[LN] Kanojo ni Uwaki Sareteita Ore ga - Volume 1 - Chapter 5

 

Chapter 5 - Coincidence

Today is said to be the lowest temperature in several years.

It is late January, and the city has completely returned to its usual atmosphere, not only the Christmas mood, but even the New Year's mood has disappeared.

The past month hasn't been particularly unusual. Everything was pretty much the same as last year, from buying lottery tickets in a flurry with friends to showing up at various New Year's parties.

If there is one thing that is different from last year.

"Senior, you made quite a mess again while I wasn't here~."

The one who visits my house three times a week is Mayu Shinohara, a former Santa Claus.

"Shut up, a man can't be bothered to clean up after himself."

"What is that incomprehensible theory? It will be house dust."

Shinohara, in a distracted voice, folds up the clothes scattered around the studio.

"Hey, don't do that. I'll fold it myself later."

I believed him for a week after he told me that, but he never folded.

"We're doing it tomorrow."

"I see."

Shinohara replies in a tone of utter disbelief, but does not rest on his hands as he folds his clothes.

How did this happen?

On the day Shinohara came to my house at the end of the year, he mentioned that he would be coming about twice a week.

I think that in itself made me happy to have a new connection.

However, the current situation is completely different from what I had initially imagined.

This is more accurately described as commuting rather than coming to the house.

Although I am perplexed by this situation, there is one thing I have been seriously thankful for since Shinohara started attending my house.

"Senior, I'm going to use your kitchen again today."

"Oh, thank you"

Yes, it's cooking.

Living alone as a male student is a miserable experience.

He wakes up in the afternoon, eats bread, and comes home after eating out at night. On days when he does not meet with friends, he buys a convenience store lunch box.

My tongue, completely starved for home-cooked food after such a life, was delighted by the meals Shinohara prepared for me.

"I really appreciate it. I'll have to thank you all at once."

"I live alone too, and it's just a side thing. I just eat with my seniors when I'm free, so don't worry about it."

"Really? You're a good guy, you know what's in my wallet."

It is a relief.

This month, I have not been working part-time as much as usual, and my savings is not very secure. Considering that I will start job hunting from now on, I don't have much money to spare.

"I'll take a Louis Vuitton wallet for the thank you."

"Don't you dare ask me for a big, fat thank-you!"

"It's the seniors who flirt with gratuities for their free services. There isn't a college student who wouldn't jump at the chance to be offered a Louis Vuitton purse."

"Why is it that you've decided to thank me with a Louis Vuitton wallet ......?"

I lay down on the bed in despair. Well, even though we split the cost of food, it doesn't change the fact that he takes the time and effort to cook for me.

I might be willing to buy that much for you after a while.

For example, yes, birthdays.

"When's your birthday?"

"Tomorrow."

"Huh?"

I bounce out of bed and meet eyes with a crackling Shinohara.

Shinohara stopped in her position with her apron around her waist and tilted her head.

"Yes?"

You said, "...... No, well what the heck. I'm just surprised. How old are you?"

I returned the safe question and laid back down again.

It occurred to me that the only time you can casually ask a woman her age is when you are a student.

I guess so." It's tough when you're in the workforce."

"Yes, it is. It's frightening because there's no upper age limit."

Shinohara makes a gesture of shaking himself.

Then he coughed coherently and opened his mouth.

"You asked me a question earlier...I'm nineteen. One more year until I drink legally!"

"Uh."

The phrase "legally," bothered me, but I decided not to tweak it.

As Shinohara once said, college students are like that.

"Mmmm. Somehow, the reaction is bad. It will be legal soon! Even my seniors have been legal since they turned 18..."

"Yes, yes, well, that's true, but don't talk like that outside. Don't talk like that outside, you never know where or who is listening in these days."

Silence the juniors who are about to say something really roguish.

The junior seemed unhappy that he was not allowed to finish, but he did not feel like continuing, so he turned his head away and said.

