Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko:Volume3 Prologue

Prologue - Summer This Year

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Forward to Chapter 1

This special sense of relief is universal to any school — actually, it’s probably true for the entire nation.

Then according to the same train of thought, the end of semester ceremony must be the most exciting aspect to a student’s life. Whether good or bad, the final exams are over, and we already know the results: nothing could possibly shackle the anticipation of students. Personally, it is as thrilling as extracurricular activities. From the standpoint of Youth-points, school festival is one of the three most prominent school events; unfortunately, it is unclear how this school think. Is it enthusiastic? Or indifferent?

Apparently, the school festival is usually held in early October before the tiger of autumn loosen its grips. I am looking forward to it — I so concluded while glancing about. After the teacher had finished lecturing, noise filled the class. Students were among their circles and chatting away fervently. About twenty percent of the class immediately vanished from the class; the rest bathed in the relaxation after the teacher’s departure, forming some sort of sense of festivity.

An atmosphere that’s like during the preparation phase of a school festival — I don’t dislike it, for it is the incubator of Youth-points. My previous school had an obligatory attitude — or rather, a trend of distaste for any zealous behaviour — and hence had a boring event. There were probably five different stands and everyone just lazed around in the empty classrooms and hoped that the end would come sooner.

If possible, I wish my class this year would welcome the festival with more unity.

…My reverie gradually faded. About time to refocus back to onto summer.

Okay, since we are on the topic of Niwa Makoto, me, who dawdled in this yet-to-be-silent class.

I don’t actually belong to any circles.

“Man~ It’s the summer~ I was so excited I didn’t sleep well last night!”

Eheheheh, the expectedly delightful normal human— I mean, classmate — with a bashful smile, is our well-known Mifune Ryuushi-san. After the lecture was over, she came to my seat, where we traded the flowers of words. Since it was the first semester I spent here, I decided to give one Youth-point accordingly to this particular exchange.

Swarms of cicadas cried on the trees outside. If they were kids, it’d probably be a case of abuse— and I’ll contact the respective organization. To be honest, even if they are just cicadas, it’s still loud enough for me to want to report them. Undisturbed by the cicadas, Ryuushi-san sat in front of me with the same smile.

“Hey~ Niwa-kun, do ya have your phone today?”

Ryuushi-san flipped through the backpack placed on my desk and retrieved her phone. The neon-pink cell phone that she so proudly displayed deflected the burning sunlight into my face.

“I do.”

Even though it rarely has the chance to play its ringtone. Must be because I’m so clumsy with it, hahahah (don’t wanna admit it). No, but I still get those ridiculous newly-wed mails from Meme-san.

I’m at the age and position to give up on all sorts of points when it comes to that person.

A frigid wind contrary to the heat outside engulfed my heart. I took the cell phone out. Ryuushi-san, in her summer uniform, stared my hand and nodded confirmingly. “Mm.”

“Let’s trade numbers and mail address~”

The phone, a cute key chain with what looks like a pig mascot of a restaurant, and a cute— uh, mouse, accessory shook with Ryuushi-san’s hand. I don’t want to anger a certain world-famous Mr. Mouse by giving a thorough description. I’ll shoulder the pain alone. In any case, that’s not the important thing here. )

“Let’s do it.” I naturally agreed without another word.

That reminds me: I was going to exchange number with Ryuushi-san when she visited me in the hospital during early May. The eggplant came at the last moment, though, so it never happened.

As a side note, the eggplant is also known as our classmate Maekawa-san. If you don’t know who that is, please go back and re-read. Just for your information, she can even turn into a dango. Most people tend to mistake her for a voracious Bake-danuki that could shapeshift.

Regarding Maekawa-san, she fainted in the gym today from anaemia. “It’s nothing~ It happens all the time during summer.” Apparently she stoutly stated so with a grin on her face as she was carried away into the infirmary. As for those around her, we once again were forced to choose an attitude between ‘shock’ and ‘unbearable.’

