Ano natsu, bokura no koi ga kienai yo ni Ch - 1

 I. The City Where Stars Can’t Be Seen 

Dear Serizawa Runa,

If you’re reading this letter,

then I’m sure you must have found it among the treasures you keep in your most precious box.

What kind of expression do you have on your face right now?

Do you perhaps wish you had never fallen in love after all?

I love you.

More than anyone else, I love you.

I will never regret falling in love with you.

Tsuzumi Towa

━━━━━━━━

After a three-hour ride on the express train, I stepped off at my destination with a backpack slung over my shoulders. The station looked different from the one in my memory. It used to feel more desolate, but now there’s a fast-food joint with a bold “M” logo and the usual drugstore you’d expect at a station entrance.

I knew I couldn’t have gotten off at the wrong stop, but I glanced up at the station building just to be sure. The sign clearly read “Komai.”

…It’s changed a lot, I thought, momentarily stunned. Then, a melody drifted from the clock tower beside the fountain. Its hands pointed precisely to noon.

I stopped walking, deciding to take in my surroundings for a bit. As if waiting for that exact moment, a car horn blared, Beep beep!, catching my attention.

“Towa-kun, over here!”

A black caravan was parked at the edge of the rotary, carefully avoiding the taxi stand and bus stop.

“Long time no see! Do you remember me, your auntie?”

I knew she was around my mom’s age, probably in her forties, but she was so stunning that “auntie” didn’t quite fit.

“You’re Yoko-san, right?”

“That’s right! I can’t believe how much you’ve grown into such a fine young man, Towa-kun. If Kanae-san hadn’t sent me your photo, I might not have recognized you.”

Don’t just send people my pictures without asking, I grumbled inwardly, though I kept my expression neutral and bowed politely to maintain the “fine young man” image.

“I’ll be in your care starting today.”

“Likewise! Is that all your luggage?”

“Oh, this is a gift from Mom.”

“Really? Thank you! Come on, hop in.”

Still feeling a bit floaty, I climbed into the passenger seat and fastened my seatbelt tightly. Yoko-san took the wheel, and the car rolled forward smoothly.

I lived in this town until I was five. That was ten years ago, but I remember it vividly. Back then, I still had some innocence left, any game was fun as long as I had friends. I wish I could’ve grown up without breaking, but here I am, nearing sixteen, having veered off the path quite a bit.

I stopped going to school midway through junior high, skipping every event tied to “youth.” Talking to people became a hassle, so I holed up in my room for over a year, barely stepping out. My little world was comfy but drained my will to leave, until even the idea of high school felt daunting. Fed up, my mom reached out to her friend Yoko-san, probably spilling every detail of my downward spiral.

“If that’s the case, why don’t you send Towa-kun back here? I’d be happy to take him in at our boarding house,” Yoko-san had apparently offered cheerfully. Honestly, I found it more annoying than helpful and turned it down once, no, twice. But I couldn’t stay locked in my room forever, and more than that, there was the hope of seeing her. So I started small, cut my overgrown, gloomy hair, went back to school via the nurse’s office for exams. I’d thought I didn’t need to change no matter what anyone said, but she still loomed large in my mind.

“Towa-kun, have you had lunch?”

“Yeah, I ate a station bento on the train a bit ago.”

“Station bento, huh? Those are so good! I love the hokki one. Have you ever tried hokki, Towa-kun?”

“Uh, I’m not big on shellfish…”

“What, really? Let me know if there’s anything else you can’t eat, okay?”

“Sure, thanks.”

Yoko-san’s warmth contrasted with my lingering stiffness. I’d braced myself for this, but living here still didn’t feel real. My communication skills were bone-dry, I wasn’t confident I could manage. Yet being in a place where I wouldn’t run into old acquaintances eased my mind. I was tense, but oddly not depressed.

“We’re here, Towa-kun.”

At Yoko-san’s cue, I stepped out. Beyond the closed car door was a single-story house, her home and a boarding house for local high schoolers. I vaguely recalled visiting a few times as a kid, but it had been expanded since then.

“We got two new boarders just recently. I’ll introduce you at dinner.”

“Boarders… How many are there?”

“Sadly, just you and the other two this year. Last year we had more, but they were seniors who graduated. Most kids from out of town pick the dorms, boarding houses aren’t as familiar, I guess.”

