"You know the saying, 'Truth is stranger than fiction,' right? It means that things that happen in reality are often more bizarre than what's written in novels. It's a famous proverb derived from the English poet Byron's Don Juan, and I'm sure many of you have heard it.
My life is a perfect example of that. In my previous life, I was a high school dropout who earned money day-to-day, then became a doctor on a whim. I thought I died at 27, and the next thing I know, I've traveled back in time and become a child in a different family. It wouldn't be surprising to get an offer from Unbelievable.
On the other hand, this means I'm the only student in this school who has lived in an era not as a student. This story is about a former adult enjoying his high school summer vacation while being at the mercy of those around him.
---------
How Credible Is a Fortune Teller? (Arisu Sakayanagi)
"I've reached my limit."
It had been a week since we returned from the luxury cruise. While I was enjoying the remaining two weeks of summer vacation, Arisu, who had been lingering in my room, suddenly spoke up. She was sitting on a two-seater sofa, a book resting on her lap, glaring at me with a judgmental look.
"...What's wrong?"
"Can't you tell? With the current situation."
I don't know what she's so unhappy about, but it's not something you should say in someone else's room. I've taken full advantage of the free electricity, keeping the room at a comfortable temperature. I've bought a sofa and a low table because she complained it was too plain. At night, we can watch movies on the projector, and for Arisu, who has a weak constitution, I even have a ridiculously expensive air purifier (all paid for by Arisu, by the way).
"Is it this?"
It was 11:30 in the morning. I was getting ready to make lunch, so I sat down next to Arisu, still wearing my apron. I gently placed her head on my lap and ran my fingers through her silky hair as I asked.
"That's not it... Just stay like that."
She got mad when I tried to stop. ...Anyway, I have to try and appease the grumpy young lady in front of me. ...I guess I'll just pet her and distract her.
"I haven't been outside for a week, you know."
Looks like I couldn't distract her.
"---Apparently, a popular fortune teller has been at Keyaki Mall recently. Let's go together."
Arisu said it in a strangely clear voice, but it's hard to look cool while you're getting a lap pillow.
"After we have lunch, okay?"
"...Okay."
You have to eat three proper meals a day, you know?
After that, we finished waiting in the long line at Keyaki Mall and were led to the fortune teller.
"Studies, work, romance... Pick what you want to be told about."
"Studie-- "
"Romance, please."
"..."
"Alright, let's start with the young lady. What's your name?"
"My name is Arisu Sakayanagi."
The fortune teller took Arisu's hand and began to read her palm.
"Hmm... Your path of love will be quite a difficult one. However, if you keep trying without giving up, your wish will surely come true. Also..."
It was supposed to be a romance reading, but it seemed she also told fortunes for things like studies and finances. Apparently, her academic and financial luck were top-notch. Maybe this fortune teller is actually pretty good.
"Next is you. Name and a hand."
"My name is Tsugumi Saitou."
When I offered my hand, the fortune teller examined my palm just as she had with Arisu.
"Hmm... Oh? Would you mind if I used this crystal ball for you? The price is the same, of course."
"Huh... I guess that's fine."
The fortune teller then held her hand over a crystal ball the size of a handball. ...The price difference is probably around 4,000 points, but is that okay?
"K-kuh, kuh, kuh... It seems you've led quite a bizarre life, haven't you, Tsugumi?"
With her appearance and her laugh, she really did look like a witch.
"Oh, yes."
"It's been a while since I've read the fortune of someone as interesting as you. I thank you... Well, the results are excellent. However, your tendency to attract trouble with women is a bit too strong. Be sure to act with moderation."
"...Okay."
She thanked me and then scolded me... And it's even worse that it's actually true.
"You are blessed with good relationships. The girl next to you is a connection you only get once in a lifetime. Be careful not to ever betray her."
"The girl... Well, I suppose that's fine. It seems so, Tsugumi. Please make sure to act with moderation."
She got grumpy when she was called "the girl" but immediately went back to normal after the next line. This girl's mood swings have always been crazy. After that, she told me my fortune in the same way as Arisu, and the session ended.
"Thank you very much."
"Hmm... Oh, I forgot to tell you one thing, boy."
