[#CreativeAward2025 #RomanceNovelCategory] "Uniforms Don't Bloom with Sunglasses" Chapter 8
The city where I was born and raised. Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture.
I remembered the feeling of nostalgia.
That nostalgia had a somehow wounded quality to it, and even though I had returned to my hometown after a long time, there were too many bitter memories, leaving me feeling unbearable.
"We finally made it, this is a nice place."
Ajisai must truly feel that way from the bottom of her heart.
"I suppose so."
Koriyama Station West Exit.
The hustle and bustle of Yodobashi Camera. The active taxi rotary.
A compact yet functional bus terminal, and the 133-meter-tall mixed-use skyscraper, 'Big-i'.
Everything looks lonely, likely because it reflects my own emotions.
Good grief, I suppose.
"Sorry, Ajisai, do you mind if I go smoke a cigarette?"
"Huh, that's kind of surprising. I didn't know you smoked, Tsuribari."
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah, maybe it's because you have a baby face? I think you could easily pass for a high school boy, Tsuribari."
"You said that at the service area earlier, too. I don't really like looking that young."
"Anyway, go ahead and smoke. I want to go to a convenience store; is there one nearby?"
I pointed to the 'Big-i' visible on my right.
"There's one on the first floor of that building."
"Oh, what is that? It's a huge building! What's that round thing at the very top?"
"Ah, that sphere is a planetarium. I'm pretty sure it's registered in the Guinness World Records as the highest planetarium in the world."
"Wow, I might want to see that."
"Should we go later? To see the contents of a large family's refrigerator that seems to have everything in it."
Ajisai burst out laughing.
"You're saying weird things again, but it really is like a refrigerator. I'd like to go if possible, but will we be okay?"
What do you mean?
Like, your plans.
I've booked a hotel nearby, so time-wise, it's not really a problem.
No, there is a problem, I corrected myself.
Ajisai repeated my words, asking, A problem?
Yeah, actually, due to the budget, I could only book one room, so... well, it means we'll be sharing a room.
Oh, but! I continued.
Of course, we won't be sleeping in the same bed. I brought a sleeping bag, so I can sleep in the bathroom or on the floor.
Eh, but that's not right. You're paying for it, and you made the reservation, too.
It's fine, it's fine.
Absolutely not.
But there's only one bed.
A silence descended between us like two pigeons unsure of where to fly.
To me, there was no choice but to sleep on the floor or in the bathroom, and I had no complaints about that decision. So, no matter what Ajisai said, it wouldn't help me, and if she really wanted to make my sleeping environment even slightly better, I'd rather she just accept me sleeping in the bathroom or on the floor instead of forcing me to endure the tension of not being able to sleep in the same bed.
Hmm, let's think about that later. For now, I'm going to the convenience store. Tsuribari, you go have a smoke in the smoking area.
Ajisai turned her back on me and headed toward the convenience store.
I headed toward the smoking area.
However, there was no ashtray in front of the west exit where there used to be a smoking area.
That's strange.
Recently, smokers who pay heavy taxes have been treated harshly, so I wondered if it had been completely removed. As I walked around, I found that the smoking area had been moved to the taxi rotary.
So the location changed.
In the narrow, partitioned smoking area, an old woman who looked like she would be smoking even at her own funeral was holding a cigarette in her trembling hand, looking bored.
When I lived in this town, the smoking area in front of the west exit was a hangout for some truly shady, incomprehensible people, and it didn't have the kind of atmosphere that would allow an exhausted salaryman to have a smoke on his way home.
Whether they were semi-organized crime or yakuza, I don't know, but people clearly associated with anti-social forces were walking around and using this smoking area openly. The atmosphere in front of the station back then was heavy and bizarre, enough to wear down anyone living a healthy daily life, and I hated this place. So, I do think it's amazing how clean it's become.
Though, you could also say it's lost its vitality.
Back then, I didn't want to get involved in anything weird, so I stayed away from the smoking area and walked in a semicircle to avoid it.
