UPDATE TERBARU

Ensemble Youth Drama Nostalgic Graffiti
Action-Adventure Adachi and Shimamura

A summer sky that wouldn't be shameful to ship anywhere in the country was spreading out in a single color of blue, as if it had evaporated even the clouds. My legs tried to move as if flowing into that blue sky, but I was dazzled by the strength of the sunlight and stood still.

Even though I had only stepped out of the house and bathed in the sun for a bit, my skin was already starting to feel the texture of sweat.

The ripe summer, its very center. Early August, the last summer vacation of high school.

The time to return to the countryside had come.

Passing through a year, I had come under this sky again.

It wasn't as if I had grown taller and the sky looked closer than before.

Summer is a hot thing, and my thoughts reached my mother's parents' home faster than the car, tormenting me with a feeling of being slightly impatient.

Yes, it was the usual summer.

Still, if I were to force myself to look for a difference, there is one more figure waiting for departure this year.

A bipedal tanuki was carrying a furoshiki cloth bundle on its back, exuding an atmosphere just like something out of a folktale.

It suited her somewhat vaguely.

And recently, I feel like I see the tanuki form often.

"I heard wild tanukis appear at Mama-san's house."

I will blend in perfectly, the ambitious tanuki wagged its tail. I wonder how she is wagging it.

This year, Yashiro was with us too.

"Mom seems to like these kinds of creatures, so I thought I'd show it to her."

Wahaha, my mother pinches the tanuki's ear.

I wonder what kind of creature it is.

……Well, I think Grandpa and Grandma will like it.

After all, those people are this mother's parents.

"Shall we get going soon?"

Father, having finished checking that the house was locked up, came out and locked the door of the entrance.

"I checked the locks too, don't you trust me, you!"

"Hmm, not quite."

"Umu."

For some reason, my mother was convinced.

"What's inside this?"

My little sister pokes the furoshiki on Yashiro's back from the side.

"Fufufu, are you curious?"

"I packed her a yukata to wear at night and a toothbrush and wrapped it up."

"Uumu, another one of my secrets has been revealed."

With the contents revealed by my mother, Yashiro is laughing hohoho. My sister is also changing the target of her poking from the furoshiki to Yashiro's cheeks. It seems she's fitting in, I looked down at the scene along with the seeping sweat.

A guy whose origin is uncertain has completely become a member of this family.

Shimamura Yashiro.

"Is something the matter?"

Yashiro tilts her head, noticing my gaze, and I let it slide with a laugh, saying "Nothing."

It doesn't suit her, I thought.

Yashiro is Yashiro.

With that said, we get into the car. This time, I am in the passenger seat.

When the whole family gets in the car, my mother does not sit in the passenger seat. She tries to sit in the back because she gets bored not being able to meddle with the person next to her. Today, since a tanuki was added, the back seat became full, and I was pushed to the front.

My mother is enjoying herself fiddling with the tanuki sitting in the middle. Incidentally, my sister is also participating.

"This summer vacation, I took care of a tanuki."

Muttering in a diary style, my sister carries a snack to Yashiro's mouth. The tanuki relaxes its cheeks, and the creature that was loose to begin with becomes even more fancy. It's fancy, funny, and fuzzy. It is fafafa.

Tanuki…… I wonder if I've ever seen one around that house. I ran around quite a lot of places with Gon, but I don't remember running into one. There are surely no lapses in my memory of the time with Gon.

I take out my phone, look at the image of Gon sent by Grandma, and slide it.

I laughed a little at myself for looking at it even though I'm going to see him now.

After looking at it, I take a deep breath, confirm that there is no message from Adachi, and put the phone away.

While gazing beyond the window, I remember the day before when I called Adachi.

Adachi appears suddenly from any scenery, so I cannot let my guard down.

『I'm going to the countryside this year too, so don't come over to play tomorrow.』

『Ah... is that so.』

『I'll be staying two nights. I won't be here the day after tomorrow either.』

When I warned her as if reading from a travel itinerary, I felt Adachi bring her face close to the phone.

Even over the phone, I don't dislike that atmosphere of her trying to close the distance with me.

『Can I go over to play as soon as you come back?』

『Sure. Wasn't it like that last year too?』

『Last year and this year, I am me, and Shimamura is Shimamura, so.』

『……I see. That might be so.』

Being single-minded was undoubtedly Adachi's virtue. To the point where I feel anxious that if I'm not just as devoted, I might be being insincere to Adachi.

Then I hung up the phone as usual to end it.

Suddenly, I think.

It was so last year, it is so this year, and next year.

Will we be able to continue, this summer?

Thinking of me no longer being a high school student, and the surroundings that are definitely aging, I suddenly become unstable.

Someday, will I stop going to that house in the summer?

The habit that was natural since I can remember disappears from the schedule.

Seeing something like dark clouds in that which could happen as early as next year.

The change in environment and the flow of time force me to face things I don't usually are conscious of.

When even guaranteeing tomorrow is difficult, I cannot envision next year's "natural".

Saying it's a bad feeling would be misleading. But my chest feels clogged, and it's suffocating.

Separation from everyone, from someone important, is unavoidable.

As long as we are creatures determined only to die from birth.

The wretchedness of having a rooted "natural" torn away doesn't seem like it will disappear if left alone.

『……You armadillo over there, come here a sec.』

『Yes what is iiiit~』

I captured the armadillo that came waddling carelessly and frolicked with it.

I have a moderately appropriate sense of distance with Yashiro in a good way, so it was very effective for distracting myself.

Every time the scenery without continuity switched, I felt the illusion that the smell of summer grass was strengthening.

