Tsundere Fairy Tale: The Mushroom and the Tomato in an Akihabara Alley

The Akihabara tomato stepped into a quiet alleyway, as if to leave the bustling city behind. The twilight light leaked into the narrow path, weaving through the gaps between buildings to paint soft orange reflections on the surface of the Kanda River.

"I didn't know such a view still remained in a place like this..."

As he muttered this while walking, he heard a small voice.

"What are you talking about?"

When he turned around, a girl wearing a red beret was standing there. No, it only looked like a girl for a moment; when he looked closely, her form was that of a mushroom itself.

"Who are you...?"

"Nothing, I'm just a mushroom. What are you talking about?"

Though bewildered by her cold attitude, the tomato felt strangely captivated.

From then on, the tomato began visiting that alleyway on his way home from work. At first, the mushroom did not break her cold demeanor, but she gradually began to open up.

"What are you writing today?"

"It's none of your business, but... well, I suppose I can show you."

The notebook she held was filled with beautiful poems and fragments of stories. Each one carried a quiet, warm atmosphere, much like the twilight alleyway.

"That's amazing. I had no idea you were writing so many stories."

"It's not amazing. I'm just a mushroom, and what are you talking about?"

Even as she said this, the tomato did not miss her cheeks turning red.

One day, the tomato told her that he had started writing as well.

"I tried writing a novel, too. Will you read it?"

"I'm not interested, but... well, I suppose I can take a look."

With every page she turned, her expression softened.

"It's not bad, surprisingly. What are you talking about?"

"I was inspired by you. Thank you."

The two talked about their work and gradually grew closer. Even so, Mushroom couldn't be honest and kept repeating, "What are you talking about?", but Tomato could sense the kindness hidden behind those words.

However, one day, Mushroom disappeared from the back alley. Driven by anxiety, Tomato searched everywhere for her.

"Mushroom, where on earth did you go..."

When he finally found her, she had a stern expression on her face.

"Why did you disappear?"

"It's nothing... it has nothing to do with you, does it? What are you talking about?"

Mushroom was clearly hiding something.

Tomato made up his mind to convey his feelings.

"Mushroom, I love you. I want to know more about you, and I want to be with you forever."

She looked surprised, but immediately looked away.

"What are you talking about? I am a mushroom. I can't be with a tomato."

"That doesn't matter. I love you."

After a silence, she began to speak in a small voice.

"Actually... I was originally a human. But I was put under a spell and turned into a mushroom."

Tomato was surprised, but he took her hand. And then he confessed.

"Actually, I was also turned into a tomato by magic."

The two were surprised, and then they laughed quietly together.

"Then, let's break this spell together. That's the reason you were in the back alley, isn't it?"

Mushroom nodded.

"The promise was that if I continued to create for three years, I could return to my original form."

The two worked together to finish their work, and finally, the three-year deadline arrived. The moment the last page was written, the mushroom's body was enveloped in light. And then, she returned to her original human form.

"Thank you, Tomato... no, you're a human now, too, aren't you?"

"From now on, we can be together."

They began to walk a new life together. They continued to create works together, and their creations moved many people.

"Tomato, will you stay with me forever from now on?"

"Of course. As long as you wish, Mushroom, I will be with you forever."

The silence that had been in the back alley disappeared, but the surface of the Kanda River still continues to reflect the light. It was as if it were blessing the two's new story.

Rintaro Takechi

#WhatAreYouTalkingAbout