Chapter 35: Chance encounter.

Huh? This is Nishihato Station, right? I’m not going cuckoo or something, yeah? For some reason God only knew, Yuki also got off at the station.

“Um, did you move somewhere else?”

“What?”

Don’t look at me as though I’m some sort of maniac. I’m not.

“We’re at Nishihato Station.”

“I know.”

“Weren’t you against going to Home Depot with me?”

“Think back. Never said I wouldn’t.”

I mean, yeah. She didn’t deny going, but she was clear as day she didn’t like the idea.

“I have to buy stuff before the camping trip. I figured getting it over with was the best course of action.”

For the life of me, I couldn’t understand her. It’s like I’m the one to blame for this whole misunderstanding. Regardless, I have no choice but to go with her, so it’s better to just take it easy this time.

“Let’s go then,” she followed me with no particular resistance.

In hindsight, my relationship with this angry girl probably changed in no small way due to that day at the café—the one just before the welcoming barbecue. I don’t think we can be called more than acquaintances, but at least it’s better than it was back then. Well, time to get going, right?

“Speaking of which,” I perused. “About what you said back at the café… How do you see me?”

“…”

I thought it would sound more natural than it did, but things aren’t as easy as you want them to be. Despite her sudden acceptance at answering me, she instead shut her lips and hadn’t said a word. An instant silence.

“C’mon, just tell me. One word is enough!”

“You’re frivolous.”

Huh, frivolous. That’s, erm, certainly an apt description of my present self, I guess. Still, that’s not the answer I wanted to hear. The word “frivolous” is supposed to describe the superficiality of man. What I want to know is how she sees me on the inside, rather than this.

“One more, please!”

“Thank the heavens I answered once. That’s the only one you’ll get.”

Hmm, maybe I came off wrong. Still, she knew what I meant and still didn’t budge. After all, she wouldn’t casually do something to benefit me, even if we started to warm up to each other more—albeit infinitesimally.

“You knew I’d ask for one more.”

“Hmph.”

Look at the little corners of her mouth. I can’t get a grasp on her true personality at all. Though, if I continue interacting with her, she might tell me why she hates me at some point. If not, I’ll figure out some other way. Push comes to shove, I’ll just have to understand myself better and figure it out.

Still, I don’t know myself enough to understand why she hates my guts. There are a number of things that come to mind—things she might find annoying, but whether one of them, if one at all, was the right choice.

Unfortunately, I’m not good at understanding other people’s feelings, including my own. Looking back to the times before I was falsely accused, I can’t really know for sure I ever knew any of the ones I called friends.

So, for now, Yuki is the only lead I have.

After this episode, the two of us left the north exit of the station and headed to the department store. It didn’t take long to spot it, and I figured Home Depot would have everything we need. The two essentialities are an ice box and a carrying cart.

Walking inside, I scanned the aisles for a carrying cart. I didn’t expect Yuki to be following, though. My silence probably made her think I would lead her to where she wanted to go, but the bags she told me about were probably in a different corner altogether.

Thinking about this, I finally reached the corner where some carrying carts were stationed.

“Oh, I’m going with this one. That’ll do. What about you, Yuki?” I turned to her. “I think there are some backpacks in that corner over there.”

“And this is?”

“Ah, a cart for carrying things. I guess I just cinch some items on its trunk with a rope and pull. I’ve never used one, but I knew they were a thing. Figured they’d be the best way to carry my things.”

“Then this one’s fine for me too.”

Hm? Does she want to get the same one I’m getting? Well, there are only a few models here, as it’s not a very common item, so it’s not that strange to imitate me. Regardless of price, that is. After deciding what to buy, we quickly paid the bill and left, as we had no other plans in mind.

I lived south from the station, so I figured I’d see her off to the gates. In the end, not a word was spoken between us even as we arrived at the ticket gate. Honestly, I tried to spark up a conversation here and there, but it was only me talking. With that disappointment, I just gave up and continued in silence.

Regardless, I should at least say goodbye. It’s not right to just part ways with someone in dead silence.

“See you at the club.”

“…”

She glanced at me, huffed, and walked silently through the ticket gates. Did she never learn from her grade-school teacher that greetings are important?

Then, out of nowhere, Momiji walked up the stairs leading to the platform, just shy of when Yuki had left. As she approached me, however, Yuki turned her head and stared. Do they know each other?

“Yuu, why were you with that girl again!?”

“I just came here to buy a cart for our next club activity. We were the only ones without some items, so we came together to look around. Look, there’s a Home Depot in that general direction, right?” I pointed.

“Hmph.”

With that sour introduction, we both started talking to each other. Meanwhile, Yuki watched us from the platform for a bit, stopping before she continued down the stairs.

Momiji’s mood was as foul as ever. Didn’t this happen just the other day?

“‘Kay, I’m going home,” I announced.

“Huh?”

“Wanna walk with me?”

She was different today, in a way. I ended up having to walk with her in order to appease the oncoming storm, trying my best to curry favor with her. I’m all but a humble generic student. Why must I go through this?