Christmas Holidays = Increased family time.
Today will be the last day of release this year. T^T
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!
[Part 3]
"I'm sorry for interrupting you meal. I am sorry for not properly greeting you earlier. I am Ikemoto Hatsumi."
As she said so, she slowly lowered her head. Flustered, I put away the spoon, turned towards Ikemoto-san and bowed.
"No need to apologize. I am Kuzuhara Kano. The white anmitsu is super delicious."
"Thank you very much . . . Uhm, Soushun-san……"
With a smile, Ikemoto-san's eyes wandered around in search for Hazekursan.
"Hazekursan stepped outside to answer a phone call."
"Is that so…… I know it's rude to ask but are you and Hazekursan, uhm . . . are you guys dating…?" Ikemoto-san asked.
"Err, yes. We are dating…… Ah, but still with no intention of marriage."
After all, I still don't fully understand and I am still not sure with my feelings. Hearing my answer, Ikemoto-san's eyebrows deeply furrowed.
"……Eh? But earlier, Soushun-san……"
That's why I don't want to say anything. Because of Hazekursan, it became confusing.
"We've been thinking about marriage but we are still not engaged, or something like that."
Ikemoto-san looked stunned for a moment, then showed her obvious dejection afterwards.
"……I-Is that so……. Even if you are not engaged, you will eventually get married……"
Shoot! Perhaps it was better to keep silent about marriage……
"I'm sorry. Uhm, Ikemoto-san, towards Hazekursan……"
Ikemoto-san showed a sad expression and nodded.
"I have admired him since I was still a student. I felt shy so I could not do anything, but my father, who noticed it, brought up the topic about omiai to Soushun-san several times. However, because Soushun-san said that he has already someone he likes, he will not accept any omiai. I bet it was you, Kuzuharsan."
"Eh……? But we've only met just recently, and since that is the case, I think he meant another person……"
After disclosing such information, Ikemoto-san fell silent.
"I-Ikemoto-san……?"
When I called her out after not saying anything, Ikemoto-san smiled sweetly.
"Kuzuharsan, Soushun-san is a wonderful person. He is handsome, and his character is also very good. You might feel that it is difficult to become a bride of a temple, but please support Soushun-san."
Wait, wait a moment! Somehow it sounds like I am Hazekursan's fiancee, but you're mistaken!
"Err, Ikemoto-san, I……"
I was about to rectify her but I was interrupted by a sexy low voice.
"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
Finally, the person concerned is here. Hazekursan! Do something about her misunderstanding!
"Hazekursan……"
When I tried to hurriedly explain the situation, Hazekursan, who took a seat, shook his head.
"Hatsumi-san, the zenzai is delicious. The azuki beans are tasty as usual."
Ehhh?! Suddenly diverting the conversation?!!
"Thank you. Even if you become married, please come and visit from time to time to eat sweets."
Ikemoto-san smiled at us.
Like I said, wait~~! We are not engaged~~!!
"I'd like to relax a bit more but . . . we should leave soon, Kano-san."
Before I knew it, Hazekursan, who gracefully ate zenzai, suggested with a smile.
"Uhh, HHazekursa…"
"I’d like to give this sweets as a souvenir to her… Between mizu youkan and kuzu mochi, which do you prefer, Kano-san?"
"I like kuzu mochi better……"
"Then, Hatsumi-san, could you pack some kuzu mochi?"
"Certainly."
No, that's not it! This person, he perfectly knew what I meant but he deftly ignored me……!!
I glared at Hazekursan, who stood up from his chair and talked to Ikemoto-san, with grievance.
Th-This sly fox…!!
"You're mean."
"How?"
Leaving the store by Hazekursan's car, I glared at him. However, Hazekursan's almost hateful calm demeanor did not change.
"Why didn't you dispel Ikemoto-san's misunderstanding? Far from getting married, we aren't even engaged!"
"But I always wanted to marry you."
