Please Tell Me How to Remember Love - Chapter 1 Part 1
Chapter 1 – Kata Yakisoba, Not Enough Water
Back when he was in the early grade school, Kashiki Minoru fell in love for the very first time in his life. It was love at first sight.
The person he fell in love with was an older girl. With pure white hair that reached her back, jewel-like red eyes and a cheerful smile that looked alluring to the eyes.
âO-Onee-san! C-Can I draw a picture of you?â
And so, Minoru tried his best to approach her. Even back then, he knew that he was a talented artist. With that in mind, he thought that if he could present her with a really good drawing of her, he would be able to reciprocate his first love.
âOh my, that makes me happy~ Itâs been so long since anyone offered something like this to me. But, Iâm sorry. Before you could finish that drawing, Iâm sure that youâll end up forgetting everything about me.â
The girl let out a gentle smile as she declined Minoruâs advances.
If Minoru was a little older, he might have understood that she was indirectly rejecting him. Alas, he was too young to know such subtleties.
âDonât worry, I wonât forget you! Iâll draw a picture of you, Onee-san! I promise!â
With a bright red face, Minoru denied the girlâs words.
âIf I could draw her a good picture, sheâll accept my love, for sure!â With such an unfounded belief, Minoru single-mindedly tried to draw his first love.
And three days later, he completely forgot the older girlâs existence.
* Â * Â *
Back when he was in middle school, Minoru fell in love for the second time. It was love at first sight.
The girl he fell in love with was a girl with snow white skin and plump chest. She was older than him, probably a high-schooler. Dressed in an old-fashioned sailor uniform, her smile was pleasing to the eyes.
âAh, um⊠I⊠Iâm a member of the art club and Iâm looking for a model⊠Do you mind becoming my model?â
He was still experiencing his puberty. After putting up enough countermeasures, Minoru mustered all his courage and called out to the girl he fell in love with.Â
âFufufu, a model for a painting? Iâm sorry, but I have to refuse your offer. Youâll end up forgetting about me in three days anyway.â
The girl smiled pleasantly and rejected his request. Minoru was already in middle school, so he knew that she had just dumped him. Nevertheless, he decided that this was something that he couldnât give up on. Her attitude displeased him. She could just give a clear rejection to the modeling offer he made, yet she tried to convince him with a nonsensical excuse.
âThat wonât happen. I promise that Iâll never forget you and Iâll finish the painting properly.â
To that, the girl said nothing and let out a sad smile.
Minoru didnât understand the reason behind that smile. What he understood though was that if he managed to finish the painting, surely something would happen between the two of them.
After a week filled with agony, Minoru had already forgotten about the person he fell in love with.
* Â * Â *
During the second year of high school, Minoru fell in love for the third time. It was love at first sight.
The girl was around his age. With pure white hair that reached her back, jewel-like red eyes, snow white skin, she was dressed in an old-fashioned sailor uniform.
The moment Minoru saw her smile, he knew that he had fallen for her.
âSorry to call you out suddenly. I want to paint something, can I ask you to be my model?â
Perhaps it was because he had already matured somewhat after becoming a high school student, he didnât feel embarrassed at all when he asked her that request. Rather, he didnât even try to hide his fondness for the girl as he faced her honestly and told her what was on his mind clearly.
â…Things like this do happen, donât they?â
With a dumbfounded smile, the girl said in resignation, âCanât be helped.â
âSorry, I canât be a model for you. Iâm not qualified.â
â…Not qualified?â
The girl said to Minoru, who responded by tilting his head. He didnât realize that this was the third time that they exchanged the same words. Well, rather than describing it as he âdidnât realize,â it was more like that he âdidnât remember.â
With a cheerful smile, mixed with resignation, she said,
âIf I canât even make you remember me, how could I be a model for your painting?â
Once again, the words that he heard fell into obscurity.
* Â * Â *
There was an urban legend.
Of people unable to remember the face of the person they talked to just a few minutes ago. Of people unable to remember the face of the person that helped them out of a sticky situation on streets. Such insignificant phenomena blended into everyoneâs daily lives. Strangely enough, despite people being unable to remember anything, the phenomena was passed as an urban legend.
âDareka-san,â they named the legend as such. Because none of them was able to remember the personâs name. (T/N: Leaving it as dareka because âwho is it-sanâ doesnât sound as good. If you have any suggestions for the name, you can tell me.)
