Chapter 70: Local Friends And Other Black History


TL: Akabane


***


[Hagiri's POV]


From the day I decided to be a martyr to my dream, Sunday for me became not a day to rest, but a time to save my strength while others rested.


"Tomoe, how's the analysis going?"


Dozens of supercomputer chassis lined up like a hearse in the room. Tomoe is operating the console of the control server in the center of it.


"It's going well, but.... Hey, Hagiri. Why are you in such a hurry to get here? The experimental data isn't going to escape, you know? You don't have to go to the trouble of spreading out money to interrupt the order of use of the supercomputer here... If you apply, you'll eventually get permission to use it, so why don't you just leave this kind of work to the technical staff... You don't want to go to the trouble of seeing it with your own eyes ...?"


Tomoe said in frustration, exhaling white breath. The air conditioning in this room is running at full blast to cool the supercomputer that dissipates heat. That's why it's as cold as if it were winter. I understand that this is partly why she is dissatisfied with today's call. From Tomoe's point of view, coming all the way to the computer center of the Institute of Physical Sciences at the Imperial Capital University's Kashiwa campus in Chiba to analyze experimental data is also....


"Do I look stupid? I know, I know. But I want to see this experimental analysis with my own eyes. I can't wait to see it. I want to see it. I want to see the end result of my dream..."


I've shelled out some money for exclusive use of the supercomputer room here. It's true that we can use the supercomputer here for analyzing experimental data if we apply for it through the proper procedure, but that would take too much time. I don't want that. I want to get results as soon as possible.


"What's the end result...? Hmm? There it is! The results are in!


The results of the analysis of the experimental data appear on the screen.


"The structure of the target protein has been successfully identified...! We did it! We finally succeeded in identifying the model that we had not known for a long time! We did it, Hagiri! It's a great discovery! Now!"


"So, the first step in testing the hypothesis was a success... haha... we did it... we did it... ahaha... we finally got close to Rex Sakrolm... haha...!"


My strength drained from my body as I was able to witness the successful outcome of the experiment with my own eyes. I sat there without thinking.


"Hagiri! We did it! Everything's going to work out now! I'm sure Hagiri's wish will finally come true!"


Tomoe hugged me back. In this cold room, it was a good protection against the cold. Tomoe is relieved by this result. But it's not enough. We've only passed the first step. I get up and make a phone call.


"Yes, it's been a while. It's Hagiri. Yes, we have successfully tested the hypothesis. Please go through the Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research immediately. And please arrange for a technical officer and a researcher. I'll set up a research center within the Imperial Capital University. Yes, I'll leave it to you. Now, if you'll excuse me."


When I finished the call, Tomoe stared at me somewhat forlornly.


"Hagiri...you don't have to be in such a hurry. You've been acting strange lately. What are you in such a hurry for?"


"You know what I'm talking about, don't you? Kanahisa Tokiwa. He might be catching up with me soon."


"No, he's not! Tokiwa... well... he protected Riri, and he's competent..."


"Competent? I'm not kidding. He's not at that level. It's not about whether he himself is competent. It's about the fact that he's taming people who are more competent than he is."


Just hearing his name is enough to irritate me, even Milan, whom GW had his eye on, has finally joined his camp. What's more, he has confirmed that those several departments of Santennami and others have effectively come under his influence. And Momiji Yuzuriha and Izumi Milan are also very much in his good graces. Fortunately, Tenketsu-sensei, who is the main brain behind the "sacrifice" plan, has not yet escaped from my influence. However, if he were to find out about all of my schemes, he would certainly flee to Kanahisa Tokiwa, no matter what it takes.


"The approach from the mathematical science field is virtually frozen due to the shortage of mathematical personnel due to him. If Izumi Milan is left lacking, the future burden on Riri will be much heavier. It's all about what's missing, because of him. Our resources are being pushed to the edge just to have him."


There is plenty of money and connections. And yet, that's not enough to destroy Kanahisa Tokiwa. He is a psycho, and he doesn't care about the lives of others if it means harm to his own precious things. The fact that I am alive right now is probably due to his judgment of the negative impact that my disappearance would have on Riri. The cursed wedge of a childhood friend is fortunately prolonging my life.


"Anyway, I have to get the job done as soon as possible. I can't let my dream be crushed. I will prepare a laboratory for you at the Hongo campus. Please accelerate your research."


"I understand, but... but, you know..."


"What?"


"We are. We're on Hiro's side...you know..."


"Then, can you do something about Kanahisa Tokiwa right now?"


"Eh... that's..."


"I don't need encouragement, wishful thinking, comfort, or anything like that. Those things won't make my dreams come true..."


I am driven. Research, running a business, establishing myself as an influencer, and realizing my dream. All of these things are equally heavy. But I will make it happen.














