Chapter 2 Part 1 – The Boy Who Prayed for Rain

Chapter 2 : The Boy Who Prayed for Rain

It has been two days since the worst day of my life.

Today was the weekend, so there weren’t any classes.

Unfortunately, I still had a retrieval mission scheduled for this afternoon.

I got ready and left the house. When I arrived at the local JR station, I found someone there waving at me.

TLN: A JR station is part of one of the most extensive railway networks in Japan.

My face twisted into a grimace. Half of it was reflexive; the other half was on purpose.

“Hey! You’ve kept a girl waiting for this long, and that’s the face you’re making? “

“I’m just being honest with my emotions.”

I thought she’d get angry, but for some reason, Kirie just let out a small giggle.

“Ahaha! I suppose I can’t be mad at you then?”

It wasn’t exactly her fault. I hated just being here in general, but she managed to make things even more unpleasant.

Kirie was wearing a simple blouse with a ribbon and a high-waisted pleated skirt. Her somewhat clunky platform sneakers seemed to be trending on social media lately, but the overall impression of her outfit was more conservative than I expected.

“Oh, what do you think of my outfit? Today’s theme is ‘Clean Casual.'”

“Let’s go.”

“H-hey! At least praise me or give me a compliment for now?!”

For now, huh? Well, I wasn’t planning to compliment her regardless.

I brushed past the pouting Kirie and hurried through the ticket gate. As I climbed the stairs to the platform, she came chasing after me.

I checked my phone. We still had a little time before our scheduled train arrived.

“Hey, Hidaka-kun. I haven’t heard a thing about our plans for today. Love-chan only told me to meet you here at this time.”

“That’s because you don’t need to know.”

“Yes, I do! I mean, we’re going to get an ‘ability’ or whatever back, right? Shouldn’t I at least be informed on what my role is?”

“That’s the thing, you don’t have a role to play. Which means that you don’t need to know anything. Just shut up and follow me.”

“No way! That’s no fun…!”

Kirie audibly whined, swinging her arms back and forth.

We just got here, and she is already being this noisy. This was exactly why I didn’t want to bring her along…

“Look, if I don’t know the procedure or the plans, I might unintentionally get in the way of things. Don’t you think it’s safer to just tell me?”

“…There’s nothing special to it. We simply meet up with the target and explain the situation. You saw how it went with Aizawa, didn’t you?”

“Well yeah, but I couldn’t hear a thing you were saying. But, oh well. I guess it won’t be anything crazy.”

Kirie gave an inquisitive “Hmm,” and crossed her arms.

Strictly speaking, the specific course of action and approach changed depending on the target’s circumstances, personality, and ability. But, there was no need to tell her that yet.

“Basically, don’t do anything. Just stand behind me quietly.”

“Grrrr! You’re so mean! You cold-hearted jerk! We got Mr ‘Cool Guy’ over here…!“

Is she a child? And why did that last line sound so sarcastic?

“Wait…. by the way, is today’s target that invisible guy?”

“No. The retrieval of his ability was concluded yesterday.”

“Eh! Really?! I totally thought that today was going to be a rematch or something.”

Kirie’s large eyes grew even wider. Come to think of it, she was technically an involved party. Though that was exactly why I couldn’t have brought her along for Aizawa’s retrieval.

“How did you catch him this time? He got away last time, didn’t he?”

“Nothing special, I just confronted him head-on. I went to his university and caught him right as his lecture ended.”

“Eww…that’s scary, Hidaka-kun. Ah, so that’s why you weren’t at school yesterday! You ditched! What a bad student.”

“It wasn’t ditching. I had a legitimate reason.”

After all, Aizawa was bound to be wary towards me already. It’s easier to confront them on a weekday than a weekend, and during the day rather than at night. I couldn’t afford to let class make me miss that window.

“And here I thought a student’s main duty was to study~”

“As long as I meet the attendance requirement, it’s no big deal.”

“But if you do that, you’ll run low on ‘Youthfulness’! You miss out on all the fun!”

“What happened to your ‘main duty‘ talk?”

She discarded her own argument immediately. Well, I suppose the “youth” part was her true feelings anyway.

“So, that person can’t become invisible anymore, right?”

Suddenly, Kirie spoke in a low murmur. She stared down, her eyes filled with a trace of sadness and loneliness.

“Being able to turn invisible is abnormal. He just went back to the way he was.”

“I guess… but still. Was he sad?”

“Not really. Yesterday was different from our first meeting, he gave up immediately.”

Even though I had brought the spray again, the moment Aizawa saw me, he said he would give the ability back. He looked so terrified it was almost pitiful.

