What it means to be protected, Chapter #002-2 - Book 1, Season 1
The story is below, in English. The following text in Spanish is my commentary.
Me he dado a la tarea de terminar de traducir el primer volumen de la novela. Es decir los capitulos #002-2, #003 y #004-1, que son los unicos que nunca logre encontrar por internet. El primer volumen tiene 9 capitulos y cubre desde la llegada de Ema a Sunrise Residende hasta el evento de Tsubaki y Azusa al que Emma asiste por invitación de ellos. Si alguien quiere los 2 primeros capitulos, yo los tengo en PDF en ingles, nunca volvi a encontrar el team de traduccion que los tradujo. Dejo el PDF del texto integro en japones al final del post / The PDF with the full text in Japanese is at the end of the post.
Hay mucho contenido que no se cubrio en el anime, se saltan tres pueblos. Las introducciones las dejan como estan pero cortan los primeros dias en la residencia, las vacaciones de verano, el beso de Kaname en la playa que abre todo el lore de lo que va a pasar con Iori (es imperdonable que se saltaron TODO el arco de Iori), Emma enfermando y todos preocupandose por ella, el evento del juego de Tsubaki y Azusa, el side Yusuke... He mencionado ya el evento de Tsubaki y Azusa? lol
Anyways, el anime lo pone todo en todos lados, el juego es mas acorde con la novela, pero usa los eventos dependiendo de la ruta y no es lo mismo pero bueno... al menos no se dejan detalles.
El contexto de este capitulo es: directamente pasando del anterior, El baño de la habitacion de Emma esta roto, ella quiere ducharse en el baño del 5to piso, pero es interrumpida sucesivamete a diferentes horas de la mañana por Tsubaki y Azusa (ellos estan practicando un libreto de amor entre hermanos (??) y Emma pensando que es una confesión decide huir y darles privacidad), Fuuto (que estaba dormido en el sofa y la ataca verbalmente porque BRAT) y Subaru. Antes de toparse con Subaru; a las 5 am, ella logra ducharse y decide tomar una botella de leche en la cocina envuelta en la toalla deciones, Subaru en boxers aparece porque tambien iba a tomar una ducha en el 5to piso y la ve. Juli se esponja y ella se va a cambiar a su habitación.
Resumen del capitulo: Emma y Ukyo hacen el desayuno juntos, la mayoria de los hermanos estan en la mesa. Emma se fija principalmente en Subaru; quien come super rapido para desaparecer de alli porque esta incomodo xd, y en Tsubaki y Azusa porque ella piensa que ellos estan saliendo... Ella los confronta, ellos bromean, pero al final le dicen que no, no estan saliendo. Antes de terminar de desayunar todos presionan a Yusuke para que sea un hombre y proteja a Emma de ser aplastada por la multitud en el tren de camino a la escuela. El la acompaña a regañadientes y la proteje demostrando que reamente es un chico gentil.
English text below:
After returning to my room, I dried my hair and suddenly realized it was 6:30.
I hurried to the kitchen, Ukyo-san had already started preparing breakfast.
"Good morning."
Ukyo: "Oh. Good morning. You'll be helping again today, won't you?"
"Yes."
Making breakfast with Ukyo-san has become a daily routine.
I asked Ukyo-san what the menu will be and divide up the work.
Today, as usual, we'll be making rice, miso soup, pumpkin salad, and an omelet.
I began to prepare pumpkin salad.
(First, cook the pumpkin in the microwave......)
I cut the pumpkin into quarters and wrapped it in plastic wrap.
As I did so, Ukyo-san stared intently at my hands.
"What's wrong?"
Ukyo: "What are you going to do with that?"
"Oh, well. You can easily soften pumpkins and potatoes by microwaving them."
Ukyo: "I see. It does take a long time to boil it until the core is gone."
Ukyo-san seems seriously impressed.
(I’m a little embarrassed……)
Ukyo-san is making an omelet on the stove.
One after the other, fluffy yellow omelets are made, without a single burnt spot.
(He's making three at a time...)
Ukyo seems very experienced, more like a chef than a lawyer.
As I continued cooking, admiring Ukyo-san's skill, Kaname-san appeared in the living room.
Kaname: "Good morning, imōto-chan."
