240>
// \{\m{B}} "Nagisa's starting a job, that okay?"
<7241>
// \{Akio} "A job---?!"
<7242>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, a job. Waitress, even."
<7243>
// \{Akio} "Waitresss---?!"
<7244>
// \{\m{B}} "Even more, dinner tonight was Arabesque greenling."
<7245>
// \{Akio} "Arabesque greenling---?!"
<7246>
// \{\m{B}} "Pitch-hitting Fukuou."
<7247>
// \{Akio} "Fukuou---?!"
<7248>
// He'll be surprised at anything I say, it seems.
<7249>
// \{\m{B}} "That said, go tell Sanae-san for me too. Later."
<7250>
// \{Akio} "Hey, wait! I was in such a drama, I didn't hear one single damn thing!"
<7251>
// Seems he's giving back only reminiscing words.
<7252>
// \{Akio} "I'll hand it over to Sanae, so tell her in full detail!"
<7253>
// \{Akio} "Hey, Sanae! I think it's someone called Fukuou, that's all he said!"
<7254>
// I wait for a moment.
<7255>
// \{Sanae} "Hello, this is Sanae."
<7256>
// \{\m{B}} "Evening, it's \m{A}."
<7257>
// \{Sanae} "\m{A} is also Nagisa's surname, \m{B}-san."
<7258>
// \{\m{B}} "Oh, that's right. It's \m{B}."
<7259>
// \{Sanae} "Hi. What might it be, \m{B}-san?"
<7260>
// \{\m{B}} "Nagisa's starting a job. I thought I might let her do what she wants."
<7261>
// \{\m{B}} "That fine?"
<7262>
// \{Sanae} "What kind of job?"
<7263>
// \{\m{B}} "She'll be a waitress at a new family restaurant."
<7264>
// \{\m{B}} "Seems she'll also be working with an acquaintance of hers."
<7265>
// \{Sanae} "Really? That's a relief."
<7266>
// \{\m{B}} "Indeed. I think it's fine."
<7267>
// \{Sanae} "Sure, I also think so."
<7268>
// \{\m{B}} "So that's an okay then."
<7269>
// \{Sanae} "Yes."
<7270>
// I turn around, and give Nagisa an OK sign.
<7271>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah..."
<7272>
// Nagisa's face showed excitement.
<7273>
// \{\m{B}} "Then, see you later."
<7274>
// \{Sanae} "Okay, good night."
<7275>
// \{\m{B}} "Good night."
<7276>
// Clatter.
<7277>
// \{\m{B}} "No problems."
<7278>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm glad."
<7279>
// \{\m{B}} "That said, work hard."
<7280>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, I will."
<7281>
// \{Nagisa} "Tomorrow, I'll give Nishina-san a call right away."
<7282>
// Today, we laid out our futon just like we usually do.
<7283>
// It just... felt a little lonely.
<7284>
// It felt like the enjoyment of the feeling of her as my wife had already ended.
<7285>
// That said, I shouldn't even be saying that...
<7286>
// \{Nagisa} "What's wrong, \m{B}-kun?"
<7287>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh...? Oh, yeah?"
<7288>
// I was bewildered by her suddenly talking to me.
<7289>
// \{\m{B}} "Umm... it's a bit early, but shall we sleep?"
<7290>
// \{Nagisa} "Sure."
<7291>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<7292>
// I stare up at the ceiling.
<7293>
// I imagine the place where the new family restaurant is in my mind.
<7294>
// I knew that place well.
<7295>
// It was on the road where I had passed by back in school when I attended.
<7296>
// The restaurant seems to have been erected in that quiet place.
<7297>
// Well, there'll be a grand opening next month, so it's not like the building already exists.
<7298>
// It's been a while since I passed through there, so I didn't know.
<7299>
// So I couldn't imagine the restaurant being erected there.
<7300>
// The town's shape is changing.
<7301>
// People's strength is changing.
<7302>
// For our own sakes.
<7303>
// I'm also part of that.
<7304>
// I didn't know whether that was good or bad.
<7305>
// It's not like I have a love for the animals, trees, or forests.
<7306>
// The memories of the city are changing.
<7307>
// It's just that was the thing that was not being allowed for some reason.
<7308>
// \{Nagisa} "Are you awake, \m{B}-kun?"
<7309>
// Nagisa's voice brought me to my senses.
<7310>
// \{\m{B}} "Ah? Yeah..."
<7311>
// \{\m{B}} "What's up?"
<7312>
// \{Nagisa} "Could I come over there?"
<7313>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh?"
<7314>
// \{Nagisa} "This really is lonely."
<7315>
// \{\m{B}} "S-sure..."
<7316>
// \{Nagisa} "Can I really come over?"
<7317>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, of course."
<7318>
// She got out of her futon, passing through into mine.
<7319>
// \{Nagisa} "I"ve calmed down. Ehehe..."
<7320>
// She smiled, pushing her shoulder against mine.
<7321>
// Her weakness from back then was also changing.
<7322>
// I myself might be afraid right now.
<7323>
// Right now, I might be standing rock still at the bottom of that hill.
<7324>
// I might be looking far up at an unclear future, hesitating.
<7325>
// I bring my arms below Nagisa's neck, and hug her.
<7326>
// I push my nose against her nape.
<7327>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Nagisa..."
<7328>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes...?"
<7329>
// ... always be with me, watching over me...
<7330>
// I wanted to say that, but I didn't.
<7331>
// For some reason, I couldn't say that right now.
<7332>
// It was like some overwhelming power that protested that wish, passing over my mouth.
<7333>
// Instead, I kissed her nape.
<7334>
// And like that, I wanted to tie down both Nagisa and I.
<7335>
// To this old one-room apartment.
<7336>
// \{Nagisa} "What's the matter, \m{B}-kun?"
<7337>
// \{\m{B}} "Well..."
<7338>
// \{Nagisa} "I also called Nishina-san today."
<7339>
// \{\m{B}} "Oh?"
<7340>
// \{Nagisa} "After doing that, I got in contact with the manager of the family restaurant."
<7341>
// \{Nagisa} "Tomorrow's my interview. Is it fine if I go?"
<7342>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, sure."
<7343>
// \{Nagisa} "Well then, I'll leave home at noon tomorrow."
<7344>
// \{\m{B}} "Don't worry and go ahead."
<7345>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<7346>
// Nagisa seemed happy. Did she really want to work that badly?
<7347>
// No, even more than wanting to work, she just wanted to work hard at something. That's probably all it is.
<7348>
// A new workplace...
<7349>
// Oh yeah, there'll be a lot of young guys at that family restaurant job...
<7350>
// \{\m{B}} "Mmph..."
<7351>
// \{Nagisa} "What's wrong?"
<7352>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, there's one thing I'd like you to be careful about..."
<7353>
// \{Nagisa} "Sure."
<7354>
// \{\m{B}} "Because right now, you're a girl that just graduated... I think there'll be a lot of guys that'll be courting you."
<7355>
// \{\m{B}} "You better not get all alone with any one of them."
<7356>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, I know."
<7357>
// \{Nagisa} "Besides, if I show them this, I think it'll be fine."
<7358>
// Opening up her hand, she showed the ring she was wearing.
<7359>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, that's true but..."
<7360>
// \{\m{B}} "Even so, you're cute so... I'm worried."
<7361>
// \{Nagisa} "It's surely not like that, so it's fine."
<7362>
// Uh, it surely is, that's why I'm worried...
<7363>
// \{\m{B}} "Make sure that the shop owner's someone who can be trusted."
<7364>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<7365>
// \{\m{B}} "Also, have a talk with Nishina. I'd like to ask a lot of things."
<7366>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<7367>
// \{\m{B}} "What else...?"
<7368>
// Ah, again. I'm too worried...
<7369>
// \{Nagisa} "What else might there be?"
<7370>
// \{\m{B}} "No, it's nothing."
<7371>
// \{\m{B}} "The only thing left is not to push yourself. That's all."
<7372>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay."
<7373>
// After that, the job stuff was quickly resolved, and next month she was going to be part of the morning crew.
<7374>
// Her rotation ended up going from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon.
<7375>
// Something like that seemed accomodating for a housewife.
<7376>
// Having a history of attending your graduation with your husband tended to surprise people, so that providing some level of protection gave me some relief.
<7377>
// On the other hand, there'd be all sorts of rumors flying around again but...
<7378>
// \{Nagisa} "Well then, I'll be off."
<7379>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, I'll do the same."
<7380>
// Turning around, the room was empty.