I sometimes think that it might actually be the smell of the sky, blue as if transparent.

It was an easy imagination due to accompanying the grassy smell.

We arrive at my mother's parents' home. Matching the car stopping in the parking lot, I quietly exhale.

If I admit it, there was tension there.

"Wow, hasn't changed at aaaaall," Mother gets out first. Next, my sister. The remaining tanuki has both sides open, getting confused about which side to get out from and looking around restlessly. Beckoned by my sister who saw that, Yashiro got out as if flying from the car saying "Yaa". And the two of them chase after Mother and the others with pitter-patter steps.

The back view of her walking happily carrying a furoshiki was almost a resident of a fairy tale.

Even more so because the background was crowded greenery and old-fashioned buildings. Pastoral, or rather, feels like pon-poko.

"Hougetsu?"

While I was gazing blankly at that state, I was urged by Father. Saying "Yes, yes," I get out and step under the sun.

The back of my ears heated up first, and it felt like summer was leaning on me.

The sensation of stepping on gravel stimulates the soles of my feet through my shoes. With every step forward, the scene of when I visited here spills from the shelf of my heart and is noisy. Small adventures, irreplaceable encounters, and sentiments that cannot be thrown away.

As I grew taller, the memories began to make a loud noise every time they spilled over.

"Welcome."

The welcome at the entrance was Grandma alone. I peek at her feet and confirm that no one is there.

Almost at the same time Father greeted "Sorry for intruding," Mother called out cheerfully.

"I'm home~. Mom, did your knee heal?"

"When are you talking about? Choe."

Grandma splendidly raised her leg and aimed for Mother's chin. Mother also raised her leg as if to intercept it, but they passed each other beautifully, and each other's legs swam in the air before landing on the ground.

And the conversation continues as if nothing had happened.

"Where's Dad?"

"Residents' association. He'll be back in a little bit."

"Grandma, hello~"

"Oh oh, my grandchild, welcome."

She picks up my sister and immediately puts her down saying, "Ah, no good, heavy." My sister looked somewhat proud.

It's nice to be able to be happy about getting heavy, I look sideways.

"Hello~"

When the tanuki that popped out from behind my sister greeted her, Grandma's eyes shone even more.

"My my my, Tanuki-chan, welcome."

Grandma welcomes Yashiro immediately. The tanuki's tail is swaying, and she looks happy.

"I feel like it was a hippo when I saw it before, but today it's a tanuki, huh."

Muttering "before", I remember, ah, that was when I took a picture and sent it before. Indeed, at that time it was a cheerful hippo holding maracas. Today she has the atmosphere of a yokai tanuki that has come down to a human village.

"Fufufu…… as you can see, I am properly a tanuki."

What kind of reminder is that, I laugh. She had a slightly confident look on her face.

"It looks like an invasive species tanuki, but is it the third child?"

"I don't remember giving birth, but she's your grandchild."

"To think even a fake grandchild came, it's lively this year."

Is a fake grandchild something to accept so happily?

"Ah, the real grandchild number two is also properly here."

"Long time no see."

Our eyes met, and grandchild number two greets. In terms of order, I should be number one though.

"What is Tanuki-chan's name?"

"Hohoho, a tanuki is a tanuki."

She attempts to gloss over it cheerfully. Grandma also mimics "Hohoho" while asking Mother with her eyes.

"That guy is…… what was the name?"

Mother looks back. First, Father who was nearby twisted his head.

"Hmm…… hmm?"

Karakoro, I felt like I heard the contents making a sound.

"It's Yachi~. So Yachi is…… what was it……"

Am I perhaps the only one in the family who remembers this tanuki's real name?

Though it's uncertain if it's even her real name in the first place.

"She's called Yashiro, that guy."

"It has been found out, has it."

"I see, Yashiro-chan. When I actually see it, really…… suspicious!"

The tanuki, who wears a faint light blue not only on her hair but also on her teeth and nails, smoothes it over saying "I am not suspicious," but Grandma is happy regardless. For some reason, Mother watching that was laughing triumphantly.

And then.

At the figure of the dog that came as if peeking in upon hearing our voices, my lips opened involuntarily.

Various words were about to float up, but I didn't try to name them.

Childishness and half-hearted growing up couldn't match strides, and the two tangled and fell.

"……Long time no see."

I crouch down and greet him. Since he brings his face close, I hug him.

The fur was fluffy, and that touch made my fingers tingle.

"He's feeling a bit better, you see, he eats more than before too."

"I see."

Shishishi, joy overflows while stroking his back. If he's healthy, that's good. I'm very happy.

Like bouncing up stone steps, the movement of my heart is not continuous and restless.

Because if I accept it at length, there are things that seep out.

"May I greet him?"

Yashiro, who was standing aside waiting, asks me.

"Haa, go ahead."

I move away from Gon and yield the place to Yashiro. Gon is looking up at Yashiro intently.

What does he think of this mysterious tanuki?

"I am a tanuki as you see."

The belly stuck out with hands on hips is excessively proud. I poke it from the side.

"Fufufu."

She is proud.

Hearing Gon, who looks up at that tanuki's belly, give a small cry, Yashiro laughs "Hoho~u".

"You say you are called Gon-san?"

……Eh?

I receive a shock enough to freeze the edge of my eyes at that which she said as if it were natural.

I look back.

Yeah, no one said it.

"You…… can understand? What Gon is saying?"

Even so, to Yashiro who spoke that name, I ask while my mind goes blank.

"Yes?"

Yashiro looked up at me and froze like a pause, then shook her head saying "No no."

"I don't understand at aaaaall."

