Normality Love Live

All characters in this story are eighteen years old

I was wandering down the main street looking for something to do. It was after school but I didn’t feel like going home just yet. You see, I was feeling kind of down. Something happened at school today.

I had received a love letter in my shoe locker. It dropped out of the locker as I went to change to my outdoor shoes.

Correction: I had thought I received a love letter. You can imagine how I felt upon seeing the envelope fall down in front of me, face down. I got excited and really nervous. There was a small pink heart keeping the flap down.

The thing is, when I picked it up and turned it over to look at who it was addressed to…

I didn’t see my name, which was Naoki by the way, Nakano Naoki.

It was addressed to some other guy. A Toyama Saito.

Those feelings of excitement and nervousness blew away leaving me feeling a little deflated. I sighed, thinking that whichever girl wrote this letter probably didn’t know for sure where Toyama-san’s shoe locker was and put it in mine by accident. Which is odd since there are names on these things.

Maybe she was nervous and didn’t look properly before shoving her letter in and running away in cliché schoolgirl fashion. I gave a wry chuckle at the thought.

Looking at the lockers near me I reasoned that Toyama-san’s locker must be somewhere around mine. I found it to the left of me with only one locker separating ours.

So waiting for a moment where no one was looking my way I slipped the letter in his locker and left school.

And now here I was walking a little aimlessly up and down the shopping district feeling a little melancholic, trying to find something to distract myself with.

It wasn’t like I was depressed or anything. It’s just that with my average looks and the number of cool good-looking guys at my school, it was kinda difficult to get a girlfriend. And having that happen today was a real mood killer.

I wasn’t resentful or anything. No, far from it. I was just… lonely, I guess.

So now I was doing some window shopping to kill time and perhaps cheer myself up.

I played at the arcade briefly, bought a doughnut from a bakery, looked at some games in a gaming store and unfortunately took note of all the couples walking around. I tried to convince myself not to care about them but my mood was steadily decreasing at all the hand-holding. I then decided to walk down a side street that had some less known stores and a few restaurants. Maybe food would help.

I continued to look into each store as I passed them until one particular store front caught my eye. It was a humble and modest looking antique store. There were all kinds of trinkets and nick-nacks on display. Even cheap looking furniture.

If I were a girl I’m sure I would’ve called the place cute. Heck, I’ll call it cute anyway.

Standing at the entrance I wondered if I should go in and take a look. Couldn’t hurt to browse, I guess. Might even find something nice as a gift. An early birthday present for my sister maybe? Or Mom I guess.

There was an old man sitting at the counter that finally noticed me standing outside looking in at his store. He smiled in a friendly and gentle manner before making a half-bow from his sitting position.

I bowed back to him thinking that now that he’s seen me I had little choice but to go in and take a look. Not that I minded much.

I stepped inside saying, “Good afternoon.”

The gentle looking old man made another nod/bow from his seat. “Welcome.”

I briefly wondered if perhaps he had a bad back and couldn’t stand and bow. Well, being old can do that.

After the greetings I turned my attention to the merchandise on display. Small furniture like side tables were dotted around the cosy interior. On top of them and every other surface were all sorts of miscellaneous objects scattered around in a half ordered, half chaotic mess.

There were lamps, cups, plates, cutlery, jewellery boxes full of cheap looking jewellery, wallets, lighters, those little canteen things that adults drink out of. I can’t remember what they were called. There were watches, belts, ties, hand mirrors, bookshelves full of books and the list goes on.

I was walking down each narrow aisle looking things over until my eyes fell on what looked like men’s accessories. There were all sorts of jewellery designed for men here. So I took a closer look at them and saw cool looking neck chains (essentially necklaces but for guys), rings and earrings.

A certain pair of earrings shaped like the English letter for N caught my eye. I chuckled at the coincidence of these earrings forming the initials to my name. I picked them up and looked closer at them. They weren’t the coolest of the bunch but they weren’t bad either. I looked at the price tag and couldn’t help but nod at how cheap they were.

Looking at these earrings I remembered the time my sister wanted to pierce my ears as practise for whatever reason. Strangely our Mother had been okay with it, even encouraged it. I still remember how much it stung after I graciously gave in to my Sister’s whims.

I took another look at the rest on display and decided on a cool yet small ying and yang pendant on a black string. Before going to the counter to pay for them I looked over at the women’s jewellery and decided on my Mom and Sister’s birthday presents. Couldn’t hurt to be prepared.

A necklace and a pair of cute earrings later I was at the counter making my purchases. They hardly made a dent in my wallet at all, which was a nice thought.

