My childhood sweetheart is Nishimiya Glass

Chapter 347 A Family of Three with a Dog Under the Setting Sun? (Part 2)

"Let's go, let's go~" Nishimiya Yuzuru snatched the bag of snacks from Nagatsuka Tomohiro, moving so quickly it was as if he was afraid the man would change his mind.

She gently gestured with her chin toward the maple tree not far ahead, her tone light and cheerful: "There are benches under that tree over there, it's cool and shaded, let's go there to chat."

"Weren't you going to walk the dog...?"

“I called this a walk for Hachiko, not a stroll in the park for him,” Nishimiya Yuzuru replied, raising his index finger with righteous indignation.

"……Fine."

Nagatsu Tomohiro's gaze lingered on Hachiko for a few seconds. He actually quite wanted to borrow the leash and try walking it...

The two walked side by side to a bench under the shade of a maple tree and sat down. After confirming that the other party had no objections, Nishimiya Yuzuru casually took out a bag of potato chips and opened it.

"Shh...shh...shh..." A gust of autumn wind rustled the maple leaves.

"Young man, which school do you attend?"

"Hey kid, do you have a girlfriend?"

Are you interested in novels?

"Young man, have you ever heard of 'Ginkgo Cherry Blossom High School'?"

"Hey... kid, leave some for me..."

Faced with Tomohiro Nagatsuka's incessant questions, Yuzuru Nishimiya would respond to each one until she couldn't take it anymore and would use the snacks he bought to shut him up.

"Didn't I tell you my name yesterday? Why are you still calling me 'little boy'?"

"I just thought calling him 'boy' would make us seem more familiar," Yuhiro Nagatsuka said, leaning back in his chair and waving his hand.

"..."

Actually, I think...—

"Yuzuru?"

A clear, slightly surprised shout interrupted Nishimiya Yuzuru's words, and both of them looked toward the source of the sound.

Yuhiro Nagatsu saw a blonde little girl with a high ponytail standing at a fork in the road not far ahead, carrying a white plastic bag in her hand.

"Little Li-chan? What are you doing here?" Nishimiya Yuzuru looked at the girl who was getting closer and closer, his heart filled with curiosity.

As the girl drew closer, Yuhiro Nagatsuka, who had been speaking next to her, subtly moved half a step to the side.

The girl smiled and squatted down in front of Hachiko: "I've come to see Hachiko." As she spoke, she took out the dog food she had prepared in advance from the bag, opened it without hesitation, and fed it to Hachiko.

Hachiko sniffed the dog food, then glanced at the packaging in the girl's hand, and only started eating after confirming there was nothing wrong with it.

It's a little more cautious than Yuzuru Nishimiya... well... just a little...

"Her name is Haruno Rei. She was my best friend in elementary and middle school, and she's also Hachiko's friend!"

While she was petting Hachiko, Nishimiya Yuzuru wasn't idle either, introducing Nagatsuka Tomohiro, whose expression was a little stiff, to him.

"Hello!" Haruno Rei took a moment to smile at Asanaga Tomohiro before continuing to pet the well-behaved Hachiko.

She figured the boy must be a relative of Yuzuru or something, since she'd never seen Yuzuru hang out with any boys at school.

Moreover, the other person's school uniform clearly indicated that it was from high school. Aside from the possibility of being related by blood, she couldn't think of any connection between the other person and Yuzuru.

“…Y-you…hello…!” Nagatsu Tomohiro forced a not-too-bad smile onto his somewhat stiff face.

As the middleman, Nishimiya Yuzuru noticed that he hadn't introduced himself, so she introduced him to Haruno Rei. The two nodded and greeted each other again before falling silent.

After waiting a while, Haruno Rei, having had her fill of playing, looked up at Nishimiya Yuzuru:
"Yuzuru, could you lend me Hachiko so I can take it for a walk around the park?"

"Okay." Nishimiya Yuzuru handed her the dog leash without hesitation. After these years of relationship, she still trusted him a lot.

Besides, the leash... is just a decoration to hide its true nature. If someone wants to do something bad to Hachiko, the leash won't stop them at all.

After the other person led Hachiko away, who kept turning back to look at him, Nishimiya Yuzuru seemed to remember something and looked suspiciously at the invisible man beside him:
"Hey, Fatty, weren't you talking a lot just now? Why did you suddenly become so quiet?"

The afternoon autumn breeze, carrying warmth, caressed their faces, playfully ruffling the stray hairs on their foreheads, causing the wispy shadows to sway gently.

As the girl's figure disappeared from sight, Yuhiro Nagatsuka seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and his shoulder relaxed.

"No...nowhere at all—!"

He let out a long sigh, casually wiping away what might not have been sweat, and then, as if back to factory settings, he hooked his arm around Nishimiya Yuzuru's neck, his voice instantly rising eight octaves:
"Ahem! I just... just remembered the homework the teacher assigned! I was so focused on it that I didn't notice you guys."