"It's okay, this is my senior's room. There is only me and my senpai here."

"That's not the point."

"That's the problem."

Shinohara said once and for all, then took his phone out of his pocket.

A shaking phone indicates that someone has received a call.

"Let's go out to dinner somewhere tomorrow."

Casually, I suggested that.

It might not be a bad idea to take Shinohara somewhere as a way of thanking him for his daily efforts.

I have no plans tomorrow anyway.

I had no confidence in my own sense of taste when it came to giving gifts.

Shinohara looked up at my invitation, but eventually shook his head.

"Sorry, I can't make it tomorrow."

"Oh, really?"

"Don't look so surprised. I'm planning my birthday in advance, too. I'm going to have my friends celebrate it with me!"

Shinohara happily makes a V-sign. He is apparently blessed with friends, although he usually shows glimpses of the breadth of his friendships.

"Huh?"

"Hmm, what's wrong?"

"'Senpai, did you maybe think I should buy you a wallet for your birthday?"

I nodded, having no choice. Then Shinohara waved her hand as if in a panic.

"I was just kidding, I was just kidding! I'm not seriously going to beg a senior who lives alone for a brand new purse!"

"I don't know, maybe I can't afford a brand name wallet. I just thought I'd give you something for your birthday."

There is no ate to give gifts to others for a while.

Now the day I tried to give my ex-girlfriend a gift before is stuck in my mind. I had a slight desire to dispel such memories by giving Shinohara a gift.

"I was like, "Oh, really? You've been paying me a tribute for just one month after we met."

I want to give it to you, so take it, don't be a bitch about it. I want to give it to you, so take it without question, and if you don't like it, throw it away. If you don't like it, throw it away. If you don't like it, throw it away.

When I shrug my shoulders, Shinohara once again sounds surprised, "Oh, you're serious, senpai?

Did they think it was a joke or something?

Shinohara seemed a bit thoughtful, but he did not feel bad.

"Well, if that's what you mean. ......"

The corners of my mouth involuntarily turned up when Shinohara responded, "I'm sorry.

Gifts are uplifting for those who give them.

"Do you want anything?"

When I asked, Shinohara put his hand on his chin in a thoughtful gesture.

"Well, I'll leave it to ...... seniors to make their choice. I know leaving it to you is probably the most difficult thing to do, but that's why I prefer to leave it to you."

I'm like, "Ugh, so it comes to that. ...... Well, okay. I'll take care of it."

"I'll keep my fingers crossed!"

"Yes."

He lightly replies to the winking Shinohara.

To be honest, I don't know what kind of design Shinohara would like. One thing I can say is that it probably won't be to Shinohara's taste, even if I make the decision on my own. It is very difficult to know her taste after knowing her for only one month, even if it was her.

Still, if you are lovers, it would be better to choose one yourself, but this time it is just a gift for a junior. It would be better to consult a reliable friend here.

The first thing that came to mind was, of course, that guy.

◇◆

"Please."

When I put my hands together to make a request, Ayaka, being the reliable woman that she is, raised her eyebrows.

I called Ayaka in front of the main gate of the university, but it did not seem to be a favorable response.

"I'm the one who gave the thank-you gift to Mr. Shinohara?"

"Oh, yes, please."

"Oh no."

"No."

What do you mean "no"?

Ayaka exhaled in disgust and continued.

"You asked me if we could meet, so I went out of my way to meet you. I thought you were going to buy me dinner."

"I wouldn't go out of my way to call a group full of women to buy me a drink, because that takes a lot of courage."

It was during lunch break when I called Ayaka. It was quite hard for me to join Ayaka's group who was still eating lunch.

"Yeah, of course. In fact, they thought I was hitting on them again."

"Seriously?"

"I lied. All the kids there know that you and I were friends in high school."

"Don't freak out. That's a nasty lie."