"Good morning. You didn't train with Subaru-san this morning, did you?"
Kaname: "A lot happened last night. The truth is, I didn't get enough sleep ~"
As Kaname-san spoke, he yawned loudly.
He certainly looked sleepy. His eyes still looked half closed.
(Well, I had a lot going on too.)
When he says, “a lot happened”, it sounds a bit meaningful.
I guess Kaname-san's “a lot happened” really are profound in meaning.
"Would you like some tea? It'll wake you up."
Kaname: “Hmm, it’s okay. More than that, if you gave a wake-up kiss, I think I'd feel a lot better……”
"I-I won't do that!!!"
Kaname-san is Kaname-san, even if he's still sleep-deprived.
(For now, let's proceed with the preparations)
――― And then.
"Hya?!"
Suddenly, I felt a cold, chilly hand on my neck.
Louis: "It's so moist... Did you use that treatment?"
"Louis-san...?"
Louis-san is stroking my hair.
Wow, what a surprise...
"Oh, good morning. The treatment that Louis-san taught me the other day fells amazing! Thank you."
I've been using the product that Louis-san introduced to me recently, and it's really good for my hair.
Louis: "Next time, I'll show you how to blow dry your hair properly."
"Oh, thank you."
Then, for some reason, Louis-san looked closely at Juli, who was sitting on the kitchen counter.
"... Is there something wrong with Juli?"
Louis: "Are you not going to talk today?"
"Eh?"
With that, he went off in the direction of the sofa.
What does that mean? Juli also tilted his head.
Louis-san really is a strange person...
…………………………………
As breakfast was ready, everyone gathered at the dining table, except for Masaomi-san, who as usual was still in bed, and Fuuto-kun, who had to work until late last night. Subaru-san was there too, but he didn't even look in my direction.
(Hmm, this is really awkward...)
Anyone would react the same way if they were seen dressed like that...
For now, let's not worry too much about it.
After we all said "itadakimasu" in unison, I immediately put the omelet that Ukyo had made into my mouth.
(Oh, it's delicious...!!)
I was slightly moved by its fluffy, melting texture, and then... I noticed Subaru-san shoveling his food into his mouth with great vigor.
Iori: "Subaru-niisan, why don't you eat more calmly?"
Subaru: "..."
Subaru-san continues to eat furiously without heeding Iori-san's advice.
Eventually, Subaru-san puts down his chopsticks and stands up briskly.
Subaru: "Thank you for the meal. I'm off now!"
That was quick!
Subaru-san finished his meal in no time and was gone like the wind.
I guess it was just difficult for him to face me after all.
As I was thinking about that,
Azusa: "It's early. I guess the basketball club is having morning practice. It's not going to be easy against some of the strong teams in the league."
Tsubaki: "But you know, they lost in the fifth round of the championship in May, right? Isn't that a bit dangerous?"
Azusa: "Now that I think about it, the team seemed to have a hard time in the rookie tournament. But Subaru's three-pointers seemed to be pretty good."
Tsubaki-san and Azusa-san were conversing.
Come to think of it, I wonder what has happened to the two of them since then?
Even though I was concerned about Subaru-san leaving, my eyes couldn't help but glance at the two of them.
(Because I was curious...)
Azusa: "Oh, Tsubaki, there's a grain of rice on your mouth. I'll get it off for you."
Tsubaki: "Thanks, Azusa."
(They're so close...)
The two of them seem to get along well, unaware that I am agonizing over such things.
(Are they dating after all?)
I don't think so, but seeing the situation like this, I can't help but think that maybe they are!?
Iori: "What's wrong?"
Suddenly, Iori-san spoke to me.
"Huh? What's the matter?" I said in a strange, high-pitched voice.
Iori: "Well, you are furrowing your eyebrows."
"Ah!"
I was taken aback when Iori-san pointed it out. It seems I had been thinking deeply and made a troubled face without realizing it.
Iori: "Is something bothering you? Or are you feeling unwell?"
"No, nothing. It's not like that..."
Everyone at the table turned their attention to me.
Wataru: "But it seems like you're not eating much, onee-chan..."
Even Wataru-chan spoke out of concern.
(That's enough, listen!)
"Um, well... there's something I want to ask Tsubaki-san and Azusa-san."
Tsubaki: "Eh? Us?"
