Right around the time when Summer ends and the air starts to feel cold, a certain incident has happened.
At night, a sudden loud noise echoed through the room.
“What’s that!? What’s that noise just now!?”
I jumped up and look around. Since there was no electricity in this room so the night is really dark. Even with my eyes which are already used to see at night, I can only vaguely see Misaki’s silhouette.
As a result.
“……Hurts.”
Misaki stumbled and fell on the futon.
So for that reason I decided to go to a nearby large shopping mall to buy a light bulb or something like that. Or rather, if you want to go shopping there’s only this one place here in this city. Be it clothes or futon, everything in our room are purchased from here.
“It’s a bit crowded…… Misaki, do you want to ride my shoulders?”
“……Un.”
Apparently there’s a local idol group coming here at this mall, so there are more people than during the weekends. It’s not as many as when we visited the festival though, but since it reminded me of the time when I have to plow through the crowd together with Misaki, so I suggested her to ride my shoulders.
Misaki nodded and I let her climb up my shoulders, then I stood up.
“Ahー!! Misaki’s thereー!!”
I heard Yui-chan’s voice from somewhere, and when I turned around to look at her I saw a rare sight of her parent wearing everyday clothes.
“Yo, you shopping?”
She responded as I put Misaki down in front of Yui-chan who’s waving her hand.
“Yes, with my daughter.”
Yui replied with a nice sincere smile.
Ever since Golden Week is over, weirdly enough her attitude towards me softens. For me I thought that it feels kinda creepy, but if I told that to her she’d definitely said something cruel to me again no I’ll pass on that.
“Did you just think of something rude just now?”
Well, even if I didn’t speak it out she’ll know it anyway though.
“It’s only your imagination. What are you going to buy?”
“Security devices.”
“Security?”
“Yes. I’ve come here to buy the product that will protects Yui from you, no, any dangerous person from harming her.”
I guess to her I’m just a dangerous person huh, well okay sure.
“And what did you come here for?” (Yui)
“Something that gives light.”
“I see, so we have different destinations it seems. Then let us meet another time.”
“Mama!!”
As when we’re about to part ways after a brief greeting, Yui-chan let out a loud voice.
“I want to play with Misaki!”
While the adults were talking, the two are already super merry and wants to play with each other. However Yui’s request is met with a frown.
“Yui, our objective today is to buy things.”
“Then mama we can go together with Ryo-kun!”
“……Yui, I’ve told you many times that such a thing is impossible.”
“Iーwantーtoーplayーwithーherー!”
Yui seems to be trying to persuade Yui-chan with a low voice, but she really wants to play with Misaki so much that she won’t give up.
When I look at Misaki in her eyes to asks if she to play too or not, Misaki nodded back.
“It’s okay isn’t it? They really want to play with each other.”
“And where do you plan to let them play exactly?”
“Uhh you see, there’s a place with lots of balls on the third floor right? We can let them play over there.”
“Let’sー play thereー!!”
I helped Yui-chan to convince her and she immediately speaks after me.
Yui stares at me with dreadful eyes, but then sighed and turns to Yui-chan.
“Yui, didn’t you promise to go shopping with mama?”
“My sincerest apology to inform you that Ryo-kun has already agreed.” (Yui)
“Yui, those words are not meant to be said with a smile.”
“My-, deepest…… apology-, to info…… Ryoー, kun has-“
“……Haaa, very well then.”
Somehow Yui-chan managed to persuade Yui to agree to this. Yui let out a deep sigh again as if she had given up. I kind of understand her feelings since I too, was looking forward to go shopping with Misaki after a long time, but if the person herself wishes so then it can’t be helped.
After leaving Misaki and Yui-chan in the kids zone, I was left alone with Yui who has a dissatisfied look on her face to do some shopping.
“Then one hour after this, let’s meet up again in front of the second floor elevator.”
And as soon as I thought that, Yui said in a cold voice before walking away. As for me I don’t mind going shopping alone, but since we’re already here so we might as well go shopping together, so I chased after her.
“Heyー! Don’t say such a heartless thingー!”
“Please don’t be such a prick.”
“Your smile is beautiful but your attitude is so cold that feels kinda scary you know what. At least let’s go together.”
“……”
Yui stopped walking while still smiling.
I’m sorry, you’re really scary when you don’t talk.
As when I’m having trouble continuing the conversation within just ten seconds into it, Yui opens her mouth with a fed up expression.
