Vol 1 Chapter 6 (1/2)
Chapter 6
Gradually, Roe Eason used
She could communicate with him despite her stutters Soon, the silver home they traveled in (she later learned it was called a 'spaceshi+p') arrived on a planet
A group of people including Eason's friends aiting for them
Eason's friends observed Roh, only Eason deserved her trust
She could not understand why that was so
Even if another a ana couldn't trust him Only Eason's voice could set her mind at ease
And so, she and Eason began living together in a small house
However, she could not accept what happened there
Nishi+zono Yūko
<ro=”” world=””>
It happened on Wednesday, a week after shi+nonome and I visited the theme park
shi+nono our hoht a cold I texted her when classes were over, but there was no response — perhaps she was sleeping or so She's only a mortal, so it's reasonable for her to be in a daze from her cold
I wanted to pay her a visit, but I didn't know her address Moreover, she will most likely be troubled by that As there was still no reply from her—
”Sorry for interrupting your rest Please take care”
The sie was all I could do
Now the problem was the library shi+ft at the counter It's necessary that two people work together, so I wonder how things will be later on The job is definitely not souess it will be better if I inform the librarian beforehand?
Ithe librarian's roo out of her tiny, intricate home-made bento
”Oh s you here?”
As so his shi+fts, she never expectedlunch shi+na-san clipped her chopsticks repeatedly while staring at me
”Well, shi+nonome filed for sick leave today so what should we do?”
Hearing that, shi+na-san clipped her chopsticks once more
”Ah I was informed about that”
shi+na-san said As I was thinking about how impressive it is for the librarian to be informed on the absences of the students as well, shi+na-san picked up the egg at the corner of her bento-box and popped it into herto postpone her lunch till after our conversation was finished
When she was done chewing and sing the egg, shi+na-san said,
”Hmm, since it's a job for thy don't you find a replacement?”
”A replacement?”
”She will probably feel bad if we replace her with a senior, so why don't you ask Ikehara-kun for assistance?”
”Oh”
It seems like she's not too interested about this, and her actions more or less proved that shi+na-san wasn't too concerned about this and began working on her meal Looks like the conversation was over
”I'll give it a shot”
I bowed shi+na-san replied with a muffled ”Mmm” as she chewed her food
I sighed and
left the library
Ikehara is one of the few first-year library committee members I had spoken to before, but we're not particularly close We sat next to each other during the s, so we've conversed a few times
Still, we don't interact much since we're from different classes It sucks to be forced to ask him a favor
I walked to Ikehara's class to search for hi after his lunch His hair was nize hi his face
”Ikehara”
I walked to his side and called hi his eyes
”Mmm?
”Urm, I have a favor to ask”
Ikehara looked at ,
”Oh my, it's Minami what a surprise What's up?”
That's yet another ”what a surprise” Oh well, I have no one butwith others It can't be helped
”It's about the shi+ft duty for today shi+nonome's on sick leave, so I hope you can fill in for her”
Ikehara yawned This guy looks sleepy s as well He's one of the few committee members who's not 'too serious' The reason Ikehara talked to me occasionally is probably because he realized we shared si the committee
”Uro in my stead for my next duty?”
”I' her?”
”Hot it So I just have to show up today, right?”
”Yup, thanks”
With nothing left to say, I left the classrooreed to it readily, because I was too lazy to try to convince him
There was nothing from shi+nono is she going to sleep? Perhaps she's feeling really horrible right now? I had no idea how things are in reality, but judging from appearances, she didn't seem like someone who's very healthy
Ikehara was already there when I reached the library, and orking on the chores at the counter After a brief exchange of gazes, I slipped into the counter as well
There were lots of people in the library, but the a books had fallen drastically It ht be because the finals were just around the corner
It aythan usual
Ikehara was sitting where shi+nono at the screen of his cellphone blankly as he tapped his fingers hastily on the screen He's probably busy with a puzzle game
I followed suit in reflex and fished out my phone
There was a text e which I had missed I opened it It was from shi+nonome
”I was sleeping all this time Sorry for the late reply The fever has toned down a little, but I think Ifor sick leave tomorroell”
It's the same emotionless words, but at the very least, she's not about to die any ti my reply
”Ikehara's covering in your absence, so can you do his next duty to make it up?”
shi+nonome's reply was instant
”Sure Please thank him for me”
That's a job done — I turned around to look at Ikehara, only to find hi in my direction His vision was clearly directed not towards le hanging froht at the theme park
”Isn't that the same as the one shi+nonome-san has?”
