Chapter 14 – Autumn (Part 6)
Autumn, Part 6
Novel Title: ツァイガルニクの恋の沼 (Zeigarnik’s Love Swamp)
Author：月村奎著 (Tsukimura Kei)
Illustrator：志水ゆき (Shimizu Yuki)
Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)
Protagonists: 市川春音 (Ichikawa Harune -MC) & 二ノ宮航輝 (Ninomiya Kouki -ML)
*Please read at universalnovel.com, the original site of translation. TQ*
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“It’s made from a durable yarn that’s great for everyday wear, so feel free to wear it like a hoodie. Do you want to take the hoodie back, too? I tried covering the stain with some embroidery.”
Harune fetched the hoodie, which now had a hedgehog embroidered over the juice stain. Kouki burst out laughing.
“That’s adorable.”
“Cute, right?”
“Yeah, it’s super cute. Too cute, actually. You should use this as your pyjama top or something.”
“How rude,” Harune pouted playfully, but inside he felt relieved. Maybe this was for the best.
After finishing their meal, Harune stepped outside to see Kouki off. The cold wind rattled through the dry leaves, sending them tumbling across the ground. The crisp air was so clear that the stars were especially visible.
“Brrr, it’s freezing!” Kouki exaggerated a shiver and shoved his hands into the side pockets of the sweater.
“I didn’t think it would get this cold tonight, so I came out dressed too lightly. This sweater really came in handy,” he said with a grin.
“I’m glad my prototype turned out to be useful in an unexpected way,” Harune replied.
“Make sure you turn on the heat yourself,” Kouki said, climbing into his truck and starting the engine. Harune suddenly felt a pang of reluctance at seeing him leave, which made him panic slightly.
Kouki rolled down the window and leaned out.
“I’ll be firing up the wood stove soon, so come over sometime.”
Trying not to reveal his feelings, Harune put on a playful tone and called out cheerfully.
“Awesome! Can we roast sweet potatoes?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll bring the potatoes!”
Half-jokingly, Harune waved enthusiastically as Kouki’s truck drove away. He stood watching until the tail lights disappeared around the corner, leaving him alone on the street. Suddenly, the cold felt even sharper.
“Man, it’s freezing!”
Back inside, as Harune was about to grab something to wear, his eyes landed on Kouki’s hoodie.
“I really will use this as loungewear,” he muttered to himself.
It was just a simple, oversized hoodie, yet it felt like a special, one-of-a-kind item. And it wasn’t just because of the hedgehog embroidery.
Even though he had washed it with his usual detergent, it still carried a scent that was different from his own clothes—a soothing, woodsy fragrance, like being deep in the forest.
“Thank you, pinecones and oranges,” he chuckled quietly to himself, then suddenly snapped back to reality.
“What am I saying?” Harune blurted out.
He felt embarrassed, realising how long he had been clinging to these feelings, dragging out a one-sided crush for over ten years.
He hastily pulled off the hoodie, tossed it aside, and carried the oden pot to the sink. Determined to wash away his thoughts, he cranked the faucet on full blast.
***
“Hello!”
A bright voice accompanied the sound of the store door opening, and Harune turned around from behind the counter.
It was early afternoon at Ichikawa Thread Shop, and the person who had suddenly appeared was Hinako.
Harune, who had been discreetly nibbling on a pulled pork sandwich Kouki had given him that morning while inputting an order, quickly stood up, chewing frantically.
“Welcome! Sorry about that, I was just taking a quick break between customers.”
Mumbling an excuse, Harune struggled to swallow the juicy but fibrous meat.
“No need to apologise! I happened to be nearby and thought I’d drop by Harune’s shop,” Hinako said, her cheerful nature evident even though this was only the second time they had met, and she already called him by name.
“This shop is amazing! I want to buy the entire outfit on that mannequin!”
The display featured a grey baby alpaca knit sweater, showcasing the natural colour of the wool, paired with a white corduroy gathered skirt. Both pieces were made by Harune, of course.
“Thank you! We sell kits for both, if you’d like to give them a try. I think they’d suit you really well,” Harune said, addressing her by name in return.
Hinako smiled. “I haven’t worn a skirt in years, but it’s tempting!”
Today, she was dressed in wide denim pants and a men’s-style jacket, a more androgynous look.
“This skirt is popular even among people who usually prefer pants. It’s not overly feminine, and most importantly, it’s easy to make. There are even people who have finished it by hand without using a sewing machine.”
“Really?”
Hinako crouched down, studying the skirt closely.
“By the way, this knit sweater is a bit more challenging, isn’t it?”
“How long have you been knitting?”
Hinako shrugged slightly, looking a bit embarrassed.
“I’m a complete beginner. I can barely manage garter stitch.”
“I see. This yarn is great, but it’s got a long fibre, which makes it hard to undo mistakes. It might be better to start with a scarf to get the hang of it.”
Harune unfolded a scarf made from the same yarn, neatly displayed in the showcase.
“Wow, this is also a sample? It’s so stylish! This shop feels more like a boutique than a craft store. I bet it’ll become super popular.”
“As you can see…” Harune joked, gesturing around the shop, which was completely empty except for Hinako.
Hinako chuckled sympathetically.
“The shopping district itself feels a bit lonely, doesn’t it? If this shop were in the city, it would definitely be a hit. Kouki told me that this used to be your grandparents’ shop, right?”
“Yes, that’s right. I used to hang out here all the time as a kid. I just couldn’t bear the thought of losing such a special place.”
And, because it felt like my last chance to return to the town where my first love still lived.
“I see. The back part of the shop really has a nostalgic atmosphere,” Hinako said.
In the end, Hinako decided to buy both the skirt and scarf kits.
Although the kits were pre-made, for each item that could be custom-sized, Harune would check with the customer to confirm preferences and measurements on the spot, choosing the right colour and amount of fabric.
As Harune cut the fabric, Hinako wandered around the store, her voice full of excitement as she discovered various nostalgic items.
“There are so many things that bring back memories! There really aren’t many craft stores like this anymore, are there?”
“That’s true.”
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Next update: 2026.06.20
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