Chapter 48: 48: Crowded Train Scene

Regardless of whether it was a holiday or a workday, Tokyo's trains were always packed to the brim. Getting the train doors to close smoothly was the most troublesome task for station staff every day. To ensure the train could depart, they had to muster all their strength to push passengers inside just to barely get the doors shut. Amidst the crowded train, a young girl quietly read a book in her hands. It was as if an invisible barrier shielded her from the noise around her—no sound could reach her ears. The midday sunlight was bright and gentle. Through the train window, the sunlight cast a soft golden glow upon her brows and eyes, giving her cool, elegant face an ethereal radiance. The scene before one's eyes was as beautiful as a painting. It gave the illusion that even if the world were to end, the girl would remain there, engrossed in her book. Resting against her shoulder was a handsome young man. His features were well-defined, with a sculpted, angular face, gracefully arched eyebrows, and subtly opened double eyelids that exuded an understated Eastern charm. His prominent yet refined nose was strikingly attractive, and his sharp, well-contoured jawline flowed smoothly, giving off an air of nobility and indulgence. He was truly a beautiful young man. A perfect fusion of Western bone structure and Eastern skin, harmonizing sharpness with softness to the extreme. He possessed a beauty that transcended regions, styles, ages, and cultures—a beauty that anyone could recognize and appreciate. Perhaps afraid of disturbing him, the girl had maintained the same posture for a full five minutes. Yet, whenever she stole a glance at the boy resting against her shoulder, her gaze overflowed with affection. With a handsome young man and an elegant beauty, anyone looking at them would only have one thought: "A perfect match." Just by standing together, they were a feast for the eyes. "Please, you two, just get married already." A few aesthetic connoisseurs on the train silently offered their blessings. Everyone assumed they were a sweet couple, but in reality, Komi Shouko didn't even know the boy leaning against her shoulder—Kitahara Takashi. She only vaguely remembered him stepping on her foot earlier on the way to school. But knowing someone and recognizing them were two different things. 'What should I do? Should I push him away? But that would wake him up, right? He looks really exhausted... but I need to get off soon.' Beneath Komi Shouko's stunningly composed face, no one could have imagined that an intense inner struggle was unfolding within her. She wanted to push Takashi away, but she simply couldn't >_<!!! Even though she had made up her mind and played out the scenario in her head countless times, when it came time to act, her nerves paralyzed her. "Ochanomizu Station." Regardless of Komi Shouko's internal turmoil, the train faithfully arrived at its next scheduled stop. 'I have to get off!!!' As if making some grand decision, Komi Shouko snapped her book shut with a loud "clap!" and turned to face her dilemma. 'You got this, Shouko! You can do it!' She mentally cheered herself on, her eyes resolute as if they could pierce through the fog of uncertainty. This time, she was determined to wake him up. Komi Shouko was brimming with resolve, her aura practically radiating power. To an outsider, she might have looked like a warrior about to step into a cage fight. And then... nothing happened. She stared straight at Takashi, yet even as the train doors slowly slid shut, she still hadn't woken him. 'As expected... I just can't do it.' Watching the train doors close, Komi Shouko looked utterly defeated, her head drooping in despair. The Coward Squad scores another point. 'It's all your fault.' Komi Shouko glared at Takashi with deep resentment. Her frustration burned so intensely that her sharp, cat-like eyes softened into round, beady ones as she tried to wake him up with sheer willpower. Takashi, of course, felt the 'intense' gaze upon him. At this moment, in his deep sleep, he was dreaming of living it up on a luxurious yacht, extravagantly throwing money around. Surrounding him were beautiful women of all skin tones (except dark), each with their own exotic charms, swaying to the rhythm of the party. He had decided—once he was done making it rain, it was time to throw a silver-tier party! "Heh heh heh..." Looking back at the exotic beauties around him, Takashi grinned ear to ear like a mischievous Gengar. His entire life, he had walked on thin ice, serving women like a loyal dog, answering their every beck and call, all for this very moment. Cue the music! Keep dancing! This yacht party was going to last for three days and three nights! 'Oh no, he's drooling.' Komi Shouko watched in horror as Takashi's drool dribbled from the corner of his mouth. Her round, beady eyes widened even further. So disgusting! First time meeting? He stepped on her foot. Second time meeting? He fell asleep on her shoulder and drooled on her. What's next? Takashi was too much. Komi Shouko had tolerated him again and again. But now, she has reached her limit. A line must be drawn. And yet... she still chose to endure. Yes, Komi Shouko, in an utterly spineless fashion, surrendered once again. Annoying her was like kicking a cotton ball. Cross her bottom line, and she would simply lower it further. 'When is he going to wake up...?' "If you don't love me, then return my heart to me~" Just as Takashi was about to undergo his grand transformation from boy to man, his phone rang. His dream shattered. Takashi woke up. Filled with resentment. Why did men always wake up right at the critical moment of their dreams? Answer: The rendering module encountered missing assets and crashed. In simpler terms— Brain: "Hey, idiot, wake up. I can't keep making this up." Under these circumstances, Takashi waking up without a trace of frustration would be truly ghostly. "Hello?!" Still groggy, Takashi remained leaning on Komi Shouko's shoulder as he answered the phone. 'He's still leaning on me?! He's still leaning on me?! Too much!!!' Komi Shouko's face puffed up in anger. 'How adorable.' To the onlookers, however, her reaction only made her look even cuter. "Takashi, why aren't you here yet?! Where are you?!" It was Maki's voice. "I'm at Da—" Takashi stopped mid-sentence. Daikubo??? Where even was that?! "Why aren't you saying anything? Did something happen?!" Maki's voice was laced with concern. "I'm almost there. Just two more stops." Ah, the universal excuse of the perpetually late: "Just around the corner," or "Only two stops away." When you're actually close, you don't even bother answering the phone. "Alright, I'll wait for you then." Maki believed him. She really thought Takashi was almost there. After hanging up, Takashi let out a heavy sigh. Technically he's not lying. He really was almost there. Almost at the starting station of the JR Chuo Line. Feeling something damp at the corner of his mouth, he raised his hand to wipe it away, but his arm brushed against something soft. What was that? Takashi turned his head. And met Komi Shoko's pitch-black, beady eyes. ___ 20 Advanced Chapters available on p@ tr eon (.) com/HalflingFics Also, please point out my mistakes in the comment, thank you! Don't forget to leave a review too~ [5 bonus chapter if we reach 10 reviews] Check out the other translations too: [Mash-Up: Anything For Money] ___