The picturesque rice cakes are delicious today

... shut up.My mother is saying something, and I've been silent.

I was asked why. Why did you score poorly? Why couldn't you solve this problem?'.

I didn't have enough time to study.

... I'm sure you won't be satisfied with this.And then it starts, "Why didn't you have enough time to study?'.

I should have memorized it, but I couldn't remember it.

... this is no good either."Why didn't you remember?'.

I was nervous. My hands trembled and my head became pure white, and I couldn't make it on the way.

... he's the worst. Are you going to fail again?'. It worries me again.

I know. Maybe my parents are worried.I'm worried. That's why I'm still asking so many questions.

We need to reassure them.We need to reassure them.

That's why I have to give you a reason.Something that convinces me and reassures me.

... but I was really bad at making excuses and telling lies.

After all, I couldn't answer any of the questions.When she asked all the questions, she seemed to have settled down a little, sighing and saying, "Study."That's why I'm going to the library.

There were not many people in the library study space.

After looking at the space with a slightly lonely impression, I try to sit at the end of the table and open the reference books and notebooks.

... but the pencil doesn't work.My head hasn't moved much.

I think I have to study, but I can't move my head.

Opens the bibliography page, but the text doesn't get into your head.I put a red sheet on or off the orange text, but I can't read the text.

... that's when it happened.

"Hi, it's been a while."

A skinny, tall man stood before me. [M]

"Ah"

"Togo boy. Do you remember me?

"Of course."

I get up in a hurry.When I see the person in front of me, I feel brighter on my own.Even though nothing has been solved, I feel like something will be solved from now on.

"Um... 'Sensei'?

I hesitated a little, but, yes, I'll call you.... then the man laughed a little.

"That's right. That's right.I was a teacher.Yeah. "

"Sensei" looks at me with a nostalgic look, and then looks at my bag, which was next to me.

"Oh, I see.You're a junior high school student!

"Yes"

I don't have a landsell.I'm not an elementary school student anymore.

"All right, all right. Nice work, Togo boy!You're a bit of an adult now, aren't you?In the meantime, congratulations on your admission!

That's what makes me wonder.But it's an unusual word, but I'm glad.

... such a twist, my gaze is stung.of a librarian or another user of the space.

"... sometimes I remember, this is the library, right?I'm not good at talking. "

That's right. We were a little noisy.

"No, I'm sorry.I saw a face, so I followed it and called out.Were you studying?I'm sorry to bother you. "

"No, you know..."

The teacher said that smelly and quickly left.I tried to hold it aggressively, but I had no reason to hold it, and I couldn't say anything.

... but...

"... or are you going to skip?

The teacher turned around and said so with a smiling face.

It's like you know what I'm thinking.

You don't have to tell me why.

... that's why I say it unexpectedly.

"... I'm scratching."

"Okay, that's a good answer, Togo boy!Let's get out of here before they get mad!

The teacher says so and leaves the study space early.I chase after them in a hurry. [M]

"This is when the expression 'Sarasa' should be used."

"Rubbish....."

I left the library chasing after the teacher in a mood. [M]

... uh, it's just a little rusty.Sarasa.

That's how we came to the café.

... I've been here before.Uh, sure, 'Coffee is a shitty shop.It is a mystery why I am naming the cafe. "

When I got in there, Karan Karan and the doorbell sounded, the teacher rushed through the chaotic shop... and sat in the counter seat.

"All right, Master, always."

And she says so dressed up.Wow. It's like a story scene.

"As usual, Professor Utsumi.I'm sure you're always different. "

But it's not like it's a story.Ah, but this is it...

"Yeah, that's right.I shouldn't have dressed weird.Uh... okay.Then I'll have milk tea and apple pie.You, Togo boy?

When the teacher asks, I panic. [M]Uh, I've never ordered anything like this.

"Um, the same guy...."

That's why the order was placed, but it was accepted with a smile.That's good.

After we order, the café master starts to move beyond the counter and the milk tea starts to smell good.Wow. Milk tea smells so good.

... when I was thinking about that, I realized that I kept quiet.

The teacher is looking at me a little bit, but, um, this is really awkward.It's like I've retained my teacher, but there's nothing to say...

"Ah, you like milk tea?

That's why I ask.

"Hmm? Well, if you like it or not, I like it.Did you notice anything?

"Um... well, I ordered it."

... what a reason.I wish I could talk better.

"Hmm. Well, if it's going to fall apart, Togo.No particular reason!

But the teacher doesn't seem to care about my bad conversation, and he answers with a full smile.