* Â * Â *
âAre you telling me that you fell in love with an urban legend?â
âYeah.â
Toward his friendâs absurd words, Satou Takayuki let out a genuine word of disbelief, âWhat?â
It was currently June, spring had started to pass. Even in this part of Tohoku, where people would still spend their days staring at the cherry blossom, the increasing temperature was still noticeable. In the afternoon, the heat didnât fade away. Students usually would either go indoor to escape it, or seek the protection of the shades. Takayuki and his friend, Kashiki Minoru, were no exception to this rule. They were hanging out in a corner of the hallway, where the sun ray couldnât find its way to their skin.
âWell, that sounds romantic, but I donât think I can relate with someone who falls in love with someone who doesnât exist.â
âNo, she exists. This might sound ridiculous to you, but it was her who called herself by that name.â
Minoru threw a serious gaze at Takayuki.
The boy was of medium height and had shaggy hair. His face looked ordinary and plain. There were noticeable features in his face, but those features didnât make him stand out from the rest of the crowds in any way.
That was Kashiki Minoru, the ordinary high school boy that you could find anywhere. Or so he might seem. Except that Takayuki knew better than to believe that notion. Despite his appearance, he was an oddball, an âart idiotâ, who was still scribbling through his sketchbook even as they were having this conversation.
âI fell in love with her at first sight. She was beautiful, among the prettiest girls Iâve ever seen. I immediately asked her to be the model for my painting as an excuse to get to know her, but she turned me downâŠâ
The reason why Takayuki lent him an ear earnestly like this was because it was rare for this idiot to be infatuated with someone to the point that he asked the girl to be his model. Normally, even when he were to ask someone to become his model, it was only to satisfy his artistic need. There was no room for any kind of other emotion to enter his heart.
âThink about it from her perspective. Someone she doesnât even know asked her to be a model for his painting, obviously sheâd refuse you.â
âI know, that was my bad, Iâll do better next time, but the thing with her is that, what you said wasnât the only reason why she rejected me. She told me that she couldnât become a model for me because I wonât be able to remember her.â
âSomeone that canât be remembered by others⊠An urban legend⊠Hmm⊠I can think of a few rumors related to that. Anyway, what did she call herself again?â
ââDareka-sanâ the minor character. Have you heard of her?â
Takayuki stopped to think about Minoruâs question before nodding his head.Â
âIf I recall correctly, thereâs that rumor going on in this part of the city. Thereâs a mysterious monster who appears in front of someone in need and helps them out. But, no one was able to remember its voice, name or appearance. Thatâs why everyone called it âDareka-san.ââ
âYeah. She told me that sheâs âDareka-san.ââ
â…Are you sure she wasnât just using that story as an excuse to dump you?â
âI thought so too at first, butâŠâ
For a moment, Minoru stopped talking. Even the pencil in his hand, which had been moving during their conversation, had stopped.
This was an unusual reaction coming from him. As far as Takayuki knew, Minoru was someone who hated bushing around the bush, so it was rare to see him stop talking mid-sentence. And it was even more rare to see him stop doodling with his pencil.
âI donât remember.â
âHm?â
â…I donât remember what she looked like. It happened three days ago. All I could remember was the fact that I fell in love with a girl around my age.â
The words came out slowly from Minoruâs mouth, but it managed to convince Takayuki.
Logically speaking, it would be hard for anyone to forget the appearance of the person they fell in love with. Moreover, the encounter happened only three days ago. It wasnât far-fetched to assume that the phenomena had something to do with a supernatural entity.
âEven now, I could feel that my memory of her is starting to fade away. Itâs as if that part of memory is being erased by an eraser at a fast pace.â
After letting out a mutter in a strained voice, Minoru looked up. With a pained expression, he pleaded to Takayuki.
âI know that you wonât believe my story, butââ
âI believe you.â
âHuh?â
A normal person wouldnât believe him. Theyâd treat his words as either a lie or just thought that he was daydreaming. After all, even Minoru himself wasnât sure whether the event actually happened or not.
Even so, Minoru still seeked Takayukiâs advice. Mostly because of how desperate he was. There was also a part of him that believed Takayuki wasnât an ordinary person. Rumors surrounding him, both false and real, were too numerous for a high school boy. There was something in Takayuki that made Minoru think that he wouldnât just dismiss his words as incomprehensible ramblings.
âI believe your story, Minoru. You fell in love with a girl from an urban legend. She dumped you for a reason that you failed to understand, so you want me to figure out what that reason was and to help you to get to know her better. Is that it?â
And to his surprise, Takayuki believed him so easily. He even went out of his way to offer his help to him.