<7381>
// From today onward, the two of us will be leaving the house like this.
<7382>
// \{Nagisa} "I kind of remember from two years ago."
<7383>
// \{Nagisa} "We attended school together."
<7384>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah... though I was always late."
<7385>
// \{Nagisa} "We're not students anymore now."
<7386>
// \{\m{B}} "Freelancers, huh?"
<7387>
// \{\m{B}} "Sunohara's in training..."
<7388>
// \{\m{B}} "Nishina's preparing to enter music school..."
<7389>
// \{\m{B}} "No one's in high school anymore..."
<7390>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes. Everyone's starting on a new path."
<7391>
// \{Nagisa} "I have to do the same so that I don't lose!"
<7392>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, give it your best."
<7393>
// \{Nagisa} "See you."
<7394>
// Waving her hand, she walked off in a different direction.
<7395>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<7396>
// \{\m{B}} (... I'm worried...)
<7397>
// I saw her off for a while.
<7398>
// \{Nagisa} "Welcome back."
<7399>
// When I came back, Nagisa was in the kitchen preparing dinner.
<7400>
// I didn't see a tiring look from her at all; she was normal as always.
<7401>
// \{\m{B}} "How was it? It wasn't tough or anything?"
<7402>
// \{Nagisa} "It was certainly tougher than I thought."
<7403>
// \{Nagisa} "Besides, today's the opening day, so it's bustling with activity."
<7404>
// \{\m{B}} "You can take a break. I'll do this."
<7405>
// \{Nagisa} "That's not how it should be. I also have to do this."
<7406>
// \{Nagisa} "Besides, you should be more tired, \m{B}-kun. You're doing heavy labor."
<7407>
// \{\m{B}} "It's usual for me to be tired, but you're the first day, right?"
<7408>
// \{Nagisa} "Hmm..."
<7409>
// \{Nagisa} "Then, let's do it together."
<7410>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, that's fine."
<7411>
// That day, the two of us made dinner.
<7412>
// \{Nagisa} "There were so many customers."
<7413>
// \{Nagisa} "There were so many people I knew."
<7414>
// \{\m{B}} "Oh? Classmates from before?"
<7415>
// \{Nagisa} "No, regular customers from the Furukawa Bakery."
<7416>
// \{Nagisa} "Everyone was surprised when they saw me working."
<7417>
// \{Nagisa} "They were wondering what I was doing, working in a place like that."
<7418>
// Indeed...
<7419>
// \{Nagisa} "And everyone said I was cute."
<7420>
// \{Nagisa} "They said that the uniform was really cute and suited me well."
<7421>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh...?"
<7422>
// Serious...
<7423>
// \{Nagisa} "I was so happy."
<7424>
// \{\m{B}} "You wear this uniform over there?"
<7425>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes. It's in the locker."
<7426>
// I really wanted to see Nagisa in that.
<7427>
// \{\m{B}} "I-I see... then, maybe when I get a holiday, I'll go and see what you look like."
<7428>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, that seems somewhat unpleasant."
<7429>
// \{\m{B}} "Really...? Isn't it fine?"
<7430>
// \{Nagisa} "The work uniform is a bit embarrassing."
<7431>
// \{\m{B}} "R-really?"
<7432>
// I suddenly became really interested in seeing it.
<7433>
// Even if I skip out on my job, I really wanted to.
<7434>
// \{Nagisa} "If there's a chance next time... I guess."
<7435>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<7436>
// I'll definitely come and see.
<7437>
// \{Nagisa} "Even so, the restaurant was a great success."
<7438>
// \{Nagisa} "I could really tell that everyone was looking forward to the opening."
<7439>
// \{Nagisa} "Because there really isn't a family restaurant in this city."
<7440>
// \{\m{B}} "Indeed."
<7441>
// \{Nagisa} "Even I myself was surprised."
<7442>
// \{Nagisa} "There are a lot of different systems."
<7443>
// \{Nagisa} "Did you know there's stuff like displays saying what floor the elevator's on?"
<7444>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, I've never gone, so I don't know..."
<7445>
// Nagisa didn't exhaust her breath for words.
<7446>
// Everything was beginning, and everything was fresh.
<7447>
// After cleaning up dinner, there was a break before the phone rang.
<7448>
// Nagisa took it.
<7449>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, this is the \m{A} residence."
<7450>
// \{Nagisa} "Indeed. Ehehe..."
<7451>
// Who might it be? Nishina?
<7452>
// \{Nagisa} "Okay, I'll pass it over."
<7453>
// She took the receiver and turned towards me.
<7454>
// \{Nagisa} "It's dad."
<7455>
// \{\m{B}} "Pops?"
<7456>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes."
<7457>
// For pops to give a call was rare.
<7458>
// Well at the moment, I don't recall him doing so.
<7459>
// Did some problem regarding Nagisa come up...?
<7460>
// I took the phone, worried.
<7461>
// \{\m{B}} "Hello?"
<7462>
// \{Akio} "Oh, my stupid son."
<7463>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, what's up?"
<7464>
// \{Akio} "Hey, Nagisa's started her job today right?"
<7465>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah she did."
<7466>
// \{Akio} "Well, you see... some rumor came by my ear about that."
<7467>
// ... a rumor.
<7468>
// I had a bad feeling.
<7469>
// \{\m{B}} "What kind...?"
<7470>
// \{Akio} "Yeah, about how the family restaurant uniform was \bDAMN\u cute!"
<7471>
// Ssss-s-s-slip!\shake{3}
<7472>
// I slid in front of the phone.
<7473>
// \{Akio} "It was all the rage over at the store!"
<7474>
// \{Akio} "Doesn't it interest you?"
<7475>
// \{\m{B}} "You can go and see, right?"
<7476>
// \{Akio} "Fool, like I'd do something that embarrassing!"
<7477>
// \{\m{B}} "Do it!"
<7478>
// \{Akio} "That said, go take a picture."
<7479>
// \{\m{B}} "Who will...?"
<7480>
// \{Akio} "You will."
<7481>
// \{\m{B}} "I don't have that time on me!"
<7482>
// \{Akio} "You can take a day off."
<7483>
// \{\m{B}} "If I do, I'll get fired!"
<7484>
// \{Akio} "Sorry!"
<7485>
// \{\m{B}} "You want me to get fired?!"
<7486>
// \{Akio} "I'm countin' on ya, my devoted son."
<7487>
// Clatter. Beep... beep...
<7488>
// He hung up.
<7489>
// \{Nagisa} "What happened?"
<7490>
// \{Nagisa} "Did dad say something ridiculous again?"
<7491>
// \{\m{B}} "He's an idiot."
<7492>
// \{Nagisa} "I think he's like a kid."
<7493>
// \{\m{B}} (He's more of a perverted old geezer than he is a kid right now...)
<7494>
// \{Nagisa} "What did he say?"
<7495>
// \{Nagisa} "I'll also help."
<7496>
// \{Nagisa} "What should I do?"
<7497>
// \{\m{B}} "It's okay. Just ignore it. It's too stupid..."
<7498>
// \{Nagisa} "Really? I'll ask him next time."
<7499>
// \{\m{B}} "\bDon't bother.\u"
<7500>
// .........
<7501>
// And just like that, I suddenly had a free afternoon.
<7502>
// The work that was scheduled got canceled by our client just before we were sent out.
<7503>
// \{Yoshino} "Well, you go first."
<7504>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, I'm tired."
<7505>
// It's been quite a while since I walked around the city on the weekdays, so it was just a little exciting.
<7506>
// I remember the feelings of loitering around the city in my school uniform, back when I commuted to school.
<7507>
// Well then, what should I do from here?
<7508>
// There wouldn't be anything to do at home...
<7509>
// In my student days, I'd go to the arcade and play until my mind went numb. (Though, in the first place, I only saw myself playing with Sunohara).
<7510>
// \{\m{B}} (I suppose...)
<7511>
// I wanted to meet Sanae-san.
<7512>
// I wanted to talk and listen to Nagisa.
<7513>
// I began walking towards the Furukawa Bakery.
<7514>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey."
<7515>
// \{Akio} "Welcome... oh, it's just you."
<7516>
// \{Akio} "What happened this time, you got fired?"
<7517>
// \{\m{B}} "I just happened to have some free time."
<7518>
// \{Akio} "Is that so? Well, if you've got no business here, buzz off."
<7519>
// \{\m{B}} "Where's Sanae-san?"
<7520>
// \{Akio} "Wandering about in town, crying."
<7521>
// \{\m{B}} "You made her cry again...?"
