Drawn Mochi Volume 6 Chapter 1.1: The Mochi Drawn with Magic is Delicious

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　I trotted through the fluttering cherry petals as I headed for Teacher’s house.

　One week into high school, I am still visiting Teacher’s house, even though the environment has changed.

…However, that day, even when I rang the doorbell, there was no answer. However, the front door was open, so I quietly peeked inside.

“Excuse me……” (Tougo)

　As I quietly entered, I heard a voice from the back saying, “Come in. It seems that Teacher is there. I went to the living room, where the teacher was waiting to welcome me in.

　…And that’s where I found my teacher.

“…can we talk?” (Tougo)

　When I spoke to him, Teacher, who had been slumped over the low table, slowly looked up and nodded with a curious look on his face.

“I’d really like you to do that. You’re really attentive, Tougo.” (Unuki)

　Teacher was not looking well.

“You’re not feeling well, are you?” (Tougo)

“Oh, yes. Yes, I am. But I’m feeling a little better now that you’re here. I’m even sitting up like a normal human being.” (Unuki)

　While saying this, Teacher said, “Go on, go on,” and sat back down on the sofa. At least, he seemed to have recovered enough energy to sit down. That was good.

“Would you like me to make some tea?” (Tougo)

“You’re really attentive. Yes, please.” (Unuki)

　Then I went to make tea. I was used to the kitchen at Teacher’s house by now, and I might have used it more than my own. So, I succeeded in making the tea without any difficulty.

“Here.” (Tougo)

“Thank you.” (Unuki)

　I handed Teacher a mug of green tea, and he took it and took a sip of it. …I also can’t drink it all at once. We both have cat tongues. If you drink freshly brewed tea all at once, you’ll be in trouble.

“…Um, then, let’s talk.” (Tougo)

“Okay. Go on.” (Unuki)

　Then I talked to Teacher. …He is one of those people who can organize his thoughts and calm his heart better if he talks. He often talks to me and to the wall.

　However, it seems that even with someone like Teacher, there are times when things don’t go well… and when that happens, I try to talk to him. Then he’ll be able to talk little by little. I understand this because I often have Teacher do it to me too.

“Um… well, what did you eat last night?” (Tougo)

“Last night… what was I doing… ah, what I ate last night was canned tuna. I had a can of tuna with soy sauce poured on it as a snack, that’s what I got…” (Unuki)

　The teacher pointed to “that”.

　It’s a bottle of alcohol sitting in the corner of the kitchen.

“…I tried to drink it all in one night, but it wasn’t possible for a weakling. In the end, I fell asleep halfway through the drink.” (Unuki)

　It seems that Teacher rarely drinks alcohol. He never drinks, at least not in front of me, and when I asked him about the taste, he said, “I don’t like alcohol, Tougo. …Well, I think it tastes better without the alcohol…” Teacher doesn’t drink alcohol, so rarely so that he can’t help but think that it tastes better without the alcohol.

　Since such a person tried drinking, I think something must have happened yesterday.

　I take a quick look at the calendar hanging on the wall. I wondered if he had something planned. …However, the calendar is completely white. In fact, it’s still the page for last month. It’s not turned over. Yep. Teacher is like this.

“…Was the canned tuna delicious?” (Tougo)

　So, in the end, my question is this.

“Hahaha. Ah. That’s right. It was delicious. I wonder why canned tuna is so delicious…” (Unuki)

Teacher looks a little more cheerful as he reminisces about the canned tuna. Yeah. It wasn’t a bad question.

“So, how about the alcohol?” (Tougo)

“Are you really asking me that, Tougo? Well, I guess it’s just as you expected. Yeah. I don’t particularly think it’s delicious…” (Unuki)

　Teacher looked a little sour, then suddenly smiled.

“…But, well, I was able to experience liquor self-destruction. I feel like the quantity wasn’t enough to qualify as liquor self-destruction. However, it was still a fine liquor self-destruction. It was meaningful for me to be able to experience what is called liquor self-destruction. It’s because of…” (Unuki)

　Then Teacher was looking a little dazed again, and then he came back.

“…Yeah. That’s right. It wasn’t bad. It made some sense. I’m starting to think that way, Tougo.” (Unuki)

“That’s good.” (Tougo)

　He was back to the normal Teacher, though a little tired and a little languid.

“So, what happened? Did your girlfriend dump you?” (Tougo)

“Hey, Tougo. I think it’s pretty difficult to be rejected by something that doesn’t exist, right?” (Unuki)

　Yep. I know. I knew and still asked.

“So, did you get yelled at by someone at work?” (Tougo)

　I ask, thinking that it’s probably this one. Teacher nodded his head with a mysterious look on his face… then looked confused.

“There’s something different about being angry at me, but I guess that’s pretty much it. It’s more like a difference of opinion… or rather, the other person doesn’t realize that there is a difference…” (Unuki)

　…It seems a bit complicated. When I had the same confused look as Teacher, he looked at me and mimed my expression. When I saw that, I shook my head. As I was doing this, Teacher started laughing a little.

