~Here I am...This is me...There's nowhere else on Earth I'd rather be~
...ze end (of likely Kaneko kneeling by Tsuchida's grave for that final my life is now nearing its end too' toast). It is finally here (ﾉ゜∀゜)ﾉ━━━。;*:゜:+,.○*:゜.:+;*:゜:+,.○*:゜.:⌒━ (
On that day, Mitsunobu was walking the black market while holding his coat in one hand.
In one area there was also a bookstore, together with the line up of the recently reissued [Shinchou] and [Chuukouran] it has magazines of more questionable content like [liberal] and [seeking the bizarre] stacked up on the pilebed.
Inside that overflow of vulgar content, searching for something more or less readable I flip through the pages. Made from reclaimed paper it both felt rough to the touch and had the blurred inking be very bad, however, even so there's no mistake to them being books.
With the intention to search for a good buy--although, the case of finding something striking my fancy is pretty rare---as I'd wonder around, I was called out to be someone.
[Kaneko-sensei]
[What? ...Oh, Kinoshits huh]
[What do you mean by 'what'? How rude]
Was Mayumi in the middle of shopping, he frowned while holding a paper bag in one hand.
[Since you weren't home when I inquired, I did think you'd probably be in this area]
As Mayumi'd pull out a somewhat small steamed yeast bun with filling from his own bag, with a pop he placed it in the palm of Mitsunobu's hand.
[I don't want it If it's sweet]
[A person is going through the trouble of sharing something unusual, and that's how you respond to it? Unlike the recently produced inferior goods, the manjuu of thatplace are unexpectadly good]
[Stupid. I'm telling you to feed it to Hiura. He's there, right?]
Once again it returns to Mayami's hands.
[He's the one, who likes stuff like this more than I do]
[...thanks]
After Mayumi'd return the manjuu to the paper bag, he lightly narrowed his eyes.
[Do tell Hiura to show his face from time to time]
[No waay, putting on the senpai act only at times like this...]
As the other'd shrug his shoulders, he pointed his idex finger at Mitsunobu.
[Deadline is approaching soon, so do please go home already and write the rest]
[Yeah, I get it I get it]
Turning my back to him and waving with the back of my hand, I walked inside the hustle & bustle while holding a cigarette in my mouth..
I lightly avoid the woman wearing a flashy pokadot dress who is calling out to me from the inside of an alley. The voice peddling ricebread. The child running beside the wounded soldier with heavy footsteps with a smile.
The sun starting to fall, the inside of the town that was starting to be wrapped up in twilights color is entertaining as a disarrayed mess.
I would reach home in around 10 minutes if I started heading there from here but, since the wind is also nice, how about doing that after walking around this area some more? Or maybe today, staying at some fellow writers place and having fun while discussing detective stories all night long might be better?
Birds lifting towards the sky catching his attention, Mitsunobu looks upwards..
At the moment I thrust my hand into the chest pocket thinking to take out a new cigarette, they fell out together with what else was inside there.
[...ah]
Noticing that, I bent down. Before those eye's of mine, feet wearing leather shoes came to a halt.
Quicker than Mitsunobu could pick it up, brusque fingers would scoop up the indigo printed pouch. From above Mitsunobu who was stumped by the sudden development, a voice filled with laughter.
[You still had it?]
[It's not like I always carry it with me-]
After turning sullen I'd begin to answer as usual, my breath stopped.
[Oh?]
[No...really, just sometimes]
[Oh]
Little by little my eyes, would really slowly rise.
Passing my own height, they stop at a place slightly looking up.
[You-!]
There is a man smiling right before my eyes.
[You...]
[Yes, what is it?]
Mitsunobu took in a deep breath. 'Indeed it is true, without a doubt.' Once he'd think that, his mouth opened on it's own.
[What did you do until now? Where were you, what happened, since when did you return?]
As he'd hear Mitsunobu's words, he pleasantly starts laughing.
[And, which is the one I should answer first?]
The trembling arms, are like something unbelonging of me. Slowly rising up with awkward movements, above him, they reach the place where they can yet cannot touch.
Caressing the left sleeve rustling from the breeze, climbing the shoulder they rest at the cheek.
Silently, he lets Mitsunobu do as he wishes.
Earlier my mouth had spoken on it's own, but now words just wouldn't come out. When I think they finally did, out came an odd hoarse voice like letting out a sob.
[tsuchida]
[...Yes]
[It's Tsuchida...]
[Yes, that's right]
I caress his cheek.
Mitsunobu's eyes would countless times switch between his face, and his left sleeve--and afterwards, fell to the ground.
[H...hey, Kaneko]
I grab hold of Norizane's shirt.
After hiding my face for a moment, it had already been in vain. As if collapsing onto him, I pressed my face against his collar.
Norizane's right hand would circle around my back.
