Dual System in Daily World

"Whoa—! That's an incredible view!"

On the other end of the video call, Hiratsuka Shizuka sat sloppily on her bed at home, looking nothing like an unmarried woman nearing thirty. 

Her eyes sparkled with youthful energy as she exclaimed in awe.

"So jealous. I went to Hokkaido a few years ago too, but it was for a school camping trip. 

The scenery and beer were great, sure, but I had to watch a bunch of bratty kids, so I didn't have time to enjoy myself. 

You've got it good—your boss takes you on a trip, and all the expenses get reimbursed. Why can't something that nice happen to me?"

"Well, it's not as carefree as you make it sound. It's just so-so, really. I've still got to keep an eye on four brats and make sure they don't get carried away and cause trouble."

Seika turned the camera back toward herself. Though her friend's envious reaction pleased her, she kept a calm expression, playing it cool. 

One wouldn't have guessed she'd been so excited earlier, taking photos out of every window after the other Kesshoku Band members had left.

Since it was just a casual video call between friends, Hiratsuka Shizuka was completely unguarded. 

She propped her phone against the headboard, tossed her hair back casually, and walked over to her wardrobe to pick out clothes.

Seika guessed that her friend must have plans to go out later. 

Otherwise, knowing Shizuka's usual habits, she wouldn't be heading out in such cold weather during her time off.

She still vividly remembered visiting her friend's apartment not long ago.

Despite being a beautiful and neat-looking woman on the outside, her place resembled a cluttered bachelor's den. 

Clothes were scattered everywhere, and the coffee table in the living room was littered with leftover takeout containers and empty beer cans.

Seika had thoroughly scolded her that time.

But thinking about it now, if she didn't live with her younger sister Nijika and had opted to live alone like Shizuka, her own single apartment likely wouldn't be much tidier.

When it came to daily life, she only cared that things were "good enough." In that sense, she and Shizuka really were two peas in a pod.

Maybe it was because of this similar attitude toward life that their friendship had lasted so long?

"Could you at least be a little more mindful of me? If you're changing, angle your phone somewhere else or cover the camera

 Aren't you worried someone might walk in on my end and accidentally see you?"

"Even if that happened, what's the big deal? Besides, everything that needs to be covered is covered."

Still in her underwear, Hiratsuka Shizuka ignored her friend's complaints as she tossed her pajamas aside and casually made a peace sign while winking at the camera.

"Ugh, such a Showa-era vibe. What kind of outdated pose is that? So lame."

Seika laughed and teased her.

"It's a super cute photo pose, okay? You just don't get it."

"Sure."

"Didn't you notice anything different about me?"

"Now that you mention it... You've put on some weight."

Leaning against the windowsill, Seika responded with mock seriousness, her breath turning into white puffs in the cold air as it passed through her red lips.

"Honestly, you should cut down on eating all those heavy, high-calorie dishes like ramen."

Ever since she had known her, Seika had lost count of how many times she had been dragged by her friend, Hiratsuka Shizuka, to various ramen joints.

Seika herself usually just ordered standard-sized soba or soy sauce ramen, with no toppings or just a few light vegetables.

But Hiratsuka Shizuka, without exception, always went for the extra-large, extra-rich bowls—tonkotsu ramen, stamina ramen, and so on—topped with lavish extras like thick slices of chashu, piping hot tonkatsu, dumplings, and all sorts of tempura.

Every time Seika watched her finish a bowl bigger than her own face, soup and all, and still look like she hadn't had enough, she couldn't help but glance at her friend's unchanged waistline with a sense of disbelief.

It's not like her stomach's a fourth-dimensional pocket—how could she possibly fit all that in?

"Then I might as well die. If I can't eat as much ramen as I want, with big bites and big bowls, life isn't worth living. 

Also, I have put on a tiny bit of weight, but that's just my body preparing fat reserves to survive the winter chill. 

Basically, it's a natural environmental adaptation. No worries—I'll slim back down by spring."

Hiratsuka Shizuka deliberately puffed out her chest and gave her butt a light smack, then laughed heartily as she changed into a sweater and slacks. 

She turned and grabbed her phone from the nightstand, heading to the sink.

"Don't make it sound like you're a bear. And who's even worried about you...? Are you going out?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

"Let me guess… another mixer?"

Though phrased as a question, Seika's tone was full of certainty.

She had seen her friend stick a pair of eye masks under her eyes before brushing her teeth—something that only ever happened before mixers.

Like Seika, Hiratsuka usually did the bare minimum when going out without any special reason, no different from most guys.

But when she started putting effort into her appearance like this, it always meant a mixer was coming up.

Having known her for so many years, Seika knew all too well how obsessed Hiratsuka was with finding a decent guy.

She kept showing up to mixer after mixer, but after all these years, there had been no progress. In a way, that was kind of impressive.

Still, there was no point in teasing her about it—it could make her cry, and that would be a pain to deal with...

"Yeah, we're meeting at a Western restaurant in Shinjuku. The mixer's organized by a senpai from university. 

Apparently, the guys coming are all elite professionals—good character, good looks, definitely worth getting excited about. I've got a good feeling. Today's the day."

Hiratsuka Shizuka started brushing her teeth in front of the mirror.

"..."

You've said that line so many times before mixers...

Seika sighed inwardly and gave a silent nod so as not to deflate her friend.

_______

50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta

_______

If any of you noticed an error, please point it out in comments!