Chapter 5: Convenience Store

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Translator: Soafp

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School was over, and as we walked home together, I noticed that Hana seemed lost in thought.

“Hey, Hana, you seem a bit distracted. Is everything alright?”

Glancing over at her as we walked.

Hana snapped out of her thought, blinking as if coming back to reality.

“Oh, sorry. I was just lost in thought.”

Kenji chimed in, a playful grin on his face.

“Daydreaming about your date with Ryota, perhaps?”

Hana blushed, but shook her head.

“No, it’s not that. I’m just… thinking about something.”

I was concerned by the distant look in her eyes.

“Is there something on your mind? You can talk to us about it.”

Hana hesitated for a moment.

“It’s nothing, really. Just some personal stuff.”

Kenji shot me a knowing look, and I nodded in silent agreement. If Hana didn’t want to talk about it, we wouldn’t push her.

“Alright, well, if you ever do want to talk about it, I’m here for you.”

Hana returned the smile, gratitude shining in her eyes.

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

With that, we continued our walk, the unspoken tension easing as we fell into a more relaxed rhythm.

Despite the lingering curiosity about what had been troubling Hana, I knew that pushing her to talk wouldn’t help.

Sometimes, all we could do was offer our support and wait for the right moment to open up.

As we continue to walk, it was at this part that we have to split up with Kenji.

“Alright guys, have fun on your date and I will see you on Monday.”

His words were filled with genuine warmth and well wishes, a reminder of the strong bond of friendship that bound us together.

“Thanks, Kenji. See you on Monday.”

Hana echoed my sentiment with a nod, her expression brightening with gratitude.

“Take care, Kenji. See you next week.”

With a final wave, Kenji turned and headed off in the opposite direction, disappearing into the crowd.

Turning back to Hana, I offered her a reassuring smile, feeling a surge of excitement at the thought of our upcoming date.

“Shall we go?”

“Yes.”

It feels weird to have her voice lacking its usual energy.

As we walked, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was weighing heavily on her mind. I longed to reach out, to offer her comfort and support, but I knew that prying wouldn’t help.

Instead, I decided to focus on enjoying our time together and hoped that whatever was troubling her would eventually be sorted out.

With a silent resolve, I took Hana’s hand in mine, offering her a reassuring squeeze as we continued on our way.

Despite the uncertainty that hung in the air, I was determined to make it a memorable one, filled with laughter, joy, and perhaps a few surprises along the way.

---

I unlocked the door to my home, half expecting to find Yuto waiting for me just like last time.

But to my relief, the hallway was empty.

“I am home…”

A wave of relief washed over me as I stepped inside, the tension slowly melting away with each passing moment.

As I kicked off my shoes and made my way further into the house, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude for the temporary reprieve from the turmoil that had plagued my interactions with Yuto.

With a deep sigh, I allowed myself to relax, knowing that for now, at least, I could enjoy a moment of peace and solitude within the familiar confines of my home.

I made my way to my room, determined to tackle my homework.

The last thing I wanted was to spend my Sunday, the day of my date with Hana, buried under a mountain of assignments.

Sitting down at my desk, I pulled out my textbooks and notebooks, ready to dive into the work ahead.

With focused determination, I began to tackle each assignment, methodically working my way through the tasks at hand.

Despite the nagging worries and uncertainties that still lingered in the back of my mind, I found solace in the familiar routine of studying.

Each problem I solved, each equation I balanced, brought me one step closer to the sense of accomplishment I craved.

And as I worked, the anticipation of the upcoming date with Hana filled me with a renewed sense of motivation.

I wanted to make sure that everything was in order so that I could fully enjoy our time together without the burden of unfinished tasks weighing me down.

So I immersed myself in my studies, determined to make the most of the time I had before Sunday arrived.

With each passing hour, I felt a sense of satisfaction knowing that I was taking control of my responsibilities, paving the way for a day of relaxation and enjoyment with Hana.

---

After finishing my homework, I glanced at the clock and noticed that it was already 7 pm. Setting aside my books and notes, I stretched my arms and let out a tired sigh.

As I descended the stairs, I found Nao sitting in the living room, engrossed in watching some drama.

“Hey, Nao. What’s up?”

“Hey, Onii-chan. Just watching some drama. How was your day?”

“Busy, as usual. But I managed to get through all my homework.”

As I settled onto the couch beside her, I couldn’t help but notice the absence of our parents.

“Hey, where are Mom and Dad?”

Nao’s expression faltered slightly.

“Father had to work late tonight and mom is bringing him food.”

I nodded, though a pang of disappointment tugged at my heart. It wasn’t the first time my father had to prioritize his work over family time, but it still stung.

“Well, I hope they won’t be too late.”

“Yeah, me too.”