"No, but, just now……"

"Mumu, the presence of snacks."

Saying "Pleease waaait," she runs away thrusting her hands forward.

"……She ran away, that guy."

Before I knew it, everyone else was gone from the entrance and had gone inside.

Left behind, I stroke Gon's back and urge him.

"Let's go."

Accompanying Gon, we go down the hallway that smells strongly of wood.

When I peeked into the living room later, the tanuki was dancing with a snack cheese okaki in hand.

"I thought there would be leftovers, but to think you'd eat it all."

Peeking into the beautifully empty frying pan, Grandma's face relaxes. Only the smell of slightly burnt sauce remains in the frying pan. Today's lunch was yakisoba.

Grandpa and Grandma treat us every year with an amount of food that our family can't possibly finish, but thanks to the increase in staff this year, we finished everything. That guy who is the biggest eater in the house contrary to her fancy appearance is now enjoying the after-meal mikan jelly received from Grandma with a warm face.

A grandchild who eats a lot so deliciously must be the best guest for a grandma.

Not a grandchild though.

"…………………………………………"

I glance at Gon cooling off in the corner of the room, and then return my eyes to Yashiro.

Can this guy really communicate with Gon?

I feel like it's possible, if it's this extraterrestrial life form.

Will I be able to know Gon's feelings directly?

Terrible resistance and heaviness disturb my chest.

The feeling of wanting to know, and the hesitation of not wanting to know. Both sprout inside me.

Perhaps interpreting my gaze, Yashiro held out a spoon with orange jelly on it saying, "It cannot be helped."

"Only one bite."

I feel like she has been dodging my pursuit since earlier.

Since it looks delicious, I decided to be deceived.

After eating lunch, the atmosphere was like scattered dissolution, and everyone spent their own time. Father is washing the car outside again this year. He said he would go fishing when he finished. He will probably come back without catching anything.

I sat on the porch and was gazing at the garden. Of course, it's hot. The wind of the electric fan is also far and unreliable.

But bathing in the voices of cicadas that seem to seep with the sweat, strangely, I calmed down.

As if my memory captures that place as where I belong.

There wasn't anything particular to do. No, everyone probably doesn't have a specific purpose for returning home. We came to show our faces, that's all. Having nothing to do can be said to be a kind of luxury.

In the old days, I used to run out with Gon as soon as I finished eating.

But the current Gon cannot run out, and I also don't know where I should run to.

The emotions I direct at Gon like that are wide-ranging; my heart becomes blue, I imagine a coast, or I feel like peeking into a cave. There was a blowing wind, an unbearable silence, and a nostalgia running far away. Naming them, many feelings difficult to explain seemed to overflow.

As for Gon, right now, what does he think of me?

……Again, like I want to know. Like knowing is scary.

While I was absentmindedly waiting for the fear to fade, I hear a song I've heard somewhere, "Kitsune, Tanuki". It is the udon song, even though lunch was yakisoba.

I stretched my legs to pick up the continuation alone and sing.

However, a storm opposite to the pleasant breeze lifts my body.

"Not enough people, so you come too."

"Eeeh……"

Pulled by Mother, I ended up participating. Grandma, Yashiro, Sister, Mother, and me. Since I joined last, I became in charge of the meat. If Nagafuji were here, she would have been suitable.

Or rather, we hadn't disbanded and everyone was playing together.

Gon was curled up in the corner of the cool room, looking up at us. He looks sleepy, I laugh a little.

There are things we can understand without exchanging words directly.

Kitsune (Fox) is Mother, Tanuki is Yashiro as is, Tempura is Grandma, and Tsukimi (Moon Viewing) is Sister in that order. While I was thinking wouldn't I be more Tsukimi-ish as a name, the song and march begin.

Since it's not a wide room, it's surprisingly difficult to wander around in formation. But when I twist my body to the music, casually, it's a little fun. Incidentally, the most light-footed was the kitsune at the front who should be of a good age. Her singing was also perfect, and she is singing the second verse I don't know happily alone.

While we were immersed in such play, Grandpa, who came back from the residents' association, peeked into the room.

"Welcome back."

"Ou. Oh, is this the rumored tanuki?"

The tanuki in the middle of marching greets while wagging her tail.

"I am seeing you for the first time."

"A tanuki, huh. Indeed, I used to see them quite a lot around here before but."

"Ooh~, I would also like to meet one once and study."

"Then I shall teach you the tanuki gestures later. It would be good to become a better tanuki."

"Waa."

The tanuki rejoices at finding a master. Do you want to aim for it that much, the summit of tanukis?

When I asked Grandpa "Switch?", he refused shortly saying "No" and ran away.

"You continue as the meat."

"Don't pinch my flank."

I couldn't escape from the meat.

Killing time somehow or other like that, the tanuki played a big active role at dinner too. Wondering where on earth that amount disappeared to, her belly was being poked by everyone. Since the person herself is protruding her belly somewhat proudly for some reason, I also took the opportunity to poke it. It was fluffy.

Even though I held anxiety when coming, once I spend time in this house, as if isolated from usual, the pace of time being slow doesn't feel painful.

Such time flows.

Gon also eats slowly, and when he gets full, he is curled up in the fixed position in the corner of the room.

With the distance as is, I asked "Was it delicious?"

Gon is silent as expected, but was looking at me intently.

Then I took a bath different from usual, went "weeh" at the heat, and when I was spacing out.

Yashiro, who took a bath with my sister, comes running.

At night, she was not a tanuki, but in the appearance of an indigo-dyed yukata. It's the one she wears at home too.

"When I got out of the bath, the costume for mimicry was gone."

