Tatsumi-kun and Kyoko-san Episode 10

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Episode 9: Park

“Well then, shall we go?”

I answered “Yes” to Tatsumi-kun’s remark as he returned to his seat, and hurriedly prepared my wallet from my bag.

“It’s already taken care of. I’ll head outside first. Take your time.” Tatsumi-kun signaled with a smile, his hand raised to his chest while standing, before heading toward the exit. Following his straight, upright posture, I stood up from my seat with my wallet still in hand. I nodded to the clerk at the register, said a quiet “Thank you for the meal,” and after stepping outside, I turned to face Tatsumi-kun once more to thank him.

“Are you sure about the bill?”

I confirmed this while holding my wallet with both hands in front of my chest, intending to show that I wanted to pay my share.

“It’s fine. When I go out with a woman, I basically don’t let her pay. But I am happy when you offer sometimes.”
I had the impression that he was like a samurai, but he really is old-fashioned and has his own sense of etiquette. It made me feel ticklish to think that he had come today intending it to be a “date.”
“Then I’ll take you up on that this time. ...Thank you for the meal.”
I put my wallet back in my bag along with a faint hope that there might be a next time.

“Where shall we go for a walk?”

“How about Inokashira Park? It’s not that far from here.”

“Shall we ride a boat together?” Tatsumi-kun laughs.

“Let’s see... I wonder if it’s a bit cold. Let’s decide after we get there.”

I said that and we arrived, but there were no boats out on the pond.

“Kyoko-san, Wednesday is the boat’s regular holiday.”

After saying that, Tatsumi-kun, who had searched “Inokashira Park” and “boat,” continued with a smirk.

“But it’s a good thing we didn’t ride one. Look at this.”

The smartphone screen he showed me displayed an article titled “If you ride a boat at Inokashira Park, you will break up.”

“They say it’s the jealousy of Benzaiten.”

To Tatsumi-kun, who was talking about it so interestingly,
I declared, “I don’t think the gods would do something like make people break up,” and then added,

“Oh, that’s just a general theory. I’m sure the gods are very broad-minded.”

Since we aren’t even dating, let alone breaking up, I felt embarrassed for getting so worked up. Without minding that, Tatsumi-kun pointed a finger.

“Shall we go over there and greet Benzaiten? I’m sure she will listen to your wishes, Kyoko-san.”

We stood in front of the shrine, put in our offerings, and put our hands together in prayer.
When I looked up after whispering my wish in my heart, Tatsumi-kun, who had finished praying first, was looking at me.

“Kyoko-san, your eyelashes are long. And your wish, too. What did you wish for?”

Not only was he looking at my face from so close, but he also said and asked something that made my heart skip a beat. He must have already guessed the answer to what I wished for.

“I won’t tell you. What did you wish for, Tatsumi-san? I want to hear from you first.”

“I’m sure it’s the same thing.”

He said that with a relaxed smile. Am I being dodged, or am I just misunderstanding? It’s been like this the whole time, and it’s a little frustrating.

“Shall we walk a little more while we talk?”

Looking to the side, I suddenly notice a visitor pouring water over money with a ladle.

“The money... I’m keeping that new bill you gave me carefully. Thank you very much.”

“You were that happy about it?”

“Yes. I was happy. That you gave it to me, Tatsumi-san. And that you gave it to me specifically.”

“I see. I’m glad I gave it to you. I was interested in you, Kyoko-san, even before you changed to the night shift. Although Furuya-san spoke to you first.”

“There’s nothing between me and Furuya-san... But I’m glad I changed to the night shift. Everyone seems to be having fun, and you talked to me about various things, too, Tatsumi-san.”

Saying that much, a little loneliness welled up inside me. Yes, everyone seems to be having fun, Tatsumi-kun is kind to everyone, and it’s my bad habit to selfishly feel lonely, wondering if there’s even a place for me.

“I’m glad you felt that way. Kyoko-san, even when I talked to you intending to convey my feelings, there wasn’t much of a reaction. Oh, but you sent me LINE messages often, so I thought you might be a little interested.”

Ah, that’s right. LINE. I didn’t get much of a reaction on LINE either.

“I’m not the type to send LINE messages myself, but I sent them, and my mental state would weaken while waiting for a reply. So, just when I thought I should stop sending them, you made time for me even though you were busy. Somehow, thank you. It’s more fun to meet and talk than to use LINE. But I’m a little confused as to why.”

Yes, I am confused. There are times when I don’t understand Tatsumi-kun well. Does he have feelings for me or not? I want to understand each other a little more. Looking out over the vast Inokashira Park, I thought it was a good thing I chose this place.

Continued in Episode 11

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