<7522>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, I better go look for poor Sanae-san."
<7523>
// \{Akio} "Hey, wait up a sec."
<7524>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah?"
<7525>
// \{Akio} "Come on man, what about the goods you promised?"
<7526>
// \{\m{B}} "What goods?"
<7527>
// \{Akio} "Kaaah! No way, don't tell me you've forgotten, bastard!"
<7528>
// \{\m{B}} "No, seriously, what do you mean...?"
<7529>
// \{Akio} "The photo, the photo! Nagisa's cute, erotic, waitress photo!"
<7530>
// This guy's disgusting.
<7531>
// \{\m{B}} "Since when did someone take an erotic photo?!"
<7532>
// \{Akio} "Tch... don't you know about these things, damn amateur..."
<7533>
// So you're a pro at this, huh?
<7534>
// \{Akio} "You listen now. The outfit she's wearing in that restaurant's famous for its emphasis on the breasts!"
<7535>
// \{Akio} "That's why I want a photo! You got that, idiot?" 
<7536>
// \{Akio} "Arghh, daaamnit! Imagine how hot that'd be! Just look, look!"
<7537>
// Desiring that from his own daughter...
<7538>
// \{Sanae} "Yes? What did you want to see?"
<7539>
// I heard Sanae-san's voice from behind.
<7540>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey."
<7541>
// \{Sanae} "Oh, \m{B}-san. Good afternoon."
<7542>
// \{Sanae} "What are you doing today?"
<7543>
// \{\m{B}} "I had some spare time, so I thought I'd come visit you for a little while, Sanae-san."
<7544>
// \{Sanae} "Wow, really? That makes me happy."
<7545>
// \{Sanae} "But, before that, Akio-san,"
<7546>
// \{Akio} "What is it?" 
<7547>
// \{Sanae} "What were you talking about just now? Was there something exciting you wanted to see?"
<7548>
// She was suspicious of our questionable discussion.
<7549>
// \{Akio} "Whew..."
<7550>
// Pops took a piece of bread in his hand.
<7551>
// \{Akio} "Hahahahahaha!"
<7552>
// Along with the loud laughter, he threw it into the ground.
<7553>
// Thump!
<7554>
// The smoke lit up, turning the area bright white.
<7555>
// \{Akio} "Lets go, brat!"
<7556>
// Grabbing my shoulder, he dragged me out of the store. 
<7557>
// \{Akio} "She's an enemy when she's making bread."
<7558>
// Pops muttered, not even once looking at the puff of smoke in front of the store.
<7559>
// \{\m{B}} "What kind of bread are you selling?!"
<7560>
// \{Akio} "Why are you being surprised, even now?"
<7561>
// ... there's nothing more to say about this.
<7562>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, what is it, where are you taking me?" 
<7563>
// \{\m{B}} "I want to talk to Sanae-san. Let's go back."
<7564>
// \{Akio} "Hey hey, if you go back to the house, it's gonna be trouble." 
<7565>
// \{\m{B}} "If it's gonna be trouble, do you have anything to do in mind?"
<7566>
// \{Akio} "Yeah. Let's go to Nagisa's workplace from here."
<7567>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, go by yourself. See you."
<7568>
// \{Akio} "Wait a sec! You're coming as well!"
<7569>
// \{\m{B}} "Why me?"
<7570>
// \{Akio} "You idiot, you think a big-looking guy like me's gonna solo it into a family restaurant to eat stuff like a parfait?!"
<7571>
// \{\m{B}} "You could drink coffee as well."
<7572>
// \{Akio} "That's way too weird!"
<7573>
// \{\m{B}} "Nah, I don't think eating parfait and drinking coffee is weird at all."
<7574>
// \{Akio} "And, where you're living, Nagisa's always coming to you."
<7575>
// \{Akio} "You're loaded with 'photo moments'."
<7576>
// \{\m{B}} "It's not just me. She even comes to you too."
<7577>
// \{Akio} "Idiot, I'm not gonna be me from now on."
<7578>
// \{\m{B}} "Huh?"
<7579>
// \{Akio} "I'm gonna disguise myself as one of your friends, that's what I mean."
<7580>
// \{\m{B}} "Why...?"
<7581>
// \{Akio} "I don't want to be found out as some sorta overprotective parent, don't you get it? It feels nasty."
<7582>
// \{\m{B}} "Yep, no idea."
<7583>
// \{Akio} "Anyway, it's also about appearance. And, I can spy on things as well."
<7584>
// \{Akio} "Great, right?"
<7585>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<7586>
// \{Akio} "We'll be able to take photos, and print 'em."
<7587>
// Help him with it
<7588>
// Run for it
<7589>
// \{\m{B}} (No... there's no reason in being lured into reprinting the photos...)
<7590>
// \{\m{B}} (Just because I have some spare time...)
<7591>
// I understood that myself.
<7592>
// \{Akio} "Hey, I'm gonna put on my disguise, face that way."
<7593>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah..."
<7594>
// What kind of disguise is he gonna put on exactly?
<7595>
// .........
<7596>
// \{Akio} "All right, it's good. Perfect."
<7597>
// This guy's an idiot.
<7598>
// \{Akio} "Look, what do ya think? Can't tell, right?"
<7599>
// \{\m{B}} "I easily \bcan\u." 
<7600>
// To be honest, the thought of the reprints as the reward made me shook me a little.
<7601>
// Though, things like secretly taking photos of my girlfriend is kinda pointless...
<7602>
// And besides, going along with pops was just inviting more trouble.
<7603>
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, Sanae-san."
<7604>
// \{Akio} "What?! How'd she get out of the smoke screen?!"
<7605>
// I looked for a way to escape in pops' confusion as he searched for her.
<7606>
// Turning around in the residential district, I went back to the park.
<7607>
// There was no sign of him.
<7608>
// I guess he'd gone back into the store.
<7609>
// Even so, since Sanae-san was worried,  I wanted to go and check.
<7610>
// \{\m{B}} "Heeey..."
<7611>
// I called out softly as I went inside the store.
<7612>
// \{Sanae} "Ah, yes?"
<7613>
// Sanae's face came up, looking at me.
<7614>
// \{Sanae} "Ah, \m{B}-san."
<7615>
// Sanae-san, was sweeping the floor with a broom and dustpan.
<7616>
// \{\m{B}} "Are you alright?"
<7617>
// \{Sanae} "Yes, I'm fine."
<7618>
// \{\m{B}} "What's that you're sweeping up?"
<7619>
// \{Sanae} "It's soy flour."
<7620>
// \{Sanae} "For the soy flour bread."
<7621>
// So that's what the smoke was...
<7622>
// Actually, all that was packed in there...?
<7623>
// \{Sanae} "Akio-san's a bad kid, playing with his food."
<7624>
// \{\m{B}} "Umm... where's pops?"
<7625>
// \{Sanae} "Well, he left in the cloud of smoke."
<7626>
// I guess he'd be taking those photos on his own.
<7627>
// \{Sanae} "On that note, was there something I could help you with, \m{B}-san?"
<7628>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, just like I had said before, I really wanted to meet with you."
<7629>
// \{\m{B}} "Nagisa's still at work at this time." 
<7630>
// \{Sanae} "Is that so?"
<7631>
// \{Sanae} "What can we do then, shall we play?"
<7632>
// That line made my breath slip.
<7633>
// That's always been something a student would say.
<7634>
// \{Sanae} "Is something the matter?"
<7635>
// \{\m{B}} "No... but, we can't leave the shop unattended right?"  
<7636>
// \{Sanae} "But, if we stay around the park, the customers will know we've come here, so it's fine."
<7637>
// Really, going to the park... what were we going to do?
<7638>
// \{\m{B}} (Ahh, somehow, my heart's beating faster...)
<7639>
// \{\m{B}} (Wonder what we could have fun with... let's think...)
<7640>
// \{\m{B}} "Umm..."
<7641>
// \{\m{B}} "Shall we play on the swings?"
<7642>
// \{Sanae} "Sure."
<7643>
// Two adults, riding the swings.
<7644>
// \{Sanae} "This is really fun, isn't it?"
<7645>
// \{\m{B}} (Woah... she's really having fun with on the ride...)
<7646>
// \{Sanae} "\m{B}-san, are your legs getting stiff?"
<7647>
// \{Sanae} "Well... come now, the ride's really good if you go all the way up."
<7648>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, okay."
<7649>
// Raising my legs like hers, I used centripetal force to get the swing up really high.
<7650>
// \{Sanae} "You're pretty good, \m{B}-san. We're really quite high up."