"If it's Tanuki-chan's skin, it was taken to the washing machine."

Oh my, Yashiro jumps on one foot and is surprised.

"Uumu, it is the one where the old woman goes to the river for laundry."

"Well, mostly correct."

Waa, rejoicing at the correct answer, she circled around me once and ran away. It was a light gait that showed freedom just by that way of running. Blankly gazing at the remaining light blue trajectory, I remember.

I feel like she said she wanted me to contact her if there was time to call at night.

There is time, I lie down, lazily stretch my arm, and hook the phone with my finger. Come come come, by the time I pulled it closer little by little with my index finger and grabbed the phone, I had completely hurt my flank.

『Can call』

When I sent it, the phone vibrated almost at the same time my finger left it. I sometimes think, hasn't Adachi herself become a phone already, this reaction? Before long, she seems likely to receive radio waves from me without a machine.

"Helloo~"

『G-Good evening.』

"You don't have to call in such a panic."

『Because I have nothing else to do.』

"You're an examinee, right? Study."

When I hit her with nagging in Mother's style, Adachi mutters『Entrance exams……』 as if she has thoughts on it.

"Is something wrong?"

『Is Shimamura going to university?』

"Weeell~, probably. I was told I could go."

『Tell me where you're going. ……I also, if told I can go, will choose there.』

"Eeh, are you okay with matching me? Adachi, you have to go easy on me."

Grades too, but Adachi is basically superior to me in every aspect. Or rather, the recent Adachi is normally amazing. I was surprised that her scores on the final exams were all high level. Adachi's flushing cheeks when I praised those scores a lot, and the overflowing laughter, I unintentionally think back on them like this.

But reproduction is difficult. If forced to reproduce, it's like, fusshu, shufuffu, fusshi.

『So um…… the parents' home? How is it?』

"How, you say; it's hot here too."

Not my parents' home though.

"Adachi, have you ever met your grandpa and grandma?"

『No. ……Probably, I think I haven't. Even if I met them when I was small, I don't remember.』

"I see."

I also hear that I only met my paternal grandparents when I was two years old. So naturally, I don't remember at all, so I have no impression. It's natural to fade if you don't meet, and I think Adachi is afraid of that, even though it's only one day. But that one day must be heavy for Adachi.

I realized the weight of responsibility anew.

We talked for a bit after that, and finally, Adachi softly leaks her true feelings.

『I want to see you soon……』

"If Adachi sleeps like a good girl, it'll be soon."

If it's like this after only one day passed, it doesn't seem like I'll be allowed to go far alone forever.

It was like I was the one with a leash on my neck.

……Well, but, it's fine, I guess; since I somehow think that, seems like I'm too late too.

As soon as the phone ended, Grandma showed herself smoothly. She is grinning.

"What?"

"Phone in hiding, is it a boy?"

Now now, Grandma points all her fingers up and thrusts them at me. Which one.

Besides, I wasn't hiding. I was just…… right, just talking to her on the phone.

After hesitating a little, I said it clearly.

"A girl."

My woman. ……Even just in my mind, it's an expression with more resistance than imagined. Embarrassing.

This is quite a high psychological hurdle.

It's like declaring the partner as my possession, or rather awe-inspiring…… I want Adachi to try saying it next time too. Imagining from now that her complexion will definitely become amusing, I almost laughed.

"I was talking to my girlfriend."

Come to think of it, I hadn't talked about that area to my parents yet, I realize now.

Well, they probably figured it out though.

Grandma rounded her eyes at first, checked mysteriously "Puberty?", and I answered "Of that age."

"I see, I see. That Hougetsu is already at that age."

Thiiiis big, she places her hand as if reproducing my height from the past, making my cheeks slightly itchy.

"Baba becomes an old hag too."

"Grandma hasn't changed at all since I first saw you."

"Hohho, don't praise me too much."

Did I praise her? I tilt my head amusingly.

"Is she a good woman?"

"Yeah."

That is unmistakable. A beauty like that, a girl with charm, doesn't exist so often. No, doesn't exist?

At least I probably won't encounter one.

Amidst each person having encounters and answers, I might have already obtained that answer. Somehow it ended up like speaking fondly of a lover, and this is also slightly embarrassing.

However, unexpectedly, my mood was cool.

"You have an eye for it, don't you."

"Yeah."

"The child who chose Hougetsu."

Ah, that way, I unintentionally avert my eyes. Since Grandma praises me without hesitation, it's hard to accept it head-on.

As if loving my reaction, Grandma patted my head.

Mother is like that too, but for Grandma as well, I am probably still a small child.

That feeling, that sensation…… occasionally brings something that chokes my chest.

Things that change, and things that don't change. In both, there were things I didn't want to throw away.

In the corner of my vision, I see Yashiro's light in the corner of the room.

Crouching by Gon's side doing something…… it sounded as if they were conversing.

Since her hair emits light, I can tell Yashiro's whereabouts just by her moving a little at night.

"That Tanuki-chan reminds me of when Hougetsu was tiny."

"Eeh, really?"

Really.

Close people who know me from when I was a child mostly say so. Gestures, or way of running.

If anything, I feel so myself.

"It makes sense that Yoshika dotes on her."

"I wonder about thaaat."

Am I being doted on that much? ……Well, maybe I am being.

Since we both have a nature where it's hard to talk about such things honestly, surely, it won't come to the surface forever.

And despite telling Adachi, I welcome bedtime without touching exam studies or anything.

I lie down lining up futons with my sister as usual. In the corner of the same room, the glowing guy and Gon.

