76 – The Lady and the Prince. And from the beginning – 4
After watching the movie and leaving the theater, I decided to break up with my senior. From what she heard, she always came home late at night due to work at work, or her mother, who went on a long business trip, came home early, so they made plans to go out to eat together.
“Senior. “I was thankful for today.”
“No. Because I had fun too.”
I saw her turning around in front of the entrance of her subway station, seeing off her senior like Shiraishi. While she was watching her back
“Takase-sama~!!”
Shiraishi suddenly shouted.
When her senior looked behind her, Shiraishi waved her hand and ran away from the spot.
“I really enjoyed today!”
I smiled bitterly as I saw Shiraishi expressing his gratitude with all his might, as if a few final words weren’t enough.
“Please escort me again next time~!!”
Shiraishi smiled brightly as he shouted loudly, ignoring the gaze of those around him. The senior also lightly shook her hand and smiled at her.
After sending her senior disappearing into the crowd, I looked back at her.
“Then since it’s late, shall we go back?”
“Yes!”
I decided to take her to her house as she said to Mr. Aiden. I asked her, looking at her stairs leading down to her subway station.
“…… However… “Can you come down?”
“Of course!”
I thought it would be uncomfortable to wear a dress that goes down to the ankles. She tells Shiraishi that she wants to ride the subway, as she insists.
“…… Umm….”
It wasn’t a bad idea to experience various types of public transportation other than buses. He extended his hand to her as she cautiously took each step.
“…… Here.”
“Ah… ….”
“I don’t want to lose my footing just in case.”
Shiraishi gently holds her hand.
Let’s say I’m escorting her on behalf of my senior. I gently held her hand until she came down the stairs.
After purchasing the ticket, I pass through the turnstile. It was around evening time when we were getting off work, and many people passed by us.
“So many people… “Where does it all go?”
“Of course it’s home.”
Students or office workers. The majority of people use public transportation on their way back. I don’t know about her sitting comfortably in a car driven by her employer.
Shiraishi carefully went down the escalator while holding my hand, making sure not to get the bottom of her dress caught in it, and looked around the inside of the station.
“It’s fascinating… “So many people come underground like this and travel in big cars.”
“You’ve never even been on a train?”
Even though I have never used the subway before, I was actually surprised by Shiraishi, who said it was his first time riding this type of transportation.
“Yes. Always a car or private jet… “I’ve never moved with other people.”
“……… ….”
How much gold and jade have grown?
No, is that what the life of a chaebol is like?
We entered the subway, realizing once again the difference between Akira Shiraishi and me. Since she happened to see her empty seat, he led her and quickly sat her down.
“Ah, but Minsu’s seat is….”
“I can go standing. “Sit down quickly.”
She doesn’t know that being able to sit down at this time is a rare blessing. It would be difficult to stand in a dress.
I stood in front of her, grabbed the handle, and looked around. A lot of people came in and the subway quickly filled up and departed.
“Wow… ….”
Today, Shiraishi continues to be amazed.
Shiraishi’s surprised expression was reflected in the dark window passing by. Looking at her like that, I remembered what happened to her at the theater just moments ago.
Even though I cried a lot while watching the movie.
Can you continue to be by my side no matter what happens?
When Shiraishi asked that, he was embarrassed and asked her to forget it, but she said it was nothing and there was no way she could erase it from her memory.
I may still not know much about Shiraishi.
Or you may be mistaken.
In the running subway, I thought about what to do next.
***
Fun times pass quickly.
The difficult days lasted for as long as eternity.
Why do happy times end so quickly?
As we walked back, Minsu remained silent. He looked lost in thought, and I deliberately slowed down because I didn’t want this moment to end.
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“……… Ah.”
When I did that, Minsu, who noticed that I was ahead of him, slowly slowed down and stood next to me.
“…… hehehehe.”
I felt very good about it.
“Shiraishi.”
“Yes.”
“I was talking about it at the theater earlier….”
I saw the person opening his mouth cautiously.
At that moment, I remembered the ugly side of the movie just before it ended.
“Oh, please forget it! What I said then didn’t mean anything… !”
“Huh?”
“When I watch a movie or play I like, I become immersed in it… ! There are times when I act impulsively without even realizing it! Therefore!”
The person who was quietly looking at me as I was struggling shook his head.
“No, that’s not it….”
