The Mayfly Lady #08 Episode 2: Longing (4)
Episode 2: Longing (4)
“The movie was so interesting. I was surprised it had such beautiful colors, and the sound was amazing too. Thank you for going all the way to the next town, Takumi.”
“You’re welcome.”
Sachiko looked around the shop happily.
“Still, I never imagined there would be a traditional coffee shop like this near the bridge.”
After finishing the movie in the next town, the two of them had come to this old-fashioned coffee shop near that bridge.
He had wanted to bring her here so badly that he had gone out of his way to come back.
“Was this the right place to bring you?”
“Yes. It’s calm and has such a wonderful atmosphere. Just as I had always imagined.”
She smiled as she sat down in the seat opposite him.
“I come to this shop sometimes on my days off.”
“I see. I’m very envious that you have a traditional coffee shop like this in your daily life.”
“They had coffee in your time too, right, Sacchan?”
Sachiko shook her head sadly.
“Coffee was a luxury item, and by the time I became an adult, coffee beans were impossible to get, so we only had coffee substitutes. Shops were closing one after another, too.”
“I see...”
Somehow, from what she had said so far, he gathered that she had lived during the time before and during the war, when Japan was very dark and poor.
However, he felt no need to pry into that.
What was important to the two of them was this moment, right now.
“Hey, Takumi. I want to see the menu. Even though I can’t drink anything.”
“Ah,” he said, opening the menu standing on the side of the table and showing it to her.
“Order whatever catches your eye, Sacchan, so let me know when you’ve decided.”
“Yes... Huh? They have Blue Mountain!? Isn’t that the legendary luxury coffee favored by the British Royal Family?”
“Is it?”
“I want to see it! Oh, but I wonder if it’s expensive... What, 700 yen!?”
She turned pale at the price written there.
It occurred to him that he had heard before that one yen in the pre-war era was worth several thousand yen today.
“It’s okay. I always order the Blue Mountain.”
“...Are you rich, Takumi?”
“No way. I’m just an ordinary person. So, I’ll have the Blue Mountain.”
Takumi laughed as he called the waiter and ordered the Blue Mountain. Sachiko looked restless and uneasy.
“Thank you for waiting.”
With a soft clink, a steaming, jet-black coffee was placed in front of her.
She peered into it and made a gesture as if to smell the aroma.
“So this is Blue Mountain... I wanted to smell the real thing just once.”
Putting himself in her shoes, he understood her regret painfully well, but there was nothing he could do about this, of course.
Perhaps sensing Takumi’s inner thoughts, she put on a smile.
“Thank you, Takumi. It’s okay. Don’t worry about me, please enjoy it. I’m happy just to be able to enjoy the atmosphere of this shop with you.”
Sachiko gently places her hand on her chest and closes her eyes.
"Besides, this place is close to the bridge where I am. If you'd like, will you bring me here again?"
My heart fills with emotion at the sight of her looking so happy over such a trivial thing.
"...About that, Sachiko."
"Yes?"
I steel myself and look at Sachiko.
"I-if you'd like, why don't you just haunt me from now on and live with me?"
"Eh?"
At Takumi's words, Sachiko's eyes go wide like a pigeon hit by a pellet gun.
"Now that I know you can move, I hate the idea of leaving you alone on that lonely bridge, and I want to be with you forever and ever."
"Takumi..."
Sachiko freezes in surprise for a moment, but soon tears begin to spill from her eyes.
"I'm a ghost, you know? I can't cook, I can't do laundry, and I can't clean. I can't be of any use to you at all, Takumi."
She shakes her head while crying. I know well enough that this doesn't mean rejection.
"I'm not asking for any of that, and it's not that kind of era anymore. I just want you to stay by my side forever. I need you in my life."
"But..."
These are words from the bottom of my heart, without a hint of falsehood. She keeps her head down, continuing to shed tears.
"...Am I allowed to be happy?"
She asks in a voice that sounds like it might fade away.
"Of course you are. Besides, more than anything, I want to be happy. With you, Sachiko."
At those words, she looks up. Even while wet with tears, she wears a mischievous smile.
"Okay. I'll stay with you forever, Takumi."
"Really!? Thank you, Sachiko."
Feeling relieved, I want to hold her hand, but my hand passes through empty air in vain.
But even so, it was fine. For the first time in my life, I have found a beloved existence I am truly connected to.
"Let's go to many, many more places together. I'll take you to all the places you wanted to go when you were alive."
"Thank you. But don't push yourself. I'm happy just being with you, Takumi."
"Me too. ...I love you, Sachiko."
I was surprised.
That such words of love could come out of my own mouth, someone so reserved, so easily.
I suppose this is what it means for one's feelings to overflow.
"H-hey, Takumi! If you don't drink it soon, the coffee will get cold!"
Takumi smiles at her as she flusters, turning bright red, and as urged, he brings the cup to his lips.
It had gone completely lukewarm, but that day's Blue Mountain tasted more fragrant and bittersweet than ever before.
Next Episode Lord of the Heat Haze #09 Episode 3 Spiritual Disturbance (1) | Kyo
Previous Episode Lord of the Heat Haze #07 Episode 2 Longing (3) | Kyo
Prologue Lord of the Heat Haze #01 Prologue | Kyo