“The world would be more peaceful if there were only people like you.” (Unuki)

“If you say so?” (Tougo)

　If it were just me… well, I think the world would be in crisis.

“You are a good creature. You can feel the pain of others, and that is why you would never do anything to hurt them. If someone else is hurting, you go to be there for them. You understand that others are different from you. …Ah. If there were only guys like you, no doubt, the world would be at peace, Tougo.” (Unuki)

　Somehow, I’m glad that he seems to be praising me. But it’s distressing because Teacher seems to be troubled.

“ Yes, that’s right. We human beings are all different creatures, with different beliefs, priorities, and everything else. It is impossible to understand each other completely. And since we can’t understand each other anyway, we must accept each other our differences. If you cannot accept, at least be indifferent. That’s what I think is the best, the way to make the world peaceful…” (Unuki)

　The teacher said, and let out a deep, sighing sigh.

“…well, there are people who just take action without thinking about such things and try to change everything that is ‘wrong’ with the other person. That’s it.” (Unuki)

　Yes, there are. I understand that.

　When I’m drawing in class, there are quite a few people who try to pull me and drag me outside. I didn’t like the sun outside because it was too bright, but because there were many people who thought I should stay outside, and those people didn’t want me to stay indoors just thought it was because it was bright outside. They accused me of this. I also remember being told that I was slacking off and that it was an excuse.

　Also… maybe my parents are like that. When I’m drawing, it is a “mistake” to them, so they are trying to fix me. Perhaps.

“Well, you know what? Yesterday, I had the opportunity to receive pieces of advice from seniors in my work, but, well, they will still no doubt do it, regardless of my wishes. They say, ‘I don’t understand why you’re so of vulgar’, ‘why are you doing such boring complicated things’, and ‘stop trying to be deep’ it’s just an insult that shows off the other person’s ignorance, poor sensibilities, and lack of intelligence…!” (Unuki)

　…Teacher had a terrifying face while saying that. Yep. I think I will also get have that expression too.

“It’s as if they can’t see things from any other perspective than their own, or because they don’t understand that people other than themselves are thinking, or because they have a narrow perspective, or because they lack imagination, or because they’re stupid. …Damn it! I’m getting so angry just thinking about it!” (Unuki)

　Teacher stood up from the sofa and then suddenly lost his expression.

　Then he jumped up and down on the spot.

　He landed and stood there for a while, silent and expressionless, staring at the space between the ceiling and the wall.

　After a few seconds, he returned to the sofa.

　…welcome back.

“…I’m sorry. I was very distraught.” (Unuki)

“Yep.” (Tougo)

　The way Teacher gets upset is kind of… quiet. Well, maybe it’s because I’m right in front of him.

　But Teacher doesn’t get very upset, at least not in front of me. …I’ve only seen him this upset once, only this time. I think it was from the time we first met.

　…well, Teacher, who doesn’t get upset, albeit in a quiet way, I think he was very upset this time.

“…Well, there are people like that who are unreasonable, irrational, and intolerant… This is why the world will never be peaceful.” (Unuki)

　Teacher looked a little annoyed as he said that. Teacher is very expressive.

“So, you’re giving up drinking?” (Tougo)

“Well, that’s right. Yes. I’m worried about the world not being at peace. I’m filled with anger at the unreasonableness. I also decided to take the opportunity to indulge in some alcohol.” (Unuki)

　Teacher nods gravely… and then drinks the tea in his mug. Seeing this, I also drink the tea in my cup.

“…If you only drink green tea, you are going to want tea sweets.” (Unuki)

　Then, Teacher who was drinking tea gets up and starts rummaging in the kitchen. Since it’s Teacher, there must be some sweets that were given to him. Probably.

“Sorry. This was the only thing I could get right away.” (Unuki)

　And what came out wasn’t sweets. …It was crumbly. Teacher returned with a small plate of chirimenjako [T/N: Dried young sardines]. To call it tea sweets, it’s a little… weird.

“A gift?” (Tougo)

“Ah. Apparently, it’s a specialty item. I don’t know the details.” (Unuki)

“Yep. It’s delicious.” (Tougo)

　I drink green tea while nibbling some chirimenjako. I feel like the strong saltiness of chirimenjako brings out the sweetness of the green tea. The aftertaste is slightly sweet. Yep. It’s not bad.

“I see. It’s delicious. Is it delicious because it’s a luxury product, or is chirimenjako delicious even though it’s cheap? I can’t tell the difference…” (Unuki)

Teacher crossed his arms and wondered if he would be able to tell the difference if he tried the cheap and expensive one’s side by side. …By the way, Teacher once compared expensive and cheap eggs and said, “I can hardly tell the difference!” He did it before. Yep.