Chapter 138 - The Dream of the Fafrotskies
(1)
Rain.
A girl, drenched by the rain.
I gently hold out an umbrella to her.
She is not wet from the rain.
But her face is wet.
Why are you crying?
She is smiling.
Then why are you wet?
The one who is wet is not her.
It was my eyes, blurred with tears...
Why am I crying?
She is smiling for me.
When she smiles, I cry.
In her smiling eyes, I am not there.
I am beaten by the rain.
Though it was the umbrella I should have offered you, you are gone.
I was crying.
She is reflected in a puddle.
In a puddle of tears of memories, you are reflected.
Is the rain my tears?
Every single drop of rain is my memory.
Countless memories are falling as rain.
I want to see you.
I want to meet you once more and start over.
I am crying.
Airi...
And then, what is reflected before my eyes is...
"Wah!"
Airi's face is reflected right before my eyes.
Startled, I bolt upright.
"Airi...?"
"Sorry, did I surprise you enough to make you cry?"
"Eh...?"
I was crying?
"Toya-kun, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
I wipe away the tears with my arm.
Airi offers me a handkerchief.
"Thanks."
I wipe my tears with the handkerchief.
Airi hugs me.
"Were you having a scary dream?"
"No, a strange dream."
"What kind of dream?"
"A dream where memories fall as tears."
"?"
It was a strange dream.
It was an ominous dream.
They say dreams are omens of something, but I wonder what this is an omen of?
"Toya-kun, you have class from the first period today."
When Airi says that, I look at the clock.
Crap!!
I hurriedly strip off my sleepwear and change.
Grabbing my things, I rush out of the room.
June.
The rainy season.
The rain that falls almost every day is annoying.
When it rains, traffic increases. Naturally, the roads get crowded. The hellish intersection becomes an even greater scene of carnage.
We take a shortcut through the backstreets.
It's a help that Airi's car is a kei car. Passing each other on narrow roads is easy, and it's easy to turn.
And so, we arrive at the University.
"Here, an umbrella."
As if it's the most natural thing in the world, Airi offers me her umbrella.
As I tentatively accept Airi's umbrella, Airi crosses her arms.
"Hurry up and open it, I'll get wet~"
With a sigh, I open the umbrella Airi gave me.
Women's umbrellas are flashy, so it looks strange when a man like me uses one.
A thought occurred to me. Wouldn't it have been better if I just used my own umbrella?
You want me to do that now?
I already left my umbrella in the car.
I wonder if this shame-play will continue on the way back too?
Not many people want classes from the first period.
That's why not many people were walking around.
The first period has many general education subjects.
That's why in the timetable Airi crammed with general education, basic specialized subjects, and basic seminars to be finished in the first year, there are relatively many first-period classes.
Though there are some people who have come down with May sickness or June sickness and don't show up, treating their credits as disposable.
We, who are absolutely not allowed to do such things, attend our classes diligently.
"Toya-kun, look at that..."
Airi says this and stops, pointing at one spot.
Umbrellas are crowding together.
If it's like that, the person in the center doesn't need an umbrella.
I exchange a look with Airi, wondering what it is, but we don't know.
Since it doesn't seem to concern us, we head toward the General Education Building.
(2)
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rings.
That's strange. Honoka should have class today too.
Since I start from the second period, I was taking it easy this morning.
Though, those who diligently attend classes from the first period are probably only people like Katagiri-kun, who suffered from April sickness and thought, "Uwah. I messed up."
Anyway, there shouldn't be anyone who has business with me this early in the morning.
For now, I look outside through the peephole.
With a face as if I've seen the fafrotskies, I step back. This is a dream. This must be a dream.
My smartphone rings.
It was an unknown number. I'm often told not to answer unknown numbers. That is exactly the judgment I should have made.
But I answered it, unfortunately.
And I never imagined that this would lead to the worst-case scenario.
"Good, you were awake. I've come to pick you up."
I look at the clock. It was a square analog alarm, the kind you often see in manga.
There is still plenty of time before class. What does this mean?
