Adachi to Shimamura - Volume SS1 - Chapter 4

Rattle My Memories

I RETURNED TO MY ROOM to find a deer shaking a pair of maracas.

“Well, this is surreal.”

Without missing a beat, Yashiro turned to face me. “Oh, hello, Shimamura-san.”

“You look like you’re having fun in here.”

“Mama-san gave me these and told me to go play, so here I am. Playing.”

“I see.” The maracas did look vaguely familiar. “Are you having a good time?”

“I would say so.” 

Glad to hear it. 

The maracas were blue plastic, like children’s toys. I lifted her into the air to get a better look at them.

“Aha!”

Then it hit me: they were the same ones that had belonged to my grandparents. I remembered that, as a kid, I’d brought them home in the car because I liked them so much. After all, when I shook them, everyone around me seemed to have the time of their lives. 

“Ngh…”

Sometimes, when I finally got in bed after an exhausting day, I almost felt the blood drain from my body. A similar sensation washed over me now, as if my head had been left bobbing on waves. 

“Gah!”

“What’s the matter?”

“Huh? Oh…nothing. I’m just… I don’t know.” 

I lowered the deer back to the ground, then retreated to the window, where I sat hunched over like I was doing an impression of Adachi. After a moment, the rattling sound of maracas approached from behind. Then a soft fabric antler poked my bicep.

“Everyone has those moments,” Yashiro said.

“Like you’d know.” 

She gave me a patronizing pat on the shoulder, and I kind of…well…let my mind drift. Sometimes, inexplicably, my happiest memories were laced with pain—as if an excess of fun spread to all my heart’s rustiest, dustiest corners. Sniffling, I collected myself and looked over at the deer with her maracas. She was shaking them like they were going out of style. At close range, it was obnoxiously loud. 

“Don’t tell anyone, okay?” I cautioned her, just in case.

“About what part?”

“Never mind.”

“Hee hee hee! Fret not. My lips are zipped.”

“Oh really?” 

To test that claim, I gave her cheeks a little pinch—and smiled despite myself. They were so soft, it seemed I’d have to resign myself to my fate.