"Y-Yes..."
I looked back and forth between the two of them and hesitantly opened my mouth.
"Ummm... Tsubaki-san and Azusa-san, what kind of relationship do you have?"
Azusa: "Hmm? What kind of relationship?"
"...Like, are you dating..."
Yusuke: "Pffff!!"
At that word, Yusuke-kun spits out the miso soup he was drinking.
I-I suppose that makes sense. Anyone would be surprised by that statement.
Yusuke: "Da, dating... Ah... Eh... you mean as a couple, right...?"
Yusuke-kun muttered, sounding stunned.
Hearing this, Wataru-chan and Louis-san asked,
Wataru: "Are Tsukkun and Akkun lovers?"
Louis: "Lovers...?"
They asked innocently, Tsubaki-san and Azusa-san looked at each other.
The conversation that took place in the living room last night kept going round and round in my head.
Azusa: "What? Suddenly."
Azusa-san looked at me with a puzzled expression.
"Um, well! Last night, Tsubaki and Azusa were in the living room and... I overheard them."
I'm sorry! Tsubaki-san and Azusa-san!
When I spoke up, it seemed like something had dawned on them.
Tsubaki: "That's right! We decided to go out. I fell in love and I couldn't stop myself, so last night I confessed to Azusa♪"
Azusa: "Tsubaki..."
"What!?!?"
Yusuke-kun and I both shouted at the same time. Oh, so it's what I thought...
Tsubaki: "And Azusa felt the same way, so we're happily lovers now. And we did all sorts of things after that yesterday!"
Azusa: "Wait... stop..."
Tsubaki: "Don't hide it now, Azusa♪"
Tsubaki-san grabs Azusa-san who is resisting and even kisses him on the cheek!!
Yusuke: "That's just... weird for two brothers, right?!"
Yusuke-kun is completely flustered.
Kaname: "Well, I think love between men is okay too. Gender, age, and race don't matter when it comes to love. And it's between family members too...right? Imōto-chan♪"
Kaname-san, who was sitting next to me, leaned in close and whispered.
"Huh?! Wh, wh, what is it?!"
Kaname: "What is it? Don't pretend not to understand."
Just because Tsubaki and Azusa are getting lovey-dovey, don't drag me into it!
Ukyo: "Okay, okay, stop joking and hurry up and eat your breakfast."
"Huh?"
I was taken aback by the words of Ukyo-san, who looked dumbfounded.
Are you kidding...?
Tsubaki: "Hahaha! That was a good reaction, you know."
Azusa: "Ha~. Tsubaki, stop being such a jerk in the morning."
"Wh-what do you mean...?"
Azusa: "We were reading a script together last night."
Tsubaki: "Yeah, we were practicing for work!"
"Practice for work...?"
Azusa: "I got into the role and practiced my acting by actually saying the lines out loud."
Tsubaki: "Last night... I think it was a drama CD about a brother-sister romance. I was working on the role of the older brother, and I had Azusa play the younger sister as a practice partner."
"Ah, what...!"
Oh, what? That's what it was... I'm so surprised...
I mean, I jumped to conclusions...
I'm embarrassed...
…………………………………
Tsubaki: "Now that I think of it, are you and Yusuke still going to school separately?"
"Huh? Ah... yes."
I was taken aback by Tsubaki-san's sudden question, so I blushed.
Actually, even though we go to the same school and are in the same class, we go to and from school separately.
That's because Yusuke-kun doesn't want people to know that we're ‘siblings.’ He deliberately goes to school at a different time.
Tsubaki: "Why don't you just go together?"
Yusuke: “Uh, shut up! I-I'm busy so I have to go earlier!"
Yusuke-kun stammers in response to Tsubaki-san's words, and now Kaname-san presses him.
Kaname: "You say that, but really you're just embarrassed to go to school with your little sister, right?"
Yuu: "N-no way! It's not like that!!"
Yusuke-kun is even more flustered.
Azusa: "Isn't it hard for a girl to ride a crowded train alone in the morning?"
Azusa-san looks concerned and calls him out.
Iori: "I'd accompany you, but we go to different schools, and I bike to school anyway..."
Wataru: "Are you okay, onee-chan?"
Louis: "Yusuke... Honestly, it’s important."
