We arrived at the bamboo grove path. The atmosphere was a complete shift from the busy shopping street — a quiet, otherworldly calm.
“Seen it on TV plenty, but in person — yeah.”
“This is just Japan, visually.”
“I love this kind of place.”
Bamboo leaves swaying in the breeze, gentle filtered light — peak. Riona mentioned that in the Heian period this had been a noble villa area; with views like this, fully believable.
It was crowded though, and photographing without other tourists in frame was a workout. Early-morning visits would probably be the move for clean shots.
The three of us were walking the path when Reona, looking at her phone, made a visibly tired face.
”…Sorry, a friend nearby is calling — back in a bit.”
“Have fun.”
That face suggested the meeting was not voluntary. What was the call for?
“Worried about Nee-chan?”
“With that face.”
“Let’s follow.”
“Wait, is that okay?”
“Fine. Riona and I are one being, so what Nee-chan agrees to is what I agree to. If I say it’s okay, there’s no problem.”
I felt a flicker of guilt about the stalking-adjacent logic, but Riona had cleared it, so we followed at a discreet distance.
Reona stopped. We watched from cover. A boy I recognized appeared — the ace of the basketball team, tall, classically handsome. I didn’t talk to him, but even I knew of him.
I instantly figured out what was about to happen. He was going to confess. The bamboo grove path was a confession spot — of course.
His spec line was respectable enough for a Reona match-up, but my chest was doing an oddly painful thing. There was no scenario where Reona and I dated — and yet anxiety, very sharp.
“Tsurugi-san, thanks for coming on short notice.”
“Make it quick, I’ve got people waiting.”
“Straight to the point — would you go out with me?”
As predicted, basketball-ace confessed. A normal girl would have accepted instantly. Reona did not.
“Sorry, the feeling is mutual, but no.”
She had refused immediately. Without even pretending to think about it. The reasons for why and the relief I felt about it — I am extremely transparent to myself.
The basketball ace walked off looking dejected but did not insult her — also a respectable response. If even that guy gets rejected, what kind of guy could date Reona?
“Let’s get back before Nee-chan notices.”
“Yeah.”
We slipped back to our position. After a bit, Reona returned with a placid expression.
Reona’s count of confession-receipts is probably north of countless. She’s used to it. If a girl had ever confessed to me — pure hypothetical, not happening — I would not have kept my composure.
“Back.”
“Welcome. We weren’t waiting long.”
“Was having fun with Ryouya.”
“Oh? Well — back to sightseeing.”
We resumed walking. Riona and I did not bring up the call; Reona did not bring up the confession; so per agreement we hadn’t seen anything.
Seeing that confession had reinforced, again, that Reona-and-Riona and I were from different worlds. Should I really still be sticking with them?