To the point of thinking that 'this may be what it's like when one was about to die surrounded in a blaze' my body felt like it was burning, and it was even hard to breathe.
Inside the breaths that'd felt like they would stop, I wring out my voice.
[...Let's go]
[Where?]
[Doesn't matter]
Immediately. I don't care what kind of place it is.
[As long as we can embrace each other, I don't care where it is...!]
Even walking the road leading home that'd only take 10 minutes feeling not quick enough, we hid inside a traditional love hotel that was in a nearby back alley.
In the shadow of the partitioning screen covered in lots of stains, I strip away the clothes in the thin-walled room.
Kissing the wound, meeting tongues, I'd caress as much as he let me.
More than anything, I wanted to touch him. With my fingers, lips, I wished to feel him with my whole body.
Lips meeting, we connect. I wouldn't feel relief, unless I'd lean in close enough that there was absolutely no distance between us.
Even the amount of times of release was reached being unclear, it was an exchange where reaching one would follow with a another surge of desire immediately thereafter.
--It's not that I crave climax. It's just that I wish to feel him. Fully, with my body.
As I'd become aware of it, it seems I was crying. Norizane's large hand, was wiping my own cheek.
Unable to move even an inch, in the end I listen to his hearbeat while lying on top of his chest. The right hand combs my hair.
[...Will you sleep for a bit?]
Not even having the energy to speak, just a little, I shake my head.
I just can't feel the inclination to close my eyelids. More than anything, with my mood having risen this high, I probably wouldn't be able to fall sleep.
I feel the presence of Norizane smiling.
[Kaneko]
[Hm?]
His lips would approach close to my ears.
--(and I) was whispered to.
For a moment, Mitsunobu couldn't comprehend what had been said to him.
As I'd lift my head, Norizane was gazing fondly at me.
The words Norizane had spoken a moment ago, finally sinked into my brain. My heart carved a beat as if it was about to leap out. Once again, my whole body became hot in an instant.
At a loss of what to say, after being troubled enough, finally only a single sentence came out.
[...S, since when-!?]
[Hmm, when indeed]
Ever since earlier, Norizane has kept laughing nonstop.
The fact that he carries a side of being a surprisingly horrible person, I've known since a long time ago. Sometimes that part would be either irritating or frustrating.
As Mitsunobu raises himself on top of the other, he'd strike hard at Norizane's chest with the palm of his hand.
[Why didn't you say anything!?]
[As if I could, when I didn't even know if I'd be able to return or not]
[Moron! Because of such a reason--]
The mouth that was about to argue vehemently, is lightly covered by the palm of a hand. Norizane's gaze, captured Mitsunobu's.
[...If I did you, would wait for me wouldn't you?]
[I waited even if when you hadn't!]
Declaring that while waving my hand, yet I immediately shook my head.
[No, that's not it. I...]
Didn't just wait. As I thought, when it comes to this matter I can't find the words for it that well.
As he'd search for what to say, Norizane would lightly tap Mitsunobu's arm and nod with his gaze.
...Already just with that, it felt like it didn't matter.
As I'd relaxing I collapse (onto him?), I feel with my whole body a nicely reverberating voice that hinted a wry smile.
[I did consider that that may have been the case]
[...Of course, fool]
[Right. My apologies]
Finally, I could close my eyelids.
Just earlier I felt so much in a hurry and thought I wouldn't be able to sleep, yet now I feel so sleepy as if my conciousness was slipping away. How busy.
As my conciousness starts sinking, Norizane asks.
[However, it's not like you didn't know right?]
[...Of course]
Half of it was just words to spite him but, once I'd actually say them I'd come to a realization and somehow it felt ticklish.
--Yeah, that's it isn't it.
Unable to pinpoint the exact moment as it's not like we exchanged those words, but certainly hadn't I already known...?
Each of our eyes would reflect the other, at the corner of my/our hearts at some point we had reached an understanding. One that's a little embarassing, didn't I already know of a feeling like that?
When I wake up, what shall I do?
There's a lot of things I wish to ask him. Moreover, he still hasn't answered any of the questions I asked earlier. I must adamantly get all the details out of him.
Serving food at first, then some alchohol, I'll bring him home with me, and then...
Suddenly coming up with an idea, Mitsunobu smiled.
--Yes, let's write a letter.
One that is long would be good.
Let's write one to Kaname and Shigure. Hiura and Kinoshita. Hikaruko and Teruaki. And Mother and Father.
To everyone who is dear to me, a letter that's similar to a long tale--no, that's not right.
''Tsuchida was alive. He came back'', just that is enough. Let's express it brightly and loudly.
THE END
...and that's IT.
After like 2 years, most of what involved this has been translated and posted. There was supposed to be this big tldr; gushing over why I love that ending, but let's just say to me it just fit perfectly.
