Volume 4 - chapter 3

Translation for The Number Two Me and The Number One Girl

RAW

Chinatsu's relatives were genuinely good people.

I felt grateful that they treated me, the boyfriend of a distant relative who suddenly appeared, with respect and kindness.

Moreover, I didn’t have much experience with family interactions, as my only relative I had ever been close to, my uncle, didn’t live in one place for long. So, it was a refreshing experience to see the family gathered in a picturesque countryside grandparent’s home.

The oyaki my aunt served was surprising—what I thought was filled with sweet red bean paste turned out to be filled with nozawana (pickled vegetables), but after the initial shock, it actually tasted pretty good. Chinatsu’s grandmother also seemed to recover, and we were able to have a pleasant conversation. It was quite enjoyable.

As evening arrived, Chinatsu and I were about to leave when we decided to visit her grandmother’s room before we left.

“Thank you so much. All of this is really thanks to you, Hajime.”

“That’s not true. I just brought you here. You did everything else on your own.”

When I said this sincerely, Chinatsu looked at me and still insisted that it was all thanks to me, flashing me a smile so bright it was almost blinding.

Yes, today, too, my girlfriend is adorable.

After hesitating for a moment outside her grandmother’s room, I called out. Since I wasn’t knocking on the door, I had to be a little more careful.

Soon enough, a surprisingly strong voice replied, and Chinatsu and I opened the sliding door and entered.

“Nice to meet you, my name is Hajime Sato. I’m sorry for the sudden visit.”

“Grandma, this is my boyfriend Hajime. Hehe, I’m so happy I can introduce him to you.”

We greeted her as we sat on the cushions beside the elderly lady’s bed. After Chinatsu’s introduction, her grandmother smiled warmly and spoke.

“Thank you for your polite greeting. Hehe, you’re Hajime-kun, right? It seems like you’re getting along well with Chinatsu, and I really appreciate it.”

“No, it’s the other way around. Thanks to Chinatsu, I’m able to enjoy every day… I hope it’s the same for her.”

“Of course, I feel the same way!”

“…Oh, I’m so happy to hear that, Chinatsu-chan. It’s like I’m getting energy from you too.”

Chinatsu’s hands gently enveloped her grandmother’s outstretched ones.

I was relieved. Her grandmother looked much healthier than I had expected.

“I’m really glad, Grandma. It makes me so happy that we can talk like this. It almost makes me want to cry.”

“Hehe, thank you. I told Suzuka-san too, but I’m so happy that Chinatsu-chan was born and that I got to be related to Suzuka-san. That’s not a bad connection at all, it’s a very happy one… So, as long as I’m still around, please come visit whenever you can. I won’t let anyone say anything about it. Of course, Hajime-kun, please come with her too.”

“…Thank you. It’s an honor.”

We spent a little more time chatting pleasantly, and after conveying that we were going to leave since her grandmother still needed rest, we received some kind words and left the room.

We entered the room prepared for us to gather our things, and once the sliding door was gently closed, Chinatsu suddenly threw herself at me, hugging me tightly.

Her face drew closer to mine, and she kissed me. It was a bit deeper than a quick peck, as if to make me aware of what might come next. After a moment, she pulled away reluctantly, and I heard a soft sigh escape from her lips.

“Like I said earlier, thank you, Hajime.”

Chinatsu said this with all her emotions, and I listened with my heart racing.

These past few days, Chinatsu had really been giving me a hard time.

I finally managed to catch my breath and replied.

“I can tell how much you love me. Your grandmother’s such an amazing woman. It’s great that she’s recovering.”

Chinatsu nodded and looked at me.

“Yeah, the doctor said it’s mostly a matter of her willpower… And you know, if things had stayed the way they were, I don’t think I’d have been able to come here if I were alone, and I’d definitely regret it.”

“…”

I silently listened to Chinatsu’s words.

“Of course, I want Grandma to live a long, healthy life, but… I know that someday we’ll have to say goodbye. So, before that happens, I want to make sure I have no regrets about the things I could’ve done.”

“Yeah.”

“I’m really glad I met you, Hajime. I’m so happy you’re my boyfriend. I’m so glad you’re here with me now. …I probably love you a thousand times more than you love me.”

“…”

Her love was so direct that I couldn’t find the words to respond.

“I love how you get embarrassed too.”

“…Are you trying to make me die from embarrassment, Chinatsu?!”

When I muttered that, unable to take it any longer, Chinatsu smiled and said that I’d definitely need to live a long life.

“Because if you’re not here, I won’t be able to handle it.”

And then she said it with eyes full of emotion, and I thought, “Why here, of all places?” as I collapsed onto the futon I had just folded.

My girlfriend is too cute, and I’m honestly not sure how much longer I can handle it. What should I do?