Vol 1 Chapter 3 (2/2)

A wind blew in the schoolyard, the same as last year. However, I trusted that the monument wouldn’t fall this year, and continued to climb.

Below, I could hear shouts of anger from the teachers, and screams from parents.

Although they didn’t know the situation at hand, because it looked interesting, the students that were gathered starting chanting things like, “Climb, climb—!”

“Hanamoto-san!”

I could hear Igaras.h.i.+-senpai’s voice from below me. Good. He’d followed me here like he was supposed to.

The top of the monument had felt very far off, but at last, I eventually climbed high enough to reach my hand into the heart symbol.

“This is it!”

I immediately found the small hole that had been noticed only just after the monument had been completed. I stuck my hand through the hole without a moment of hesitation.

It has to be in here! It has to be!

As I repeated these words to myself like a prayer, I searched inside.

And upon doing so, something touched the tips of my fingers. The texture of it felt just like what I was expecting.

I carefully wrapped my fingers around it and pulled my hand out.

“I found it, Senpai! Here, look!”

I raised the letter that I’d pulled out. In small print were the words, “To Igaras.h.i.+-senpai.”

“It’s just like I said—….. Ah—”

It was then that I returned to my senses.

So high up——

Looking down from the top of the monument, the people on the ground looked tiny.

Saho had climbed to such great heights, relying only on moonlight.

My legs shook.

Right now, I had to climb back down the monument, with the letter in hand. But, would I be able to—?

And then, a strong wind blew, bringing dust into my eyes.

“Ah—!”

In the next instant, I lost my footing. As if it didn’t belong to me at all, my body fell head over heels. How stupid of me.

As I watched the ground draw nearer, those were the only words that pa.s.sed through my mind. I didn’t even see my life flash before my eyes—what a dull ending.

Sensei——

And then, I hit the ground.

Or at least, I should have.

I really… should have… but strangely, the ground felt soft, and warm.

“I advise you start eating better. You’re much too light.”

Very slowly, I opened my eyes and saw the author’s face right in front of me.

I was being held within his arms.

“Seems like I made it in time.”

“S-Sensei…..!”

“You are not guilty of any sin. Which is why you won’t receive divine punishment. No matter how many times you are thrown down for recklessly approaching heaven, I will be there to catch you each time. ….That is, only if my hands are free, and I have nothing better to do.”

“That last part was unnecessary.”

“Was it?” The author laughed. Up until then, it had been so quiet that you could hear a pin drop, but as soon as he laughed, the schoolyard erupted in cheers.

My hand was still tightly holding onto the letter. I wanted to praise my own hand for not releasing it this entire time.

“Hibari-chan! Waaah! I was so worrieeed!”

Pus.h.i.+ng her way through the crowd, Yue appeared. No sooner, she’d buried her face into my chest and started bawling. She’d started crying while still wearing her Kerakera Onna costume.

“Yue-chan, you’ve turned into the Mesomeso Onna (“sobbing woman”).”

“Waaaah! You fool—! Hibari-chan, you’re so heartless! Bakenekooo—!”

“Don’t pull a stunt like that ever again. I thought my heart was gonna stop.”

Touka also appeared soon after. She stood on tiptoe to pat me on the head.

“And don’t worry. No one saw your underwear.”

With my heart still pounding, I stood in front of Igaras.h.i.+-senpai, who had been watching from beginning to end.

“What a relief… If you’d also ended up like Amemura-san because of me…..”

As he made a grasping motion at his chest, I held out the letter to him.

“Here. These are the feelings of the girl named Amemura Saho.”

“A letter…..”

Igaras.h.i.+-senpai took it with shaking hands, and slowly opened it.

He read through the contents in silence, and before long, he started to cry.

*

“Looks like you went through a lot yesterday. But, I’m glad that you weren’t hurt in the end.”

On the afternoon of the second day of the Akebi Festival, Kares.h.i.+ma-san came to visit the Youkai Jazz Cafe.

“It’s been a long time since I went straight home and fell asleep right after. I guess I overworked both my mind and body yesterday.”