<7651>
// \{\m{B}} "It was really fun as a child. Like this, I got it up so high I went all around."
<7652>
// \{Sanae} "Don't you want to have a challenge today?"
<7653>
// \{\m{B}} "Nah, can't really do that again."
<7654>
// \{\m{B}} "Besides, how old are we, riding the swings...?"
<7655>
// \{Sanae} "It's nice riding on them once in a while."
<7656>
// \{\m{B}} "If you think so Sanae-san, then I guess."
<7657>
// Most women looking at us would this it was absurd, but it seems Sanae-san really found it fun.
<7658>
// It was so fun that one would not even feel a hint of stress.
<7659>
// \{\m{B}} "Do you want to go on the bar next?"
<7660>
// \{Sanae} "Yes, I can pull myself across."
<7661>
// \{\m{B}} "I won't lose."
<7662>
// This feeling...
<7663>
// When did I feel something similar... it seems just like that time.
<7664>
// I see... it's Nagisa.
<7665>
// When Nagisa saw that apartment room for the first time...
<7666>
// It was so dirty, and yet she said it was beautiful.
<7667>
// Someone like me who's not resourceful and doesn't know how to really have fun with women... is with someone who's smiling.
<7668>
// Nagisa, as well as Sanae-san.
<7669>
// It really was a beautiful meeting, I thought.
<7670>
// \{Voice} "It was no good after all!"
<7671>
// Suddenly, a loud voice pierced through the calm atmosphere.
<7672>
// \{Akio} "Brat, how dare you make me go there on my own! It was too embarrassing, so I didn't go in!"
<7673>
// It was a lovely meeting, this guy being the exception.
<7674>
// \{Sanae} "What place might be embarrassing to come to?"
<7675>
// \{Akio} "Woah, Sanae! Uh, well..."
<7676>
// \{Akio} "... the toy shop."
<7677>
// \{Sanae} "You were fine with going to the toy shop alone, Akio-san."
<7678>
// \{Sanae} "Is there something you're hiding by going together?"
<7679>
// \{Akio} "Guh..."					
<7680>
// \{Akio} "You see this guy... wanted to see the restaurant Nagisa was working at, but he was crying that it was embarrassing for him to go on his own and order a parfait..."
<7681>
// \{Sanae} "Both of you went to see Nagisa and work, didn't you?"
<7682>
// \{Akio} "I'm telling you, this guy was crying and begging."
<7683>
// \{Sanae} "But I was having fun with \m{B}-san right now, so I don't really have any complaints."
<7684>
// \{Sanae} "Well then, \m{B}-san."
<7685>
// Sanae turned around to face me.
<7686>
// \{Sanae} "Take care of Akio-san, will you?"
<7687>
// \{\m{B}} "Hah?"
<7688>
// \{Akio} "I'm taking care of myself!"
<7689>
// \{Sanae} "Yes, yes, be sure not to come back late!"
<7690>
// \{Akio} "This guy's nose is dripping all over the place, come on!"
<7691>
// \{Sanae} "Yes, yes. My apologies, \m{B}-san."
<7692>
// Seeing Sanae-san off, me and Pops went back to the park.
<7693>
// \{\m{B}} (So, am I going after all...?)
<7694>
// \{Akio} "........."
<7695>
// Pops suddenly stood there, turning around.
<7696>
// At some point, he put on his sunglasses.
<7697>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, let's go, hurry."
<7698>
// \{Akio} "Did you just lose your voice for a moment?" 
<7699>
// \{\m{B}} "Why would I?"
<7700>
// \{Akio} "I changed into my disguise without you knowing."
<7701>
// \{Akio} "Is this really the great Akio? But, I thought he was walking in front there... guess I must've been mistaken..."
<7702>
// \{Akio} "... and you'd be worried, so you should be asking me about it."
<7703>
// \{\m{B}} "Though I'm not confused, but rather just in a hurry."
<7704>
// \{Akio} "Nah, this disguise is simple, no one's gonna see through it."
<7705>
// \{\m{B}} "Aren't they all gonna know?"
<7706>
// \{Akio} "Tch, you know who I really am. They're not gonna see through it without knowing who I am, got it?"
<7707>
// \{Akio} "Wonder what tone I should use. Check out my rapper style." 
<7708>
// \{Akio} "Yo, yo! I'm MC Akio! Behind the mike, I'm the best bakery!"
<7709>
// \{\m{B}} "That's a hell of a confusing disguise."
<7710>
// \{Akio} "Serious? That sucks."
<7711>
// \{\m{B}} "You're better off just being normal."
<7712>
// To begin with, a disguise like this really wasn't a good idea.
<7713>
// \{\m{B}} "Quick, let's go."
<7714>
// \{Akio} "Okay, brother!"
<7715>
// I'm familiar with the scenery that's laid out before me when I turn this corner... well, I should be.
<7716>
// From bottom to top, I'd been going past that school path for 12 years, using the roadway.
<7717>
// But, it was different now.
<7718>
// It had already become something different.
<7719>
// I still hadn't seen the shape of this city.
<7720>
// \{Akio} "Hey, brozza."
<7721>
// \{\m{B}} "Who's brozza?! It's brother ain't it?"
<7722>
// \{Akio} "Yeah that's what I meant. You still not sure, brother?"
<7723>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, a bit."
<7724>
// We turned the corner.
<7725>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<7726>
// I should've prepared myself... 
<7727>
// \{Akio} "Heh..."
<7728>
// \{Akio} "The trees have grown pretty thick here."
<7729>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah..."
<7730>
// \{Akio} "It's great isn't it? It's changed a bit though."
<7731>
// \{Akio} "There's a lot of people as well."
<7732>
// In my eyes, I saw the form of the new town being carved in.
<7733>
// And now, the scene I once remembered had changed.
<7734>
// \{\m{B}} "We going in...?"
<7735>
// Climbing the stairs, we went into the store.
<7736>
// \{Akio} "Man, it's crowded, everyone's just lazin' about."
<7737>
// So are you.
<7738>
// We waited around a bit.
<7739>
// During that time, pops was moving around suspiciously, like some peeper.
<7740>
// \{Akio} "Hey, check it out, it's Nagisa."
<7741>
// \{\m{B}} "Serious?"
<7742>
// As he said, we peered in together.
<7743>
// Ah, the habit of sad men.
<7744>
// \{\m{B}} "Where?"
<7745>
// \{Akio} "Just there."
<7746>
// I had no idea, from this far away.
<7747>
// But, looking at the waitress walking nearby, the cute uniform caught my eye.
<7748>
// I see, it was Nishina.
<7749>
// \{Akio} "Bastard, can't you see the other girl?"
<7750>
// \{Akio} "What's the matter with Nagisa-chan, our idol?"
<7751>
// \{\m{B}} "I have no idea, not from here."
<7752>
// \{Akio} "Tch, then just wait patiently, will ya?"
<7753>
// I took a seat.
<7754>
// After a short time, the waitresses came to greet us.
<7755>
// \{Nagisa} "Welcome."
<7756>
// It was Nagisa.
<7757>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, \m{B}-kun."
<7758>
// \{\m{B}} "Yo."
<7759>
// This was pretty embarrassing.
<7760>
// That was just like Nagisa, her face blushing as she lowered her head.
<7761>
// \{Nagisa} "You came so suddenly... I was a bit surprised."
<7762>
// \{\m{B}} "Sorry, my bad. I came quickly after I got some spare time." 
<7763>
// Actually, she's cute.
<7764>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, so you couldn't get here early."
<7765>
// Remembering her job, I took the menu, and asked her,
<7766>
// \{Nagisa} "For one, right?"
<7767>
// \{\m{B}} "Nope, two."
<7768>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes?"
<7769>
// She pointed in front of me, at the lone, tall figure, freakishly disguised as a charity worker.
<7770>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, umm..."
<7771>
// Narrowing her eyes, Nagisa examined his face closely, as if to confirm.
<7772>
// \{Nagisa} "A friend?"
<7773>
// \{\m{B}} "You're an idiot!"
<7774>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh?"
<7775>
// She really had no idea...
<7776>
// That was her own father.
<7777>
// \{Nagisa} "Well then, come with me to a table with more seats."
<7778>
// She passed through the middle.
<7779>
// Nagisa cleared the window-side table, and walked us over. 
<7780>
// \{Nagisa} "Here you go, this one."
<7781>
// Pops and I sat down together.
<7782>
// \{Nagisa} "Here's the menu. I'll come back soon to take your order." 