As I was about to leave the room, the fortune teller called out to me. Arisu was looking at me curiously from behind the curtain.
"---There is no need for you to atone for the sins of your past life. Your life is not for the sake of atonement. Throwing away your own happiness is what a fool does."
The flippant demeanor from before was gone, and the fortune teller's eyes were filled with a clear intent as she looked at me.
"...Haha, fortune telling is amazing, isn't it?"
"I'm on a different level, you know? I'm a veteran with over 40 years of experience."
I thanked her again and went back to Arisu.
"What did she say to you?"
"Huh? Nothing. More importantly, what do you want for dinner tonight? We might as well buy the ingredients while we're here."
"Hmm... I guess that's fine. Yes, I'd like to have nikujaga (meat and potatoes)."
"Sounds good. So, meat, potatoes, and... we have carrots, so maybe onions."
"...I don't like onions. "
"No, you have to eat them because they're nutritious."
"...Okay."
To Arisu, it was probably just a casual exchange. But for me, this is the time when I feel the most happiness in the world.
"I'm a lucky guy, I really am."
"...Did you say something?"
"No, nothing."
---------
A Stimulating Day
"Hmm... You want me to wear another piercing? I feel like that would just make my reputation worse..."
That's the chat I received from the person I was about to go hang out with. It was an outing to thank her, but I wish she'd at least consider the possibility that I don't have a piercing.
'Well, I do, though.'
I got my ears pierced after I found out it was allowed, but I haven't worn them outside because Arisu and Suzune didn't like them. By the way, I even went out of my way to ask Kiyotaka to get them for me. I was so excited to show them to Ike and the others, but the next day, after they told me I looked like "the type to hit a girl," I was back to my old self. It's that blank expression that's the problem.
After that, I arrived at our meeting spot, Keyaki Mall. ...I feel like I've been hanging out here a lot lately.
"Oh, Saitou."
Just as I was thinking that, I heard a familiar calm voice from behind me.
"Good morning, Kamuro. It's been about two weeks since the uninhabited island exam, hasn't it?"
"Yeah. ...It's just that you guys ended it on your own, so I didn't get a chance to do anything."
"Haha... Well, please forgive me for that."
The person I was hanging out with today was Kamuro. She was the one who helped me the most during the uninhabited island exam.
"Anyway, are you sure it's okay? That you're not going to charge me like last time?"
"No, why would I charge you when I'm the one who wants to thank you? Besides, Arisu stopped me from doing that 'advice date' thing in the first place."
"...Okay. If you say so."
How greedy does she think I am? I'm a little shocked.
"Oh, by the way, what do you think? About my piercing. Arisu didn't like it."
"...It suits you. It's just what I pictured."
What does that even mean? ...Anyway...
"Kamuro, you wear these kinds of clothes, too?"
"...Is that a bad thing?"
"No, not at all. You look amazing and cute."
Wearing a white knit vest and a light blue flared skirt that reached her knees, Kamuro looked like a TV announcer. The pouch she was holding in her right hand also added a nice touch. She looked like a faithful, innocent girl.
...But when the person next to her is a guy with black mushroom-cut hair and piercings...
"...What? Are you saying I look like a girl being abused by her boyfriend?"
"Then why did you make me wear the piercing?..."
By the way, I was wearing a white, three-quarter-sleeve oversized shirt and black skinny jeans. Both my head and body looked like the type to hit a girl. I should point out that this was Kamuro's request. When she sent me a photo a day before with the message, 'Come looking like this,' it was so funny to see how inexperienced she was with dating.
"Hey, are you a fan of this kind of stuff, Kamuro?"
"! I-It's not like that. It's just what I happened to like."
That's what people call a fan. She seemed to enjoy the advice date, too, so maybe she just wants some excitement in her daily life.
"Whoa, what are you doing all of a sudden!?"
"Huh? Don't you like this kind of thing?"
"...You're the worst."
"In this situation, that's a compliment. Come on, let's have fun all day today."
Just like that one time, I took Kamuro's hand and held it in a lover's grip. Well, my hair is different from usual, it's a mushroom cut, so no one will recognize me, right? It might become a hot topic that a mysterious handsome guy suddenly appeared at Keyaki Mall, though.