Yashiro is curled up and sleeping next to Gon in the corner of the room. Even though there is a futon, she was making healthy sleeping breaths as if fitting there was natural. The faintly tinged light blue makes Gon's face float up. From afar, it's hard to tell if Gon is sleeping or still awake.

While layering the sound of the continuously spinning electric fan on the night ceiling, I slowly exhale.

Sleeping at night and waking up in the morning, I harbor doubts about it at random moments.

Is there such a guarantee? I fall into the feeling of suddenly letting go of the rope I was holding.

Just like this, my consciousness might not return forever. But what kind of sensation is consciousness disappearing? Falling asleep suddenly, and when I notice time has passed—I cannot imagine the part where "when I notice" never comes eternally. Even losing consciousness is established on the premise that there is consciousness.

When I think about this kind of thing occasionally, my feelings get terribly rough and frustrating.

While going round and round inside a box where the exit cannot be found like that, I slept.

My head upon waking was heavy. Waking up that is appropriate to express as "I ended up waking up."

When forcing myself up while still sleepy, the sensation like the brain is drowning continues.

Wondering if I should go back to sleep, wiping the sweat floating faintly on my forehead, I prioritized quenching my thirst. Removing the thin futon, I leave the room with sliding feet trying not to make noise as much as possible.

Heading to the kitchen, after rinsing my mouth, I drink a glass of mugicha in one go, and even the fog in my head gradually clears. Greeting the true dawn later than the surrounding world. The drowsiness like crawling also disappeared.

The voices of cicadas can be heard just a little in the distance.

Morning had come, as if natural.

However, it was still early for everyone's awakening, and when I was walking on the porch wondering what to do, I hear "Rustle rustle," a self-made sound effect. Probably because there is no grass thick enough to push through.

And she appears from the shadow of the tree in the garden. She was already in the outfit of a tanuki kigurumi.

"……Did you think I was a real tanuki?"

"I did, I did."

Waa, she runs over raising both hands as if shouting hurrah.

"Try to make at least footsteps."

Since she floats with a calm face usually, moving by floating must be easy. Don't take it easy. I pick up the tanuki and head towards the entrance considering that everyone is still sleeping.

"Gooood morning."

"Yes, good morning. Shall we take a walk or something?"

"Yeees."

While being carried, Yashiro was humming "Teku teku" footsteps. Slow.

"I was taught tanuki gestures by Grandfather, so I tried practicing immediately."

"So you got up early wanting to show that."

"Fufufu."

Quite a charming fellow.

Making Yashiro wear zori sandals too, I pick her up again and go outside together. After getting out, I realize. I'm lifting Yashiro after all. It's becoming a habit to carry her like this unintentionally because she's too light. Oh well, accompanying the tanuki, we step on the gravel out front.

"We don't see tanukis often."

"That is sooo."

I also used to run around with Gon since long ago, but I have no memory of seeing a tanuki.

"If I met one, I wanted to ask about their ecology, but."

"……You, you really can understand animals' language?"

"Hohoho, actually I don't understand at all."

"You, I swear."

When I poke her cheek, she twists her body ticklishly.

Hahaha, while laughing, looking at the small feet that don't reach the ground and the big tail, I suddenly notice.

"Aren't you smaller than when we first met?"

"There is a trick to it."

"Like hell there is."

"Or perhaps, is it that Shimamura-san got bigger?"

"……That, also, no."

I almost agreed for a moment. We don't have that much history yet, you and I, I laugh.

Did I grow taller? I look up as if chasing with my eyes that which is hard to understand by myself alone.

Adachi, who is always with me, is taller than me, and if anything I feel like that difference is gradually widening, so the realization that I grew taller is thin.

Still, I certainly became big. Enough that Gon looks much smaller than in the past.

But that's not just because I grew, but just that various factors are also added.

Innocent, short, and short-legged me ran with all my might even so, and would surely easily overtake the current me.

Gon followed me as a matter of course, but at that time, what was he thinking?

Did he enjoy it?

Was he keeping me company thinking "good grief"?

If I understood all of Gon's feelings.

Ah, somehow…… what is this mood creating scratches on my chest?

To be able to talk with Gon, the me of the past would have welcomed it with a full smile.

It's different from scary. This unstable feeling closest to "not fully understandable."

Answers didn't always save people.

"Mumu, presence of a person."

"Really?"

"It is not a tanuki."

Following the regretful Yashiro's gaze, in the parking lot of the neighboring house, there was a human figure sitting compactly having placed a desk and chair.

Not conscious of public eyes, perhaps, she is resting her cheek on her hand and completely slacking off right now, mimicking the song of cicadas ringing in the distance "Jii-zui-zui-zuii~". It's the older sister (Onee-san) from next door; she played with me often when I came here. Now, she doesn't have the appearance of an "older sister." I wonder why the other party looks much younger. Height and baby face unchanged from memory, and skin shiny and glossy, it's that of a child.

She has her hair tied, but a tag saying 『In Training』 is stuck to that knot. I feel like I saw it before, but what on earth is that? And wondering what she is doing, watching from afar, she seemed to get tired of mimicking cicadas too, sat up straight and vocalized appropriately.

"Bazaar, won't you buy~"

Is the selling on that end? Moreover, at this early hour.

She is suspicious to the extent she can compete with the suspicious creature here. Our eyes meet with that suspicious older sister.

"Won't you buy~"

She bangs on the desk calling out to customers. If our eyes hadn't met, I would want to pretend I didn't see and leave. "What is it?" The tanuki in my arms slips out and runs up, so, well, I followed thinking I'll go too. And the tanuki had forgotten footsteps again.