<7783>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, thank you."
<7784>
// Handing us the menus, Nagisa busied herself with the chairs.
<7785>
// \{Akio} "See? She didn't recognize me." 
<7786>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, I'd forgotten. Your daughter's really dim-witted."
<7787>
// \{Akio} "Nah, she's actually quite witty. If I were to talk she would see through it."
<7788>
// \{\m{B}} "Seriously, wearing those sunglasses, much as you wanna say you're a different person, you're not gonna pass for one."
<7789>
// \{Akio} "I'm not stupid."
<7790>
// Definitely looks like we're giving it a shot.
<7791>
// \{Akio} "Next time Nagisa comes, keep her busy with some conversation. I'll take a photo during that time."
<7792>
// I took the instant camera I was hiding out of my pocket.
<7793>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, looks like we're intruding into her work a bit..." 
<7794>
// Another waitress, came, holding some water.
<7795>
// \{Waitress} "Welcome."
<7796>
// \{Akio} "Tch, bastard, why didn't you use it?"
<7797>
// I'd heard her coming around.
<7798>
// Looking somewhat angry, the waitress left.
<7799>
// \{\m{B}} "Be a little more prudent."
<7800>
// \{Akio} "Oh, there's Nagisa. Call out to her."
<7801>
// \{\m{B}} "You don't get it do you, pops..."
<7802>
// I didn't call out to Nagisa, but she came anyway.
<7803>
// \{Nagisa} "Have you decided on something?"
<7804>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, guess so..."
<7805>
// \{\m{B}} "Hot coffee for me."
<7806>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, one hot coffee."
<7807>
// Nagisa turned herself around to face pops.
<7808>
// \{Akio} "........."
<7809>
// Pops was staying silent.
<7810>
// I think I better say something.
<7811>
// \{\m{B}} "He'll have a parfait."
<7812>
// Guess I better save this sinking ship.
<7813>
// \{Nagisa} "There's many kinds of parfait. What kind would you like?"
<7814>
// \{\m{B}} "What's the best one?"
<7815>
// \{Nagisa} "I think the best one's the 'Chocolate & Strawberry Mixed Parfait Special', would you like to have that?"
<7816>
// \{\m{B}} "Sure."
<7817>
// \{Akio} "........."
<7818>
// \{Nagisa} "Is that all?"
<7819>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<7820>
// \{Nagisa} "Thank you very much. Please wait for a little while."
<7821>
// Finishing the order, Nagisa left.
<7822>
// \{Akio} "You're happy with that stuff?!"
<7823>
// \{Akio} "Why'd you order me that fancy food? I can't eat that stuff!"
<7824>
// \{\m{B}} "Didn't you say parfait?"
<7825>
// \{Akio} "Tch, didn't you know that was just an example, brat?"
<7826>
// \{Akio} "Man, am I gonna be eating this sweet stuff?"
<7827>
// \{\m{B}} "At any rate, I want to make a request. Make sure you eat in front of her."
<7828>
// \{Akio} "You're pestering me, bastard."
<7829>
// Behind, carrying the cooking, was another waitress.
<7830>
// A little later, we still hadn't seen Nagisa.
<7831>
// \{Akio} "Huh? Why hasn't Nagisa come?"
<7832>
// \{Akio} "Bring the store manager over! I'll beat the shit out of him."
<7833>
// Eating the jumbo parfait, he started abusing a strange middle-aged man.
<7834>
// \{Akio} "I can't take a photo like this!"
<7835>
// + Perverted Tastes.
<7836>
// \{\m{B}} "That's enough, okay? We did get to see her."
<7837>
// \{Akio} "My daughter's time to shine has been stopped forever. Don't you understand this parental love, idiot?"
<7838>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, do what you want.."
<7839>
// \{Akio} "Whatever you're gonna say about my interests, you've gotta follow the rules for taking the photos, man." 
<7840>
// \{\m{B}} "Gah..."
<7841>
// \{\m{B}} "As if I'd do a sneaky shot like that!"
<7842>
// \{\m{B}} "Isn't it fine just to take pictures out in the open?"
<7843>
// \{Akio} "Isn't it embarrassing doing it that way?!"
<7844>
// \{\m{B}} "If you're her parent, do it!"
<7845>
// \{Akio} "It's embarrassing!"
<7846>
// \{\m{B}} "Do it!"
<7847>
// \{Akio} "What did I say about looking into someone else's business. Bastard, why do you think Sanae was happy about it?"
<7848>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, that's true..."
<7849>
// \{Akio} "If you don't help out, that Sanae will be disappointed in you..."
<7850>
// \{\m{B}} "Fine, I don't care."
<7851>
// \{Akio} "Oh, what a waste. I was gonna cook up a bit more of romance here."
<7852>
// \{\m{B}} "Bah... you're gonna do it?!"
<7853>
// \{Akio} "Maybe I am!"
<7854>
// \{\m{B}} "Don't do it!"
<7855>
// \{Akio} "I'll try it!"
<7856>
// \{\m{B}} "Don't try it!"
<7857>
// \{Nagisa} "E-excuse me..."
<7858>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh...?"
<7859>
// I noticed Nagisa right beside us.
<7860>
// \{Nagisa} "You're disturbing other customers. Could you please be a little more quiet?"
<7861>
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, yeah, sorry..."
<7862>
// \{Akio} "It was this idiot!"
<7863>
// \{\m{B}} "It was you!"
<7864>
// \{Akio} "You bastard!"
<7865>
// \{Nagisa} "Excuse me, sirs..."
<7866>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, sorry..."
<7867>
// Pops and I fell silent. Finally, Nagisa left the table.
<7868>
// \{Akio} "Tch..."
<7869>
// Pops and I watched her leave.
<7870>
// However... a little while later, I noticed something while looking around.
<7871>
// A young man kept glancing across at Nagisa. 
<7872>
// \{\m{B}} (Am I being overconscious about this just because I'm her husband...?)
<7873>
// No, those guys sitting at the corner over there were all following Nagisa's actions, even pointing at her.
<7874>
// \{\m{B}} (Guess you could call it the magic of that uniform... Nagisa becomes really popular looking like that...)
<7875>
// \{\m{B}} (Even pops came as a regular customer just to see this cute stuff...)
<7876>
// Thinking about it, it felt like something to brag about.
<7877>
// \{\m{B}} (Hey bastards, that girl's my wife... hahaha...)
<7878>
// \{Akio} "Hey, look, they're all gathering around my number-one girl, Nagisa."
<7879>
// \{Akio} "Hey bastards, that's my daughter... hahaha..."
<7880>
// We have two idiots right here.
<7881>
// The guys at the corner called Nagisa just as she passed by.
<7882>
// One of them put on a smile, talking to her.
<7883>
// \{Man} "Hey, when do you finish work?"
<7884>
// He was hitting on her.
<7885>
// \{Nagisa} "I finish work in the evening, but..."
<7886>
// \{Man} "Well that's fine. How about going out for dinner?"
<7887>
// \{Nagisa} "Sorry, I'm going home right after work, so I won't be able to come..."
<7888>
// \{Nagisa} "Please excuse me."
<7889>
// As she stood to leave, the man grabbed Nagisa's arm.
<7890>
// \{Man} "You need to go back home that quickly?"
<7891>
// Not letting go, he went on in a forceful tone.
<7892>
// \{Akio} "Tch... that guy, looks like we can't just keep quiet."
<7893>
// \{Akio} "All right, wanna beat the shit out of him?"
<7894>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<7895>
// For once, we'd agreed on something. We stood up at the same time.
<7896>
// \{\m{B}} "All right, seriously though. If we kick up too much of a fuss in the store, Nagisa's gonna get angry."
<7897>
// \{Akio} "It'll be right, we'll just threaten him a bit."
<7898>
// Certainly threatening that face was scary.
<7899>
// Pops and I stood between him and Nagisa.
<7900>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, how about letting go of her arm?"
<7901>
// \{Akio} "If you don't, we'll cut yours right off, bastard."
<7902>
// The three of us standing around, we threatened him with a harsh look. Overpowered, his expression changed.
<7903>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, it's alright..."
<7904>
// Nagisa spoke with a soft voice.
<7905>
// \{Man} "Tch, a shop like this, I'm getting out of here!"
<7906>
// Standing up roughly, we pulled him along.
<7907>
// Then, pops stopped his leg behind him.
<7908>
// And then...
<7909>
// Crash! \shake{3} The man fell onto his backside, noisily. 
<7910>
// \{\m{B}} (Pops... you pulled your leg back, didn't you...)
