If Love Disappeared from the World1
What do you want? Why’d you follow me here? I thought we were on free time.
Yeah, but…
(I can’t just tell him that I thought he was acting strange… I got it!)
I wanted to walk around the island with you!
With me?
“Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter,” right? I think it’d be nice for us to get to know each other.
……
(He’s thinking about it. I gotta keep pushing…! Is there something I can say or point out to convince him?)
Let’s rent some bikes and feel the wind in our hair!
(And now…)
WOOHOO! Man, this feels good! Bikes friggin’ rock! I’m cuttin’ through the air like a knife, dude!
Didn’t know you were sharp enough to do that. Color me impressed.
Wrong kinda sharp.
(We’re going cycling with Akuta-kun, who excitedly tagged along…)
(And Ushio-kun, who unexpectedly agreed to come with us after I invited him…)
……
(But things still seem tense…)
Guys, guys, guys! Let’s play word chain! I’m really good at it! Didja know that?!
There’s literally no reason why I would know that.
Oh, then how about we make a special rule where you’re only allowed to say positive words? That’ll make it fun.
……
Sounds cool! Let’s do it! Let’s start with D from “word”!
“Divorce.”
(That’s…not a positive word…)
E… E… “Explore”!
Do I have to play too? Don’t just throw me in the game without asking. This sucks.
…“Exhausted.”
Does that count as a positive word? Sounds like the opposite.
Huh? Maybe you’re just close-minded.
You can be exhausted in a good way after a day of hard work. *yawn…*
(It just sounds like he wants to go home to me…)
That makes sense! Then I’ll go with “dye”! The guy who always dyes my hair is really funny, and I like him a lot!
“Extinct.”
T… “Tourist”!
Panda keeps saying negative things, and you keep talking about travel, Chief.
Panda?
Yeah. He’s just popular for his good looks, and he’s useless otherwise, so he’s like a panda. And what’s the point of playing this crap anyway? It’s a waste of t—
*buzzing*
Uwaphh!
Ushio-kun?! Are y— Ahh!
D’OHYAAAAAAAHH!
*creaking* *crash*
Are you two alright?!
Ow, ow, ow…
Are you hurt?!
Fly…ing…
Huh?
There was a giant fuckin’ 5-milimeter bug flying at me! We’re stopping here! Gimme the bug spray!
*spraying*
*pant, pant…* I’ve never seen a bug that big… God, I fucking hate those things…!
(His eyes are bloodshot…)
Gimme some tooooo.
Fine. I don’t want bugs flying around you, since that means they’ll be near me too.
*spraying*
Alrighty!
…You too.
Oh, thanks!
*spraying*
Nanaki-kun—
……
(He’s got his earbuds in… I guess he’s in shutdown mode. I really wonder what happened…)
Did something happen with Nanaki-kun?
How should I know?
…Sorry.
Then don’t ask me in the first place.
Idiotake’s about to go crazy and run off somewhere again. Are you sure you shouldn’t be worried about that?
You’re right…! Akuta-kun! Hold on! Don’t go over there!
Alright…
……
……
*sigh*
(Wow. Is he doing the whole “look at me, I’m SO depressed” act?)
(Who cares if they kinda look alike? Well, I guess it’s because they look alike…)
*sigh…*
Sheesh… Nah, their vibes are completely different.
Oh, there’s a pathway to the island! Looks like we came at the perfect time!
Woahhh, where are we? What’s that island?
This is Angel Road. The path in the sand there appears and disappears depending on the tide.
When the tide’s low, you can walk on the path to get to the island.
……
The name “Angel Road” is borrowed directly from English, but some people translate it to Japanese and call it by that name too.
I see, I see…
People say that if you walk down this road holding hands with the person you love, an angel will appear between the two of you and grant your wishes. It’s a really popular spot for couples.
Wow…
You can also climb up the Hill of Promises here and ring the Bell of Happiness at the top—
And then?
(Wait, huh…? When did all of these people start gathering around us?)
They probably think you’re offering some kinda free tour. So what now? Things might get outta hand.
Sorry, it’s a habit of mine…! Could I ask you guys to help me out?
We can’t ignore guests looking for hospitality!
Phew… I’m glad we were able to give the guests a good experience! Thanks, everyone. You all did really well!
Yeah, but now I’m kinda tired…
But we were able to walk to the island, and we even got to see the angel route lights that they only turn on around this time of day, which is nice.
Dude, can I say something?!
There were WAY too many couples! Too many peeps holdin’ hands!
They’re all idiots. Nobody smart would believe in that stupid legend without any proof.
I’m so jealous! I wanna hold hands toooooo! Ushio, hold my hand! But we’re not a couple, ‘kay?!
No way. Don’t touch me, I’m gonna catch your stupid.
Don’t say that! My hand is searching for yours! Fill my heart up, bro!
Oh, dude, there’s a huge bug on your shoulder.
HOHGYAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!
Don’t worry, I got it—
Gh…! Don’t touch me!
Ah! Ushio-kun, be caref—
*splash*
Wow… Ushio’s lost at sea now… I’ll help you, my dude. Gimme your hand. And hold mine.
Do you ever give it a rest? I’m not gonna hold your hand. And I’m not lost.
(I’m glad I brought a towel with me. But…)
Nanaki-kun’s still not here. Where’d he go?
Yeahhh, I think I saw him get swept up in the crowd. He was working with them near the island. ‘Cuz it was kinda chaotic, y’know?
(He’s still by the island?! He won’t be able to walk back…!)
Sorry! You two can go back to the inn first! You can use the towels in the bag!
Let’s watch it together in theaters!
Yeah. Where do you wanna go for summer break, by the way? I was thinking of going to an island. It’d be nice and relaxing.
Oh, that sounds fun! Let’s do that. You’re not gonna go with anyone else, right?
I’m not, I’m not… You’re the only one I’m going with.
There are a bunch of seashell-shaped couples’ emas here…
……
(I wonder what it feels like…to hold hands with someone you love.)
(Having the person you love feel the same way must be amazing. It’s like a miracle.)
(All of these couples experienced a miracle…unlike me.)
…I’m so jealous of them…that it hurts.
(There’s no point in thinking about this. No matter how much I regret it…)
(No matter how much I wished for it…it didn’t come true.)
Time to go… Hm?
(I didn’t think it’d be so dark already. Everyone’s gone… Shit. I’m the only one here.)
Did the tide rise over the path?
Well… Whatever, I guess. I don’t care if I can’t go back. God, I even surprise myself sometimes. Haha.
Nanaki-kuuuun!
Huh?
Nanaki-kun! Nanaki-k— Ah, there you are!
Footnotes
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A reference to If Cats Disappeared from the World (2016). ↩