Chapter 11: “The Story of the Elderly Couple”
The rain quietly sank the town as usual.
But for Nagisa and Rin‚ this path was no longer a “first adventure.”
“This is it‚ Rin-chan! Look‚ it’s the house we came to before! The place where Grandpa showed off his lantern!”
“…I don’t think it was really showing off.”
(But Nagisa treats the “lantern lesson” completely as showing off…)
Beyond the streetlights swaying in the water‚ a familiar wooden gate appeared.
The half-sunken garden stones and the moss-covered paving stones were almost unchanged from memory.
“…The lantern’s still lit.”
Rin muttered quietly.
The old lantern under the eaves glimmered faintly in the rain.
Just seeing it eased her heart a little.
“Yay~! Grandpa and Grandma look so well!”
Nagisa pushed the gate with a bouncing step.
It made the same squeak as before‚ and the gate opened obediently.
Before they could knock‚ footsteps approached from inside.
“…Oh my.”
The elderly woman who opened the door brightened at once when she saw their faces.
“My‚ you two… you’ve come again.”
“We came—Grandma’s house just feels so cozy!”
“…Hello.”
(Nagisa’s “we came” impact… doesn’t change even the second time…)
The elderly man appeared from the back and nodded slowly.
“On a rainy day like this… just like last time. You’re still energetic.”
“Hehe~! Rainy days make me excited!”
“…I feel less energetic.”
(Rather‚ I sink to zero…)
The elderly woman laughed happily.
“I won’t hear anyone say you’re in the way. Now‚ come inside quickly. It’s colder than last time.”
Inside the house smelled the same as when they came before.
The scent of old wood and faint kerosene.
The walls lined with photos and the low ceiling were already a “familiar place.”
“…The rain sounds closer than last time.”
The elderly man gave a wry smile at Rin’s words.
“The roof has weakened since last time. It would help if someone could check it later.”
“Leave it to us! Rin-chan will handle it!”
“…Why is it assumed I’ll do it?”
(Nagisa believes too much in the “Rin-chan is万能” theory…)
Nagisa clenched her fists and puffed out her chest.
“All right! Today we’ll help a lot! Rin-chan too!”
“…Don’t drag me into this.”
(But… I’ll do it anyway…)
Amid the sound of rain‚ their second visit began slightly more lively than before.
The lantern in the living room was dimmer than last time.
Its wick must have shortened. The flame flickered‚ barely lighting the room.
“…Still‚ it’s a bit dark. Rin-chan‚ shine it with your heart’s brightness!”
“…Impossible.”
(Nagisa’s “heart’s brightness conversion” is always rough…)
The elderly woman chuckled softly.
“After you came last time‚ I wanted to replace the wick… but it wasn’t easy.”
“…Things and people both need time.”
The elderly man added.
“Then! Let’s do something cheerful today! Can I cook lunch again? You really liked it last time!”
“Again…?”
Rin raised her eyebrows slightly.
She remembered how surprised the elderly couple had been by the improvised meal Nagisa made last time.
“Well… it was delicious.”
Nagisa puffed out her chest proudly at the elderly woman’s words.
“Right‚ right~! This time‚ it’ll be even more powered up! Like ‘Rin-chan’s smile +5’!”
“…No need to quantify it.”
(+5… what even is that…?)
Rin noticed a bucket in the corner of the floor.
“…Has that been here before?”
“No… just the past few days.”
“When the rain gets stronger‚ a little water comes from the ceiling…”
“…I’ll check it later.”
Nagisa turned back while putting a pot on the stove.
“Hey‚ Grandma. About the festival you told us before‚ what happened to it?”
The elderly woman smiled as if looking into the distance.
“It’s hard to resume it now. But strangely‚ it appears in my dreams. The lights flicker and you hear voices.”
“…The memory remains.”
“Hehe. Then‚ today will appear in our dreams too! Like a dream where Rin-chan is fixing the roof!”
“…That’s not necessary.”
(Don’t make me bring work into my dreams…)
The elderly woman squinted her eyes.
“Yes… probably.”
“…I thought last time too‚ when you come‚ this house becomes a little livelier.”
“Really!? Then I’ll make it even livelier! Rin-chan‚ play the drums!”
“…I won’t.”
(Nagisa’s standard of “lively” is a festival…)
(…We’re no longer just guests.)
The sound of rain suddenly grew heavier.
The roof creaked as the drops hit‚ and the whole house slowly groaned.
Then—
—Plop.
A drop fell onto the floor.
“…It’s started.”
The elderly man said quietly.
Water dripped like threads from the corner of the ceiling.
Clearly more than last time.
“Eh‚ a leak!? Rin-chan‚ it’s your turn!”
“…I don’t need to be told.”
(Nagisa’s “turn” criteria are rough…)
Rin stood up and placed a bucket.
“I’ve been a little worried about this since last time…”
Nagisa took a rag and wiped the floor with practiced movements.
“Sorry… for making you deal with this too.”
“Not at all! I’m happy you rely on me! Rin-chan’s happy too‚ right!”
“…Don’t decide for me.”
(But… it’s not unpleasant.)
Rin carried a stepladder and went to the attic.
The humid air. The rain too close.
The crack had widened since last time.
(It was only a matter of time.)
She spread a simple sheet and hammered nails.
It wasn’t perfect‚ but enough for now.
Meanwhile‚ in the living room‚ Nagisa moved around.
“Okay‚ no passing here! The floor is slippery!”
“You’ve gotten quite used to it since last time.”
“Hehe. I like it here!”
“…Hearing that again‚ it’s a relief.”
Soon‚ a voice came from the attic.
“…It’s stopped. Tonight‚ it’s okay.”
“Thanks‚ Rin-chan! I’ll hug you!”
“…Stop.”
(But… I knew you’d come.)
The elderly couple exchanged glances and smiled quietly.
“…A house‚ you see…”
“…when someone cares for it‚ it tries a little harder to live.”
“Then let’s keep it alive for longer. With Rin-chan’s help!”
“…Not only with my help.”
(Nagisa’s noisiness… isn’t bad either.)
Rin adjusted the lantern wick.
The flame grew slightly brighter.
The rain didn’t stop even at night.
But the sound on the roof was calmer than before.
The lantern’s flame grew a little stronger‚ softly lighting the living room.
“…That helped.”
“When the inside of the house settles like this… I feel we can still spend time here.”
“See! So you have to eat properly! Strength comes from your stomach!”
“You made it again. I couldn’t forget the meal you made last time.”
“This tastes more solid than last time.”
“Hehe! I added a little twist! The ‘Rin-chan’s smile +3’ version!”
“…There’s no such unit.”
(But… it’s not bad.)
After eating‚ the elderly couple gazed out the window.
The sinking city lights swayed on the water’s surface.
“Lately… the weekend trains seem to sound longer than before.”
Even without saying‚ it’s understood.
“…Even so.”
“When I think someone will come again… the fear eases a little.”
“We’ll come again! As many times as needed! Rin-chan will come too!”
“…Call us if necessary.”
(Nagisa’s “ability to drag others in” is as strong as ever…)
The elderly woman gently held their hands.
“Thank you. If you come… this house isn’t finished yet.”
A distant train whistle sounded.
The sound that signals the weekend.
“Hey‚ Rin-chan. Next time we come‚ let’s make it brighter! Let’s add about three more lanterns!”
“…That’s not necessary.”
(But… brighter isn’t bad.)
In a corner of the rainy town‚ a small light was surely passed on.
It was proof that‚ in a world heading toward the end‚ someone cared for someone else.
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