…Three, including me. Fewer than I’d expected, which was a relief, though the unease lingered. Then, a figure emerged from behind the house.

“Hey, Mom! You forgot to water the plants again, didn’t you? The soil was so dry it was pitiful, so I, ”

Our eyes met as she sprinkled water from a hose. Her face was strikingly small. Slim, pale arms and legs stretched out from a T-shirt and shorts. Her black hair was tied back carelessly, and her neatly trimmed bangs framed eyes that blinked rapidly.

“No way, why…”

She stood there, mouth agape, frozen as if time had stopped.

“R-Runa! The hose, the hose!”

“Oh, ah, whoa!”

Snapped back by Yoko-san, she fumbled to release the nozzle. Water trickled down the sloped concrete, pooling at my feet like a black snake. With an annoyed huff, she slammed the hose down.

“Wait, Mom, I didn’t hear anything about this…!”

“Didn’t I tell you a kid you’ve known since forever was joining us as a boarder?”

“But that it’s Towa, I… oh.”

She hesitated mid-sentence, awkwardly clamping her lips shut.

Her name’s Serizawa Runa. Same age as me, same preschool ten years ago. Back then, she was shy, always crying over little things. Our parents hit it off, so we ended up together a lot. I’m not sure if “childhood friend” fits, but we were close enough to use first names.

That was at five, though. She’d never dream I’d pinned my hopes on her, and too much time has passed since then.

“No way am I okay with this!”

Runa staunchly refused to welcome me, griping at Yoko-san. Unsure how to react, I stared pointlessly at the water trail.

The Runa I knew didn’t talk so assertively, and her face didn’t match my memory. Still, her once-cute features had matured into her mom’s beauty, and her healthy figure drew my eyes. A nice scent wafted on the breeze, do girls really change this much in ten years? It’s beyond surprising; it’s almost scary. She’s practically a different person.

“Alright, alright. Can you show Towa-kun around the house? I’m heading out to buy dinner stuff. Oh, Towa-kun, you’re in Boys’ Room 3. And Runa, show him around town too, okay?”

“I’m not okay with this, I’m busy!”

“You said you had no plans and were gonna laze around all day.”

“Ugh, that’s…”

Overwhelmed by Yoko-san, Runa’s fire fizzled out.

“Here’s your room.”

She led me to the deepest of the boys’ rooms, arms crossed and sulky, avoiding my gaze. I’d gotten a pamphlet with the layout beforehand, so I had a rough idea. The building’s C-shaped, boys’ rooms right past the entrance, girls’ across a courtyard with an open ceiling.

Opening the door revealed a six-tatami room. Closet, single bed, desk, bookshelf, TV, even a balcony for laundry. More than enough already set up.

“So, ugh, I’ll go over the annoying boarding rules.”

In a bored tone, Runa read from a sheet.

“Meal and bath times are fixed. If you’re late or don’t need food, tell the landlord early.”

“Landlord…?”

“My mom. Next, shared spaces. Everything outside your room, entrance, toilets, bath, washing machine, is communal. Our house is next door, connected by a hallway, but boarders aren’t allowed in, so don’t come over.”

“…”

“Basically, don’t invite outsiders. If you must, tell Mom. Details are on this sheet, here.”

She thrust the paper at me brusquely. Living away from home came with detailed rules, but they weren’t harsh, just basic manners, with freedom otherwise.

“Oh, and the most important rule.”

“What?”

“No romance here! No weird moves or ulterior motives!”

Her voice, flat until now, suddenly sharpened.

“That’s not on the paper…”

“Doesn’t matter, it’s absolute! Especially you, a red flag, so don’t get too close to me.”

I don’t get it, but she really seems to hate me. No clue why, I just got here. I’d hoped we could get along like before, but that’s clearly not happening. Disappointed, I mumbled, “Got it,” hiding my feelings.

Cardboard boxes I’d sent ahead sat in the room. Peeling the tape, I found my uniform on top.

I’m set to start at Komai Central High next week. It’s average academically but supports certifications like kanji, math, and bookkeeping, plus, it’s a baseball powerhouse. Kids from rural areas come for that, hence the dorms and boarding houses. Honestly, I didn’t care where I went.

I picked Komai Central because it’s the closest to the boarding house.

