Novel: Resonance of Petrichor 35
Episode 35: Resonance of Petrichor ④
“This is the place where I proposed to Haruka. Haruka and I had a delicate relationship, somewhere between friends and lovers, but I was in love with her. Haruka is the person I felt I could risk my life to protect.”
Eating a meal while feeling the sea breeze is delicious. There is nothing to hold me back. I wonder how long it has been since I felt this liberated.
“So the paradise Haruka talked about was this ocean, huh?”
“Did you hear about it from Haruka?” “Yeah.”
I laughed again. I don’t know why, but I’m happy that Haruka truly thought of this place as a paradise.
“I wanted to bring Kinkuma here. Because this is where Haruka and I began.”
“Since Tatsujun and Haruka began, my happiness began too, didn’t it?”
“Do you think you’re happy?”
“Yeah. If I talk about myself, when I was at the pet shop, I was all alone. Djungarian hamsters and golden hamsters would huddle with their parents and siblings to talk or sleep. I was taken into the pet shop alone before I had any memories, and I spent every day without talking to anyone. The hamsters, rabbits, and birds around me were all being bought by humans one after another. I kept wondering when it would be my turn.”
“You were a lonely little one.”
“That’s right. So, I’m happy now.”
“Kinkuma, you had a rough time getting dragged into my mess.”
“Yeah, but if it’s with Tatsujun...”
“...If it’s what?”
“I made a promise to Haruka. That since I’m here for Tatsujun, everything will be okay because I’m here.”
“I see... Kinkuma, how is it? How does it feel to go on your first trip and eat out?”
“It feels absolutely amazing. I only knew the ocean from the internet, right? Coming to the real ocean, I learned that the ocean has a scent, and the waves approach irregularly. I also learned that the sandy beach is soft and warm. The sound of the ocean is like a gentle lapping. It’s not like the sound of a musical instrument.”
“You talk about the ocean from an interesting perspective; you’re very sensitive.”
“Sensitive, huh...”
“Tatsujun, let’s go on another trip! Since we went to a thicket today, I want to try going to a real mountain.” Kinkuma’s round eyes are glistening.
“What about the hamburger and fries?”
“They’re too delicious! The crisp lettuce and the melty cheese go so well with the bun. The fries are also the perfect firmness and are delicious.”
“I see, are they delicious?” “Yeah!”
“Oh, Kinkuma! Look, the Happy Meal toy. You can’t get the hamburger Kinkuma ate in a Happy Meal. This is a special treat for Kinkuma today.”
“Thank you! Wow! I wanted the toy too.” Kinkuma immediately takes out the toy and starts playing with it. “It’s made so intricately even though it’s for human children.” He gazes intently at the model figure and moves it around.
In this way, I had a lively conversation with Kinkuma. Since Kinkuma gathers information on the internet in his own way, we never run out of topics. The conversation even reached the point where he suggested I should have a hobby, like cooking. I was able to be so natural, and yet Kinkuma accepted me.
"Are you glad we came to the sea?"
"Yeah! Let's come again!"