âYou actually believe me?â
âYou donât seem to be lying to me. Your feelingsâŠlook real to me. That should be enough of a reason to help a friend out, no?â
Takayuki responded to Minoruâs dumbfounded face with a fearless grin.
Seeing that smile, Minoru let out a sigh of relief.
âI see. Iâll be in your care then. Despite how you look, youâre a kind guy, Takayuki.â
âWhat do you mean, âdespite how you look,â you f**ker?â
Takayuki, who looked like a real delinquent, kept his grin even as he swore at his friend.
âWell, thereâs a matter that I have to prioritize first, though. So, I can only help you after that matter is done.â
â…See? I knew it. Youâre just too kind. Youâre the type of person whoâd lose your money because of your kindness.â
âShut it. Iâm not like that anymore. Besides, it isnât like Iâm on my own. I have a reliable partner now.â
At Takayukiâs blunt words, Minoru let out a chuckle.
âI see. I never expected to hear those words come out of the mouth of a lone wolf like you⊠But, are you sure that you guys are only partners? You two are too close. Are you sure you two arenât lovers?â
âWeâre partners.â
âReally?â Minoru asked with suspicion after hearing Takayukiâs calm reaction.
âDo I look like someone who can get a girlfriend?â
â…No comment.â
âI really wish that I could feel the slightest feeling toward someone, though.â Takayuki secretly thought.
* Â * Â *
Dusk, the time when all the heat had subsided.
Miyama Aoi, the pretty black-haired girl walking next to Takayuki, seemed to be in a good mood.
âHmm ~ Hmm hmm ~ âȘâ
The girl was humming a song. She looked so happy to the point that it wouldnât be a surprise if she started skipping her steps.
âYou seem to be in a good mood, Miyama.â
âHehe, itâs because I could finally work together with you, Satou-kun~â
When Takayuki called out to her, a charming smile bloomed in her face as she turned to face him. It was the smile that could bewitch every boy in his adolescence. Even the member of the same s*x as her could fall victim to the same smile⊠MaybeâŠ
That was how pretty her smile was. The girl had long raven colored hair and she looked mature for her age. But her smile brought the innocence in her, showing how much trust she had for the boy next to her. A normal boy of her age would definitely fall in love with her after seeing that smile.
âWhat work? Weâre just helping one of my friends out in Fukuyama. For free even. Good grief, youâre such a handful, Miss Honor Student.â
But, even after receiving Aoiâs smile in full force, Takayukiâs composure didnât change. His cheeks didnât turn red and his tone was as curt as always whenever he talked with her.
âHehehe, Satou-kun~â
Aoi gently reached her hand out to Takayuki, who had an irreverent look on his face and intertwined her right hand with his left hand. It was the so-called âloverâs hold,â a way for lovers to express their affection in the form of holding hands.
âHave, you, tried, to, look, in, the mirror?~ Hehe~â
âAgh! Ow ow! My fingers! My four fingers are being crushed all at once!â
But, for Takayuki, the so-called loverâs hold was nothing but a punishment.
âI get that youâre trying to help that girl. Sheâs having trouble answering a confession from a boy and heâs a delinquent, right? But, donât you think trying to sneak into the boyâs school to do it is a little excessive, if not, outright foolish?â
âNo, he dyed his hair blond, but he isnât a delinquent. I wouldnât find that out if I didnât try to talk to him. To talk to him, I had to sneak into his school. In other words, my action was neither excessive nor foolish.â
âLook here. Sneaking into other peopleâs school with that kind of appearance, are you trying to start another bad rumor about you again? Canât you be more mindful of your own actions? If itâs information that you need, you have yours truly to help you with it.â
Punishing him by holding him with the loverâs hold was Aoiâs favorite method of punishment. From the outside, it looked like they were just a couple having fun. Not to mention that it would put her into the best position to reprimand him without getting strange gazes from their surroundings. As a result of this, though, a rumor of them being a couple had started to spread around, but Aoi wouldnât find out about this until later.
âI-I did it out of habit, okay?! S-Sorry!â
Meanwhile, from Takayukiâs perspective, the punishment was a harsh one. Not only that he had to receive the physical pain from having his fingers crushed, the emotional damage he received from Aoiâs lack of sense of distance was quite significant to him. When it came to dealing with him, she seemed to ignore the gender barriers completely and would either act spoiled or fawn over him without a care in the world. While he felt quite happy to be treated like this, it was still hard for him to deal with her actions sometimes. All he could do was to pray that everything would end soon.