Pulling out the gakuran, I hung it up. Wearing it, or being a high schooler, still doesn’t feel real.

[Towa, did you get to the boarding house? It’ll be tough at first, but hang in there. Call if anything comes up.]

A message from Mom popped up on my phone. My parents aren’t blameless in my shut-in phase. I got frustrated, lashed out, fought with friends over petty stuff, and withdrew completely.

…So this is my new home. Taking a deep breath to steel myself, I felt a sharp gaze. Turning, I saw Runa, supposedly gone, standing at the door, arms crossed again.

“Hey, can’t you hurry up a bit?”

Her outfit was the same, but her hair was down, and she’d put on makeup.

“Hurry? For what…?”

“Town tour, duh. Let’s go and get back quick!”

She’d told me to stay away, yet she’s dutifully following orders.

“Are you really that crybaby Runa?”

“Don’t act all chummy! That’s one penalty!”

“Penalty? What happens if they stack up?”

“I’ll… figure that out later!”

What’s that supposed to mean? I don’t need a tour, but it might be a rule for new boarders, so I went along to avoid souring her mood further.

She stomped ahead in chunky high-top sneakers. Her hair, straight at five, now flowed soft and fluffy.

“See that white building? That’s Komai Central High, where you’ll go. Memorize the route.”

Glancing where she pointed, I saw what looked like a school.

“How’d you know my school?”

“I saw your uniform. Gakuran around here means Central.”

“Wait… you go there too?”

“You said ‘you’ again! That’s two penalties. Ugh, worst day ever. You at our boarding house is bad enough, but the same school? Please, please don’t let us be in the same class!”

She prayed skyward, not at me.

“I don’t remember doing anything to make you this wary.”

“You didn’t. I’m just wary of you.”

“Yeah, but why?”

“That’s just how it is!”

With a huff, she turned and marched off.

…This is rough. She’s mad for no reason but still gave a proper tour. The town felt more developed than when I lived here, fewer nostalgic traces.

She walked fast and talked faster, “That supermarket’s cheapest on Tuesdays,” “That coin laundry’s 24/7, use it if the house machine’s busy”, surprisingly helpful. Soon, we climbed a hill, and the view opened up. Komai Port stretched out, facing the sea.

“…Hey, why’d you come back to this town now?”

Her long hair fluttered as she asked over her shoulder.

“Hmm, to reset my life?”

“Life’s continuous, you can’t reset it.”

“Then… to start over?”

“Why’s everything a question? Can’t you give a solid reason?”

I looked up at the sky.

Saying I wanted to see her would just piss her off more. I had multiple reasons, resetting was true, so was wanting a fresh start. But what really brought me here…

“I came back because you can’t see the stars.”

This time, I said it firm, no question.

Komai City shifts from dusk to nightfall. Nicknamed “Fog Town,” some call it Japan’s London.

It’s long had oil refineries and car factories, and lately, paper manufacturing’s boomed. Smoke pours from factory chimneys year-round. The seaside’s all industrial now, white smoke blankets the sky at night, hiding the stars I don’t want to see.

“Didn’t you say you’d be an astronomer?”

“You remember that? That was then.”

Back when we were buddies, you could still see stars here. We’d stargaze with family, I’d ramble about them proudly. I read tough books for a five-year-old, constellations, space. I was obsessed.

“So now you hate stars?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh… okay. If you hate them, maybe it’s fine.”

“Fine?”

Tilting my head, she spun around. She’d avoided my gaze, but now her eyes locked on mine, almost painfully.

“If you’re not the Towa I knew, maybe it’s okay.”

That didn’t answer me, but she looked oddly relieved.

I’d pictured Runa countless times since we parted, she’d outgrown my imagination. Beyond her changed personality, she’d gotten gorgeous, making the ten years feel vast.

“But you’re still on the watch list! Call me ‘Serizawa-san.’ I’ll call you ‘Tsuzumi-kun.’”

So I’ve upgraded from “you” to a last-name basis?

“Let’s head back. I’ve got dinner prep.”

She strode off briskly. Her star-marked sneakers, sequined star bag, and jingling star phone strap screamed obsession, hers now, not mine.

Dinner started at 6:30. The cozy living room had a menu: salt-koji chicken karaage, simmered chicken wing tips, steamed cabbage and pork belly hotpot, and five-grain rice.

