A NIGHT OF STORMS
chapter 1

Original work by Kouchi Kaede
Novel by Mochizuki Yue

‘I’ll wait. It’s fine.’

I said that, but –

"Maybe I should’ve said it a different way…’

A senior from my company walking in front of me turned around after hearing what I said.

"What’s that, Matsunaga? Your comment today wasn’t bad, you know?’

"No, I just… That’s not it.’

"Oh, are you talking about yesterday’s ATTACK: THE MOTHER-IN-LAW NEXT DOOR? I did think your reaction was a bit… You coughed that stewed dish right out.’

’… Because it was incredibly fishy. She said herself that she’d forgotten to put in ginger to mask that.’

"Seems the mother-in-law didn’t notice because hay fever’s messed with her sense of smell. The wife herself bowed to us afterwards, saying she was thankful for the direct response, so everything’s fine in the end. But as an announcer, it was still a bit not OK, I guess.’

’… Please go into the studio. You’re waiting because of the strong wind warning, right?’

"I’ll be waiting until tomorrow morning. What a spot of luck. Are you heading back already?’

"I need to pick up my niece and nephew.’

"Ah, you’re looking after twins, right?’

"Yes, with the help of… Well, there’s the part-timer at the nursery.’

"They’re at a nursery now then. If you don’t go soon, it’ll start raining too. See you tomorrow.’

"Yes, until tomorrow.’

I parted with my senior at the back exit of the TV station and stopped once outside.

I looked up.

The sky was a dull grey, and the wind was a bit strong.

There was a low pressure system today, and the wind would become stronger afterwards.

I didn’t run into any traffic in the cab. We slid right through between the buildings.

There were two kinds of cab driver who noticed I was an announcer: those that talked to me in a friendly manner, and ones who kept silent instead. The drivers near the station were often of the type that kept silent to be kind to me, and the driver today was included in that number. After I told the driver where I wanted to go, no other words were exchanged.

Though that was normally easier for me, today it was tough.

… It was fine at work.

It was fine when I was talking with someone else.

But when I was alone like this – in the silence – I couldn’t help but think about it.

"Nakamura-san, I love you.

"After you’ve seen more of the world, and you’re about… my age. If that time comes, would you still… give me a thought?

"It’s fine, I’ll wait.

"I won’t complain even if you reject me after I’ve waited.’

Did I trouble her by saying something like that?

How did she take it?

… Would she consider what I said seriously?

I had no regrets about confession.

Yet, I still felt anxiety in my heart.

I felt that those words were too heavy for a high school girl of only seventeen. And yet – the words had to be said… I had to say them.

’…’

That night.

She had been adorable, bright red with a question mark on her face.

Had it been such a shock? Something so unbelievable that she’d think it was a dream?

If that was the case, there was the possibility that she’d never even looked at me as a member of the opposite s.e.x until now…

… But it wasn’t as if her response had been unfavourable, and –

And…

Thinking back on Nakamura-san’s att.i.tude in all the time we’ve spent together, even if I wouldn’t call it romantic, she does like me as a person… or perhaps that’s just what I want to think.

My thoughts just kept running circles in my head. I didn’t have an answer.

What was the toughest was –

"It’s coming down now.’

"Eh?’

The sudden voice made me turn to the front.

The man, who was just starting to look old, continued speaking as the car’s wipers moved.

"The rain’s coming down now. It’ll probably get stronger.’

"Ah…’

Now that he mentioned it, I noticed that the rain had begun. I had been looking out the window, but I hadn’t seen the rain at all.

’… Yes, I think it’ll get stronger from now on.’

The rain and wind would settle by morning.

There would be violent winds tonight. It would be a night of storms.

"I won’t go home!’

"I’m gonna stay with Shiharu-tan!’

The twins – Akane and Aoi – were clinging to Nakamura-san’s arms. Nakamura-san smiled, looking at a loss as she patted the twins’ heads.

"I apologise. I was reading them a picture book earlier, but it’s from a series and it seems they want me to read the next one.’

She bowed towards me. She was wearing the ap.r.o.n she always did with the kids.

She was like a young and kind mother. When I looked at her, I felt strangely at ease. She looked very cute with the twins following her about.

Then, Nakamura-san seemed to notice my gaze. She c.o.c.ked her head and asked hesitantly, "Is something the matter?’

My heart leapt when she looked up. Since I had been thinking about a number of things earlier, I felt shaken with the real person in front of me.

Then, without thinking –

"Oh, I just thought it was cute.’