The room was filled with the sound of the evening drama, casting a sense of silence over our otherwise bustling home.

“I will be going to the convenience store. Do you need anything?”

She thought for a moment.

“No, thanks. I’m good for now.”

With a nod, I grabbed my wallet and keys, slipping them into my pocket. As I made my way to the door, Nao called after me.

“Just be careful, Ryota, and don’t take too long.”

“I will, don’t worry! I am off”

“Take care!”

I assured her with a smile before stepping out into the cool evening air.

---

I made my way down the familiar streets, the evening breeze gently rustling through the trees. The convenience store was just a short walk away, its bright neon sign beckoning me from afar.

Entering the store, a wave of familiarity washed over me. The shelves were neatly stocked with an array of snacks and drinks, and the air was filled with the faint hum of the refrigerators.

I wandered down the aisles, browsing the selection as I debated what to buy. Eventually, I settled on a few snacks and drinks. Secretly I know that Nao wants some, so I bought some extra as well.

With my purchases in hand, I made my way to the checkout counter, where a familiar person greeted me with a friendly smile.

“Good evening, Ken-san. Did you find everything you need?”

“Good evening, Yamamoto-san. And yes I have found everything.”

Kaito Yamamoto, my neighbor, is 43 years old. Despite his slightly chubby build, he’s incredibly friendly and approachable.

Yamamoto scanned my items with practiced efficiency, his friendly demeanor making the mundane task of grocery shopping feel less tedious.

“You seem a lot better. Did something happened?”

“Actually, I am going on date with a girl.”

“Hoho, you damn lucky man. When I was at your age all I did was playing video games.”

Yamamoto-san’s laughter filled the air, his jovial spirit contagious as he reminisced about his own youth.

“Well, I’m happy for you, Ryota. Just remember to be yourself and have a good time. And if you ever need any advice, you know where to find me.”

“Thanks, Yamamoto-san. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Do you need the receipt?”

I was contemplating if I really need it. But what if Nao really doesn’t want the candy that would be a waste of money.

“Yes, please.”

Yamamoto-san nodded and printed out the receipt, handing it to me with a smile.

“Alright, here you go. Have a great evening, Ryota!”

“Thanks, you too, Yamamoto-san.”

With a wave goodbye, I left the convenience store feeling a little lighter, a little more excited for the weekend ahead.

---

[Nao PoV]

As I was watching the drama, I heard the door opening.

“I am home.”

It was Onii-chan back from the convenience store.

“Welcome back. Why are you panting?”

“I ran back because I though it was going to rain.”

“Ah, is that so?”

“Yeah.”

As he spoke, he approached me and handed me a small bag of candy.

“Here you go. I bought this for you.”

I raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised by his gesture.

“But didn’t I tell you that I don’t need anything?”

“Knowing you, I thought you secretly wanted some but you just don’t want to say it.”

I couldn’t help but smile at his insight. Despite my protests, he knew me all too well.

“Thanks, Onii-chan. You’re always looking out for me.”

“You are welcome. Well, I will be going to my room preparing for tomorrow.”

“Okay, don’t stay up late even though it is weekend.”

“Yes yes.”

Waving a hand dismissively as he disappeared into his room.

I turned my attention back to the television, the drama has ended.

As I zapped through the channels, searching for something else to watch, I landed on the news.

I watched the local news, the reporter’s voice filled the room, detailing the ongoing fight that had erupted in our neighborhood earlier in the evening.

The screen showed flashing lights from police cars and a crowd of onlookers gathered around the scene.

My heart sank at the sight. Violence so close to home was alarming, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease wash over me. I hoped that no one was seriously injured and that the situation would be resolved peacefully.

As the news segment continued, I couldn’t shake the feeling of worry that lingered in the back of my mind.

It was a stark reminder of the unpredictability of the world we lived in, and it served as a sobering contrast to the relative peace and quiet of our own home.

While lost in my thoughts, pondering the implications of the news report, I heard the familiar sound of the door opening.

“I am home.”

Came the familiar voice of Nii-san.

“Welcome back.”

I called out from the living room, my attention shifting from the television to acknowledge his arrival.

He came to the living room.

“What are you watching, Nao?”

“The local news. Apparently there was an ongoing fight, look.”

I pointed towards the television screen as I played back the news report.

Nii-san leaned in closer, his gaze fixed on the screen as he watched the unfolding events with a furrowed brow.

“….”

He remained silent, his eyes fixed on the screen as he absorbed the details of the news report.

As the news segment concluded, he finally turned away from the television.

“I should be going. I have a lot things to do tomorrow.”

“U-uhm, yes. Take care…”

His departure felt abrupt and out of character, leaving me with a nagging sense of concern that lingered long after he had gone.

The news continued to drone on in the background, but I found it difficult to focus.