"Um, I start from the second period, so..."
"Oh? I start from the first. How wonderful."
I want to question her on what exactly is wonderful. I want to question her for about an hour.
She repeatedly presses the doorbell.
F-for now, I open the door.
"You finally opened it."
Her shoulder is wet.
I bring a bath towel and instruct her to wipe herself.
"I always think this, but you're quite attentive to these things, aren't you?"
After wiping her wet clothes, she said, "Well, shall we go?"
"Go where?"
"To the University, obviously. You don't have a car, do you? I've come to pick you up."
This is an incredibly unwelcome favor.
"I told you I start from the second period?"
"Isn't it great? You can take the first period with me."
No, I'm not so free that I'd take a subject I haven't registered for. Although I am free.
"I'll give you three minutes from now, so get ready."
Saying that, she slams the door shut.
For now, I change into my outing jersey.
Then I take my bag and go outside.
Below the apartment is a mismatched limousine.
Shimizu-san lets me in first, then she gets in the back, and the limousine starts moving.
The parking spot must have been decided.
There, the fans, who likely have a grasp of Shimizu-san's registered subjects, were waiting.
The fans initially let out a "Ooh" at Shimizu-san's appearance, but they showered me, who came out after, with cold glares.
"Shimizu-san, you'll get wet. Use my umbrella."
"No, use mine!!"
In that manner, they swarm around and create an umbrella shelter to move.
With this, an umbrella isn't necessary.
It was then. Shimizu-san links arms with me.
I am showered with cold glares again.
Killing someone with a gaze might actually be possible.
At that moment, I saw Katagiri-kun and the others arriving under a shared umbrella.
"Save me."
I tried sending a signal, but there was no way they'd notice, and the two of them looked at each other and left.
"Hey? Shimizu-san?"
"What?"
"Why do I have to take a class like Educational Support Practical Research?"
"Oh? Isn't it something you take in the same class as her?"
Shimizu-san asks with a puzzled face.
"Some people might say that, but I don't think it's a method for me, who is in a different faculty, to select it."
"You're free anyway, aren't you? Just go and experience it."
This person is hopeless.
She's not listening to a word I say.
(3)
Second period, Economics.
Airi and I couldn't believe our eyes.
The one with Sakai-kun was Shimizu-san.
Even though it's a specialized subject, why is Shimizu-san from the Faculty of Education here?
I poked Sakai-kun's back in front of me and asked.
"What is it?"
Sakai-kun turned around and answered.
"Why are you with Shimizu-san?"
"I have the same question myself. I'm extremely doubtful as to why she is taking Economics."
"That's because my second period was free,"
Shimizu-san answered.
"I haven't registered for it, but it's free to attend a class, right? I'm here because I want to be with him."
Sakai-kun's mouth hung open.
"Do you intend to stalk him forever?"
When I asked, Shimizu-san answered.
"Stalking is such an ugly way to put it. I'm just being with the person I love. That's all."
It seems I wasn't the only one who heard those words. The mysterious circle calling themselves the Shimizu-san Imperial Guard, who were around us, seemed to have heard as well.
I sense a gaze close to murderous intent.
It wasn't just toward Sakai-kun. It was directed at me and Airi as well...
"It seems the atmosphere isn't very welcoming."
Shimizu-san also seemed to have sensed it. As for Airi, she's clinging to me.
"Well, I'll go. See you at the lunch break."
After pouring fuel all over the surroundings, Shimizu-san leaves the classroom, which is now in flames.
"I-I just remembered I have some business too..."
Sakai-kun quietly gathers his things and times his escape.
"W-wait, what about us..."
What happens to those of us left behind?
"I'll pray for your safety, bye!"
Saying that, he bolted.
More than half of the Imperial Guard chase after him.
The remaining Imperial Guard are looking at us. Their hostility is clearly exposed.
"Airi, this is no time for class..."
"Y-you're right..."
Airi has probably never had hostility exposed to her like this before, right? She's frightened.
"What did Airi and the others do? You're being glared at by the Imperial Guard!"