I get along well with Ayaka, who stands out from the rest of the faculty, but I don't get involved with the other girls much.

When I am with Ayaka, there are times when girls I don't know come over, and she always tries to get alone with me for some reason or another.

The reason is simple: "It's easy.

Ayaka seemed to be relatively straightforward in the group I just mentioned, but in other shallow relationships, she is always outwardly concerned with her words and behavior.

He seems to enjoy such behavior, but he probably needs a place to rest his wings once in a while.

"First of all, Mr. Shinohara said he would leave it to you, right? Then what's the point if you don't make the choice? It's a feeling, isn't it?"

"No, Shinohara is a rational woman. I saw that she was putting pressure on me when she used the word "leave it to me" with a guy I hadn't even started dating. So I want something practical."

"Hah, well, whatever."

Ayaka doesn't seem to be into it at all.

I guess there is no possibility, though, as they don't refuse with reasons such as part-time jobs. If this is the case, we will need something to push the envelope.

"Saika."

"What?"

"You've got a test coming up. Don't you want to know the past papers?"

"I'm sorry, but I don't think there's anything you know that I don't know that I don't know."

"That's right. If I were to face Ayaka, who has a wide range of friendships, I would be no match for her, even if there were five of me."

Instead, I was the one who was always being shown past papers.

"I remember now. You gave away the past papers I gave you to another friend, didn't you?"

"Geez!"

"I'll make sure to buy you dinner for that, too."

Ayaka sniffles. I have no excuse for that one either, and vow to make it up to her another time.

But that's not the point of this story.

I decided to exercise my last resort.

"A limited time buffet at the hotel in front of the ...... station. How about that?"

"Nah."

Starting this weekend, a buffet will be held on the top floor of the hotel for one week only. It is not an ordinary buffet, and the price is high because it offers luxury foods and delicacies, but it seems to have been effective for Ayaka, who has an eye for such unusual restaurants.

"'Okay, if that's the way it's going to be, I don't blame you!"

I was relieved to see Ayaka approve so vigorously.

It was an unplanned expense, but it might have been just as well if the other party was Ayaka.

It is not only Shinohara who is usually taken care of, but also Ayaka.

I would have to thank two people in one day, but it's nice to have a day like that once in a while.

◇◆

Later that day, Ayaka and I were visiting the biggest shopping mall in the city as planned. The main hall, which was filled with colorful decorations at Christmas time and unified in red and white at the end of the year, was now replaced by a banner announcing a bargain sale.

She visited many stores to choose a wallet to present to Shinohara, but could not find one that Ayaka would approve of. It has been two hours.

"All the wallets seem to be the same."

I'm getting tired and I can't help but hear those words coming out of my mouth.

"You asked me to choose. You said it was your choice, and now that I've accepted, I won't compromise."

"Don't worry ......, I'll make sure the Vikings are fully covered."

I've accepted the job," he said. Once I accepted the job, I had to make sure Mr. Shinohara was happy or my stock would drop."

"He's got a good personality. ......"

With that said, I leave the fourth restaurant.

The store carried brands that would be standard for a college girl, but nothing seemed to make Ayaka groan.

The four stores we have visited so far are all brand-name stores that cater to students.

As I became a college student and had more money to spend, there were more people around me who cared about brands, as if in proportion.

I myself am not that attached to brands and prefer to wear simple clothes, but people who like brands unify their entire body with their favorite brands.

Even if the design is not that great, if it is a popular brand, that alone will give it a good reputation, so I knew that if I wanted to give a gift to a girl, I could be sure to get some brand.

And yet, Ayaka, who wears four of those brand-name stores on her sleeve, must be very particular.

"There it is. Here's where we're going next."

Ayaka pointed to an information board with a series of store names. The store, located on the eighth floor, was a brand famous for being quite expensive for students.

"Kim ......."

When I flinched, Ayaka grabbed my bag and held me back.