Yoko-san and Runa, who live next door, eat with us. Food was ready, seats taken, boys and girls facing each other, like the room layout. Another boarder sat beside me, one diagonally ahead.

“Finally, everyone’s here!”

Yoko-san clapped amid the tasty aromas.

“First-time boarding might feel strange, but I want this to feel like home. Talk to me anytime, okay?”

Past boarders probably started with her warm greetings too.

“And all of you at the same school, what a coincidence! I feel like I’ve gained new daughters and sons…”

“Mom, let’s do intros before the food gets cold.”

“Oh, right! Let’s do that!”

Runa’s nudge shifted it to us.

“I’m Shoji Keisuke! Played baseball through junior high and joining here too. Looking forward to it!”

The guy next to me screamed jock, buzz cut, loud voice, big build. The classic class clown vibe oozed out.

“I’m Sasano Kaho, from the countryside. Good at studying. Nice to meet you.”

The glasses-wearing model student across from me seemed calm. Polar opposites, I noted coolly, until a kick under the table jolted me. Runa glared, hurry up. Oh, my turn.

“Uh… Tsuzumi Towa. I used to live here but came back for reasons. No special skills. Nice to meet you.”

My social awkwardness flared as I stumbled through.

“Yo, Tsuzumin, nice!” Keisuke slapped my shoulder. I couldn’t match his energy or even fake a smile.

“I’ll introduce myself too. Serizawa Runa, I help Mom here. We’ll see each other daily, so let’s get along at school too.”

Runa flashed a grin.

…Why’s she so nice to them but not me?

She served food to the others, “Eat up!”, but skipped me, of course.

Bath time was set from 7:30 to 9:30, staggered for guys and girls with a “in use” sign. I’d bathed late at night before, so I lazily showered at 9:29.

“…Man, I’m beat.”

I flopped onto the bed, wet hair and all. The room smelled unfamiliar, its white walls almost too bright. Unless I bail, this is home for three years.

…Can I handle this? School hasn’t even started.

Knock knock. Before I could reply, “Coming in!”, Keisuke burst through.

“W-What?!”

I shot up, startled.

“We didn’t chat much earlier, so I thought we’d bond now!”

He spread drinks and snacks on the floor. Room visits aren’t banned, but barging in uninvited feels rude.

“…Sorry, I was about to sleep.”

A hint to leave. My night-owl habits meant no sleep at ten, but still.

“Got it, got it. Call me whatever, nickname, first name. I’m already on ‘Tsuzumin.’”

“That’s not a ‘got it’, I didn’t say you could call me anything…”

“Eh, it’s fine. Let’s drink!”

Totally out of sync, he forced a canned juice on me. Jocks love this pushy vibe, don’t they? No bonding vibes here.

“Leave after this, seriously.”

Sighing, I popped the tab. Post-shower thirst won, and I gulped it down.

“So, Tsuzumin, Runa-chan or Kaho-chan, which is your type?”

“Cough, cough!”

I choked on the sudden question. What’s his thought process? Bonding doesn’t jump to this.

“No need to freak out. Guy talk always hits romance, right?”

“I wouldn’t know… What about you, Shoji?”

“Both! They’re so cute it’s unreal!”

I find him unreal for eyeing them like that.

“FYI, romance is banned here.”

“What?! No way! What’s with that idol rule? Who said that?”

“Seriza, uh, Serizawa-san.”

“Seriously…?”

He slumped, clearly hoping to score. His chatter dragged on, “Passed with sports recs,” “Planned for dorms but my snoring’d bug a roommate, so boarding house it is”, a one-sided info dump.

First night here. I’d expected quiet, but my room’s lights stayed on late.

April 10th morning. I woke to my phone alarm, head foggy from staying up. Bedhead was a mess, unfixable, I decided, brushing my teeth at the sink.

“Move over a bit?”

Runa, in a sailor uniform, stood behind me. I shifted, and she deftly tied her long hair into a ponytail. Her hair tie had a tiny gold star.

“Ufe ya own fafroom,” I mumbled through toothpaste.

“What?”

Spitting out foam, “Use your own bathroom.”

“This mirror’s bigger! And you’re still in pajamas, time’s tight!”

True, no time to argue.

“Your bedhead’s wild, so I’ll lend you my hair water, special favor.”