Oshima-san asked. Airi explains the situation.
By the way, I knew they were the Imperial Guard because they have armbands on their clothes.
Whether inside or outside the university, those without armbands are not permitted to approach Shimizu-san.
Those who approach all meet a miserable end.
"I-it's okay. We haven't done anything wrong, so let's be confident, okay?"
Even as she says that, the hand Airi uses to grab me is shaking.
Our seats are far from the classroom entrance and exit.
What should we do... I guess we just have to steel ourselves.
"Oshima-san, leave through the back exit. We'll lead the way in front."
I take care so that the sparks don't fly onto Oshima-san.
"I-I understand."
Five minutes before the class ends. Oshima-san is preparing to escape.
"Well, see you at the cafeteria, okay?"
I pray for their success. Oshima-san has a face that seems to say exactly that.
"Yeah, I understand..."
Airi is nervous.
"It's okay, I'll handle it somehow."
Class ends. We slowly head toward the exit. The entrance and exit are blocked.
"You, what the hell are you to Shimizu-san?"
One of the Imperial Guard said.
"What do you mean? We're just friends."
"You were there during the welcome party too... what are your intentions?"
You remembered, huh.
"I don't have any intentions. She just came of her own accord and left of her own accord."
I'm not lying.
"What's with that guy!?"
"Who knows, I wonder. He seemed annoyed, though..."
"Are you mocking me!?"
Airi flinches at the Imperial Guard's shout. She's shaking.
"U-um... could you please move?"
Airi says in a trembling voice.
"Until I hear a satisfying answer, I have no intention of letting you through...!?"
"!?"
"Toya!"
Kanna pushes aside the Imperial Guard and enters the classroom.
It's not just Kanna; Ishihara-kun and Watanabe-kun are with her.
"Kanna!!"
Airi clings to Kanna.
"I got a message from Sakai-kun. I've come to pick you up."
Watanabe-kun says this and grins.
"Well, shall we go to the cafeteria?"
Saying that, Watanabe-kun tries to go outside.
The Imperial Guard are blocking the way, but Watanabe-kun doesn't care in the least.
Like a walker from a program I saw somewhere, Watanabe-kun pushes them back with intimidation alone.
Ishihara-kun pushes back the swarm that still manages to approach. Ishihara-kun really did train his body, didn't he.
As for the walkers trying to approach Airi, Kanna intimidates them with a "Move it!"
Then, upon exiting the classroom, with Watanabe-kun's single word "Run!", everyone leaves the scene at a trot.
And so, the crisis was averted.
At the cafeteria,
"So that's what happened."
Eguchi-san says this and eats her meal. It seems Eguchi-san practices cooking every day. It's started to look quite good.
"No wonder the swarm of small fry in our faculty building was thin."
Did all the Imperial Guard from the Faculty of Education come?
"It's a rumor, but if there was an Imperial Guard who saw a two-shot of the two of them in the faculty building this morning, that would be great, right? It seems they followed them after that."
"That surging swarm was like fafrotskies."
Fafrotskies are unbelievable things that occasionally fall from the sky.
In Japan, there's apparently been an example where a swarm of tadpoles fell.
Airi would be frightened by that. While thinking about such things, I was eating Airi's bento and a pork kimchi bowl.
Pop
"When did you buy that!?"
"No, the pork kimchi bowls here are actually pretty delicious, you know?"
"That's not the point!"
"Well, don't say that and just try some... say ahh."
Chomp
"See? Delicious, right?"
"Uuu... next time I'll make one that won't lose to this."
"Anything Airi makes is delicious."
"Really!?"
I've more or less figured out how to put Airi in a good mood.
"So, where did the crucial Sakai go?"
When Kanna says that, Oshima-san answers.
"As for Sakai-kun, he escaped off-campus, escorted by Shimizu-san's attendants."
"Including that part, we need to hear the details from Sakai-kun."
"But he has his part-time job today."
When Airi says that, Watanabe-kun says.
