Tatsumi-kun and Kyoko-san Episode 9
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Episode 9: Conveying to Each Other
Then, let's meet at the shop you told me about before.
Is meeting in front of the station ticket gate okay?
How about 11:30?
I reply to Tatsumi-kun's LINE message.
Hmm, is there anything else I want to convey?
That's right, I'll send a message.
11:30. That's fine.
I'll tell you my disappointing point in advance.
I'm someone who is always cutting it close for meetings,
so I might be late sometimes.
It's a bit roundabout, isn't it?💦
You don't need to come early for our meeting.
If there isn't a train that arrives right on time, it's okay if you're late.
Understood!
I'll arrive right on time.
See you then for our part-time job and omurice date.
“Oh, an omurice date?!”
I sent a stamp with the words “I'm looking forward to it” and “Good night,” but my heart felt all fluffy at the word “date,” and I kept reading it over and over, grinning. When I looked up, I felt like I made eye contact with Kitazato-san inside the envelope, so I gave a small bow to the envelope. I thought about how we can finally meet, and gently lifted the envelope to hold it up to the light.
Next to where I put the envelope back, I placed the planner I just bought. I put my part-time shifts into my smartphone, so the planner is just for notes when I go out. I didn't have much to write in this year's planner either, and I thought I might not need one, but I was drawn to the lavender color, which seemed to be a tasteful blend of calmness and glamour, and ended up buying it.
The planner, which starts in January, includes a page for December of the previous year so that schedules can connect smoothly. It's a special month, like a margin that feels like it's both part of this year and part of next year. I made my first private plan to write on that December page. I drew an illustration of an omurice in the box for Wednesday the 11th on the brand-new page. The ketchup is a red heart shape. I was too embarrassed to write the word “date,” but I drew it carefully, meaning it to be an omurice date.
And then, the day of our meeting arrived.
Even though I told him I might be late, I was restless and arrived 30 minutes early. I decided to go take a peek at the shop first, walking slowly the distance that takes less than 5 minutes from the station. It was still early, so it looked like there would be seats, and just as I was peeking into the shop from outside, I got a LINE message from Tatsumi-kun saying he would be late. The way he seemed flustered about being late was somehow cute. I replied, “It’s okay,” and since I had time, I walked around the street to see other shops that had opened. There were various stylish shops, from soba and Chinese food to hamburgers and yakiniku. I walked back to the station while thinking about what else he might like.
Tatsumi-kun arrived 10 minutes after our meeting time.
“I'm sorry. I'm late.”
“It's fine. I'm usually the one who's late, so... This is kind of refreshing.”
We laughed and I looked at Tatsumi-kun again. His sneakers were polished clean, his hair was neatly styled; he was the same well-groomed Tatsumi-kun as always. The gap between that and the way he was bowing his head for being late was refreshing and made me feel closer to him. He's always so calm that I don't feel like he's younger than me, but right now I feel like a bit of an older sister.
“Shall we go?” I escorted him to the shop. Well, this is my third time at this shop. Although it's my first time coming here with someone. Even though we were later than planned, we were able to get into the newly opened shop without waiting.
“There really are a lot of varieties. I'll have the demi-glace sauce. How about you, Kyoko-san?”
When he asked, I chose the plain ketchup sauce. Actually, the last time I ordered pasta, I chose a fancy sauce and couldn't finish it. I always end up being adventurous and regretting it later. I feel like Tatsumi-kun's life is always well-ordered, and he probably has his “go-to” foods.
“You like omurice, don't you?”
While we waited after ordering, I chose that as a topic for the time being.
“Actually, my family used to run a Western-style restaurant. The omurice my father made was my favorite. The shop closed due to COVID, and he passed away the year before last. Even though I loved it so much and ate it hundreds of times, I feel like sensations, including taste, don't remain—or rather, they're just for that moment. I have memories of who I was with and where, and that it was delicious. But there are times when I just desperately want to eat omurice.”
“Oh, that's right. That's why when I saw your illustration, Kyoko-san, it reminded me of the food my father used to make. It was warm and made people feel happy. That was a strange invitation, wasn't it? Thank you for today. It's the omurice I've been longing for. Also, I'd like to see your omurice illustration, Kyoko-san.”
I intended it to be just a casual topic, but I ended up stepping into Tatsumi-kun's personal life all of a sudden. While we were talking, the omurice was brought over, and Tatsumi-kun smiled. I want to capture that smile in an illustration.
“If my illustrations are okay with you. Please enjoy your meal, and I'll draw it slowly later. The fluffy eggs and plenty of sauce look delicious. May I take a picture of just the omurice first?”
I said that, took a picture of just the omurice, and switched my smartphone for my spoon.
“The atmosphere of the shop is calm, and the taste is delicious. I'm satisfied. Thank you for such a good shop.”
Hearing Tatsumi-kun's words after we finished eating, I realized that although I thought it was a good shop when I came before, it's even better now that I'm eating here with him.
“Thank you, too. You were busy with your side jobs, weren't you? I'm sorry for sending so many LINE messages.”
“That's right. I'm the one who should apologize for not replying to your LINE messages right away.”
The topic I brought up myself weighed heavily on me, and I looked down.
“Oh, uh, the side jobs are really just part-time work. I don't have anyone I'm seeing or anyone else I'm close with right now. I have job hunting next year, and for now, I'm saving money. I'll get a job for a while, but my goal is to have a food truck. My side job right now is also at a food truck. Unlike a restaurant, when I'm outside and children smile at me and say thank you, it's irresistible. When I start my food truck, you have to draw the menu illustrations, Kyoko-san.”
I didn't say, “Your smile when you say that is dazzling,” but I looked up and nodded, though I'm not sure if I was smiling well.
“What shall we do after this? Shall we go see a movie?”
I thought for a moment before answering.
“A movie sounds nice. Is there any movie you're interested in? But I'll tell you my disappointing point in advance.
In terms of whether it's close or far, it's on the close side. When I get nervous, it gets even more...”
“Oh, I see. Is it the restroom?”
“Yes. The movie I watched the other day was long, and for the last 30 minutes, that was half of what was on my mind. It's hard to decide when to leave your seat when it's a good part. When I'm with someone I'm comfortable with and relaxed, it's not that bad, but I'm a little nervous today.”
“I understand. I get an upset stomach when I eat. Since it's still warm today, let's skip the movie and go for a walk instead. Do you want to go to the restroom before we leave the shop? Please, go ahead.”
I realized while looking at myself in the restroom mirror and waiting for Tatsumi-kun to return to his seat that it's easy to be with him.
I'm glad I was able to eat omurice with him.
Continued in Episode 10
What are you talking about?
I have rewritten the final part of the 8th episode in more detail. Thank you for reading this romantic creative novel that even dogs wouldn't eat. There is a little more until the end, and I would like to write it carefully, so I would be happy if you would continue to accompany me.