縁樹の導き
The Enju's Guidance
Jerking awkwardly, I produce my cell phone and look at the display.
The signal state is the absolute worst... but that's unrelated to the task at hand, so let's set that aside...
Okay!...
Kei: Wah, oh no! Look at the time! It's way past time for lunch!
I can tell that much with my internal clock (aka stomach clock) more than well enough.
After having prepared my things and leaving the hotel, waiting for the bus that only comes once an hour, and then climbing a mountain on top of it all, time would certainly pass.
Regardless, a performance is needed here. After offering my excuse, I take a swerving half-turn from where I stand.
Kei: So then... that's how it is, so--!
I begin to proceed forward, but...
(Kei): ......Come on, now... am I really that suspicious?
......Before I can say "Ah!" I come to a jerking standstill.
Kei: Umm! Well! It's not like I felt some imminent threat to my well-being and decided to run away, or anything like that, but---!
That saying, "All women are actresses," is a big, fat lie.
Or maybe I'm just this bad because I'm still just a girl?
All the same, I'm at that tender age, it doesn't look like there's anyone around here, and Youko-chan warned me yesterday to "develop a sense of danger!" after all...
Uuu, but, I didn't make him feel bad, did I?
In a movement so classically robotic, you'd expect rusty sounds to come out, I check his status by peeking over my shoulder.
Kei: Ah......
He's smiling.
As if to mutter "Ah, well, too bad..." but watching over me all the same, a smile is floating upon his face.
(Kei): Yeah, it's probably best if you do that.
(Kei): You might be sticking your neck out a bit too far to say "discretion is the better part of valor," but that stance looks best for leaving the mountain, don't you think?
(Kei): Also, you shouldn't come to this place any more.
Kei: Why......
(Kei): No matter what.
I don't understand his reason at all, but I can at least tell that he's saying it for my sake.
And it has the same manner of tone as that person from my dream saying "you mustn't"...
(Kei): There... off you go.
That is why I obediently depart from that place with the best speed I can manage.