Chapter 144: Elderly Power

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

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[Shiori PoV]

“……Ah.”

I closed the book I was reading and glanced up at the display screen above the door in the swaying train. It was time for my transfer.

[The doors are opening]

I followed the flow of the crowd, stepping off the train, and stood waiting for my next one. It seemed like I had about 20 minutes until it arrived, and there was a long line already forming.

This was a large station, so there were plenty of people. I remember getting lost here at first…

“……”

As I stood there in line, memories floated back to me.

[――’Actually, my little sister is coming home soon.’――]

That's what he had told me. 

He had been working hard, even cleaning his room in preparation.

…Hajime-kun's room. I'd love to see it. 

He has so many hobbies, right?

I wonder what his space looks like, and how he spends his time…

“――Woops, I messed up…”

“!”

While I was lost in thought, I suddenly heard unfamiliar English. 

When I looked over, I saw a girl with beautiful chestnut hair. 

She was small, about my height, wearing a stylish blue denim jacket. She looked like she could be in middle school, high school, or maybe even a college student?

Her face seemed Japanese, but maybe she was a Japanese-American?

“…uhhh! Ahh, mou…”

She clearly looked troubled. 

What should I do?

I don't understand English…

But at a time like this, Hajime-kun would definitely step in without hesitation and offer help.

“……”

But… I can't even speak English… What should I do?

Oh!

“……Ah, here it is.”

I thought I'd never use it again, but I pulled out a small notepad from my pocket. 

I typed into a translation app, then used my phone as a base to write, *’What’s happen? どうかしましたか？’* I managed to finish it.

This should be easier to communicate with than just showing my phone, right? 

I used this with Hajime-kun when we talked once, too.

“――U-Um! Here, this…”

“!?”

Wait, now that I look at her more closely, she really does seem more like a Japanese person…

“…Are you Japanese?”

“Y-Yes!”

“Sorry, Japanese is fine.”

…I felt all the tension drain out of me. 

But I was glad things worked out.

---

“…It must've been tough getting separated from your family.”

“Fufu, I really regret telling them to go ahead to the hotel.”

“Y-Yeah, I can imagine.”

“But you really saved me. Japanese train stations are like a maze!”

“Kuku, they really are.”

As we walked together, I couldn't help but feel intrigued by this strange girl.

What was it about her? 

Everything, I guess.

She was so easy to talk to that it didn't feel like we had just met. 

Our conversation never hit a lull, and her smile—it was the kind that made everything around her feel brighter.

“Looks like this is where I should wait.”

“Yes. Do you know your transfer from here?”

“Yeah, I think I've got it.”

“That's good to hear.”

“Um, I hate to ask since you helped me and all, but… did I make you late?”

“Ah! Not at all, I still have about 10 minutes.”

Her thoughtfulness—it's so different from how I am.

“That's a relief. What's your name?”

“I-It's Shiori Momiji.”

“That's a lovely name. It suits you perfectly.”

“Huh?”

“Your cheeks are all red, so cute.”

“Ah…”

“Fufu. I'm honored to have run into someone like you.”

“Th-Thank you…”

The way she closes the distance between people… it's so different from how I am. 

She's probably older than me. That has to be it.

Otherwise, this would be too embarrassing…!

“And, what about you?”

“I'm ‘Nina.’ Call me Nina♪”

“Ni-Nina-san. So, why did you come to Japan…?”

“Ara, is this an interview? Do you have hidden cameras somewhere?”

“H-Huh…?”

“Fufu! Sorry, you're just so funny.”

“Ugh…”

After calming me down from my flustered state, she said with a joyful laugh:

“I came to see my brother, who's living here in Japan.”

…Brother.

[――’Actually, my little sister is coming home soon.’――]

It's quite a coincidence, this overlaps with him.

[――’It's next week, but my room is still a total mess, so I'm not sure I'll be ready in time…’――]

Still, no way it's *that* much of a coincidence.

“Your brother?”

“Yes. He's a bit of a mess, so I'm worried about him.”

“…R-Really?”

“Fufu. I'd love for you to meet him.”

“What?”

“He'd probably get so flustered by how cute you are that he wouldn't be able to say a word and would run to me instead.”

“Th-That's not…”

“He's completely clueless when it comes to girls. Actually, he's terrible at talking to anyone. Unlike me! His contact list is probably just me, mom, and dad. His hair and clothes are a disaster. That Hajime is so lame! [TL: Said in english] My friends back home would totally say that!”

“I-I see…”

I was taken aback by how suddenly talkative she'd become.

“Oh! Looks like the train is here. Thanks so much, Shiori!”

“Y-Yeah.”

“Bye byeee!”

She waved as she boarded the train.

Like a storm, and yet, as bright as the sun.

“…Huh?”

Just now, did I hear a name that sounded familiar?

…Well, it's probably just my imagination. 

When I get home, I should do some more voice training!