Won't you buy~ and lined up on the desk are three tea bowls, greeting us with a stance of just being aligned without need for decoration. Red, blue, and light blue. Colors running like pulling threads are coloring the slightly rugged tea bowls. Is this the merchandise?

"I didn't think there would be anyone really passing by."

"Haa."

"It was Tsukimi-chan."

Every time we meet, the name gradually gets farther away, like a satellite.

"Well, that's fine already though."

I was the meat person though.

"And, this is…… Tanukichi, right."

"There is no mistake that I am a tanuki."

Because she is in disguise, she was a mysterious creature who rejoiced unconditionally when treated as a tanuki.

"How about it, won't you buy? It's a phantom street vendor that closes shop when the sun rises."

"You don't seem like you want to sell."

"Anyway, even if it's daytime, no one passes by a place like this~"

That is also true, but all the more so in the early morning, no one is here. Is it business only in form?

"Incidentally, I made them ze~i."

"Heeh. Are you a potter?"

Like this, like this, the older sister spins her hand as if demonstrating. It only looks like she's spinning a top. However, this older sister is a potter. She has made origami shuriken and such for me though.

Come to think of it, I remember seeing something like a tea bowl made by a grandchild shown by the neighboring grandpa before.

Is it that, it connected.

"There were only these three that became a shape likely to sell."

I don't know why she is proud. No, but, if she can make tea bowls that can be put up for sale even if only three, it might be amazing. The tanuki is sticking to the desk and poking the tea bowls.

"Special price, 500 yen for three."

Certainly cheap, may, be. But even if I buy that many tea bowls, there is no place to use them.

"How about single items?"

"Ma, about 100 yen I guess~ Master said."

"Isn't it a better deal to buy separately?"

Pointed out, the older sister starts counting on her fingers. Hou hou, after nodding.

"Won't you buy~"

I was ignored.

"I'm dreaming every day that it'll gain value like a phantom early work of a master someday."

"Full of dreams, aren't you."

Nohhoho, laughing only in voice, her expression hasn't changed.

Well, she took care of me in the past, and I'm not reluctant to purchase as a return of favor. But.

"Ah, I didn't bring my wallet."

I brought nothing here except the phone and clothes. It was left at the house.

"We don't do electronic payment."

Pipi-, gaga-, she is likely electronic? herself.

"Then, I guess there was no connection."

"Oooooh"

She laments with a voice like a fur seal. While I'm judging that it's awkward to go back to the house now and beg Grandpa and Grandma for pocket money, and I have to abandon the land fur seal.

"Then I shall lend you money."

"Ha?"

I am taken aback because an unexpected guy announced it with an unforeseen thing.

The tanuki pats her belly that doesn't look reliable, pon pon.

"Fufufu…… I am saving the allowance I receive from Mama-san occasionally too."

"Surprisingly you have planning ability, this tanuki."

Might be more conscious than me.

"Therefore, please take this money."

The tanuki who moved mozo-mozo raised five 100-yen coins taken out from inside the costume.

When I took it and checked, it was properly ordinary coins. Perhaps due to Yashiro's skin, it is slightly cool like light snow. Even if I pile five on my palm and grip them tight, they didn't melt.

"If so, I'll borrow it gratefully."

"Yes."

I didn't think the day would come when I would borrow money from this tanuki. No, really.

"Then, with this."

When I hold out the coins, the older sister grips the 100-yen coins groaning "Uumu."

"To think the first ones to buy my work are Tsukimi-chan and Tanukichi……"

"Hohoho, it is an honor to be the first."

"The money won't turn back into leaves later, right?"

The tanuki was only laughing.

"However, it is a fact that it sold. Wahhoi."

The older sister shouts banzai without seemingly much emotion. Somehow, contrary to her young and soft-looking appearance, she might be clumsy at expressing emotions well. I feel something slightly close to Adachi.

Of the three received tea bowls, I hand the tea bowl with the light blue pattern to Yashiro saying "This is yours."

"May I receive it?"

"It's something bought with your money."

Told so, Yashiro strokes the surface of the tea bowl all over and grins "That is so."

"Since it's an occasion, a commemorative photo too."

The older sister takes out a phone and holds it ready quickly.

Taking a little distance, Yashiro and I held the tea bowls respectively and fit into a single photo.

The tanuki's tail was swaying happily the whole time.

"This guy sometimes doesn't show up in photos, so you'd better check."

"Whaaat, explicitly an unidentified creature."

While astonished, she cleans up the chair and desk without checking at all. Saying she didn't think she would sell out, the older sister withdrew with a clumsy skip that wasn't established.

"Movement like an octopus leg……"

It's a short walk, but if we walk around holding tea bowls, we might drop them, so I pick up Yashiro and decide to return too.

"You can return the money whenever is fine…… fufufu."

"Proouuud."

"I am aiming for an urban humane tanuki."

"For the time being, our house is not urban by any mistake."

Let's make the remaining one a souvenir for Adachi. The deep blue color enough to dye the eyes seemed to suit Adachi.

Since I don't have the aesthetic eye to evaluate the workmanship, I just stroke the surface thinking it's beautiful.

……And well, there was something like this, but.

Tsukimi-chan, Tanukichi, and Onee-san.

That I see the name of the older sister, which I couldn't remember until the end, in another place is.

That this tea bowl really becomes worth more than the price of this day is, a story still a little ahead.

"Yashiro-chan, seconds on rice?"

"If I can receive it, I shall receive it."

She hands the light blue tea bowl she's using immediately from lunch to Grandma. Even though it should have been piled high at first too, it disappeared beautifully.

Mother who was watching that exchange warns while laughing.