"..."

Nishimiya Yuzuru slapped his hand away without hesitation, rolled her eyes at him, and silently conveyed her utter speechlessness at his made-up excuse.

"Haha..." Nagatsu Tomohiro laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his hand, not taking Nishimiya Yuzuru's behavior to heart.

Beneath the swaying shadows of the trees, the soft sunlight softened their figures and expressions into a gentle blur.

"Was that your girlfriend just now?"

"Bestie, bestie, bestie!" Yuzuru Nishimiya and Tomohiro Tomonaga rolled their eyes dramatically. "Didn't we already say that when we introduced ourselves?"

"..."

"A grown man having a female best friend? Aren't you ashamed?" Yuhiro Nagatoku muttered in a very low voice.

"What did you say? I didn't hear you."

"No...it's nothing, it's nothing."

Yuhiro Nagatsuka hurriedly shook his head and responded repeatedly, his soft cheeks and chin swaying slightly.

"..." Nishimiya Yuzuru felt like the other person had just been cursing at her.

After a while, Nagatsu Tomohiro had almost finished the small bag of snacks, and Nishimiya Yuzuru was getting a little sleepy listening to the other person asking him all sorts of questions.

"You just said you also attend 'Ginkgo Cherry Blossom High School'?" Nishimiya Yuzuru asked, perking up.

"Oh? Young man, does someone in your family also attend this school?" Nagatoshi Yuhiro instantly noticed the oddity in her words and looked at her with suspicion.

“Yes,” Nishimiya Yuzuru nodded her little head, “My sister and my brother-in-law.”

"Sister...brother-in-law??"

“Hmm,” Nishimiya Yuzuru nodded calmly in response to his surprised and puzzled expression.

"What are they called?"

“Nishimiya Shoko and Miyamura Tsunayoshi.”

“Hmm…” Upon hearing this, Yuhiro Nagatsuka thought for a moment before slowly shaking his head: “No… I don’t know him.”

He was certain that this wasn't someone from his class. Although he was quite withdrawn at school, he still remembered the names of his classmates.

"It's okay if you don't know him. I'll introduce you to him next time. My brother-in-law is quite impressive!" There was a hint of pride in her words.

“Okay.” Nagatomo nodded. He also wanted to make more friends in high school, but the results were always a bit disappointing.

After sitting for a while, Haruno Rei returned with Hachiko in her hand, and Nishimiya Yuzuru and Nagatsuka Tomohiro prepared to say goodbye and leave.

"Next time we meet, I'll definitely treat you to something delicious. I consider you my friend!" Nishimiya Yuzuru waved to Nagatsuka Tomohiro.

She felt that she didn't know when they would meet again, and by then, she should have enough pocket money...

Moreover, she had eaten most of the snacks the other person bought, so she felt a little guilty if she didn't say something at this point.

"Mmm." Nagatomo nodded.

He didn't pay much attention to the delicious food that Nishimiya Yuzuru mentioned, but he did take the words "I've decided you're my friend" to heart.

-

"Yuzuru, I'll be going now. See you tomorrow." "Okay, see you at school tomorrow."

At a crossroads, Haruno Rei waved goodbye to Nishimiya Yuzuru and turned to leave, while she, holding Hachiko's hand, continued walking home under the setting sun.

"I don't know if I'll be able to eat dinner when I get back..." Nishimiya Yuzuru rubbed her tummy and let out a small burp.
"Mom and my sister shouldn't find out, right, Hachiko?"

“…Woof…” Hachiko turned around and looked at her in a human-like way, his eyes revealing a hint of speechlessness.

"Yuzuru?"

Just as Nishimiya Yuzuru was about to pet Hachiko, a familiar soft call came from behind him.

She looked in the direction of the sound and saw Tsuna and Shoko standing side by side in the sunset, with the city lights gradually illuminating behind them.

A soft orange-red glow flowed over them, and Shoko smiled and waved at her.

Tsuna stood there holding her sister's hand, his gentle gaze quietly fixed on her.

However, Hachiko, who couldn't contain himself any longer, darted out even faster than her.

"Tsuna-nii, why didn't you ride your motorcycle today?"

"Because I wanted to take a leisurely walk home with your sister today."

Nishimiya Yuzuru's gaze fell on his neck, and she couldn't help but laugh out loud again.

He was already immune to the series of laughs, but it was only when Shoko gave her a light slap on the head that she stopped laughing.

"Alright, let's hurry up." Shoko gently grasped Nishimiya Yuzuru's hand, her tone as soft as ever:

"Grandma is probably preparing dinner. If we go back now, we can lend a hand."

As she spoke, she took Nishimiya Yuzuru's hand and hurried briskly toward home.