"... no, I really don't.This shop is fine as long as you don't order coffee.Everything else is delicious.Because all the delicacies that should be assigned to coffee go to other menus, that's for sure. "

"Professor Utsumi! I can hear you!

If you look a little serious and think you said something, this is it.The master also pretends to blame the teacher's words with a bitter smile.The teacher laughed at the shards... and then stared me in the eye and said.

"Well, that's probably not very interesting even if you let me talk about my order."

That was interesting enough, but...

"So, can you tell me your story, Togo?"

... I see. After all, the teacher seems to know how I feel. [M]

I'm a little hesitant to ask... but...

"... um..."

"Yeah."

"Well, how can you make a good excuse?"

... I asked you honestly.

"... Master. Do I look like I have a good excuse?

I'm not.

I see. Thank you very much.I thought, "Come on, Concho."

Listening to the teacher, I was a little anxious. [M]I wonder if he was rude to hear this.

... but you weren't particularly uncomfortable, were you?It answers with an understandable smile.

"An excuse depends on the situation.I've been a professional with a lot of excuses since I was born, so to speak, but I don't know what kind of situation to use..... "

I was told a terrible thing.Really? An excuse professional.I feel kind of cool when the teacher says it.

"Um, about the poor results of the academic test."

"Er... woah, sorry Togolese boy.I don't like that either. "

... there seems to be a bad excuse for the excuse professionals.I see. On the contrary, what's the excuse I'm good at...

"An excuse? An excuse?Hmm... did you feel like you had a cold?Ah, my family had misfortune, and I was in a bad mood. "

"No, um, that's an excuse to keep me close to my family....."

So various things are useless.That's it.

I see. Cheng Cheng.... that means you won't be able to see it unless you tell a good lie.Um. "

"You know, lying, you know, a good excuse... for a reason..."

Stop the teacher who started thinking and say so.Is it well communicated?

"Why? I mean, honestly, is there only such a thing as' I thought I couldn't answer ',' I didn't remember when I thought I remembered ',' I ran out of time when I was in a hurry '?

"Yeah."

"That's right... ah, that's why you're thinking.Oh, my God. "

Yeah.... I'm sorry about that.I am in trouble with the teacher.

I'm sorry, but I'm sorry to be able to pull back what I asked you once, so I'll wait quietly.

"So... you want a reason?Or is it your family?

So the teacher said something a little strange, so I tilted my neck.

"... uh, my family,"

I see.

When I answered, the teacher looked a little sad.

I see. Your... parents, right?I want a reason for the poor results of your test. "

I nodded silently.Then the teacher nodded a bit... and sighed.

"Well... I guess I'm worried that there's no reason."

I almost asked you how you knew.But before that, the teacher's hand reached out.Surprised, your body is shrugging, but, poof, your hands are on your head.... oh.

"You're a good guy.Togo. You want to reassure your parents, don't you?

"... because I'm worried about you."

I see. I knew you were a good guy. "

I don't know where it is, but the teacher caresses my head fluffy.

"Well, humans are the creatures that ask for a reason.Somewhat helpless. I can't help it..... "

"... is that so?

I follow the teacher who is thinking about something and ask him.Oh, I don't think so.I wonder if I've disturbed you.

"Oh, yes, Mr. Togo.Yes. Humans are creatures who want a reason and can't wait!

But the teacher laughed and said, not angry with me. [M]

"... let's have an interesting story.Okay, Togo. Think about it. "

"A and B are close enough to know each other a little bit.One day, Mr. A got caught up with a salesman on the side of the road.Mr. B rushed there and aggressively helped Mr. A.... well. Which one do you like at this time?

... uh, suddenly something strange happened.Mm-hmm.

"... now that you've saved me, does Mr. A like Mr. B?

After thinking and answering, the teacher smiled slightly and made a x shape by hand.

"Unfortunately, the answer is that Mr. B will like Mr. A.... No, of course, Mr. A may like Mr. B, and I don't know.Well, there's something like that, let me think about it... ah, in that case, it doesn't make any sense?In the first place, it depends on what A and B look like.... "

The teacher seemed to realize that there was a problem with how to ask questions, so he began to think.Hmm, there's this guy here, right?

"Um, please explain."

In the meantime, I'd like to leave the troubled teacher alone and listen to the explanation.It bothers me.

"Oh, yeah. Yeah, that's right.Um... first of all, there's the premise that "Mr. B has no reason to like Mr. A."

Yeah, I know.There's a reason Mr. A got help.Mr. B... I saved you, so there's no reason... what?

