Chapter 33

Parsed with an automated reader. The content accuracy is not guranteed.

We finally caught up to the manga so this will be the last chapter for tonight. This chapter is also the second last chapter in the current arc.

Title: Next to Satou-san

The second train we took was empty and we were able to sit in line. The train we took right after leaving the airport was so crowded that Satou-san and I did our best to stay close to each other. When we boarded the second train, we both sighed.

The train was shaking with the rattling of the train, and the light was flowing as if it were flying. Through the window panes, I could see the pitch-black world of the night, and I could see Satou-san’s face reflected in it. I thought I could see a little smile on her face.

I’ve been quiet for a long time. There were so many things I wanted to say, but I didn’t know if I should be honest with you. There was so much going on today that it was hard to wrap my head around it.

“You know what?”(S)

Satou-san unexpectedly opened her mouth.

She moved her gaze to her right and found a wry expression right beside her

“Just now, I tried calling him. To that man.”(S)

“What?”(Y)

Quickly, she shook her head.

“No, I’m not. I was going to tell him, ‘I can’t wait any longer, I’m leaving’.”(S)

“I see.”(Y)

“Yeah. But it didn’t connect.”(S)

The dialogue, so casually uttered, made me ache a little. It didn’t connect. I see.

“I’ve been thinking. Maybe he was here.”(S)

Satou-san said, but even if she did, there was no way to be sure. Her anxiety was not relieved, and it was blown away in a different way. It’s past time, she thought with those words.

I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t say anything. I stayed silent and stared at Satou-san next to me. Satou-san smiled ticklishly and dropped her gaze to her feet.

“Yamaguchi-kun is amazing, aren’t you?”(S)

“What?”(Y)

“Anything. I thought, ‘I can’t do anything’. You helped me today, too.”(S)

“No, that’s not what I mean.”(Y)

Oh, come on. I tied my mouth shut awkwardly. It’s even more so because Satou-san seems to be honestly admiring me.

“You know I,”(S)

The honest Sato-san continued in a childlike tone,

“I’ve always admired Yamaguchi-kun. I wanted to be someone like Yamaguchi-kun.”(S)

“What… why?”(Y)

I was more and more surprised by this unexpected confession.

“Yamaguchi can do anything. And you don’t seem like you’re pushing yourself too hard at all. You can do whatever you wants, and you think about everything seriously, and you are not just kind and gentle, you are also very opinionated. I think it’s really admirable. I wanted to be like you.”(S)

I’m over praised. I was beyond embarrassed, and I wanted to laugh. It’s not true. I’m not like that at all. I’m not such a great guy, you know?

“So I’m really, really feeling like a person from another world.”(S)

“That’s not true. I’m not as special as you think I am, Satou-san.”(Y)

For the most part, you can’t be from another world. I’ve always been next to you. I’m right next to you. In the classroom, on this train, right now.

“In fact, I’m starting to think I’m a pretty bad person.”(Y)

I suddenly told her that. Satou-san looked up and gave me a surprised look.

“Why? That makes no sense, though.”(S)

“No, really. I don’t think about guys who don’t matter one bit. I’ve always wanted to do nothing for someone who doesn’t matter.”(Y)

At first, I thought the same about Satou-san. I couldn’t be happy at all when I was seated next to her. I was hoping for someone prettier and more interesting to talk to anyway, I thought it was a punishment. I don’t know when it happened. I started thinking about Satou-san, and all I could think about was Satou-san. Before I knew it, I fell in love with her. I was attracted to her. A little while ago I would have said I couldn’t believe it. I would have wondered what was wrong with me for choosing Satou-san out of all the girls in my class. But before I knew it, I found myself being attracted to her at a frightening pace. Now, I think I was out of my mind for not realizing how cute she was before.

“It’s for my own selfishness. I only want to make a move for the girl I love.”(Y)

I said.

“Only for the girl I really love. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have gone to the airport today for example.”(Y)

It wasn’t as plainly stated as it was bought. Whether it was because of that or not, Satou-san looked dubious. She’s not very tactful to begin with. She is slow and dull. I didn’t really intend to tell you this today, but I’m afraid I’ll have to make it clear in the end. No, since this is the time to do so, let’s pretend I’ve been pushed back. I looked into Satou-san’s big, swollen eyes that kept blinking and said a few words of no return.

“I didn’t tell you this for a long time, but I like you, Satou-san.”(Y)

Satou-san stopped blinking. Instead, she opened her eyes wide. Then her cheeks shot up, her mouth dropped open.

“What? Yamaguchi-kun, what are you talking about?”(S)

She goes out of his way to ask me back, looking flustered. Do I have to say it over and over again to make her understand? Do I have to break it down and say it more clearly to get through to you, Satou-san? It’s embarrassing for me to go that far, but I give up. I’m really embarrassed.

“I love you, Sato-san.”(Y)

I said clearly in between the noise of the train. My gaze clashes with hers right next to me. She has a puzzled look on her face. It’s probably similar over here too, though.

“I was actually thinking about interrupting you today. Half the time I wanted to, when I went to the airport. I couldn’t do it – although I ended up doing something similar.”(Y)

“But you can’t be. Yamaguchi-kun, are you serious?”

Since I confirmed it, She is not sure how to react.

“I’m serious. Didn’t you see me?”(Y)

“Uh, yeah…”(S)

I suppose. I had a habit of hiding my true feelings. I think I am pretty good at just hiding it. However, I just kept my mouth shut as I continued to hide it, so I don’t think that was a very noble thing to do.

“But, Yamaguchi-kun, you’re acting strange.”(S)

Satou-san turned bright red and looked troubled. I’m the one who’s in trouble.

“Strange? Why?”(Y)

“Because you are acting so strange. It’s just so out of place, and someone like Yamaguchi-kun is definitely weird. I can’t believe you are in love with me.”(S)

“That’s rude.”(Y)

So I smiled awkwardly and then added quietly.

“In a situation like this, I’d appreciate it if you’d just nod your head silently for now and affirm everything I say.”(Y)

Satou-san, sitting next to me, fell silent as if in a huff. The train was shaking, and her shoulder was tense as she sat there. The car is quiet. It was empty. The only sound is the shaking of the train.

I took one deep breath and then said.

“I love you, Satou-san.”(Y)

“Yes.”(S)

Next to me, Satou-san nodded.

“I’m not from another world. I’m right next to you, right?”(Y)

“Yes.”(S)

She nodded again.

“So, if you can, let me keep on liking you, if you can.”(Y)

“Yes.”(S)

Again. The reaction was so honest that I laughed a little and said something I hadn’t planned to say.

“Also, it would be nice if you liked me, if not right now.”(Y)

I’d like to say right now, but that would be impossible in any way , so if it comes true, someday soon. If you’re in the mood, that’s fine.

“Yes.”(S)

Honestly, Satou-san nodded. She gave me the biggest nod, with a serious face.

But I’m talking about Satou-san. She may have just taken my words as they were and simply affirmed them. After all, she is that Satou-san. From now on, I want to be next to her. Even if she’s not feeling the same, I want to say it over and over again to get her to turn to me someday. I want to make her look only at me.

It was Satou-san who told me that I could do anything. Thanks to her, I feel like I can do it at all.

<-prev next->

Like this:Like Loading...

Related