Naturally, the rope that Yuzuru Nishimiya had been holding, which had originally been holding Hachiko, was smoothly handed over to Tsuna beside him.

"..."

The warm glow of the setting sun enveloped the three figures. Tsuna held the hand of Hachiko, who was still panting, while Shoko held Nishimiya's hand. The three figures blended into the long shadows, chatting and laughing as they hurried home for a hot meal.

next day...

"Hey! Young man!"

"..."

In the same place, at the same spot, Nishimiya Yuzuru saw the chubby boy appear in front of her again. Remembering what she had said before parting yesterday, she turned around and wanted to run away with Hachiko.

She hasn't received her allowance yet, so she can't have any treats right away. Last night at dinner, her mother caught her out and gave her a lecture...

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Glass sauce! Guess what I found."

Ayumi Azuya looked at the girl in front of her with a smile, while behind her lay a little secret she had just discovered.

"I...I don't know—"

“Dang Dang Dang!!!”

Before Shoko could finish speaking, Ayumi Ajitani impatiently interrupted, simultaneously showing her the magazine she had hidden behind her back:

"An introduction to the area where we'll be going on our school trip the day after tomorrow!"

"From Osaka?" Shoko looked at the magazine held up in front of her; the cover featured Osaka Castle.

The iconic building of Osaka.

"This doesn't seem to be the problem right now, does it?" Tsuna walked into the classroom where Shoko and the other girl were.

"I still don't understand why we were assigned to clean this unused classroom?"

His gaze swept across the 40-square-meter classroom—lockers, blackboard, desks, podium…everything was covered with a thick layer of dust, making him frown involuntarily.

Without a second thought, Ayumi Azurani patted her thin, narrow chest twice, quickly and loudly, as if that would make her promise seem more sincere:

"Of course! I begged and pleaded with Nanase-sensei until I was hoarse to get this opportunity!"

As she spoke, she puffed out her not-so-"ample" chest, her eyebrows and eyes brimming with a hint of smugness:

"Just so we can skip class openly and legitimately, and work hard, chat, and slack off!"

The last few words were drawn out, carrying a hint of unknown pride.

"..."

"thank you."

"You're welcome." Ayumi Ajitani waved generously at Tsuna.

"..."

Tsuna recalled that he was sleeping soundly in the classroom with no one bothering him, and then inexplicably, Nanase-sensei assigned him to clean the empty classroom...

He felt a stronger urge to strangle Ayumi.

"Ayumi-chan, which class are we going on our school trip with the day after tomorrow?"

Just then, Takagi and Nishikata walked into the classroom carrying two blue plastic buckets filled with water, asking them questions curiously.

"Hmm... let me think..." Ayumi Ajitani took the rag handed to her by Shoko-san, lowered her head and began to ponder, then suddenly looked up after a short while:
"It was a trip to Osaka's hot springs with Class 5. Our class and Class 5 were the only ones going on the trip."

"The other classes went to other places, but it seems like this was done by drawing lots. Ms. Nanase drew the hot spring."

"Huh? That's completely different from our junior high school. I remember in junior high, we were all in the same grade together."

Listening to the girls chatting, Tsuna and Nishikata exchanged a glance and decided to move the tables and chairs outside before starting to clean.

Ms. Nanase gave them two class periods to clean, which was more than enough time.

“Osaka…” Shoko muttered, a fleeting memory of a trip to Osaka with Tsuna’s family flashing through her mind.

There are many temperature hotels in Osaka, but this time I wasn't so lucky. It wasn't the one that Tsuna's grandfather stayed at, and it was also a bit far away.

"Dong...dong...!"

“Boom…boom…boom…!”

With the ringing of the bell twice, Tsuna and his friends successfully cleaned the dusty classroom, and the desks still faintly reflected the light.

"I'll go back tonight and work on my Osaka itinerary. We'll have three or four days of free time then, so we can explore Osaka properly!"

After cleaning up, the group tacitly chose not to inform Ms. Nanase, but instead sat in the empty classroom chatting about their school trip to Osaka.

"My wallet is going to suffer again..."

"Don't worry about Nishikata, the travel guide I made is definitely the most economical and affordable, it won't make your wallet shrink much."

Ayumi Ajitani smiled as she looked at Nishikata. At times like these, she would feel particularly envious of Shoko-chan for being able to earn pocket money through her own abilities.

As for Miyamura… she had already ruled him out. Although he was indeed very capable, even if he did nothing, his allowance wouldn't be less…

I can't envy you.

The group sat for another ten minutes or so before returning to their classroom just before the school bell rang. They also had Ms. Nanase check on them.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The night sky was dotted with countless stars, and one of the streetlights on Futaba Street was flashing rhythmically.

"Tsuna, how about I print a few more couple anti-counterfeiting labels for you?"

(End of this chapter)