“……As I thought, you really resembles that person.”
“Eh, what?”
“I’m saying that you’re as weird as ever. Ever since we first met you’ve only been getting worse with time. And lately it’s especially awful.”
She starts walking again and she speaks.
Follow me, seems like that’s what she’s saying.
“That takes me back. The first time we met, is it when you interrupted me in the back alleyway?”
“Yes that’s right.”
“And yet you thought I was in a fight and was being chased…… You’re even scarier than the thugs back then you know.”
“You got what you deserved.”
Yui said with her face still looking dissatisfied. I’m aware that I’m talking about something that I should be angry about, but when thinking back to that time, it feels kinda fun.
“……”
“What’s wrong, staring at my face like that.”
Since Yui has been staring at me without saying anything for a while now, I can’t help but asks her.
However Yui turns her head away as if nothing ever happened and then walks forward again.
She’s still full of mysteries as ever, I thought as I strike up another conversation.
“Oh yeah by the way, you said something weird back then aren’t you.”
“I think I’ve said something right though.”
“Let’s see, you said something like it’s unforgivable to do something to others, or that the people with great talents are evaluated unfairly or something.” 1
“……So you do remember them very well.”
Hmmm, what’s up with that expression of hers.
It’s different that when she was fed up……
“What’s the matter?” (Yui)
“No, it’s nothing. It’s just that, what I said just now is bugging you?”
“It’s not something I want to tell you.”
“Yeah guess so. By the way, where are you heading to?”
“The mobile phone corner. I’m going to buy the lastest security buzzer.”
“Is that so.”
And that’s where the conversation falls apart.
There’s this dark gloomy feeling in my heart, but I don’t even know where that feeling comes from.
Why? I pondered as I keep walking, but then suddenly Yui stopped walking.
“As I thought, you’re really disgusting.”
She muttered and she turned around to look at me.
“I think I feel like something’s off on the Children’s day back then, but after the Golden Week is over I feel that you’ve clearly become weirder. What exactly happened to you during that time?”
She said without a pause with her usual dignified attitude.
And I can’t give her an immediate answer.
It’s because her question just came out of nowhere.
“What’s wrong with you? You seems to be in a really bad mood today.”
“Please don’t change the topic.”
Even in the midst of the crowd, her quiet voice still perfectly reaches my ears.
Those voice and eyes of her are telling me that she won’t allow me to avoid this topic.
“……Am I, really that weird?”
“Yes, so much so that it’s nauseating.”
“That far huh.”
I tried to laugh it off as always, but this time it’s a really dry laugh.
It’s exactly as she said. Although it seems like she doesn’t know exactly what that is, but she got the timing part correct. Indeed something big has happened to me during the Golden Week. But it’s something that I don’t want to talk about to anyone.
“……Yeah don’t mind it. It’s my problem.”
I somehow managed to think up of a reply, she look at me with exasperated expression before sighing.
“Now I don’t get it whether you have a really good memory or a really bad one, which one is it really?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“When in trouble, ask your friend for help. That’s what you said aren’t you.”
Yui said dignifiedly, however she seems to have a slightly embarrassed expression on her face.
If you have worries then please consult your friend, which is me, is what she said.
“You’re pretty cool aren’t you.”
I honestly thought so. In fact, she has been helping me regarding the matters around Misaki as well. Be it taking custody of her or all the law regarding that, all the things that I really can’t do anything about, but she easily solves all those problems.
But still, this time, it’s something that I really can’t ask anyone for help.
“Well then, let us go shopping.” (Ryuusei)
“What’s your context here?”
“Thank you, you’ve cheered me up. Well then, let us go shopping.”
“Don’t say such a…… Wait, why are you really cheered up?”
And why did you know that what the hell.
Is my face really easy to read all my thoughts?
“By the way, they sell security buzzers in the mobile phone corner?”
“It’s for the phone with GPS tracker. But since you probably didn’t know anything about it so I’ve only described it as just the lastest security buzzers to you.”
“I-, I see. So there’s such a thing too huh……”
Our conversation formed naturally.
Well she saw right through me perfectly, during these past few months my mind has been really chaotic. However after a short conversation with Yui just now, I feel like my head has become more organized. Is this what the existence called friend can do?
Friend, eff ar ai ee en dee.
Now that I think about it, the existence called friend has always been something special to me.