“Beep beep~” Ryuushi-san hummed the sound effects as the she entered the numbers I gave. After about two seconds, my phone rung with a high-pitched, monotonous buzz. An unregistered number of a classmate/high school girl showed up on the plasma display. Candy to my eyes.

“Mm, mm.” Ryuushi-san, who induced the ringing, seemed pleased as well.

“What is it?”

“Looks like ya didn’t give a fake number.”

“Cough!” I almost choked from her cuteness. Under what kind of circumstance would anyone lie about this? I thought.

We traded mail address as well. Looks like her phone doesn’t support infrared. The first email she sent me was, ‘let’s have fun during the summer!’ It was a firework-esque service that signalled the beginning of a more exciting summer.

I only hope that it wasn’t some courtesy words.

With a genuine smile, I replied after a declaration.

“Ok, here it is!”

Just as I spoke, Ryuushi-san grabbed my phone. After checking the name I put in, she smiled like she was about to reached into a bento with her chopsticks, and clicked on the screen.

“I told ya: call me Ryuuko~!”

“Beep, beep.” Once again she operated the phone with an animated voice, then she threw it back. The name has been corrected to ‘Ryuu’ko, all in emphatic parenthesis. “Phew~” Ryuushi-san breathed out and wiped away the non-existent sweat on her forehead.

Oh, I see.

“Ryuushi-san.”

“Hey! I said it’s Ryuuko!”

I like this reaction better though.

“It’s getting straight, your hair.”

“… Wuu~”

Ryuushi-san curled up to my comment. She pulled a binder poking out of the corner of her bag and tried to cover her hair clumsily.

“Wuu, don’t look~ …Ah, I’m so sad.”

“I think straight hair is also good.” And it’s cute, too.

“That’s against the Ryuuko-san spirit. No straight hair, no reason. Curly is the best.”

“Oh…” A girl’s insistence on a style is hard to grasp for those around her, but it is not to be trivialized. I’ve learned to handle it, at least. But as for her passion for a certain diet… Hmm. During exam week, Ryuushi brought me to a buffet of fruits and vegetable. “Just leave it ta me if you wanna get your mind off things!” I just can’t. For a person who had accepted ‘the modern way of eating is to stuff yourself with what you paid for,’ does this not qualify as a difficult challenge? I just can’t do it.

Faced with the joyous girl who easily devoured thirty or more cherry tomatoes, I reached my limit as I watched, with estranged eye, her nibble on an apple.

“Ahh~ Should I get it done~? But my wallet is like Australia now.”

Uweh~ she comically lied on the desk with her legs out. I don’t mind having a million of them stuck on me, as long as the flattened thing was this adorable girl.

With off-topic thoughts, I smilingly watched her hair and fluffy face. Then, something drifted into the corner of my eyes. I casually turned over. People might think I’ve been waiting for a long time if I looked too over-the-top.

Coming from the infirmary, Maekawa-san had returned with a pale face… Nothing out of the ordinary, but somehow she was steaming today. Her general mien was like an icicle about to disappear amidst the heat and cicada cries of the summer.

She went by the health committee girl, probably to say thanks for when she passed out, before coming here. Now we have a circle… Not that it matters. So why is she here?

Becoming friends with Ryuushi-san and Maekawa-san might just be the greatest accomplishment I have this semester. My dazed mind carelessly summarised this past four months.

“Yo~ ‘Just call her when the teachers won’t shut up’ Maekawa-san has made her return.”

True: when Maekawa-san was taken away, the assembly was adjourned. Not many teachers could continue once the students started complaining about the heat in the gym making someone pass out. After all, they still have to keep their reputation.

“Are you alright?”

“My balance isn’t, but I am.”

As to her report, her steps were slightly awkward. Maekawa-san, with her eyes slightly bleary, lightly tightened her face muscle to display her usual cheeky smile.