“Thank you. Please come again.” Said the gentle old man as I left the antique store.

After leaving, the smell of cooked food rolled over me and I’m reminded of the restaurants along this street. I’m pretty sure my stomach growled just then so I decided to get something to eat. Something small so that Mom doesn’t get upset for not finishing dinner of course.

Walking along I find a nice little restaurant with reasonable prices. A menu stand outside states that they had really good takoyaki apparently. A few of those should be fine so I went inside.

“Welcome and take a seat!” I’m met with a loud and energetic voice coming from the chef cooking behind the counter.

The place was on the small side. With only a counter that had five stools placed along it, a couple tables close to the entrance with four chairs each and two low tables on tatami mats on the left side with a wall screen between them for some privacy.

The place wasn’t very full at the moment with only two customers at the counter. Since I was by myself I decided to sit at the counter too.

Not long after I sat down the man behind the counter asks, “What’ll it be?”

“One serving of takoyaki please.”

“Coming right up!” The chef replies in a jolly tone.

After I placed my order I relaxed and took out my earlier purchases. I put on the ying yang pendant around my neck then examined the N shaped earrings in my hand. Turning them this way and that I had to admit that there wasn’t anything spectacular about them, but I did like that they were basically my initials.

I reached up and felt at my ear lobes, wondering if the piercings my sister made had closed up since that time. After a second of feeling them I couldn’t really tell so I tried putting one in just in case. I went slowly so as not to accidentally stab myself and draw blood in the middle of a restaurant.

Surprisingly it went in smoothly. Securing the first one in place I then put the other one in next and that goes in too. Taking out my phone I turn the camera on myself and move my hair out of the way to see how they looked.

Hmm, at least they’re not gaudy. They were actually pretty small and unassuming. Plus, with my hair being long enough to cover my ears people won’t be looking too closely anyway. So I left them in and settled in and waited for my food which showed up some minutes later.

A plate of delicious looking takoyaki was placed in front of me and my mouth watered at the sight of them. I dug in and savoured each bite.

Meanwhile, some more customers walked into the restaurant. I looked over as the chef greeted them too. Three high school girls were standing at the entrance. Judging by their uniforms I believed they went to Otonokizaka High. Their school wasn’t too far from my own. And, of course, me being a guy I couldn’t help but notice how cute they were.

“Hello Chef!” Greeted the girl in front, using the English word for chef as if it was his name. She had very light brown shoulder length hair that looked almost orange. Some of it was tied off to the side.

“Honoka-chan and friends! Will you be having the usual today?” Apparently Chef seemed to know them.

“Hai!” Honoka replied cheerfully. Then she and her friends made their way to the tatami mats directly behind me.

Unfortunately for me the sight of cute girls was enough to remind me of why I made this little detour in the first place. I sighed but tried to not get gloomy at the thought of the unlikelihood of getting a girlfriend.

Looking back at my food I thought about finishing up quickly and leaving. Of course, since the prices were reasonable I didn’t mind paying at all, but still I daydreamed about being in a world in which I got huge discounts where ever I went and I could save up all my money to travel the world or whatever. Big dreams. Or daydreams, rather. I actually daydreamed about these kinds of things a lot. “If only it were normal for me not to pay…” I muttered to myself. Yeah right, I thought. That was a pretty childish thought, actually.

Anyway, I decided to leave and head home. Maybe I should run off those takoyaki that I ate to make room for dinner.

I signalled the chef and he came up in front of me. “The food was delicious. How much do I owe you?” I asked.

He looks a little confused but then waves my question away and says, “You don’t need to pay.”

Huh? I blink and stare at him before asking, “Why not?”

He looks a little more confused at my question. “Hmm, “Why not?” You say…” He ponders my question as if it’s the most complicated thing he’s ever heard.

Finally, he settles with, “You just don’t need to pay.” He says this with an almost worried look on his face.

I’m of course a little worried myself. I remembered there being prices on the menus both inside and outside the restaurant. I didn’t see anything about discounts for first timers or anything of the sort. I looked to the side and saw the other two patrons eating away at their food.

Turning back to the chef I asked, “What about them? Do they have to pay?”

“Well of course.” He said as if it didn’t need saying.

“But I don’t?”

“Right.”

I just stared for a little bit which seemed to make him a little uncomfortable. That worried expression came back on his face.

“I see. Thank you very much.” I said before it became too awkward. He nodded, looking relieved, and went back to cooking.