I don’t have any friends that I can keep in touch with left currently, I already forgot most of their names and faces, but even though I’m like that, there’s two person who I’ll never forget.
One is a cheerful girl that I met when I was in elementary school, another one is a girl who acts more like a boy that I met in middle school.
These two people have taught me something very important.
However, I don’t think I’ll ever meet them again for the rest of my life.
That is, until that day that I went to the factory for my work――
“By the way, how about you get your mobile…… Ahhh, I guess you’ve never considered that in the first place.”
“That’s pretty high level of you to be asking then decided on your own and spitting venom in the next moment. Also don’t be giving me that mocking smile of yours.”
“If you get down on all fours and beg to me, then perhaps I can consider giving you my flip phone with my name registered on it, do you want one?”
Geez, and I thought that she has been softer to me recently, but well I guess that’s how she is huh……
“Nah I don’t need it. It’s not like if I don’t have it I’ll be in trouble or anything.”
“That’s the exact same line old people said when they just don’t want to learn how to use mobile phones. In fact, I’m the one who’s troubled when I don’t have any means to contact you.”
“Is that so?”
“That’s right. Having to walk to your shed-like room every time I need to talk about the things regarding Misaki-chan is painful to say the least. And also that time when I went there but then you’re suddenly absent, it makes me feel about as painful as when I have to put tomatoes on Yui’s plate.”
“Hey don’t bring your daughter into this will you!? I know I know it’s my bad alright.”
I quickly clap my hands together and bow my head.
I’ve never had my own mobile phone before, I’ve been using only the payphones up until now, but now that she mentions it I saw that people around me all have their own mobile phone. So it’s a necessity in this era huh……
“Let me ask you one thing, mobile phone uses electricity right?”
“What kind of question is that?”
“No no you don’t get it it’s really important for me to ask this.”
“……Good grief, you only need to connect the charger with the mobile phone like any other electronics.”
“Is that so, then I’ll figure it out somehow.”
“Now you’ve made your mind to buy it I see. Then without any further ado, get down on all fours and beg to me please.”
“So you were serious about that…… It’s fine, I’ll get one by myself.”
My conversation with Yui who for some reason is in a better mood continues, and before I even noticed it we’ve arrived at the mobile phone corner.
There I saw various mobile phones lined up on a white box-like thing in incomprehensible letters on it, such as HardBank or Nippon Mukashibanashi or Kinoko. 2
Eh, wait, isn’t mobile phone is like only a type of phone?
Hold on a second, aren’t they supposed to be only different in colors…… Uwaaa, I just saw something I don’t want to see. So it’s not only their colors that’s different huh.
No I don’t want to be here anymore, I wanna go home, my head hurts.
“You’re going to look for one by yourself right?” (Yui)
Yui said with her usual mind-reading timing.
And the expression on her face clealy says that she’s enjoying this.
This guy, she’s a person with bad personality just as I thought.
“Ye-, yeah. I’ll show you how it’s done.”
“Is that so. Then I’ll excuse myself and head to the counter first.”
“Cou-, counter? Is that where I supposed to go too?”
“Didn’t you said that you’re going to do it buy yourself?”
God dangit she’s clearly enjoying herself, are you a kid or something!?
……Hmm, somehow I feel like I just saw something I’m familiar with.
Well whatever, it’s just my imagination I guess.
“Welcomeー, wait, ah! Nii-san long time no see!!”
What the hell is up with this flashy clerk…… Wait, ahhh, it’s the same person as when I bought the futon and the swimsuit!
“Aw man, I didn’t expect that we’ll meet again so soon. And today you’re…… on a date?”
“That’s not it you dummy.”
“Well yeah I guess you wouldn’t come to the mobile phone corner on a date right! So does that mean, you’re his wife?”
“No I’m not. We’re strangers.” (Yui)
“……I-, I apologize for my rudeness.”
Uwaaa, scary.
That clerk is apologizing with a serious expression on her face.
“So umm, nii-san you come here to buy mobile phone right?”
The clerk said as she changed her mood super quickly, however as she speaks she somewhat distanced herself from Yui.
I continues with a bitter smile.
“Yeah that’s what I planned to, but I don’t really understand these things well. Can you help me?”
“Affirmativeeee! Ya’ see, there’s a quota for this job so you really help me here.”
Pull.
“Heh, so there’s a quota for you huh.”
“Yes. Ah, but in return the hourly wage is really high so that helps a lot.”
