Chapter 47: Gathering in Nakano
Happy times always pass so quickly. Even for a Campione, this holds true.
After happily teasing his little sister—and quickly retreating once he saw the silly girl was so desperate to change the subject that she was bordering on acting like a pimp—Hikigaya enjoyed a delicious midnight snack, soaked in the hot spring, and went to sleep.
When he woke up, the sun was already high in the sky.
Since he had promised Komachi yesterday that he wouldn't bother her while she played today, Hikigaya didn't play any pranks on her. Instead, he washed up normally, changed his clothes, and headed out.
A class reunion is always a favorite setting for "doujinshi" plots, but in reality, they aren't usually that "eventful"; rather, showing off is the daily program. It's understandable—as the ancients said, "To gain wealth and honor and not return to one's home is like wearing silk in the night." The implication is that if you don't show off, you might as well be dead.
To be fair, regardless of whether relationships were good or bad in school, as long as they hadn't reached the point where you wanted to hack each other to death on sight, classmates do have a natural sense of affinity in social circles. Since there is affinity, one naturally can't help but show off a little. Correspondingly, a small show is endearing, but overdoing it ruins one's character—one shouldn't hope for a plot where someone "shows off until they die" like in a novel; by comparison, the probability of a "doujin" plot happening is actually slightly higher.
However, if the timeframe is limited to the university years, the feelings are truly just pure classmate sentiments. Thus, Hikigaya was looking forward to it, especially after he had just killed over a hundred thousand people on another continent. After eating too much meat, one craves some greens for a change of pace.
Hikigaya originally wanted to find a nice place to treat everyone, but Miura insisted there was no need for such extravagance; as long as everyone could gather, it would be enough. Hikigaya went along with the crowd.
The cost of living in Tokyo is said to be the third-highest in the world, though Hikigaya didn't think it was that exaggerated—at least the prices were within an acceptable range.
The plan for the gathering was cherry blossom viewing, located in Nakano District.
In March, the falling blossoms are like drifting snow. Wandering leisurely around the flowering branches is the essence of a picnic. Every year on March 15th is Japan's Cherry Blossom Festival. Young men and women watch the vast blankets of soft petals falling gently in the slightly cold wind with romantic longings and wishes.
There is a Japanese proverb, "The Cherry Blossom's Seven Days." At the time of blooming, they exhaust all their beauty—charming, seductive, and graceful—only to wither heroically
after a brief period of brilliance, freezing their life at its most beautiful moment. This beauty of life is what the Japanese people admire most.
According to the Meteorological Bureau's forecast in early March, Tokyo's cherry blossoms were supposed to bloom on March 21st. However, due to a sudden cold snap, the blooming period was delayed. Now, the sky has cleared and the temperature has warmed up. Having endured the last round of spring chill, Tokyo's cherry blossoms have welcomed their day of blooming.
As Hikigaya walked down the street, he saw the roads filled with cherry blossoms, with passersby constantly taking photos with their phones.
Nakano District is located in the northwest of Tokyo, belonging to the outer edge of the city center. Compared to the inner city, the atmosphere of daily life is much richer here. Along both sides of the main street, decorations for the festival were already set up, and the area was packed with crowds viewing the flowers.
Because someone was temporarily tied up with business, the actual gathering time was delayed, but Hikigaya still set out early just to feel the atmosphere of the festival.
The cherry blossoms in Nakano are a pinkish-white. By the time the sun sets in the west, the pink fades, and the street is filled with white flowers blooming above people's heads, looking like reachable white elves—pure and flawless.
Hikigaya took the Oedo Subway Line north to Hikarigaoka. There is a very large park here where everyone had agreed to meet. Upon arriving at the rendezvous point, Hikigaya found that someone had arrived even earlier than him.
"Hachiman."
Miura, dressed in a kimono, was waving to Hikigaya.
In all fairness, Japanese girls look truly beautiful in kimonos. This was also the first time Hikigaya had seen Miura wearing one. The loose yet long, elegant, and vibrant kimono made her look charming and delicate, revealing the girl's beautiful, slender neck. The lines were soft, and her skin was fair and jade-like, making her appear particularly captivating and sexy.
Hikigaya had to admit that although the garment was derived from the Hanfu, much like the Tea Ceremony and cherry blossoms, the Japanese were indeed very "slick" in their application of "cultural appropriation." In ancient times, because of the habit of kneeling (seiza), the leg shape of Japanese people was quite poor; however, the kimono can perfectly conceal the shortcomings of Japanese women while displaying their beautiful sides as much as possible.
Miura's figure and facial features were already of a high standard, but in a kimono, she looked even better. This goes to show that the face is actually the most important thing—no matter how much an outfit can turn decay into magic, you can't wear the clothes on your face, right? For example, if someone looked like Sargeras crawling out of his grave, then no one could help them.
"Sorry, I'm late." Hikigaya walked forward, sounding somewhat apologetic. Whether in bed or out of it, making a girl wait is not considered a polite thing to do.
"It's okay, I just arrived," Miura smiled reservedly, her face slightly flushed.
Hikigaya expressed his great appreciation for Miura's character, because based on his nearly microscopic ability to sense life energy, if Miura hadn't been waiting for at least half an hour, he'd change his name to "Bitch-guy-eating-rice."
"Shall we go grab a spot first?"
"Okay."
The two walked along the street toward the center of the park. Night had fallen and the temperature had cooled, but Miura's heart was warm; just walking like this made her very happy. Although the narrow road was packed with pedestrians, and street performers, jugglers, and cart vendors had joined the fray, in Miura's eyes, there was only her, Hikigaya, and the cherry blossoms.
Arriving at the center of the park, the interlaced cherry trees looked like clouds. Whenever a light breeze blew through the blooming blossoms, petals would fall one after another. Walking with the flow of people, the area was filled with visitors sitting on the ground—some viewing the flowers in lively groups of two or three, others alone—all finding their own joy.
The spring breeze blew against Miura's face, and it also stirred the countless cherry blossom petals settled in her heart. She wanted to say something but was worried it would ruin the atmosphere.
Then, she heard someone calling her and Hikigaya's names. She saw Hayama and the others. Hikigaya saw them too.
"Hachiman! Yumiko! Over here! Over here!"
The blonde "Ultra-Normie" whom Hikigaya hadn't seen in a long time was waving his arm vigorously under a cherry tree. A checkered picnic mat was already spread out under the tree, with a basket of food and even a hot pot.
"Yo!" Hikigaya responded with a smile and walked over with Miura.
From a distance, the cherry trees don't look like they have many flowers because the blossoms are so small, but from up close, you realize how dense they are.
"Hayama, you're here so early?" Hikigaya thought to himself that he really had spent too much time on the road.
"Haha, I was afraid there wouldn't be any spots if I came late," the "Great Blonde" laughed brightly. "Long time no see."
It was a pity "Little Blonde" wasn't here, truly a pity. However, while Little Blonde was absent, a certain fujoshi was present, busy fiddling with the hot pot. Seeing Hikigaya, Ebina smiled and nodded, then returned her focus to the pot.
"Is anyone else coming?" Hikigaya asked Hayama.
"Only those of us currently in Tokyo. Oh, by the way, isn't Yukinoshita-san coming?"
"She seems to have some business and went back to Chiba," Hikigaya said. This was the truth; although Hikigaya didn't know what it was, both sisters said they had to go back and wouldn't be back for a few days.
"I see..." Hayama first showed an expression of regret, but quickly cheered up again. "That's a shame. We'll just have to wait for the next opportunity. Hachiman, how about some drinks today?"
"Sure."
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