“I’m apparently really good at heat conservation. Both sauna and a long bath are my arch nemesis.”

Is there a season that exists for her to be active? I noticed that despite looking feverish, Maekawa-san was not sweating. Besides her appearance and an interest in dressing up, Maekawa-san is kind of like an old, simple household electronic: concise and to the point.

If that’s the case, her imposing height must exist solely for the purpose of intimidation, like a snake with aggressive camouflage. She’s just standing next to me now, but her presence was still terrifying.

Like I’m about to be flooded by muddy water ready to burst.

On the other hand, Ryuushi-san reclaimed her posture and grin. Actually, she didn’t look amused at all… Am I thinking too much? I had the feeling that it would be wise to pretend that it’s all a mirage and the Tengu did it.

“What are you guys doing with your phone? Some new experiment? Or is it a certain ritual between only two people?”

Is there a rule that demands the people living in this town of the aliens to ‘put what makes the most sense as the last explanation’?

“We’re just exchanging numbers.” Though a bit late for how long we’ve known each other.

“Oh— Then do it with me too.”

Maekawa-san went back to her seat and took a blue phone out of her pack. For someone so tall, her hands aren’t very wide — with something to compare to, I noticed that her fingers were very long; if it were put on someone’s wrist, it would look like a silver handcuff that’s enough to replace a bracelet.

I told her my number. “What an awkward number to have a mnemonic for.” Maekawa-san so commented before calling the number. The same followed for the mail. In that mail address was the cosplayer name I heard on that one night. “Uu~” Then the slow and unenthusiastic Ryuushi-san exchanged number with her as well. Why was she so upset?

Though only for the day, I was drunk with the triumphant feeling of adding two girls’ phone numbers into my contact list. This must be ‘Youth-points, get!”

“Oh yeah, doesn’t Touwa have a cellphone or something?”

Sitting across from me, Maekawa-san queried while mindlessly playing on her phone.

“Um, well, I don't think so.” I could only reply so, being asked something I’ve never thought of.

She probably has her own signals though — I never said the joke out loud.

“Hoh~ That’s good.”

Ryuushi-san joined in as well. Is my thinking that it was spoken with relief just a maladjustment of ear drums? “Wu!” Realizing her blunder, Ryuushi-san swapped on a serious look. “That doesn’t count! The meanie Ryuuko doesn’t count! Forget the past now~!” Then she swung her hands above my head as though severing something connecting to it. Can Ryuushi-san see those marshmallow-like chat bubbles? Well, I didn’t actually think much of what she said.

“Sure is tough for you too, Ryuushi.”

With an understanding — or rather, onlooking — angle, Maekawa-san remarked on Ryuushi-san’s attitude; she even bit down slightly on her lower lip so she wouldn’t crack up.

“…I told ya, it’s Ryuuko.” Even that familiar phrase sounded lethargic.

“Could it be that for an athlete like yourself, you are even more motivated when there’s a challenge?”

“W-w-what are you talking about! Ah, I mean! Whatta ya on about~!”

Ryuushi-san flustered to Maekawa-san’s teasing words. She kicked the chair down with the back of her knees, standing on her toes as if challenging Maekawa-san. Neither of them seemed too firm though. More so with Maekawa-san, who, despite standing still, seemed lopsided.

On the other hand, I… Well, I thought they’re discussing something that I have no say in. It’s got the kind of ‘the hell you know about this?’ feeling.

Anyway, being sequestered, I shifted my attention back onto the cries of cicadas. I decided that imagining things would be the only thing to do.

How about Ryuushi-san’s rival? For example, his name would be Shi-ryuu. Something that sounds like a minor character from a fighting manga. He’s about as strong as Ryuushi-san… No go? I guess not since Ryuushi-san seemed to be just a bench warmer.

“He’s a tough one to crack. It will be like Ak*gi VS K*wata! And since it’s the summer, the time you spent with him will be a lot more! It’s gonna be very one-sided!”

