Chapter 79: A Secret Rendezvous Begins at Kiyomizu-dera (Part 4)
Saku understood what Utaha meant.
But if he was being truthful with himself, he'd always found her feelings toward him a little strange.
She was originally supposed to like Aki Tomoya.
Even if Saku's interference had changed the relationship between them, shouldn't the shift have been much smaller than this?
He'd never seriously questioned it before.
Now that he did, it really was peculiar.
Was he genuinely that charming?
Saku couldn't figure it out.
There simply wasn't a reasonable explanation.
In the end, he could only assume that after spending so much time together, Utaha's feelings had changed and she'd fallen for the superior option standing right in front of her.
Even then, one thing still puzzled him.
Why would she develop feelings for him while fully aware that Mai existed?
Then again...
Saku knew perfectly well that he wasn't some master of romance.
Nor did he particularly care to dissect every emotion involved.
His philosophy was simple.
When flowers bloom, butterflies come naturally.
As long as he made himself attractive enough, the butterflies would stay.
Everything else?
He had no interest in overthinking it.
"You're right."
Saku looked at Utaha.
"I love everyone who loves me."
Utaha turned toward him.
Her expression was half hidden beneath the shifting shadows cast by the leaves overhead.
After several seconds, the corner of her mouth curved upward.
"That's exactly the sort of thing you'd say."
She clicked her tongue.
"You stinky man."
"And yet you're still getting closer to me."
"How am I supposed to know whether you smell good or bad without getting closer?"
"Well?"
Saku grinned.
"Which one am I?"
"Hmm..."
Utaha clasped both hands behind her back and leaned slightly forward.
"Bad."
"But still strangely appealing."
She thought for a moment.
"Like stinky tofu."
"Or durian."
The motion suddenly brought her face much closer to his.
Sunlight slipped through the leaves above and scattered mottled patches across her cheeks.
At this distance, Saku could even make out tiny golden flecks deep within her wine-red eyes.
"Fine, fine."
Saku burst out laughing.
"As long as you didn't compare me to surstromming, I'll consider myself blessed."
"Ew!"
Utaha immediately recoiled.
"If you were surstromming, I wouldn't go near you for the rest of my life."
She lifted her chin proudly.
"A beautiful girl is supposed to smell nice. I can't let something that foul contaminate me."
"...Fair enough."
Saku nodded.
"I agree."
...
By dusk, they had begun heading west.
The setting sun dyed the sky in layered shades of orange and crimson, while the Higashiyama mountains in the distance gradually became dark silhouettes beneath the evening light.
A breeze drifted across the Kamo River, carrying cool moisture and the faint grassy scent of the water.
The riverbank was already occupied by pairs of couples sitting at strangely consistent intervals from one another.
The famous Kamo River Spacing looked romantic under the sunset.
And, at the same time, faintly ridiculous.
The river beneath the bridge reflected the orange-red sky in shimmering fragments.
A Keihan train passed along the elevated tracks on the far side, warm light glowing through its windows.
"So people really do sit here before dinner."
Utaha leaned against the bridge railing and looked at the evenly spaced figures below.
"I thought travel guides were exaggerating."
"Have you considered that maybe all of them read the same travel guides and thought exactly what you did?"
"Pfft!"
Utaha laughed.
"You're really funny."
She meant it sincerely.
Saku hadn't talked nearly as much as she had throughout the day.
But whenever he answered, his replies always came from some strange angle she'd never expected.
She had no idea how other people would've responded.
But Saku's answers consistently made her happy.
Utaha knew she would remember this day for the rest of her life.
They passed Shijo Bridge.
Gradually, the scenery changed from the open riverside into busy streets, then slowly transitioned again into a quieter, more orderly neighborhood.
Utaha walked ahead without speaking.
At some point, however, her pace had slowed.
Saku followed half a step behind, watching the setting sun stretch her shadow far across the pavement.
The chiffon blouse outlined the delicate lines of her shoulders, while the hem of her dark blue skirt stirred gently in the evening breeze.
Then she stopped.
Saku looked up.
Standing before them was an understated but elegant inn.
Warm yellow light spilled from the entrance.
There was no flashy sign outside, only a tasteful wooden plaque bearing the inn's name.
"We're here."
Utaha turned around beneath the warm entrance lamp and looked up at him.
Twilight had settled completely around them.
The light cast soft shadows across her face, making the glow within her wine-red eyes seem deeper than usual.
"Thank you for staying with me all day."
She took a small breath.
"This is the last stop."
"Come inside."
Her voice trembled slightly.
For the first time all day, it sounded as though she'd struggled to make the decision.
Yet she'd made it.
…(Exerting his power — if you know, you know)
...
The room was arranged in a traditional Japanese style.
The tatami carried the dry, grassy fragrance of rush straw.
Inside the tokonoma hung an ink-wash landscape scroll, and beneath it stood a simple flower vase holding a single white camellia.
A low table and two cushions sat neatly in the center of the room, facing a huge floor-to-ceiling window.
Beyond the glass stretched Kyoto at night.
Lights spread across the city in every direction.
The outline of Higashiyama appeared and disappeared within the darkness, while the silhouette of Yasaka Pagoda stood beneath the lights like a woodblock print suspended against the night sky.
"This view..."
Utaha walked to the window and placed one hand against the glass.
"It's prettier than during the day."
Saku stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her in a full embrace.
"I feel sticky from all that walking. I'm going to take a shower first."
"Sure."
Saku released her.
"I'll wash up afterward too."
Utaha opened her suitcase, took out a change of clothes and her toiletries, then headed into the bathroom.
The sliding door closed with a soft click.
A moment later, the faucet turned on.
The sound of running water filtered through the wooden door, becoming muffled and indistinct.
Saku sat beside the low table and tried to focus on the night view outside.
His heartbeat was faster than usual, his palms slightly damp, his mind racing far beyond its normal speed yet producing nothing but a buzzing blankness.
Even though he already knew what was going to happen next, having no experience with this kind of thing still left him thoroughly restless.
…