LMLCG – Episode 7 – Gratitude

“I’ll go prepare some tea… Please have a seat and wait.”

With that, Senpai left, presumably heading toward the kitchen.

Now alone with her grandmother, I felt the pressure to make conversation.

But what should I talk about…?

“So then… Takanashi-san was it?”

“Yes, I’m Takanashi Kazunari.”

Thankfully, her grandmother broke the silence first. We faced each other and exchanged greetings properly.

Looking at her again, she had a calm, gentle air about her.

In contrast, Senpai was always very sharp and strict, almost the complete opposite.

Well, that’s just how I see it.

“How polite of you. I’m Satsukawa Sachie.”

“Then, may I call you Sachie-san?”

“Of course. Still, to think you were one of Sara-chan’s friend… The world is small, isn’t it?”

Sachie-san spoke cheerfully.

I’d been thinking the same thing, about how small the world was.

“I was surprised too. Things like this really happen, huh…”

“That day, I had a gathering in the evening, so I did more shopping than usual. I’ve carried that much before, of course, but when that happens I usually take a break on the stairs before hauling it all in one go.”

From the way she talked, it seemed this kind of thing wasn’t unusual.

Maybe I acted out of turn… which might make it seem like I was doing a favor just to brag about it.

“Did I maybe overstep by helping?”

“Oh no, not at all. It was a big help, I’m grateful.”

Just as we got to that point, Senpai returned holding a tray.

On the tray were cups of tea and what looked like some tea snacks.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Takanashi-san, this is for you… and here, Obaa-chan.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you, dear.”

After placing the tea and snacks on the table, Senpai sat down next to Sachie-san.

“Once again, thank you for looking after my grandmother.”

“Thank you very much.”

Senpai thanked me with a polite tone, and Sachie-san followed suit.

It felt a little awkward, but I had to respond properly too.

“No, it was really just a spur-of-the-moment thing. I couldn’t just ignore it… Anyway, please don’t worry about it.”

“…Alright. If you say so, Takanashi-san… then I’ll give my thanks again another time.”

“No need, I already received more than enough thanks.”

“I apologize, this may be selfish of me, but I’d really like to give you something in return.”

Senpai looked somewhat apologetic, but clearly wasn’t going to back down. She said it firmly.

Then Sachie-san chimed in, as if backing her up.

“Takanashi-san, once this girl makes up her mind, she won’t budge. I’d like to thank you as well, but I wouldn’t want to be a bother… Sara-chan, could you handle it for me too?”

“Understood. So that’s how it is, Takanashi-san. Now that it’s come to this, I’m going to make sure you accept our thanks.”

Being told that with such a serious expression…

I didn’t really have a reason to refuse, and if it would make them feel better, I might as well accept it.

Truthfully, I just felt a bit guilty because I acted on impulse that day.

Refusing any more would be rude.

“…I understand. Then please, just make it something easy to prepare.”

When I gave in, Senpai looked a bit relieved.

“Yes, I’ll think of something that won’t be a bother and give it to you.”

“Thank you.”

“We should be the ones thanking you.”

She responded with a soft, warm tone.

“To think that Sara-chan would bring a boy over like this…”

“Obaa-chan, it’s not like I don’t have friends… and calling us friends might be unfair to Takanashi-san…”

Senpai looked a bit flustered as she spoke.

But judging by her tone, it didn’t seem like she minded being seen as my friend.

“Oh? What do you think, Takanashi-san?”

“Well, if Senpai thinks of me that way, then I… Either way, I respect her as my senior.”

When I answered honestly, Senpai looked a little troubled, but also somewhat happy.

“Are you really okay with that, Takanashi-san?”

“Yes. As long as it’s okay with you, Senpai.”

“…Really?”

“Yes!”

“…Thank you.”

And for just a moment… I saw her smile.

It made me happy to know that Senpai didn’t see me in a bad light.

Though rather than a friend, she still felt more like “Senpai” to me.

Still… Senpai spoke in a much more relaxed tone when talking to her grandmother.

Honestly, I felt like I was witnessing something pretty rare.

“Takanashi-san, how did you two become friends?”

“Well, it was a coincidence…”

I gave a general overview of how we met at the flower bed and everything that happened since.

What made me happy was that Senpai occasionally chimed in to add details or agree with me.

Before I knew it, a lot of time had passed.

“I’m sorry, I ended up staying much longer than I thought. I should go before I become a bother.”

“Oh, you’re welcome to stay as long as you’d like, dear.”

Sachie-san said that kindly, but it was around the time people start thinking about dinner.

I should probably leave before I really became an inconvenience.

“No, I also have some shopping to do… I’ll be going now.”

“I see. Please come have tea with us again sometime.”

“Thank you very much.”

After putting on my shoes at the entrance and saying goodbye, Senpai walked with me to the steps near the shrine.

“See you tomorrow, Takanashi-san.”

“Yes. See you, Senpai.”

As I descended the shrine steps, I glanced back halfway down.

Senpai was still looking my way and gave a small wave.

Behind that expressionless face of hers, I could see glimpses of the many sides Senpai truly had.

Why is she so strict with others… So cold?

Why does she treat me so normally…?

It hit me again, I really don’t know much about her at all.

But the unpleasant feelings I’d had before coming to the shrine were completely gone.