Besides, she also needed some experiences to use as material for her social media feed, and as conversation topics to chat with classmates after the holiday ended.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but sigh.
"Ah... just thinking about it makes me feel so tired."
"What's so tiring?"
"Socializing, of course..." Reina replied instinctively, "It's so troublesome..."
...Eh?
Once the words were out, she realized what she had done.
She usually rode the train back and forth alone, rarely with anyone accompanying her.
Plus, Rin was so quiet, her presence was so low it could almost be ignored, causing Reina to speak her mind without realizing it.
However, she didn't experience much emotional fluctuation because of this.
After all, it was just a normal complaint; many people felt that way, and there was no need to worry about it being made into a big deal.
Moreover, the person beside her now was Rin, the very same Rin who had just steadily caught her by the wall, saving her from falling.
Even if she really said some things she wouldn't usually dare to say to others, it would be fine, right? After all, it was Rin.
"Indeed, it is very troublesome."
Hearing Reina's reply, Rin nodded in agreement, her snow-white hair swaying gently in the night breeze.
"I hate socializing. They are just like utility poles on the side of the road; there's absolutely no need to pay any attention to them."
...Seems like she said something quite dangerous?
In this country where reading the air and complex interpersonal relationships have almost become daily routines, the level of danger in saying such things in reality is comparable to streaking.
Fortunately, the only person currently in contact with Rin in real life was herself.
...Geez, she really shouldn't say things like that recklessly.
Reina complained to herself quietly.
But at the same time, there was a tiny bit of secret joy, like bubbles in sparkling water, slowly floating up.
Because this also meant that Rin considered her a very important friend.
...Although there was also the possibility that Rin just didn't care about these things at all?
Pfft, whatever.
As she thought about it, she couldn't help but chuckle.
Only then did Reina realize that the platform, which she had thought was lonely and dark, actually held a glimmer of light.
By the fence at the end, a standing lamp emitting white light cut through some of the night, and the rumbling sound of wheels hitting the tracks came from afar.
The train arrived.
The sound of the train entering the station grew from soft to loud, finally stopping in front of them. The doors slid open, revealing an empty carriage.
Rin put away her phone and glanced sideways at Reina.
"Let's go."
She was the first to step into the carriage and sat down by the window. Reina followed and sat down next to her. The doors closed behind them, the train started up again, and the scenery outside the window gradually receded, with the lights representing the platform soon being swallowed by the night.
The carriage was very empty, with a few fluorescent lights illuminating the interior brightly. Most of the seats were empty, with only a middle-aged man wearing headphones and dozing off sitting in the distant corner.
The sound of the wheels rubbing against the tracks was rhythmic and monotonous.
Reina leaned against the seat back, her gaze subconsciously falling on the rapidly receding night view. Those lit-up buildings, convenience store signs, and occasionally passing cars were all dyed into flowing spots of light by the night.
Suddenly, as if she had just remembered something, she turned her head.
"Rin."
"Hmm?"
"Um, just now... thank you." She paused, "For catching me."
Rin didn't answer immediately. She looked out the window, her profile appearing somewhat transparent under the light.
"Don't mention it."
"But..."
"I said don't mention it." Her tone was still as flat as ever, but for some reason, it didn't feel harsh to the ears. "Besides, if it were you, you would have caught me too, right?"
"Eh?"
Reina was stunned for a moment.
If it were me... would I catch Rin?
She tried to imagine the scene in her mind: Rin falling from above, and her opening her arms to catch her.
The image was a bit comical, and also a bit unrealistic.
But the answer was definitely yes.
I would catch her.
Although I might fall even worse than Rin, and although I might not be able to catch her at all, I would definitely reach out my hands.
"...Yes." She said softly.
The corners of Rin's mouth curved up. Reina felt that this time the smile seemed a bit more obvious, probably because the other person was already used to showing smiles in front of her.