Iori-san, Wataru-chan, and Louis-san are all so kind.
"Don't worry! Even though I look like this, I'm actually pretty strong!"
Tsubaki: "Don't push yourself too hard. It's unthinkable that our cute little sister would be crushed in a crowded train. What do you think about that as a man, Yusuke?"
Yusuke: "Ah... uuh..."
Yusuke-kun seems troubled by Tsubaki-san's criticism.
"You don't have to push yourself, Yusuke-kun. I'm totally fine."
Even though I said that the brothers' eyes were all fixed-on Yusuke-kun...
Everyone, calm down!
Then Yusuke-kun shouted,
Yusuke: "...Just for today! And when we leave the house, don't call me 'Yusuke-kun'!!!"
…………………………………
On the way to the station, I walked one step behind Yusuke, who looked sulky the whole time.
We arrived at Kichijoji station, feeling somewhat awkward.
(What an amazing person…)
The platform is packed with people.
Hinode High School, where Yusuke-kun and I go, is about 30 minutes away by train in Iidabashi.
To get to Iidabashi, we take the Chuo Line rapid train to Yotsuya. From there, we change to a local train for two stops.
(It's nice that Bright Centrair can be reached by bicycle.)
When I think about the hardships that lie ahead, I really envy those who can commute by bicycle.
As I was thinking, a rapid train glided in front of me.
Yusuke-kun and I were all pushed onto the train.
(Hmm... the rush hour is especially intense today...)
Right now, it is the peak of congestion. Once we get to Shinjuku Station the number of passengers will decrease significantly, so it should be a bit easier...
Yusuke: "A-Are you okay...?"
"It’s... a bit painful... Kyaaah!"
The train shook violently.
Just as I was about to lose my balance, Yusuke-kun, who was nearby, supported me.
"Th-Thanks... Yusuke-kun."
Yusuke: "...I told you not to call me by my name!"
Yusuke-kun made me stand in front of the door, shielding me from the crowd.
(His face is bright red...)
It seems like he's trying desperately to protect me.
Just as I was feeling grateful, the train started to shake again.
"Ahhh!"
Yusuke: "Are you okay?"
I couldn't help but press my body against him. It was a crowded train so it couldn't be helped...
I felt apologetic so I raised my head, and our eyes met at close range.
(So close...)
Yusuke: "Uh..."
Yusuke-kun hastily looks away.
The sound of the train clanking echoed in my ears.
I didn't notice it when we were at home or in the classroom, but...
His strong arms and sturdy body were protecting me.
Feeling that, I was reminded that Yusuke is a boy after all...
(Thanks to you, I feel a lot better now. Thank you.)
I once again murmured gratitude in my heart to Yusuke, who was desperately trying to protect me.
…………………………………
"Today's rush was even more intense. Thank you so much for helping me."
Yusuke: "I-I didn't really help you or anything! I just happened to end up positioned like that..."
Yusuke-kun said bluntly, which made me smile.
"But thanks to you, it was a lot easier. Thank you so much, Yusuke-kun."
Yusuke: "Ugh...!"
When I said that, for some reason Yusuke-kun turned bright red.
Yusuke: "I-I-I told you not to call me by my name! I-I mean, I'm going ahead!"
Yusuke-kun said that and then made a mad dash for some reason.
He ran off.
Yusuke-kun's face was as red as his hair...
"Well, I've got to get going too, or I'm going to be late."
The train is usually packed and uncomfortable, but today it felt like we arrived at the station in the blink of an eye.
"I hope we can come together again."
I ran toward the school gate, following Yusuke-kun as he ran away.
Honestamente, no se si Emma es muy naive o muy valiente, yo me hubiera llevado la impresion de que Tsubaki y Azusa estaban saliendo a la tumba. lol
Gracias a este capitulo comencé a pensar en Yusuke bajo otra luz, la descripicon de "Sus brazos fuertes y cuerpo robusto me estaban protegiendo" me dejo plop en el piso 🫠
Several days after #007 Side Masaomi - Book 2, Season 1
The story is below, in English. The following text in spanish is my commentary.
La historia de Masaomi es solo 8 paginas, pero en el afán de traducir con la mayor fidelidad posible he tardado mucho. ¡Finalmente terminé!