Some such conversation occurred on the side. Looks like Maekawa-san was still provoking Ryuushi-san.

“Wuu~! How dare you tease your elder, Maekawa-san! Explain yourself!”

“Elder? You?” The tilted head of Maekawa-san suggested that she probably thought of the opposite.

“Yes, I’m already seventeen as of last month! What about you?”

“I’ll be nice and tell you: I’m a March baby.”

For some reason she stuck her chest out with arms akimbo. Ryuushi-san, too, realizing her age superiority, humphed twice smugly and raised her head… As the saying goes, gentleness is strength: Ryuushi-san emerged victorious. The world is certainly enigmatic. Both my eyes were locked onto the mystery that is adolescence. If you know what I mean.

If I have to express it with a word, it’d be ‘dream.’ The type that all healthy guy of this time and age think of.

Also, my birthday is the tenth of October. Not that anyone would care.

Watching the discourse, or rather, dissent of these two, I defused the situation by suggesting to Ryuushi-san, ‘we should head home soon,’ and leaving the room. As I exited, I felt the guys' glares of resentment stabbing my back; I, however, didn’t look back. I merely immersed myself in the sense of superiority as I headed out.

Out in the hall wasn’t the mere level of ‘the sun is here,’ but a full-on fire-ablaze. Just being close to the window was enough to roast, and even my hair seemed to be singed.

I like it, for it is a complete, hardcore summer. Maybe because it’s also a break, summer has always been more filled with hope than the other seasons. The atmosphere of summer holds something that speaks to the heart: it is the season that is most suited to be a painting, when walking alone under the sky — could I be the only one with such thoughts?

As we left the shoe lockers, I thought maybe Maekawa-san will pass out again. It must have been terrible for her when she’s young, having such a physique. She might be safer if she kept herself in a pool at all time.

Speaking of pool, the school doesn’t have a swim team. Apparently during summer the pool is open for other clubs’ members. I heard that there are a lot of people who would only leave school after taking a dip in the pool (according to Ryuushi-san). I’ve even heard that the pool would be split in half, and the girls and guys would swim in their designated areas, like a bath. At least I know the guys are using the pool for something besides to relax.

We ducked into the parking lot’s roofing to escape the boiling heat. Once inside the shade, the smell of burning and dryness became more evident; because the temperature never dropped, it was even more unpleasant.

After taking her bike out, Maekawa-san shrugged and spoke.

“Unfortunately, something or someone has disallowed me to go home with the transfer student today.”

With a smirk, she stared provocatively at Ryuushi-san, who’s about to put on her safety helmet, while declaring her dubious intention. But no one ever said anything about going home with her.

The self-proclaimed elder was once again annoyed. From the sideline, I don’t know how angry she really was, but this kind of ‘pouty hmph-hmph’ actually eases me. Rather than being displeasing, the bickering put a smile on my face.

Ahh~~ I want to poke her face. Stealing glances from her charming face, I held my fist tightly.

We finally split with Maekawa-san after leaving the school entrance. Direction-wise, that’s the ‘shopping district’ side. The town we live in has a rapidly-developing city side, and the olden shopping district. Between these two is a subtle ‘wall’ — someone from a while ago explained to me. I’ve also heard that the general sentiment of the city is that it seems to treat the shopping district as the town’s disgrace for no particular reason. Apparently Maekawa-san has an odd position because though she lives in the city parts, her parents run a pub in the shopping districts. As a side note, Ryuushi-san is purely city.

Ryuushi-san and I both rode along the sides of the road. Clank clank, the wheels spun. Every time when the tires cross with the road, the smell of burning rubber would pester my nose. Maybe the tires did actually melt from the heat of the cement.

“It really feels like summer is finally here when school’s out.”

“Hm. And it’s like, ‘how long till the end of August?’ at first, and suddenly it’s ending when you did a whole lot of nothing.”

