Track 3: The Katabami Family Crest
One week later.
< And that’s a wrap on NureNezumi-san’s storytime! That sure was a blast~ I’m glad the thief was caught in a clean one and done case. Ah, I’m also a huge fan of Haagen-Dot’s new flavor~ >
I couldn’t help but smile while quietly listening to Teraie-san’s cheerful manner of speaking. Tonight I’m listening to the radio at HAMA House, so unlike listening at the store, I have to restrain myself from doing a silly dance so I wouldn’t disturb Yodaka-san, with whom I share a room with.
“Fufu.”
But even so, he might have still caught on to what I was doing because he looked up for a moment, looking happy.
< I’ve been talking with the staff about this before but, he sure has a lot of fans doesn’t he? We’ve got a lot of emails in response this time too! They say they enjoy his jokes and think it would be entertaining to live with a guy like him! Some of them even want to be his friend! >
“Huh?”
My jokes are… getting a response? And not just that, they even want to be my friend…?
That’s nothing short of a miracle. I’ve always been troubled by this unlucky disposition of mine, so I thought it’d be nice if it was a source of laughter, true enough…
……
I feel like I’m dreaming. I think my life has completely changed after being hired by HAMA Tours. I’ve heard that one can have several turning points in their life, and without a doubt; meeting the Chief and working at HAMA Tours is one of those ‘turning points’ for me.
< But I was thinking… >
“Uh, yes?”
I couldn’t help but respond back to the radio, and I think Yodaka-san laughed quietly behind my back.
< I know NureNezumi-san’s life is full of bad luck and trouble, but…in the end, doesn’t it always end up with him helping someone out? Like with the selfie incident… he ended up getting the cat help, and he caught this thief just in time too. >
“...Right.”
< It’s not like he caused the incident directly, nor took the initiative to do something, but he somehow always ends up helping someone. >
“Yes… That’s just how it works out… somehow…”
< This seems to be… some kind of power beyond our understanding, one derived from ‘compassion,’ or perhaps ‘self-sacrifice’. >
“......”
< Of course, I don’t know what the origin of this power is, but it definitely exists. But if NureNezumi-san could somehow manage to control this power… Now that’s something I’d like to see. >
“.........”
Reflexively, I let out a deep, long breath. I was impressed by Teraie-san’s imagination. Being able to come up with such a cool story just by stringing together some jokes and anecdotes… He could definitely become a best-selling novelist. He’s amazing.
Still.
“Until now, I’d been trying to come up with a solution on my own…”
Because of the chances of someone being roped in when misfortune falls upon me. So I always tried to stay away from others, which led to me being alone. So naturally, the Yajirobe of Fortune and Misfortune often activated when I was by myself.
That’s why I didn’t realize it. It’s something I’d have never realized if I was alone. That if I experience misfortune’s rebound when I’m with someone else—it might be of help to them in the end.
This is something I’d thought of after coming back from the Secret Energy Society’s Meet-and-Greet. That this power could be of help if used correctly.
Even though I’ve been handing out flowers, imposing my fortune onto others precisely because I’ve failed to control it so far. But maybe, somehow, someway, if I could just figure out how to do it anyway…
“If my power could be of use to someone…”
There’s truly nothing better I could ask for. Though I would never be so impertinent as to assume someone like me could save someone. It’s just that if there’s even a chance that this could be the case, then I’d definitely go for it.
Right when the radio-show was ending, and I was feeling better—
There comes a knock on the door. Before I could get up, Yodaka-san answered the door.
“Ah, Yodaka-san.”
“Oh my, Renga. What brings you here so late at night?”
“Um, is Nagi…”
Yodaka-san turns to face me. Beyond him, I see Renga, holding his phone.
“It seems he has some business with you, Nagi. I’ll wait in the living room, take your time.”
“Oh, it’s not that important, you don’t need to leave.”
“Turns out I’m feeling a little parched too. Make yourself at home.”
Yodaka-san turns with the grace of a mature adult and leaves the room.
Renga takes his place in the room and turns the screen of his phone towards me.
“???”
Displayed in front of me were movie tickets. The one that we’d gone to see together, and never got to finish.
“I already got tickets for both of us, so… Let me know when you’re free to go together.”
