Unwelcome roommate from the River: The Kappa: Japanese light novels

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「Unwelcome roommate from the River: The Kappa 」

　Yaho Takase

One day, when I returned to my room, I found a kappa. I knew it was the one, because it looked exactly like the pictures of kappa, the water monsters that appear in Japanese fairy tales.

It had green skin, a plate-like head, sparse hair, and a shell-like thing on its back. In legends, it is said to be a small creature about the size of a toddler. However, this one was unexpectedly tall.  I’m 160 cm tall, and this kappa was not much shorter than me.The kappa was deftly holding my favorite mug in its webbed hands and drinking coffee.

The kappa was drinking coffee, deftly holding my favorite mug in its webbed hands.

"Slurp... Gulp..."

The rich aroma of coffee filled the room. We stared at each other in silence, the strange mood palpable. Standing frozen in the entranceway, I called out.

"What are you doing?"The kappa placed the mug on the desk in a slow, graceful motion, then stood up from the sofa.

"I'm sorry for the late introduction. And I drank your coffee without permission."

With that, it bowed politely.

"That's fine, but..."

The kappa blinked.

"But what are you doing in my room?"

"The truth is, I left home for some reason."

"Oh..."

"So, you know, I thought I'd stay at your house for a while. Because, Ms. Deji, you are the one who researched about kappa."

"Research?"

I couldn't recall having done any research like that."Yes. Twelve years ago, when Ms. Deji was in middle school, you wrote a paper about kappa for your summer vacation homework, right? Have you forgotten?"

When I heard those words, I felt like I had done something like that."That may have happened... But that was when I was a child, and how on earth do you know that?"

" We Kappas are quite knowledgeable about human things..."

The kappa proudly said this as she sipped her coffee.

"Yeah. But why did you come to my place? You just decided it for your convenience, right? Honestly, that is annoying to me."

Although I felt a little sorry for its, I stated my opinion firmly.

" Am I bothering you?"

"Yes."

"But that's just how it is."

"Eh? Why?""No matter what, when I leave home, I come to the house of Ms. Deji. My husband goes to Mr. Toyama Noboru's place. That's as clear as day."

I had no idea what she meant. I was completely baffled.

I was about to ask who decided that, but then swallowed my words. Told myself that this was a kappa, a creature different from us. Yes, they would never understand the common sense of human society. By the way, she said she had a husband. So, this person could be a woman? While I was thinking about this, Kappa finished her coffee.

"Thanks for the coffee. It was delicious."

" No doubt. That is the Kilimanjaro blend."

"Ms. Deji, why don't you sit down? I brought a cake as a souvenir. Would you like to have a Darjeeling tea with it? This tea has a very rich flavor and a nice aroma. I'll serve it now."

"Well, okay anyway"

I locked the front door, went into the room, and sat down on the sofa. Kappa joyfully moved to the kitchen and started boiling water. My room was very small. It was a tiny one-room apartment, so I could see everything no matter where I was standing.I sat down on the opposite side from where Kappa had been sitting, on a small two-seater sofa. I ran my hand over the sofa, but it was surprisingly dry. I closed my eyes.I wondered if it was all a dream.Contrary to my confusion, Kappa's cheerful voice rang out.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Ms. Deji, please enjoy. This is a special mixed cake from a popular shop that sells out quickly."The kappa brought out a sponge cake on a plate and placed it on the table. She handed me a coffee in the most expensive rose-patterned teacup in my tableware.『Eh? Didn't she say earlier that she would put Darjeeling tea in? …She uses my favorite tea cup without my permission. And what is this mysterious object? A creepy purple marbled cake. Do I have to eat this?』

A flurry of questions raced through my mind, but I remained silent.

"Come on, please enjoy your meal."

"Thank you. Yes, I'll."

With a deep breath, I took a bite of the cake.

"What do you think? It's a normal taste, right?"

"You're right... maybe it's quite normal..."

Despite its ominous appearance, the cake tasted surprisingly ordinary.

It wasn't delicious, but it wasn't so bad that I couldn't eat it.

It was just another cake. It was too normal, nothing special about the taste.

"Didn't you say it was a special cake from a popular store that sells out quickly?"

"Yes, it's a very popular mixed cake."

"It's not that delicious, it's just normal..."

"It's normal. That's why it's popular."

Another wave of questions crashed over me, but I stifled them. Even if I asked, it would only create more questions. I sipped the coffee from the teacup and tried to calm myself down. I shook my head, dismissing the absurdity of the situation. A kappa in my house? It was preposterous.

But what if, what if this was real?

" I need to ask you something."

"Yes, what is it?"

"When will you go back home? "

"When the time comes, I'll go back home."

"So, when will that time come?"

"When the time comes, you'll know."

The kappa rolled her eyes, as if I'd asked the silliest question.

"Ms. Deji, do you want some more cake?"

"No, thanks. I'm already full, so it's fine."

"Don't be shy. Today is my anniversary of starting to live with you, so I'll give you another cake."

The kappa swiftly placed the enigmatic purple cake on my plate.

"Um, I said I am already full."

"Come on, you can eat one more. Here, I'll have some too. Let's eat together."

Ignoring my protest, the kappa dug into the purple marble cake with her hands.『She don't listen to me at all. What she's saying is also vague and incomprehensible. Well, she's a kappa, so maybe that can't be helped.』With the kappa, I also started eating the cake. As expected, the cake was normal, nothing special.

"What's your name? "

"It's Hana, by human way"

"Hana? Does it mean flower?"

" It's kind of like that"

"I see. Flower, flower."

When I called her name, the kappa laughed happily.

"Thank you for calling me by my name, Ms. Deji. Now we're a family, right?"

Once again, I was completely baffled. A wave of confusion washed over me.

『I've never heard of someone becoming a family just by calling someone's name！』

The words caught in my throat. The only thing that came out of my mouth was a giggling sound that I couldn't control.

"Kukukuku... hahahaha...! What is this situation..."I laughed my head off.

The afternoon sun streamed through the window, casting long shadows across the room　caught my eye. It was such a casual everyday scene, and so peaceful. Kappa and I were having coffee and cake, sitting across from each other.　

The absurdity of the situation was almost comical. Honestly, it was a huge nuisance and I didn't know what to do. But at the same time, part of me found it amusing.

"Ms. Deji, once again. I'm the kappa, Flower. I'll be staying with you for a while. I know you will take care of me. Thank you."

Saying that, she smiled. Her smile was like that of an innocent girl.　She seemed completely oblivious to the absurdity of our situation.

"Hahaha... Even if I say I don't want to, you're still here, right?"

"Yes, even if you refuse me, I'll stay with you until the time comes. That's the way it is."

"Well, it can't be helped."

I laughed until my sides ached. My life together with the Kappa began at that moment.　

And so, my ordinary life took an extraordinary turn, filled with wonder, confusion, and the unexpected warmth of friendship.

Notes;　Kappa is well known Japanese specter, is water imp in ponds and rivers.