Sunny After Rain

Whilst walking, I realized that I actually wanted to get closer to Minoru-san. At least to a point where I don’t mentally think to add the -san suffix half the time.

“Minoru-san, I assume you’re not willing to tell him the story of your mother and uncles.”

“Of course.” He replied quickly. Then he went on to describe why.

“Why does Minetaka need to know that? No one really needs to know. I only told you at lunch because… I felt like it. And let’s be frank, even though I’m cordial with you to an extent - let’s not be friends for now. I’d rather just stay in my own lane.”

I smiled.

“Fine by me, Minoru-san. You did see me cry a bit so it’s not really fair to say that, no?”

Minoru-san shrugged his shoulders.

“I can’t control how you feel just like how you can’t control how I feel. Just how it is.”

He said in his normal firm voice. Despite that, I feel like even a baby could tell that Minoru had a lot on his mind.

Then he replied with the first ever joke-like comment to me since I’ve made acquaintances with him.

“You know it’s not an hour, right? It’s 2 hours and 30 minutes by walking.”

I can’t lie, maybe Minoru could take things lightheartedly.

“Alright then. I said train, by the way.”

“Yeah. Well… let’s just say I’ve had to take the free route.”

Oh, dear. I don’t think he was entirely joking.

I asked him “Look Minoru-san. Are you going to take the train or bus?”

Noticing my sympathy, he said “Bus to Nagoya Train Station, then on the Nagoya Line to Oe station.”

I gave him one look; he shared the glance but I could tell he was starting to feel the awkwardness. Perhaps he saw my sinister smile. Then he looked down at my hands, and I took out two ¥1,000 bills.

“Take it.”

“No,” he said angrily.

“Just take it.”

How can I see myself as a good person if you’re not accepting it?

“Look Fukaze-san, I don’t need your help. I have enough money to go home, what do you think I’ve been doing these past weeks since 2nd year?” He reminded me.

I gave him my reasoning. “Umm, you said you had to take the free route. Also, I don’t like the bus. Too many weirdos there.”

Then Minoru looked at me with a ‘huh’ expression on his face and his hands wide in the air. His grouchy facial expression was honestly a bit funny.

“You think the bus is full of weirdos.” He said in a slow and clear manner.

“Yes. I hate the bus.”

“But you don’t think the subway is full of weirdos? I mean, there are actual criminal perverts on the subways. I highly doubt you haven’t heard anyone scream chikan.”

He had a fair point. Not only just probably statistically (I haven’t actually checked) backed by evidence, but I have heard the victims scream out chikan. Thank the gods and spirits that there is a good bystander in both those situations because I’m simply too timid to confront them. It’s sadly ingrained in me to not involve myself with anyone else.

“You know what. You’re right, Minoru-san. Just take the money, at least buy yourself some food.” I told him.

“I don’t need your help. I didn’t like what you did at the coffee shop, and I don’t like what you’re doing now.”

“That’s fine, I’ll just put the money in your pocket.”

Finally! An action that is in sync with my inner self and my physical self! I put it in his pocket. He couldn’t dodge it, but I put it in his blazer pocket. I am a nice person!

“Alright, then Fukaze-san. Have it your way. But if you do that again, I swear, I will never talk to you in class.”

He seemed to insinuate something more than the actual value of his threat. I did give out a light chuckle. Okay… it was more like some air going out my nose. I don’t think Minoru-san liked that.

We reached our destination. He waited at the bus stop. I said my goodbyes and said hopefully we’ll see each other next week. Minoru just said, “Okay then.” What a warm-hearted guy!

It still smells damp from the rain, but the sun was starting to burn my eyes. I could feel a sunburn forming even though I was only walking for a few minutes. Ridiculous. Maybe, I do need to go outside more. Everything was whited out. Why does the sun always shine brighter after rain? I need to be careful; I might have existential crises, but I don’t want to die. Plus, I don’t want that to be at the hands of a stupid driver. Road safety is integral.

A few minutes later, I reached the fortress with its green walls. Home. I saw my sister in the front, just plucking weeds outside. I told Yumi-nee if she wanted help. She said “Of course? I’m a damsel in distress.”

Casting aside her terrible impression of an actress, she really seemed to need help. I went into the home to grab some gloves. The rest was history. School week survived. Just the next social event on Sunday to survive.