.jpg)
Chapter 5 - Escorting the Neighbors Around the Town Part 4
After leaving the coffee shop, we took a short walk around town, then took the bus home.
Just like when going on the bus, it was interesting to see Misumi's reaction when she was slightly surprised when I used the IC card.
Apparently, Misumi village doesn't use IC cards.
While talking about this topic, “I-I will also make a debut with my IC card”, said Misumi, maybe in the near future she will.
Since her eyes could barely see, it would be easier to use an IC card than to pick up a ticket and pay the fare in cash.
“By the way, shouldn't you take the priority seat near the entrance? Because the chair here has a ladder and it will be difficult for you later…”
“Perhaps if I was alone I would have sat there, but… since I'm sitting with Tsushiro-kun, wouldn't it be better if I sat on a regular chair?”
"Well, as long as you don't mind, it's fine."
"...But, you must be thinking 'that', right?"
"Hmm?"
Misumi blushed slightly, and turned her gaze to the side while curling her hair with her fingers.
“Uhm… if we sit next to each other like this, as expected, the people around us might think that we are dating.”
Misumi herself, didn't mean to slip any special meaning into her words.
It's just that in her words, from an objective point of view, if a young man and woman were to sit next to each other like this, we might appear to be having some kind of love affair.
However, even if I understand that, if she said it in such a blushing tone, anyone would be blown away.
Geez... she really is a bad girl when it comes to this kind of thing.
"Well, I guess that's fine."
I managed to calm my pounding heart.
"Indeed, there might be some people who misunderstand at first glance, but I can't compare to Misumi."
"W-Why is that?"
“Misumi is beautiful and cute, whereas I am not.”
Saying it with my own mouth makes me sad, but it's the truth.
If the people around us saw and thought about it, surely they would think that we were, “not suitable”.
"Misumi...?"
For some reason Misumi was silent.
When I turned my gaze to him, I saw her face hardened and bright red.
“D-Don't suddenly… say that I'm cute, it's embarrassing.”
“Ah… so you're the type to be oblivious to yourself, huh.”
“N-It's not that I'm not aware, it's just that I'm not that pretty.”
“Well, that means you're the oblivious type, you know? Well, but we really can't judge ourselves.”
“I-Isn't that the same for you too, Tsushiro-kun?”
"What?"
“Earlier, you said, 'I'm not like that'… so, since you can't judge yourself, that means you can't tell whether you're handsome or not, right?”
“Hah… I can see myself objectively.”
Misumi won't know that I'm now putting on my best cocky face.
“Then, I will check your face.”
"What? Uh..., hey, wait—"
Misumi suddenly brought her face closer to mine.
Then, quickly lifted my bangs using her hands.
The distance where we could feel each other's breath.
Misumi's neat and clean face was there, and a faint sweet scent tickled my nostrils.
In such a state, Misumi continued to stare at my face for a while with her eyes slightly narrowed.
"Hmm... I guess you're not very handsome."
“I know that… but when you put it like that, your words pierced my heart.”
I couldn't help but laugh bitterly.
But it doesn't matter, right now I want to get out of this situation as soon as possible.
Even without romantic feelings, my heart still beats fast because I'm next to a cute girl like this.
"Isn't that enough? Please let me go… this position is a little embarrassing, you know.”
"Eh? Ah..."
After hearing my words, Misumi seemed to notice for the first time that she and I were staring at each other closely.
Misumi's hazel eyes widened, and she said, "Sorry," as if in a panic, and walked away, turning to face the front.
I'm also quite embarrassed, but when I steal glances at Misumi from the side, I see her profile turn red like it's been on fire.
An awkward silence passed between Misumi and me.
However, when the bus stopped at a red light, Misumi muttered under her breath.
“But, I thought your face was normal and round, really…?”
"Thank you, I take it as a compliment."
“I don't mean to flatter you, I'm just telling the truth… Tsushiro-kun's face, I think it's good, really?”
“…You, it's better not to say things like that too often, you know? Because other people might misunderstand what you said.”
“Even Tsushiro-kun also misunderstood my words?”
"No, I won't misunderstand. Because I don't believe in love."
"Can't believe it, love?"
"Right..."
I feel, my body feels a little cold.
As I faced forward, Misumi did not inquire further about this matter.
Then, the bus sped up once more, and soon it would be at our place of residence....
Arriving at the bus stop, Misumi and I got off.
"Oh, Misumi. From here are you okay if you're alone?”
“Uhm, I think it's fine… do you want to go somewhere?”
"Yeah, I have to buy dinner."
"Where?"
"Department store."
"...Eh?"
"Hmm?"
For some reason, Misumi looked at me as if she was seeing something that can’t be trusted —though I'm sure she couldn't see me at all.
However, those eyes were fixed on me, and what's more, her eyes gradually turned into a look of concern.
"Hah..."
“I-Is there a problem?”
“By the way, you said you didn't like café’s food, didn't you.”
After saying this, Misumi slightly crossed her arms and looked thoughtful, then turned to me again.
“I wanted to thank you for escorting me around today, and would you like to join me for dinner?”
I froze for a moment, unable to understand what Misumi was saying, but I soon realized that it wasn't an invitation to go out to eat somewhere.
“...Eh? could you make me some food?”
"Right. But I can only make homemade meals.”
“A-Are you sure?”
"Yeah, I invited you anyway."
I never thought that the time would come when I can eat my neighbour's meals, but that's actually the situation I'm in right now.
But is this really okay?
Misumi and I are just neighbors.
But before that, we were both grown men and women, and we both lived alone.
I felt a little uncomfortable coming to her house.
However, it's true that I'm getting fed up with convenience store bento and supermarket frozen food.
Besides, Misumi wanted to thank me, and above all else, she didn't seem too concerned about being alone with a guy.
"So, did you accept it?"
Misumi tilted her head slightly and asked, and I scratched the back of my head and replied, “Yeah.”
"In that case, I'll take it as a gift."
“Fine, please just leave it to me.”
And so, I ended up at Misumi's house...
Translator: Exxod
Editor: Janaka