Chapter 15 The Disappointing Hero Goes Home
I decided to use the green car for my trip home.
It would be easier to [teleport], but I wanted to spend some money and get used to the experience that comes with it.
It costs about 10,000 yen more for a non-reserved seat from Tokyo to Shin-Yamaguchi.
Tokyo is the starting point, so I never had any inconvenience like not being able to sit in a non-reserved seat before.
The green car for the first time.
The seat is spacious, but more than that, I like the feeling of the sturdy handrail.
Moreover, perhaps because it's early, there's a sense of exclusivity in being the only one here. Well, that might depend on the time and day, though.
"Dear customers, here's a hot towel for you."
"Thank you very much."
Wow, they're actually handing out hot towels. Since it's here, should I wipe my face with it?
Huh, what's this? It feels amazing wiping my face with this! And it's so thick! As expected from the Green Car, the quality is on another level... but getting moved by just one hot towel. After passing through several stations for a while, another big sister came by handing out hot towels.
"I'm sorry."
"Yes."
"This is my first time riding in a green car, but this wet towel is amazing. I was a bit moved."
In response to my words, the big sister smiled brightly.
"Yes, I was surprised the first time I used it too."
"I'm sorry to be forward, but... could I have about three? I want to show them to my friends."
After glancing around for a moment, the big sister handed me three towels.
"Is it enough?"
"Thank you very much!"
Yes, got the towels!
Ah, maybe that sounded a bit too common.
The path to being a celeb is far... Well, not like I'm aiming for it anyway.
But, was it really that special? I don't know if I could have gotten it normally if I asked, but that shifty-eyed look made it seem more special.
The big sister of Jill Lightning was like that too. The pros of customer service are amazing.
They can make people feel moved by just holding their hand or handing them a towel.
Now, I messaged Kanae the arrival time at Shin-Yamaguchi, and she replied with "Got it!".
The closest station to my parents' house is Yuda Onsen Station, but there's only one transfer per hour, so she's coming to pick me up by car at Shin-Yamaguchi.
Well, the battle will start when I arrive.
Rest when you can, that's also a rule of the battlefield.
I took off my shoes, put my feet on the footrest, and decided to take a nap for a while.
I had to sleep outdoors a lot in the other world, this is heaven compared to that.
Traveling comfortably is definitely worth the high price.
Well, it can't beat the convenience of [Teleport], though.
* * *
As I waited at the rotary of Shin-Yamaguchi, I saw Kanae's car coming towards me.
It was a red Honda N-one.
I made eye contact with Kanae, who was sitting in the driver's seat.
I tried to wave, but the car just passed by me... and stopped after going about 3 meters, then backed up.
Before I could get in the car, Kanae hurriedly got out of the driver's seat. She came to the front and looked me up and down.
"What's wrong?"
"...Huh? Are you really Tadayuki...?"
"Yeah, I am?"
"No way...you're so skinny now"
Oops. Kanae usually speaks standard Japanese when she talks to me, but she was so surprised that she slipped into her dialect. Maybe I should reply in dialect too.
"That's right. I've been going to the gym lately, y'know"
"Going to the gym...but you only came back for New Year's and it's been only a month"
Oh...right.
It's strange to do it for just one month, but I have to push through here.
"You've seen those gyms advertised on TV, right? I went there and lost weight quickly."
"Wow, that's amazing. Sometimes celebrities lose weight quickly, but I always thought it was staged."
Alright, she somehow started to believe it. As I inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, Kanae seemed to suddenly realize something and grabbed my coat.
"Wait a minute, isn't this coat different from the one you had during New Year's?... This coat is expensive, isn't it?"
Oh, impressive. People really notice things when they look. I would never notice if someone changed their coat.
"Before, Kanae taught me about Jill Lightning."
"Huh!? Jill Lightning!? That's like, four or five hundred thousand, right!?"
Wow, you get it.
"Yeah, um, 498,000 yen."
"Seriously! That much! What about money!?"
"Ah... well, anyway, don't just standing around, let's get in the car."
"...Yeah, true."
The two got into the car, and after Kanae operated her smartphone for a bit, she started driving. After a while, looking ahead, she said,
"...Tadayuki, you're not cheating or anything, right?"
Of course not, or rather, it's you!
While resisting the urge to say so, I ended up smiling instead.
"What are you saying? You know I'm dedicated to Kanae, right?"
"Well, I know but..."
"Seriously, why would you think I'd cheat?"
Just as I asked, we hit a red light. Kanae, who had stopped the car, sharply turned towards me.
"Because, you're somehow cooler! There's a different vibe about you... you seem composed, suddenly giving off this mature, grown-up aura!"
Hmm... Maybe it's because of losing weight, or perhaps due to the exchange of lives in that other world...?
"I see. I'm glad, I wanted you to think that way, so I worked hard to lose weight, it was worth it"
"Really, you're not cheating on me?"
"I'm not. Look, it's blue"
Kanae turned her face forward again, and started driving.
But, I heard that people who cheat are suspicious of their partners, and it's true.
But... I realized once more.
Kanae is a formidable opponent.
Her gestures and words, each and every one of them, have a magic power that makes me think "She's so cute after all".
Of course.
For most of my life, I loved her.