I see. She looked as if she had noticed.Probably correct. "

The teacher laughs satisfactorily when he doesn't look inside my head. [M]

"Yes, Mr. B is satisfied for a reason that he 'liked' Mr. A."

"There's a reason. That's why I saved you.If that's the case, you know what I'm talking about.

Yeah, I know.

"That's what it is. Humans ask for a reason for every situation, every event.That's why B is trying to give a reason to himself who saved A's life... 'I see!I liked Mr. A!They mistook it for ".So I fell in love. "

... awesome.

Well, if you ask me why, I'll convince you.... ah, I also asked for a reason.I see. I want an explanation, and I want a reason...?

"... it's just...In that theory, I'm hot. [M]Reality is ruthless. "

That's what the teacher says with a smile.... I wonder if it's true.Sensei, I feel like it's going to be popular because it's cool.Or are excuse professionals not popular with women...?It's very popular with me.

"Um... then, that's it.Fair World Hypothesis "

The teacher turned away from the face of 'reality is ruthless' and slowly returned to his original face to continue the conversation.

"The world seems to be full of humans in a whimsical and irrational vortex, but humans want to believe in karma.That's why humans want to believe that good results had good deeds, and that bad results had bad deeds.I want to think that people who do bad things are bad people. "

... that's it.

"That's why the bad test results aren't because you're a bad kid, Togo."

That's right, when they say it... it's kind of, you know, amazing, what is it?

I wonder what this is.I don't think it's a problem, but nothing comes out.

"If you insist, you might be the unlucky one.Yeah, well, don't worry about it.There are good things to do if something bad happens... well, I think this is close to the fair world hypothesis... "

The teacher was a little worried, and then gently told me.

"I feel relieved that there is a reason.It's only natural.So sometimes it might be better to make a reason even where there is no reason.But that's not all. "

The teacher's words seemed to be addressed to me, as well as to the teacher himself.It's a strange thought.

"There's no reason to lose it.I don't need a reason to like people.Feel free to order milk tea.That's how it is. You must not be afraid that there is no reason.... or maybe you should find out in yourself what the 'real' reason is.Yeah. "

That said, the teacher thought about it again... and said with a little pathetic face.

"... so why don't you tell your parents' I don't have any particular reason, but I'll study hard '?No, can't I...?

... well, maybe my parents won't be convinced of that, I guess.I wonder why I feel like I'm going to do something about it.

"Well, even if you ask me why, I think it's better to feed someone else and distract them.You think I'm gonna hit you with something more worrisome?'By the way, I caught a cold', but 'I'm worried about elective subjects'... ah, isn't this middle school?No, well, anyway...What do you think? What do you think?

"Yeah, it's amazing."

Stream stones, excuse professionals.I see. I'll give you another feed and distract you.I don't know if I can do it, but let's try it.It seems that the print of the announcement of the tripartite meeting will just arrive...

If I thought about it, there would be cups and plates in front of us. [M]It's a milk tea that makes you feel hot, and an apple pie that feels a little muscular.

"Well, just in time, there's milk tea and apple pie, Togo.The apple pie comes with vanilla ice cream.I mean, what do you think that means?

... the teacher laughed before I thought about it.

"If you don't eat it, it'll melt!Come on, eat it, eat it!All right, let's eat!

Mm-hmm.

All right, let's eat!

I ate. I drank.It was delicious.

... it kind of calmed down.But you're fluffy... eh, are you feeling brighter?I don't think so.

"Well, then, it's time to go.It would be difficult for you to explain to your parents that your notebook doesn't show any more signs of study.... "

Oh, that's right.If I go back now and study in the library... yeah.I think I can.

The master of the café said, "Thank you for assembling the plan" Where to study the reference book "in my head.... ah.

"Um, money."

You didn't pay for me!

"Hmm? Oh, the payment's over, Togo."

"I can pay for it myself."

I hurry to get my wallet out of my bag.I can't let the teacher cum.I have money now. [M]Petty cash, so I can pay for it.

... but...

I see. Well, let me buy you something.It's your middle-school entrance celebration. "

The teacher said that and reached out to me again. [M]I was a little surprised again, but the teacher's hand just popped slightly over my head.

I see. Well, if you're worried, maybe you can be my partner sometimes. "

Then the teacher says that again.

... aggressively, I don't understand the meaning.Uh, what does that mean?

"Are you going to use the library again?

"Yes"

I see. Then we'll see each other again.Sometimes... when you're not busy, that's fine.I'm glad you could talk to me for a minute. "

The teacher says such a thing.I'm happy, but I'm happy...