"I'm a member here, and we're having a members-only secret sale. I'm a member here and we're having a members-only secret sale right now. If you buy two items, you get an extra discount, so I'll buy something for you."

"Yeah, that's bad enough."

"It's okay. It's a good opportunity for me to fool myself into thinking that I'm helping my friend. I'll buy that bag I've always wanted."

"Are you sure that's ......"

"Let's go!"

With a booming voice, he grabs me by the arm, this time with a jerk.

As I climbed the escalator and arrived at the front of the restaurant, I sensed an upscale atmosphere unlike any other restaurant I had seen before.

"I'm not good at this."

"Okay, let's go."

"Yeah. ......."

I received a near-ignorable reply and followed her. I glanced at the bag and saw that it was priced at 90,000 yen.

"No, I'm going home."

"Hey, it's too early! I have some stuff you can buy!"

From there, Ayaka acted alone, and it was ten minutes later when they met up again in the restaurant.

On his arm already hangs the bag he is about to buy.

"I found a nice purse. Come here!"

Ayaka grabs me by the neck and moves me to where the wallet is located. The price is ......

"Twenty-one thousand yen. Well, that's not so bad."

My pocketbook is not warm enough to say, "This is not so bad" for a wallet that costs over 20,000 yen, but it seems that I have been looking at expensive products for a long time and my sense of money has become dull.

"Today is the cheapest day for purses, so you can probably get one for fifteen thousand or so. Good for you."

"Wow, they give you such a discount? That's tempting."

But that's only if it was a purchase for yourself. When it comes to buying this wallet for someone else, you need to be very prepared.

When I calm down, it seems outrageous to give a 10,000+ gift to a girl who is not my girlfriend.

It was a good thing that it was with Shinohara, but it was the kind of amount that other girls might have been drawn to.

"I'll go get the waiter, he'll have to open the showcase."

"It's early. I'm still trying to figure it out."

"You said you'd leave it to me. The price is within our budget, and I think this is the only way to go."

"That being said, I do wish you'd ......"

As I hesitated, I suddenly saw a pair of what appeared to be college girls.

The duo strangely attracted my eyes.

The atmosphere is glamorous, but that much I am used to seeing in college. I followed them with my gaze, wondering why I was so drawn to them.

What caught my attention was a college student with dyed ash hair standing in front of the showcase while fiddling with her phone.

I couldn't see his face, but I remembered his style, his gestures, his mood.

The college girl seemed to have noticed my gaze and looked up suddenly.

─ ─ My ex-girlfriend, Reina Aisaka, was there.

◇◆

"Rena."

A dry voice escapes my mouth.

Rena looked as surprised as I was, and her eyes widened.

"......Yuta-kun."

The sound of it is nostalgic. Their voices, facial expressions and gestures all stimulate my memories of those days.

I have also seen the long black coat, red scarf, and high heels before.

Her hair color was a little lighter than it had been when we were dating, but there was no doubt that she was someone I had once had a heart-to-heart with.

After a few seconds passed without either party saying anything, the college girl next to Reina opened her mouth.

"Rena, is that him? Is she a friend?"

"Huh?" Oh, yeah. Something like that."

Rena slurred her words, looked at me again, and laughed in annoyance.

"...... what a long time. How have you been?"

I exhale loudly in my mind at the words, which are probably social pleasantries to the eyes of those around me.

The college girl next to me apparently didn't know me. I had been dating for about a year, so I had several friends of Rena's who knew each other, but this was the first time I had met this girl.

The fact that Rena attended a women's college where many of the students were considered to be young ladies was a distant factor, and they did not have many mutual acquaintances.

Seeing Rena's friend with a curious look on her face, I had a gut feeling that this girl knew nothing.

"......, well, there you go."

This is also a safe word to reply.

It's the first time in two months, but there's no need to imitate Rena's friend, who would know nothing about it, to tell her about that incident.

What I want to say is that there is nothing more to say now.