She handed me a pink spray from the shelf. Before I could thank her, she darted to the living room.

“Busy Morning Bedhead Fixer”, perfect for me. Spraying it, a sweet, fresh scent hit, floral fruity, apparently. That’s why she always smells nice.

We ate Yoko-san’s breakfast and headed to school. Newbies and veterans blended in uniform crowds. I’d gone to school late in junior high for exams, avoiding peak hours, this bustle was new.

“Can’t see!”

Class lists were posted at the main entrance, swarmed. Runa hopped like a rabbit. Fewer freshmen this year, only four classes.

“I’m in 2! Kaho-chan too!” Keisuke confirmed first.

“I’m… 1.”

“Wait, check mine!”

“1.”

“What… with Tsuzumi-kun?”

“Looks like it.”

“No way…”

Her hopping stopped; she visibly deflated.

We split to our classrooms, finding seats via posted charts. Alphabetical order put me third from the back, middle row, decent. No familiar faces eased me, but new semesters always unsettle. Fiddling with my bag, the chair beside me scraped.

“…Oh.”

A girl froze, meeting my eyes. “Ta” next to “Sa” made sense, but Runa’s blatant grimace said she didn’t want it.

“Seriously, just…”

She covered her face, speechless. I didn’t ask for this either, I almost said, when, “Runa! Long time!”, a shrill voice cut in.

“Huh, Miyo-chan?”

“Yup! Since sixth grade! Yuma and Harada-kun are here too!”

“Really? So nostalgic!”

Her frown flipped to joy at old friends.

More from her old schools swarmed her, chatter exploding. She’s all scowls with me but beams with them.

Propping my cheek on my hand, I watched. She’s been here fifteen years, of course she’s got tons of friends. While I hid away, she built connections.

“I only need Towa.”

I recalled crybaby Runa’s old catchphrase. She’d trail me, and I’d pull her into friend circles.

…We’ve drifted far apart.

No, I stalled too long. She’s dazzling now, like a star.

The gym entrance ceremony took an hour. Mom wanted to see me in uniform, but I said I’d send pics and declined her visit. Back in class, the teacher wrapped up, free to go.

“Hey, Runa, let’s hang out!”

“Yeah! We wanna bond, talked about hitting the station family restaurant.”

Not just old pals, new friends already, including guys with obvious crushes like Keisuke.

“Sorry, got house stuff.”

“House stuff?”

“We run a boarding house. Mom’s alone, so I help out.”

“A boarding house? Cool!”

Not sure what’s cool about it, but the word hooked them, and they crowded her more.

“Can we visit?” “Any hot boarders?”, she fielded tricky questions gracefully, never dropping her smile.

It felt fake to me, maybe my heart’s too murky.

Leaving alone for the shoe lockers, upperclassmen handed out club flyers at the entrance.

“Join basketball, it’s fun!”

“Rock out with light music club!”

“Vote for table tennis!!”

Recruiting freshmen, apparently.

“Hey, first-year, right? Tennis interest?”

“Uh, no.”

“First-year boys, this way! Soccer’ll make you popular!”

“N-No, I’m good.”

Dodging abductions, I reached the gate, hands full of flyers. Couldn’t toss them, so I stuffed them in my bag. Half my junior high as a truant, before that a clubless bore, club kids all seemed so energetic.

Hurrying off, I spotted a sign: “Komai Central High School Entrance Ceremony.”

…Crap, forgot Mom’s photo.

Scanning around, Keisuke’s loud laugh echoed, he was with baseball seniors. Not worth asking. Selfies weren’t my thing. Yoko-san’s gone, so…

“Runa, bye! See ya tomorrow!”

“Yep! Have fun, everyone!”

Classmates passed, chattering about lunch plans, heading to the station.

“You’re still here.”

Her smile vanished; she tossed me a cold look.

“…Hey, can you take my picture?”

“Huh? Why?”

“Promised Mom I’d send one.”

“Oh, Kanae-san.”

Right, Runa adored Mom too. Mom wanted a daughter like her, fawning over her angelic “I love you!” hugs. Even after moving, she’d mention Runa, always wondering how she was.

“If it’s for Kanae-san, I’ll do it.”

Handing over my phone, I stood stiffly by the sign.