La he traducido a inglés, no la voy a volver a traducir al español porque, honestamente, no puedo más. Para leerla en español simplemente hay que copiar el texto en el traductor, los resultados son bastante buenos. Por otro lado, si la traducción al inglés parece extraña, está hecha de japonés a inglés con el traductor; leyendo desde el japonés por mi cuenta he ajustado la traducción lo más posible y he cambiado algunas oraciones que sonaban poco naturales. Voy a dejar el PDF con el texto original en japonés por si alguien quiere tomarse el trabajo de traducirlo otra vez lol.
La historia extra de Masaomi no aparece en el anime, pero si en el juego con algunos cambios. El contexto es: Después de la boda de Miwa y Rintaro, Masaomi lleva a Ema (a quien en la novela nunca nombran, he de decir) y a Wataru a casa en auto. La boda, la situación con Kaname, la situación con Subaru, las preguntas de Natsume dejan a Ema muy sensible. Mientras maneja, Masaomi le pregunta sobre qué va a hacer con el ramo; cuando Miwa lanzo su ramo fue Ema quien lo atrapo, y esto lleva a la conversación de porque él aún no está casado. Masaomi le cuenta que cuando su padre murió Wataru era muy pequeño, por lo que no recuerda a su padre y siendo Masaomi quien más se parece a su padre, él decidió tomar ese papel en la vida de Wataru. Así el tiempo paso y ahora tiene 30 y está soltero, lo que el mismo considera un poco patético. Esto hace a Ema pensar en que ella no conoce el rostro de su madre y se pone a llorar aunque intenta contener las lágrimas, le dice que la hace feliz saber que Wataru no se sentirá como se siente ella gracias a Masaomi. Masaomi la abraza gentilmente y le promete que él estará siempre a su lado para intentar aliviar su soledad, aunque sea un poco.
En la novela, el resumen del capitulo: A Masaomi se le hace complicado hablar con Ema para decirle que va a asistir a un omiai. El siente que estaria rompiendo su promesa de estar a su lado para siempre. Le pide ayuda a Kaname para decircelo, pero una vez que le dicen Ema no tiene ningun problema con ello e incluso está feliz por él...
omiai: encuentro de matrimonio concertado. +info en el link.
Texto en ingles/ English text below:
That day, unusually, she stayed in the living room even after she had finished cleaning up after dinner.
(Oh, maybe this is my chance)
That thought crosses my mind.
In fact, even though we live in the same apartment building, we don't often have the chance to see each other.
When I get busy working at a hospital, I find it difficult to come home and end up working 24 hours a day.
Even if that wasn't the case, my days off tended to be irregular, so it was quite difficult to find an opportunity to talk to her.
.... I'm the only one who thinks that way,
and when I told Ukyo,
Ukyo: “Masaomi-niisan is not very good at managing his time.”
I was afraid he would get angry, so I told Kaname,
Kaname: "Isn't it just a question of feelings?"
I'm sure that would just be dismissed.
--Anyway.
Right now, we're both in the living room.
Plus, it looks like she has some free time.
(Great. I'll tell her tonight.)
That's what I was thinking when I walked towards her. / Approached her
Masaomi: "Hey."
"...Haha~"
She yawned.
Perhaps because she was tired, she yawned so loudly that her pharynx was clearly visible.
Masaomi: ".......Ah"
"......Huh"
Time stops. I can see her cheeks gradually turning red.
(Um, well)
What should I do in a situation like this?
Smiling would feel strange, laughing would be wrong, and ignoring her would be unnatural.
For a moment, my mind went blank, and I couldn't say anything.
"... I'm so sorry!"
But then, she apologized to me first.
Masaomi: "Oh, well, you know, there's really nothing to apologize for..."
This can't go on like this. Anyway, I have to say something.
Masaomi: "Ah, you see."
I tried saying that anyway.
"Y-yes."
She answered while covering her mouth with one hand.
...No good.
As I watched that gesture, I became more and more confused.
Anything is fine. Just something that you think she'll be interested in.
Masaomi: "Um, well... I want to ask about games."
I blurted that out before I realized it.
"Huh?"
She looked at me with a puzzled expression. ...But those eyes weren't accusatory.
Masaomi: "Ah... well... you see."
Inwardly, I felt a little relieved as I connected the words.
