Tatsumi-kun and Kyoko-san: Chapter 1 (Includes up to Chapter 14)

Chapter 1: Kitazato-san and Noguchi-san

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　　　　I am watching him through thin paper
　　　　I wonder if he notices that I am watching
　　　　I want to meet him, but I am shy
　　　　So I will stay like this for a little longer

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July 2024
“Oh, Kyoko-san. Have you seen the new banknotes yet?”
About a week after the new banknotes were issued, he, a senior at my part-time job, said this as soon as he came onto the floor.

“Tatsumi-san”
Kazuki Tatsumi-san—in my heart, I call him “Tatsumi-kun”.

“Me? No, I haven't seen the new banknotes yet.”
He makes a face that says, “I knew you would say that.”

“I have one circulating, so I'll show you later.”
“Oh, wow! I'm so happy. I haven't seen one yet.”

“Then, I'll give it to you.”

　" I - will - give - it - to - you "

We are senior and junior at a part-time job. Even though he is older, he is giving it to me, his junior.
What does it mean to say, “I'll give it to you”?

He is giving me a banknote.
That has incredible impact.

I have had experiences where I was given a gift or a drink, though not many. But it wasn't in exchange for something, nor was it like crowdfunding to support someone. Even when I received money from family or relatives, there was always a reason, like it being New Year's or pocket money, or because it was a special occasion. There was always a purpose, like “buy something” or “save it.”
　
Is that what it's like to receive a banknote? Have I ever just purely been given money before?

“I want to see the new banknote. But are you sure?”
While feeling bewildered and half-doubting, I watch Tatsumi-kun's reaction.

“It's fine. I'll show everyone around here first, then I'll bring it to you. See you later.”

I go back to the locker room and replay the words “I'll give it to you” in Tatsumi-kun's voice in my head. Yeah, it must have been a misunderstanding on my part; surely he meant an exchange. I rethink it and open my wallet, which is full of old banknotes. I have all the bills, but I forgot to ask if he meant Yukichi, Higuchi, or Noguchi.

If “I'll give it to you” really means “I'll give it to you,” maybe it's a thousand-yen bill.

When I sent that text message,

came the reply.
Good, I confirmed it.
　
When I returned to the hall with an old thousand-yen bill, Mayu handed me an envelope, saying she was holding it for me.

A very thin brown paper envelope.
It wasn't as transparent as glassine paper where the outline is clearly visible, but it was thin enough that the picture and the number 1000 were faintly visible through it.
It wasn't a direct handover of cash, nor did I have to take the bill out to check it; just by looking at it, I could feel, oh, I see.

For an act as realistic and raw as handing over cash, the envelope Tatsumi-kun used was exquisitely thin. Honestly, I am captivated by his thoughtfulness and subtlety. If he were my boss, I would think, “Wow, he's capable,” and in fact, he is highly regarded at work and entrusted with the role of leading the part-time staff.

Tatsumi-kun is always so exquisitely thoughtful.
How embarrassing that I might have misunderstood him.

Uh, the envelope to use for returning it is,
I'm sure there was a good one here.

I rummage through the shelf looking for an envelope for the return that is just as thin. Alright, I find an envelope meant for invoices from a vendor and put the old bill inside. You can faintly see Mr. Noguchi through it, which feels just right.

"Thank you very much."
Seeing the envelope I handed him when I said that, Tatsumi-kun chuckled and said, "Marumaru Shoten."

Alone in my room, I hold the Kitazato-san, still inside the thin brown envelope, in both hands and gaze at it. The bill I gave in exchange is so old I have no idea how many people it has passed through, and the envelope is a reused one, too. Compared to that, the Kitazato-san inside the envelope Tatsumi-kun gave me is surely brand new, without a single crease. A mix of various kinds of embarrassment washes over me.

Hmm, as I thought, I can't look at it directly.

Keeping it inside the thin brown paper envelope, I place it on the shelf as if I were displaying a sacred talisman, and I glance at it softly before looking away. At my part-time job after the break, as we pass each other, Tatsumi-kun says,

"Oh, Kyoko-san, did you see the bill?"
"Actually, it's too precious, so I haven't really looked at it yet."

Even though two days have passed since then, I answer while looking down, unable to meet Tatsumi-kun's eyes. I felt like my disappointment was seeping onto my face because I hadn't given him any feedback, even though I had "given" him a brand-new bill.
Why am I so thoughtless and clumsy?
It's the usual, but for some reason, I feel down.

Today, too, I stare at him through the envelope
If our eyes meet, he might notice
Let's keep it as a memento until the new bills are in circulation
That's what Tatsumi-kun said
Even when they are in circulation, I'm sure I won't be able to use this Kitazato-san

What are you talking about?

July: Tatsumi-kun and Kyoko-san - The New 1000 Yen Bill Episode

Click here for Episode 2 and beyond ↓

To those who read the previous one, and to those who are new here, I am happy you read this.
Thank you very much.

↓ A story that was stopped halfway through.
(I will leave it here as a draft.)