"That's convenient. Shall we call a full assembly of the Blue Bird today?"
Saying that, Watanabe-kun types a message.
I wonder if people will actually gather just by saying that suddenly...
(4)
My worry was unfounded.
Everyone except the work and part-time job group had gathered.
After ordering for now, the conversation began.
First...
"I'm Kana Oshima. Nice to meet you."
Yes, Oshima-san joined the group.
Everyone introduces themselves.
"A few more people haven't come, but well, in due time."
When Watanabe-kun says that, Oshima-san bows her head.
"Next, about Sakai-kun..."
"Did something happen to Sakai-kun?"
Ichinose-san, who brought the ordered items, asked.
"No, actually..."
Watanabe-kun told her about the events that happened at noon.
"I-I'll go call Yoshiyuki for a moment."
Saying that, Ichinose-san heads toward the break room.
After a while, Sakai-kun appeared.
"Hello, everyone."
"Hello my ass. Explain what happened!"
Kanna snaps at him.
"A-ah, you're right. I caused trouble for Katagiri-kun and the others too, so I'll tell you."
Saying that, Sakai-kun told them about the events that happened in the morning.
"What a woman who doesn't know when to give up..."
Eguchi-san said bluntly.
"Wouldn't it be better to just remove her from the group?"
When Sashihara-san says that, Eguchi-san shakes her head.
"No, I won't be satisfied until that woman's nature is hammered straight."
"Isn't there no need to worry?"
I said while eating Napolitan.
"If Sakai-kun's feelings are true, I'm sure it'll work out somehow."
"When Toya says it, it somehow feels truthful."
When Kanna says that, Watanabe-kun says.
"That's how it is, Sakai-kun. Do your best. We're rooting for you."
"I'm jealous, everyone. To have people like that."
"What what? Does Oshima-san want a boyfriend too?"
"Eh? Well, I mean, I do want one."
"If it's that kind of consultation, it's our group's specialty. Leave it to us."
Watanabe-kun and Sashihara-san's eyes are shining.
It was then.
Clink clink
The one who entered was Shimizu-san.
Seeing us, Shimizu-san approached.
"I was summoned, but I wonder what the business is."
She said that after ordering from Ichinose-san.
"Shimizu-san. You should just give up on Sakai-kun. Ichinose-san is here, after all."
"Love burns more fiercely the more obstacles there are, doesn't it?"
Uwah, that view of love is incredibly twisted.
Airi attempts to persuade her further.
"I think it's Shimizu-san's freedom to love whoever she wants. But I think doing things that hurt our comrades is unacceptable."
"Am I not a comrade?"
"Uuu... t-that's..."
"Isn't it fine, just let her love as she pleases."
Eguchi-san said.
"Struggle and struggle and writhe in agony as much as you like. There are things you can't understand unless you do that, right?"
"I wonder which of us will be the one writhing in agony? Ichinose-san?"
"Eh...?"
Ichinose-san's expression clouds over.
"I won't give up."
Shimizu-san says decisively.
"Is that all for the business? Well, I have a golf club party."
Saying that, Shimizu-san leaves.
"Hmm, I might actually want to make that woman say 'gyafun'," says Sashihara-san.
"That's one theme of university life," says Watanabe-kun.
I think it's fine to just let her love as she pleases, though.
She should struggle and struggle and writhe until she finally gives up.
That's how humans grow, right?
"Shall we head out soon? It's a nuisance to stay too long with such a large party."
When Watanabe-kun says that, everyone settles the bill and leaves the shop.
The rain had stopped.
"Hey, look."
I looked at the sky Airi was pointing to.
A rainbow was hanging in the sky.
"A rainbow doesn't appear unless it rains."
"Is that like the saying 'after the rain, the ground hardens'?"
Airi nods silently.
That's right, we were like that too.
Now she is before my eyes.
There is a girl who is smiling even without an umbrella.
She is also reflected in the puddles.
Like flowers blooming in a garden after the rain stops.
I'm sure it'll be okay now.
I'll prepare an umbrella for the rain of the next day.