Since the stuff with the dog amongst other things have basically made my mood head towards the sour, it'll probably be a long while till I translate something again.
Tull that time, later~
On that day, Mitsunobu was walking the black market while holding his coat in one hand.
In one area there was also a bookstore, together with the line up of the recently reissued [Shinchou] and [Chuukouran] it has magazines of more questionable content like [liberal] and [seeking the bizarre] stacked up on the pilebed.
Inside that overflow of vulgar content, searching for something more or less readable I flip through the pages. Made from reclaimed paper it both felt rough to the touch and had the blurred inking be very bad, however, even so there's no mistake to them being books.
With the intention to search for a good buy--although, the case of finding something striking my fancy is pretty rare---as I'd wonder around, I was called out to be someone.
[Kaneko-sensei]
[What? ...Oh, Kinoshits huh]
[What do you mean by 'what'? How rude]
Was Mayumi in the middle of shopping, he frowned while holding a paper bag in one hand.
[Since you weren't home when I inquired, I did think you'd probably be in this area]
As Mayumi'd pull out a somewhat small steamed yeast bun with filling from his own bag, with a pop he placed it in the palm of Mitsunobu's hand.
[I don't want it If it's sweet]
[A person is going through the trouble of sharing something unusual, and that's how you respond to it? Unlike the recently produced inferior goods, the manjuu of thatplace are unexpectadly good]
[Stupid. I'm telling you to feed it to Hiura. He's there, right?]
Once again it returns to Mayami's hands.
[He's the one, who likes stuff like this more than I do]
[...thanks]
After Mayumi'd return the manjuu to the paper bag, he lightly narrowed his eyes.
[Do tell Hiura to show his face from time to time]
[No waay, putting on the senpai act only at times like this...]
As the other'd shrug his shoulders, he pointed his idex finger at Mitsunobu.
[Deadline is approaching soon, so do please go home already and write the rest]
[Yeah, I get it I get it]
Turning my back to him and waving with the back of my hand, I walked inside the hustle & bustle while holding a cigarette in my mouth..
I lightly avoid the woman wearing a flashy pokadot dress who is calling out to me from the inside of an alley. The voice peddling ricebread. The child running beside the wounded soldier with heavy footsteps with a smile.
The sun starting to fall, the inside of the town that was starting to be wrapped up in twilights color is entertaining as a disarrayed mess.
I would reach home in around 10 minutes if I started heading there from here but, since the wind is also nice, how about doing that after walking around this area some more? Or maybe today, staying at some fellow writers place and having fun while discussing detective stories all night long might be better?
Birds lifting towards the sky catching his attention, Mitsunobu looks upwards..
At the moment I thrust my hand into the chest pocket thinking to take out a new cigarette, they fell out together with what else was inside there.
[...ah]
Noticing that, I bent down. Before those eye's of mine, feet wearing leather shoes came to a halt.
Quicker than Mitsunobu could pick it up, brusque fingers would scoop up the indigo printed pouch. From above Mitsunobu who was stumped by the sudden development, a voice filled with laughter.
[You still had it?]
[It's not like I always carry it with me-]
After turning sullen I'd begin to answer as usual, my breath stopped.
[Oh?]
[No...really, just sometimes]
[Oh]
Little by little my eyes, would really slowly rise.
Passing my own height, they stop at a place slightly looking up.
[You-!]
There is a man smiling right before my eyes.
[You...]
[Yes, what is it?]
Mitsunobu took in a deep breath. 'Indeed it is true, without a doubt.' Once he'd think that, his mouth opened on it's own.
[What did you do until now? Where were you, what happened, since when did you return?]
As he'd hear Mitsunobu's words, he pleasantly starts laughing.
[And, which is the one I should answer first?]
The trembling arms, are like something unbelonging of me. Slowly rising up with awkward movements, above him, they reach the place where they can yet cannot touch.
Caressing the left sleeve rustling from the breeze, climbing the shoulder they rest at the cheek.
Silently, he lets Mitsunobu do as he wishes.
Earlier my mouth had spoken on it's own, but now words just wouldn't come out. When I think they finally did, out came an odd hoarse voice like letting out a sob.
[tsuchida]
[...Yes]
[It's Tsuchida...]
[Yes, that's right]
I caress his cheek.
Mitsunobu's eyes would countless times switch between his face, and his left sleeve--and afterwards, fell to the ground.
[H...hey, Kaneko]
I grab hold of Norizane's shirt.
After hiding my face for a moment, it had already been in vain. As if collapsing onto him, I pressed my face against his collar.
Norizane's right hand would circle around my back.
To the point of thinking that 'this may be what it's like when one was about to die surrounded in a blaze' my body felt like it was burning, and it was even hard to breathe.