"If you feed that guy, she'll appear at this house too."

"That is good to hear. Eat without holding back, and come to play anytime."

"Fufufu. Then I shall accept both."

The tanuki with no hesitation in receiving kindness shook Noritama furikake on the new rice pa-pa.

Does Grandma understand that literally she will appear anytime?

No, if she comes, she comes, omit the logic and rejoice? Because she is this mother's mother.

After finishing lunch, Dad departed aspiring to be a fisherman following yesterday. Incidentally, yesterday, of course, he brought back a bucket containing nothing but water. Saying "Because fish that can be caught by me cannot survive in the wild," looking somehow satisfied, so he will probably come back in the same tone today.

Against that, Mother was competing saying 『I grew up catching fish with my bare hands though』. I thought she would do it.

Then it seems my sister and Mother are playing with Grandma again, and I can hear lively voices flying from a room a little far away. Mother's voice is the loudest wherever she is. That it isn't unpleasant except when being entangled is, well, I think she is my mother.

That me was, again, sitting on the porch and gazing at the garden. Even making mugicha my companion.

The wind of the electric fan scoops up my hair from behind and occasionally strokes my face.

That gazing at the garden trees calms me down, maybe my sensitivity also tilted towards nostalgia a little.

Where is Gon resting?

"……………………………………"

"Rustle rustle."

"…………"

I hear the self-made sound effect. I understood who would come out at the stage of the sound.

Continuing from morning, the tanuki appears from the shadow of the tree again.

"Did you think it was a wild tanuki?"

Because she asks with a proud face, it is a little heartwarming. But.

"We did that in the morning."

"Is the same no good, uumu."

It is deep, she is impressed. And just like that, she sat next to me with light bipedal walking.

Well, there aren't that many types of tanuki entrance patterns, so Yashiro's point is also correct. I wonder, what is a tanuki entrance pattern.

"Drink tea?"

"I shall receive it."

The appearance of the tanuki sitting with legs stretched drinking tea peacefully makes even me feel like I became a fellow of that tanuki. Tanuki. Yashiro. Actually an alien, probably.

It's somehow a funny story that I can talk with an alien, but cannot chat with a dog.

A presence different from that tanuki comes to my side.

Gon had come close to my side.

"What is iiit?"

I stroke the back of the snuggling Gon. Gon is looking up at me intently without closing his eyes.

Like he wants to say something, but of course I don't understand, and.

Friends, but, I think we are, but what about Gon?

For some reason, I get more and more impatient. Before joy at being able to meet again following last year, frustration tries to precede. I know that the feeling of not being able to stay still is the true identity of the current instability.

But I didn't know the way to resolve it, the way to spit it out.

Gon raises his voice.

That doesn't enter my head well, and my eyes spin.

As if opening a hole in that atmosphere.

Yashiro opens her light blue thin lips.

"Let's play."

As if Gon himself is speaking directly to me, my vision flies.

My consciousness is taken away at once.

While wandering as if the contents of my head were shaken and I lost my footing.

Yashiro smiles sweetly.

"I felt like, he was saying that."

"　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Ah"

Voice of the heart that leaked as if barely caught on the lower lip.

My heart and pupils trembled buru-buru.

Strongly, violently, enough to shake off everything that was leaning on me.

Kuu, my throat trying to endure raised a muffled scream.

Gu, my chest became painful at once as if bubbles were clogged in it.

That endurance burst, and I lowered my face with the sensation that the edge of my lips was about to cut.

While hugging my knees, I killed my voice and cried.

I always kept it vague because I didn't want to admit it, but this time, I accept it.

Tears seep out endlessly.

One after another, as if a lifetime's worth is coming out.

I put strength into the hands gripping my knees as if the bones would pop out from the back of my hand.

I didn't know why my heart was tearing apart so much. A large round thing, of which I cannot grasp the full picture, swells inside me even now and overflows. My shoulders were shaking gaku-gaku from the base, enough that the bones seemed likely to dislocate.

With my whole body and soul, I am screaming and crying. My heart ignores the mediation of voice or throat or brain, and is crying exposed.

The voices of cicadas should just get louder.

It would be good if they wrapped me up so that no one hears my crying voice.

The unstoppable crying voice was, however, never a scream.

Eventually. As if the cicadas rested their voices, or perhaps, as if getting used to the pain. I adapt to crying.

While still crying, I slowly raise my face.

While I was crying, Yashiro didn't say anything. She just sat beside me quietly the whole time, as if sleeping.

While stroking that tanuki's head, I say just in case.

"……That just now, keep it a secret from everyone, okay."

"Fufufu, my lips are tight."

"Yes, yes, the usual."

I stretch Tanuki-chan's cheek munyo~. It was a softness completely devoid of malice.

"……Thank you."

"I am aspiring to be a humane tanuki, after all."

It seems she gave up on the city.

My eyes still hurt as if rubbed. The overflowing tears were accompanied by strong stimulation. Unstoppable, violent tears that seemed to crack my eyeballs, but they were also like breaking my own shell.

The confusion of my consciousness clears. There is no blockage in my chest; there is only elation and light limbs.

Freedom fills my elbows, easily pushing aside the approaching heat.

Even my voice spills down freshly like tears.

It felt like I was being carried, placed on my own small back.

"Let's play."

My voice, mixed with sniffles, was filled with emotion to the point I couldn't believe it was mine.

Stroking Gon's back, I stand up saying let's go.

The tanuki left behind with barley tea in one hand sees that off.

What did I come to this house to do?

I came to play, obviously. With Gon.

With my best friend.

I wanted to play around to my heart's content, with all my might.

