V4Ch1: Closing Distance and Wavering Feelings Part 2

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Translator: Soafp

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Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture.

This town, about a three-hour drive from central Tokyo, is home to the world heritage site Nikko Tosho-gu, the Kegon Falls—one of Japan's three famous waterfalls—Irohazaka as a scenic spot, Lake Chūzenji, Senjogahara, and hot spring resorts like Oku-Nikko and Kinugawa Onsen, making it one of the prefecture's premier tourist destinations.

As a result, any drive inevitably tends to turn into a sightseeing trip.

The course Sho had chosen that day was just like that: climbing Irohazaka, strolling around Lake Chūzenji, and seeing Kegon Falls—a route that felt like a full-blown tourist day.

“We… are on a sightseeing trip?”

“Yeah… you could say that.”

Sho replied with a resigned laugh to Haru's remark.

Though he had suggested going somewhere by car, he hadn't actually thought about a destination.

It had been a spur-of-the-moment idea, thrown out in desperation.

Even so, Sho wanted to talk to Haru more. He wanted to know more about her.

Meanwhile, Haru, despite her teasing remarks, felt her heart dance with excitement.

The person she had hoped to see again had come all the way to her neighborhood to check on her, and now invited her for a drive.

Was this a dream? Before she knew it, the time in the car had flown by.

In fact, they had barely spoken during the drive.

“But still, it's great that such beautiful sightseeing spots are so close to us. I'm glad we're Nikkō locals.”

“I… would have preferred being a Tokyo citizen. It feels kind of in-between, doesn't it? Not really bustling, but not too rural either. Young people tend to go to Utsunomiya instead. And even Utsunomiya is still countryside compared to Tokyo or Saitama. Definitely feels like a regional town.”

“Well, compared to Tokyo, sure. Let's enjoy the natural scenery and world heritage sites you can't find there… Sorry if you're used to this area.”

Sho often came around Lake Chūzenji with Hikaru.

Hikaru loved the cafés in the area, so Sho was usually dragged along as the driver.

“This is… my first time coming here in ten years, I think.”

However, Haru gave Sho an answer he hadn't expected.

“Ten years… but this is in the city?”

“Yeah. Since my father was arrested, I didn't really come to places like this.”

“I see…”

Sho felt a pang at the thought that her father's arrest had so heavily restricted her life.

“The last time I came here, the shops around Lake Chūzenji weren't nearly as nice…”

Haru spoke, enjoying the current scenery while reminiscing about old memories.

“Ten years ago…”

Those ten years had been long and heavy, not just for Haru, but for Sho as well.

By then, the sun had risen high, and the two of them took a light lunch at a café.

For locals, the world heritage sites were ironically places they rarely visited.

Sho and Haru slowly and leisurely visited Nikko Tosho-gu, Rinnu-ji, and Futarasan Shrine, collectively known as the “two shrines and one temple of Nikku.”

“I heard there's a god of matchmaking here.”

“Oh… well, I'm a bit old for that. There's probably no one who'd take someone like me.”

“You never know. Might as well make a wish.”

They stood side by side, putting their hands together.

“This is a god of matchmaking. Even if couples pray, I doubt anything will happen,” an elderly couple just behind them said with a smile before walking on.

“A couple… really? Did they think we were one?”

Blushing, Haru glanced at Sho, who gave a wry smile.

“Honestly, when men and women come to a place like this, most people jump to conclusions. Japan's preconceptions, huh…”

Sho had said the same thing when he visited with Hikaru.

Back then, Hikaru had playfully teased him, leaving Sho completely bewildered.

(That time, Hikaru's joking caused such a mess…)

Being arm-in-arm, having his hand pulled… Sho had no memory of sightseeing at all.
Of course, that was because he had been aware of Hikaru as a woman.

Seeing Sho's complicated expression, Haru felt a little guilty.

“I-I was just joking. Sorry if I upset you.”

Sho looked at Haru and realized, oh, he understood. Haru had a slightly lonely expression.

“No, my fault… I just remembered when I came here with a childhood friend to relax.”

“A childhood friend… a girl?”

“Yeah. Same age.”

After finishing their sightseeing, the two got into the car. Having walked and talked casually, by the time they got in, the sun was already beginning to set.

“Ten years ago… it was a hard time for both me and my childhood friend, so we encouraged each other and got through it together, up until now.”

“I see… Then, with that kind of relationship, you didn't date?”

“People always ask that. But it's not really like that. It's not a romantic thing. More like siblings…”

Though aware of each other as the opposite sex, their feelings hadn't developed romantically. Haru felt a sense of relief at that subtle distance.

“Then, your friend definitely notices you.”

“No, she doesn't.”

The car started moving.

Sho and Haru laughed together as they headed home.