It’s been like that every year. At most I go to the festival briefly or go visit my grandparents — I was just moving out of obligation, as opposed to free will. All exchanges worthy of points that are rare in school life have been completely cut off. For Youth-points, summer was a drought.

But I suspect this is just ‘up to this point.’ It’s going to different this year. I think.

“I got club and stuff though. Mm, yes, I’m very different from those people who have nothing to do all day and have no life~”

“I see.” She might be a little weaker when it comes to out-of-club activities though.

“And I might even play in a game~ Ryuuko-san might just end up playing on the team this year.”

“Yeah? Nice going!” Basketball team often swaps players around, so the possibility might be higher than with, say, a softball or kendo team. “If you end up playing, I might go watch.” I tried saying what’s on my mind.

At the moment, the line Ryuushi-san’s bicycle drew twisted. The front wheel slid precariously on the road with an incomplete 8. Is this a telltale sign that my support isn’t helpful at all?

“Y-y-you might go? Ah, uh, cheering? For me?”

Ryuushi-san adjusted the depth of her helmet and peered up at me. She looked more surprised than troubled… Uh, well, as long as it wasn’t disgust. I let it drop. Maybe she thought it would be embarrassing if she ended up not playing?

“Yeah, I might. But maybe not if it’s too far away.”

“Wuu… Time out. Ryuuko, you’re up~ Trade with Mikki… Wuu, wuu~”

Somehow she seemed worried. Yeah, there goes the almost right-infringing name again, but was she emulating what’s going to happen when she plays? I waited for the result silently.

Students passing by in the scenery entered my conscious after I shut up and looked forward. There were white, sturdy-looking buildings around us; the only movement was the undulation of wet clothes swaying in the yard. Without those, I might never suspect anything of living in there.

Children going home filled the creek that flowed alongside the road. They’re fishing for something — probably crayfishes. Where I lived, you can easily find a ton of them if you dig into the mud around the rivers.

“…Hm.” Somehow I reminisced about that place. Not to the point of homesickness though.

It was a peaceful town. Although I have heard that things happened many years ago in the neighboring towns, nothing ever made it there — the town merely stagnated.

Am I like now because of how simple the world was? The pursuit of Youth-points, I mean. If there’s such a way to unearth them, shouldn’t everyone carry around with them a card of collecting Youth-points in order to revitalize the place?

Not possible, huh. My head spun from the scorching sun, and I lost direction.

The only thing unchanged from the last summer.

The inescapable heat.

Riding outside for so long, I even had the illusion that my clothes were getting heavier from the sweat.

“Niwa-kun.” Someone called my name; I looked to the left. Awkwardly, Ryuushi-san spoke.

“I-I might have a chance of playing so if you can, please come watch.”

“Okay.”

I will choose to believe in that slightly-stiff-on-the-left expression.

“O~kay, so… Enough about that. So listenen.”

Slap! She clapped to end the topic. Wasn’t there an extra ‘en’ in there?

“So do ya mind if someone were to write lotsa mails to ya?”

Mails… Oh, the phone? We finally have each other’s number, after all.

“I would simply be glad.” Even better if it was my wonderful classmate. Not so much for a certain big kid though.

“Then I will do my best to maily-mail you lotsa of things. Ya are also welcome to send me lotsa things!”

Lots of enigmatic words there, but I got what she was saying. Was the chest bumped by her fist unsteady, or ample? The usage of ‘or’ might be mistaken here, but who cares? Just like Ryuushi-san’s way of speech: as long as it carries the message, it’s perfect.

“Ok~ I will also do the same… Not that I have many things to talk about, but I will still try.”

“Oh no, doncha underestimate me. Individualistic and full of hobbies, I have lotsa things to talk about! Let’s begin the investigation of the Value of Ryuuko-san this summer!”

I couldn’t help but grin at her baseless confidence — perhaps it’s the same as seeing small animals.

