01. This is also a sign of fate
Ah, sorry… excuse me, I’m in the back seat.
Oh, thank you. Excuse me, coming through…
Is this okay? Not too cramped?
Eh? Yeah, this side is totally fine… thank you so much.
Phew… I’m glad.
My neighbor seems like a kind person…
No, really, that’s not true.
I was worried what I’d do if it was someone scary-looking.
I’m relieved it’s someone nice like you, big brother.
If anything comes up, just let me know, okay?
Sitting next to each other on a late-night highway bus like this…
it must be fate, right?
Oh, I don’t snore much myself, but…
if I do get noisy, I’m sorry in advance.
I’m wearing a mask at least,
but I’m not sure how much it’ll help…
Um… is it okay if I ask something?
Sorry… am I talking too much? Is it annoying?
Not at all? Good…
So… are you traveling for fun or something?
Uh-huh… hm?
Eh?
Ohhh… going to see your long-distance girlfriend?
Wow… that’s so sweet… really wonderful.
You’re so kind, big brother.
That’s nice.
How long have you two been together?
Ohhh… so right now is the super lovey-dovey period, huh?
I see… amazing… I’m jealous.
I wish I had someone like you too…
someone who’d ride a late-night bus just to come see me from far away.
I don’t have anyone… no one at all, really.
Thank you… thank you so much.
You really are kind, big brother.
Hey, right? Isn’t it?
Guys these days have no taste at all, seriously.
Having a lover really is nice, isn’t it?
Hm? Oh, do you talk to her every day?
Ahaha… I’m getting all the lovey-dovey bragging now.
That’s so nice.
Oh, do you have any photos of you two together?
Yeah… is it rude to ask since we just met? But I’d love to see them.
Look, you know how I said I’m really lacking in healing, right?
So I just want to recharge a little with your lovey-dovey energy.
Lovey-dovey energy? What even is that, haha.
Is it really okay? Yay… show me, show me!
That’s you.
You look a bit different without the mask.
Without it, you’re even cooler.
Seriously, I don’t lie.
And… next to you is your girlfriend, right?
She’s so cute… you two look perfect together.
Like… exactly meant to be.
Really, really lovely, both of you.
You both have such happy smiles.
Ahh, too precious… it’s almost blinding, I can’t look straight at it.
Wow… thank you for showing me.
Thanks to you, I got a little healed up.
Oh — the bus is already moving, huh?
Talking with you was so fun I didn’t even notice.
I should tone it down a bit now.
Lights will probably go off soon.
Hm? Yeah, they do.
Oh, is this your first time on a late-night bus?
Yeah, they turn the lights down low,
then everyone just does their own thing,
but most people sleep all the way to the destination.
I’m the same.
That’s why I stayed up all day today.
Time to switch to slippers.
Sleeping in boots would be way too uncomfortable.
Haaah〜 so comfy… slippers are the best.
Oh, big brother, do you have an eye mask or earplugs?
No? Want me to lend you some?
Hm, you sure?
I’ve got spares, so if you can’t sleep, just tell me, okay?
No no, it’s fine… like I said earlier.
This is fate too, right?
Ah, looks like the lights are going off.
Well then, big brother… good night for now.