Episode 4 – First Meeting

We entered a family restaurant and decided to order lunch, although it was early.

I ordered the hamburger set because I hadn’t eaten anything in the morning, and Harushita ordered the Milanese doria.

She was always smiling at me, and I couldn’t help but know that her smile was a continuation of my first mistake.

The dignity of the lyricist and composer is zero.

“H-Hey ! I wonder if it’s okay at a family restaurant. I’m not even going to say something about a family restaurant, but ……”
“Nono, I come to these places sometimes, too.”
“Oh, really! That’s unexpected.”

I felt a little closer to these people who also come to these places.

The other side was either used to that kind of reaction, or they thought I was childish for reacting like a child, and laughed bitterly.

So I say this.

“Anoo…Forget about the first one. Ahm right ! It was, [I just got here]”

So I say as I remember, and she finally can’t take it anymore and her voice leaks out, [Fufu…..Fufu……..]

Funny, I remember Azusa told me to say this when meeting someone on a date.

Seeing me wondering, Harushita san tells me while wiping tears from her eyes.

“That line isn’t meant to be an excuse. They are meant to reassure the girl.”

Mhmm, I didn’t understand a bit what it meant. But since I don’t want to say that here, I’ll look it up later.

“And you said [Ah]”
“It’s, uh, oh, yeah. I’ll say, [ah] no matter what the situation is”
“Heeee, is that true?”
“Would you like to try it?”
“You ate my pudding yesterday.”
“Ah”

Harushita san laughs with her stomach in her hands. She seems to be more in the mood for laughter than I thought.

“You really are funny, Nagishiro san.”
“I still think you’re making fun of me.”
“No, no, it’s not like that.”

I was about to pursue the matter when she blurted it out, but the food was brought to me before I could do so, so I was put on hold.

Harushita san seemed unable to stop laughing, though, and had not been able to eat for some time.

When we both had finished eating our meals, Harushita san starts talking to me. The main topic of this time.

“Well, you said you’d provide the music.”
“Yes”

So, oh first of all, I give her my business card.

It’s just a business card with my address and email address.

“Ano….cell phone number?”
“Ah, sorry. I don’t have a cell phone”
“Eh, It is rare. I can’t believe you don’t have it in this day and age.”
“I-It’s just that I didn’t need it.”

There were a few times I wanted to play an app game of an anime I was into, but my parents strictly wouldn’t let me in, so I didn’t need to.

Especially, I don’t have any friends with whom I can communicate.

“So if you need anything, just contact me at the e-mail address I have on there. I don’t really need the formality, just what you need.”
“Y-Yes”
“Also, I don’t think we should have too many chances to meet. Because with a face like this, I think it would be better if people don’t talk about you being attacked or threatened.”

I was quick to explain the situation as fast as I could. It’s an explanation I’m used to, and one I don’t want to go on too long about.

However, despite the fact that I told them this kind of preamble when I offered them the song, some of them are still fond of coming to see me frequently…….

“We met this time because I thought we should at least get to know each other’s personalities. I thought it would be a bad idea to have an online-only relationship. In fact, it would be better if we didn’t meet at all.

[Look] I said, urging Harushita san to look around.

“Eh…….”

I can hear a few odd eyes and concerned voices around the table here and there.

“What’s the deal with those two?”
“Picking up girls? Or….”
“I hope that girl is okay.”

I’m used to this kind of atmosphere, but it must be something Harushita san is not so used to. And it shouldn’t be pleasant either.

“If it’s something that would be too much work for you to do by email alone, just email me and tell me that you need me. I’ll probably call you via Skype or, if that’s not possible, from my home phone. In the meantime, if you get a call from this number, please let me know.”

I quickly write the phone number of the apartment I am living in on the back of my business card. I already know that I can call the landlord if I ask.

And it was about time that the eyes of those around us began to turn stern.

“Now if you’ll excuse me.”

Me trying to walk away from the place with the bill.

“W-Wait!”

Harushita san hurriedly pulled me aside. I turn around, flustered because she suddenly got up from her seat.

“A-Anoo, the guarantee is…!”

Then I realized that we hadn’t talked about money and rushed back to my seat.

It was not a good look for me to leave the room, but I didn’t want to be loudly talking about money.

Then she begins to say with an anxious look on her face.

“I’m very sorry to say this, but ……. Actually, I don’t have much money, and, uh, I’m really sorry, but I don’t have the money to pay you right now. ……”

Harushita san says very apologetically and downcastly, just as she said.

But I, on the other hand, felt a sense of surprise.

Even though she retired, I would have thought that she used to be a fairly successful idol and had no shortage of money. …… Since she was still a minor at the time, her money may have been managed by her parents.

However, it didn’t matter.

“I’m not being paid anything, so don’t worry.”
“Eh………….?”

She looks at me with a roll of her eyes, as if she can’t believe what I’ve said.

So I keep explaining what I said.

“I try not to get too much money or anything. I’m ashamed to say that I don’t think I can make a good film if I’m looking for money. …… Besides, I can’t accept money because I’m still an amateur.”
“Amateur is outrageous! You’re such a big seller…….”
“But I am still an amateur. I think not getting paid is also an escape for me. I don’t get paid, so I don’t have any responsibility.”

When I finished, she looked mysterious – even a little sad – and after a moment, nodded.

“I understand. Then let’s go with the policy of not accepting or giving any money.”
“Y-Yes”

Harushita san concludes enthusiastically, as if she had suddenly thought of something.

Is it my imagination or was there an accent on the “is” in “the money is” …….
(TL/N : I can’t understand this part, the original is [ 気のせいかな、「お金は」の「は」にアクセントがあったような……] please tell me if you guys know the meaning of it, thanks!)