Takezawa's Ghost - Episode 27
“Is this Kato Mei correct?”
　I showed Michi the photo I took last night of Mei, Hirose, and me.
“… Yeah. That’s right.”
　Michi replies, but it looks like she wants to say something.
　I guess the photo of the man who was supposedly living with her going to a cabaret club was pretty creepy after all.
　However, that was to gather information. Shouldn’t he at least explain that he didn’t go there of his own volition?
　No, I’m gross, so it doesn’t matter.
“Who is this woman who isn’t Kato Mei?”
　For me, who had become anxious and jumped to conclusions on my own, that question was unexpected.
“Hmm? Ah, my name is Hirose. He’s the friend who showed me around here.”
“……friend?”
“? Yeah.”
　Michi looks suspicious.
　Huh? I guess I don’t have that many friends.
　Well, not many.
“Not her?”
“She……?”
　she.
　Who is a girlfriend?
　Is that the name of a drug or something?
　No, there must have been something simpler than that.
“…I see. Well, Takezawa is at a certain age and probably has a girlfriend. But lying isn’t like Takezawa.”
　With the new word ‘lover’, I finally understood that ‘kanojo’ meant ‘girlfriend’.
　A word used to refer to the woman in a romantic relationship.
　A strange expression, referred to in the third person for some reason.
　I wonder if NHK’s program about getting scolded by a 5-year-old will explain why this is.
“First of all, is it okay for me to be here? Even though I’m a ghost, I’m a woman, so will your girlfriend mind? Ah. Maybe you were being considerate of me and didn’t bring me into your room until now? I’m sorry. I’ll find another place to stay soon.”
“Wait, wait, wait.”
　Before I knew it, the story was progressing so quickly that I had to stop.
“I’ll say it again, Hirose is a friend. Not a girlfriend.”
“…But when I asked him if I was his girlfriend, he hesitated.”
　That’s true, but that’s because the question was so unexpected that it made my brain freeze.
　Even if I said that, Michi wouldn’t be convinced right now.
　…I have no choice. I guess I’ll just come out.
“I haven’t told you this until now because I feel embarrassed, and there’s no need to tell you, but I’ve never had a girlfriend.”
“…”
“Ah, but don’t worry, I’m not a virgin. A professional woman got me.”
“…”
　I felt awkward in his silence and ended up saying something I shouldn’t have.
　Saying something like this to a high school girl is surely a case of sexual harassment. I need to reflect on this.
“……why?”
“Yeah?”
　I feel relieved that Michi has spoken, but I don’t understand what she’s asking me.
“I’m sure Takezawa could find a girlfriend. His face is… decent, after all.”
　Michi plays with her long bangs.
　I’m happy to receive such an undeserved evaluation, but I feel like I’m missing the point.
“That’s you. Not only does he produce a lot of dust when you hit him, but he also suffers from a nasty disease called analgesia, you know? There’s no way you should have a girlfriend. It would cause you trouble. Also, your face is nothing special.”
“…But I think there were women that Takezawa was after, that he just wasn’t aware of.”
　He’s such a kind guy.
　They’re praising me to improve the bad atmosphere.
“I guess so.”
“Yes.”
“…”
“…”
　It became silent again.
　Well then, it looks like the misunderstanding has been cleared up, so let’s get back on topic.
“So, it’s about Kato Mei.”
“Ah, okay.”
　That’s where this story begins.