When the time comes to next year, before the college exams, I don’t think we’d be able to talk like this anymore. The kind of over-thinking melancholy drifted in and out of my head; even so, I came to the conclusion: just enjoy this year.

After reaching the imposing semi-circle bridge before the crossroad, I bid Ryuushi-san farewell. Just like always, Ryuushi-san stared at the bridge that she must pedal up; with her tongue sticking out, she yelled, ‘uwoh~’ as she heaved up. From since club activities ended a week before the exams, I’ve grown accustomed to watching this.

As we parted, Ryuushi-san bloomed at me a smile so wide her eyes squinted to a line.

“Let’s have fun during the summer, Niwa-kun.”

Just like when we first met, her voice has always chimed ‘spring.’

“Ma~ko~to~chwan~!”

I was unfortunately attacked the moment I got home. Evasive maneuver. “Chwan~Chwan~!” The assault persisted. Backstep. “Yes, yes!” Shield up with the bike. “Babuu~!” Even my head was about to collapse under this combined attack with heat. As for the forty-year old standing in front me, it would appear that her brain was still festering.

What the hell kind of treatment involves standing outside of your own house after cycling through this weather?

And here we have Meme-san, who, despite her age, is the walking symbol of high spirit. Stomping on the ground animatedly, she stretched her hands uniformly toward me. On her were a sleeveless shirt and short shorts — the kind that’s suitable only in your own house. ‘Could you please consider your age?’ was what came to mind.

“Guwasi!”

“That’s the Makoto you’re talking about?” She actually did it. What an impressive aunt I have.

Still doing the Guwasi pose, she inched closer to me. I was of course still carrying the bike while backing off. Am I going to back out of my own abode again after finally making it in here?

And how could I let my aunt hug me every time? ‘Can only be hugged by his aunt.’ The void within me grew from such a setting.

“My~ Mako-kun is always so~ cold~! Why are you so cold? Are you trying to chill? But that’s just sad if your life is a like a test of courage… Sobs.”

Are you complaining to or sympathizing with me? I’d like to reject both, but at least punctuate your sentences.

“Listen, Meme-san.”

“What~?” Please stop acting cutesy.

“Sorry to kill your buzz, but since you were too active in the past month, you won’t have any appearances this time.”

“W-what~?”

That reaction was just as bad as learning that the human race is doomed. But take this into consideration:

Last time, she was moving at an intense speed that was like getting five or six 6’s with a dice; this time, therefore, she should balance it out with a turtling pace. Please, please don’t expect more scenes during this summer.

Tossing aside the other young, cute girls in favour of the forty-year old aunt just doesn’t make sense.

And whose genius plan was this? There are, in this world, nonsensical things that either make no difference or are absolutely problematic. I want to write a complaint to a certain existence in this world… Wait, then I will become just like my cousin.

Speaking of this cousin, Touwa Erio: what is she doing today?

Just as I was about to look up to the second floor of the Touwa household, the shotgun speech of Meme-san carpeted me:

“Then my plan of ‘going to the summer festival, leaning into him on the night road coloured in a fantastic orange, eating chocolate banana, cotton candy, candy apple, cupcakes, tako-yaki, miso buns, candied fruit, and finally seduce him’ is hindered — no, ruined~!”

“Keep dreaming that grand delusion of yours.”

And aren’t you just eating the entire time? Am I paying for all that? Just what kind of expectation does this adult have for a highschooler who doesn’t even have a job?

… Summer festival, huh? If possible, I want to go with a ‘girl.’ The tide of Youth-points await me — I must dive into it.

“……”

I was just immersed in my reverie. As for who the girl walking next to me was… I’ll leave that to your imagination (I can, however, swear to the gods that it was most definitely not Meme-san).

“Hmph! Then the melodramatic story of Meme-san doing everything behind the scene will be on again!”

“Just stay home and relax, geez.”

