Home Sweet Home, Takabata

It was 5 PM. We loitered around the shops nearby the school at Yaguma-Dori. All three of us were on the way to our homes in Takabata. We lived next to a busy intersection, but just on the side streets. None of us were each other's next door neighbour, but you could definitely say we’re close enough to call each other that. My house was opposite Nishi-chan’s and two doors to my left was Kazumi. I think the administrative division or area was 3-Chome. But that’s such a strange thing to remember. It’s a twenty-minute walk. I don’t know how I’ve survived these mindless conversations so far. Sometimes I wish I just disassociated right now and drowned in the Arako River. Seriously. Someone put me out of my misery. I’m like a war veteran in Iraq doing his fourth tour of duty. Too violent a simile? My bad.

But do you want a snippet of this? Go ahead.

“Nishi-chan, it’s true that people eat frogs!”

“Stop lying Kazumi! How could anyone enjoy slimy creatures like that?”

“Well, they’re considered a delicacy in certain cultures. I’ve actually had them before Nishi-chan.”

There I am, walking behind both of them. Their voices louder than the traffic to our side. Without a care in the world. Life can be like this? I know they’re not vapid because I’ve known the two of them for years. Not enough to call each other basically family but certainly enough to call each other's parents, aunties, and uncles.

Nishi-chan is there caressing her short, curled hair. The colour was pretty damn near a beaver’s fur. Genuinely. It’s the only thing I can compare it to. It’s kinda erratic honestly, how she’s manipulating her curls.

“You know Nishi-chan, our family are going on holiday to the UK and France!”

“Really? Your family must be getting richer each year because you just had a vacation in the Philippines like four months ago? I don’t even have a passport yet!”, exclaimed Nishi-chan.

“Listen Erina, you know we’ve finally hit better times! Three years ago, my parents hadn’t even thought of renewing my passport since I was 8! Now that I’m 18, I might as well explore the world.”

That’s nice. I wish I had her carefree spirit. I’m going to end it as the nice younger ‘cousin’ I am.

“Sounds naive Kazumi-senpai. Both France and the UK have higher crime rates and pickpockets than even the worst area in Nagoya!”

I said it pretty halfheartedly.

Kazumi immediately converted into the uptight senpai she was.

“Honzo. It is not really fair to judge countries by crime rates. The Philippines had crime, guns and many issues that I personally saw with my own eyes.”

Oh dear. I spotted her eyes. Her pupils just dilated, perhaps twice the size. It appears I’m going to get a lecture.

“Uhh, Kazumi… where are you going with this?”

“Let me take a deep breath…”

I take back what I said. I miss the random conversations.

“Honzo. It is not fair to judge a nation on arbitrary values. Crime rates are obviously not good. But there is more to a nation than crime rates? Yes, France and the UK have their issues. But they are also places that people envy going. Have you seen Big Ben? I want to visit the Louvre!”

Nishi just stared at me, maybe with a bit of pity. I think she also recognizes Kazumi to be perhaps a bit too self-righteous. I presume Nishi could see that Kazumi was not saying anything coherent.

Kazumi stepped towards me. Even though I was physically looking down on her, that couldn’t be further than the truth emotionally.

“And the Philippines had a lot of inequality and poverty. It was very gut-wrenching to say the least. But the people looked happy. Their days going by. Say what you want about crime, but I personally did not witness a single crime during those two weeks around Manila. Meanwhile, didn't you get assaulted by a student today? You’re walking with the culprit of that assault right now! Where’s your snarky comment about the state of crime in Japan?”

Oh, believe me Kazumi. I have made comments about crime in Japan. However, I do forgive Nishi-chan for that slap. It was my fault for being feeble!

Regardless, it’s best to apologize to Kazumi. She’s not wrong too. However, I guess you can say I was too effective at ruining the conversation.

“I’m only joking Kazumi-senpai. I do apologize for making that comment about France and the UK. But I especially apologize to Nishi-chan for butting in.”

Kazumi-senpai looked at me. She just sighed and firmly said, “I know you’re joking Fukaze-kun. Just felt like saying it anyways.”

She glanced at Nishi and she returned it back.

“But… Fukaze-kun... you just love putting Erina on a pedestal. She’s not going to fall in love with you like that.”

My cheeks just pinked. But I think someone else’s reactions were a little bit worse than mine.

Nishi-chan’s face looked like she was on fire. I need to put it out with a fire extinguisher. I didn’t know one small comment could set that off? You want me to be honest? I actually am not THAT romantically attracted to Takanishi. She’s definitely not bad looking. What am I even saying, she’s quite literally the idol of our year. That won’t change the fact that I see her as like a person to protect. She’s… I guess I have to say it.

Takanishi Erina is so moe.

You want my true opinion? I actually have a slight crush on someone else, Shibuya Azumi. I haven’t described her because she just doesn’t talk often. It’s like we’re kindred souls. She’s similar to me too! Skinny, taller than average for her peers. Black hair. Glasses. I just love how she sits slouching. She moves her leg up and down when she’s bored! Yeah. I am bordering on insane stalking. I could add so many literary devices for her! She’s the sun to my rainy day! But I haven’t really spoken to her so truth be told, I know it’s just a small crush but she’s just normal… and that’s what’s attractive to someone who has a mental disorder. If only.

“Shut up! I’m sure Honzo likes someone else.”

“Yes… uhh… yes that is, umm… correct Nishi-chan.”

Wow. I was stumbling on my words; the inner homeless drunkard arose in me!

In a feat of triumph, Kazumi belted out her chest. It was awkwardly erotic to a man like me. I don’t think she realized.

“Haha, I must have hit a nerve if both of you are so blind and oblivious to what you want!”

We reached our destinations. Guess we have to continue this on Valorant. Totally not blushing. Everything I say is totally within my control. I am the most reliable narrator that ever lived.

And on the topic of whether my thoughts are coherent or reliable, you see, reader - I don’t actually engage in social refusal anymore. That prologue was just me in a weird mental mind state. It feels like there are multiple versions of me. I did engage in social refusal this morning - but I decided to quit just after lunch. To be truthful though, there are certainly days where my pessimistic anti-social me appears and I just hang by myself. But I guess on this walk home it didn’t appear.

To be frank, I'm still a loner. Can’t no one tell me otherwise. Even if the facts change.