(Sutamai) Short Story, B’s Log September 2018

[nhp]

Title: With a side of fireworks

 

Characters: Watabe Satoru & Yui Kotaro

 

Summary: This month’s original story and illustration features Yui and Watabe in a kimono ♪ What feelings are buried away in their hearts as the two of them gaze up at the large flowers blooming in the summer night sky……? 

 

“Hmm…… Something along the lines of how they sparkle for a moment before disappearing completely?” - Watabe Satoru

 

“More fireworks are being set off one after the other, so how about looking up at that sky?” - Yui Kotaro

 

 

One boom, two booms, three booms…… The beautiful, large rings of fireworks light up across the night sky before disappearing once again. And the ones reflecting on the surface of the swaying water, they too, fade with elegance…… Decked in a kimono, he fans himself every now and then as if the action is of no effort.

 

Yui: …… So you were drinking in a place like this, Watabe-san. 

 

Watabe: Isn’t this setting rather tasteful? It’s a little something extra to sober me up.

 

Yui: Well, you’ve certainly got the summer-like knicknacks rounded up.

(He’s not even drinking so what’s there to sober up? He’s a wily one as ever.)

Is it okay if I sit next to you and drink for a bit? I was looking for a place to have another round. 

 

Watabe: Yeah, of course. This is the first time we’re drinking together with just us, huh. 

That show you put on with dissecting the king crab in front of everyone before was a sight to behold. 

 

Yui: It naturally turns out that way when I wield my cutlery just as I normally do in my experiments. 

 

Watabe: In a way, it’s like an occupational disease.

 

Yui: And you as well, Watabe-san, were constantly keeping tabs on everyone’s drink level and offering up topics of conversation……

Isn’t smoothly managing a gathering also an occupational disease for a diplomat?

 

Watabe: In the end, you can’t say anything now that I’ve snuck out halfway through and come here. 

 

Yui: Actually, your timing couldn’t be more perfect.

Right after you up and left, Imaoji began handing out Japanese sake under the pretense of water. 

 

Watabe: Huh? Already? Everyone gets going at a fast pace when it’s drinks between just guys. 

 

Yui: I think she’d be shocked had she come.

 

Watabe: No kidding. Though it’d be nice if she doesn’t get strangely involved with any guys. 

 

Yui: She’s not the type of girl to go around for that to happen. 

 

Watabe: But still, isn’t the protective feeling a male instinct?

 

Yui: …… I guess?

 

Watabe: Ahaha, I’m kidding. I just wanted to try sounding cool for a bit~

 

Yui: (So the reason he snuck away from everyone before…… was because he was waiting here for her to come later.)

 

Watabe: (Not that it matters now that this sharp little researcher has more or less figured me out……)

 

The two of them gaze up at the night sky, keeping their thoughts to themselves. In the pleasant silence befalling them, Yui takes a drink from his wine glass—and again, the fireworks go off.

 

Watabe: The fireworks in Japan are completely different to that of the ones seen overseas.

 

Yui: By overseas, you’re of course referring to the fireworks on Bastille Day then?

 

Watabe: Yep. I was in Paris for work so I got to catch them this year too. The fireworks at the Eiffel Tower are worth a glance. 

 

Yui: Your choice of words make it almost sound like one look is enough.

 

Watabe: Well, you know, aren’t the fireworks in Japan beautiful even when seen alone?

 

Yui: …… You’re making quite the deep conversation here. 

 

Watabe: I might actually be feeling tipsy. 

 

Yui: Honestly, there you go again with the jokes…… 

Is it because our fireworks are not staged according to pompous music that you believe it’s beautiful even when seen alone?

 

Watabe: You sure come on the attack logically, Yui-kun.

 

Yui: That’s just how I am.

 

Watabe: …… Japan is the only place in the world where the fireworks are this gorgeously round.

 

Yui: They expand out concentrically, and are this country’s own unique and beautiful fireworks.   

 

Watabe: They remind me that, no matter where I go in the world, there are some things that are only in Japan. 

 

Yui: A rather romantic answer as expected of you, Watabe-san. 

 

Watabe: And what about you, Yui-kun? Which would it be—the fireworks here or overseas?

 

Yui: If I had to pick, I’d say Japan’s one. 

Although it’s hard to forego the colourful display of the ones overseas.

 

Watabe: …… Is there maybe something that you’re thinking about while watching the fireworks? 

 

Yui: The red firework that went up just now is the flame color reaction for strontium. 

The next ones are for calcium, sodium, barium…… A brilliant color. 

 

Watabe: Pfft…… Haha, you’re a funny one, Yui-kun.

I didn’t know that there was such a way to appreciate the fireworks. My eyes have been opened. 

 

Yui: It’s very much the normal line of thinking for me. 

What have you been pondering about as you watch the fireworks, Watabe-san?

 

Watabe: Hmm…… Something along the lines of how they sparkle for a moment before disappearing completely?

 

Yui: Again, that’s quite the devastating answer. 

 

Watabe: But that’s exactly why your memories are beautiful no matter how much time has passed. 

 

Yui: Are you fine with only your memories being beautiful?

More fireworks are being set off one after the other, so how about looking up at that sky?

 

Watabe: …… You’re right. You youngsters should continue to move forward. 

 

Yui: You say that as if you’re not young, yourself. 

 

Watabe: When compared to you and her~

 

Yui: Yesterday, she listened to my observations on the colors to do with the fireworks without being put off. 

Why not also try talking about your memories of them when she gets here?

 

Watabe: So that I may find a new “spark”, huh. 

…… I can see that as being somewhat more comfortable than two guys going on about it. 

 

Yui: That’s for sure. I’m also more interested in her yukata look than an element’s flame color reaction. 

 

Watabe: So even the genius researcher is nothing in the face of her charm.

 

Yui: I’m simply intrigued by her genetic makeup, as well as her zeal and strength towards investigations. 

 

Watabe: (That’s…… just as good as a confession that you love everything about her.)

(Maybe for my own sake, I won’t say anything.)

 

From far away, they can gradually hear the sound of footsteps. Clad in a yukata, she walks along the open corridor to where they are. And so to welcome her arrival, the two of them get up and make room for her in between themselves.