Pull, pull.
“I see, then let’s get to it.”
Pull.
“What the hell, don’t pull on my cloth like that.”
“If it’s mobile phone then it’s over there.” (Yui)
“Didn’t you just said you’re going to the counter or something like that?”
Uwaa, scary.
She’s glaring at me really hard.
“Ummm, ms. customer? Could you please not take my customer away……”
Uwaa, scary.
She’s merciless even if the other party is the clerk.
I don’t know why she’s suddenly angry, so for now I apologize to the clerk with my eyes and let Yui pulled me away.
“Here, this is the exact same one I’m using for my work. Let’s buy this one.”
“I-, is that so…… Yeah okay.”
I don’t really know the reason behind her anger, but I think it’s better to not go against her.
After that we headed to the counter, but then I got stuck at the part where I had to show my ID card, so in the end I really do have to get on all fours and pleaded her. As for the monthly fees, it’s not that expensive really, and if it’s only for the mobile phone then the amount is fixed, so for now I handed Yui one year’s worth of money of said fee.
“That is not necessary.”
And for some reason she refused my money, but I persisted and somehow made her to accept it.
After that we went to buy my thing.
We headed to the electronic applicants store with an awkward atmosphere, and for some reason she once again immediately put the one she recommended into my hand, and before I knew it she already pulled me to the cashier.
And I couldn’t go against her.
So with that our shopping ends, we went back to the kid zone where Misaki and Yui-chan are waiting.
Different from when we’re getting out of there, this time there were no conversations.
“……Umm.”
And it was on our way to the third floor while using the escalator that Yui finally spoke up.
“Please give me your phone. I’ll register my number into it.”
“O-, okay……”
“After that I’ll explain how to use a phone, so please remember it well.”
“Got it.”
Well my shopping day went something like this.
On my way back home, I asked Misaki one thing.
“Misaki, you were with Yui-chan’s mom for half a year right?”
“Yes.”
“Is she scary?”
“……Un?”
Misaki tilted her head, confused.
Seems like she’s not scary.
“I see. Well, that’s good then.”
“……Un.”
Yeah, I don’t really understand that guy after all.
That’s what I thought that day.
Right around the time when Summer ends and the air starts to feel cold, a certain incident has happened.
At night, a sudden loud noise echoed through the room.
“What’s that!? What’s that noise just now!?”
I jumped up and look around. Since there was no electricity in this room so the night is really dark. Even with my eyes which are already used to see at night, I can only vaguely see Misaki’s silhouette.
As a result.
“……Hurts.”
Misaki stumbled and fell on the futon.
So for that reason I decided to go to a nearby large shopping mall to buy a light bulb or something like that. Or rather, if you want to go shopping there’s only this one place here in this city. Be it clothes or futon, everything in our room are purchased from here.
“It’s a bit crowded…… Misaki, do you want to ride my shoulders?”
“……Un.”
Apparently there’s a local idol group coming here at this mall, so there are more people than during the weekends. It’s not as many as when we visited the festival though, but since it reminded me of the time when I have to plow through the crowd together with Misaki, so I suggested her to ride my shoulders.
Misaki nodded and I let her climb up my shoulders, then I stood up.
“Ahー!! Misaki’s thereー!!”
I heard Yui-chan’s voice from somewhere, and when I turned around to look at her I saw a rare sight of her parent wearing everyday clothes.
“Yo, you shopping?”
She responded as I put Misaki down in front of Yui-chan who’s waving her hand.
“Yes, with my daughter.”
Yui replied with a nice sincere smile.
Ever since Golden Week is over, weirdly enough her attitude towards me softens. For me I thought that it feels kinda creepy, but if I told that to her she’d definitely said something cruel to me again no I’ll pass on that.
“Did you just think of something rude just now?”
Well, even if I didn’t speak it out she’ll know it anyway though.
“It’s only your imagination. What are you going to buy?”
“Security devices.”
“Security?”
“Yes. I’ve come here to buy the product that will protects Yui from you, no, any dangerous person from harming her.”
I guess to her I’m just a dangerous person huh, well okay sure.
“And what did you come here for?” (Yui)
“Something that gives light.”
“I see, so we have different destinations it seems. Then let us meet another time.”
“Mama!!”
As when we’re about to part ways after a brief greeting, Yui-chan let out a loud voice.
“I want to play with Misaki!”
