nhp | (Sutamai) Character Main Story

1.1.

I would always have this dream of a peacefully sunny day.

Morning and night, the blue sky and starry sky, light and darkness, sunshine and rain.

I would see everything.

With everything in its place.

For the same reason that I was clearly aware of all that was around me, it felt as if I could also unmistakably recognise my sin.

So I decided.

I would go on to be a “human” who knew of kindness, and warmth, and peace.

—Through to the very ends of Hell.

* * *

-Kujo Household: Living Room-

The sensation from my outstretched fingers brushing against the chill of the window frame was a far-off one, and I understood that this was a dream.

There was an undeniable trace of adolescence in my own figure reflected in the mirror-like glass.

Kujo: …

“Why am I, at the moment, standing in front of the window?”

Suddenly, the memory came rushing back to me.

In this time period, the person responsible for looking after my livelihood was the compassionate housekeeper, Mrs Koda.

She had sought my advice on there being a window that wouldn’t open.

And so I had wanted to open it.

[Rattle rattle]

Kujo: … It’s shut tight, huh.

At my offhand remark from contemplating over the cause of the faulty window, a voice answered from behind me.

???: What are you doing, Soma-san?

Kujo: !

For a split second, I stopped breathing.

I slowly turned around to face the owner of that voice, all the while feeling an intense pain in my chest.

Miyase: You’ve been standing in front of that window for almost five minutes now.

Kujo: Go…

Miyase: It doesn’t open, does it?

Kujo: Yeah… You knew?

Miyase: It had been giving Mrs Koda trouble.

So I borrowed the tool box last night and tried a bunch of things, but no luck.

Kujo: The tool box… You know your way around that sort of stuff, huh.

Miyase: Because it was me who did all the heavy work when Mum and I were living with just the two of us.

Kujo: I see… You’re amazing, Go.

Miyase: … Want me to have another look at it?

Kujo: Huh?

Miyase: At the window.

Kujo: Sure… I’ll leave it to you, then.

Miyase: Right.

We went to switch positions, and this time, it was Go who was standing in front of the window.

But even after all the pushing and pulling, the window would not open, no matter what was done to it.

Miyase: … It really is no use.

His face reflected in the glass was openly looking peeved, and that brought a smile to mine.

Kujo: It’s not a big deal if it doesn’t open.

Miyase: Weren’t you trying to open it ‘cause it was one?

Seemingly not too thrilled, Go directed his gaze outside the window.

I followed along suit, and my eyes narrowed at the sight of the garden that was visible through the glass.

While I was grateful for Go’s efforts, within my consciousness, I pieced together the words that would not deny the current state.

Kujo: If we end up opening this window, then the flowers scattered about the garden, and the fallen leaves, plus the extreme cold and heat too—

All kinds of things may come inside.

Which is why there’s no problem at all with this window, even if it won’t open.

Miyase: … But you were trying to open it, weren’t you?

Kujo: I also heard about it from Mrs Koda.

Somehow or other, I just got the urge to want to open it since it wouldn’t open.

Miyase: “Somehow or other”, alright.

I was relieved when I saw that his shoulders were slightly shaking like he was laughing.

The reason why I had wanted to open the window was because I thought that, perhaps…

It would make breathing easier for Go when we were together in the same space.

Kujo: (But right now, it doesn’t seem to be all that suffocating.)

That knowledge made me absurdly happy.

Kujo: (My little brother…)

(My family.)

Miyase: Oh!

Kujo: ?

When I traced his line of sight, there was a tiny bird paying visit on the other side of the glass.

It was holding in its beak a white flower.

Miyase: It’s a plum blossom.

Kujo: Plum… blossom?

Miyase: It’s a flower that I often saw in the area where my previous apartment was. I wonder if there’s a tree nearby.

We could’ve had a pleasant scent coming in too, if only the window was open.

As he said that, he lightly pressed his curled-up hand up against the glass, and lovingly looked upon the bird.

Miyase: Oh, does it think my fingers are a treat?

It cocked its head… Haha.

Kujo: …

I was about to suggest that we take the bird in, if that was what he wanted.

The same time that I went to open my mouth, I had closed it out of a strong disgust for myself in that moment.

Go was different to the people of the Kujo family.

It was unlikely that he would ever smile at a bird trapped inside a cage…

* * *

-Kujo Household: Kujo’s Bedroom-

Kujo: ...For… give me, Go… I’m, sorry… Go…

Miyase: ……

…… It’s a new day, Kujo-san.

A gentle voice interjected the lull between my dreams and awakening.

At that voice, I sluggishly lifted open my heavy eyelids.

Kujo: …

Miyase: Good morning, Kujo-san.

Kujo: Yeah, morning… Go.

Miyase: How are you feeling? Shindo-san did say that your fever has mostly gone down.

Kujo: (A fever… Right.)

(Come to think of it, I ended up retiring for the night feeling drained.)

I went to sit up in bed, with Go making quick work of smoothing out the comforter.