“Eh…but why the sudden change of mind?”

“He said he was just scared. That day, he ran away thinking I was going to report him for stalking, but after thinking about it, he decided to just return it.”

“Hmm. I see…”

Even though she had been so noisy just a moment ago. Now, Kirie’s voice remained heavy with a sense of helplessness.

“Is that how everyone behaves when you come and retrieve their ability?”

“Hardly. This was a rare case. Usually, it wouldn’t be surprising if things got much more complicated.”

“You mean… they resist because they don’t want to give it back?”

“Yeah. Well, of course, reactions and actions vary from person to person. The abilities themselves and how people live with them are completely different for every individual.”

In Aizawa’s case, it was likely due to the fact that he was using it for bad deeds, his short history as an ability user, and his own weak-willed nature. To suddenly be possessed by a supernatural power out of the blue—not many people feel comfortable living with that.

“Yeah… I think I might understand that feeling.”

Kirie nodded at my explanation and lowered her eyes. A self-deprecating smile peeked through the gaps in her bangs.

“I have to say, you’re being quite sympathetic. He was stalking you, wasn’t he?”

Wanting to change the subject, I questioned Kirie. There was no real need to continue our conversation, but I feel like if I left this girl alone, she’d probably ask more questions later.

“Eh? Ah—yeah. He was definitely a stalker, but it only started very recently. And besides, after hearing what Tone-kun and the others said yesterday, it’s more like…”

Kirie gave an awkward laugh and ran her fingers through her hair.

“I just… wondered what it feels like to have something that others don’t, and then have it disappear. Since the same thing might happen to me, eventually.”

“I see.”

So, she was projecting her own future onto Aizawa.

Though in her case, the situation was quite special. Most people are either clearly aware of their ability or completely oblivious to it.

“Oh! That’s right. Hidaka-kun, it was you, wasn’t it? The one who told him that I noticed him stalking me.”

As if nothing ever happened, she returned to her usual tone.

Kirie pulled something out of her bag. It was a long white envelope without a name or stamp.

“This was in my mailbox. It’s probably from him.”

As she spoke, Kirie unfolded the letter inside and showed it to me.

I’m sorry for everything. I’ll be moving far away.

That was all that was written in the letter.

Come to think of it, Kirie mentioned yesterday that Fumiya Aizawa was the stalker who lived right next door to her.

“The place next door was already cleared out this morning. I guess that Aizawa person moved out sometime last night.”

“…Is that so.”

Maybe that was his way of settling things. Certainly, having a stalker living next door would usually be nerve-wracking. Though, considering this girl had gone as far as tailing the culprit herself, she might not be the type to worry about that.

“Thanks, Hidaka-kun.”

“Hm? What are you thanking me for?”

“You tried to stop him, didn’t you? Even though you said you only cared about the retrieval, you still told him about me.”

“…It wasn’t for you. Besides, even if I hadn’t said anything, he would have stopped on his own.”

“Ahaha, you’re such a tsundere~ you helped as a result, so you get a personal thanks from me.”

Kirie smiled brightly. Her eyes crinkled in a way that was so dazzling I reflexively looked away. It was a world of difference from the karaoke box two days ago.

TLN: Okay, apparently when eyes ‘crinkle’, it’s a sign of genuine joy / affection. Sorry if it’s common knowledge but I genuinely had no idea until now.

“Ah, you’re blushing!”

“I am not.”

“You don’t have to hide it, y’know. I thought you were cold, but you’re actually kind of cute, Hidaka-kun.”

“…Shut up.”

“Now that I think about it, Love-chan said that too—that you’re actually kind? Yep, yep. I see it now!”

I want to go home…

I was already tired enough from the past week. Talking to her just threw me off my rhythm. She might be even more troublesome than Love.

“…By the way, how did you know the stalker was him?”

As we waited for the train, I threw her a question that had been bothering me for a while. It was the question I’d had when Kirie caught me on the way home. But because so much had happened, it had slipped my mind until now.

“He should have been invisible. If so, you might notice you’re being stalked, but you shouldn’t have been able to identify the person.”

“That’s true. Hmm… I guess it was the smell?”

Kirie mimicked a sniffing motion.

“People have their own unique scents, right? The smell I caught when I felt something was off or felt someone’s gaze was the same smell I caught when I passed him at the apartment. From that, I figured it was him.”

“…Are you serious?”

“Dead serious! But, that makes sense. So that’s why I couldn’t find him, because he was invisible.”

Kirie nodded deeply, letting out an impressed-sounding “It all makes sense now.”

Smell, huh… is this girl a dog? Aizawa picked the wrong person to mess with this time.

