During the drive together.
The car interior was enveloped in the beloved scent of Ippei. But it’s not just the scent that fills the car. The music we always listened to in the car wraps around us, and Ippei reacts to the sound.
“Wow! This takes me back! I used to listen to this all the time!”
“I don’t really know many of the current songs…”
“Huh? Me neither! I don’t know any recent songs at all…”
“Haha! That’s just how it is, huh?”
“Hehe! Yeah, pretty much!”
I didn’t feel like Ippei was just humoring me or being considerate towards me. I felt it when a certain song played.
[Even when we can’t meet, I love you too much… If I close my eyes, you’re always there… Just that alone makes me stronger…]
As Ippei gazes out the window while listening to this nostalgic song we’ve always enjoyed, he sings along without missing a beat.
And above all, I felt like he was enjoying this space with me and relaxing. I felt that singing along was an act he’d only do in front of someone he trusted, and I felt that way because of that.
“You have a nice voice.”
“M-Me?”
“Yeah, it’s beautiful and cute.”
“N-No, it’s not!”
“Haha! You’re still cute.”
“Jeez!… I won’t sing anymore!”
Ippei also has his moments of not being straightforward.
Even as you say, “I won’t sing anymore,” your slightly flushed face is adorable. I love your face when you can’t express your happiness straightforwardly and feel embarrassed.
“Haha! I’d be happy to hear you sing again.”
“I-I’ll sing if I feel like it…”
“Got it, looking forward to it.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“…Ds atf kjs, Teaj-rjc? P’ii ub jcsktfgf klat sbe, yea ktfgf jgf kf tfjvlcu cbk?”
“Yt, gluta, P obguba ab afii sbe rbwfatlcu lwqbgajca.”
“Tfr, P vlvc’a tfjg jcsatlcu.”
Qtlif la’r cba fzjmais j asqlmji vjalcu rqba, atfgf’r j qijmf P gfjiis kjca ab ub klat sbe. Ktfgf’r jcbatfg rfmgfa P tjnfc’a abiv sbe sfa, jcv P’nf yffc ublcu atfgf jibcf fnfgs sfjg.
And today, I want to go there with you. I want to share with you the last secret I’ve been hiding. I’ve been thinking about telling you this secret, just between us, at that place. It might be a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
“If you don’t want to, we can turn back. But if you’re okay with it, there’s somewhere I want you to accompany me to.”
“I said I’d go with you, didn’t I?”
“Yeah, thanks… So, would you accompany me to visit my ancestors’ graves during the Bon festival?”
“Huh? Is it okay for someone like me to go with you…?”
“Yeah, if it’s Ippei, then I want you there.”
That’s where my last secret lies.
I don’t know how you’ll take it. But if this relationship in this space is going to continue, I want you to know about it, which is why I made this suggestion to you.
“Okay, if it’s alright with me, please let me accompany you.”
“Thank you. Shall we head there now?”
“Yes, please.”
Ippei graciously accepted my request.
And so, we headed towards the cemetery where someone slept, listening to our beloved scent and nostalgic music together.
Yes, before we knew it, we gently held each other’s free hands…
* * *
On the way to the cemetery.
After having skipped lunch, we began to feel hungry, so we stopped at a convenience store to buy coffee and sandwiches before heading to our destination.
“Ippei, you really prefer black coffee, huh?”
“And you, Yuta-san, prefer light sugar, right?”
“You remember well.”
“Haha! Well, so do you, Yuta-san.”
We discover each other’s preferences every time we meet. There’s no way I could forget that. But what makes me even happier is that you remember my preferences too.
“Ippei, can I have a sandwich?”
“Sure! Egg, ham, tuna… which one do you want?”
“Hmm… it’s a tough choice…”
“Haha! You’re so indecisive, just like a type A.”
“What!? A-Are you teasing me?”
“No, not at all!”
The characteristics of type A mean that you can’t even decide on a menu at a family restaurant. I bought the sandwich because I wanted to eat it, but I didn’t decide which one to eat first…
“Grr…! Fine, then Ippei, you pick.”
“Really? Okay then!”
You chose the egg sandwich for me. It would have been enough for you to hand it to me, but you once again displayed a gesture that tugs at my heart.
“Yuta-san, here, open your mouth…”
“….Huh? U-Uh, okay…”
As I’m driving, Ippei prepares the egg sandwich and holds it up to my mouth. Along with those words and gestures, he adds a smile that is warm and refreshing.
Even this simple action and gesture are endearing and precious to me now. I’m filled with happiness and embarrassment beyond measure.
The sandwich Ippei feeds me is surprisingly delicious. It’s not just about how it tastes; receiving something from someone you love fills your heart with joy, no matter the circumstance.
“Mmm, it’s delicious.”
“Haha! You’re enjoying it so much! Next, I’ll go for the ham!”
“Yeah, when I finish this egg one.”
“Got it! Leave it to me!”
It had been so long since I’d experienced such a delightful atmosphere.
I couldn’t have been happier; there wasn’t a single lie in my feeling that I wanted this atmosphere to continue, no, to stay just as it was, as I chewed on the egg sandwich.
* * *
As we continued our journey towards the cemetery, having finished our sandwiches, I decided to bring something to Ippei within this happy space.
“How many times have we met today…?”
“Huh… seven times, right?”
I see… Even just being able to meet you in this space without change makes me happy, but you remembered the number of times we’ve met.
“Could it be that Yuta-san forgot?”
“There’s no way I’d forget.”
“Haha! I’m glad… Even though I’m having so much fun, I won’t forget either…”
Just knowing that you also find this space enjoyable makes my heart genuinely happy. But it’s also true that I haven’t been able to properly listen to your feelings.
I’ve decided to wait for you to speak.
But deep down, I also want to hear your true feelings as soon as possible.
“Hey, Yuta-san?”
“Hm? What is it?”
“Um, are we almost at the cemetery?”
“Yeah, we’ll be there in about five minutes.”
“Oh, I see… Got it.”
I didn’t miss your fidgety gestures accompanying the words “got it.” If it’s going to take a little longer, I wonder if something has changed. Did I ask you about the reason for your fidgeting…?
The answer to that question lies with you, Ippei. Only you know the reason behind your restlessness.