Inside the breaths that'd felt like they would stop, I wring out my voice.
[...Let's go]
[Where?]
[Doesn't matter]
Immediately. I don't care what kind of place it is.
[As long as we can embrace each other, I don't care where it is...!]
Even walking the road leading home that'd only take 10 minutes feeling not quick enough, we hid inside a traditional love hotel that was in a nearby back alley.
In the shadow of the partitioning screen covered in lots of stains, I strip away the clothes in the thin-walled room.
Kissing the wound, meeting tongues, I'd caress as much as he let me.
More than anything, I wanted to touch him. With my fingers, lips, I wished to feel him with my whole body.
Lips meeting, we connect. I wouldn't feel relief, unless I'd lean in close enough that there was absolutely no distance between us.
Even the amount of times of release was reached being unclear, it was an exchange where reaching one would follow with a another surge of desire immediately thereafter.
--It's not that I crave climax. It's just that I wish to feel him. Fully, with my body.
As I'd become aware of it, it seems I was crying. Norizane's large hand, was wiping my own cheek.
Unable to move even an inch, in the end I listen to his hearbeat while lying on top of his chest. The right hand combs my hair.
[...Will you sleep for a bit?]
Not even having the energy to speak, just a little, I shake my head.
I just can't feel the inclination to close my eyelids. More than anything, with my mood having risen this high, I probably wouldn't be able to fall sleep.
I feel the presence of Norizane smiling.
[Kaneko]
[Hm?]
His lips would approach close to my ears.
--(and I) was whispered to.
For a moment, Mitsunobu couldn't comprehend what had been said to him.
As I'd lift my head, Norizane was gazing fondly at me.
The words Norizane had spoken a moment ago, finally sinked into my brain. My heart carved a beat as if it was about to leap out. Once again, my whole body became hot in an instant.
At a loss of what to say, after being troubled enough, finally only a single sentence came out.
[...S, since when-!?]
[Hmm, when indeed]
Ever since earlier, Norizane has kept laughing nonstop.
The fact that he carries a side of being a surprisingly horrible person, I've known since a long time ago. Sometimes that part would be either irritating or frustrating.
As Mitsunobu raises himself on top of the other, he'd strike hard at Norizane's chest with the palm of his hand.
[Why didn't you say anything!?]
[As if I could, when I didn't even know if I'd be able to return or not]
[Moron! Because of such a reason--]
The mouth that was about to argue vehemently, is lightly covered by the palm of a hand. Norizane's gaze, captured Mitsunobu's.
[...If I did you, would wait for me wouldn't you?]
[I waited even if when you hadn't!]
Declaring that while waving my hand, yet I immediately shook my head.
[No, that's not it. I...]
Didn't just wait. As I thought, when it comes to this matter I can't find the words for it that well.
As he'd search for what to say, Norizane would lightly tap Mitsunobu's arm and nod with his gaze.
...Already just with that, it felt like it didn't matter.
As I'd relaxing I collapse (onto him?), I feel with my whole body a nicely reverberating voice that hinted a wry smile.
[I did consider that that may have been the case]
[...Of course, fool]
[Right. My apologies]
Finally, I could close my eyelids.
Just earlier I felt so much in a hurry and thought I wouldn't be able to sleep, yet now I feel so sleepy as if my conciousness was slipping away. How busy.
As my conciousness starts sinking, Norizane asks.
[However, it's not like you didn't know right?]
[...Of course]
Half of it was just words to spite him but, once I'd actually say them I'd come to a realization and somehow it felt ticklish.
--Yeah, that's it isn't it.
Unable to pinpoint the exact moment as it's not like we exchanged those words, but certainly hadn't I already known...?
Each of our eyes would reflect the other, at the corner of my/our hearts at some point we had reached an understanding. One that's a little embarassing, didn't I already know of a feeling like that?
When I wake up, what shall I do?
There's a lot of things I wish to ask him. Moreover, he still hasn't answered any of the questions I asked earlier. I must adamantly get all the details out of him.
Serving food at first, then some alchohol, I'll bring him home with me, and then...
Suddenly coming up with an idea, Mitsunobu smiled.
--Yes, let's write a letter.
One that is long would be good.
Let's write one to Kaname and Shigure. Hiura and Kinoshita. Hikaruko and Teruaki. And Mother and Father.
To everyone who is dear to me, a letter that's similar to a long tale--no, that's not right.
''Tsuchida was alive. He came back'', just that is enough. Let's express it brightly and loudly.
THE END
...and that's IT.
After like 2 years, most of what involved this has been translated and posted. There was supposed to be this big tldr; gushing over why I love that ending, but let's just say to me it just fit perfectly.
Since the stuff with the dog amongst other things have basically made my mood head towards the sour, it'll probably be a long while till I translate something again.
Tull that time, later~