Masaomi: "Actually, Wataru wanted to play a game..."
" Wataru -chan?"
Masaomi: "Uh, yeah. I was thinking, maybe you could find something, because... I have no idea what would be good."
"Oh, I see."
Masaomi: "So, I was wondering if you could help me..."
"Shall I bring it?"
She suddenly said that.
Masaomi: "Huh?"
"I have something good. I'll bring it over right away."
Masaomi: "Um... well..."
I give up.
I never expected to get such a reaction. But now I can't say that I just blurted something out.
Masaomi: "I-I'm glad to hear that. But isn't it bothersome?"
"No way, not at all. Oh, by the way, Masaomi-san, why don't you come and play too? It's a game that can be played by three people."
Masaomi: "Oh... is that so? Okay, just a little then."
"Okay. Just wait!"
She ran out of the living room. In the end, the three of us - me, her, and Wataru - spent the night playing games.
.......
(Hmm, what should I do?)
A few days later, one afternoon, I was feeling a bit lost and eating lunch alone in the kitchen.
(I never thought I'd have so few opportunities.)
I opened the photo album on the table. There was a picture of a woman dressed in formal attire.
(As expected, it would be bad to say it later. Somehow, today...)
While I was thinking about this, I suddenly heard a loud voice from behind me.
Kaname: "Whoa, who is this beautiful woman?!?"
I turned around and saw Kaname standing there. It seemed he had been asleep until just a moment ago. His eyes were blurry, as if he had just woken up.
Masaomi: "Good morning, Kaname."
Kaname: "Masami-nii, are you off today?"
Masaomi: "Yeah, I just finished the night shift. I have something to do tomorrow, so I took today off to prepare for it. What about you?"
Kaname: "Me? I'm off today. I drank too much yesterday. It was Friday, so..."
Masaomi: "...Ah, I see."
Since it’s Kaname, I'm sure they were having fun making a fuss.
Masaomi: "Did you find a nice person?"
Kaname: "Ah, nothing like that, we were just hanging out. They were really fun, but that's all."
Kaname glances at the photo in the album again.
Kaname: "But, well...how should I put it, isn't she surprisingly beautiful? Is she an acquaintance?"
Masaomi: "Yeah, I guess so."
Kaname: "Really? Can you introduce me to her next time?"
Masaomi: "Yeah, that's fine."
Kaname: "Ah, are you sure? By the way, who is that?"
Masaomi: "Oh, that person is..."
Just as I was about to say that, as if struck by lightning, an idea flashed in my mind.
Masaomi: "That's it!"
Maybe because I suddenly yelled out loud, Kaname looked surprised.
Masaomi: "Hey, Kaname, I have a favor to ask of you. Can you help me?"
Kaname: "...M-Masa-nii?"
Kaname looked at me with a doubtful expression.
.......
"What is it, Kaname-san?"
A few hours later, she came into the living room. She had just come home from school and was still in her uniform.
Kaname: "Oh, I'm sorry, little sister."
"I came home in a hurry because you said it was important. It's really important, isn't it?"
She said, as if to emphasize. Kaname's face twisted in a slightly sad expression.
Kaname: "It’s not like that, little sister. You could trust me a bit more, wouldn't you?"
"...I would like to do that if possible."
That's a surprisingly harsh thing to say. Even Kaname was smiling bitterly.
Kaname: "...Well, it's okay, imoto-chan will understand eventually. More importantly, it's actually Masa-nii who has something to tell little sister."
"Masaomi-san?"
She turns to me.
Kaname: "Come on, Masa-nii."
Kaname urges me on. He's made all the effort to set things up for me, so I can't let this opportunity go to waste.
Masaomi: "Yeah, that's right. I wanted to talk to you sooner, but I just couldn't put it into words. So I asked Kaname for reinforcements."
"Oh. Reinforcements... huh?"
She looks puzzled.
I hurried on.
Masaomi: "Well, there was something I wanted to talk about, but I didn't know how to start the conversation. So I was totally stuck. You see, the point is that he's used to things like this, or rather he's good at treating women..."
“W-what are you talking about?”
She gave me a suspicious look.
(Oh no, I have no choice. I'll just say it all at once.)
I take a deep breath and say it.
