Her watery black pupils overflowed with laughter, the fine hairs by her ears dancing wildly, and her red lips curled up in a roguish smirk.
Seeing her smile, I rubbed my head and followed suit.
Whether it was when we were kids or now, I always wanted to coax her. Making her happy was the best way.
She also took out the remaining marbles from the gun, fiddled with her soft, dark hair, and aimed aggressively: "Boss, I'm a foreigner too, I want to play like this as well."
"Huh?!" The boss was shocked. "What are you girls up to, one after another?"
She and I shared a glance and both burst out laughing.
"Fall!" the girl shouted with vigor. Her slender white arm threw with a clever flick of force; she was actually clutching all the remaining marbles, aiming for the grand prize furthest away.
A single small marble didn't have much power, but many converging at once formed a force that hit the grand prize wooden plaque dead center. The grand prize took a fatal hit; its circular base began to wobble, swaying left and right as if it were about to fall.
My heart was in my throat. Fall, fall!
The gods must have heard my prayers. That wooden plaque representing the grand prize wobbled a few more times but eventually succumbed to gravity, landing in the prize pool with a "thud."
"Ahhhh! First prize!" "It actually fell!"
I didn't even care about the marbles in my hand anymore and excitedly grabbed Kusanagi's hands: "Miss Kusanagi, you're amazing! You got the first prize!"
Kusanagi had her hands held by me, and a blush crept over her cool features. "But you lost. Why are you so happy?"
"I'm just happy! You're really incredible!" I was overjoyed, grinning from ear to ear. "I'm willing to lose to you!" I was truly happy, exceptionally so!
"Silly," the girl scoffed lightly.
I couldn't stop smiling, the corners of my eyes crinkling up: "First prize! This is the first prize!"
The boss reluctantly brought over a limited-edition pokémon. "Even though it wasn't knocked down according to the rules, it did fall after all. This shop's treasure is yours."
pokémon is a childhood memory for most Chinese kids; it once swept the nation, and every child wanted their own pocket monster, myself included. This pokémon even bore a slight resemblance to Kusanagi, looking a bit cool and aloof.
I stared intently at the pokémon in the girl's hands. Don't misunderstand, I didn't want it for myself; I just simply thought it looked like Kusanagi and wanted to give it a squeeze to test the feel of a limited-edition plushie.
Kusanagi held the whole thing in her arms; with her slender limbs, it looked a bit awkward. "Why is it so big?"
"Let me carry it for you, I'm taller." I took the opportunity to scoop the plushie from her arms into my own, holding it contentedly.
The plushie had just been held by her, and it carried a faint, cold, refreshing scent. It smelled wonderful, like the cool, astringent mist after rain, or the sweet, clear fragrance of lake water.
I gently rested my face against it, feeling the pokémon's fur. My heart suddenly started racing in a strange way.
I had no choice but to give the pokémon a pinch. Why does it smell so good?
pokémon:...
"Do you like this pokémon that much?" Kusanagi saw me holding it tightly and refusing to let go, her clear voice trailing up at the end. "It's yours."
"Huh? You're giving it to me?"
She must be a mind reader. How did she know I really wanted this pokémon that looked like her? Well, I'll gladly accept it then.
"Thank you for the gift, Teacher Kusanagi."
"Say it more, I like hearing it."
"This is a one-time treatment because of the pokémon."
"I've changed my mind. Give it back."
"Regret is invalid." I held it up high, just like I had with the cigarette that day. "No."
She squinted at me, the faint annoyance on her face looking exactly like it did that day.
I couldn't help but laugh. She glared at me twice, but the corners of her lips couldn't help but curl up either.
The two of us walked back along the road.
As we walked, the girl suddenly asked, "Was it a lie when you said you liked white?"
This pokémon was black. The fish I caught was also black. I froze. Should I tell her the truth?
"Do you want the truth or a lie?"
"The truth, of course."
The bleak night wind blew gently. It was a bit hot wearing the white coat, and a few beads of sweat seeped from my back.
I paused for a few seconds and said, "I do like white, of course, but this black pokémon looks a bit like you." After saying that, I looked away and buried my hands in the pokémon's fur.
"...How does it look like me?" The girl's clear voice was noticeably unsteady.
"Both have black hair, big black eyes, and a bossy, willful look."
"I am not like that." Hearing me describe her that way, she voiced a dissatisfied protest.
They were exactly the same. I couldn't help but smile.
"Forget it, let's call the bet a draw. You let me off easy last round, so I'll do the same this time."
After hearing that I liked it because it looked like her, the joy on the girl's face was evident. Her long, dark lashes curved into bright crescents—all signals of happiness.