While doing so, he turned his sombre eyes towards the window.

Miyase: Unfortunately, it’s raining today, so…

……

Kujo: ……

I didn’t pursue any further into the words he cut off short, and like him, I also stared at the state of the rain on the other side of the glass.

The sound of it could be faintly heard within the stillness.

Miyase: … Horrible, isn’t it? The rain…

Kujo: … Yeah.

I would always have this dream… of a peacefully sunny day.

1.2.

-Rei’s Home: Bedroom-

Rei: A-ACHOO!!

I let out a huge sneeze, and my whole body shook beneath the bed covers.

It was cold. But it was also hot.

Rei: (Ugh… I’m definitely getting sick here, no buts about it. Thank god I have the day off today.)

I tossed the scrunched up tissue into the bin.

While squirming around, I pulled the blanket over my shoulders and tucked myself in.

I could hear the sound of the rain through the window.

Rei: (Perfect. I’ll rest up real good for today and get better.)

In my head, I recalled the inside of my drawer.

If I was correct, there should be some store-bought medicine in there.

Rei: (I should really eat something before taking the medicine, but…)

(I don’t think I can be bothered making anything. I’m not hungry either.)

The fever had affected my thinking, causing it to drag along the loneliness from living by yourself.

The spiteful sound of the rain only encouraged that feeling.

So I drew up my legs to my stomach and curled up into a tight ball underneath the covers.

Rei: (Ugh… I don’t want to eat anything, but…)

(If it was warm porridge or something that someone made with the thought of me in mind, then I’d probably be up for eating it… As if, huh.)

* * *

-Kujo Household: Living Room-

Kirishima: Here you go, Kujo-san!

A small serving of Miyase’s special warm porridge with all kinds of veggies.

When I headed for the living room together with Go, there were faces that I knew gathered around.

It was already past breakfast time.

On the table lined with teacups was a meal prepared just for myself having woken up late.

Kujo: Thank you. It looks good.

Miyase: I only made it with vegetables that are gentle on the stomach, but don’t force yourself, and please take your time with it.

Kujo: Will do. Thanks.

Kaname: ……

I felt a pair of eyes on me that were brimming with youth and an appetite, and my face naturally broke into a grin.

Kujo: Go, this porridge—might there be enough for Kaname as well?

Kaname: Huh?

Miyase: Yes, certainly, I made plenty. I’ll bring it out right away.

Kaname: You don’t have to on my account. I already ate before anyway.

Shindo: You’re at that age where you’re practically defined by your metabolism.

In order to also develop good muscles, you should eat when you’re feeling hungry.

Kaname: No one was even talking about muscles…

Kirishima: Hey, Miyase. If there’s heaps left, mind if I get in on that too?

Miyase: Yes, of course.

Kujo: Having people to dine together with will also keep my appetite.

Kaname: … Alright, then. I’ll help myself to some. Thanks.

Kujo: …

Miyase: Well then, I’ll go at once.

Kirishima: I’ll give you a hand! I wanna eat it along with the pickled stuff in the fridge.

Miyase: Oh, now that you mention it, I forgot to bring it out during breakfast.

Kirishima: I thought as much!

I saw off Go and Kirishima as they left the room, and picked up my spoon and lowered it into my porridge.

Without bothering to cool it down, I brought the porridge to my mouth.

I smiled at the temperature that was perfect every time.

Kujo: … It’s delicious.

There was no response coming forth from Shindo and Kaname at the comment I let slip.

The former was uninterestedly flipping through the open newspaper.

The latter had in one hand their smartphone as they picked up their cup of coffee with the other.

That casual manner of theirs being within my view was like a given.

It had me reliving the pleasant feelings that were welling up.

Kujo: (… What a peaceful morning.)

When I had eaten about four mouthfuls of the porridge, Go and Kirishima came back and settled into their respective seats.

Kirishima: Holy heck, that's good! The crunchy pickles and porridge are having a match in heaven!

Miyase: Having a match…

Shindo: You mean they’re a match made in heaven.

Kirishima: Having a match in heaven… means it’s a match made in heaven, huh…

Miyase: Pfft—haha. What a fantastic follow-up, Shindo-san.

Shindo: That wasn’t my intention.

Kirishima: Yo man, I’ll give you my pickled cucumbers.

Shindo: I don’t want it. Can’t you see that I’m drinking coffee here?

Kirishima: I’ll give it to Kaname then. Eat up, it’s real good.

Kaname: … Sure.

Miyase: There’s extra as well, so don’t hold back.

Kujo: ……

A peace that was like the continuation of my dream.

It was almost as though I was peering at it through the window. That was what I thought.

T/N:

1 - The original gag is that Kirishima mistakes “harmony (haamonii)” with “harmonica (hamoniika)” and Shindo replies with “harmony, huh? (haamonii ka)”

(Sutamai) Character Main Story - Kujo Soma, Vol 0 Ch 1