Flight is victory.
Is that really true?
I'm always running away.
Even when I left this town, I felt like I was running away.
A madder-red shadow stretching into the smoking area.
I smoke a cigarette. My heart feels a little lighter.
It was close to midsummer back then, too.
Do I feel like running away somewhere whenever summer approaches?
An irrational migratory bird.
I'll stop thinking about it, I decide, taking another puff of my cigarette.
I should pour my energy into thinking about the future.
An old-fashioned shutter sound.
Ajisai is peering into the lens of a disposable camera.
"Getting sentimental, are we? Is the cigarette good?"
"It's less harmful than the melting snow by the side of the road, and a bit tastier than a burnt-black fried egg."
"Geez, you're saying such weird things I can't keep up. You have a different vibe than you did a moment ago, Tsuribari."
"Do I?"
"Yeah. We haven't known each other long, but right now, your eyes look even more dead."
"My eyes?"
"Yeah, exactly. Ever since I first met you, I thought your eyes looked dead, but now, rather than just dead, it's more like they're wandering through the underworld."
"My eyes have really gone as far as they can go, haven't they?"
"Anyway, what do you think? About this camera?"
"No way."
"Yes way. You took a picture at the service area earlier, right? Since this is a getaway after all, I thought we should take lots of photos to make memories—you know, so we don't forget—so I bought this disposable camera at a convenience store."
"Yeah, I think that's a good idea. I'm not used to being on camera, so I'm a bit resistant, but you're right, it doesn't hurt to have photos. Oh, that's right, do you want to take that camera and go to the Big Eye observatory? We can go to the planetarium from there, too."
I flicked the shortened cigarette into the ashtray.
The old woman who was in the smoking area before me had just lit another cigarette.
Is she waiting for someone, or is she keeping someone waiting?
"Are you really going to take me to Big Eye?"
"Sure. But before that, don't you want to buy some clothes? It's hard to move around freely if we stay in our uniforms the whole time."
"That's fine, but I want to see that first. We still have time, right?"
I took out my smartphone.
The battery is dead.
You piece of junk.
I checked the time on the clock in the center of the station.
There was certainly still time to spare.
In that case, there would be no problem at all with seeing the planetarium, buying a mobile battery, picking up some clothes for Ajisai, and then heading to the hotel.
"Yeah, then shall we go to the planetarium first?"
"Yay."
We got on the elevator that goes from the first floor of Big-i up to the 22nd floor.
Since elementary school students come to Big-i's planetarium and the Fureai Science Space Park on school trips every year, even the inside of the elevator is designed to delight children.
"Whoa, that surprised me."
Startled, Ajisai moved closer to me.
"It's surprising at first, isn't it? This elevator is designed to look like a rocket launch, so the sound is intense, and the lights make it look like a rocket is taking off."
"That's interesting, though it's a bit noisy."
We were spat out onto the 22nd floor.
You can see the whole city of Koriyama from the observation deck.
As usual, there was no one around.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?"
"Only a small part of it is prosperous; the rest is just a facade surrounded by mountains."
"That's not true, it's beautiful. Look, the way the sunlight hits those mountains over there is nice. Tsuribari, stand over there."
"Huh? You want a picture of just me? Give me the camera, I'll take yours, so Ajisai, come over here."
"First you, Tsuribari, then me, that's fine, right?"
"Yes, yes. Around here?"
I moved as close to the window as possible.
"Nice, I'm taking it."
Will I ever look back at this photo someday?
I have a feeling I might. Though that feeling carries a hint of sadness.
"Okay, now it's your turn, Ajisai."
Okay.
Nice, any pose?
A peace sign.
Ajisai stretched her arm out as far as it would go and made a peace sign. The sunset was strong. It would probably be backlit, but that would be a good memory too.
Young man, let me take it for you.
I was looking through the camera lens, so I was caught off guard and startled. Luckily, I just jumped without making a sound. Beside me, the old woman who had been in the smoking area earlier had appeared out of nowhere.
