kscans

Chapter 240 - Dreaming of a Reunion Someday

The past is precious. The past shapes the present, and the present paints the future. Today, let us speak of one of the fragments of the past that constitutes the Satou Hideo of today.

"Haaah… I’m beat."

Satou Hideo, age twenty. He was utterly exhausted by the daily grind of society. Though he now handles everything in his public and private life with effortless skill, that was not always the case. The still unhealed wounds of separation and the unfamiliar life of a company employee had certainly worn down his mind and body. Not that he was exactly cornered, however.

In terms of assets, he had enough to live a life of leisure. If he grew tired of being a corporate drone, he could quit at any time. The reason he continued despite his complaints was likely because, all things considered, he enjoyed it, including its constraints. And it wasn't all struggles. There were small, everyday pleasures too. That's why he could keep going.

One of those small pleasures for the twenty-year-old Satou was...

"Yo."

"...You’re here again?"

It was chatting with Airi, the ghost of a girl bound to the intersection near his home. She looked to be about seventeen. But that was merely her age at death. If she were still alive, she would be a little older than Satou. Airi sighed in exasperation, but her face held a clear look of joy.

"Heh heh, don’t be so cold."

Satou offered her a can of coffee with a goofy grin. A ghost? you might wonder, but the Supernatural World possesses technology that allows spirits to eat and drink.

"Anyway, you gotta hear this. Today…"

"More complaining? I console you every time, don’t you think that’s a little strange?"

"What is?"

"Having a ghost who died young in an unfortunate accident listen to your gripes, that’s what’s strange. Shouldn't it be the other way around?"

"I’m a man who isn’t bound by convention."

"Honestly."

Their idle chatter began. Satou loved this time. But today, something was different…

"Really now, you need to get a grip, you hear? ...It’s not like I can stay here forever."

A lonely look on her face. Satou instantly understood that their parting was near. Their daily conversations had diluted her lingering regrets. Or perhaps, it would be more accurate to say that the will to move forward had begun to sprout within her. Satou pushed his own feelings deep into his heart and smiled as if nothing was wrong.

"You’re right. Well then, let’s go on a date next holiday. A date."

"Huh? That’s completely out of nowhere. What are you talking about?"

"'Cause you've never even had a boyfriend, let alone been on a date, right Airi-chan?"

"Wh?!"

Wh, how did you know that? Airi was flustered, having never mentioned such a thing, but she was dealing with the wrong person.

"You always look so envious when couples walk by. It’s super obvious."

"Guh…!"

"Why not do it at least once before you pass on? A souvenir for the great beyond, you know."

"You little…"

Seeing the mix of happiness and guilt on her face, Satou immediately added more words.

"I’ve wanted to go on a date with you at least once too, Airi-chan."

To meet a cute girl like Airi-chan and only ever just talk, that's just torture, Satou laughed.

"...I suppose it can’t be helped. If you insist, I’ll go out with you."

"Alright! Then it’s this Sunday. I’ll escort you in style, so look forward to it."

They made their promise, and the day of the date arrived. Perhaps to match Airi’s school uniform, Satou appeared at the intersection wearing a blazer.

"...It’s a bit late to say this, but I am a ghost bound to this spot."

"Hey, I’ll figure that part out, so don’t worry. You’ll be fine for a day."

And so the date began, but…

"Huh, a fishing pond? For a date?"

The first stop was a run-down fishing pond. And the next one…

"A mahjong parlor?!"

And the next…

"Rakugo?!"

And the one after that. They were all places one would question for a young couple’s date. It stayed that way until the very end. For dinner that evening, they stopped at an oden street stall.

"...So, how was it?"

Airi shot him a dubious look while munching on a beef tendon, but Satou replied nonchalantly.

"It was fun, right?"

"...Well, yes… It was fun."

"And the oden is good, right?"

"It is, but."

They were all questionable spots, but this was Satou. With his signature communication skills, he had somehow managed to ensure Airi had a good time everywhere they went.

"B, but, if you’re going to call it a date."

"I know. That’s why we’ll do that stuff next time."

"Eh?"

Satou spoke gently to the dumbfounded Airi.

"Passing on isn’t the end. It's not like you're a Christian, Airi-chan."

Her soul was bound for the Japanese underworld, a place where the concept of reincarnation was deeply rooted. And in all likelihood, there would be a next time. A reincarnation. That was Satou’s assessment.

"We’ll meet again."

If she must depart, it should be with hope as her friend, not regret. That was Satou’s parting gift.

"...!"

That must have been what broke the dam. Tears began to stream from Airi’s eyes.

"I… I died, it hurt, it was so painful… I still wanted to live… But, I met you, Hideo, and…"

As if to cut her off, Satou placed a light, fleeting kiss on Airi’s forehead.

"It’s a date, after all. Gotta have some perks. I’ll save a kiss on the lips for next time."

Satou grinned playfully. Say goodbye with a smile, at least. Airi was not so dense as to miss his meaning…

"You idiot. My first kiss isn’t that cheap."

With tears still streaming down her face, she put on a bright smile and replied in her usual tone. And without waiting for Satou’s response… she departed from this world.

"...That’s where my skills will come in, you know."

Satou cried, just a little.