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V10 Story II – Part 03

I frowned. The subject line had a crying emoji for some reason.

Subject: ToT

Message: The cactus that Nanami-san gave me died. It hasn’t even been two weeks.

I opened the attached image to find a magnificent cactus wilted. It had somehow managed to retain its shape, but it was a sad sight nonetheless. I looked back at the sago palm. It was too big, but you never know until you try. I snapped a picture and attached it to my reply.

Subject: Sago Palm

Message: Sorry about the cactus. If you’re up for it, how about taking care of this one next?

My hand stopped. Aya’s warm and friendly smile popped into my head.

She might be able to help. I added a little note to the text.

Can I ask you for a favor?

I told her about our current client. I requested her to stay at a hotel, with us covering the expenses, while we waited in the adjacent room. A few minutes later, I received a reply.

Subject: So cute!

Message: That plant is adorable! A sago palm, huh? I’ll call it Sago-chan, then!

Sounds like the client’s in a bit of a bind. I’m thinking it might be better if she comes over to the apartment instead of a hotel.

How about the three of us stay together—me, Nanami-san, and her. I’ll even break out my pajamas and brand-new undies. We’ve got a toothbrush set for overnight guests too, so she can just come straight here.

I’ll give Nanami-san a heads up about the trouble. So, yeah, looking forward to it!

A surprising proposition. I replied with a simple, “Thank you. I owe you one,” and put my phone away. We had been given a lifeline out of nowhere.

I turned to Yuina and Yusuke. “Yuina-san, I have this female friend. Her name is Aya…”

I shared the contents of Aya’s message. This might be presumptuous of me.

Suddenly, Yuina prostrated herself, head down on the floor. “Thank you. Thank you so much,” she said tearfully. “And I’m very sorry. I don’t want to cause trouble for others, but the truth is, I’m at my limit. With company, I might be able to sleep. How can I thank you? I won’t forget this favor no matter what!”

“P-Please raise your head and get off the floor.”

“So your name’s gonna be Soga-chan,” Yusuke said. “Good for you. I wasn’t sure what to do with you when the old lady abandoned you. Odagiri-san, I’ll help carry Sago-chan.”

Yusuke lifted the pot, and I hastily grabbed one side. Yuina rose back up as well.

As we began to walk, I paused. A small question crossed my mind.

Why did Nanami gift Aya a cactus? Why did Nanami, who rarely invited people over, have a guest accommodation set in her house?

It sounds too good to be true.

I glanced back. She was still reclining on the leather couch. The hem of her red kimono was turned up. She recrossed her legs. Her thick lips savored something.

Blood-like juice dripped steadily. I could only see the red thing as flesh.

She was a glutton, all right. Several droplets slid down above her ample chest.

*** put on a reassuring sneer.

“Rest assured. I’m currently in a period of relaxation. I’m not expecting entertainment from you.”

“I doubt you understand what I’m saying. But it doesn’t matter.”

“I’ll tell you one thing. Doubt and caution are currently pointless and unnecessary.”

“Go, Odagiri-kun. Knock yourself out.”

Her palm, resembling a white butterfly, fluttered. Her cat-like eyes blinked slowly.

Mayuzumi elegantly waved her hand. Her dress, black as mourning clothes, was as lovely as ever.

These were obvious facts. I cocked my head. I felt like I had just awakened from a dream.

“I understand. Bye, Mayu-san.”

And so, the three of us departed from the living room. The air, oblivious to the winter chill outside, was shut behind us.

The outside world was painted in a surreal gray.

“No.”

The door swung open, and that was the first thing I heard.

We all froze. Nanami, standing before us, wore a wide smile on her face. Aya fidgeted nervously behind her. She peeked her head out and swiftly retracted it.

Yusuke, holding the sago palm with me, nodded gravely.

“Yeah, that’s more like it. That’s the little girl I know.”

I wanted to ask him what he was so proud about. Behind us, Yuina was shrinking, her entire body pleading to disappear.