He fired the question without warning
”Eh?”
I exclaimed in surprise That action ofbetween le repeatedly
”Eh? So? Is that what I think it is?”
”Huh, what do youas well, right? The sale”
That wasto brush it off Ikehara tilted his head in bewilderment
”I happened to bump into shi+nono a call The dangle caught e it looked It was exactly the same as this”
”Eh, really Well, it's just a coincidence One in a million You know, pure chance”
Due to the unexpected situation, I was unable to conjure up a h and said,
”Oh boy You suck at lying, don't you?”
I was speechless
”Not that it ?”
So that's what Ikehara sees
”Nah, we're not exactly dating”
I said that because it was the truth, but Ikehara snorted and retorted with,
”There's no way the dangles would be the sa each other!”
I'm not too sure if that was true, but perhaps it really is
”Really?”
”Yeah, typically speaking What other reason is there to do so if you're not a couple? You two are dangling the same weird monkey, yeah? It's not like it's a fashi+on statement”
So the ht toit out loud Now's not the tih
”Urm”
I can't explain to him my relationshi+p with shi+nonome If I did, I'd reveal that shi+nonome's an author shi+nono him into the secret, it will be unreasonable to force hi to be a couple'
”So? There's no need to hide It's not like it matters”
”Well no, but I hope you can keep it to yourself”
”Why?”
I had no real answer to that question of his I was stumped
”Well, it is rather e”
”Ah, so that's why”
Before I could tell him to keep his mouth zipped, ere interrupted by a student anted to borrow a book I was then bombarded by Ikehara's questions, but I could only respond with vague answers since I could not co better
The day was spent being hounded by Ikehara about the topic The following day, shi+nonoe and took another day's leave
Friday came The moment shi+nonoroup of students staring repeatedly between her and h
Ikehara's a God damn idiot
It spread way faster than I had expected
shi+nonome walked alone to her seat As for me, I put on a smile and looked at her from the side of my eyes
Upon seeing this, a few classrins in their eyes
What a bunch of gossiph
If only ere a real couple, then I wouldn't ossip
But that's obviously so I can't say out loud
shi+nono classes
When I reached horeeted by Arumi-san in an apron
”You're back, Eita Would you like to have dinner or a bath?”
My response to the very wife-like question from Arumi-san was:
” Sleep”
I then walked straight to my room Arumi-san watched me leave with a stunned and dazed expression
Without bothering to reht onto bed
”Hai”
There was a knock on the door just as I was heaving a sigh of exasperation
” What?”
My body remained still, my voice was the only reaction On the other side of the door was Arumi-san's voice
”Eita did soht?”
I was planning to reply with the usual ”nothing”, but I unknowingly—
”You could say so did”
A very zen answer
But that is the truth shi+nonome and I are embroiled in rumors, but none of the contents are real Therefore, you could say that things are swinging both ways It's incredibly troublesome
”Would you like to have a chat with me?”
Arumi-san's voice sounded really dejected
”Urm”
Speaking with her about this will not bring about any changes to the situation The problem lies with shi+nonome and me, and I doubt the views of a third party will be of much use for my consideration
”Eita, am I not dependable?”
The voice beyond the door was close to crying That's the way Arumi-san is all the time She always thinks ofmuch of a heck to this world — she has no idea of the pain I a inside
”That's not it”
I replied
”It's not Aruether”
Perhaps I auy who's destined to stuirls Theyaround stupidly by myself nonetheless
”Okay then Do feel free to discuss with ht?”
”Mmm”
Surprisingly, I wasn't the least bit irritated when I heard what Arus of irritation towards Arumi-san in the past, I'm now able to listen to her tranquilly and respond in a calm manner
”Thanks”
I said that naturally
”I'll call you when dinner's ready”