I was suddenly reminded of what Aizawa said during the retrieval.

I was just watching… when she went out on the balcony, or when she left the house.

I wasn’t peeping or harassing her, nothing like that… I swear.

Well, I suppose as far as stalkers go, he was a relatively “tame” one. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s excusable.

Even so…

“Why…why did you tail him?”

I asked Kirie once more, something I’d asked her before. In the end, Aizawa turned out to be a coward. But if he hadn’t been, tailing someone you knew was a stalker was far too dangerous.

“Ehehe…well, I thought I’d take him down in a fight…”

“…I don’t think that was a smart move. You don’t know what could have happened if things didn’t go your way.”

“Maybe you’re right. But if something did happen, I guess I’d deal with it then.”

“…That’s why I’m asking, what would you do then? Once something happens, it’s too—”

“Gosh, it’s fine! Nothing happened, so stop worrying! Besides, you’re doing dangerous things too, aren’t you?”

Kirie said dismissively, her shoulders tensing as she gave me a sidelong glare. She leaned in close and pointed a finger sharply at my face.

“…I’m not normal. You can see that, can’t you?”

“Well, I’m not normal either then!”

Pouting once again, she snapped her head away in a huff. As I expected, it was a waste of time trying to talk sense into her.

Except…

“…”

I had no objection to the claim that she wasn’t normal. In fact, she was probably more abnormal than me. At least based on her behavior so far.

But even so, she’s a bit too reckless. Between the knife from the other day and tailing Aizawa, it was as if she placed very little value on her own safety…

“Awww. But I really wanted to see the ability retrieval. Why didn’t you invite me~?”

She is just saying whatever comes to mind, isn’t she?

Kirie let out a small yawn and looked up at the electronic departure board. Just then, an announcement played, and the train we were waiting for finally approached.

Whatever. It didn’t matter what kind of person Kirie was, it had nothing to do with me.

Reaching that conclusion, I stepped through the open doors into the car. Kirie followed, and we sat in seats a short distance apart.

It would take about an hour and a half to get there.

To be honest, I was depressed. I probably would have felt that way today even if Kirie wasn’t here.

***

After going about two prefectures away, we got off the train.

The area in front of the station felt exactly like a bedroom community, with many apartment buildings, convenience stores, and restaurants lined up. It was a bit more dilapidated than my town, but it looked like a decent place to live.

TLN: Bedroom community: A bedroom community (or commuter town) is a primarily residential town or suburb. People live there but commute to a nearby city for work. The term gets its name because residents essentially use the town as a “bedroom”—returning home primarily just to sleep.

“Ah, Hidaka-kun! That shopping mall has a big Muji! And a Gong Cha!”

“…We’re leaving, hurry up.”

“But…Gong Cha…?”

TLN: Bubble tea store.

Absolutely not. I ignored Kirie’s whining and, relying on Love’s information, hurried toward our destination. If we ended up going on separate paths, that would be for the best.

Or so I thought, but Kirie ended up trotting along after me. She pulled up beside me and took a sip of a carbonated drink she’d bought at some point.

“You don’t have to follow me. Go shopping or something. You wanted Gong Cha, didn’t you? Now’s your chance.”

“I’ll stop by on the way back~”

She’ll stop by later? She really does think of this as a game…

“By the way, tell me already. What kind of person is our target?”

Kirie persistently asked once again. It might be easier just to tell her. But…simply put, I felt a little hesitant this time.

“…You’ll know when you see them. Just be quiet and follow me.”

“That again~? Sigh, how boring.”

Kirie mumbled discontentedly and wandered around a little. We were almost there. It was about that time, too.

“Eh… there?”

As I abruptly stopped, Kirie tilted her head in surprise. Across the road stood a small office building. It was five stories tall, with a convenience store on the first floor.

And above that—

“Ah, someone came out. But…a little kid?”

On the second floor was a famous cram school with nationwide recognition. Classes must have ended. Several children emerged in a group from the door next to the convenience store.

Among them was a face I recognized from the photo Love had sent.

Well, at least the identification phase went smoothly.

“Let’s begin.”

“Oh, r-right!”

The kid stayed with a group of several other students and walked in the opposite direction of the station. We quietly followed the group, keeping a distance between us. During this time, even Kirie remained quiet. However, the look in her eyes as she watched the group ahead seemed somewhat complicated.

As we continued, the number of people in the group gradually dwindled at various forks in the road until finally, he was alone.

“H-hey…is it that boy?”

“What does it look like?”

I heard a faint, uneasy gulp from beside me. It was no wonder Kirie was surprised. After all, the target looked like an elementary schooler.