---------
Purikura (photo booths) are confusing the first time you go to one.
"Okay! A small-face pose with a cute duck face! Pinch your face together!"
"...This is so embarrassing."
"It's fine, it's fine. Come on, look at the camera."
"Ugh, it's too bright!"
"Haha! Don't close your eyes! Come on, one more time."
"Hmm. Your original face is so good, maybe a lighter filter is better."
"...How are you so good at this?"
"Hmm? You get used to it after doing it a few times. Let's write something on the stamp... Oh, this glitter is nice."
"...I could never do this."
---------
Crane games on a date are so evil.
"Hey, get this for me."
"Let's see... Oh, you like Rilakkuma?"
"It's none of your business. Here's the money."
"I'll get it for you right away. I have plenty of money from the last exam."
"Thanks."
"...Hey, that's enough. Haven't you tried like 20 times already?"
"No way. I'm not giving up now... Yes! I got it! ...Here, sorry it took so many tries."
"...Thanks."
"Haha, it's cute to see the cool Kamuro holding a stuffed animal. Take good care of it."
"Really? Well... fine."
---------
A bad game.
"When it comes to excitement... it's gotta be gambling!"
"...You're a lot more hyped up than usual. But you can't gamble here, can you?"
"You're naive, Kamuro. This arcade has a god-tier game called Minna de Derby."
"...What's that? Well, I guess it's okay if we're just playing."
"...! Ugh! One more time... I'm doing it one more time!"
"Hey, don't hit the machine... Hey! Don't bet all my coins!"
"It's fine as long as we win, right!?"
"I've never seen anyone who said that actually win!? Aah! My 1,000 coins are gone..."
"I'll buy more! I'll buy another 1,000 coins!"
---------
"...I'm not playing any more medal games."
It was 7 PM. Kamuro and I were walking back to the dorm with the setting sun behind us. Even our shadows on the ground looked depressed.
"By the way, you know Minna de Derby will usually make you lose big bets if the machine isn't set up well, right?"
"Huh!? Why didn't you tell me that!?"
As I muttered quietly, walking with my head down, Kamuro grabbed the collar of my shirt and shook me from side to side.
"...Wouldn't that be more like gambling?"
"What's the real reason?"
"I was annoyed that you made me lose all my 1,000 coins."
When I said that, Kamuro gave me a nasty, judging look. ...What? Got a problem with that?
"You're such a kid. It's not like they're worth a lot."
"Whoa. She just said the one thing you should never say. My income is pretty much zero until next month, you know? Even if I ask Arisu for points to play medal games, she won't give them to me."
She gives me that same look with the implied meaning of 'Don't do that, come and play with me instead.' Arisu didn't end up getting hooked on medal games, after all.
"Of course she wouldn't..."
This time, Kamuro didn't even try to hide her look of exasperation. Then silence fell between us.
"...Hey."
"Yeah?"
Just as the sun had almost set and it was getting dark, Kamuro suddenly spoke. It was rare for her to start a conversation, so I found it a little unusual.
"...I had fun today."
"Me too. Thank you, Kamuro."
I definitely had fun, too. It felt fresh and different from hanging out with my usual group.
"Can I invite you out again? There's... other things I want to do."
"Of course. We just played that one game all the time at the end. I can teach you some other good games, too."
"Yeah. Thanks."
Kamuro had a calm expression, as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She's usually so quiet, but when it comes to having fun, she craves excitement, so I feel like she's similar to me in that way.
"Well, see you next time."
"Bye, Kamuro. Let's go on another date, okay?"
"...Shut up."
If I was able to make her feel even a little lighter, then I guess this date was a good one.
---------
And from then on, Kamuro and I started to hang out regularly. The end.
---------
"....Tsugumi. Come here for a second."
"Hmm?"
"What is this outfit? This is you, isn't it?"
[Good News] A mysterious handsome guy has appeared at Keyaki Mall!
"Ah..."
"..."
"I don't think it's good to take candid photos-- "Your reputation is going to get worse again!"
"...I'm sorry."
============
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