Even in a place like this, Kares.h.i.+ma-san still wore his usual kimono. I would have expected no less from him.

On the other hand, it was more like his appearance fit all too well with a Youkai Jazz Cafe.

“You make a cute bakeneko. And this is exactly why helping out was worth it,”

Kares.h.i.+ma-san said, and patted me on the head. Yes, to tell the truth, although we’d come up with the idea of this bizarre cafe, the one that had provided the reference materials on youkai had been none other than Kares.h.i.+ma-san. In fact, he’d been so enthusiastic about it that he’d even gone so far as to choose the role for each of my cla.s.smates.

If he hadn’t, everyone would have chosen youkai that most people normally wouldn’t be familiar with, like Kejourou and Tenjou-kudari.

“You seem like you’re in a good mood today, Hibari-chan.”

“That’s because I slept soundly all night, and for breakfast, I stuffed myself so full, you wouldn’t think I was still just a young girl!”

However, those weren’t the only reasons.

Apparently, Saho had regained consciousness in the hospital this morning. She still needed a few more days of bedrest, but since there weren’t any indications of lasting aftereffects, I couldn’t be happier right now.

Once things had settled down a bit, I wanted to go visit her with Touka and Yue.

“Um…. By the way….  Um, well…”

Seeing me suddenly start to fidget restlessly, Kares.h.i.+ma-san broke into a smile.

“He came by again today, you know.”

As expected, he really was sensitive to what people wanted to say.

“He said that because of how hectic yesterday was, there was something he forgot to go see.”

“Something he forgot to…? Oh, Sensei… No matter what he says, he really is enjoying the festival, isn’t he?”

A man stood still at that place, ignoring the steady flow of people. Female students and women stared listlessly at him, as if they were gazing upon a beautiful mirage.

Here in the art room, the paintings by the club members were displayed at reasonable intervals from one another.

In front of the man, Kudou, was a single painting that was not very large, by any means.

In the painting was a man sitting in a chair and reading a book, depicted from the rear view. For the most part, it was void of color. Only soft, milky white hues subtly adorned the piece.

The t.i.tle was,

“Sunlight, Or Perhaps a Rea.s.suring Scene / by Hanamoto Hibari”

Kudou’s signature devilish grin spread on his face.

“Hmph, what a mundane representation,”

Contrary to those words, his tone of voice sounded unusually chipper.

*

To Igaras.h.i.+-senpai

h.e.l.lo, it’s nice to meet you.

In reality, it isn’t our first time meeting, but if I were to look at it from Senpai’s point of view, then I’m sure that it would be correct to say that.

Forgive me for saying this so suddenly, but at the moment, I feel very strange. Hmm, I suppose you could say that I feel uplifted. In any case, I currently find myself in a very peculiar mental state.

Please do not be alarmed, but just now, I’ve followed after you and snuck into the school in the middle of the night. Naturally, I’m alone.

I am writing this letter on the stair landing by moonlight. Therefore, please forgive me if my handwriting is a bit difficult to read.

Still, for me to be doing something like this now, I have to say that it’s very out of character for me. If my normal life were to be viewed as a room, it’s like stepping outside through a door I’ve never opened before. I suppose you would call this being tempted by an evil spirit?

But, it really is like my body moved against my own will. For instance, have you ever played in a sandbox?

It’s like when you can’t resist the impulse to kick down a sand castle, even after you spent so much time to build it in the first place.

Hm? Or perhaps it’s a little different? I suppose that’s not a very good example, is it?

Now then, to be frank, I know what you and Seno-senpai are planning. The plan where you intend to surprise everyone tomorrow morning by constructing the monument on the roof. It was really only by chance, but I overheard the two of you talking about it after school last Wednesday, between the dusty bookshelves in a corner of the library. About how you secretly discussed it with the teacher, and about how you would be carrying out the plan tonight. I found myself feeling anxious every day since hearing that conversation, and wasn’t able to sleep at night, either. And every night, I wondered why I felt so unsettled.

Was it because I had found out that my senior, the president of the Akebi Festival Executive Committee, had organized such an unprecedented plan?

