Summer Trap (Matsumoto Series 2)

Chapter 2

Dedicated to Noah's Ark Ship

Chapter 2
White Umbrella

August 16, 2022
Joyfull restaurant

"You're starting to talk weirdly," I told him that moment the crew left us at our table.

"Am I?"

"Yes."

"To be honest, I've been receiving that kind of impression."

"Who wouldn't? It's very unusual for Japanese like you to speak or even act like this. I've been warned—" natigilan ako sa pagsasalita nang napansin kong bahagya siyang nagtaas ng kilay.

"Warned?"

"Oh. . . well, what I mean, someone told me about details. About what should I expect and such," kibit balikat na sagot ko.

"And you're expecting something else? Would you like someone who nods and shakes his head in a daily conversation? Because you know, to be honest, it's quite frustrating to have someone like that," he took a sip on his cold macha.

I crossed my legs and leaned back at the soft yellow sofa of the restaurant. "Well, I just couldn't help but get fascinated. Someone says that in Japan's countryside you'll feel how the time will slow down," I hesitantly took a glance at him.

Ako rin ang naunang nag-iwas ng tingin sa kanya bago ko inabot iyong coke na nasa baso. I took a little sip with my silly eyes that tried to take a peek at him again.

He grinned before he looked down at his food.

"So, you consider this fast?"

"Are you running from someone? Something?"

Natigil siya sa paghiwa ng beef at mabagal siyang nag-angat ng tingin sa akin. He blinked at him. He's trying to read my expressions.

"Our first encounter in Maehira Park was nothing, but our second time was unexplainable. You asked a few questions that also quirked my attention. I think you need my existence. . . you need something from me."

He carefully pulled a napkin and gently wiped his lips.

"Wise girl."

"I know. So?"

"I told you. My family sent me to that abandoned house near your hotel. They exclude me from everything that caused me to become this cute Japanese boy in the countryside with a red car. They punished me because I sided with my cousin and because I lied to them about having a girlfriend who doesn't fit their standard. It happened almost a year and a half ago? I don't remember exactly. But now, I am trying to rebel against them, they're trying to marry me off like what they did to Seiji. If my cousin Seiji can escape, why can't I?"

Napatulala ako sa mahabang sinabi niya. I was just asking a few questions, but I never thought that he'd give me the details.

"So, any more questions?"

"And you're telling me this to me?"

"You did ask, right?"

"And you're fine with that?"

"Sometimes, it's good to share stories with a stranger— I mean, a newly made friend."

I slowly tapped my fingers on the table as I stared at him. He mentioned that he's trying to rebel. How?

"And now that you've found the girl fitted for your description, you offered your helping hand. You need me to taunt your family," pansin ko sa saglit na panlalaki ng kanyang mga mata.

He lied about dating a girl that doesn't fit his family's standard. A Filipina, just like the wife of his cousin! Dinala niya ako rito sa restaurant na ito kung saan kilala at siya at maibabalita sa pamilya niya na may kasama siyang babae.