After talking a lot of nonsense at the cafe, Kirin-san and I got hungry and decided to eat ramen. It is my personal observation that there are many women who want to eat ramen. However, they are shy to go alone or with just one woman, so they want a male escort. I learned this from Igarashi in my previous world. I have therefore come to identify the minimum requirements for a ramen restaurant where women want to live. That is....


"So, what kind of ramen shop will you take me to?"


"Well, a place that is popular with the ladies."


"Eh. I don't want to go to a ramen restaurant that is full of healthy vegetables."


"Don't worry. I'll take care of it."


And then we arrived at a ramen shop. The first one.


"Wow. Counter seats? That's the opposite of what you're used to. But it's nice that it's clean."


Seats don't have to be tables. But first of all, the restaurant itself must be clean.


"And it doesn't smell greasy, does it? It smells good."


Smell. Yes, women care that the store is clean. And... "the smell of the restaurant!" This was in the previous world. I took Igarashi to a very good ramen shop. Igarashi was satisfied with the taste. But... "The smell transferred to my clothes. I'm not a pork chashu..." she complained. A restaurant where the smell doesn't get on your clothes! That's the kind of ramen shop you should take a woman to!


"Wow. The soup is beautiful! It's golden!"


Kirin-san likes the ramen and is snapping away on her phone.


"It's a rich salt ramen. The color of the soup is the color of dashi."


"Dashi? Ramen noodles use dashi?"


"Dashi is used in all kinds of ramen."


"I see. Well then..."


""Itadakimasu!!""


The noodles are chewy, yet have a pleasant wheat aroma. The oil is rich yet smooth on the tongue. The aroma of the soup and the saltiness!


""Delicious!""


We had a blissful time.






***If you're going on a date, choose a ramen shop that doesn't smell too bad!***






And with our bellies full, we wandered aimlessly down Omotesando.


"Now that we're full...shall we go?"


"No, we can't. I won't go."


"No, we're not going. Hollywood-kun, you're so naughty. I haven't had sex since that day!"


"Well, to be honest. I don't want to do that with anyone right now."


"What? Why not?"


"No, it's just I don't want to have sex with anyone right now. No, I've realized how narrow-minded I am...maybe. No, I'll never let a woman go once I've had her."


"Never let her go...? Does that mean we'll be together forever?"


"Yes, yes. I'll never let you go."


"Wow... that's really heavy!"


"That's what it means. The grass is so heavy!"


"I see. Fufufu. Well, let's go for a drink anyway. Let's get into a party where we can have just drinks and just snacks, as usual!"


"That sounds great! Let's go!


We decided to go to a party in Omotesando for just drinks.












The party was set up on the roof of a building. There was a counter for drinks and snacks in the center, and sofa seats along the parapet with a view of the night skyline.


"Wow. The night view is beautiful! The beer is good."


We got a sofa seat along the balustrade and sat down side by side.


"Right. I get so horny when I see the sparkling night view."


"Haha! Grass!"


Unlike Ayashiro's undertones, I feel a sense of personal danger over here. In a way, Kirin-san is the 'ideal woman' that men imagine. She's flirtatious, kind, beautiful, and erotic. Although she has a long history with men, I am sure there are many men who would fall in love with her. I think it's fun to drink with someone like that.


"Hey," she says, "Tell me something romantic."


"Do you expect that from a guy? I'm sure there are a lot of guys out there who would love to have a drink with you. But you're pretty girly to want to hear a romantic story, aren't you, Kirin-san?"


"That's right. Even if a girl has given up her virginity, she still believes that a prince will come. If that's the case, why are they sleeping with guys other than prince? That's strange. Fufufu."


I felt a somewhat self-deprecating shadow in Kirin-san's eyes as she looked at the night view. It looked somewhat sad.


"I like architecture. That's why I naturally became interested in things like ruins."


"Ruins? The Jomon period? Pyramids?"


"Well, something like that. And, you know, the first human dwellings were probably caves. And that's where he left his murals."


"Caveman paintings?"


"Yes. A painting. But that's what's interesting. Nowadays. Speaking of pictures, maybe it's like manga. Manga has a story, right?"


"Yes. That's right. There are romances and battles and all kinds of things."


"I heard that murals from primitive times also have stories if you look closely. There is a painting that can be interpreted in many different ways. One of the interpretations is that it shows a man looking up at an animal ascending to heaven. The primitive people believed that that animal would ascend to heaven and become a constellation. That's the story. Just like we look at the night sky now, people used to look at the sky..."


Kirin-san listened quietly to my story. She had a strange look on her face that somehow seemed both serious and dazed.


"Heh...it's kind of a strange story, isn't it? I wonder if I can become a constellation when I ascend to heaven? Hey? Will you be watching me then?"


"I'd rather watch the constellations with you than watch you become one. I'm sure it will be much more fun that way."