That's why I accompany Gon, say let's go, and start walking.

Leaving the tears that haven't fully dried yet in the hallway, into the sunlight.

As if inhaling the dazzling, hot, burning sky, I looked up and took a deep, deep breath.

The two-night homecoming passed in that way, and I checked many times if my eyes were swollen before going home. They were swollen; that's only natural, considering how much I cried.

Before meeting Adachi, who seems likely to come to my house immediately, I want to apply some touches to gloss it over.

It's a little inexcusable to keep the waiting Adachi waiting even longer, though.

Ah, but the feeling of wanting to see Adachi also welled up bubbling within me.

I learn one more thing—that I should just be honest with that feeling—and return to Adachi.

After putting on my shoes at the entrance, I look at the front where the door is thrown open. My parents, who were already waiting in front of the car—or rather, my mother—were waving their arms urging me to come quickly.

"Oh my, I don't see the tanuki."

"I was caaaalled~"

Opening the door of the bedroom near the entrance, Yashiro raises a scream that doesn't sound particularly painful.

"When I tried to appear dashingly cool, the momentum was too good and I hit my shoulder on the door before it fully opened."

"Quite a bright insight."

"Hahaha."

I've done that in the past too. Why does this guy resemble me even in weird places?

It feels like there's an intention, and also like a mere coincidence.

……Well, there is a world here wide enough to be beyond the control of humanity.

It might not be strange for an alien who resembles me to exist somewhere.

"Yachi~ let's go~"

"Oka~ay."

Beckoned by my sister, the tanuki held in one arm is carried away while struggling playfully. The contents of the furoshiki she is carrying on her back look heavier than the person herself. Seeing them off, only I remain at the entrance.

When I turn around, Grandpa and Grandma had come to see me off.

"Come again at the end of the year."

"Yeah."

Grandma's voice is always gentle.

"Exams this year, right? Good luck."

"I'll do my best."

Grandpa's voice always lightens my heart.

I greet Grandpa and Grandma, and then.

I hug my best friend, who came to see me off alongside them, with all my might.

"I'll come again. Let's play a lot next time too."

Pulling him close, memorizing his warmth firmly, I heard Gon's good answer and parted ways.

I'm looking forward to it. The next time we meet, from the bottom of my heart. I can't wait for it enough to bring tears.

Without regret, I leave my grandparents' house. I head towards my family waiting in the parking lot.

I cut through the summer air that seems to dampen the skin with my largely swung limbs.

My bag is light. My steps are fluffy like a dream, and before I notice, I am moving forward.

If I open my mouth now, an impulse noisier than the cicadas seems likely to fly out.

Circulating that inside my body, I become filled with infinite-like vitality.

Gon always gives me the power to live.

I love him.

I want to see him again.

Always, we are friends.

Let's go home. And, let's come again.

Gripping the feelings of those days when we continued playing without even time to be afraid.

* * *

And so, starting from this summer, a tanuki far from wild came to appear often.

Leaping over the concept of distance without need for explanation, she heads to that house, to that scenery, as if just dropping by for a greeting.

Without any hesitation, without any snag, carefree and free.

Without bonds, simply, a tanuki who can go to meet a friend.

Yashiro, who can live connecting time with my best friend.

Just a little…… I thought she was very enviable.

Interlude

"So, this is the souvenir."

"T-Thanks."

I hand the tea bowl to Adachi who came to play immediately. It's a way of handing it without decoration, but Adachi received it as if wrapping it with both hands. She strokes the surface of the tea bowl in a circle, and then piles on another "Thank you." Speaking well, like a faint flower…… no need to speak badly of it. Flower, smile, lovely.

"But I, don't really use tea bowls at home, or rather."

"Eh? What do you eat to live?"

"Bread……"

"Bread and?"

"Water……"

My reaction to Adachi's completely dry reply must have shown on my face, as she hurriedly tries to smooth it over.

"B-But occasionally, I might eat rice too."

"Eat plenty."

Or rather, since she seems likely to settle into a dietary life where if left alone, a plant would stretch a bit and eat bread too, maybe I should invite her to various things more. Or perhaps, I rack my brain.

Adachi is all crunchy (skinny), I think, and when I pinch her wrist, Adachi pulls her waist back with a start and runs away.

"With this tea bowl, rice……"

While keeping a little distance from me, Adachi starts to say something and sinks into silence sun.

Beside the tea bowl placed on the floor, she draws a swirl with her index finger.

"Actually I won't use it, I'll keep it."

"You can put bread in a tea bowl, you know."

Bunbun, Adachi shakes her head. What is it, I wait, and she hides her face with the tea bowl, peeking only her reserved eyes slightly.

"Until…… I live together, with Shimamura."

"……Oooh."

That was a remark of quite high consciousness. Everyone around me has high consciousness (is ambitious).

Possibly, I might be the only one who is low.

But in the future, it will become so…… I guess.

"That's true."

Eventually, it might become so. No, it will. If I stretch my neck a little and look into the distance, I felt like such a journey was shining and floating up on the ground. I will live with Adachi.

……What comes and goes is a faint stimulation of the unknown.

That was never an unpleasant thing.

"Then I'll keep mine until that time too."

Like a flower opening someday, when that time visits, let's use these tea bowls together.

It's like meoto-chawan (married couple's tea bowls). Maybe. Eh, married couple? Hmm…… hmm…… well, fine.

"Let's eat furikake rice heartily together, someday."

When I hold it up to eye level and promise, Adachi laughs unaccustomedly, like working with the opposite of her dominant arm.

It didn't have the sharpness of a grin, and a humidity suitable for summer was sticking to her smile.