Even for me, an adult target is obviously better than a child one. Both for the negotiation and for my own conscience. But, that doesn’t mean I can just avoid it. If the outcome is the same, then worrying about it is just a waste of time.

“…Hm?”

Suddenly, the boy spun around. His gaze clearly locked onto us.

“Ah.” Kirie let out a short gasp.

In contrast, the elementary schooler in front of us looked composed as he walked toward us. I didn’t stop either, continuing to approach him.

“You’ve been following me since I left the cram school. Do you want something?” the boy asked.

The eyes that looked back and forth between us were strangely mature and serene. It seemed he had noticed us long ago.

“A-ah, um…… we’re not suspicious people!”

“I want to talk to you,” I said, cutting off Kirie’s prepared excuse.

I saw the boy’s pupils widen just a little.

The boy followed us, moving to a small cafe restaurant a little distance away.

We avoided chain stores and places near the station because of his personal request.

“There are many kids from the same elementary school and acquaintances in the neighborhood,” he said.

But normally, for him, that kind of place should have been more convenient precisely for that reason.

Kirie and I sat side by side, with the boy across from us.

Carefully scooping the ice cream from the cream soda that had been brought over, the boy took a small bite.

“You shouldn’t go with strangers. All elementary school kids are told that by their parents,” the boy said in a voice that was far calmer than what someone in his situation should be.

As I thought, he’s perfectly composed.

At least much more so than Kirie, who’s frozen with tension beside me.

“Knowing that, why did you follow us?”

“Were you the kind of kid who listened to your parents when you were little, mister?” In an utterly serious tone, the boy returned the question.

Through the straw he was holding, a green liquid rose.

“My parents weren’t home much. Well, it’s still the same now, I guess.”

“…I see.”

For the first time, the boy’s expression seemed to falter.

Even so, his reaction still wasn’t childlike—he just awkwardly lowered his eyes.

The fact that he feels guilty over something like this might mean he’s surprisingly honest.

Kirie stirred her iced tea, and the cool sound of ice clinked.

“Did you come along to rebel against your parents?”

“No, I get along well with my parents. Regardless of you, mister, the lady didn’t seem like a bad person, so I thought it’d be okay.”

“I see. So you have poor judgment.”

“H-hey! I think that was a great judgment!”

The girl beside me furiously poked my arm.

I sighed. Who’s the real elementary schooler here?

“So, what did you want to ‘talk’ about?”

The boy looked at me and spoke. It seems he understood that I was the shotcaller.

To prompt the main topic himself—he’s got guts.

“H-hey, Hidaka-kun… is it really this kid?”

“You’ll know if you ask.”

Restraining Mizuki, who still looks uneasy, I continued.

I’d already roughly memorized the information that Love sent yesterday.

“Yusa Kanata. You have the power to control the weather, am I correct?”

Quietly, so those around us couldn’t hear. But clearly enough for him to hear, I spoke.

Instantly, the boy’s eyes widened.

Even though the sky was clear up until just now, with a whoosh sound, it suddenly became a downpour outside.

I’m sorry, Yusa.

Today, I’m going to change your life once more.

Regardless of your will or convenience.

“You don’t have to admit it. I just know. So please, at least listen to what I have to say.”

Ah, so at least—

So that you’ll suffer as little as possible, hurt as little as possible.

I’ll do everything I can. Of course, I don’t think that makes it forgivable.

“I think you know this, but that ability doesn’t belong to you. So please, I want you to return it.”

I said it. Straightforwardly, without any twists.

For this kid, that’s probably better.

“Doesn’t belong to me…”

The boy, Yusa Kanata, repeated.

As if slowly confirming the meaning of those words.

“So originally, it was yours, mister…?”

What came from his mouth wasn’t a denial.

In other words, Yusa has no intention of dodging.

Surely, this boy hasn’t told anyone about this power until now.

That’s why he immediately understood my words that pinpointed its existence.

“No, not me. The true owner is someone else. That person wants it back.”

“…I see.”

His voice was flat.

But I could definitely tell there was a faint tremor mixed in.

“Why… didn’t that person come to me instead?”

“There are circumstances that prevent the person from coming. I was hired by them, and until now, I’ve been retrieving abilities like this from others besides just you. But, I won’t force you. You can take some time to sort out your feelings. If you have any conditions, I intend to grant them as much as possible. However—”

“…”

“I don’t want you to refuse. Please.” Saying that, I bowed my head.

Mizuki beside me, flustered, followed suit.

Even though there’s no reason to do that—she’s an earnest one.

When I raised my head, he had his eyes closed, hand pressed to his chest.