<7911>
// \{Man} "What're you doing, you idiot?!"
<7912>
// Just as we thought, he was sure annoyed.
<7913>
// \{Akio} "Eh, sorry, I was spacing out. Go home."
<7914>
// \{Man} "What're you doing! You could've injured me!"
<7915>
// \{Akio} "Yeah, that's why I apologized, kid!"
<7916>
// \{Man} "Bastard!"
<7917>
// His hand came out. 
<7918>
// Seeing it, pops pulled out his leg again.
<7919>
// Thump! \shake{3}
<7920>
// The man fell into the table he was sitting at. The glass shattered, covering him.
<7921>
// \{\m{B}} "Pops!"
<7922>
// \{Akio} "Eh? Was that me just now?"
<7923>
// \{\m{B}} "Who else could it've been?!"
<7924>
// \{Voice} "Is something the matter?!"
<7925>
// Right after, the store manager forced his way through.
<7926>
// He must have already been watching us for some time.
<7927>
// The customers had already left since it was closing time, and the store manager looked at me over the table.
<7928>
// Pops was...
<7929>
// \{Akio} "You take care of the trouble! Bye bye!"
<7930>
// Saying that, he disappeared.
<7931>
// \{\m{B}} (That guy... geez...)
<7932>
// \{\m{B}} (So I'm the only one he's gonna get angry at...?)
<7933>
// \{Store Manager} "I'm the store manager here, Hishikata." 
<7934>
// He presented me with a business card.
<7935>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm \m{A}."
<7936>
// \{Store Manager} "Well, I did hear before..."
<7937>
// \{Store Manager} "I see you're \m{A}-kun's husband."
<7938>
// \{\m{B}} "\m{A}-kun?"
<7939>
// That was Nagisa.
<7940>
// \{Store Manager} "Yes, it's puzzling isn't it."
<7941>
// \{Store Manager} "The first name is... Nagisa-kun, isn't it?"
<7942>
// Oh... Nagisa must be called "\m{A}-kun" here.
<7943>
// Guess I hadn't really gotten used to be called like that. How embarrassing.
<7944>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm real sorry about the trouble caused."
<7945>
// \{Store Manager} "No, no, your dear wife was being approached unreasonably, so you must not have been in the right peace of mind."
<7946>
// \{Store Manager} "\m{A}-kun's a nice, beautiful girl. Things like this have happened before."
<7947>
// \{Store Manager} "But, at the time that managed to pass over well."
<7948>
// \{\m{B}} "Really...?"
<7949>
// \{Store Manager} "Yes, she looks smarter than she seems."
<7950>
// \{Store Manager} "That said, I apologize."
<7951>
// \{\m{B}} "It's fine..."
<7952>
// \{Store Manager} "Besides, looking at her resume, her body seems weak. Working here is most certainly the image of good health, isn't it?"
<7953>
// \{Store Manager} "Well, she's been working a lot better than other healthy people."
<7954>
// She's usually one to persist in difficult circumstances...
<7955>
// \{Store Manager} "That said, it should be fine if you don't worry, \m{A}-san."
<7956>
// Ah... I see.
<7957>
// That's what he was talking about.
<7958>
// He wasn't scolding me or anything over the uproar.
<7959>
// All he was doing was trying to relieve me, as I was her husband.
<7960>
// I think he's a good guy.
<7961>
// \{Store Manager} "Besides, even though I look like this, I have a keen interest in Bushido."
<7962>
// He added that. I guess that's because I remained silent.
<7963>
// \{\m{B}} "Ah, yeah... that's a relief."
<7964>
// In the confusion, I gave an answer.
<7965>
// \{\m{B}} "Though she does have many weak points... please take care of her."
<7966>
// I bowed at the end.
<7967>
// \{Nagisa} "Today was really a jam-packed day."
<7968>
// \{\m{B}} "Sorry for being a bother."
<7969>
// \{Nagisa} "No, \m{B} was trying to protect me, so I was happy."
<7970>
// \{Nagisa} "And thanks to your friend as well."
<7971>
// \{\m{B}} "If you say so, that relieves me."
<7972>
// \{Nagisa} "What...?"
<7973>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, I should say so but..."
<7974>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, please."
<7975>
// \{\m{B}} "But, your uniform was really cute."
<7976>
// \{Nagisa} "Really?"
<7977>
// \{\m{B}} "Though, what about those guys, and everyone else staring at you?"
<7978>
// \{Nagisa} "It wasn't like that."
<7979>
// \{\m{B}} "Fact is, they were flirting."
<7980>
// \{Nagisa} "It wasn't anything to do with flirting. I thought it looked like they were just hungry."
<7981>
// \{\m{B}} "But, if it wasn't a cute girl, they wouldn't have been tempted to."
<7982>
// \{Nagisa} "Even if the girl weren't cute, kids that are hungry also bring out their hands as well."
<7983>
// \{\m{B}} "But, aren't you cute as well"?
<7984>
// \{Nagisa} "No."
<7985>
// \{\m{B}} "Ehh?"
<7986>
// Feigning ignorance, I questioned her.
<7987>
// This way should remind her not to put herself down.
<7988>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, well..."
<7989>
// \{\m{B}} "Aren't you?"
<7990>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes... I'm cute."
<7991>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<7992>
// \{\m{B}} (Good!)
<7993>
// It was pleasant having Nagisa say that she was cute.
<7994>
// \{Nagisa} "But, Nishina-san's much cuter."
<7995>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes. Maybe I am cute, but other people are much, much cuter than I am."
<7996>
// Oh crap...
<7997>
// And now, even without being directly humble, she's seen a way around it....
<7998>
// \{\m{B}} "Wait!"
<7999>
// \{\m{B}} "The Big Dango Family's also cute, but what if I said other characters are much, much cuter? What would you think?
<8000>
// \{Nagisa} "I don't mind."
<8001>
// \{\m{B}} (Guahh...)
<8002>
// \{\m{B}} (My... secret enjoyment is...) 
<8003>
// \{\m{B}} "You can't do that."
<8004>
// \{Nagisa} "It's fine. There's no reason."
<8005>
// Ahh...
<8006>
// Farewell... narcissist Nagisa...
<8007>
// \{\m{B}} "I love a girl named Furukawa Nagisa. Can you please not say bad things about her?"
<8008>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah, okay... I'm very sorry!"
<8009>
// \{Nagisa} "I think she's very cute!"
<8010>
// \{Nagisa} "Uh... eh?"
<8011>
// \{Nagisa} "It somehow feels like I just said something really embarrassing."
<8012>
// \{Nagisa} "U-umm!"
<8013>
// \{Mei} "Yes?"
<8014>
// \{Nagisa} "I'm really not cute at all!"
<8015>
// \{Nagisa} "Oh..."
<8016>
// \{Nagisa} "Oh, no wait... I am rather cute..."
<8017>
// \{Nagisa} "No way, no one's seen me in a swimsuit!"
<8018>
// \{Nagisa} "I don't really think such a style... is any good..."
<8019>
// \{\m{B}} "As long as you're cute, it's okay."
<8020>
// \{Nagisa} "Even if I'm cute..."
<8021>
// \{Nagisa} "Ahh... I guess... I'm cute after all, so I'm sure it'll be okay!"
<8022>
// \{Nagisa} "You shouldn't have gotten any sleep, \m{B}-kun."
<8023>
// \{\m{B}} "Why?"
<8024>
// \{Nagisa} "Because it's a date."
<8025>
// \{Nagisa} "With such a cute girl."
<8026>
// Closing my eyes, the "Narcissist Nagisa Plan" wagon tracks were revolving like lantern lights, one by one.
<8027>
// But maybe, that's already...
<8028>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun..."
<8029>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah... what is it?"
<8030>
// Briskly rubbing the tears away, I came back to reality.
<8031>
// \{Nagisa} "I feel really sorry..."
<8032>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh? Why...?"
<8033>
// \{Nagisa} "Well... you said that so I'd be confident, \m{B}-kun..."
<8034>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, that's right."
<8035>
// \{Nagisa} "And because of that..."
<8036>
// \{Nagisa} "Even if you say I can't... it's fine."
<8037>
// \{Nagisa} "Because what I did was a bit cowardly..."
<8038>
// \{\m{B}} "Well..."
<8039>
// If she puts it this way, I couldn't really push her any more.
<8040>
// \{\m{B}} "It was a joke. Just leave it."
<8041>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh, why?"
<8042>
// \{\m{B}} "I just wanted to have a bit of fun... it was really cowardly of me."
