Chapter 4
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A week has passed since Tsubaki came here.
Tsubaki spends most of her time studying in the living room. When she’s not studying, she helps with housework and shopping, saying it’s her way of thanking me for letting her stay. As a result, she hasn’t been a hindrance to my work, just as I had initially warned.
Today, too, Tsubaki is sitting across from me, dressed in her uniform, studying with an unchanged expression while I idly fiddle with my smartphone.
Although I was the one who suggested it, having Mayuko’s daughter in the same house made me somewhat tense.
But as time went by, that tension gradually faded.
However, it didn’t mean we had started to connect. Other than some basic conversations during meals, we only exchanged simple greetings.
As I sighed and took my eyes off the smartphone, I saw the urn.
Come to think of it, Mayuko and I often went out during summer break, fitting in outings between homework and part-time jobs.
Each time, she had a cheerful smile on her face…
When I averted my gaze from the urn, I saw Tsubaki studying with an expressionless face.
I had hoped that being away from a poor environment might make her smile more.
But my expectations were not met. Since the day Mishima visited, she rarely even changed her expression, let alone smiled.
I wish I could see her smile again.
――Buzz
Suddenly, my smartphone vibrated in my hand.
Looking at the screen, I saw a message from Mishima.
“Kawakami, how about going to a movie now? You must be free, right?”
…Mishima really has a knack for saying unnecessary things.
Well, she was right that I had no plans for today.
Even so…
“…What is it?”
Noticing my gaze, Tsubaki looked up from her notebook.
“…How about going to see a movie?”
Tsubaki slightly raised her eyebrows at my words. She was probably surprised.
“Why?”
She asked briefly, with a puzzled expression.
Well, it was natural to be confused. Even I didn’t know why I said it.
“Since it’s summer break, I thought taking a break might improve your study efficiency.”
“…I understand. I’ll go change now.”
Saying that, Tsubaki began to put away her study materials and stood up. Without looking at me, she left the living room.
She didn’t need to change… No, I guess it’s better if she does. I wouldn’t want any trouble arising.
Besides, I might get to see her in Mayuko’s clothes again.
After sending Mishima a message saying, “I have plans,” I left the house with Tsubaki, who had changed into Mayuko’s clothes.
“The sky is cloudy.”
“Yeah. But I don’t think it’ll rain.”
“I see.”
After that brief exchange, we walked quietly under the gray sky.
After about ten minutes, we arrived at the cinema complex in the station building. Since we hadn’t decided on a movie… let’s choose a movie with a screening time close by.
“What’s this movie about?”
“I’m not sure. But it’s advertised as popular, so it should be good.”
“I see.”
As we exchanged short conversations, it was just about time for the movie to start.
The movie was a happy-ending love story.
I was really glad it wasn’t something with a bad aftertaste.
With this, surely, she would—
“Is something wrong?”
“…No, I just wanted to smoke. Can we go to a café?”
“Understood, that’s fine.”
“Thanks.”
—For now, I’ll calm down with a smoke.
Afterward, we moved to a nearby café.
From the glass window of the smoking room, I could see Tsubaki in her faded hoodie and skirt, drinking tea expressionlessly.
…My first date with Mayuko was also a movie.
We had decided to see a movie that was popular at the time, but it unexpectedly wasn’t a complete happy ending.
I think it was a sci-fi movie where the world was saved, but the protagonist and heroine didn’t end up together…
As I recalled the movie’s ending, a small puff of smoke with a strong tarry smell escaped my mouth.
…Since my cigarette was almost done, I decided to ask her how she liked today’s movie.
Leaving the smoking room, she looked at me and gave a slight bow. I returned the gesture and went back to the table where she was waiting.
“Did you enjoy the movie today?”
“Yes, I thought it was a very good film.”
She nodded lightly and smiled.
“I like happy-ending stories, so… thank you very much for taking me today.”
“You’re welcome.”
Her expected response brought relief.
The awkward atmosphere after our first date’s movie ending…
But today’s movie might have made up for that failure—
“Um, Kawakami-san, is something wrong?”
—Tsubaki’s sudden voice snapped me back to reality.
In front of me was Tsubaki, wearing her faded hoodie.
“…No, it’s nothing. By the way, since we haven’t had lunch yet, how about we eat something here?”
“Oh, yes, that sounds good.”
Although Tsubaki looked puzzled, she didn’t press further and turned her attention to the small menu on the table.
After ordering light meals for both of us, I returned to the smoking room.
From the other side of the glass, I could see Tsubaki drinking tea expressionlessly again.
Along with the slightly damp smoke, memories of my first date with Mayuko resurfaced.
At the fast food restaurant we stopped at after the movie, she said she liked happy-ending stories.
If that’s the case, her life probably wasn’t to her liking.
Words I couldn’t help but think of floated in my mind.
With a sigh, I exhaled a small puff of smoke with a strong tarry smell, but the thoughts in my head wouldn’t go away.