Shimizu-san and the Unexpected Visitor 1
“I just got a ssage that Yuasa-sensei will be here in about an hour.”
“Is it that ti already?”
“I’m really looking forward to the actual stargazing!”
“I hope we can see the stars clearly.”
“They said it’s going to be clear skies today on the weather forecast, so I think we’ll be fine.”
“Wow! Mio-chan, you even checked the weather forecast; you must be really looking forward to it!”
“I was just a little curious.”
“Really, Mio-chan is just like Kei, not being honest!”
“Hey, don’t suddenly drag around.”
Just as everyone was getting restless because the ti for stargazing was approaching, my phone suddenly rang.
“Excuse , I need to take this call.”
“Okay, be back soon.”
I stepped out into the hallway to find out that the call was from my father.
My parents, of course, knew I’d be out today, so I had no idea why he was calling.
I decided to answer the phone anyway.
“Hello, Dad?”
“Ah, good, you answered.”
“What’s going on?”
“Have you seen Teruno around there?”
“Huh? No, she’s not here. Why are you asking?”
“Teruno left a note saying she’s going to bring ‘Onii-chan’ back and has gone missing.”
“What?!”
I was so taken aback that my brain couldn’t process it imdiately.
“Knowing Teruno, I really think she might have gone to your high school. So if Teruno cos to where you are, let know.”
“O-okay.”
“I’m sorry, I know you’re having fun.”
“No, it’s good you told . Should I watch the school gates to see if Teruno shows up?”
“It would be bad if you missed each other. Just stay where you are, Daiki.”
“Alright.”
“If Teruno gives up halfway and cos back ho, we’ll contact you again.”
“Okay.”
“Alright, I’m counting on you.”
Then the call ended. Why is Teruno trying to take ho?
Reflecting on it, Teruno did seem a bit different than usual today. Just before leaving, it felt like Teruno was trying to tell sothing.
(What is Teruno thinking?)
The only way to find out is to ask her directly. For now, I decided to return to the clubroom.
“Ah, Daiki-kun, you’re back.”
“Sorry for stepping out so suddenly.”
“You have a phone call, so it’s not a problem at all. By the way, can I ask what the call was about?”
“Well, it seems like my sister is trying to co here for so reason.”
“Huh? What do you an?”
Ai-san tilts her head.
I guess it would be hard to understand without context.
“I don’t know the details, but it seems she’s trying to take ho…”
“Now I’m even more confused. Your sister is Teruno-chan, right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Is she cuter than Kei?”
“Hey.”
“Well, jokes aside, do you have any idea why Teruno-chan is trying to take you ho?”
“Uhh…”
I thought about it but couldn’t co up with a reason.
“…I don’t know.”
“In that case, we’ll just have to ask her when she gets here.”
Just then, the sound of the clubroom door slowly opening caught our attention. We turned to look.
“Teruno!”
There, peeking through the slightly open door, was Teruno.
She looked a bit surprised when she heard my voice, then hesitantly entered the room.
“Cute! Are you Teruno-chan by any chance?”
“Y-Yes…”
“Sorry, did I scare you? I’m Ai Shimizu. Feel free to call Ai-chan.”
“Yes…”
Teruno was completely on guard.
She becos cautious when she’s in a place full of people she doesn’t know.
“Teruno, Dad was worried.”
“I left a ssage saying I was going to Onii-chan’s place.”
“Even so, everyone will worry if you suddenly disappear. Anyway, I’m glad you’re actually here. I’ll call Dad now so he can bring you back ho.”
“…No.”
“What?”
“I won’t. Onii-chan should co ho with too.”
It’s not unusual for Teruno to be demanding, but this level of stubbornness feels unusual.
“Don’t say that. I’ll go ho after we finish stargazing.”
“No, go ho with right now.”
“Why are you saying this?”
“Because Onii-chan…”
“Hey, Hondō’s sister, don’t make things difficult for Hondō.”
“…Who’s this scary person?”
Teruno’s voice is considerably lower than usual—a clear sign she’s in a bad mood.
“Don’t worry, she’s not scary. This is Shimizu-san.”
“…I understand.”
“Teruno?”
“I understand. This scary woman forcefully invited Onii-chan to go stargazing. Onii-chan is too kind to refuse, so he’s here even though he doesn’t want to be…”
“Teruno!”
I was surprised at how loud my own voice was.
“O-Onii-chan?”
“Apologize to Shimizu-san.”
“W-Why? I haven’t done anything wrong…”
“Apologize.”
“Onii-chan…”
The next mont, Teruno suddenly turned toward the door and ran out.
“Teruno!”
I hastily followed her into the hallway, but Teruno was already gone.
“I’m sorry, I have to go find Teruno.”
“Wait.”
“I’m sorry, Shimizu-san, but I have to go find Teruno quickly…”
“Do you have any idea where your sister might go?”
I was stumped by the question. She’s right, I had no idea where Teruno might have gone.
“Well…no, I don’t.”
“…I’ll go too.”
“What?”
“I’ll go with you to search for her. I an, this happened partly because I carelessly spoke to your sister.”
“This has nothing to do with you, Shimizu-san…”
“You once ca looking for soone’s mother even though you had nothing to do with her. Besides, the more people we have, the faster we’ll find her.”
It’s true that searching with multiple people is far more efficient than doing it alone.
“That’s right, that’s why I’ll help too.”
“I’ll help as well.”
“Of course, count in.”
“Ai-san, Seto-san, Yousuke-san…”
“At a ti like this, you should rely on others. You’re always helping others, after all.”
Is that so? I always feel like I’m the one being helped.
But if Shimizu-san says so, maybe that’s true.
“…Thank you, Shimizu-san. Can I count on your help?”
“Sure, leave it to .”
And so, we all set out to find Teruno.
***
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