(Sutamai) Short Story, B's Log April 2018

[nhp]

Title: The person that I’m waiting for is someone dear to me

 

Characters: Hiyama Takaomi & Kagura Aki.

 

Summary: It’s the start of a planned series of specials! It’ll include an original illustration and original short story. The first in the series to celebrate the upcoming anniversary will feature Hiyama and Kagura of Revel! They both happen to bump into each other at a certain bar on Valentine’s Day?

 

“…… Hmph. Looks like tonight will turn out to be a lovely night.” - Hiyama Takaomi.

 

“If only [you] were to come to my side already.” - Kagura Aki.

 

 

Valentine’s Day. A day where hearts fly in every which direction. 

And there, in a single corner of a certain bar……

 

Hiyama: …… Is that you, Kagura?

 

Kagura: Oh. Hiyama-kun.

 

Hiyama: It’s unusual for you to be alone in a place like this.

 

Kagura: Yeah, well, you know.

 

Hiyama: You don’t mind if I take a seat here or anything, do you?

 

Kagura: Not really, I guess.

 

Hiyama: Well then, I shall go ahead and do so. Ah, yes, I’ll have a moscow mule. Non-alcoholic please.

 

Kagura: Non-alcoholic? Hmmm…… So you have plans to meet up with someone then, Hiyama-kun?

 

Hiyama: Yes, I do. I came to this bar because we’re to meet up here. 

 

Kagura: You sure it’s okay to be sitting next to me when you’re supposed to be meeting up with them?

 

Hiyama: It’s not a concern. When that time comes, I’ll change locations so you can feel at ease. 

 

Kagura: …… What do you mean by “you can feel at ease”?

 

Hiyama: You’re also meeting up with someone, aren’t you, Kagura? You’ve been quite fixated on the time for a while now. 

 

Kagura: ………… 

 

Hiyama: I’ll avoid behaving in a meddlesome manner when that person arrives.

 

Kagura: I’m wondering if that’s something to feel thankful over. Well, of course it is. 

 

Hiyama: Haha. Of course it is, huh? So in other words, the person that you’re waiting on is not just simply a friend after all.

 

Kagura: (How rare of him to laugh like this in response.)

Aren’t you unusually in high spirits, Hiyama-kun?

 

Hiyama: Do you think so? You’re also full of enthusiasm yourself, Kagura, what with that jacket.

 

Kagura: Excuse me, but this is what I wear normally?

 

Hiyama: Is that so? It’s my first time seeing it, after all. I do apologize. 

But does that mean that it’s newly tailored then?

 

Kagura: …… I suppose.

 

Hiyama: Well, well. What a wonderful silhouette it makes. By the by, do you have plans to go anywhere after this?

 

Kagura: We have plans later to dine at a restaurant with an original menu. Afterwards, we’ll go gaze at the night sky, and then we’ll move on over to a Japanese bar.

Have you decided on your end, Hiyama-kun?

 

Hiyama: No, I’m going to ask her where she wants to go. I haven’t especially made up my mind on any one place. 

 

Kagura: Hmmm. How peculiar of you to leave all your plans up to someone else. 

I thought for sure that you would’ve devised up a perfect plan to escort her.

 

Hiyama: It’s not so bad to enjoy this way of doing things either. That’s what I had thought, but even I’m surprised at myself. 

 

Kagura: You must be terribly so, seeing as you came to the meeting place early. 

 

Hiyama: It appears as if you’re also in the same position, Kagura. Considering that you have quite the amount of free time on you until the meeting time. 

 

Kagura: How exactly do you figure that?

 

Hiyama: Your glass is empty. 

 

Kagura: ……!

 

Hiyama: Should I order you another one of something?

 

Kagura: No, I’m fine. I’ll probably get a call from her soon anyway…… Honestly, how long does she intend on making me wait?......

 

Hiyama: How many times have you repeated those words and then opened and closed LIME? 

 

Kagura: And what about you? How many times have you snuck a peek in the direction of the entrance since?

 

Hiyama: ………… 

 

Kagura: ………… 

 

Hiyama: …… Let’s cease this nonsense. Neither of us will gain anything from such a fruitless battle.

 

Kagura: Indeed.

 

Hiyama: Kagura, today was Valentine’s Day, was it not?

 

Kagura: I already know that without you having to remind me. And? What of it?

 

Hiyama: Do you think that you’ve ever felt this much restlessness in your life before now?

 

Kagura: If I didn’t feel like that, then there’s no way that I would be here this early.

…… I’m just putting this forward, but it’s not like I’m here because I had no choice since I wanted to receive chocolates or anything.

 

Hiyama: Is that how it is?

 

Kagura: Of course. Well, you know…… I’m half filled with anticipation and half nervous if anything. I’m not like myself. 

 

Hiyama: Well…… I suppose that the past you would’ve scorned at an event such as Valentine’s, out of pure nature.

Even I don’t think that I’ve ever considered it to be special up until now.

 

Kagura: You too, Hiyama-kun?

 

Hiyama: I’m not sure whether it’s because I’m unable to calm my nerves or not, but I’m looking forward to spending time with her later.

If I’m showing it, then it must be so…… I’m feeling excited. I could have never foresaw myself feeling like this even if I were to imagine it. 

 

Kagura: Feeling excited, huh.

(Rather than feeling that, I’m feeling anxious, or like……)

 

Hiyama: Kagura?

 

Kagura: …… Somehow, it’s like I’m getting frustrated... If only she were to come to my side already.

That feeling of being impatient and irritated... Have you ever felt something along those lines, Hiyama-kun?

 

Hiyama: I don’t particularly have any memory of such, but…… You’re right, I can somewhat understand the feeling. 

 

The instant that the both of them shrugged their shoulders, their cell phones vibrated.

 

Kagura: Oh, sorry. I’ve got a message on LIME so I’m going to check it. 

 

Hiyama: I’ll have to pardon myself too. I’ve got a call…… Hello? Yes, I’m at the bar right now. It’s okay, take your time.

 

Kagura: Another five minutes… Woah, what’s with this sticker?...... There’s seriously something wrong with that girl’s sense of taste.

 

Hiyama: I’ll speak to you later then…… Hm? What’s overcome you, Kagura? You’re looking extremely pleased.

 

Kagura: This is my serious face. But you were making quite the gentle expression yourself, Hiyama-kun?

 

Hiyama: Is that so?

 

Kagura: Yeah, you were. 

 

Hiyama: …… Hmph. Looks like tonight will turn out to be a lovely night. 

 

Kagura: That goes for the both of us.

 

Hiyama: Well then, I think I’ll be leaving now.

 

Kagura: You’re not going to wait inside?

 

Hiyama: I’ve decided to wait in front of the bar…… I want to see her face as soon as possible. 

 

Kagura: Hmmm. Make sure that you don’t catch a cold.

 

Hiyama: And I wish you the best of luck.

 

Kagura: Same for you too.

(“I want to see her face as soon as possible”...... Even though you’re going to be seeing her the whole night anyhow.)

But I guess even that’s not enough. Not for me either, huh.

 

The two silently parted ways while eagerly looking forward to the arrival of each of their own respective partners. 

They only had to endure a little bit longer until the coming of the sweet times ahead.