“Hoo hoo hoo hoo~”

Meme-san made the noise of the cutest ape in the world (this isn’t a compliment please think again), apparently ready to run back into the air-conditioned room. I have to be really careful about telling her what to do — she truly is a nosy big kid.

“Oh~ Also get the laundry on your way in~”

Some such instruction replacing ‘welcome back’ was flung out of the house. Looks like that’s why she came outside. But she probably got lazy after playing (more like messing) with me. “Alright~” With a casual reply, I re-grasped the analog sticks of the bicycle (is that a correct term?). Well, I suppose it is true that I am living under her care, so it would be rude to not do it.

“Hm?” The object in my right pocket vibrated. Am I receiving a call? After checking the plasma display on my cellphone, it would appear that it was the classmate whom I only know half the name of.

It was a mail from Maekawa-san, with whom I have just traded number with. She’s really fast~ I thought while reading the message.

‘Let’s play baseball!’

The title texts already conveyed the message. Blank filled the content page.

“...Why?”

The phone rung right after as though answering my question. It's Maekawa-san. I answered.

“Hello?”

“Did you get that mail?”

Through the speaker, I had a different impression of her voice. Just a little bit, her voice changed.

“I did. Are you checking to see if I got it?”

“I'm seeing if you gave me the correct address. So quick question: do you like baseball?”

“Uh… I played a bit in elementary school. I don't even watch it on the TV now though.”

“Really? Well, we don't really mind beginners either. I was just wondering to see if you're up for some amateur baseball.”

“...Hm.” I rung the bicycle bell. “Are you a recruiter, Maekawa-san?”

“Only in the summer, actually. And you don't have to play every game: I was just trying to see if I can get someone to fill the spot. So… How do you feel about a bit of a mornin' sweat?”

“In the morning, huh.”

“It's also bit more than just baseball though.”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

“I mean it's more than just playing the game. The shopping district's team only has six members, so of course the last three has to be volunteers. Now hiring! High schoolers!”

“I feel like the notice will expose how bad the team is actually doing right now.”

“So, what do you say? I was just wondering since it’s a day before the game. You're more than welcome to say no.”

“Hm~ Well… Why not? If I feel like it I'll go. I’m a total noob though, are you sure?”

“I'm positive. Thanks for the help then. Entry fee is that you have to invite another person.”

“Sure feels like recruiting for new club members. But how come you didn't just ask me at school? Did you forget?”

“Come on, transfer student. I'm not gonna ask you that in front of Ryuushi.”

“Okay…?” I don't see the connection between Ryuushi-san and baseball, so the reply was just obligatory.

Ahahaha! With that, Maekawa-san hung up. She's one of those with a strange ecology. I still think her degree of alien-ness is second only to Erio. Ryuushi-san is just a normal human. I like that impression better, even though I know she'd be mad if I were to say that. Her NG word is 'no personality.'

Well, I think being too conspicuous is an issue too. E.G, my cousin.

I took a left at front of the entrance, toward the storage.

In front of the shed was a certain someone cleaning her telescope. Carrying that dusty thing hiding in the corner of her room all the way out into the yard, she diligently wiped at it. Perhaps noticing me behind her, she stuffed the rag into the bucket next to her feet. She spun around, scattering light.

“Yo.” I raised a hand to her. She's off-work today?

“Yo.” She imitated. Still sounds like a stiff vocal practice till this day.

This she was Touwa Erio, the daughter of the forty year old from earlier. Her profession… Freelancer?

Her hair was as though blended with blue dye number one — azure, as if governed by transparency and secrecy. Her eyes too: perhaps sharing the similarly unique irises. In all, she doesn't have the colour of a human. Despite her being a pretty girl emitting particles, I cannot candidly accept that brilliance and quality.

Was it due to the first impression? Or because I've categorized her appearance as wine glass? For your information, she has a terrible reputation in the town; she is, however, responsible for at least half of that.