Masaomi: "You see, I actually have an omiai tomorrow."
"Eh?"
Her voice aches in my heart.
Masaomi: "I'm sorry I didn't tell you until the last minute... This is the person..."
While saying this, I handed her the album.
"Wow..."
She looked inside and let out a sigh of awe.
"She's really beautiful... What kind of person is she?"
Masaomi: "She's the daughter of the chairman of the hospital where I work."
"What!"
She cried out. She must have been very surprised because her voice was trembling.
"The chairman's daughter?!?!? You have an omiai with her? Where did you meet her?!?!"
Masaomi: "It was a while ago when I was on the night shift, there was an emergency. It was a young woman who had choked on something."
I continued to explain as I got the album back.
Masaomi: "It would have been easy to remove it with open surgery, but the person accompanying her said that the patient was a famous singer, and we shouldn’t under any circumstance cut her throat."
"And so?"
Masaomi: "I had no choice, so I took charge and tried a method that didn't require surgery. I was a little worried, but fortunately, it worked."
"Wow... Masaomi, you're amazing."
Masaomi: “Well, it’s not that much..."
To be honest, I feel a little embarrassed when I get praised so much.
(I don't like the sight of blood... so if I can avoid surgery, that's the best thing.)
Masaomi: "... anyway."
I cleared my throat lightly before continuing.
Masaomi: "When everything went well, the person accompanying the patient was even happier than the patient himself. She said that I was the pride of our hospital or something. I thought that was a strange thing to say, but it turned out that the person accompanying the patient was the daughter of the hospital's chairman."
"That's what happened."
Masaomi: "After that, the daughter came to the hospital occasionally. We used to talk occasionally. Then, the other day, the manager suddenly called me and told me about the omiai."
"I see..."
Masaomi: "I'm sorry I didn't tell you until now."
I bowed to her.
Masaomi: "She's the president's daughter, and the manager is the intermediary, so I couldn't refuse. Do you understand?'
"Of course."
Her face lit up with a smile.
"That's a great offer. There's no reason to refuse it."
Masaomi: "Huh?"
This time it was my turn to be surprised.
Masaomi: "Aren't you angry?"
"Why would I be angry?"
Masaomi: "N-no... that's fine. For some reason, I thought you would."
"That's not true. I'm praying that it all works out!"
Masaomi: "...I-I see, thank you."
After she left, I looked back at Kaname.
Masaomi: "She didn't seem to mind at all. I guess I wasted my time worrying about it."
Kaname: "Well, I don't think it's a question of profit or loss. But Masa-nii, was that, okay? "
Masaomi: "Yeah. I'm glad I was able to talk to her before tomorrow."
My worries were resolved, and I felt my heart lighten.
(Huh?)
--At that moment.
(What is this?)
I certainly felt a great sense of relief. But somewhere in my heart, something was bothering me.
That sense of discomfort hadn't existed until just now. However, I feel it clearly now.
(...What's wrong with me?)
.......
—The next day.
As I was walking along the road, which was becoming engulfed in dusk, my cell phone rang.
Masaomi: "Hello."
Kaname: "Masa-nii."
I heard Kaname's voice.
Masaomi: "Oh, Kaname. What's wrong?"
Kaname: "Masa-nii, where are you now?"
Masaomi: "I'm near the hotel. I just finished the omiai, I was thinking about going home now..."
Kaname: "Oh, wait a minute."
Kaname interrupts me.
Kaname: "I want to talk for a bit. Let's meet at Kichijoji station. How long will it take to get there?"
Masaomi: "Yeah... about 40 minutes."
Kaname: "Okay. See you later then."
Then the call went off.
(What was going on? Kaname's voice sounded very serious though...)
.......
Kaname took me to a bar located near Kichijoji station
It was quite spacious, even though it was underground. Perhaps because it was early in the day, there were few customers, and it was quiet.
Kaname: "How is it here?"
Masaomi: "Yeah, it looks quite relaxing."
At Kaname's urging, we sat at the edge of a large table. Kaname ordered a whiskey on the rocks, and I asked the bartender to make me a sweet cocktail.
Kaname: "So..."
After a quick toast, Kaname said.
Kaname: "So what happened in the end?"
Masaomi: "You mean the omiai?"
Kaname: "Yeah. I mean, what else would I ask about?"