Hazekursan said while driving. Sigh, how many times did we talk about this……
"It's your own feelings! How about mine? Didn't you suggest that I do not have to think about marriage while we are dating?! What you are saying right now is different!"
"That's not true. What I said was not a lie. To marry you is my ultimate wish. It's okay if you ignore it."
"Again, saying such things…… When you frankly say that you want to marry me, it's impossible for me to ignore it……"
When I hung my head dejectedly and let out a big sigh, he extended his hand and grasped my right hand tightly. At that sudden contact, my body jolted in surprise.
"Ahh!"
."If you don't like it, please run away."
"He-Hey……"
"If you don't dislike it, then just leave it as it is."
Hazekursan showed me a slight smile and looked again in front.
……So frustrating. It somehow felt like I was always cajoled by that smile. His big and warm, graceful hand―
As he said, if I truly dislike it, I should fling off his hand. But……
The trouble is, I do not dislike it.
I know that it is quite contradictory when I am complaining about it a lot, but I can't help it…… Because I was fascinated by this hand ever since I first saw it.
"……Kano-san?"
Looking at me with eyes wide with surprise, Hazekursan tightened his grip on my hand.
―What should I do? Did he notice……?!
"P-Please release my hand……!!"
"I won't."
I was surprised at Hazekursan's reply, who was usually using honorific speech.
Hazekursan parked the car in the parking lot of a big park that we happened to pass by, and turned towards me.
"Kano-san, why is your face red?"
"Err, that……"
"Are you conscious of me?"
Unable to endure it any longer, I forcefully grabbed my hand. However, Hazekursan removed his seatbelt and closed the distance between us. Then, he seriously looked at me.
"Kano-san, I like you. I really, really like you. It sounds strange to hear such thing from a person who is living a religious life. However, my heart is beating for you ever since that summer day."
Hazekursan said it with a serious expression, and I couldn't move after seeing Hazekursan's face. At such state, my body was then gently hugged by Hazekursan. The scent of the incense assailed my nose.
"Ha…"
"I love you."
I blanked out upon hearing the confession of love he whispered in my ear. Hazekursan then moved a little away from me, and chuckled when he saw my dazed state. He pushed my bangs away from my forehead and planted a kiss there. Then slowly released his lips and hugged me tightly again.
"Really, so lovable."
I-I'm past my limit……!! I can see steam coming out of my body.
I put my hands on Hazekursan's chest and pushed him back.
"……P-Please release me-…… Hazekursan, you're supposed to go to work, right?"
I was finally able to speak. Hazekursan checked his watch and muttered, "Ah, not good," before finally releasing me.
My heart is beating intensely right now. It was not very casual, but I am sure.
O-Oh, jeez…… I want to get away from this situation as soon as possible. I want to escape~~~……!!
"Kano-san."
"~! Ye-Yes?!!"
Hazekursan, who started the engine again, suddenly called out my name, and my back muscles became taut with a start.
"If it's amenable to you, can we meet again whenever it is convenient for you? During that time, I will come to pick you up again."
"Huh, no, it's fine! I know you're busy."
"I want to see you."
I nodded in agreement.
"Alright. I will contact you again……"
"I'll look forward to it."
Hazekursan smiled delightedly. Really, this smile of his is dangerous.
Oh, that's right.
"Hazekursan's name is Soushun, isn't it?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I failed to mention it even though we've seen each other many times."
Certainly.
"My name is Hazekura Soushun. Originally, it was read as 'Munetoshi' in Kunyomi, but I changed its reading to Onyomi after becoming a monk."
"……Somehow, that name sounds charming……"
"Haha. I am a son of the temple. They probably gave me this name while thinking of my future."
"Future, huh……"
Having his future decided when he was born, I guess it was hard. While I spent my life without a care for the future, Hazekursan had spent his life with his future in mind ever since he was a child. He trained and legitimately became a monk. He does his work properly. Isn't he amazing……? I thought of such things absentmindedly as I looked at the scenery outside the window.