Or was it because I started to feel, on my own accord, like I was like an accomplice in keeping the same secret, although I had only happened to hear it?

I wasn’t able to come up with a definite answer.

However, I will say this. It isn’t because I felt that I had to stop your plan that I decided to wait behind the school building for you to come so late at night, and even follow after you inside the building.

To tell the truth, at first I thought that it might be best if I talked you out of doing this. But when I really thought it through, I realized I didn’t have any concrete reason to do so.

Just so there aren’t any misunderstandings, it also isn’t my intention to admit that I overheard your plan, and say that I will help with it. Having a girl interfere in something strictly between boys would just spoil things, wouldn’t it?

Right about now, I would a.s.sume that you’ve gone up to the roof with Seno-senpai to quickly set up the monument. For the sake of tomorrow’s unveiling.

At least, that’s what Seno-senpai believes, correct?

However, you have another objective, Igaras.h.i.+-senpai. That is what I think.

What led to me this conclusion was a very slight inconsistency.

Despite the fact that your younger sister was injured so terribly because of last year’s monument falling over, it’s strange that you would go so far as to break the tradition, and unveil the monument in such a grand manner before the actual Akebi Festival.

Perhaps, I thought, Senpai actually wanted to get rid of the monument, and the annual monument-constructing event, at least for this year? In reality, isn’t it that this plan hadn’t been discussed with the teacher at all, and building the monument on the roof was actually for the purpose of abolis.h.i.+ng it? Is that Senpai’s actual goal? I thought to myself.

Come to think of it, you volunteered to be put on the Executive Committee, and stopped the budget cut for the monument quite early on, didn’t you? Was that to prevent the monument from being abolished by voluntary restraint—?

Of course, this is only my personal take on the matter. Forgive me if I was incorrect.

But, having thought about it to this point, I wouldn’t think of stopping you now.

I know very well about the accident last year. Or rather, I was close to being one of those that were involved in it.

The truth is, I was standing nearby when the monument fell. To be more precise, I would have been right below it the moment hit the ground. However, I came out unharmed. Someone pushed me out of the way mere seconds before it collapsed on me.

Igaras.h.i.+-senpai. That someone was you.

I think that you must have forgotten it by now. It happened so quickly, after all, and immediately after the accident, everyone was in a state of panic. And moreover, I’m sure that you would have been too preoccupied with your sister being injured.

Yes, your sister, who had suffered in my place…..

I’m sorry. I had to open the window in the hallway to get some fresh air. Let me continue now.

Ever since that day, you’ve been constantly on my mind, together with the vivid articles of the accident.

Senpai, why did you save me that day? No, that’s a cruel question, isn’t it? I’m sure that it was because your body moved instinctively. I think that you’re the type of person who would instinctively save whoever that was right in front of you.

That’s what made me start liking you. That’s why I could never take my eyes off of you.

Finally! After beating around the bush for so many pages, I’ve finally gotten to the point! Really, how much of a coward am I?

Allow me to write it once more.

Senpai, I like you.

In truth, I only came here tonight to tell you this.

But since Seno-senpai is also here today, I’ve calmed down enough to overcome that impulse and instead write down my feelings in a letter with no recipient. I really am a coward.

Still, I think it’s really something amazing that I would lie to my parents and sneak out of the house just to come here. I doubt that anyone would praise me for doing this, so at the very least, I want to praise my

I’m sorry for stopping midway again. I heard you and Seno-senpai coming down the stairs, so I hurried to hide in the bathroom until the two of you were gone.

Even though I’m at school during the night, strangely, I don’t feel scared at all. Is it because I’m so focused on writing this letter?

On the contrary, without the cla.s.smates who laugh and find joy in my sadness and frustration around, the school at night feels strangely comforting.

Incidentally, I’ve now gone up to the roof and am writing this letter while, of course, looking up at the monument that the two of you have built.

I was surprised. It looks tall enough to reach the heavens. Like the Tower of Babel.

Senpai, going back to what I said at the beginning, I feel very strange right now. Please don’t be alarmed at what I’m about to say.

