“Mmm, that was a very satisfying taste.”
“Yeah. I feel like my fatigue has been blown away.”
After finishing our meal, we somehow ended up leaving the shop together.
We didn't have anything in particular to talk about, but it just happened that way.
“Even so, it was unexpected. I didn’t think you ate stuff like that, Ryūguin.”
“I actually love it. I haven't told anyone at school, though.”
Indeed, when it comes to Ryūguin at school, she is famous for being the representative of pure elegance. Even looking at the whole school, she is a top-level beauty.
For a girl like her to polish off a heavy bowl of Iekei-style ramen... and a large serving at that. It’s an incredibly unexpected gap.
“Well, I am a pure and elegant character, after all, right?”
“Are you saying that yourself?”
“I’m self-aware about it.”
Well, I guess if you aren’t self-aware, you can't switch between your 'on' and 'off' modes. It’s because she is aware that she acts like this at night when there are no classmates around.
“But it really is exhausting.”
“Exhausting?”
“Being ‘pure and elegant’ is just an impression everyone else pushed onto me. I try to live up to it, but it makes my shoulders quite stiff.”
“Then you shouldn't bother matching it. It's not like anyone is forcing you, right?”
“Well, it’s not that simple.”
...? That was a bit of a loaded way to say it. Almost as if... she’s being expected to by someone specific?
She rotated her shoulders and cracked her neck. Considering the Ryūguin at school, this was an unbelievable sight.
Walking slightly ahead of me, Ryūguin clasped her hands behind her back and turned around.
“Hey, Sanada-kun. What would you think if I said I was selling myself as that image?”
“...I’d be surprised. And then...”
“You’d be disillusioned, wouldn't you?”
“Well, to put it plainly, yeah.”
Even though I didn't think that would be the case, if it were... I’d probably end up looking at Ryūguin through a biased lens.
“I act out ‘myself’ so that I don't destroy that image. Today is just a bit of a breather.”
Acting out oneself, huh? That sounds like a tiring way to live. It's something I could never imitate.
“...Hey, can I ask you something?”
“Hmm?”
“Does Riran know about this?”
“...No, I haven't told her. I don't want to disillusion her.”
I don't think Riran is that kind of person, though. I imagined the two of them, who are usually so close. Riran being disillusioned by a small gap in Ryūguin’s character... No, I can't even imagine it.
“I think it would be fine if you told her.”
“Oh? Is that the confidence of a husband?”
“It's nothing like that. You know that, right?”
“...That's true. She isn't the type of girl to abandon me over something like this.”
Ryūguin showed a slightly sorrowful smile. Something must have happened in the past...
But I don't intend to pry into that. Everyone has one or two things they can't talk about. Ryūguin and I aren't even that close anyway.
“...Hm? Then why did you tell me?”
“Well, I got caught, so I just thought ‘whatever.’ Besides, Riran-chan is head-over-heels in love with you. You wouldn't go blabbing about this to others, right, Sanada-kun?”
“Yeah.”
“I like how you can say that so decisively.”
“Whatever you say.”
Of course, there was no way I could take those words seriously. I have Riran, and Ryūguin has her Fated Person. It’s just a light joke.
“But you know, there’s probably someone who would accept that side of you, Ryūguin.”
“Riran-chan?”
“No. Your Fated Person.”
“──. ...Right... maybe so.”
She stroked the ring finger of her left hand. Lovingly. As if lost in thought.
Then, something occurred to me.
“Hey, what kind of person is your Fated Person anyway?”
“Trying to learn a maiden’s secret? How boorish.”
“Sorry.”
“Fufu. Just kidding. Come to think of it, I haven't mentioned it. Hmm... I think they are probably half-Japanese or a foreigner.”
Heh, so Ryūguin’s Fated Person is also mixed-race.
Riran is also half-Japanese, but it really seems to be true that the population of half or quarter-Japanese people has increased since the 'Red Thread of Fate' appeared.
“They are a cool person with silver hair. Tall, and their body is toned, as if they work out.”
“...Huh?”
“Is something wrong?”
“Ah, no. It’s nothing.”
Wait. I feel like I've heard that description or seen someone like that somewhere before... Oh well.
“I can see their face in my head, but I haven't seen them smile yet. But I think they’d have a very cheerful smile if they did.”
I see, I see... wait, what?
“Sorry to interrupt. But let me ask one thing. If you don't want to answer, you don't have to.”
“What?”
“Your Fated Person... is a guy, right?”
“No, it’s a woman. I... can only love women.”
............
Are you serious?