Volume 3 - Me, Her, and a Pair of Wings
Chapter 15
The cold was more than just chilly; it was almost painful. That was our first impression when we stepped off the train at Matsumoto Station. Looking around, we could see the view of the townscape stretched out in between mountains.
During the train ride, Chinatsu stayed in touch with both her cousin and her mother, while I avoided disturbing her as she looked like she had a lot on her mind. Since I had nothing to do, I bought drinks and bento boxes, before doing some quick research about our destination. Despite hearing it would be cold, experiencing it firsthand was completely different.
The air was much clearer than in our city. The breath we inhaled was shockingly cold, and the breath we exhaled was startlingly white. My bare, ungloved hands felt more pain than cold. The station staff warned us that it would be especially chilly today and tomorrow and suggested dressing warmer if we were sightseeing.
“They said grandmother is sleeping now. My cousin is picking us up at the station with her car, and she said you could stay with us. She’s apparently waiting around the traffic circle, so follow me.”
“About that… I think I’ll stay somewhere else.”
When I said what I had been thinking, Chinatsu looked surprised and then anxious.
“Eh…? Why?”
I smiled to reassure her and shared what went on my mind when we were still on the train.
“I’m your boyfriend, but to your relatives, I’m a complete stranger.”
“Yes, that’s true, but… I...”
"Don’t worry. I'm not saying that because I don't want to go to a place with people I don't know. Hmm… look, Chinatsu. You’re about to say a very important goodbye to your grandmother, right? And, you don't want your grandmother’s last memory of you to be an argument from some time ago, so you’re going there to properly convey those feelings, right?”
“Yeah…”
“I also heard that your relatives are waiting, hoping for your grandmother to wake up and be able to talk even for just a bit.”
"That's true, but I'll properly introduce you, and you're polite, so I'm sure..."
"Yes, but hear me out. I'm confident that you love me a lot, Chinatsu... and because of that, if I go there with you, you'll naturally want to stand between me and your relatives, like you just said, right?”
"That's... right… probably."
As I continued speaking, Chinatsu started to listen more intently. My words began to calm her anxious and worried heart. Seeing this, I continued.
"I’m sure your relatives understand that even with your parents’ current situation, you came because your grandmother is important to you. But it’s still a difficult time for them, right? Knowing that they might have someone who was close to them, pass away, they won’t have the energy to deal with me, your boyfriend, too. Of course, if there’s a chance later, I’d like to introduce myself, but now isn’t the right time. No matter what I do, I won’t be able to share the same grief as you, Chinatsu. And, in the moment of saying goodbye to someone important, an outsider like me shouldn’t be there.”
Especially when they had no other option but to let her spend her final moments at home, someone like me, who is clearly an outsider, shouldn’t be there.
“But, Hajime…”
“It’s okay. I’ll stay nearby and be ready if you need me. I won't make stupid mistakes like letting my phone die either. And—I won't leave you alone. Go on, Chinatsu.”
I said, gently pushing her forward. If her cousin was already here to pick her up, it was best to go quickly. I already knew there would likely be vacancies in the single rooms at the business hotel near the station before we went off the train anyway.
“I feel a bit lonely, but I think I understand… Thank you! I’ll be calling you soon!”
Waving to Chinatsu as she headed toward the waiting cars, I walked through the unfamiliar city, guided by my map app, towards my temporary lodging.
◇◆
“It’s been so long, Chinatsu-chan! Wow, you're in high school now? I can’t believe you’ve turned into such a beauty!”
"It's been a while, Acchan. Thanks for picking me up. I heard you got your license?”
Sitting in the passenger seat, Chinatsu talked with her cousin, Minamino Akane. She was four years older than Chinatsu, and was attending a national university here in their hometown of Nagano.
“Yeah, winter roads are too icy for scooters or bikes, and with all the hills, you really need a car around here. But what about your boyfriend? He came all the way here with you, right? Suzuka-san mentioned him too, and I was curious.”
As Akane drove skillfully, Chinatsu relayed what Hajime had said earlier. Then, Akane sighed in surprise.
“...For real? How do I put this… but high schoolers these days are... no, no, it’s probably just your boyfriend that’s unusual, Chinatsu-chan.”
“Hmm, is he? Sure, he brought me here in the middle of our date, but to me, it’s something that makes me really happy.”
“I mean… Suzuka-san did talk about him for a bit, and it’s really like what she said… Also, saying 'unusual' was just my poor choice of words. But to sum it up, he’s simply impressive. Plus, if your boyfriend had really come together with you, it might’ve created an awkward atmosphere for everyone, and it might have gone the way he said earlier. Or at least, that’s what I think. That’s why I came to pick you up instead of my parents because I'm closer to your age.”
“Really…?”
Chinatsu honestly didn’t quite understand what Hajime meant. However, she knew that Hajime had thought deeply about her feelings and understood his words enough to follow his suggestion. Still, she felt guilty for leaving him alone after he had come all the way with her.
So, when Akane muttered with a complicated expression, Chinatsu couldn't help but voice her slight confusion.
“Say, Chinatsu. Has your boyfriend lost someone important to him before?”
“Eh? Yes... His parents and little sister in an accident.”
Chinatsu was surprised by Akane’s sudden, direct question. However, starting her words with a note that it wasn’t something she should say openly, Chinatsu answered.
Akane nodded and muttered, I see, I should probably mention this a bit to my parents.
She then skillfully maneuvered the car from the main road into a narrow alley. As they approached a very familiar steep slope to Chinatsu, Akane murmured.
“You’ve found a good boyfriend, Chinatsu-chan.”
Chinatsu felt happy and proud after hearing that. At the same time, she felt a bit frustrated, as if she hadn't yet fully caught up to understanding what Hajime had truly meant.
“Yeah.”
However, she could confidently respond and agree to those words.
———————————————————————
Bonus Chapter (9/10)
