[clum! '95 #06] The Eccentric in the Lab Coat

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Late April 1995.

Two weeks after the new school year began, on an afternoon after school in April.

The classroom for Class 2-B was filled with the clamor of students trying to settle into their new class.

In the midst of it, I, Jin Oritachi, was alone at my desk, shut away in the world of my favorite Western music.

Even though it's natural, my blonde hair and blue eyes make me stand out. I know well enough that those around me keep their distance.

I'm playing intense Western rock music. The heavy bass notes drown out the noise around me.

“...That song, the bassline is really moving.”

Suddenly, I was addressed from the edge of my vision.

When I shifted my headphones slightly and looked up, standing there was a lanky male student wearing a lab coat that looked out of place in the classroom.

“...Huh?”

“No, I could hear the sound leaking out. That’s a US indie band, right? The one that doesn't have a Japanese release.”

The boy in the lab coat didn't seem intimidated by me, and was peering at my CD Walkman with interest.

I was a little surprised. I didn't think anyone in this school would know this obscure band.

“...You know your stuff.”

“I’m in the Science Club, but I’m interested in sound waves. ...Oh, my name is Tatsuki Okamoto. Nice to meet you, Oritachi-kun.”

He smiled in a friendly way and held out his hand.

His fingertips were slender, and his nails were neatly trimmed.

“...Okamoto?”

I reacted to that surname.

What came to mind was Rei Okamoto, who is in the Library Committee with me and had treated us to madeleines in the cooking room the other day.

That quiet girl who lent me her umbrella on a rainy day back when we were first-years.

“...Are you a relative or something of Okamoto from the Library Committee?”

When I asked, I felt like the eyes behind Tatsuki Okamoto’s glasses flashed sharply for just a moment.

However, the next instant, he shrugged dramatically.

“No way! ‘Okamoto’ is such a common surname. Just like Sato or Suzuki.

Around here, Koga or Egashira are common too. Your surname is much rarer. I’ve never heard of Oritachi before.

Well, in terms of rarity, it is unusual to read my name as ‘Tatsuki’ with these characters. My father is an eccentric.”

“...I see.”

“But, I do know of Rei Okamoto. The saint of the library... no, a lovely flower... no, she’s like an endangered alpine plant. I’m a secret fan of hers.”

“...Huh?”

“It’s my daily routine to watch over her peace from afar. You could say I’m monitoring... no, guarding her so that no strange bugs get near her.”

Tatsuki Okamoto spoke passionately and rapidly.

This guy is a weirdo... But he doesn't seem like a bad person.

“...Hmm.”

“More importantly, Oritachi-kun, won't you lend me that CD? I’ll lend you my recommended UK rock in exchange.”

“...Sure, I guess.”

Just as I was about to take out my CD case, Tatsuki Okamoto said, “Oh, wait a second,” and pulled a white handkerchief from his pocket.

Then, he pressed it to his coughing mouth with an elegant gesture.

"*Cough*... Excuse me. My bronchial tubes are a bit weak, you see."

That gesture.

The way he straightened his back slightly and carefully folded his handkerchief away.

A flashback of Rei Okamoto handling books in the library crossed my mind.

...They're kind of similar.

Their vibes are completely different. Rei Okamoto is reserved and fragile, while Itsuki Okamoto is somewhat theatrical and suspicious.

Even so, the atmosphere in certain moments, and their pale, slender builds, strangely overlapped in my mind.

"...Are you really unrelated to Rei Okamoto?"

"Oh my, you're persistent, Oridate-kun. But sorry, we're total strangers."

Itsuki Okamoto grinned and took the CD from my hand.

"You and I are friends who share the same taste in music. Isn't that enough?"

"...Well, I suppose so."

I stopped thinking about it too deeply.

My intuition told me something was "off," but he denied it, and more than anything, it wasn't bad to finally have someone at this school I could talk to about music.

"Well then, here's my recommendation. ...Oh, that's right, Oridate-kun."

"Hm?"

"If you ever try to get close to Okamoto-san in the library... I'll curse you using the most scientifically proven, painful method possible, so keep that in mind, okay? ☆"

"...What was that?"

Itsuki Okamoto left behind that ominous remark with a refreshing smile, waving his hand as he walked away.

Watching his back as he left, I suddenly thought.

...If they were siblings, Rei Okamoto would have a hard time.

And thus, the strange friendship between me and Itsuki Okamoto began.

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