I hesitated for a moment. "Um, since it's a draw, can I make a small request?" I had really wanted to win the shooting game, but things didn't go as planned. I still really wanted her to agree to that one thing.
"What?" Her dark pupils looked toward me.
I grabbed the pokémon's hand and waved it at her. "Dear Miss Kusanagi, for the performance the day after tomorrow, could you wear that black kimono?"
The stunning image of the long black silk and the open-sleeved gauze robe was still vivid in my mind; I hadn't seen it again since that fleeting glimpse.
Her youthful self seemed to merge with the long history of Senso-ji Temple without any sense of discord. The ancient and the fresh blended together, and the tear mole under the girl's eye seemed to sparkle.
A soft, flower-like aura, the dry yet green moss of the ancient temple, the clever branches blooming fiercely on the black sleeves—it was a beauty one could hardly look at directly.
I wanted to see her wear it again.
At this moment, I deeply resented my phone's poor camera quality. It could only capture a ten-thousandth of Kusanagi's beauty. The girl on the screen looked within reach, but in reality, I could only touch her with my fingertips.
In the blink of an eye, it was Monday, and the schedule was packed with classes.
"Class is over. Why are you just standing here?"
"Nothing." I instinctively put away my phone and was stunned when I saw the person. "Who are you?"
Li Shijia was also stunned, then she pinched my face hard. "Are you looking for death?"
"Ow, ow, ow!" Being playful was fun, but my face really hurt.
Li Shijia had been incredibly busy lately, and since I had been transferred to the Affiliated Hospital, our chances of meeting in class had decreased significantly.
She didn't come when I invited her to the Cultural Festival last time. Today, she actually came to class without makeup or washing her hair; for a second, I really almost didn't recognize her.
"What have you been busy with lately? I can't even get you to come out." I complained while rubbing my face. "And what's with this look?"
"This lady here has been having some luck with love lately. Alex has a fellow disciple who's really handsome, and he's been asking me out for drinks every day." Li Shijia twirled a strand of hair, her tone sweet, her face full of romantic bubbles.
"Bring him by sometime so I can meet him. You need to be careful and protect yourself." I poked her forehead. "What if you get drunk late at night?"
"What happens, happens~ Nozawa, I didn't realize you were so conservative in this regard."
I had never been very interested in that sort of thing. I believed that for two people to be together, their family backgrounds and interests should be compatible so they could last longer. So far, I hadn't met anyone of the opposite sex who made me think that way. Perhaps that is being conservative.
Suddenly, a milk-white, tender thigh and a slender white ankle that could be encircled by one hand flashed through my mind.
I rubbed my temples helplessly. Why was I having such strange associations?
Li Shijia smiled mischievously: "Speaking of which, you've never mentioned your personal relationships. Tell me, do you have a boyfriend?"
I told the truth. "I dated one before, but we broke up after graduation."
"Only one?" Li Shijia was incredulous. "I've had enough ex-boyfriends to fill a platoon. You should date more during your prime youth, or you'll regret it when you're old!"
"A platoon? Are you dating or going to war?" That was quite the metaphor.
"Dating is war. If you like how someone looks, you pull them over for a round; if you don't, you move to another battlefield."
"Oh, you." I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Even such slightly crude words sounded perfectly serious coming from her.
"Men are like clothes, but sisters are like limbs."
I laughingly punched her, then suddenly remembered I hadn't mentioned the main point. I said seriously, "By the way, are you free tomorrow? Come with me to see Miss Kusanagi's band performance."
"The performance at the Cultural Festival? I'm definitely free! Can I bring my handsome guy along?"
Being in love really changed things; she wanted to be stuck to him wherever she went.
"Sure, I'll reluctantly be the third wheel for once." I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow. "It's a good chance to check him out for you. If it's a scumbag girl with a scumbag guy, then forget I said anything."
"Hahaha, you're so annoying!"
"Let's meet at the school gate at 7 PM tomorrow. Kusanagi and the others have to rehearse and won't have time to pick us up, so we need to go early to grab spots."
I smoothed my long hair and tied it into a ponytail, looking much more refreshed and capable. For something like grabbing spots, it was better not to have loose hair; it would be embarrassing to be pushed out.
I'm going to wear the dress from graduation. That dress is pure white.
Will Kusanagi wear the black kimono? I heard their performances definitely have team outfits, so they won't wear casual clothes. Forget it, my request was somewhat unreasonable. The stage outfits will surely look good too, maybe even prettier than the black kimono.
"If you don't want to be a third wheel, I can call Alex. He's with his fellow disciple anyway."
