I originally wrote this story back in 2015-2017. This is a translation project, and also an attempt to fix the numerous cultural errors and plot holes present in the original version. There's also quite a bit of artwork for this story, the link can be found from my profile.
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I can honestly tell you that I was pissed off. No excuses, I was quite upset.
I had traversed through the whole town just to get to that one and only bookstore that had received a fresh supply of the second volume of Warriors of Lotus a week ago. But when I finally got there, I was told it was sold out, and new copies wouldn't be available until next week. I managed to calm myself down, despite the storming anger inside me, and stepped out of the store. Since I had some money, I bought a soda can from a vending machine nearby and sat on a low stone fence to enjoy my drink, watching the setting sun, and thinking about my life affairs. When I felt like I had rested long enough I stood up, stretched my legs, and began heading back home. It would take another hour.
As I walked, I set aside my thoughts and looked around. It had become quite dark since I left the store. I checked my watch; it actually was getting late. Luckily, it was Friday, so I wasn't in much of a hurry. I loosened up my walking pace a little, so I wouldn't tire myself. Half an hour had passed as I got out of the downtown area and was walking through a suburb. Not much farther anymore. I raised my right hand to a horizontal position, letting it jump over the cracks of a wooden fence, whilst humming a song from my favorite band. I quickly pulled my hand back as the wooden fence switched into a coarse stonewall. I stopped at a corner to take a closer look around, thinking there weren't many people about. Probably since it was a weekend; they most likely had better stuff to do that walk through suburbs at Friday night. I shrugged whilst agreeing with myself and continued forward.
I started recognizing my surroundings after a while of walking. I was just about to start humming another song when I got startled by the sound of footsteps. So, there was someone else here after all, during a weekend and at this hour. Most likely someone who didn't have anything better to do, just like myself. The muted footsteps came from around the corner not far from me. The closer they came, the faster they got. Almost as if someone were fleeing from something, or someone.
Shortly after, a girl appeared from around the corner. Brown hair in a small ponytail, carrying a grocery bag, and a worried expression on her face. I leaned on the fence next to me trying to figure out what was going on, and if I should do anything about it. My thought process got interrupted by that girl. She had walked over to me without me noticing, a worried look still on her face. She didn't say a word but was just staring downwards at her shoes. A series of questions started popping into my head, as I was trying to decide which one to ask.
"What are you—," I was about to say, when sounds of more footsteps could be heard coming from around that same corner. That's when the girl flinched.
"I… I think I'm being followed. I… I'm scared, and I…"
After hearing this I took couple of steps backwards behind the fence, and the girl followed my example. As I peeked around the corner, I saw three drunken college students tottering on the street.
"Where ish ith?" I could hear them asking each other.
I retreated back around the corner, crossing my arms, and tilting my head downward. Guess I had to do something about this… After a few seconds I got an idea, the kind that felt like it would actually work. I turned to face the girl, who still seemed frightened. I shook my red, oversized hoodie off my shoulders and handed it over to her.
"Here, put this on."
She glanced at the me with a confused look, so I explained my plan in a better detail: "They won't recognize you in this."
The girl seemed to finally realize what I had in my mind. She lowered the bag gently to the ground and took my hoodie, putting it on. After throwing the hood on her head, she picked the groceries up, waiting for further orders.
"Now, stick close to me. Let's get moving."
Without a word she grasped my arm, and we started walking alongside the fence away from the trio, who continued down the street instead of turning this way. The plan was successful. Still, the girl didn't stop but just kept walking. Guess she got quite spooked, huh. Sure, I could just shake her off, but…
"You live nearby?" I asked her. "I could accompany you there, if it'd make you feel safer."
She told me she lives couple of blocks away and instructed me to turn left at the next intersection. As we walked, I tried my best not to shiver due to the fact that I wasn't wearing my hoodie. Every part of my body felt cold, except for my left arm, to which that girl was still clinging to. However, I didn't feel like mentioning that since it seemed to give her a sense of safety.
We finally arrived at her house after a short walk. There was a rough stone pillar with a nameplate on it, which read Hirasawa. The Hirasawa house was a white, three-story house. Fairly basic, if a bit narrower than usual houses. We stopped right before the yard tiles, and the girl finally had the courage to let go of me. The cold wind started immediately tormenting my left arm.
"Here it is, my home," the girl stated whilst looking at the front door.
She laid the grocery bag on the ground and took off the hoodie, handing it back to me. My body was pleased to receive a warmed up hoodie around it. I shook my hands out of the oversized sleeves and slipped them into my pockets. I turned around to face the girl, who was still standing there with a gentle smile on her face.
She bowed shyly. "Thank you for your help."
I couldn't help but let out a slight snicker. "Nah, don't worry about it, Hirasawa-san."
"Ui," she said quickly. "I'm Hirasawa Ui."
"…Hirasawa Ui," I repeated after her for no particular reason.
She just kept smiling, until she yawned, which made me take a look at my watch. It was getting late.
"Well, I guess I'll be going now. Keep yourself safe," I said, slowly walking backwards away from the house.
Hirasawa picked up her groceries from the ground and waved at me, stepping into the house. I answered the gesture with a wave of a hand, and turned around, facing forward, and started making my journey back home.