“So stiff! No peace sign or smile?”

“I smiled.”

“It’s forced, eyes shut too.”

“Backlight blinded me!”

Another shot wouldn’t improve it, so I kept the awkward one.

“Let me take yours.”

“What? Why? And ‘you’ again!”

“Okay, okay. Please let me take one of Serizawa-san.”

“Why, Tsuzumi-kun?”

“Mom’d wanna see you too.”

“That’s… sneaky.”

Reluctantly, she posed. Peace sign at her chest, she photographed beautifully, unlike my half-eyed mess.

“Saving it’s a penalty.”

“Can’t send it without saving.”

Mom replied instantly: [With Runa-chan there, I’m at ease.] Plus a peace-sign stamp I didn’t use.

…At ease? I’m the one getting iced out and flagged.

“, Don’t just follow me silently!”

Runa halted mid-walk home. Same destination, yet she’d kept distance.

“You told me to stay back.”

We’d been close for the photo, but she’d snapped, “Get away!” after.

“Is it that bad if people know we’re acquainted?”

Last names, no chats in class, she avoided me.

“Huh? Did I say that? No issue with people knowing.”

“Then why treat me like a plague?”

“P-Plague?! That’s not it!”

“It’s off-putting. Sometimes it stings.”

My fragile ego tanked school over less, and I still can’t recall upsetting her.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just…”

“Just?”

“I want to protect you, Towa.”

“Protect me from what…?”

“Ah!!”

Her shout made me flinch. Mid-serious talk, she grabbed a stone off the ground.

“Look at this!”

She thrust it at me, weirdly excited.

“Yeah. A rock.”

“Not a rock, a star! I found one before, sparkling like stardust clumped together. Since then, I collect similar ones!”

I squinted at it. Small, square grains fused, about three centimeters, pale yellow, golden at angles.

“That’s pyrite.”

“Pie-right?”

“Iron sulfide mineral. Factory area’s near, maybe fell from a truck or got carried by smoke.”

“No imagination!!”

She pouted, cutting me off.

“I say it’s a star, so it’s a star!”

“Meant to ask, since when do you love stars this much?”

I’d yammered about them as a kid; she’d nod or stare blankly. Stars weren’t her thing.

“…Yeah, I do.”

Her eyes pierced mine, stirring my heart. Why the sad look? Why the near tears? I don’t know her now.

I fumbled for words, but a cheery bell rang behind us.

“Tsuzumin, Runa-chaaan!”

A bike stopped, Keisuke pedaling, Kaho in back.

“Senior lent me his bike! Picked up Kaho-chan on the way.”

“Don’t say ‘picked up.’”

“Eh, it’s fine.”

Keisuke and Kaho were chummy already.

“Cool bike! Gimme a ride!”

“Oh, Runa-chan too? Three fit?”

“No way, that’s impossible.”

Kaho objected, but Runa insisted, “Let’s try!” They rigged it, Keisuke pedaling, Runa on the saddle, Kaho on the rack. Absurd.

Poor bike. Three’s illegal, two’s already a no-go.

“Wait, crap, can’t balance! Kaho-chan, help with your feet, please!”

“Be a man and handle it.”

Kaho pushed off, and it crept forward.

“Pfft, haha! What’s this? So fun!”

Runa, doing nothing between them, laughed loudest.

“What are you guys doing? Walking’s faster.”

Catching up to their snail pace, I deadpanned.

“Damn it!” Keisuke sped up, overtaking me.

“Penalty if we beat you!”

Runa yelled, facing me.

“Fine, penalty or whatever.”

No point, it’s just tiring.

“Then no dinner if you lose!”

“What? No way!”

“It’s Entrance Celebration, sukiyaki tonight. Juicy meat, raw egg dip, so good. Too bad you’ll miss it, Tsuzumi-kun.”

Her voice faded as they pulled ahead. She’s baiting me. Dumb to bite, childish.

“…I’m eating that sukiyaki!”

I slung my bag like a backpack and sprinted uphill.

“Ha, Tsuzumi-kun’s serious! Hurry!”

Runa squealed, egging them on.

Panting breaths, jolts from each step, her scent spilled from my shaking hair, matching hers.

TL : Hello, this is Slayboy02. I picked up this series on a whim, but in the end, it turned out to be really good. So please stick with this series until the end.