Reiji Kotobuki - A Lovely Car

“Hnnng, I can’t resist these curves again!”
The new car I bought from an acquaintance was styled like a green beetle and difficult to handle.
The car I had been driving up until then was too worn down and ended up breaking down, which was expected.
It had been well taken care of, but the engine wouldn’t start so there was nothing I could do about it.
I had been driving it forever, so naturally, I grew attached to it. It was sad to have to dispose of it but I couldn’t expect it to go back to functioning normally.
It was just the other day when I told her to take a rest and prepared myself to say goodbye.
However, the truth is that even if you decide to let go of a car, it’s not something you can just throw away as if you were taking out the trash.
While thinking about what to do, the dealer of my previous car came to mind.
I met this green one when I went to ask him about taking in my previous car.
“Uncle, are you around~?”
At the end of the shopping district where Kotobuki Bento is located, there’s a car dealer running a small shop.
The manager is a middle-aged guy who always comes to Kotobuki Bento to buy our lunch boxes, so I also became acquainted with him.
He loves cars more than anything; half the reason he runs the shop is to collect them, so his shop is always full of rare cars.
Every time I visit, I worry about the lack of business because the place looks so dead, but he seems to be content enough with things, so I guess it’s alright.
“Ah, what’s up?”
All of a sudden, Uncle showed up at the window of his home office.
“I have something to ask you about. Is now a good time?”
While waiting for him to come out, I started looking around idly and gazed at the colorful cars.
From luxury cars to small passenger cars and even trucks, he’d really gathered a lot of different cars.
“They just keep on comin’~”
Sold cars were nowhere to be found, yet he was somehow able to get more. How the business could keep going was such a mystery.
“The new ones are this, and this and… AH...!”
Our eyes met and there was no doubt.
That second, an electric current ran down my spine.
“Th-this…...”
My feet started moving towards her on their own, being lured like a zombie.
“Sorry to keep ya wai—the heck are ya doin’?”
“U-UNCLE, THIS ONE!!”
“Already found it, huh? Just arrived this mornin’. Very stylish, dontcha think?”
“YEAH, YEAH!! IT’S DECIDED!”
“Wha—?”
As I touched the body gently, I could feel her rejoicing too… Or that’s what it felt like.
“Decided…? Did ya come to buy a new car?”
“Erhm, since my current one is broken, I came to ask if you would take it. But nobody else is interested in this one, right?”
There were no “reserved” or “sold” signs pasted on the green body.
“Ya come to turn in your car and end up buying another, ain’t that generous...”
“Isn’t that good?! It was love at first sight!”
“Love at…?
Well, if it’s ya, I have no problem selling it, but ya sure? It’s never been driven, but it’s still an old, pre-owned car.”
“I don’t care if she’s been in a relationship before!”
“... That kind of joke doesn’t suit ya.”
“How cruel, something made me want to try and say it.”
I do confess I was hamming it up a little bit.
“But anyway, put the ‘sold’ sign up already!”
I was feeling anxious that somebody would set their sights on it while the whole thing was unfolding.
“Yeah, yeah. Still, this kind of car again?”
“Listen, listen! This retro feeling is just so...! It’s so charming, right!?”
It was so cute that maybe, if nobody else was there, I would have rubbed my cheeks on it… Actually, I did.
“HEY! It’s not your car until you’ve signed all the contracts!”
“Eeeh~?”
My only desire was to bring it home at once.
“Sigh… Well, I’m sure she’ll be happy to be bought by such a devoted fella.”
And so, I got my new car.
When helping with Kotobuki Bento, I would use the light truck or minivan. But right there and then, I made a promise that this car would be for leisure only.
I know the consequences of a promise like that, but still…
“Reiji, just when was the last time you drove that car of yours?”
I ended up not using it at all, so much so that even Big Sis was shocked.
And even if I got a day off and looked forward to going for a drive...
“... Y'know, Mom, I’m not a taxi.”
“Oh? Weren’t you free anyway?”
“I’m not! It’s the first day off I’ve had in a while!”
“That means you’re free.”
So cruel…
My family always treats me lowly.
“It’s fine. You’re happy you get to go on a drive, right?”
I wouldn’t say that taking your mom to the community center for a meeting with the neighborhood association can be considered “going for a drive.”
… But seeing how cheerfully she walked as she entered the community center after saying she'd call when it was over made me feel a little better about things.
“Alright, even if it’s just for a little while, let’s enjoy a ride.”
As I thought of stepping on the accelerator, my phone rang.
“Hey, hey~ Oh, Ranran? ‘Sup, this is rare.”
It was still eight in the morning and I seemed to recall that Ranran had been up all night on a photoshoot.
“Come ‘ere.”
“Eeeh?”
“Reiji, aren’t you off today?”
“No, no, I’m off but… I can’t make it!”
Judging from his voice over the phone, it seemed like Ranran was very drunk.
If you want to go home drunk, please call a taxi company instead of me.
But even though that’s what I thought, I ended up going to pick him up because, sadly, that’s how I am. You could say I’m a worrywart, or over-protective…
Actually, I take on the same role when I’m at work.
“Come on, Ranran, put on your seatbelt properly!”
“Aah? Ain’t this car different or somethin’…”
“Hehe~ You noticed? This is~...”
The instant I tried to boast, Ranran’s body suddenly jolted forward.
“Eeh?”
I glanced to my side for a bit and saw Ranran deep asleep.
“You gotta listen to my bragging at leaaast!”
At the end of all of this, even with a new car, the sad reality is that the only people who have sat in the passenger’s seat are my mom, big sis, and colleagues.
I’m pretty sure the car also wants to have a bit more of a sensual use.
BUT!
Today I bid farewell to that bitter past.
“Huhuhuhuuu~"
“I see you’re in a good mood.”
“Ain’t that right!”
I turn back to look at Kouhai-chan, who’s walking a little behind me, obviously with a big smile on my face.
I’ve given rides to different people up until now, but Kouhai-chan will be the first “girl” to ride in my passenger seat.
“Yeaaah, as expected, it’s absolutely fantastic when a girl sits in your passenger seat.”
“Is that so?”
“Yup, yup! And she’s overjoyed too.”
As I open the door to my green buddy, I agree with a “that’s right” in my heart.