Chapter 1 (2/2)

「Eh……?」

「Who are you?」

Before the person realized what had happened, Souji had quickly thrust his hand (shaped into a knife) at the person’s neck. (T/N: no his hand didn’t become a knife)

The person is a young boy much like himself; although, the boy is a soft country b.u.mpkin lacking in vigilance.

「Are you a pickpocket? For me to already have an encounter, a city sure is a frightening place.」

「W-wait, wait, I’m no pickpocket!」

The kanseiben boy can feel the bloodl.u.s.t coming from Souji as the hand that is mimicking a knife seems ready to behead the boy. While being fl.u.s.tered the kanseiben boy tries to explain the situation. (T/N: again there is no knife, no English equivalent)

「My name is Endou Eisuke (遠藤映助, えんどう えいすけ), I’m a student from the same school as you!」

The kansaiben boy points to the black collar of his school uniform.

Certainly, Souji is wearing the same uniform.

「I see.」

「Now do you understand?」

「Are you a pickpocketing student?」

「Say what!」

Eisuke instinctively tries to tsukkomi him, but Souji easily avoids it.

「Tsk, you’re no fun. I was planning on telling you which bus to take to get to the school.」

「You were? Oh, I’m sorry for my rude behavior.」

Eisuke grumbled as he explained himself. Souji regrets that he came to the wrong conclusion and he silently bows.

「Maybe you’re not so bad…… afterall」

Eisuke opens his mouth wide and gives a loud laugh. They walk to the bus stop.

「By the way, Endou, where are you from?」

「Just call me Eisuke. Do you really want to know?」

The bus arrives at their destination; Eisuke raises his hand onto his chest and makes a declaration.

「Me, I’m a genuine breed and born―― person of the Ehime prefecture (愛媛県)!」

“You’re not from Osaka!“―― In their minds, all the pa.s.sengers on the bus retort with a tsukkon. Souji shows little interest as he merely nods.

「Ehime, huh…… which city?」

“Say what!“―― Needless to say, the pa.s.sengers retort with a tsukkon.

This person will eventually become Souji’s best friend. And thus, this is how he meet Endou Eisuke.

In the distant future, Souji will come to think it was fortunate to have met Eisuke. Although the historians who read about this event would probably mutter a sigh.

In this foreign land, the first encounter is not a stunningly beautiful girl. As expected this guy 『is a have not』. (T/N: my guess, referring to mojo “those who have it, and those who don’t”)

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