After School, at a Family Restaurant at Night, With That Girl From My Class

7-9 minutes 11.06.2023

Translated by Dawn

“Kotomin, you are quite different, aren’t you?”

While checking my manuscript in hand, my classmate, Numaneki, made this remark.

He was a very friendly person and held a prominent position in Class 1-A, where I, Tsujikawa Kotomi, belong. Only she referred to me as ‘Kotomin.’

During the early days of our school year, I was somewhat isolated due to my poor social skills, but she actively reached out to me, and it was thanks to her cheerful nature that we were able to become friends.

“Different, you say…?”

“Well, around April and May, you seemed oddly rigid, and there was a tense aura of intimidation.”

“Ah… well, that’s because… um, there were some circumstances.”

Though I thought I was hiding well in my school life, it seemed she saw through me. I felt embarrassed about being so self-assured in my perfection.

“But now it’s different. I sense an overall softness in you.”

“…Yes, I agree with you.”

I believe there had been a significant change within myself since that ‘sibling quarrel.’

Thanks to my brother’s decisive decision to break our family apart, I was able to undergo a profound transformation.

“It’s also because of what happened at home… and thanks to you, Tebiki-san.”

After the fight with my brother, I still had lingering doubts. I was hesitant to change the way I had been living. During that time, I encountered the ‘reference book’ written by Tebiki-san.

“That might be a bit exaggerated.”

“No, it’s not.”

In the classroom, there was a notebook placed on the desk. It was Tebiki-san’s ‘forgotten item,’ and I happened to catch a glimpse of its contents. Inside were “plots,” a mass of text (apparently a stage prior to the design of manga known as “names”). I was drawn into a passionate love story depicted within those pages.

As a result, I started interacting with Tebiki-san and approached her for advice on love, thinking that someone capable of creating such intense descriptions could surely offer some valuable guidance.

From there, various things happened, and I was deeply impressed by the “reference book” created by Tebiki-san, which led me to dive into the world of creating reference books.

Even today, I was staying over at Tebiki-san’s house for working on my manuscript.

“Tebiki-san undoubtedly had a significant impact on me.”

“The question is whether that impact is ultimately good or bad. I’m having a hard time judging that.”

As I spoke, sharing my beautiful and sparkling memories, Tebiki-san had a hint of guilt in her eyes.

“Well, let’s leave it to future generations to judge… Hmm…”

“…Is it still not good?”

I was still new to this “reference book” creation.

Tebiki-san had been saying, “Your growth rate is insanely fast, it’s seriously amazing,” but I was still far from being skilled. That was why I often ask her to check my manuscripts. Her advice was highly valuable and educational.

“Well, it’s not bad per se. I think your strength lies in that overflowing imagination, like a runaway locomotive, the momentum of expressing your delusions. But I don’t sense that in this manuscript… It’s like you became more rational in the process of writing. The excessive explanations that come from anxiety stand out, especially.”

“To be honest, I feel stuck.”

“The pool scene you were writing yesterday was pretty good, though.”

“Well, that had a specific reference to thank for…”

“Hmm… In that case, maybe it’s better to look for a topic that will get your creative juices flowing this time. Something that can ignite your engine, so to speak.”

Even though that pool scene happened to come from a very favorable situation where Kazemiya-senpai and my brother went to the pool. It was unlikely that such a convenient situation that ignited the fire within me would occur again.

***

“Hmm… Creating a reference book is indeed difficult…”

After staying at Tebiki-san’s house until the last minute, unfortunately, time ran out.

Expressing my gratitude to Tebiki-san’s parents, I decided to head back home.

“I’m back.”

“Oh, welcome back.”

My brother welcomed me as I entered the house. With Kazemiya-senpai running away from home, my brother tended to be home more often during the summer vacation.

“…Huh? Where’s Dad?”

Mom had informed us that her interview was taking longer and that she wouldn’t be coming home until tonight. So her absence didn’t feel strange, but it was odd that Dad wasn’t here. He usually came back by this time.

“You didn’t know? Dad had a sudden work assignment and has been away since yesterday. He’ll be back tonight.”

“…Huh?”

From yesterday until now, while I was away, my brother and Kazemiya-senpai were alone together.

In other words… That means… “Living Together in Passionate Love with a Runaway Girl – Two Days of Unstoppable Desire”!?

“…I’m sorry, Brother…!”

“Huh? What’s wrong?”

“I am… a filthy insect that defiles a splendid work…!”

“What are you talking about!?”

Calm down. Tsujikawa Kotomi, calm down. It was important to verify the facts.

I activate my peach-colored brain cells (named by Tebiki-san) at full speed to grasp the situation.

“By the way, where’s Kazemiya-senpai?”

“She went to the convenience store to buy water and ice. We ran out of them in the fridge. Meanwhile, I was preparing dinner.”

“I see. Should I help with dinner?”

“You always do so much, so take a break today. It’s just simmering anyway.”

“Thank you very much. In that case, I’ll take you up on your offer.”

Phew… Let’s calm down for now. Everything would be clear when Kazemiya-senpai returned.

“Okay, I’ll go unload my luggage.”

“Sure. Oh, dinner is curry by the way.”

“Understood. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Well… I’ll do my best to meet your expectations.”

I said goodbye to my brother and head back to my room on the second floor to unload the luggage.

Although I usually took care of household chores, having nothing to do felt somewhat unsatisfying.

“…..Ah, come to think of it, tomorrow is the day for combustible garbage.”

I should gather the garbage now. Doing household chores and moving my body might spark some ideas.

With a garbage bag in hand, I start by going around the rooms on the second floor. After packing the trash from my own room into the bag, I move on to the guest room that Kazemiya-senpai was using.

Kazemiya-senpai kept her room very tidy.

It was nice of her to clean up. It was a bit of a contrast to her flashy appearance, which was somewhat amusing.

“Ah!”

I accidentally bump into something and knock over a bag that was placed on the table.

In my haste to pick up the items that spilled from the bag, which undoubtedly belonged to Kazemiya-senpai, I saw it.

That box was clearly… that. It was the same as what appears in my “reference book.”

“Ah, Kotomi-chan, you’re back… Ahhhhhhhhh!?”

Whether it was good timing or bad timing, Kazemiya-senpai, who had just returned home, entered the room. She saw what I was holding and her face turned bright red in an instant.

“Kazemiya-senpai!”

“Kotomi-chan, it’s not what you think… Wait, calm down.”

“You did it, didn’t you!? Yesterday!? Right here!?”

“We didn’t do anything! I haven’t done anything!”

“………………..(scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch)”

“Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! What are you writing!?”

Amazing. The stagnation in my “reference book” creation that was there just a moment ago was suddenly progressing rapidly.

It seemed I need to follow in my mother’s footsteps and conduct an interview with Kazemiya-senpai.

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