“Yes?”
“That movie… “I was wondering if you’ve seen me before.”
“Ah……….”
You weren’t asking about me back then.
I feel embarrassed at the thought of being overly self-conscious.
“Well, that’s…” … “Of course.”
“As expected, it was like that.”
“Romeo and Juliet… “It’s one of my favorite plays.”
“Really?”
“Yes… I’ve learned about theater before! “Acting, directing, even stage design!”
His eyes widen. Minsu always listened to my stories with interest. Forgetting my shame, I started telling my story in front of him.
“I’m not bragging, but I once led a team to win a theater award!”
“That’s amazing.”
“hehehe, that arrangement means nothing to me! “Ever since I was young, I have often been told that I have excellent literary skills!”
Once I started talking, I couldn’t stop. Until I got to my house, I kept talking about my achievements as a student.
“The audience was full, and after the play ended, many people held bouquets of flowers! “The applause and cheers continued endlessly, and everyone chanted my name!”
“As expected, Shiraishi is different.”
“Yes~! After that, he was invited to other places and performed passionately… !”
The person smiled quietly and agreed with my story.
When you occasionally open your mouth and praise me, my mood soars as if I was floating in the sky.
“So… ! So!”
“Shiraishi.”
“Yes?”
“We have arrived. “In front of the house.”
Ah… ….
There was still a lot left to talk about.
Just as he said, the Shiraishi family residence was visible, and Mr. Aiden was standing in front of the gate.
“Already…… “You’re here.”
“No, I got confused about the route and got late for one reason or another.”
I quietly watched the person saying hello to Aiden.
The front door opens and the person looks back at me.
“Come on, go in.”
“……… Yes.”
You said something regretful.
“…… “Why are you so sullen?”
“That’s not true.”
Follow Aiden inside.
“See you tomorrow.”
“……… Yes.”
The gate is closed.
I saw him off and tried to watch him until he disappeared.
“……… It’s me, Minsu.
“Huh?”
Even after the door was closed, he did not turn away and just watched me.
“Aren’t you going?”
“I want to see Shiraishi enter.”
“……… ….”
That’s….
Feeling somewhat shameful, I approached the front door.
“I want to see Minsu return. So hurry….”
“No, I will go as soon as Shiraishi gets home safely.”
“……… ….”
Even after looking into his eyes for a few seconds, he did not back down. In the end, I was the one who turned his head, but I have no intention of going back like this. Because it had already become a habit of mine.
“You kept looking at it every time you went back. “Until I and Haruna are completely out of sight.”
“That’s…… “It’s a courtesy to see off guests.”
“Not a guest…” .”
He shook his head and spoke directly to me.
“You’re a friend.”
“……… “What’s different?”
“Of course it’s different. “Friends are more comfortable.”
“……… ….”
I have nothing to say.
However, my stubbornness did not break and I just kept standing there.
Minsu scratched the back of his neck.
We looked at each other in front of the closed gate.
“…… Tomorrow… There will be a meeting in the classroom.”
“Meeting?”
“Yes. “What should I prepare for the cultural festival?”
As the context of the topic was unknown, I kept my mouth shut and waited for what the person said.
“I thought of this while listening to Shiraishi speak earlier… “How about a play?”
“Yes?”
“Of course, it’s not something I can decide. Haruna is the president of our class. “I will try my best.”
That’s…… I thought it would be a lot of fun if I could do it.
“Shiraishi takes on the main character and performs passionately.”
“Then…” ….”
“My counterpart is Yuuki.”
“……… ….”
Smiling, he stretched out his hand. I quietly looked at his palm touching the door.
“Of course, I will be there to help.”
“…… From the side….”
I also extend my hand and go to the same place as that person.
Mr. Minsu nodded his head, looking at the overlapped palms between the gate that separated him and me.
“Okay. So I promise to do that. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“……… ….”
“Aren’t you looking forward to it?”
“…… Can. Very.”
He lowered his hand and took a step back.
“So, come on in. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
The warmth like sunlight that breaks strong stubbornness… I withdrew my hand and lowered my head.
“Goodbye, Shiraishi.”
“…… Yes.”
Will the happy days continue?
As I looked at his back, regretting that today was the end of the day, I suddenly felt my heart pounding with anticipation for the future. I turned around.
Even though he was very far away, he was waving his hand as he looked at me leaving.