While the adults were talking, the two are already super merry and wants to play with each other. However Yui’s request is met with a frown.
“Yui, our objective today is to buy things.”
“Then mama we can go together with Ryo-kun!”
“……Yui, I’ve told you many times that such a thing is impossible.”
“Iーwantーtoーplayーwithーherー!”
Yui seems to be trying to persuade Yui-chan with a low voice, but she really wants to play with Misaki so much that she won’t give up.
When I look at Misaki in her eyes to asks if she to play too or not, Misaki nodded back.
“It’s okay isn’t it? They really want to play with each other.”
“And where do you plan to let them play exactly?”
“Uhh you see, there’s a place with lots of balls on the third floor right? We can let them play over there.”
“Let’sー play thereー!!”
I helped Yui-chan to convince her and she immediately speaks after me.
Yui stares at me with dreadful eyes, but then sighed and turns to Yui-chan.
“Yui, didn’t you promise to go shopping with mama?”
“My sincerest apology to inform you that Ryo-kun has already agreed.” (Yui)
“Yui, those words are not meant to be said with a smile.”
“My-, deepest…… apology-, to info…… Ryoー, kun has-“
“……Haaa, very well then.”
Somehow Yui-chan managed to persuade Yui to agree to this. Yui let out a deep sigh again as if she had given up. I kind of understand her feelings since I too, was looking forward to go shopping with Misaki after a long time, but if the person herself wishes so then it can’t be helped.
After leaving Misaki and Yui-chan in the kids zone, I was left alone with Yui who has a dissatisfied look on her face to do some shopping.
“Then one hour after this, let’s meet up again in front of the second floor elevator.”
And as soon as I thought that, Yui said in a cold voice before walking away. As for me I don’t mind going shopping alone, but since we’re already here so we might as well go shopping together, so I chased after her.
“Heyー! Don’t say such a heartless thingー!”
“Please don’t be such a prick.”
“Your smile is beautiful but your attitude is so cold that feels kinda scary you know what. At least let’s go together.”
“……”
Yui stopped walking while still smiling.
I’m sorry, you’re really scary when you don’t talk.
As when I’m having trouble continuing the conversation within just ten seconds into it, Yui opens her mouth with a fed up expression.
“……As I thought, you really resembles that person.”
“Eh, what?”
“I’m saying that you’re as weird as ever. Ever since we first met you’ve only been getting worse with time. And lately it’s especially awful.”
She starts walking again and she speaks.
Follow me, seems like that’s what she’s saying.
“That takes me back. The first time we met, is it when you interrupted me in the back alleyway?”
“Yes that’s right.”
“And yet you thought I was in a fight and was being chased…… You’re even scarier than the thugs back then you know.”
“You got what you deserved.”
Yui said with her face still looking dissatisfied. I’m aware that I’m talking about something that I should be angry about, but when thinking back to that time, it feels kinda fun.
“……”
“What’s wrong, staring at my face like that.”
Since Yui has been staring at me without saying anything for a while now, I can’t help but asks her.
However Yui turns her head away as if nothing ever happened and then walks forward again.
She’s still full of mysteries as ever, I thought as I strike up another conversation.
“Oh yeah by the way, you said something weird back then aren’t you.”
“I think I’ve said something right though.”
“Let’s see, you said something like it’s unforgivable to do something to others, or that the people with great talents are evaluated unfairly or something.” 1
“……So you do remember them very well.”
Hmmm, what’s up with that expression of hers.
It’s different that when she was fed up……
“What’s the matter?” (Yui)
“No, it’s nothing. It’s just that, what I said just now is bugging you?”
“It’s not something I want to tell you.”
“Yeah guess so. By the way, where are you heading to?”
“The mobile phone corner. I’m going to buy the lastest security buzzer.”
“Is that so.”
And that’s where the conversation falls apart.
There’s this dark gloomy feeling in my heart, but I don’t even know where that feeling comes from.
Why? I pondered as I keep walking, but then suddenly Yui stopped walking.
“As I thought, you’re really disgusting.”
She muttered and she turned around to look at me.
“I think I feel like something’s off on the Children’s day back then, but after the Golden Week is over I feel that you’ve clearly become weirder. What exactly happened to you during that time?”
She said without a pause with her usual dignified attitude.
And I can’t give her an immediate answer.
It’s because her question just came out of nowhere.
