Chapter 9: Chest pain

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Translator: Soafp

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A bicycle made its way from the industrial area toward the station. As they passed through the shopping district and entered the residential area, the surroundings grew quiet.

“Does your butt hurt?”

“I’m fine, there's a footrest too.”

Sora responded while sitting on a saddle wrapped tightly with a cushion tied with string. Before leaving, Ginji had added a bar for the rear wheel, making the ride more comfortable, although it felt a bit odd.

“That's the three-story house.”

“Is this it. It's a modern-looking house.”

Sora's house was a three-story building made of reinforced concrete. The structure was plain, but there were a lot of windows. There was barely any yard, just a small storage shed. It felt like a house had been placed on a piece of land.

“We made it three stories because the land is small. So, I'll be going now…”

“Yeah, see you tomorrow.”

“…Yeah, see you tomorrow.”

Just as Sora was about to kick the stand on the bicycle to turn and head home, he grabbed Ginji's shirt.

“Huh? What's up?”

“Uh, well… I was hesitant to say this, but earlier, you said, ‘Today, I had a bad day,’ right?”

“Ah, yeah, that. Saying you had a bad day and that's why I wanted you to stay for dinner.”

“Yeah, that's it! But, it's a bit different… I thought today was the worst day, but it wasn't… Wait, this is hard to explain…”

When he tried to put it into words, it felt like it might spill out, and he couldn't quite get it right.

Ginji ruffled Sora's hair roughly.

“Did you like the fried rice?”

“…Yeah, it was delicious.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“Yeah, I'm glad. Really, today was good. It was good, Ginji… When I can speak properly, I'll tell you… then…”

“I get it. That's enough, Sora. See you.”

Sora watched as Ginji slowly pedaled toward the shopping district until he disappeared from sight. After that, Sora unlocked the door and went inside.

The first-floor workshop, with multiple lights installed, was almost entirely filled with art supplies. While unbuttoning his school jacket, Sora walked through the supplies and climbed the stairs. She threw her bag and school uniform onto the second-floor room and dove onto the sofa.

The first-floor workshop, with multiple lights installed, was almost entirely filled with art supplies. While unbuttoning his school jacket, Sora walked through the supplies and climbed the stairs. He threw his bag and school uniform onto the second-floor room and dove onto the sofa.

“Ugh… I forgot…”

When he collapsed, his chest was pressed uncomfortably. He unbuttoned his shirt and quickly removed the corrective tank-top-style undergarment. Though not large, there was a noticeable curve to his chest for his height. Sora stretched his arms out, trying to straighten his back. His joints cracked from the slouching posture he had during the day, trying to hide the curve.

“Hmm… I feel like it’s gotten bigger…”

He checked the full-length mirror and thought that the curve beneath his shirt seemed slightly larger than he remembered. He suddenly recalled how during their tandem ride earlier, he had pressed it against Ginji's back. He shook his head, trying to push the thought aside. Sora opened the fridge, poured some milk into a glass, and drank it quickly, hoping to clear his head a bit.

“Aika-chan's remaining requests… the main design for the cultural festival and the commemorative painting for my uncle… I should make some progress on the painting before I take a shower…”

He removed his glasses, pushed his bangs back with a headband, and pulled out a coverall. Took a regular bra to avoid rubbing against the rough fabric of the coverall, making sure it wouldn't be uncomfortable.

A girl's reflection appeared in the mirror.

He put on the dirty coveralls and went back downstairs. On the canvas, various tools like painting knives, brushes, and rollers were neatly arranged next to it.

“If I paint normally, I won't finish in time, so I'll do it directly with wet paint. I like the changes in oil painting as it progresses… If I want to make it look like Aika-chan's style, maybe it should be like this?”

As Sora moved his hands energetically, his thoughts swirled around the events of the day.

And the girl thought to herself. Today, Ginji, who had entered her world for the first time, made her want to know more about him, and for him to know more about her. Under the lights, as she painted, she could have said it aloud if she were alone.

“Ginji, thank you… I'm happy. Next time, I want to know more about you…”

Someday, when she could say it directly to him, the girl practiced.

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TL: This feels weird to read… I will stick with “he/him” for now.