I wanted to be by myself, so I said tactfully, "If he's free, he can come, but if not, then don't bother."
"If I invite him in your name, that guy will make time even if he doesn't have any."
Li Shijia slung an arm around my shoulder and whispered in my ear: "He's approached me privately several times asking if he could take you out to dinner. I told him, 'Don't you have her WeChat? Why don't you ask her yourself?' He said you never reply to his messages and he feels like an idiot. It cracked me up. Good job."
Because Kusanagi likes using Line, the only software I've used frequently lately is Line. I rarely use WeChat except for video calls with my parents, so I might have selectively ignored Alex's messages...
"Then you'd better not call him," I said, covering my face. "It might be a bit awkward."
"It's fine, he's quite pitiful. I'll just ask first. Anyway, I want to watch with a handsome guy."
Li Shijia picked up her phone and tapped away. Seeing her face full of infatuation, I felt both helpless and amused.
Falling in love quickly is also a talent. Girls like Li Shijia, with bright and sunny personalities and a bold pursuit of emotions, are enviable. How can someone fall for someone in such a short time? In this regard, I seem to be a blockhead; I understand neither what a heartbeat is nor what love is.
I couldn't help but ask Li Shijia, "Is he Japanese or Chinese?"
"Chinese. I still prefer guys from our own country. With Japanese guys, there's always a bit of a barrier."
Li Shijia smiled as she finished sending the text. "Chatting is a bit easier too. It's not like I haven't dated a Japanese boyfriend before; they're so stingy, even splitting the bill for a drink. I can't stand it."
"What do you like about him? His looks?"
"Of course it's his looks! He's in the same major as us, and he has an eight-pack."
Eight-pack? Not bad, very ergonomic. Handsome? Those who fit my aesthetic are a tiny minority.
"Does it sound exciting?" Li Shijia swiped open her phone's photo album and pointed at a photo that looked like a male model. "Do you like this type of handsome guy?"
I took a couple of looks and closed my eyes, feeling bored, but I had a question for her.
"Shijia, how do you judge if you're feeling a spark?"
"What kind of silly question is that?"
"I mean, how do you know you like him? There must be a trigger condition, right?" I hesitated for a long time before saying "trigger condition," a term like a game NPC. Yes, a trigger condition—once there's this signal, you can feel that you have feelings for someone.
"Does that even need to be said? Of course, it's wanting to sleep with him!" Li Shijia got excited and flipped through the photos quickly, all of which were shirtless photos of her junior. "Liking someone definitely means wanting to sleep with them. You'll really like physical contact with them. To put it simply, you're lusting after his body."
A flurry of naked male bodies flashed before my eyes. I looked away with slight discomfort, but what Li Shijia said made sense; the premise of liking someone is definitely not being repulsed by intimate contact.
"So, having a good feeling about someone's touch is also liking them?"
"Do you have someone you like?" Li Shijia stared at me.
My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly explained, "No, I'm just asking casually."
"Really?" She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"...Really." A drop of sweat ran down my back. "Just asking casually."
"Nozawa, you're very suspicious." Li Shijia turned my head to face her. "You, as a person, are a bit stubborn. Being rigid is very suitable for studying medicine, but it's fatal in dating. You must never suppress or ignore your own feelings."
"..." That was too on the nose.
"I can tell you clearly, if you aren't repulsed by someone's touch and instead have a good feeling about it, then you definitely like that person."
"This touch could be an accidental brush, or holding hands and hugging. Girls are very sensitive to this kind of physical contact. If you have a good feeling, it's already dangerous."
"...Yeah, I see."
I didn't know what to say, but I maintained my composure. What she said might not be right; I shouldn't care too much.
There are many people whose touch might feel good; it doesn't necessarily mean anything.
Night fell, the last day of the Cultural Festival. The atmosphere reached its peak. Large groups of students carrying glow sticks and wooden stools headed towards the gymnasium. Large banners were hung across the tree-lined, grassy playground.
"Cultural Festival Concert." High-energy intro music was already playing. The wide stone steps, several levels high, were filled with girls in school uniforms. The best viewing spots were already taken. On the lawn closest to the stage, picnic blankets were spread out, and groups of men and women sat together.
"Where should we sit?" Li Shijia walked with her young boyfriend, wearing exquisite eye makeup and lipstick.
"Let's find a spot closer." I straightened my skirt. There were bits of grass on it. Luckily, I brought a blanket, otherwise I'd have to stand later.
Li Shijia let go of her boyfriend's arm and hooked mine, whispering in my ear, "You're dressed way too pretty today, aren't you?"