“What’s wrong with you? You seems to be in a really bad mood today.”
“Please don’t change the topic.”
Even in the midst of the crowd, her quiet voice still perfectly reaches my ears.
Those voice and eyes of her are telling me that she won’t allow me to avoid this topic.
“……Am I, really that weird?”
“Yes, so much so that it’s nauseating.”
“That far huh.”
I tried to laugh it off as always, but this time it’s a really dry laugh.
It’s exactly as she said. Although it seems like she doesn’t know exactly what that is, but she got the timing part correct. Indeed something big has happened to me during the Golden Week. But it’s something that I don’t want to talk about to anyone.
“……Yeah don’t mind it. It’s my problem.”
I somehow managed to think up of a reply, she look at me with exasperated expression before sighing.
“Now I don’t get it whether you have a really good memory or a really bad one, which one is it really?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“When in trouble, ask your friend for help. That’s what you said aren’t you.”
Yui said dignifiedly, however she seems to have a slightly embarrassed expression on her face.
If you have worries then please consult your friend, which is me, is what she said.
“You’re pretty cool aren’t you.”
I honestly thought so. In fact, she has been helping me regarding the matters around Misaki as well. Be it taking custody of her or all the law regarding that, all the things that I really can’t do anything about, but she easily solves all those problems.
But still, this time, it’s something that I really can’t ask anyone for help.
“Well then, let us go shopping.” (Ryuusei)
“What’s your context here?”
“Thank you, you’ve cheered me up. Well then, let us go shopping.”
“Don’t say such a…… Wait, why are you really cheered up?”
And why did you know that what the hell.
Is my face really easy to read all my thoughts?
“By the way, they sell security buzzers in the mobile phone corner?”
“It’s for the phone with GPS tracker. But since you probably didn’t know anything about it so I’ve only described it as just the lastest security buzzers to you.”
“I-, I see. So there’s such a thing too huh……”
Our conversation formed naturally.
Well she saw right through me perfectly, during these past few months my mind has been really chaotic. However after a short conversation with Yui just now, I feel like my head has become more organized. Is this what the existence called friend can do?
Friend, eff ar ai ee en dee.
Now that I think about it, the existence called friend has always been something special to me.
I don’t have any friends that I can keep in touch with left currently, I already forgot most of their names and faces, but even though I’m like that, there’s two person who I’ll never forget.
One is a cheerful girl that I met when I was in elementary school, another one is a girl who acts more like a boy that I met in middle school.
These two people have taught me something very important.
However, I don’t think I’ll ever meet them again for the rest of my life.
That is, until that day that I went to the factory for my work――
“By the way, how about you get your mobile…… Ahhh, I guess you’ve never considered that in the first place.”
“That’s pretty high level of you to be asking then decided on your own and spitting venom in the next moment. Also don’t be giving me that mocking smile of yours.”
“If you get down on all fours and beg to me, then perhaps I can consider giving you my flip phone with my name registered on it, do you want one?”
Geez, and I thought that she has been softer to me recently, but well I guess that’s how she is huh……
“Nah I don’t need it. It’s not like if I don’t have it I’ll be in trouble or anything.”
“That’s the exact same line old people said when they just don’t want to learn how to use mobile phones. In fact, I’m the one who’s troubled when I don’t have any means to contact you.”
“Is that so?”
“That’s right. Having to walk to your shed-like room every time I need to talk about the things regarding Misaki-chan is painful to say the least. And also that time when I went there but then you’re suddenly absent, it makes me feel about as painful as when I have to put tomatoes on Yui’s plate.”
“Hey don’t bring your daughter into this will you!? I know I know it’s my bad alright.”
I quickly clap my hands together and bow my head.
I’ve never had my own mobile phone before, I’ve been using only the payphones up until now, but now that she mentions it I saw that people around me all have their own mobile phone. So it’s a necessity in this era huh……
“Let me ask you one thing, mobile phone uses electricity right?”
“What kind of question is that?”
“No no you don’t get it it’s really important for me to ask this.”
“……Good grief, you only need to connect the charger with the mobile phone like any other electronics.”
“Is that so, then I’ll figure it out somehow.”
“Now you’ve made your mind to buy it I see. Then without any further ado, get down on all fours and beg to me please.”
“So you were serious about that…… It’s fine, I’ll get one by myself.”
My conversation with Yui who for some reason is in a better mood continues, and before I even noticed it we’ve arrived at the mobile phone corner.