“Oh, I couldn’t, I mean, I have the time but I’d feel bad. You should just go with someone else.”
“W-Why’re you feeling bad about it? There’s no need for all that, ‘s not like the fire was your fault.”
“No, that might very well be the case.”
“Wha… R-Really?”
“Well, not really. But I can’t rule it out completely either. The movie was really interesting up to that point, and I had fun going out with you…”
Renga’s face turned bright red.
He then quickly sent the ticket to my phone.
“E-Even if the trouble’s your fault, I made a promise with you so! I’m going with you…!”
“Some kind of accident might happen again.”
“I-In that case, we’ll just have to deal with it together…!”
“...Thank you. Then at least–”
“I don’t need you to pay me back.”
“But why?”
“W-Well, there’s no reason really… I’m not treating you or anything… I guess you could say it’s just, um…thanks for the cute seagull pic…?”
No way… I’m having a lucky break today too…
While I was wrapping my head around that fact, I see a silhouette pop up behind Renga.
Sensing it himself, Renga looked behind.
“Gii! I’ve got a new invention!”
It was Netaro.
Holding an ominous-looking contraption, he gives us a carefree smile.
“A new invention… I see.”
“You surprised me… Is that a new mecha or something?”
“Bingo! Behold: the Clammbon Patrol-Type Multi-Legged Snare Trap!"
“What’re you gonna use it for?”
“Roughly speaking, it’s for pest control!”
“And precisely speaking…?”
“Huh… Well, guess it’d be good for the folks who can’t handle bugs.”
“Yes indeedy~♪ Since Renchi’s here, how about the two of you be my guinea pigs!”
“Wait, me too?”
“Unfortunately Ryui is already asleep, there’s not enough hands!”
“No, don’t do it, Renga. You need to run—”
Netaro approaches us with a smile on his face.
Renga, who lost his chance to make a break for it, was backed into a corner along with me.
I can’t help but have a bad feeling about this.
I guess this will make for another anecdote…
< —Then, we’ll see you again next week, Friday night. This has been HAMA Night Harbour, I’m R’lyeh Teraie! >
“Wow… Today’s show was funny too…”
HAMA Night Harbour. My favorite radio talk show.
R'lyeh Teraie-san’s show is fun, and the jokes are all top-notch too. It’s the kind of show that lets me laugh to the fullest and blow away all my stress in one go.
I especially look forward to listening to the anecdotes of NureNezumi-san. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I tune in every week just to hear their stuff.
I’m a huge fan of theirs.
“Maybe I could try sending in something too.”
I don’t have the time, place, nor talent to consider such a thing possible… But there shouldn’t be any harm in hoping—
Just then, I hear a light knock on the door.
“...Dear?”
“Ah…”
Before I could reply, my wife peeked from behind the door, clad in her nightdress. Seeing me frozen in my seat, my wife creased her brows.
“You were still awake…? On a Friday night… Is it that pointless radio show again?”
“...Sorry.”
I was just listening to the radio. It’s not like I was doing something bad.
But I had no choice but to apologise upon seeing the look on my wife’s face. A habit that was engraved deep into my bones. Like a child fumbling for the ‘correct’ response.
“Don’t you have a meeting for the Tourism Promotion Project Subsidy early in the morning? Please take it seriously.”
“...You’re right. Sorry.”
“Not a problem. I understand a change of pace might be required. As long as your actions abide by the conduct expected of a member of the Kamon family, I have no complaints. Well, then… Good night, Norito-san."
She leaves without a single glance. I let out a sigh without raising my head even once.
It’s not as though I’m dissatisfied with my current life. I live in the house where I was born and raised, I have a position befitting our social standing, and although it was an arranged marriage, my wife comes from a prestigious family. I work hard everyday at a job that is worth it.
I lack nothing. I have everything I need. Looking in from the outside, you could even say my life has been smooth sailing.
“......”
But—without fail, a day like this would remind me of the past.
Of my school years, when I was still naive about the world. Of the smile of the only woman I’d ever loved in this life. Of the day I’d first held hands with her.
That day, when she said “I hope you can be happy”, And of the four-leaf clover she gave me after uttering that wish.