He stayed like that for a while, being completely silent.

Mixed in with the sounds of rain, now heavier than before, the sound of a damp sigh reached my eardrums.

He’s probably fighting. Against the turmoil in his heart. Against the inexplicable anxiety.

And against the fear of me, a grim reaper who suddenly appeared in his daily life.

Desperately, with his own reason and courage.

“If you have anything you want to ask, I’ll tell you anything. Until you’re convinced. That’s also part of my job.”

“…Things I want to ask.”

Repeating the words again, Yusa opened his eyes.

Then, suddenly turning toward the outside, he gazed at the raindrops hitting the window.

“What if… I refuse?”

“Then there’s no choice. If it really can’t be helped, I’ll have to take it back by force.”

“…Heh. That’s scary.”

Yusa laughed.

He showed no sign of anger at my unreasonable reply, nor any intention to flee.

It looked like resignation, but somewhere, it also felt like he was accepting this situation.

“‘From others besides me’…Does that mean there are other people who can do the same things I can?”

“No, not exactly the same things. Various special abilities that ordinary people can’t do. Those, extremely rarely, dwell in people without any warning. Your ability is one of them.”

“…Why do such powers exist in this world? Could it be that I just didn’t know, but they’ve always existed…?”

“Of course not. The education system and parents teach you the necessary common sense. I’m the one who’s weird, so don’t worry.”

“…”

“Besides, this is simply due to an accident. Originally, it happened due to the owner’s mistake. And of course, this matter isn’t publicly known. This job is also a secret from anyone without abilities.”

“…I see. So that’s how it is.” Muttering as if convincing himself, Yusa nodded shallowly.

He’s impressive, this kid.

The last one, Aizawa Fumiya, was a college student.

Even so, when he heard my story, he was bewildered and terribly upset.

Of course, part of it was because he felt guilty.

But all those with extraordinary abilities have something they feel guilty about, more or less.

Surely, this Yusa Kanata should be no exception.

And yet, this kid…

“The owner of this… Why does that person want it back? Are they in trouble without this power?”

“No, not exactly. It’s just that this current state of the world isn’t right. To return the distorted world to how it was. That’s his… my employer’s goal.”

Yes. Simply, that’s all. But for Love, it seems non-negotiable.

Yusa seemed to be turning over each word I spoke again and again.

Placing a small hand on his small chin, quietly staring at one point.

To be this composed at this age is, frankly, abnormal.

The girl beside me is many times more nervous.

Though, feeling grateful for that probably makes me the biggest fool here.

“…I understand what you’ve told me, mister.” Yusa said this time in a voice almost drowned out by the rain.

His pupils wavered anxiously.

Even so, as if determined not to run away, he stared straight at me.

“Yeah… there are still many things I don’t understand. But I think I understand what I have to do.”

“…I see.”

I realized I was relieved.

Even though I have absolutely no right to be.

“Then, I want you to return the power. I won’t take much time. There’s no pain, no shock.”

“H-hey, Hidaka-kun! That’s so sudden… Kanata-kun still has various… circumstances…”

Awkwardly speaking, Mizuki touched my shoulder.

Even though she knows nothing. Even though she’s an outsider.

That was my thought, but it was more admiration than complaint or irritation.

Of course she just couldn’t just stay silent.

Because even without understanding, she understands Yusa’s feelings and sympathizes with him.

Because she can’t accept the scene unfolding before her eyes.

And because she has the common sense and sense of justice that can’t allow it.

This girl, as ‘not-normal’ as she is, is also kinder than normal.

That feeling, that motive—of course, I can understand it.

But she—Mizuki—is fundamentally mistaken.

“You’re not the one who decides that. He is.” Staring back into Yusa’s eyes, I said.

This is an extremely personal matter.

How to respond to our circumstances, our story—only Yusa himself can decide that.

There’s not the slightest room for others to interfere.

And precisely because of that, I—

“Could you please go home… I need some time…” I alone must face it, no matter what.

From now on, to the person whose wings will be plucked. To the one plucking the wings.

To that will, that heart, that life.

“I want to take this a little slowly. About myself, and about what I just heard. And also… about this ability.” The boy gazed at his own small palm.

Before I knew it, the pouring rain had weakened.

Sunlight breaking through the clouds brightly illuminated Yusa’s profile.

In that case, I wouldn’t need an umbrella.. Vaguely, I thought that.

“I won’t run away. I’ll definitely meet you again, mister. So—”

“I understand.”

There was no need to hear the rest.

When I answered, Yusa paused briefly, then nodded with a clink.

Grabbing the paper inserted in the check holder, I stood up.