That's why, I still wish that the flashback was just a dream. That's what I end up thinking.
But that was reality.
Even as she acted this way, she was laughing at me with Takashi behind my back.
That was the true nature of this woman.
That's why I had to engrave it in my heart.
The more I thought Kanae was cute, the more I was being betrayed by her.
And judging from Kanae's reaction, my plan seemed to be working so far.
I had won the first battle, it seemed.
* * *
She was supposed to drive me home... but Kanae stopped the car at a famous coffee chain in the city.
In the countryside, they had parking lots.
"Hey, want to grab some tea? There are things I want to ask."
"Yeah."
It's somewhat crowded, probably because it's a holiday. While Kanae holds our seats, I handle the orders and pick them up.
Returning to our seats with drinks, I notice another person besides Kanae.
"Oh? What's up, Mizuno-san? Just a coincidence?"
"Kanae called me. Said something was off with Higashimura-kun, so I hurried over."
Ah, now that I think about it, she was messing with her phone before driving.
Mizuno-san is Kanae's close friend and also my classmate. We don't have a personal relationship, but I at least have her contact information.
Well, there's no need to contact, but...
"What was something off about me?"
"Well, Higashimura-kun looks super cool!"
"Really?"
"Yeah, 'cause you're got a great build, and you're not wearing glasses! Did you switch to contacts?"
Oh, right. I did. My glasses got broken in the other world. I was in trouble without a replacement, so I learned the [Hawk Eyes] skill.
[Hawk Eyes] enhances vision and dynamic vision, so I don't need glasses anymore.
"Yeah, I got Lasik surgery."
"Really?"
"Huh? Is that so!? I didn't know!"
Following Mizuno-san, Kanae is also surprised.
Kanae kept up that pose, leaning in as if to whisper to Mizuno-san, but speaking loud enough for me to hear too.
"You see, isn't it suspicious? Doesn't know much, suddenly all stylish."
"Hmm, definitely feels like a woman's touch here."
"Hey, Mizuno-san, don't go there."
Man, this is something else.
What a hassle. Go home, Mizuno.
While I'm all smiles on the surface, Mizuno nods along as I vent behind their back.
"No matter how much you flatter, can't even treat us to tea here, huh? What will you have?"
"Really? Okay, a café latte, tall size!"
"Sure, I'll go buy it."
As I left my seat, I activated my skill, "Rabbit Ears." With this, my hearing was enhanced, allowing me to listen in on their conversation.
"Higashimura-kun has really changed. He gives off a mature vibe now."
"Yeah... it surprised me."
"He's way better than Kato-kun, isn't he? Seriously, stop fooling around with affairs."
"Hey, don't tell Tadayuki about that, okay?"
"I won't, I won't."
Hmm... Mizuno-san knows. Even though she knows my contact information, she hasn't contacted me at all? So, that means she's against me too. Understood.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, here you go."
"Thanks!"
After handing over the drink, I muttered "Oh, right" and opened my bag.
I took out a paper bag from inside, and their expressions changed.
"Oh, it's Jill Lightning!"
Huh, Mizuno-san knows it too?
"Yeah, that's right. The coat Tadayuki is wearing is also from there!"
"No, it's not."
"Huh? But you said earlier..."
"Not just the coat, everything is from there!"
"Whaaaaat!? I thought you were wearing something fashionable, but everything!? What a waste of money!"
"Well, I was going to explain when I got out of the car, but I didn't expect you to call Mizuno-san."
"Then, explain?"
“Well, when we’re alone together. For now, here.”
I handed a paper bag to Kanae.
“Huh? What’s this?”
“Open it.”
She cut the seal of the paper bag and took out its contents.
“Women’s gloves? Jill Lightning’s...?”
She stared at the gloves for a moment, then abruptly looked at me.
“What’s this? Are you giving this to me?”
“Yeah, I picked them out carefully, so I’d be happy if you liked them.”
For a while, she seemed dazed, but soon her joy burst out.
“Really!? It’s my favorite brand, but they’re expensive so I don’t have any... thank you!”
Kanae clasped the gloves tightly to her chest.
Mizuno-san, who saw that, said enviously.
"Wow, lucky you. Hey, Higashimura-kun. Don't you have one for me?"
"No way!"
Kanae immediately denied it. But...
"I do"
"Huh!? You do!? No way!"
"Hey, hey, Tadayuki..."
Ignoring Kanae's worried face, I put my hand in my bag.
I took out a white bag and handed it to Mizuno-san.
"Huh... what's this?"
"A wet towel I got from the green car"
"I don't need it!"
"Come on, it's amazing. Try wiping your hands or something"
"Really? Oh, it's really nice and firm!"
"Right?"
As Mizuno and I were having fun with the wet towels, Kanae said a bit sulkily.
"Hey, what about me?"
"Of course, you have one too. Why don't you wipe your hands before putting on the gloves?"
"Okay!"
I handed her a wet towel, and the two of them chatted happily about how it felt for a while.
...
...
Kanae, how do you like it?
I'm acting like a good boyfriend in front of your friend, giving you an expensive gift and making witty jokes.
I'll make you proud of me.
That way, the damage you'll suffer later will be bigger.
Hehehe.
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