MTL: Dexter, Kael
FTL(Hardest Part): KayL
TLC/Editor: Alisa
Final Editors: Kakarotto (aka G-String)
Note: We are using the Chinese Official Translation and Original Japanese Raw in our translations. Our Editors and Raw Readers (Translators) have done their best to give you the best quality English translation. We hope you enjoy reading Chiramune as much we do!
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9
After leaving more than half of our luggages at my house, we lightened our load a bit and sat down on the riverside on our way to Saku-kun’s place, having bought iced café lattes and hojicha lattes from the convenience store.
The time was probably around a little before 4 o’clock. The sunlight reflecting on the water seemed strangely gentle.
──hsshh, hsshh, hssshh.
──Chirp, chirp, chirp.
The cicadas chirped all around us, and boys with bug-catching nets ran around the embankment as if making a last-ditch effort. The scent of insect repellent that drifted by from time to time bid farewell until next year.
I murmured softly, “Summer is ending, isn’t it?”
Saku-kun nodded, “Yeah, it is.”
As our pinkies accidentally brushed against each other, I spoke up.
“Saku-kun, can I ask you something?”
“Hmm?”
“Why did you greet my father earlier?”
“Is that such a strange thing?”
“Normally, I think most people would hurry to leave that situation…”
“I’m not doing anything bad to his daughter, am I?”
“…You sure about that?”
“Huh!?”
“Hehe, just kidding.”
“It sent shivers down my spine, so please stop.”
“Do you feel guilty about something?”
“Well, considering I’ve let you stay over twice, it would be a lie to say I don’t.”
“Oh, maybe I’m the guiltier one when it comes to that.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s a secret.”
As we exchanged such conversation, Saku-kun stretched out his legs and lay down with a thud. Our pinkies separated, and a slightly lonely feeling crept in.
“To be honest, I had been thinking about finding the right opportunity to greet him. But in the end, a whole year went by with me kept postponing it.”
“Why?”
“Well, it’s only natural. If his precious daughter frequently goes to a stranger’s house to cook meals, any parent would worry like crazy.”
“My father surprisingly understood quite easily, though.”
“That’s because his consideration and trust in you. After what happened last year, he wanted to give you as much freedom as possible. He believes that if it’s someone you trust, then it’ll surely be fine.”
“I wonder if that’s true…”
“Um, please don’t take this the wrong way. Your dad ended up getting divorced, right? No matter what, he’ll be sensitive about his daughter’s relationships. To be frank, he might worry that you’re being deceived by some strange guy. I’m repeating myself, but I’m not saying your mother is like that.”
“You don’t have to explain that. I understand perfectly well. That aside, I think you’re overthinking it.”
“Yua, did you notice?”
“Notice what?”
Saku-kun looked at me, a troubled smile playing on his lips, “When your father retied his tie, his fingers trembled.”
“No way…?”
Even though I should have seen it in that moment too, I didn’t notice it at all.
Since Mom left, I thought my father had become like an empty shell. His lack of interference in our lives, perhaps it was the flip side of apathy.
I thought he had left behind his anger, tears, doubts, and worries on that day.
However…
Could it be that he silently watched over, making sure not to let anything touch us?
“That’s why,” Saku-kun continued, “Not just empty words and pretenses for that moment, I wanted to speak from my heart as much as possible. Including the final part and everything about cooking and sharing meals together. Do you think I conveyed it properly?”
His eyes fluttered shyly, and I felt myself being drawn in.
Why did he always manage to find someone’s heart and pick them up?
Just for today, I think.
Borrowing your sincere words,
“Yes, I love it!”
I wanted to become a mischievous liar, stretching the truth endlessly.
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Plebian Translation 