There I saw various mobile phones lined up on a white box-like thing in incomprehensible letters on it, such as HardBank or Nippon Mukashibanashi or Kinoko. 2
Eh, wait, isn’t mobile phone is like only a type of phone?
Hold on a second, aren’t they supposed to be only different in colors…… Uwaaa, I just saw something I don’t want to see. So it’s not only their colors that’s different huh.
No I don’t want to be here anymore, I wanna go home, my head hurts.
“You’re going to look for one by yourself right?” (Yui)
Yui said with her usual mind-reading timing.
And the expression on her face clealy says that she’s enjoying this.
This guy, she’s a person with bad personality just as I thought.
“Ye-, yeah. I’ll show you how it’s done.”
“Is that so. Then I’ll excuse myself and head to the counter first.”
“Cou-, counter? Is that where I supposed to go too?”
“Didn’t you said that you’re going to do it buy yourself?”
God dangit she’s clearly enjoying herself, are you a kid or something!?
……Hmm, somehow I feel like I just saw something I’m familiar with.
Well whatever, it’s just my imagination I guess.
“Welcomeー, wait, ah! Nii-san long time no see!!”
What the hell is up with this flashy clerk…… Wait, ahhh, it’s the same person as when I bought the futon and the swimsuit!
“Aw man, I didn’t expect that we’ll meet again so soon. And today you’re…… on a date?”
“That’s not it you dummy.”
“Well yeah I guess you wouldn’t come to the mobile phone corner on a date right! So does that mean, you’re his wife?”
“No I’m not. We’re strangers.” (Yui)
“……I-, I apologize for my rudeness.”
Uwaaa, scary.
That clerk is apologizing with a serious expression on her face.
“So umm, nii-san you come here to buy mobile phone right?”
The clerk said as she changed her mood super quickly, however as she speaks she somewhat distanced herself from Yui.
I continues with a bitter smile.
“Yeah that’s what I planned to, but I don’t really understand these things well. Can you help me?”
“Affirmativeeee! Ya’ see, there’s a quota for this job so you really help me here.”
Pull.
“Heh, so there’s a quota for you huh.”
“Yes. Ah, but in return the hourly wage is really high so that helps a lot.”
Pull, pull.
“I see, then let’s get to it.”
Pull.
“What the hell, don’t pull on my cloth like that.”
“If it’s mobile phone then it’s over there.” (Yui)
“Didn’t you just said you’re going to the counter or something like that?”
Uwaa, scary.
She’s glaring at me really hard.
“Ummm, ms. customer? Could you please not take my customer away……”
Uwaa, scary.
She’s merciless even if the other party is the clerk.
I don’t know why she’s suddenly angry, so for now I apologize to the clerk with my eyes and let Yui pulled me away.
“Here, this is the exact same one I’m using for my work. Let’s buy this one.”
“I-, is that so…… Yeah okay.”
I don’t really know the reason behind her anger, but I think it’s better to not go against her.
After that we headed to the counter, but then I got stuck at the part where I had to show my ID card, so in the end I really do have to get on all fours and pleaded her. As for the monthly fees, it’s not that expensive really, and if it’s only for the mobile phone then the amount is fixed, so for now I handed Yui one year’s worth of money of said fee.
“That is not necessary.”
And for some reason she refused my money, but I persisted and somehow made her to accept it.
After that we went to buy my thing.
We headed to the electronic applicants store with an awkward atmosphere, and for some reason she once again immediately put the one she recommended into my hand, and before I knew it she already pulled me to the cashier.
And I couldn’t go against her.
So with that our shopping ends, we went back to the kid zone where Misaki and Yui-chan are waiting.
Different from when we’re getting out of there, this time there were no conversations.
“……Umm.”
And it was on our way to the third floor while using the escalator that Yui finally spoke up.
“Please give me your phone. I’ll register my number into it.”
“O-, okay……”
“After that I’ll explain how to use a phone, so please remember it well.”
“Got it.”
Well my shopping day went something like this.
On my way back home, I asked Misaki one thing.
“Misaki, you were with Yui-chan’s mom for half a year right?”
“Yes.”
“Is she scary?”
“……Un?”
Misaki tilted her head, confused.
Seems like she’s not scary.
“I see. Well, that’s good then.”
“……Un.”
Yeah, I don’t really understand that guy after all.
That’s what I thought that day.