"Why is that... ah?"

"Ha ha ha. Hey, hurry up, you're asking for a reason!?That's funny! I mean, you and I are human!I can't help it, I can't help it!

I mean, I can't learn what I was talking about, uhh...It's kind of embarrassing. But because the teacher laughs fun, I feel like it's okay.

I see. When you asked me why, it was okay to say that there was no reason for this.Or because I seem to like you. [M]But that doesn't seem to satisfy the exploratory Togolese boy's feelings... hmm "

The teacher thinks with a little laugh... and then puts a finger up in front of his face and laughs a lot and says,

"When I talk to you, my work progresses.So... I don't know.Of course, it doesn't matter once or twice, and only when I feel like it.It doesn't matter if it's two or three years from now.How's it going? "

As I walked from the café to the library, I felt a strange feeling that my body was light.

... it's done.There's a reason.

I have a good reason to go to the library. [M]Then, I was able to talk to the teacher about the reason.

I'm kind of glad... I feel free.It's weird, but that's how it works.I'm glad. It's fun. It feels light.

Why is it so fun to talk to the teacher?Why does it make me feel lighter when I talk to my teacher?

... yeah.

I'm sure there's no reason.That's what I'll do.

I wonder when we'll see each other again. Maybe in a month. Maybe two months... maybe more.

I hope it's too soon. I'm looking forward to it.



Chapter IX: There's No Reason



... when I woke up, I was on the cold floor.

My body hurts. My head is blurry.

... when I looked around with my blurred eyes, it seemed like a jail cell.I remember this kind of jail when I was taken and locked up with Faye.

But Faye isn't here.... nobody but me.

Um, what's wrong with me?Certainly, gray hands grabbed me, grabbed me, and...

"... I feel like I've been grabbed."

Yeah. Maybe I was grabbed...

Uh, first of all, I'm not tied up.That's good. But even if I call, neither the phoenix nor the tube fox will come.I have the gems with me...

... no way, Phoenix and Tube Fox haven't been badly hit somewhere, have they?

Scared. Scared.I'm really worried.

But... it's okay.It's not the worst yet.I have the paintings. It's okay. It's okay.It's okay. It's okay.

I take my portable watercolor equipment out of my boots and start drawing quickly.

First of all...

... yeah.

"Um, can I get the key out, this?"

Uh, I don't know what to draw to get out of jail.

I don't think it's a good idea to draw a key.I don't know the key to this jail, and I can't help it.

Then I thought I'd have to draw a new tube fox or something, but if I want to do that, I have to draw a sketchbook first.Because I can't draw a lot of things on small paper.

So in the meantime, let's get out the sketchbook and draw a tube fox.So, the tube fox came out of the cell and checked the situation a little bit more.Ask him to fetch the key and escape.All right.

If I draw a tube fox and let it out, it will be the second one, but it can't be helped.Fine. You can dive into the sleeves of my shirt at the same time.For now, I feel like I have to get out of this cell.

The tube fox is always watching, so I can draw more.I painted the tube fox and finished wearing the colors, so...

... that.

I can't answer.

I'm writing in a bit of a hurry.I thought I might have pulled out too much.I don't think so.

... but it won't come out.Tube fox can't be born.

Scared of twitching, I'll draw a cake. [M]Then, the barley tea is too thick.

... this is coming out.When I ate it, it was usually barley tea with mochi.Yeah, it's delicious.

Um, in other words, you can serve mochi and barley tea, but you can't serve tube foxes...?

I thought a lot about whether the watercolour equipment was old enough to make it magical, and next I drew a paint and put it out.

... but I drew a paint for magic painting, and the paint flew away to an incredible place, and I was stunned again.

I can't operate it at all. This is the feeling of using a magic stone paint with little magic.

That means... maybe I'm in the same condition as wearing a seal.

I can only draw what I've been able to put out as soon as I've come to this world.Maybe it's just like lack of magic.

Bad. Bad. I didn't expect this to happen.

I'm anxious, but I can't find a solution.At least if the tube fox and phoenix come back... ah, maybe the tube fox and phoenix are in the gems, but they can't come out because of lack of magic!?

... wow, what do I do, what do I do?

I was anxious to find out if there was anything in my pockets, but the fairy candy and the cracked pencil, as well as the starry sky shards I got from a strange customer the other day, and the white part of the bread that I was trying to replace the forest pebble and eraser just came out.

And then...

"... uhh"

And, and, and, and, you can hear the footsteps heading this way.