…months passed by, and as always, without anything interesting happening…
As I opened the front door, a cold wind hit me in the face. The winter was coming. Grass was frosted up, breath was visible, and no one sensible ventured outside without long-sleeved clothing. And since it was night, it was particularly cold. Luckily, I only had to take out the trash. I performed the task as fast as I could and ran back inside. I took my shoes off and was heading towards the stairs.
"Looks like we'll be getting some snow next month," my big brother noted from the living room. I didn't bother looking that way, but I could hear he was watching weather forecast on the TV.
I was on the first step of the stairs, when he added: "By the way, it's your turn to take Dash for a walk."
This made me grimace. There wasn't anything wrong with Dash, she's obedient after all. The reason for my reluctance was the weather. I bet any dog owner hates cold weathers. I let out a deep sigh and continued up the stairs. I headed to my room and threw myself on top of my bed. I rolled over to my side and studied my room a little further. The photos on the bookshelf, all the crap on my computer desk, and the coffee stain on my black-and-white carpet. Eh, guess it should be washed sometime.
After I felt like I had pondered on my few worldly possessions long enough, I stood up and walked over to my closet. I took out my red hoodie, and put on, and made my way downstairs. Dash was lying on her bed in the corner of the living room, right next to the space heater. That dog sure is living a life of luxury. As I grabbed the leash off the wall, Dash jumped up on her legs and ran to me. Despite her otherwise lazy personality, she loves going out for walks. And since Dash is a husky, it felt like she liked winters more than any other seasons. I led it to the foyer, where I put on my shoes and my black winter coat, after which I attached the leash to Dash's harness.
I opened the front door. "I'm off."
My brother answered with some unintelligible murmur. I closed the door, descended from the porch, and started walking.
Dash was a three-year-old gray female husky. She's been a part of our family ever since she was a puppy. Sometimes I've thought about attaching a sled to Dash and test out her heritage as a sled dog. After getting out of my own neighborhood, I squatted down and gave Dash a pat on the head.
"How about it, girl? Can you handle a longer walk?"
It just kept panting like always, not even a single bark for an answer. I let out an amused snort and continued on walking. I had a lot of things on my mind, and I figured that a long walk could possibly help me clear them up. I lost the sense of time and direction as I ventured on.
A while later I came across an intersection, where I jumped over the curb to cross the street. This caused the coins in my pocket to jingle, which gave me an idea. For some reason I had a feeling that there was a grocery store nearby. It didn't take long until I found it at the end of the street. Weird, I've never been here before. I tied Dash's leash to a nearby fence and went into the store. The cashier greeted me as I disappeared between the shelves to browse some goods. I didn't even know what to buy, I just wanted to get rid of the coins in my pocket. After a couple of minutes, I ended up buying a soda bottle and a small pack of chips.
"Where the hell even am I?" I muttered under my breath as I was untying Dash's leash.
Ah well, no need to worry. I always find my way home. I mean, I think so, at least. I started walking to the direction I came from, and Dash followed right by my side. It was quiet, rather peaceful. Only a few cars here and there, and even fewer pedestrians. Guess people don't like the cold weather. Can't blame them, I'd rather be under a kotatsu right about now myself.
Dash suddenly halted and raised her ears. Confusedly, I first looked at Dash and then at the direction it was staring at. I heard some muffled footsteps. Ah, so there was someone else here after all. I shrugged and twitched the leash a couple of times, after which Dash started moving again, and we continued walking along the street. But to my surprise, I noticed a person a little further away. A girl. Actually, it was that Hirasawa Ui gal I helped some months ago. It took some time before she recognized me, after which we both came to a halt.
I raised my hand. "Hi again."
Dash knew this would take a while, so it sat down.
"Hey. It's sure been a while," Hirasawa answered with a wave.
"Yeah, sure. You doing okay?" I asked as a formality.
"Yes, I'm doing just fine," she answered with a slight smile.
Hirasawa took a glance at Dash, which was just sitting there without an interest. "Oh, is that your dog?"
"Yeah, it's Dash," I answered as I nodded towards the bored canine. "I decided to take a longer walk, that's why I'm here. Again."
Hirasawa nodded and turned to face Dash. "Hey there, Dash. Nice to meet you."
Dash took only a quick glance towards Ui, and just as quickly returned to just lazing around. Well, this became rather awkward. Guess I should say something to break the silence.
"So, uh, what are up to?" I asked her. Man, this is the second time we meet. Why am I still talking to her?
Seemingly confused by my out-of-nowhere questions, she still answered: "Oh, uh, I'm going out to buy groceries."
As if I was expecting something more exciting… I felt like I had wasted enough of her time, so I signaled Dash to get on her feet.
"Well, I won't bother you for any longer. Take care," I said with a wave of a hand, and walked past the girl.
After just a few meters I could hear the girl behind me talk; "Hey, uh…"
I turned around to look at the girl.
"…come visit me sometime," she offered with a timid smile.
I looked at her for a couple of seconds, and smirked. "Sure, whatever."
I turned back and began heading home with the small plastic bag rustling in my hand, and Dash jogging alongside me. I continued on thinking about my affairs of life.