I, however, just sat there staring at nothing. I wondered if perhaps he heard me mutter to myself about how great it would be if I didn’t have to pay. Which also didn’t make sense since the kitchen was fairly loud and I said that under my breath. Too low for anyone to hear. And even if he did hear why would he go along with it?

Having a thought, I try muttering something else. “It would be great if I got a free cola.” I said after looking at the drinks menu.

Then I waited. And… nothing happened.

Huh. Okay then. So, what did I say the first time? Was it, “if only I didn’t have to pay”? No, I don’t think that was it. If only… If only it…

Hmm, if only it were normal… for me not to pay…

“It’s normal for me to get a free drink with any food I order…” I tried instead.

Suddenly the chef looks up from what he was making in the kitchen area. He then gets a sheepish look on his face, turns a couple dials on his stove then makes his way back to me.

“I’m so sorry, Sir. I forgot to get you a drink.” He says while looking very apologetic.

“Oh, uh, don’t worry too much about it.” I’m actually pretty stunned that it worked. I’m pretty sure he didn’t hear me either.

“Of course. What drink would you like?” He looked relieved that I wasn’t upset.

“Um, a cola, I guess.” I ordered a little hesitantly.

“Coming right up.”

He then goes to a fridge off to the side and pulls out a cola bottle. He brings it back and takes out a glass from a cupboard, lays it down on the counter and puts some ice in it before filling it with the cola. He places the glass in front of me and with a bow says, “So sorry for the wait.” After that he goes back to the stove.

And now I have a glass of cola in front of me. What in the world was going on? That was so bizarre.

Still, free drink. I took a sip and appreciated the cool taste of cola going down my throat.

But still, what the heck happened today?

With my cola in hand I turned in my seat to look around, trying to think of a reason for the bizarre behaviour. All I saw was a very normal scene, typical of a place like this. A few people eating something nice after a day of work and school.

The two men in business suits further down the counter didn’t seem to notice or care about my exchange with the chef. The three girls behind me were chatting away as they waited for their food. One was being very energetic, I believed her name was Honoka. The other two were a lot more reserved in their mannerisms. They probably didn’t hear what we said either.

Maybe I should try again. But with what? I didn’t want to bother the chef again so maybe…

I took a look at the girls again. They really were pretty cute. I don’t think girls like that would ever look my way. Hmm…

“…Girls find me very attractive.” I said, again under my breath. However, there didn’t seem to be any change that I noticed.

Maybe… “It’s normal for girls to find me very attractive.” I then waited a little bit but still there wasn’t—

Just then one of the girls, the one that was kinda stern looking, glanced at me and upon noticing that I was looking their way she turned back to her friends while slightly red in the face.

I was so shocked that I too swung my head back around to face the counter.

Did it work? Was that what I think it was? But why?

So, it didn’t work when I said it the first time. But the second time I added the word “normal.”

Normal? Normal… If I remember correctly, the English word starts with the letter N.

I then found myself thumbing my earrings thoughtfully. There’s no way. That’s crazy. I bought a pair of earrings shaped like the English letter N, then things turned a little weird. I must be crazy. Things like this don’t happen in real life.

I’m brought out of my thoughts when I noticed the chef carrying some plates out from behind the counter, taking them to the girls behind me. There’s a bit of a friendly exchange between the girls and the chef as he placed the plates down in front of them. This time Honoka herself saw me looking and hurriedly looked down at her food. The slightly flustered look on her face was adorable.

Again I turned away and thought about things. Though it doesn’t seem like there was much for me to think about. I bought some earrings, I wore them, then used the word normal in a sentence and it became true.

But would things go back to normal, well, the original normal, if I took out these earrings? I decided to give it a try. I took them out and put them back in my bag securely.

I waited a moment but I couldn’t tell immediately if things changed. I thought that if I finished my drink and tried to leave the chef might stop me so I could pay for the food and cola. That would be a good indication of things going back to normal.

I drank the rest of my drink and called out to the chef. “Thanks for the food.” I stood up and casually made my way to the entrance.

I heard him say please come again but nothing else. Then I was outside on the street, waiting for a, “Hold on!” or a, “Sir, you didn’t pay.” Waiting for those thirty seconds was actually nerve racking. I felt that at any moment a police officer was going to reprimand me. But after a while nothing happened.

I wasn’t too certain if maybe the chef just forgot or if he was still under the influence of the earrings. Either way, I felt like I walked onto an episode of the Twilight Zone.

Anyway, I started walking back towards the main street. Perhaps it would wear off, and I didn’t want to be standing there if and when the bubble burst.