I suddenly feel like climbing up this tower.

I can’t believe it either. How could I seriously be thinking of climbing it when I’ve always been so poor at climbing trees, and would be laughed at by everyone for being slow?

But, I suddenly feel like I simply have to see what the view from the top of this tower is like.

That’s why, even though I’m scared, I will try to climb it. It’s so nice with the moon out, after all, and since there’s no one else at school right now, it’s fine to do something a little out of character, isn’t it?

You must be back home right about now. I’m sure I’ll be able to see where your house is from the top (the truth is, I’ve actually written several letters like this and thought of putting it in the mailbox of your house, but I never had the courage to).

If I see the light of your room on, I might just start crying and waving my hand. Even though I know there’s no point in doing something like that.

Ah, I know. I’ll hide this letter inside of that huge heart. And then it can burn up together with the monument. Yes, that would be good.

And if I am to slip up and fall from the top afterwards, then that will be my punishment, I think. For wanting to seal off my feelings for you and set fire to them, a punishment(X) from G.o.d.

It won’t do to keep rambling on any more than this, so I’ll be ending it here.

Now then, please excuse me, but I’ll be heading up for a bit.

From Amemura Saho

*

The Akebi Festival ended without further incident.

The monument was engulfed by the flames all too soon, the sparks dancing up towards the evening sky like fireflies.

“I’m thinking of going to the hospital. I’ll do what I can for her. I’ll atone for my sins, in whatever way she wishes me to,”

Igaras.h.i.+-senpai said, and left without taking part in the festival’s after party.

From here on, it was an issue between the two of them. If they were honest about their feelings, then things would surely work out.

As I got off the streetcar at the usual station, and was walking down the sidewalk deep in thought, the author came out of a nearby bookstore.

“What, you’re only just now heading home? Even with the street lights on, is it really wise for a girl to be out at night by herself?”

“I had to stay behind to clean up, so it can’t be helped. Anyway, aren’t you the one who left first without me?”

“I’m a very busy man.”

“And yet you still have the time to bully me and drink coffee.”

“You insolent….. No, it’s fine. I’ll overlook it for today, and spare your life.”

“You can’t go taking someone’s life no matter what day it is.”

“More importantly, come to my home immediately.”

The author grabbed my hand with an unusual firmness.

“Wh-what’s the matter?”

I asked him with my heart pounding.

“I haven’t had any proper coffee to drink for two whole days. That’s why you are to come and make me some immediately. I can’t concentrate on my work without it,”

As soon as he said this, the author began walking briskly while pulling my hand.

Come to think of it, the only coffee he’d had at school was the instant kind, and I hadn’t visited his house yesterday, either.

He’d been waiting without drinking any coffee this whole time.

“Because Sensei can’t drink any coffee but mine, huh?”

I muttered, but he didn’t seem to hear me.

Well of course he didn’t. Because I hadn’t said it loud enough for him to hear.

Before crossing the street to the other side, for a while, we stood side by side, waiting for the cars to pa.s.s.

As we waited, the author opened his mouth to say something.

“That letter you found in the monument must have had some rather terrible things written in it. It was quite pleasant to see him cast away all shame and reputation and burst into tears!”

My eyes widened like marbles as I stared at him. I didn’t have the energy to shut my mouth that hung agape, either.

“I-I don’t believe it! You didn’t understand anything at all! You’re the worst!”

“What did you say?!”

“I’m saying that you don’t understand the delicacies of a maiden’s heart! This is exactly why your books won’t sell!”

“Why, you coffee bean girl youkai! If I had my way with words—!”

“What’s with that weird nickname!”

“Come now, we’re crossing!”

Still sounding annoyed, the author pulled me along forcefully. It was like we were crossing a wide, deep river together.

A warm wind rustled the roadside trees.

The author was on the left. I was on the right. We walked in our usual order.

Now then, I suppose I’d brew some nice coffee for him today.

“There’s only one kind of letter that a girl would put so much thought into writing.”

“…..Ahh, I know now—”

“Sensei, don’t spoil everything!”

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