– the words slipped out of my mouth.

"It is, isn’t it? Akane-chan got her clothes dirty today so we changed her into something else, but with her red dress with white polka dots and the green hair tie, she looks like a strawberry.’

’…’

Though I was relieved that she thought I was talking about the twins, it also made me feel a bit sad.

Nakamura-san would probably feel unnecessarily self-conscious if she thought I’d said she was cute, what with what I had said the other day, so it was for the best that she thought I was talking about the twins… No, wait.

On the contrary, wasn’t it fine to be direct now that I had already confessed? If I acted too normal, she might forget completely…

No, that wouldn’t happen. Nakamura-san wasn’t the sort of girl who would forget someone’s confession. It would be better to not doing anything half-heartedly, so that we can continue like we always have…

What was the point in thinking so much? I had to take the twins right now.

I knelt down to match my gaze with Akane’s and Aoi’s.

"Akane, Aoi. We have to go home now.’

"Nooo!’

"Read one more!’

"Now – ’

Aoi hid behind Nakamura-san, while Akane gripped her ap.r.o.n, glaring at me. There was nothing I could say now…

"Now, you two. There’s going to be a storm soon.’

Nakamura-san’s words made the twins look up, curious.

"Storm?’

"What’s that?’

"A storm is reeeally strong winds! And it’ll rain tonight too. If Akane-chan and Aoi-kun walk outside then, you’ll get blown away!’

"Eh!?’

"No! I won’t blow away!’

The twins had turned pale and started to shiver. Nakamura-san smiled and patted them on the head.

"Scary, right? So go home before the wind gets strong, OK? The wind will die down by next morning when you come again, so stay with Matsunaga-san tonight.’

’…’

"The picture book…’

The twins still wouldn’t give up. They held onto Nakamura-san’s sleeve. Then, Nakamura-san held out her pinky finger.

"If you come together, I’ll read you all the books you want! I’ll even add paper puppets! I promise.’

"Paper puppets too!?’

"Promise!’

"Yes, so let’s make a pinky promise.’

Akane’s and Aoi’s eyes were sparkling as they sang the pinky promise song. When Nakamura-san stood up, our eyes met again.

But –

’…’

She definitely averted her eyes. I don’t think it was my imagination.

’… I’ll take Akane and Aoi home then. Thank you.’

’… Yes, be careful on the way back. See you tomorrow, Akane-chan, Ao-kun.’

She only looked at the twins… Actually, her gaze was so low it was unnatural. Nakamura-san held the twins hands.

"See you, Shiharu-tan!’

"See you!’

’…’

She had been like this for the past little while.

She only looked at the twins, paying them more attention than she had before, but she definitely put a distance between us. At least, that was what I felt…

Though perhaps there was no helping it, it still…

Nakamura-san’s att.i.tude was part of the reason my thoughts wouldn’t stop. Though it wasn’t in any way her fault…

’… It’s tough.’

Though I hadn’t meant for anyone to hear, Aoi put a hand on my knee as he put on his knees. It seemed he had heard… This kept happening today.

"Sei-tan, what’s wrong? Fever?’

He put a hand on my forehead. Nakamura-san probably did this for him usually. The small hand on my forehead had a child’s warmth.

’… No, it’s nothing. Thank you. Akane, Aoi, let’s go – the car’s waiting. Be careful not to slip on the wet ground.’

When we reached home, it was cold inside, being March. The twins cried out. "Cooold!’ "So cooold!’ It was mysterious how they always found the weather interesting, whether it was good, rainy, hot or cold.

"It might end up as a blackout, so let’s get you into the bath quick.’

"Sei-tan, how about our coats?’

"Take off your coats and put them where you usually do! They’re not that wet, so you can just hang them up like usual, right?’

"It’s cold!’

"Even if it’s cold, take off your coat once you get inside. It’ll warm right up when I turn on the heater.’

The twins had recently learnt to take off their coats and put them away on their own, so there was less for me to do when we came home. These little rules were probably also things Nakamura-san taught them.

As I pulled the curtains closed, I checked the look of the sky. The raindrops were getting bigger and the wind had started to howl.

’… Scary.’

I looked down for the source of the little voice. Akane was clinging to my legs. It was unusual for Akane, who always had such a big personality, so I ended up smiling drily without thinking.

"The wind sounds scary, doesn’t it? But it’s OK. We’re inside the house.’

Akane nodded, still looking up at the sky. The wind was getting even stronger.