Though exposing just as much skin as Meme-san was with her sagging one-piece dress, I found myself accepting the getup naturally. This must be what they call the cruelty of age: the inevitability.

These two sure are similar when it comes to never tanning — their skin is white like table salt.

“Not wearing the futon today?” I half-jokingly jabbed at her.

“Mm.” She pointed. Oh, I see her favourite futon getting a sunbath.

Erio then gazed up at me with her water-like eyes. She seemed like she wanted to say something, unwilling to look away; her hands traced the water in the bucket, as if frolicking.

“What about work?”

Currently, Erio is employed in the Tamura Shop. As of recent, her daily pay has been increased from five hundred to five hundred fifty yen — she personally came and explained to me rather excitedly.

“After this.”

Unchanged was her broken way of speaking. As clear as the words were, it was difficult to connect them into a sentence. Like about to shoot out a beam, Erio fixed her eyes on me still.

“Um… Do you, want to tell me something?” I had to ask her.

“Mm.” Now I'm sure. Erio's one hand pinched the rag and scooped it up; she watched intently as the absorbed water fell down. With her free hand, she pointed at the telescope's body.

“Telescope.”

“Okay.”

“Sky.” She raised her arm toward the sky.

“Oh, I think I get the gist of it.”

“Note.” She picked up the notebook with her wet hand.

Erio gently slapped the notebook with 'use for record' written rigidly on it. A satisfied nod.

“Summer, stargazing.”

“Oh.” I knew it. Well, she did prepare the telescope and all, so I already thought so. The concept of vacation is far gone for you. As that was very insensitive, I didn't say anything.

The moment before she said anything else, something changed on Erio's so-far expressionless face.

I might not be able to grasp every detail of her emotion, but, for analogy's sake, it's like a child who can't be honest about wanting to play with someone else: she'd run next to her target and starts playing with her toys, so the other person would give the initiative — it is the feeling of almost palpable expectation.

“The cousin, too?”

Erio's hand squished tightly at the rag. Like observing the situation, she tossed player two's controller to me.

“So what you're saying is you want me to hang out with you?”

Apparently she'd been anticipating, Erio nodded twice intensely. I don't mind the beach, but what about the reason for this? I've never once expressed interest in astronomy.

The reason, huh… Maybe she's grown attached to me? The premise being Erio having no other friends.

“Fine, sure. If I have time then we'll hang out.”

“...Ah.”

For just a second, I fell in the particles that dance and traced about Erio like comet tails. The tail wagged left and right, like that of a dog's. In the end, they dissipated into the air.

“Welcome.”

“Why are you handing out a rag to welcome someone?”

Or is it like shaking hands? Is it? I can only touch the rag?

I rejected her tribute. Even Erio unveiled her occasional defenseless smile; she turned back to cleaning the telescope. Compare to before, it was about fifty percent faster… What's up with that?

Basketball game, amateur baseball and stargazing. Even if I were to disregard the part about the summer festival…

Oh man~ Mako-kun is super popular~ ...Am I allowed to say that? Something felt off, though. Might be because I'm still not used to having a life that involves people other than me. Anxiety was stronger than the cordiality.

“...Well, whatever.”

I mumbled the conclusion to myself. Acceptance came slow, like flow in the water, gradually melting and diffusing.

Something will come along eventually; I will solve things as I see fit.

Before heading into the shed.

Hands on the bicycle handles, I looked up toward the sky.

The only conscious torso split from within — a suffocating sensation overwhelmed me.

No rain clouds — the cobalt scenery painted with water colour caught my eyes.

Blocked by the rooftop, the sun that appeared like the halfmoon stiffened my face.

I've been here for four months already. Seasons changed from spring to the summer.

Even in the town of aliens, the season's order is unchanged. What kind of Youth-point could I possibly find in the first summer out of my hometown?

“In any case...”

This summer will be spent with baseball and stargazing!

… Wait, seriously?

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