Kei: Yes, hello?
Youko: Ah, Hato-chan? It’s me, it’s me!
Kei: Ah, Youko-chan.
Youko: Iyaa~, I finally got through.
Kei: What? Is it that hard to get through?
As I look at the display, I see not a single antenna mark. There was one at the station, but, maybe because I’m inside.
For the time being, I try opening the window all the way.
Alongside the flood of summer air comes a bit of signal strength, but the antenna display is wavering up and down, looking dubiously unreliable.
…………
Windows left open with the A/C running are enemies of the environment, a waste of electricity. If you can, insulate with curtains or shouji. (TN: Shouji – paper sliding doors) 28 degrees is the target temperature. (TN: 28C = 82.4F)
I, Hatou Kei, strive for an environmentally sound lifestyle.
Kei: Youko-chan, the signal might cut off at any moment.
Youko: Right, right. That’s one heckuva remote area you’re in, huh?
One seemingly purposeful sigh mixed in.
Youko: So, how was it? Didja make it to your papa’s house?
Kei: Well, I did take a trip there, but……
I explain all of my doings since arriving in Hemidzuka, in summation.
Youko: Ahhahahaha! And so you ran crying into the grandpa station worker’s arms and bumbled into a hotel.
Kei: Sakaki Inn.
Youko: Well, not that it matters. I’ll bet I can see that spectacle as if laid out clearly before my very eyes.
Youko: “……Uuu, Ekiin-sa~n! I couldn’t do it after all~!”
Youko: “Oya oya, I thought it’d come to that, miss. That’s why I warned you, remember?”
Youko: “Waa~~~h! I’m so sorreeee~!”
Kei: …………
Is that supposed to be an impersonation of me? She’s impersonating me, isn’t she?
At Youko-chan’s endless uproarious laughter, I get the urge to cut the signal off by my own volition.
I can just blame it all on the discordant signal, anyway.
Kei: ……So just now, I came straight here after the bath.
For the time being, I move to change the topic for the sake of my mental health.
Kei: And it turned out to be a hot spring! A genuine open-air bath, at that.
Youko: Huh… so that worked out well for you.
Kei: Yeah. I guess you can say I’m back to my old self.
Youko: For that good old Hato-chan, I’m sorry to say I have some possibly bad news.
Kei: Eh!?
Come on, Youko-chan, give me a break.
Could she have called me just to aggravate me? Is she holding a grudge because I can’t meet her tomorrow?