Chapter 16
"That's how it is, life in Japan is going smoothly."
It's been three weeks since I came to Japan to study.
I was giving an update over the phone to my friend Mary.
"If you want to see Sota, why don't you just go to Japan?"
She was the one who encouraged me by saying that.
"Really, that's surprising."
"...What do you mean by surprising?"
Does she think I'm causing trouble in Japan?
"I was worried you might be homesick and wanting to return to England."
"I'm not crying or anything... I'm really comfortable and enjoying it."
Life in Japan wasn't as bad as I had braced myself for.
Not many can understand my English, but my Japanese is decent.
And even when it's not, Sota helps me out.
The plumbing is hygienic, and the food is delicious.
The climate is... maybe it's because it's spring, but it's warm and comfortable.
"So, are you going to live in Japan permanently?"
"...I wouldn't go that far."
It’s not bad, but not as good as my home country.
The language is inconvenient.
And there are foods that don't agree with me.
...Like dairy products and tea.
That's why my goal is to bring Sota back to England with me.
"I think he feels the same way... Everyone prefers their own country, right?"
"I'll cover that with my charm."
Japan without me, and England with me.
I hope he chooses the latter after comparing the two.
"Right now, I'm learning Japanese cooking from Sota's mother."
"Really... you're learning Japanese cooking?"
"Yes. So I can take care of Sota if he gets homesick."
—I feel like having some miso soup... I want to go back to Japan.
—I thought you might say that, so I made some. Please, have some.
—Wow, it's delicious! Thank you, Lily! With you, I can live anywhere! I love you!
"It's a perfect plan."
"It's not perfect, but I can see you're trying. By the way, can I ask something personal?"
"Depends on what it is. Go ahead."
"How far have you two gone?"
How far? Gone?
"What do you mean?"
"Your relationship... Have you done... intimate things?"
Intimate things?
...Intimate things!?
"We haven't! Why would we do that?!"
"Well, I guess not. It's not like you to do such things."
Her tone was somewhat disappointed and mocking.
It was irritating.
"So, have you kissed?"
"Not yet, but...?"
"Even though you're living together?"
"Does that matter?"
Whether we live together or not shouldn't be related to kissing.
I can understand the logic that lovers should kiss, but...
"What about hugs? Have you held hands?"
"...No, but?"
"Why not?"
"Why... I've never been asked to, and..."
If Sota asked me to hold hands, I would.
But it's a bit embarrassing to ask him myself.
It's not that I don't want to, but there's no reason I must.
"Do you really think he likes you?"
"What do you mean?"
I couldn't help but get annoyed.
It's one thing to joke about my relationship with Sota, but it's quite rude to doubt it.
"It's impossible for a boy not to even try to hold hands with someone he likes."
"There are all kinds of people in the world. It's not strange at all."
Sota is a gentleman and shy.
I'm embarrassed to ask him for things, and he's probably the same.
...I'd prefer if he, being the boy, would ask, but I won't demand what I can't do myself.
"I wonder. Men's feelings can change easily. It wouldn't be strange if his feelings shifted to a girl who's more approachable and friendly, especially after half a year."
For a moment, Misato's face flashed in my mind.
Indeed, she and Sota were close.
They don't seem to be lovers now, but they used to be.
"But, Sota called me 'his girl."
"Hmm... And how did you respond? Did you agree?"
"...I asked him not to say that."
I meant to say I didn't want him to say that in public.
But it could also be taken as a denial.
"What are you doing..."
Mary's voice of disbelief pierced my heart.
If Sota had come to dislike me...
"What should I do..."
"Why don't you ask him? 'What do you think of me?' If he says he loves you, then that solves it, right?"
"But, to ask that now..."
"There's never a 'too late' for lovers to confirm their love."
"Is that how it is?"
"That's how it is."
Indeed, now that I think about it, my father and mother confirm their love for each other every day.
—Sota. What am I to you?
—That's obvious. My beloved girlfriend and future bride!
"I love you too, Sota!"
"I'm not Sota."
Oops, I said it out loud.