Masaomi: "Yeah, that's right. She was a really nice person."
Kaname: "So... it’s decided."
Masaomi: "That's right. I had decided on the answer before we met."
Kaname: “Well, yeah, I get it."
Kaname tilts his glass.
Kaname: "It's just perfect. So, what are your plans?"
Masaomi: "Plans?"
When I asked him again, Kaname looked dumbfounded.
Kaname: "Well, I mean, engagement ceremony, wedding ceremony, etc..."
Masaomi: "W-wait a second. What are you talking about, Kaname?"
Kaname: "I mean, Masa-nii's wedding..."
Masaomi: "What?!?!?!"
I couldn't help but shout out loud.
Masaomi: "When did I say I was getting married?"
Kaname: "Well, I mean..."
Kaname was unusually at a loss for words.
Kaname: "You said it earlier, you've decided."
Masaomi: "Yeah, I planned to turn it down from the beginning."
Kaname: "What?!"
Kaname's mouth drops open.
Kaname: "Are you going to refuse?"
Masaomi: "Yeah. Because if I get married, I'll have to leave home, right? Then I won't be able to be by her side."
Kaname: "What... does that mean..."
Masaomi: "I made a promise."
I said. For some reason, it felt like my voice was stronger than usual.
Masaomi: "On the way back from our mother's wedding. I told her I'd be by her side forever. I can't break that promise."
Kaname: "She... are you talking about imoto-chan...?"
Masaomi: "Of course."
I nodded.
Masaomi: “Who else would it be?”
Kaname: "Wait a minute, Masa-nii. If you were going to refuse, you didn’t have to tell imoto-chan that you were going to an omiai, right?"
Masaomi: "But...I don't want to keep a secret from her."
Silence fell. Kaname stared at me for a while, then he let out a big sigh.
Kaname: "Ah... so that's how it is. Wow, I'm surprised. I see, I can't believe Masa-nii... haaa."
He sighs repeatedly.
Masaomi: "What's wrong, Kaname?"
Kaname: "No, don't worry about it. I was just surprised to find a rival in an unexpected place."
Masaomi: "Rival?"
I have no idea what he's talking about.
Kaname: "But...surprisingly, it's the ones who don't have awareness that are the toughest."
Just as Kaname was muttering these words to himself, I received a call on my cell phone.
Masaomi: "Hello."
"Oh, is this Masaomi-san?"
It was her call.
Masaomi: "Yeah. What's wrong?"
"Um... how was your day?"
Masaomi: "Yeah, it's over. I had to decline."
"What?!"
The tone of the voice that came from the phone changed.
"Oh, is that so? Sorry, I thought it was decided..."
(...Huh? Why did everyone think that?)
“So, I ended up baking a cake to celebrate...”
Masaomi: "Oh, that's right. It's fine, don't worry about it. Right, let's eat it together. I'll be home soon, so could you cut a slice for me?"
"Yeah, but..."
Masaomi: "It's okay. I'll eat it since you baked it."
I hung up the phone and turned to Kaname.
Masaomi: "Let’s go home. She baked a cake. Let's all eat it together."
Kaname: "...I'm fine."
Kaname said.
Kaname: "I'm going to drink a bit more here, so you go home first. You and imoto-chan can have the cake together."
Masaomi: "Just the two of you? Kaname, that's weird."
Kaname: "It's fine, just do it. I'll give it to you for today."
Kaname didn't say anything more but sighed again and sipped his glass.
I left the bar, wondering about Kaname's behavior.
When I went outside, a pleasant breeze was blowing.
(Ahh, that feels good.)
Come to think of it, the vague feeling of unease I had when I told her about the omiai has completely disappeared.
(Okay! Let's go home.)
I started walking through the streets of Kichijoji. She was waiting for me at home. Thinking about that made me walk faster.
Personalmente me gusta mucho esta historia, Masaomi no es un personaje especialmente prominente y nunca hace ningun movimiento romantico sobre Ema. Claro esta, es mucho mayor que ella lol, pero tiene una personalidad gentil e inocente hasta cierto punto. Me inspira mucha confianza 🫠 trust issues where?
He añadido ilustraciones del comentario de la ilustradora, no tienen nada que ver con la historia, pero son hermosas.