Oh, are you sure? Ajisai asked. The old woman nodded with a smile.
I thought you two were a very close brother and sister for these days, and although I thought it might be meddling, I really wanted to take a picture for you.
Brother and sister... are we? Ajisai said with a bitter smile. Then, if you don't mind, please do.
Alright then.
I handed the camera to the old woman. A wedding ring was on her ring finger.
I went over next to Ajisai. Ajisai was still making a peace sign. I didn't know what to do with my hands, so I stood at attention. Ajisai leaned in close to my ear and whispered. Make a peace sign, big brother.
I let out a short sigh and did as I was told, making a peace sign. The old woman smiled and said, Alright, pose, as she pressed the shutter.
Thank you very much. We both thanked her.
Here is your camera. You two keep getting along well. Also, I'm sure you know, but there was a bit of an incident here yesterday. It's been dangerous lately, so be careful on your way home. But since it happened yesterday, there are lots of police around, so I doubt another incident will happen today.
After saying that, the old woman melted into a group of elderly people who had taken over a table in front of a snack bar that wasn't open for business.
Police... Suddenly, I was brought back to reality. We didn't come to Koriyama for a trip; we ran away.
Ajisai was brought back to reality, too. The Ajisai in the film we had taken a few minutes ago was completely different from the Ajisai now.
Ajisai was staring at her own hands. Perhaps she was remembering the sensation of pushing her father's back. Do you want to see the planetarium?
Hmm, sorry, I don't think I'm in the mood for that right now. I'm sorry, even though I was the one who said I wanted to see it.
We sat on a nearby bench until about half of the sunset had sunk behind the mountains.
I want to tell Ajisai that if she really felt no guilt, she wouldn't be making that face.
But such words are meaningless.
They won't amount to anything.
"Well, shall we go shopping?"
I thought it would be nice if I had the right words to comfort Ajisai, but that is something no one can do.
I believe people cannot truly comfort anyone.
You can care for them, but you can never comfort them.
It's like finding an ore that humanity hasn't discovered yet, refining it, and turning it into a one-of-a-kind ring.
Isn't it that people remain somewhat lonely, whether they are with someone or not?
"Yeah, I'm sorry."
"You can see a planetarium anytime."
"That's true."
See, comfort is hollow.
That's what I wanted to say.
But I also think we are creatures who, when someone is hanging their head in front of us, will spread out our own cloth, desperately rummage through the junk of unorganized words, and offer them up.
Even if it's a lie or whatever, if only the person hanging their head would look up just a little.
So, in short, we are troubled social creatures who carry a sad, conflicting relationship where we try to comfort others despite knowing we never truly can.
Ajisai followed behind me.
The rocket sound of the elevator seemed like a cheap, artificial trick on the way back.
When we went outside from the first floor, it was a bit crowded with students and office workers who had been spat out from somewhere all at once.
I thought I'd buy a mobile battery for my smartphone at the Yodobashi Camera I could see ahead.
Since I know what I'm buying, it won't take long.
Clothes would take longer than buying a mobile battery.
Things like design, budget, and maybe even trying them on.
"I'm heading to Yodobashi Camera first."
"A mobile battery?"
"Yeah, my smartphone battery is degrading, so I want one for the future. By the way, is your smartphone battery okay, Ajisai?"
Ajisai tilted her head in wonder.
"Smartphone? I don't have one."
"You don't have one? Don't tell me you forgot it?"
"No, no, we're poor, so we couldn't afford to have a smartphone."
It was only then that I understood why Ajisai had bought a disposable camera.
"Tsuribari, did you live around here?"
"Yeah, that's right. I was born and raised in Koriyama City."
What is that?
That's a maid cafe.
Huh? Really? Are you teasing me?
Look closely, it's actually closed down. Maybe it was just the paint on the outer wall that remained. No, wait, it really was a maid cafe until recently.
I wonder if that's true. Then what about that?