<8043>
// \{Nagisa} "You were having fun?"
<8044>
// \{\m{B}} "It was kinda fun."
<8045>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm sorry."
<8046>
// \{Nagisa} "No, but, I'm sure that you were also thinking about me."
<8047>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah... I guess."
<8048>
// \{\m{B}} "It's because back then, you really didn't have any faith in yourself."
<8049>
// \{\m{B}} "But, that's enough. You even found a great manager for your job."
<8050>
// \{\m{B}} "You're completely different from back then."
<8051>
// \{\m{B}} "Either way, I think you've already done very well."
<8052>
// \{Nagisa} "Is that so...?"
<8053>
// \{Nagisa} "Then, that makes me happy."
<8054>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah. So, it's enough already."
<8055>
// \{Nagisa} "But..."
<8056>
// \{Nagisa} "Still, I want to keep striving."
<8057>
// \{Nagisa} "So that... I can be \m{B}-kun's ideal girlfriend."
<8058>
// \{\m{B}} "You're absolutely great as you are."
<8059>
// \{\m{B}} "I can't stop looking at you, Nagisa..."
<8060>
// \{Nagisa} "It's not like that."
<8061>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, you're great doing your best at work, you're a great boyfriend, and you're really handsome."
<8062>
// \{\m{B}} "And what about you? You're definitely my cute girlfriend."
<8063>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<8064>
// We stared at each other.
<8065>
// \{\m{B}} (.........)
<8066>
// \{\m{B}} (Somehow...)
<8067>
// \{\m{B}} (Seems like a good mood...)
<8068>
// \{Nagisa} "........."
<8069>
// Nagisa brought her soft face closer.
<8070>
// \{\m{B}} (Eh...?)
<8071>
// Noticing, she closed her eyes.
<8072>
// Underneath, our lips met.
<8073>
// And for a long time, we kissed.
<8074>
// In this deepest place, we became still.*
<8075>
// .........
<8076>
// Finally, our lips parted.
<8077>
// Nagisa looked down, her ears a crimson red. 
<8078>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm..."
<8079>
// She lifted her face, but her eyes were clouded as she opened her mouth.
<8080>
// \{Nagisa} "... when I saw your face, I wanted to kiss, and ended up doing it."
<8081>
// She did her best, pretending to be confident.
<8082>
// In reality, that was pretty funny; I was tempted to laugh.
<8083>
// \{Nagisa} "Umm..."
<8084>
// \{Nagisa} "You didn't hate it, did you?" 
<8085>
// I was silent, anxious to learn, so in the end, I listened.
<8086>
// \{\m{B}} (I was even only trying not to laugh...)
<8087>
// \{\m{B}} "No, I didn't."
<8088>
// \{\m{B}} "Like I want to die, thinking that."
<8089>
// I answered that in good faith.
<8090>
// \{Nagisa} "You can't think about it like that."
<8091>
// \{\m{B}} "I was so happy about it."
<8092>
// \{Nagisa} "You were happy about it?"
<8093>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<8094>
// \{Nagisa} "If that's how it is, let's kiss as much as we want."
<8095>
// \{\m{B}} "All right, one more time then."
<8096>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh...?"
<8097>
// We drew back a little.
<8098>
// \{\m{B}} "It was a joke."
<8099>
// \{Nagisa} "N-no... I will."
<8100>
// \{Nagisa} "Mmm..."
<8101>
// Lost in desire, I went to her lips again.
<8102>
// This time we had a better kiss from the start, one much deeper.
<8103>
// Was Nagisa tired from work? She already started sleeping just as I put out the lights.
<8104>
// I stared up at the ceiling, not falling asleep.
<8105>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<8106>
// The pleasant feeling I felt until now had disappeared.
<8107>
// \{\m{B}} (Even though it was so satisfying... what am I feeling uneasy about...?)
<8108>
// I understood that...
<8109>
// If pops saw this as well, it'd be quite a sight.
<8110>
// The scenery that spread out from a single corner.
<8111>
// Was it for a moment? Feeling something resisting, I stopped myself.
<8112>
// At the same time, in my memories, the scene changed.
<8113>
// There was stood a "No Entry" sign...
<8114>
// Beyond that, there was a vacant lot of overgrown grass...
<8115>
// The bicycle that passed through the sidewalk burst its tire in the ditch...
<8116>
// The front wheel rose towards the early sun, and the scene...
<8117>
// I already knew these things weren't coming back.
<8118>
// My work was definitely changing the form of things in the city, but...
<8119>
// One day, Yoshino had said "They say that is a person's journey through life."
<8120>
// If things didn't keep changing, would it be impossible to live?
<8121>
// And, everything was already changing... 
<8122>
// "Even so, can you still like this place?"
<8123>
// ... can I?
<8124>
// I...
<8125>
// \{Yoshino} "Are you looking at this?"
<8126>
// \{\m{B}} "Huh?"
<8127>
// First thing this morning, Yoshino-san showed me the newspaper.
<8128>
// \{Yoshino} "That's the main road. There was some land purchase that got blocked and it's been quite delayed."
<8129>
// \{Yoshino} "Talks about how the groundwork's finally starting next term."
<8130>
// The newspaper's local column made out the new road passing through much of the mountainside to be a big deal.
<8131>
// \{\m{B}} "When's the work going to start?"
<8132>
// \{Yoshino} "It's planned for the year after, in the spring. Long negotiations are still to be held."
<8133>
// \{\m{B}} "... is that so?"
<8134>
// \{Yoshino} "Once the contractors also get involved, work'll come here. It'll get busy."
<8135>
// As he spoke, Yoshino-san closed up the newspaper, preparing to begin work.
<8136>
// I opened up the newspaper again. 
<8137>
// In the map inside the newspaper, I began to write down the names of the places I recognized.
<8138>
// Here past the road, it seems the scenery was being completely changed.
<8139>
// I guess I was changing things as well. 
<8140>
// Even so, I couldn't imagine the future map.
<8141>
// \{Nagisa} "Did you hear the news today?"
<8142>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<8143>
// \{Nagisa} "They're building another new building in school."
<8144>
// \{\m{B}} "Eh...?"
<8145>
// \{Nagisa} "I heard it from Nishina-san. They're starting construction this month."
<8146>
// \{\m{B}} "Well, what about the old school building?"
<8147>
// \{Nagisa} "They're probably pulling it down."
<8148>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<8149>
// \{Nagisa} "The students that attend two years later will be able to study in sparkling new classrooms."
<8150>
// \{Nagisa} "It's really good."
<8151>
// \{\m{B}} "Like hell there is!"
<8152>
// Clatter!
<8153>
// Cup in hand, I struck the desk.
<8154>
// \{Nagisa} "Eh...?"
<8155>
// Nagisa, totally dumbfounded.
<8156>
// \{\m{B}} "Ah... I'm sorry..."
<8157>
// \{Nagisa} "It's okay..."
<8158>
// \{Nagisa} "... why are you angry? I want you to tell me."
<8159>
// \{\m{B}} "No, I'm not angry..."
<8160>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm disturbed..."
<8161>
// \{Nagisa} "About?"
<8162>
// \{\m{B}} "The old school building...\p was the one with the drama clubroom..."
<8163>
// \{\m{B}} "We did our best together...\p it was the place where I fell in love with you."
<8164>
// No, that wasn't the only symbol of that.
<8165>
// But, right now I didn't really have an explanation for it.
<8166>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, that's right. I was thinking that too. That was an important place to you, \m{B}-kun."
<8167>
// \{\m{B}} "In that case... don't say that you're looking forward to it."
<8168>
// \{Nagisa} "What...?"
<8169>
// \{\m{B}} "Like the school becoming new, and changing..."
<8170>
// \{Nagisa} "Ah... yes, I understand how you feel, \m{B}-kun."
<8171>
// \{Nagisa} "I was being thoughtless. Yes... it's really sad..."
<8172>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<8173>
// \{Nagisa} "Really, I'm so sorry."
<8174>
// \{\m{B}} "Nah, that's... if you apologize honestly..."
<8175>
// \{Nagisa} "Well..."
<8176>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<8177>
// ... this was getting awkward.
<8178>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm... really tired."
<8179>
// \{\m{B}} "I'm just too nervous..."
<8180>
// \{Nagisa} "Is that so...?"
<8181>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah, that's definitely it."
<8182>
// \{\m{B}} "My talking seemed like scolding. Sorry."
<8183>
// \{Nagisa} "No... that wasn't in my mind at all."
