Chapter 452

“I think my stomach is going to burst.”

Stepping out of the spaghetti restaurant, Hiyori tried to pull up her T-shirt.

I hurriedly grabbed her wrist and gave her a stern look.

“Stop doing that in crowded places.”

“Can I do it where there are no people?”

“If I tell you not to—”

“You’re going to tell me not to do it at all?”

“You catch on fast.”

“I’ll think about it. Let’s go get dessert.”

“Didn’t you just say your stomach was going to burst?”

“I still have room for coffee.”

“If you consume too much caffeine—”

“Ah, don’t do this, don’t do that... You’re the one who needs to stop, sunbae-nim.”

“Got it. We heading to a cafe, then?”

“Yep. I know a good one, so just follow me.”

Watching Hiyori’s back as she confidently led the way, I felt the urge to sleep with her as soon as possible.

Even so, I couldn’t just pressure Miyuki.

That was the kind of blunder Tetsuya would make; I certainly couldn’t do it.

After we entered the cafe, ordered our coffee, and grabbed a corner seat, Hiyori stood up to go to the restroom. Just then, a call came in, and I checked my Cell Phone.

The caller was Renka. It felt like she had been calling me a lot lately—or was that just my imagination?

“Hello.”

“Hey.”

I had stepped outside to take the call, and her sullen voice immediately greeted me.

It seemed Renka’s patience was gradually reaching its limit. I figured I should provoke her just a little bit.

“What is it?”

“What kind of response is that?”

“What do you mean?”

“You sound so unenthusiastic. Are you kidding me? Does my call annoy you?”

“I was just copying you, President.”

“Hah... whatever. Do you have time at nine o’clock? Are you at home?”

“Nine o’clock? I think I’ll be back around then. Why?”

“I have something to say, so wait for me.”

Click.

Renka hung up before even hearing my answer.

I wondered if she did that because she thought I’d refuse to meet her if she kept the conversation going, rather than just issuing a notice.

Our Renka was feeling really anxious.

I supposed it was time to comfort her.

As I walked back into the cafe, Hiyori was just coming out.

She stared at me with a bewildered expression.

I lightly tapped her innocent cowlick and asked, “What are you staring at?”

“Why were you outside?”

“I was on a call.”

“With who?”

“Kids don’t need to know.”

“Whatever. So annoying. Can I have a sip of your drink, sunbae-nim?”

“Do what you want.”

Hiyori, who had returned to our seats before me, picked up my green tea latte.

Then, she wrapped her lips around the straw, deliberately sticking her tongue out for me to see.

I stood there dumbfounded for a moment by her absurd behavior, while she eagerly slathered the straw with her saliva, took a big sip of the latte, and gave a satisfied smile.

“It’s delicious.”

“What are you doing?”

“Just playing around.”

“What kind of dirty joke is that?”

“Am I dirty?”

“You don’t look clean.”

“Am I vulgar?”

“I didn’t go that far.”

“Are you disappointed?”

Hiyori was exceptionally playful today.

Looking at her like this made it seem like the distance between us had closed, but upon closer inspection, that wasn’t the case at all.

Of course, I was much closer to her than any of her other friends, but as I’d thought before, the sunk cost was low; her attitude could flip at any moment if things went wrong.

“I’m not.”

Taking my seat, I picked up the latte Hiyori had set down and casually brought the saliva-covered straw to my mouth.

Hiyori flinched at that, and then the corners of her lips curled up.

“Let’s go watch a movie after we finish drinking.”

“Sure.”

“Do you have time?”

“Don’t people usually ask if you have time before suggesting a movie?”

“Ah, do you have it or not?”

“I do.”

“Is that so? You fought with Miyuki Hanazawa, didn’t you?”

“How did you even reach that conclusion? Do you want me to fight with Miyuki?”

“No. I was just asking just in case.”

“You sound a bit disappointed.”

“I’m not.”

Along with her playfulness, she also seemed to be in a good mood...

It felt like I was looking at the early days of Hiyori.

Glad to see her in such high spirits, I poked her helplessly giggling cowlick one more time and drank my latte.

...

After finishing my date with Hiyori, I returned home and checked the time.

Exactly nine o’clock. I arrived right on time, but Renka was nowhere in sight.

Should I call her? No, I’ll drop by the Convenience Store to buy some snacks, and if she’s still not here when I get back, I’ll contact her then.

Since the rain had stopped and I wanted to get some fresh air, I walked to the Convenience Store two minutes away and bought various snacks.

Upon returning, I spotted someone hopping around near the wall of the house.

‘What the...?’

Renka was jumping up and down in front of the wall.

She looked like a thief spying on a house before breaking in, which made me incredibly curious about what she was doing.

Alerted by the rustling plastic bag and my approaching footsteps, the lightly hopping Renka soon turned her head toward me.

“Ah!? Ahem?”

Along with that, she let out a strange noise and made a bizarre gesture.

It seemed she was quite embarrassed that her actions had been caught.

I approached Renka, whose entire body had instantly frozen stiff, and asked in a gentle tone.

“What are you doing?”

“...”

“I asked what you were doing.”

“...What is it, you jerk...!”

Her robotic delivery paired with her desperate attempt to act brazen...

Seeing that behavior, the answer came to me immediately.

“Were you perhaps trying to peek inside?”

“N-No...?!”

“Looks like I’m right.”

“I said I wasn’t...?”