Ajisai had suddenly become very talkative. I felt like I understood the meaning behind it. She was pointing at everything she could see and asking me for explanations.
It was almost as if she were testing me one by one to see if I was really from this city. Of course, I knew Ajisai didn't doubt me.
When we arrived in front of Yodobashi Camera, several police officers immediately came into view.
"There was a bit of an incident here yesterday, so be careful on your way home. It's been a day since yesterday, so there probably won't be another incident today, but there are a lot of police around."
How many times do I have to tell myself that we aren't tourists?
The police in front of us weren't looking for us; they were likely investigating or questioning people about the 'incident yesterday' that the old woman had mentioned.
But we might be asked questions too. There's no guarantee we wouldn't slip up. I haven't been watching TV, so I don't even know if Ajisai's situation has been covered as an incident, but getting involved with the police is not a good idea. It would be wise to avoid them.
Ajisai grabbed my hand. It was my misjudgment.
"Let's turn back."
I said in a voice only Ajisai could hear.
"Yeah, you're right."
I could feel the tension in Ajisai's voice too. If we were stopped by the police... we would have our student IDs, but they might find it suspicious that high school students from another prefecture were out at this hour. From there, they might find out about Ajisai's situation.
Ajisai and I turned on our heels, trying to act as natural as possible.
There was a police officer right in front of us.
"Excuse me, do you have a moment? We are currently gathering witness information regarding yesterday's incident. Could you cooperate with us for a little while?"
My mind didn't go blank. In the next instant, I was already anticipating the questions I would likely be asked by the police officer in front of me.
--Could you please show me your identification?
--Excuse me, what is your relationship to each other?
--Could you give me a number where I can reach one of your parents right now?
--Hmm, I'd like to talk a bit more in detail, so would you mind coming to the police box over there? It really won't take much of your time or trouble.
The future I saw might have been quite a leap.
But what if it actually happens?
Sweat on my back before I knew it.
The police officer in front of me is looking at me curiously. No, suspiciously.
What do I do?
Ajisai pulled my hand twice, meaningfully.
Our eyes met, and for some reason, we were able to communicate what we were about to do without saying a word.
Yes, run.
Run and escape.
I lead the way, pulling Ajisai's hand.
Shouting from the police officer behind us.
I don't know what they are saying, but that voice must have drawn the attention of the surrounding police officers to us.
They might all be chasing us at once, but I can't bring myself to look back.
We enter the station through a nearby door.
Ironically, the experience I've cultivated in this city came in handy.
This time of day is the rush hour for students and office workers heading home. If things go well, we might be able to blend in.
But even so, it's Koriyama after all. The crowds are limited.
Or so I thought. Why is it? From halfway through, the density has become so high that we have to push through people.
My ears, part of my sharpened senses, caught the reason. The station attendant's announcement is coming through in fragments.
Apparently, there was a collision between a train and an animal on the tracks.
We make our way through the crowd.
From behind, I can still hear the sound of whistles and multiple voices telling us to wait.
Every time we passed someone, the people waiting in the evening seemed to glance at me and the police officer.
I got through the crowd and went outside through the nearest door.
It's the bus rotary.
Still holding Ajisai's hand, I hurriedly jumped onto a bus and hid in a seat.
The passengers glared at us with suspicious looks, but said nothing.
Before long, the driver announced the scheduled departure, the bus doors closed, and it started moving as if nothing had happened.
I lift only my head to look out the window.
About ten police officers were bustling back and forth near the bus rotary.
The bus starts moving.
All the while, Ajisai was breathing heavily.
My heart is also beating with an intensity I've never felt before.
A 22-year-old experiencing the sensation of being alive through a thrill.
Adrenaline?
The large handbag I brought is gone.
It seems I let go of it while running.
It should have had a sleeping bag, some camping gear, and clothes in it.
But it's a small price to pay compared to getting caught.
My wallet is in my main backpack. I have some clothes packed in there too.
But now, the luggage doesn't matter anymore.
For now, where is this bus headed?