They say Hayashi Megumi has someone she likes.
It’s been a while since Akari and I started waiting for Ichi in the waiting room.
“Akari, why don’t you take a nap?”
“Huh?”
Since Ichi’s wedding dress fitting was scheduled for ten in the morning, Akari and I left Tokyo early at dawn. I recently learned that Akari isn’t much of a morning person… but with the lack of sleep and the fact that the three of us, including Ichi, were making a ruckus in the car earlier, it all added up, and she was dozing off.
“Is that okay?”
“Did you think I’d say no or something?”
“Nah. It’s you, Meg, after all.”
If that’s the case, then this whole exchange was pretty pointless, wasn’t it? I was about to say that when Akari happily rested her head on my shoulder.
“Hey, save that kind of thing for Yamamoto or someone.”
“But right now, you’re the only one who’d let me do this, Meg.”
I let out a sigh at Akari’s carefree words. Honestly, Yamamoto’s got it rough. I felt a faint pang of guilt toward him.
“…Just sleep.”
“Okay.”
After a while, I could hear Akari’s soft breathing as she fell asleep. I pulled out my phone and snapped a quick picture of her sleeping face. Even the shutter sound didn’t wake her. This ought to give me some good material to tease her with for a while. Thinking that, I gave a small, gentle smile.
The waiting room was quiet. Faint sounds came from the fitting room next door. I don’t know how much effort a wedding dress fitting takes, but we’ve been waiting for quite a bit, so it seems like a pretty involved process.
It was the afternoon of a day off. The waiting room’s window was open, and a soft breeze fluttered the curtains.
Today was an unseasonably scorching day. The slightly warm breeze felt pleasant against my skin.
…It’s almost time, huh. Ichi’s wedding. And just a little longer until the three of us can no longer goof around together like we used to.
There’s a sense of loneliness. A part of me doesn’t want this. But, like Yamamoto said, even so… I want Ichi’s wedding to be something wonderful.
Yamamoto saw me agonizing over this and laughed, saying it was so like me. But I think to myself, back in high school, I never longed for the past or wished to go back. I was so satisfied with life that I didn’t need to think about stuff like that.
After graduating high school, during those hellish days, I became trapped by the past. That’s why I started longing for it.
Knowing I can’t go back made me feel lonely.
…But, surely, the me stuck in those hellish days…
couldn’t return to the past, felt lonely… and still, I don’t think I could’ve celebrated the present back then.
But now, I can.
That’s probably because I was saved from that hell. …I still get caught up in the past sometimes. I still want to go back. Because I learned that reality can be far more tragic and cruel than the high school version of me could ever have imagined.
But even so… I want to live fiercely in the present.
The reason I could change. The reason I was saved from that hell.
“I wonder if he’s doing okay?”
It was a strange feeling.
“Is he folding his laundry properly?”
It’s only been a few hours since I left his place.
“Is he eating properly?”
I can’t stop thinking about him.
“Is he managing to clean up in an hour like he’s supposed to?” The lukewarm breeze stings my skin. It’s not unpleasant. More than that, right now… I want to see Yamamoto.
That’s the kind of mood I’m in.
“Your friend’s fitting is done.”
The waiting room door was knocked on, and I stood up.
“Eek!”
Caught off guard, I’d forgotten Akari was sleeping on my shoulder. Akari was drooling, half-lidded eyes glancing around.
“Jeez.”
I wiped Akari’s drool with a handkerchief and helped her sit up.
“Let’s go.”
“Go where?”
“To see the bride.”
I smiled gently.
Yesterday, I was hit with an insane wave of sleepiness, so I could only post one chapter. I feel bad about it. I’m not planning to make up for it, but I’ll make up for it! Reviews, bookmarks, and feedback are much appreciated!!!