It was incredibly funny seeing her vehemently deny it while waving her hands in front of her.

Half-suppressing the laughter threatening to burst out, I cast a sidelong glance at the house over the wall.

“All the lights are off, so what were you hoping to see?”

“I told you I had no intention of looking!”

She was trying to make such a ridiculous excuse...

It was like covering the sky with the palm of one's hand.

“Is that so?”

“Yeah...! Exactly...!”

“Then why are you doing this out here? Could it be...”

“What...! Could it be what!”

She lifted her chin as if trying to look confident, but her guilty conscience was already plainly written on her face.

Looking at Renka with a meaningful gaze, I spoke in a doubtful voice.

“Were you trying to snoop because you thought I ignored your call and went to sleep, President?”

“W-What are you... Hah... Unbelievable... So ridiculous. Aren’t you a bit too delusional?”

It was the face of someone whose sore spot had been perfectly hit.

Even her tone was incredibly high-pitched, completely different from her usual shrill voice.

Acting like that and still denying it... How absurd.

“Am I wrong? The car is parked, the lights are off... Even I would be suspicious.”

“I said you’re wrong...? Stop insisting on it...!”

“Then whatever... I understand.”

“What is it?”

“What do you mean?”

“What’s with that tone like you’re letting me off the hook!? Don’t live in a delusion...!”

In complete contrast to the quiet neighborhood at such a late hour, Renka’s voice was getting louder.

Thinking the neighbors might hear if this kept up, I unlocked the Main Gate with my key and said, “Come inside first.”

“I’m leaving, though?”

“Then go.”

“...Lead the way.”

“Just follow me. Why do you need me to lead the way?”

“Shut up.”

“You’re much louder, President.”

“Don’t talk back! I’ll kill you!?”

“You always say that, but you can’t even kill me... At least try changing up your repertoire...”

Renka’s face flushed with anger at my dismissive remark.

Her expression, which looked like thorns would shoot out if I poked her, was incredibly pretty.

Clack.

Opening the Main Gate and turning around, I gave a small shudder.

It was because Renka was standing right behind me.

We were so close that our noses would touch if I moved even a little.

Startled by that, I took half a step back.

“What are... Why are you being so scary?”

“Hurry up and go in. Someone just came out from the house next door.”

“Ah... They probably came out to see if something happened because you raised your voice, President.”

“Ah, just go inside...!”

“Alright. Stop getting annoyed.”

I chuckled as Renka pushed at my back, urging me inside. Once we were through, she overtook me.

Taking brisk strides, she took off her shoes below the engawa and stepped up.

Although it looked like she would slide the window open at any moment, it was cute how she stood perfectly still, looking at me as if asking the homeowner for permission.

“You can go in.”

Only after getting permission did Renka slide the door open. As I followed her inside, she crossed her arms.

“Did you eat?”

“I had a quick bite... What about you, President?”

“I haven’t eaten.”

“So, you want me to make you something?”

“It’d be nice if you did. If not, whatever.”

That meant she wanted me to cook for her.

I nodded and said, “Let’s wash up and eat together, then.”

At that, Renka, who was admiring the figurines inside the display case she had bought, gave a sullen reply.

“Sure.”

“Where are you coming back from?”

“I hung out with a friend. A middle school classmate.”

“Is that right? What did you do?”

“We just talked.”

“You really have a knack for killing a conversation.”

“What else was I supposed to do here? I answered you.”

“Couldn’t you have asked me what I did in return?”

“I didn’t ask because I’m not curious.”

“I’m a little sad to hear that.”

“What do you want me to do about it?”

Acting so childish—she wasn’t even an elementary school student.

“Just saying. So, what did you want to tell me?”

“...Why did you greet me yesterday when I was with Chinami?”

“I just felt like greeting you, why? Did you not like it?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, then... I’m sorry.”

“And why do you keep ignoring my calls and messages?”

“Didn’t I tell you I might miss them if I’m busy?”

“You read them and ignored me.”

“I was doing something at the time.”

“Even if that’s true, isn’t it normal to reply once you’re done?”

“I forgot.”

“Cut the bullshit! Do you really want to die!?”

Renka’s tone rose sharply.

She was pouring out her sorrow along with her anger.

I walked up to Renka and patted her back as if telling her to calm down; she took a deep breath before glaring at me.

“Aren’t you seriously being too harsh?”

Hearing her lowered voice, which seemed to have calmed down a bit, I spoke in a much softer tone than when we had met in front of the house earlier.

“I’m sorry. Were you sad?”

“Is that even a question, you piece of trash!?”

She was finally being a little honest. It was rewarding.

At the same time, I also felt sorry. With that in mind, we really should go on a date.

Not staying by Renka’s side when she was in this state would be a sin.

“It’s nice to see you open up. You feel like a weight’s been lifted off your chest, right?”

“What are you talking about, you...”

“Don’t swear.”

“Shut up...!”

“Should we head out?”

“Shu... What?”

“Let’s go out.”

“Go out where...! I’m not going...!”

“I’m not trying to kick you out, but the rain has stopped and it’s nice out, so let’s go for a walk. Or maybe watch a movie.”

“...”

Renka’s pretty lips pressed tightly together.

She seemed embarrassed that she had misunderstood me and thrown a huge fit in her excitement.

As her face gradually began to flush red with embarrassment, I let out a light chuckle devoid of any sarcasm and said, “Wait just a minute. Let me change my clothes.”