🐱 Kozuki Haruka
Just before eight the next morning, Shin-ichi boarded the San-yo Main Line train from Onomichi bound for Okayama, when a female student rushed in in a panic. It was Kozuki Haruka, who had just been appointed class representative.
Haruka was a lively girl who talked a lot and rolled her eyes frequently. She said she was shy, but from what Shin-ichi could see, she didn't seem shy at all, though she wasn't exactly attention-seeking.
She appeared to have run to the station, her face flushed and out of breath. As she got on the train, she spotted Shin-ichi and grabbed the strap to stand next to him.
"It's unusual for Haruka to take such a last-minute train."
Shin-ichi spoke to them. The majority of Rakuraku Academy students were taking the train just before, which would allow them to easily make it in time for the start of school. Most of the junior and senior high school students on this train were wearing the stand-up collars and sailor uniforms of other schools. Apart from these two, there were no other students to be seen wearing the fashionable uniforms of Rakuraku students, both boys and girls, which consist of navy blue blazers and red ties.
"I was near the station when I remembered I had Japanese homework to do today, so I went back to get it."
"Haruka's eyes light up when it comes to Japanese. You can just write that down quickly at school. By the way, what is Japanese homework?"
"I'm shocked. You were told to choose a book to recommend to everyone and write a brief description. You were also told to be prepared because if you forget, a lot of points will be deducted."
"I see. In that case, I should write it at school too."
"Shin-ichi, what are you planning to write?"
"Hmm, maybe Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings' or 'The Hobbit.'"
"That's not okay."
Haruka pursed her lips. It was a strong no, but Shin-ichi thought her profile was cute.
"Why?"
"He said it had to be Japanese."
"I see. In that case, let's go with Kenji Miyazawa's 'Night on the Galactic Railroad.'"
"It has to be something suitable for junior high schoolers, not something that would appear in an elementary school textbook."
"That's a pain. In that case, Yasutaka Tsutsui's 'The Girl Who Leapt Through Time' would be fine. After all, the main character is a junior high school student."
"That doesn't seem like a problem."
"More importantly, what did you read, Haruka?"
"'I Am a Cat' by Natsume Soseki."
"What? You read such a difficult book?"
Shin-ichi was taken aback when Haruka mentioned the word "cat," but he kept quiet.
"Yes, I have. I've read 'Sanshiro', 'Kokoro', and 'Kusamakura'. I'm already in my third year of junior high school, so I can't keep reading 'Zukkoke the Trio' forever."
"Wow. I thought I was a bit of a book reader, but...I've completely lost."
"Hehe. But my favorite is still Lagerlöf's 'The Wonderful Adventures of Nils.'"
He thought about telling her about his nightmare with the ghost cat, but he was afraid of hurting her.
"By the way, I was really surprised by what Mr. Shimamura said yesterday."
"You mean the Akashic Seminar and the Ether thing?"
"Yeah. He's crazy. I just can't bring myself to like that teacher."
"Why?"
"I can't help but feel like what he says and what he really thinks are different."
"Really?"
"I'm sure. Haruka, you shouldn't go to the Akashic Seminar."
"I'm not going. I'm already fully booked with cram school and extracurricular activities."
"Really?"
"What good would a lie do? Anyway, Shin-ichi, why did you recently join the same geology club as me?"
"I've always liked amethysts, fossils, and stones like that. It's not that I like Haruka or anything. More importantly, why did you end up in a boring place like the Earth Science Club?"
Haruka blushed a little.
"It's simple. Right around the end of the war, there were a series of Nankai earthquakes around here. I heard that if another one happens, it'll be terrible, so I want to be prepared for it."
"That's surprisingly realistic."
"What do you mean by realistic?"
"Yeah, I mean, you are mercenary and not dreaming."
"Sorry about the lack of dreams!"
"No, that's not what I meant. I mean, unlike me, you're more down to earth..."
"Then you should have said that from the beginning."
"Hahaha. I'm not very good at talking."
Just then, the train stopped at Daimon Station. Haruka hurriedly jumped off and ran for the ticket gate.
"Wait!"
Shin-ichi called out to her back.
"What are you talking about?! If you don't run, you'll be late."
The road to school was a gentle uphill climb of about two or three hundred meters. Without even looking back, Haruka grabbed her bag and ran at full speed. Shin-ichi sighed and started running at his usual pace, which would at least avoid him being late.
