Chapter 9:
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That day, I ended up leaving Ami-san's house a little after nine in the evening. I was treated to not only lunch but also dinner. Ami-san told me that I could stay the night, but as expected, I refused. In Ami Yamakawa's mind, Kazuma Asakura must still be a freshman in high school.
Compared to my high school days, I have grown somewhat taller. My physique has also improved somewhat. I'm older, so I'm more mature internally, and I don't get angry as much anymore. I have less energy, for better or worse. I feel a little sad that I don't have the opportunity to be so passionate anymore.
...I'm not a high school student anymore.
In fact, I’m a dull office worker in my 30s, and the high school girl Riko looked so dazzling to me.
Speaking of Riko, when she smiled at me or spoke to me, I felt as if I could catch a glimpse of some unusual emotion deep inside.
Was it my imagination? Or was it just a misunderstanding?
From Riko's point of view, Kazuma Asakura was her mother's ex-boyfr iend. It's a complicated relationship, different from that of a relative or even a stranger. It was no wonder that she felt strange and curious.
I found myself half-automatically replaying the many images of Riko that were stored in my brain. A girl with a face similar to my ex-girlfrie nd Yuka's, but with a completely different charm.
Oh dear, I sighed as I grabbed on the strap.
I can't hide my embarrassment that I'm already attracted to a girl I've only known for two days. I scolded myself for being so ignorant.
I want to believe that this is not lov or any other kind of emotion.
In this country, men can get married at the age of 18 and women at the age of 16.
But that doesn't mean that a man in his thirties should fall in lov with a girl in high school. ...What do you think? Wait, I don't think I’m in lov with Riko, but...
As I turned over in agony, the smartphone in my pocket rang.
[Thank you so much for coming today. It was a lot of fun!]
[Thank you for inviting me too. It was nice to see Ami-san after seventeen years.]
[Would you like to go out somewhere with me sometime?]
[Yes, sure. So, where are we going?]
[I'll think about it by next week …Ah, are you free next Saturday?]
[I think I'll be fine.]
[Um.. good night.]
[Good night.]
I stare at the screen of my smartphone with a feeling of slight regret.
Umm... staring at it didn't change anything. I thought about playing a game, but I didn't feel like it, so I put the phone in my pocket.
Today was a Saturday, and there were far fewer businessmen in suits than on weekdays. While there were many couples who seemed to be returning from a day out. They were holding hands and touching each other, immersed in their own sweet world.
I didn't have any negative feelings toward them, such as dislike or jealousy. I just envy them. It's been two years since I broke up with my last girlfriend. The days fly by.
I'm 33 years old. It's not surprising if I get married. Some of my classmates and friends from school are already married and have children of their own.
I'm not in a hurry, but I do have a vague idea that I would like to get married someday.
At the moment, I don't have a partner. There is no sign of a girlfriend.
Well, this is a different story, but next Saturday, I'm going out with Riko. When a man and a woman go out together, it can be called a date - or so it seems.
I don't know what Riko was thinking when she wanted to go out with me, but at least she's going out with me because she has some kind of advantage.
What kind of existence does Kazuma Asakura have for Riko Soma?
No matter how deeply I think about it, I can't figure it out, and I don't feel like asking Riko that question. Maybe the answer will come naturally to me in time.
After getting off the train, I walked along the path to my house, already thinking about next Saturday. I feel like a junior high or high school student about to go on a school trip.
I have five days of work on weekdays before next Saturday, but I don't feel as blue as usual. In fact, I'm even looking forward to getting through the work.
“Maybe I'll be able to..."
I swallowed the words I was about to say because I felt that if I said them, they would become the definitive truth. You can't say it out loud. It seemed like a sin to say it.
‘How about going out with Riko?’
The words Ami said echoed in my head.
"No, no…”
I shook my head, stopped thinking about Riko, and walked to my house. For some reason, the full moon, which I normally wouldn't think anything of, seemed irresistibly beautiful today.
...To be continued!
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