I smile and turn my attention to the night view. Kirin-san also smiled and turned her eyes to the nightscape.


"...Well...yeah...I don't know why...the night view looks so beautiful today..."


"I see. Then I'm glad."


Kirin-san and I stand side by side looking at the night view. I noticed that Kirin-san was resting his head on my shoulder. The comfortable weight and the provocative sweet scent of musk perfume. The stimulating sensation fills my heart.


"Hmm? Huh? Are you Tokiwa?!"


Someone calls out to me from behind. I and Kirin-san turn around. There was a tall, stocky man. I knew him.


"Wow! You're with the most beautiful woman I've ever seen! Introduce us!"


The guy was approaching us slowly. I didn't expect to meet him here.


"It's been a while, Imayuri."


Imayuri Ritsuki, an acquaintance from my hometown. We went to elementary, junior high and high school together.


"Oh, yeah! What is it? Didn't you fail the university entrance exam and get a job in Sapporo? Why are you in Tokyo?"


"...I got into university here, so I moved to Tokyo."


"Kuhaha! Seriously! How many ronin did you have! That's hilarious! You're wasting too much of your life, aren't you? I don't even care about that! Who's that pretty girl over there? You'll never get a girlfriend, will you? How do you know her?"


Now, he is giving Kirin-san a rude look. Kirin-san tilts her head.


"Are you a friend of Hollywood-kun's?"


"Well, yes! We're classmates, so we're friends! We were together all through elementary, junior high and high school, right? I mean, what? Hollywood? Hahaha! That's so funny! Well, he had a nice face, but that's all he had going for him! Hey, hey, sis, leave Tokiwa alone and have a drink with me! He's so dark! Isn't it fun to hang out with him?"


"Not really, but...eh? What's the matter, Hollywood-kun? What's wrong?"


I definitely had a scary look on my face. After all, this guy was the one who had been a pestering and mounting me in my hometown, and more importantly, he was one of Igarashi's ex-boyfriends in the previous world.


"Eh? What? What? Did you get hurt by being told the truth? Hahaha! Well, look! He'll never get over his gloomy personality, so there's nothing he can do! Don't worry!"


This man's poor mounting has always irritated me. When I was in my hometown, I didn't talk back to him, so I let him get the better of me. I was having a good time, but it was ruined.


"Sis, I'm pretty amazing! I'm a senior at Hayao University, number four on the baseball team, and I'm a pitcher! I've even been asked to play professionally!"


In my previous world, this guy became a professional baseball player and star after graduating from Hayao University, which he entered with a sports recommendation. He made millions of dollars a year and dated Igarashi, who was a female announcer. Well, they broke up. And when Igarashi and I were dating, he persistently followed me around and asked me to give her back together with him. I remember it was very difficult to deal with him because I couldn't persuade him. So in the end, somehow... he ended up getting involved in baseball betting regardless of his own will, and somehow ... he got mixed up in asphalt and became a stain on the road... I feel very sorry for him.


"Heh. I see. But I've already experienced professional baseball players, so I guess I don't mind your bat."


Kirin-chan's way of refusing was very crude.


"Heh, heh. But I'm a current student at Hayao University, so I'm better off than someone who's been through a lot!"


"But Hollywood-kun, you're at the Imperial Capital University, right?"


"What? Tokiwa is the Imperial Capital University? No way! Sister, he is fooling you! He always got bad grades on his tests!"


"But it's true, right?"


Kirin-san urged me on, and I reluctantly pulled out my Imperial Capital University student ID card from my wallet and showed it to Imayuri. He rolled his eyes and looked surprised.


"You're kidding...? Kodaisei?! That's impossible..."


I don't think the Kodai brand is half as great as it sounds. Even if you walk around with a beard and get questioned by a policeman, he will let you go rather quickly if you show him your student ID card. Thank God for brands.


"I mean. I'm feeling horny with Hollywood-kun right now."


Saying that, Kirin-san kissed me hard on my cheek. Even as our lips parted, I could still feel something. I'm sure there's a lipstick hickey left.


"I don't care about what he used to be. Not only that, I don't care about you either. Don't get in our way!"


Kirin-san hugs my neck tightly and glares annoyedly at Imayuri.


"Ah...ugh...damn!"


Imayuri must have lost his patience, because he turned his back and walked away from us.


"Wow, that's a great hickey! Ufufu...let's take a picture of it!"


Kirin-san looked very happy as she took a picture of me with her phone.


"You can't take that mark off today! You embarrassed me the other day, so you should embarrassed yourself now, Hollywood-kun!"


"Kukuku...well, I'm no match for a grown woman. Haha!"


And me and Kirin-san enjoyed drinking until the last train. Then, as I was told, I went home and left that hickey there until morning.



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