<8184>
// \{Nagisa} "Truth is, really, that I didn't think it through properly."
<8185>
// We're the same like this, always apologizing to each other.
<8186>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<8187>
// \{\m{B}} "Sorry, the food has gotten cold."
<8188>
// \{Nagisa} "It's okay..."
<8189>
// \{\m{B}} "The meal you made is still nice, even though it's cold, Nagisa."
<8190>
// \{\m{B}} "That's why I won't mind."
<8191>
// \{Nagisa} "Thank you very much."
<8192>
// My chest was aching.
<8193>
// What's with this pain...?
<8194>
// \{\m{B}} (.........)
<8195>
// Everything except me was changing.
<8196>
// That's what I realized.
<8197>
// The memories of everything that I loved were all changing into something I hadn't seen before at all in this new world.
<8198>
// Everything, was changing... everything was continuing to change.
<8199>
// And in that...\p Nagisa too, was also part of it.
<8200>
// Even Nagisa was inside that confusing stream of changes, moving far away from me.
<8201>
// The pain in my chest was of a sorrowful premonition.
<8202>
// These close things were becoming distant, little by little.
<8203>
// And so, I hugged Nagisa tightly.
<8204>
// \{Nagisa} "What's wrong, \m{B}-kun?"
<8205>
// I called out gently to Nagisa.
<8206>
// \{\m{B}} "Hey, Nagisa..."
<8207>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes?"
<8208>
// \{\m{B}} "I really love you, Nagisa..."
<8209>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, I really love you too, \m{B}-kun."
<8210>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<8211>
// We've talked about these things before.
<8212>
// We always relied on each other, staying together.
<8213>
// With these words, those thoughts were swept away.
<8214>
// \{\m{B}} "Nagisa..."
<8215>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes...?"
<8216>
// Facing Nagisa...\p I kissed those lips.
<8217>
// To attach myself to Nagisa.
<8218>
// Pulling Nagisa's chin with my finger, I opened her mouth.
<8219>
// Deep inside, I wished for that link.
<8220>
// \{Nagisa} "Mmm..."
<8221>
// We made love to each other for the first time.
<8222>
// It was empty like a dream, not painful to the point of crying.
<8223>
// Two years ago, I stood at the bottom of that hill.
<8224>
// Not knowing where I was going, I remember being irritated.
<8225>
// Not being able to sneak away, I hated the town.
<8226>
// I hated everything... I was yearning for everything to change.
<8227>
// In the stream of time, I saw something important.
<8228>
// And, I lost something that I feared.
<8229>
// And, I wanted to change as well...
<8230>
// How long has it been, since I've wanted for everything to change?
<8231>
// I don't want anything to change... nothing at all.
<8232>
// If it changed, I wouldn't smile.
<8233>
// If this place I like wasn't here anymore...
<8234>
// \{Voice} "\m{B}-kun... it's morning."
<8235>
// \{Voice} "If you wake up this slowly, you'll be late.
<8236>
// A voice close to my ear...
<8237>
// Slowly, I opened my eyes.
<8238>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, let's get up."
<8239>
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah..."
<8240>
// You're here...\p Nagisa.
<8241>
// I grabbed that hand.
<8242>
// And strongly held on to it.
<8242>
// And strongly grip it.
<8243>
// \{Nagisa} "\m{B}-kun, what's the matter?"
<8244>
// \{Nagisa} "Did you have a bad dream?"
<8245>
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<8246>
// \{\m{B}} "Nagisa..."
<8247>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes?"
<8248>
// \{\m{B}} "Morning."
<8249>
// \{Nagisa} "Yes, good morning."
<8250>
// You're here, with these warm days.
<8251>
// Please, always,\p stay with me.

Sơ đồ

 Đã hoàn thành và cập nhật lên patch.  Đã hoàn thành nhưng chưa cập nhật lên patch.

×	Chính	Fuuko	Tomoyo	Kyou	Kotomi	Yukine	Nagisa	After Story	Khác
14 tháng 4	SEEN0414							SEEN6800	Sanae's Scenario	SEEN7000
15 tháng 4	SEEN0415		SEEN2415	SEEN3415	SEEN4415			SEEN6801
16 tháng 4	SEEN0416		SEEN2416	SEEN3416			SEEN6416	SEEN6802	Yuusuke's Scenario	SEEN7100
17 tháng 4	SEEN0417	SEEN1417	SEEN2417	SEEN3417	SEEN4417		SEEN6417	SEEN6803
18 tháng 4	SEEN0418	SEEN1418	SEEN2418	SEEN3418	SEEN4418	SEEN5418	SEEN6418	SEEN6900	Akio's Scenario	SEEN7200
19 tháng 4	SEEN0419		SEEN2419	SEEN3419	SEEN4419	SEEN5419	SEEN6419
20 tháng 4	SEEN0420				SEEN4420		SEEN6420		Koumura's Scenario	SEEN7300
21 tháng 4	SEEN0421	SEEN1421	SEEN2421	SEEN3421	SEEN4421	SEEN5421	SEEN6421	Interlude
22 tháng 4	SEEN0422	SEEN1422	SEEN2422	SEEN3422	SEEN4422	SEEN5422	SEEN6422	SEEN6444	Sunohara's Scenario	SEEN7400
23 tháng 4	SEEN0423	SEEN1423	SEEN2423	SEEN3423	SEEN4423	SEEN5423	SEEN6423	SEEN6445
24 tháng 4	SEEN0424		SEEN2424	SEEN3424	SEEN4424	SEEN5424	SEEN6424		Misae's Scenario	SEEN7500
25 tháng 4	SEEN0425		SEEN2425	SEEN3425	SEEN4425	SEEN5425	SEEN6425	Mei & Nagisa
26 tháng 4	SEEN0426	SEEN1426	SEEN2426	SEEN3426	SEEN4426	SEEN5426	SEEN6426	SEEN6726	Kappei's Scenario	SEEN7600
27 tháng 4		SEEN1427			SEEN4427		SEEN6427	SEEN6727
28 tháng 4	SEEN0428	SEEN1428	SEEN2428	SEEN3428	SEEN4428	SEEN5428	SEEN6428	SEEN6728
29 tháng 4	SEEN0429	SEEN1429		SEEN3429	SEEN4429		SEEN6429	SEEN6729
30 tháng 4		SEEN1430	SEEN2430	SEEN3430	SEEN4430	SEEN5430	SEEN6430		BAD End 1	SEEN0444
1 tháng 5		SEEN1501	SEEN2501	SEEN3501	SEEN4501		SEEN6501		Gamebook	SEEN0555
2 tháng 5		SEEN1502	SEEN2502	SEEN3502	SEEN4502		SEEN6502		BAD End 2	SEEN0666
3 tháng 5		SEEN1503	SEEN2503	SEEN3503	SEEN4503		SEEN6503
4 tháng 5		SEEN1504	SEEN2504	SEEN3504	SEEN4504		SEEN6504
5 tháng 5		SEEN1505	SEEN2505	SEEN3505	SEEN4505		SEEN6505
6 tháng 5		SEEN1506	SEEN2506	SEEN3506	SEEN4506		SEEN6506		Other Scenes	SEEN0001
7 tháng 5		SEEN1507	SEEN2507	SEEN3507	SEEN4507		SEEN6507
8 tháng 5		SEEN1508	SEEN2508	SEEN3508	SEEN4508		SEEN6508		Kyou's After Scene	SEEN3001
9 tháng 5			SEEN2509	SEEN3509	SEEN4509
10 tháng 5			SEEN2510	SEEN3510	SEEN4510		SEEN6510
11 tháng 5		SEEN1511	SEEN2511	SEEN3511	SEEN4511		SEEN6511		Fuuko Master	SEEN1001
12 tháng 5		SEEN1512		SEEN3512	SEEN4512		SEEN6512			SEEN1002
13 tháng 5		SEEN1513	SEEN2513	SEEN3513	SEEN4513		SEEN6513			SEEN1003
14 tháng 5		SEEN1514	SEEN2514	SEEN3514	EPILOGUE		SEEN6514			SEEN1004
15 tháng 5		SEEN1515			SEEN4800					SEEN1005
16 tháng 5		SEEN1516			BAD END					SEEN1006
17 tháng 5		SEEN1517			SEEN4904					SEEN1008
18 tháng 5		SEEN1518			SEEN4999					SEEN1009
--	Image Text								Misc. Fragments	SEEN0001
										SEEN9032
										SEEN9033
										SEEN9034
										SEEN9042
										SEEN9071
										SEEN9074