âIf I wasnât there, you wouldâve gotten yourself into unnecessary trouble. Reflect on your actions properly, okay?â
âI understand. From now on, Iâll make a written report and submit it to you before I do something.â
âYou donât need to be that extra, just tell me beforehand like a normal person! Also, why are you so quick on apologizing and reflecting? Itâs a little off-putting.â
âFrom my experience in the past, if Iâm not so quick on apologizing and reflecting, youâll just get angrier at me.â
Takayuki stared at the distance as he said that, which prompted Aoi to bump him lightly on the shoulders before continuing her words while sulking.
âA-Anyway, thanks to me we managed to find out more things about the boy! I also managed to find out about his true feelings toward the girl friend of yours thanks to my question! I was useful, wasnât I?â
After her spectacular speech, Aoi loosened the grip on Takayukiâs hand and sent him a glance. As if he knew what she wanted from that eye contact, Takayuki let out a smile.
âOf course you were able to do well, that much is a given. Me being there was only a hindrance to youâ Ow ow!â
When her partner started demeaning himself, Aoi forcefully strengthened her grip on his hand again.
âWhat are you on about? It was because you were there that I could act with a peace of mind. Humbling yourself too much only made you sound spiteful instead of modest, you know?â
It was clear that she didnât want to hear those words coming from Takayukiâs mouth.
âM-My bad, my bad! I just worded it badly! What I meant to say is that, of course you were able to do well! Youâre my reliable partner!â
â…Do you really mean it?â
Yeah, I mean it. Iâm glad that youâre there to have my back, partner.â
â…Hehe.â
Aoiâs cheek reddened slightly as she finally let Takayukiâs hand go.
âWas I helpful to you?â
âY-Yeah, of course.â
âDo you think Iâm strong?â
âS-Strong? I-I guess so, yeah.â
âIâm the number one partner in the world, right?â
âHuh? What kind of question was that? W-Well, I can say that youâre reliable, though.â
âHehe~â
âThank God that was enough to fix your moodâŠâ
Takayuki still didnât understand how that little exchange managed to get her in a good mood. Nevertheless, he felt relieved by the outcome.
âWell, as long as Iâm your partner, youâll never find yourself in trouble! You can count on me like one two three and Iâll be there!â (T/N: I canât find the english equivalent of this proverb: 性èčă«äčăŁăă€ăă㧠and this is what came to mind, sorry.)
âSure, sure, please continue to take care of me, partner.â
âHehe~ My presence made your face-to-face counseling easier, didnât it?â
âI canât refute that. Having extra hands really helped me tremendously.â
Aoi was so happy that she was practically gloating. Though, one couldnât argue that her words were false. After all, for Takayuki, Aoi was the most reliable partner he could ever have.
âBy the way, you have another face-to-face counseling coming up, right? The client asked specifically for it this time.â
âYeah. If they didnât outright scam me, the client this time should be a middle school girl that lives in this neighborhood.â
âImagining you meeting a middle school girl feels wrong somehow.â
âI know. Thatâs why I told them to bring along an adult with them, or else I wonât meet them. I also told them that Iâll be bringing you with me. Is that okay with you? Sorry for dragging you to deal with my personal problem like thisâŠâ
Takayuki knew the answer sheâll give him, but he asked that question anyway.
âItâs okay for you to refuse me. At the end of the day, I knew the person through the internet. Weâve talked to each other for a while, but that doesnât mean this meeting would be a safe one. There is still a chance that the other party is a scammer with malicious intentions, after all. Iâm prepared to deal with that possibility, but you can never be too cautious. For your safety, itâs still better for you to not go with me.â
Aoi brushed off his words of concern with a dismissive âAre you an idiot?â
âYou said it yourself, itâs better to have extra hands. If things come down to it, Iâm probably the one whoâll get you out of the sticky situations.â
Smiling mischievously, Aoi continued her words.
âI know you said that out of concern for me, but you know who I am. I wonât hesitate to call the police if I need to. Honestly, it will be safer for you if I were to go with you, Satou-kun. So, stop nagging me and just bring me along.â
â…Iâm no match for you, Miyama.â
Takayuki responded to her cute smile with a wry smile.
âHehe, thatâs a given. Or else I wouldnât call myself your partner!â
They threw another smile at each other as they walked down the orange-tinted path.
The distance between the two of them was farther than lovers, but closer than that of friends.
TL: Iyo
ED: Iyo
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