"Well, seems like our delightful time is going to be over."
When I noticed it, we're already in front of our house. Hazekursan parked his car alongside our house and got off the car to open the passenger side door.
"Here."
"Th-Thank you."
I alighted the car and faced Hazekursan.
"Uhm, thank you very much for your your time despite your busy schedule. The anmitsu was delicious."
Feeling shy, I thanked him. Well, it was really delicious. Hazekursan gazed at me and gently smiled.
"No, it was I who should thank you for coming despite my coercive invitation."
After saying that, he bowed and got into his car again and opened the window of his car.
"See you again, Kano-san."
"Yes……"
Hazekursan lightly bowed and went home. I stood on the spot and stared vacantly at the direction where Hazekursan went to.
"Phew……"
I felt a sense of relief after being released from that intimacy. It somehow felt like I am being dragged in his pace, but I do not mind. From an objective perspective, I can see that he is being gentle and very careful with me. And now that I became aware that he is an attractive man, my heart races just by being beside him. Being liked by that kind of person . . . feels like a lie . . .
"I love you."―I remembered Hazekursan's low voice.
And just like that, my heart throbbed and my body felt hot. I embraced my heated body, and absentmindedly watched the sky full of stars for a while.
"Sister, you have a smile on your face."
It was several days after my date with Hazekursan. While having dinner at home, my brother Tasuku stopped moving his chopsticks and looked at me with suspicion.
"Eh? My face? Really……?"
It seems that I myself was not particularly conscious that my expression softened. I put my hands on my face.
"You're creepy. Did something happen?"
"Nothing in particular."
I calmly answered but―I'm sorry, but it is a lie.
The reason why I broke into a smile . . . was because of my recent interaction with Hazekursan.
On the night of our date, Hazekursan immediately sent me a mail.
『Kano-san, when is your next day off?』
So soon! As I thought of that, I informed him of my usual schedule. Then he wrote this in his reply.
『Even though we just saw each other a few hours ago, I can't wait to see you again. Please don't laugh at this impatient monk. Thinking of you as I go to bed, I hope I'll meet you in my dreams. Good night. Sweet dreams.』
The moment I read his text, I who was sitting on my bed, groaned and fell on the futon.
―Is there someone who still sends this kind of mail these days?! That man, why does he keep on spouting such embarrassing things? I really don't understand.
Although I was vehemently complaining in my head, I knew that my face is red.
From that moment, our mail exchanges continued and also talked over the phone whenever both of us are free.
『I'm sorry for calling you at night. I really wanted to hear your voice.』
Due to the first words he said, I didn't know what to reply so I got speechless.
"Hazekursan, please don't tease me with embarrassing words everytime you send me a mail or talk to me on the phone."
Worried for his response, I cautioned him lightly.
『Could you please tell me the part that is embarrassing?』
……Oblivious, huh.
『Anyway, we will meet tomorrow and I wonder if you'd like to have a meal?』
"Ah, yes. I'm fine with it. I do not have any favorite foods or disliked foods, but your favorite food is……?"
During that time, I thought I heard Hazekursan laugh at the other line.
"Is there something wrong?"
『No…… Coming from you who told me not to appear in front of you again, it felt like a dream to arrange a date with you like this. Once in a while, I doubt if this is the reality.』
"That's…… It's because you keep on saying that you want to marry me as soon as we meet, Hazekursan……!"
Recalling the events, my face reddened again. Thankfully, we're on the phone. Because he can't see my red face.
『You're right. I'm sorry for being forward. I shall contact you as soon as the details are decided. Well then, good night, Kano-san.』
"Yeah, good night."
Every time, we have this kind of conversation. Hazekursan would get in touch with me everyday in between his busy schedule. I feel so embarrassed every time, but I would find myself wondering what kind of mails will he send me today, or waiting for a phone call. We are not in a relationship yet, but I am enjoying this violent excitement in my heart that I am experiencing after a while more than I thought. (End of chapter 3 )