"Really?" I closed my eyes in embarrassment. It had been too long since I wore this white dress. The night air was also a bit chilly, and my bare legs felt cold.
"Yes! Super pretty! You look so thin and beautiful, especially pure and sweet!" Li Shijia's gaze then fell on my chest. "You should wear this type of dress more often, since you're so well-endowed."
I pushed her away bashfully, "Go on, go find your little boyfriend."
"At least an 85C."
"...Are you a CT scanner?"
"Share some with me." Li Shijia grabbed at me without a word.
"Stop it!" I dodged her claws. "You hooligan!"
"Tell the truth, did you dress up so beautifully specifically to see Alex?"
I froze. Not at all. I dressed like this to see Kusanagi after the performance. What did it have to do with Alex?
Before I could explain, Li Shijia gave me an "I understand" look and went back to being lovey-dovey with her boyfriend. She wouldn't be trying to set me up with Alex, would she? My head started to ache instantly.
"The front spots are all taken, but there's an empty space over there." Alex found a prime spot less than 10 meters from the stage. The group packed up and sat down.
They spread out a large blanket and brought out a pile of snacks, sodas, beer, and a few flashlights (to use as glow sticks).
"By the way, Nozawa, let me introduce you. This is my boyfriend, Peng Keming."
He was a strong boy in a white tank top, wearing the same style of high-top AJs as Li Shijia. His buzz cut made him look very manly, a blend of man and boy. So Li Shijia liked this type—athletic and fit.
"Hello, I'm Nozawa Mizuki." I nodded slightly.
The boy still had some youthful air. "Peng Keming. 'Ke' as in the wood radical, 'Ming' as in 'etched in my heart.' I always hear Li Shijia mention you, and now I finally see you in person."
Alex chimed in from the side, "Well? Didn't I tell you, Miss Nozawa is very beautiful, right?"
The big boy sized me up seriously, then hugged his girlfriend tighter. "Miss Nozawa is the gentle kind of beautiful, but I think my girlfriend is even more beautiful."
Correct answer obtained. If he dared to say the most beautiful wasn't Li Shijia, he'd be in for it tonight.
"Li Shijia is beautiful? Brother, say no more, I'll toast to that." Alex popped open a beer with a "snap." "To the spirit of heroic sacrifice and fearlessness, cheers."
"?" Li Shijia and I exchanged a look and simultaneously punched him hard in the stomach.
"Ah!" A scream echoed through the air.
Nine o'clock. Night deepened, and the playground was packed inside and out. The empty space from before was now so crowded you couldn't even step in. People outside the venue who couldn't get in were clinging to the brick walls or standing on chairs to look inside. The scene was truly astonishing.
I moved toward the center of the blanket. Someone behind me had just walked forward and almost stepped on my hand resting on the ground.
When would Kusanagi and the others take the stage?
The aroma of various foods, the sound of girls stomping their feet in excitement, the whispered sweet nothings between couples, and the fresh scent of green grass were all new experiences.
Suddenly, the stage lights came on, and the most famous song from the album burst forth, causing a stir in the crowd.
"Readymade? Isn't that the famous high school girl band?" Peng Keming suddenly shouted to Li Shijia in delight. "Babe, do you remember we shared this same song?"
Li Shijia leaned into his arms teasingly. "I knew we had the same taste. Let me tell you, the lead singer of this band lives under the same roof as Nozawa~"
"Really?" Peng Keming's eyes widened in disbelief. He turned to me. "Miss Nozawa, could you please get me an autograph?"
What kind of fan is this? He didn't even recognize the band's name until now.
"No problem." I had become a fan leader for the star-chasing.
It was almost 9:30. Intense beams of light lit up the stage. The microphone in the center stood silent, poised and ready, as if a god would descend in the next second.
Both sides of the venue were wide and bright. Iron railings were installed on the outermost edges, likely to prevent stampedes. For safety reasons, there were two large black stage cloths, half-covering the sides, adding a touch of mystery.
"Miss Nozawa, would you like a soda?"
"I'll have a beer." I opened a bottle myself and took a sip.
Alex sat next to me with a cheeky grin. "So Miss Nozawa likes beer. How bold."
He was sitting too close. The blanket on the ground was only so big. I could clearly smell the scent of cologne and the distinct smell of sweat on a man.
I didn't dislike the well-dressed Alex, but I instinctively shifted away. This distance made me feel a bit uncomfortable. Compared to this cologne, I preferred the soft scent on Kusanagi.
Everyone has a social distance. The only one who breaks that distance is Kusanagi.
So, it was normal to think of her at a time like this.