Aya jumped, her short ponytail bobbing up and down. “Um, Nanami-san,” she said anxiously. “That person needs help, and Odagiri-san—”

“If you thought I would give my approval, then you don’t really know me at all, Odagiri-san. We’ve known each other for quite a while now. Unfortunate.”

Nanami’s smile did not touch her eyes. A chill ran down my spine. Nanami inclined her head adorably.

“I hate to say this, Odagiri-san, but society operates on give-and-take. It’s a simple concept that even a grade school student knows. And that sago palm is ridiculously huge.”

“Sh-She’s finally taken off her mask,” Yusuke said, swallowing hard.

I barely managed to stop my feet from retreating. Nanami was unusually aggressive today. But there was some truth in her words. We just came uninvited, and if that wasn’t rude enough, we were asking her for help. I got why she would be angry.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I intend to pay for the accommodation, of course. Still, I understand that it’s too much trouble. I apologize for—”

“Oh. Well, you should’ve mentioned that earlier! If you’re good on cash, then I don’t mind helping. Of course, I will decide how much you owe me.”

“That’s fine by me,” I replied.

Yusuke looked up at the sky. “I’m so powerless. A friend is digging his grave in front of me, and I couldn’t say anything. Not that me saying anything would’ve changed a thing.”

I didn’t quite understand what he meant, but his expression was dark. In contrast, Nanami flashed a perfect, bright smile.

“It’s settled, then,” she said. “Come in. I’d tell the roach to go home, but oh well. So, who’s the lady?”

“M-My name is Morimoto Yuina. Um, is it really okay? I was listening to the conversation, and I’m fully aware that I’m causing trouble, so maybe I should just go. I’m really sorry!”

With teary eyes, Yuina turned to leave, but Nanami firmly grabbed her arm and dragged her inside.

“Huh? Uh, why are you dragging me? I’m heavy. Ah!”

“What are you babbling about? You’re already here,” Nanami said. “I don’t like indecisive people. If you’re going to come in, then do it quick. You’re such a handful.”

“Wh-What? O-Okay! Thank you for letting me iiiiiin!”

Yuina’s pitiful scream faded away as she was dragged all the way inside.

A moment later, Aya appeared and hugged the sago palm we were carrying.

“Sago-chan! I-I’ll ask Nanami-san again later, so could you carry it inside? I want a successor to Cac-chan. I won’t let it rot this time!”

“Okay. I’ll talk to Nanami about it as well,” I said. “Thanks a lot for the help, Aya.”

“I doubt that girl will listen to us, though,” Yusuke said. “Maybe it’s gonna rain blood.”

Yusuke looked up at the sky again. We carried the sago palm inside.

Yuina and Nanami settled in front of the low table. Nanami served tea to the stunned guest before addressing us.

“For tonight’s dinner, I’ll leave it to Aya-san and Odagiri-san. I will take it easy. Please go buy some ingredients.”

She casually began munching on sesame rice cracker. She picked up a chili pepper rice cracker and handed it to Yuina. She accepted it quietly, nibbling with teary eyes.

“Understood, Nanami-san!” Aya and I said at the same time.

Nanami did not turn to look at us. Seizing the opportunity, we discreetly brought the sago palm into the kitchen for the time being. Then, a question struck me. I couldn’t see the old landlady anywhere. I had not seen her for a long time that I had forgotten about her existence.

Peeking out from the kitchen, I asked, “By the way, Nanami-san, where’s your grandmother?”

“Granny is on a trip to Atami with her friends. She won’t be back for a few days.”

Okay. If she said so, it must be true.

But then suddenly, my vision blurred. An anxious voice rang in my ear.

“Shouldn’t you be suspicious about that?”

The voice vanished swiftly. I studied the familiar kitchen.

Aya and Yusuke were poking the palm leaves. Everyone had gathered on this chilly day.

There was only one food to make: hot pot.