We broke up the day after she cheated on me, and even then Reina made no excuses.

I told her we should break up, and she just nodded silently.

Only two months. It may be short in words, but at the beginning of our breakup, it was so slow that I felt like throwing up when a day passed.

So the feeling is that it has been a long time since we have met again.

When Rena was my girlfriend, I cared for her so much and had so many feelings that I couldn't fully describe with just liking her.

If we separate, it will be just another person.

"Are you buying that?"

The words that Reina would have spun out in an attempt to have some kind of safe conversation were for the wallet I was holding.

In his hand is a wallet to be given to Shinohara.

"It's a little expensive, but it's okay. It's a little expensive."

"I see. I hope you're pleased."

"Hm."

After a short reply, he turned his attention back to the showcase, as if this was the end of the conversation.

I feel my feelings for Reina are becoming more organized.

Immediately after the breakup, that's when my chest tightened up just looking at the pictures of their faces.

Now, my feelings were disturbed at the moment we met, but that was nothing compared to right after we broke up. From now on, time will tell.

"I mean, will I see you again?"

"What about...?"

It was not I who responded, but Ayaka, who had been silent from a while ago.

Rena also looks at Ayaka as if surprised.

"Are you insane?"

His voice was filled with plenty of contempt.

Rena and Ayaka are not directly acquainted with each other.

We tried to meet several times when we were dating, but there was never a convenient date.

But Ayaka had been shown Rena's face many times by me, and she knew.

Reina, perhaps sensing this, turned away and left the restaurant with a quick look.

As I passed by, I left a "see you later" note.

"...... hey."

After making sure Rena leaves the store, I talk to Ayaka.

Ayaka took one look in the direction in which Rena was walking and then opened her mouth.

"I'm sorry. You were trying to be normal, so I tried to be patient, but I was still pissed off."

"'I'm glad you feel that way, though. He's my ex-girlfriend."

"I recognized her right away because she kept showing me pictures of her. She's pretty, but that's all."

"Well, yeah. Yeah."

Probably there were many good things about them besides being cute.

But every human being has his or her good qualities.

It would be wild to tell Ayaka that now.

Ayaka was angry for me.

"Thanks for the ......."

Ayaka chuckled at the thank-you that came out of her mouth.

I was like, "I don't know how to thank you for this. Your ex-girlfriend's friend had nothing to do with it, and I did something bad to her."

Ayaka said and exhaled heavily to let her anger escape.

"I'll pay for it all with my credit card and give it back to you in cash later. I'll pay by credit card and you pay me back in cash later."

My thoughts had completely faded from shopping when I was reunited with Reina, but Ayaka's words brought me back to myself.

As Ayaka quickly heads to the cash register, I see the wallet she took from me in her hand. In her other hand, she has the bag she is looking for, and she is looking very cheerful.

I'm always thrilled when I make an expensive purchase.

"I don't even know, but ...... well, never mind. I'll buy a wallet. I'll pay for it myself."

I wanted to clear my blurred feelings after meeting Reina by splurging. If it was a gift to the person who has been taking care of me everyday, it would kill two birds with one stone.

"No, I'll get it."

"Yeah, why?"

I want to buy something that gives me points when I buy it with my card. Give me 500 points."

"But I'm so stubborn!"

You don't say this when other people are around, but as soon as the two of us are alone, you do this.

I have no complaints about them making it easy for me.

"Then you wait outside."

"Yes yes yes ......"

Reluctantly folding, Ayaka headed for the cash register in a good mood.

After making sure Ayaka is paying the bill at the cash register, I turn my head in the direction where Rena last left off.

My ex-girlfriend was no longer in sight, perhaps lost in the hustle and bustle.

◇◆

Five minutes of waiting.

After leaving the store, Ayaka said to me, "Here. She gave me a bag containing her purse.

I see something other than a wallet in that bag and take it out without a second thought.

"This ......"

It is a key case. The discreet black luster suggests that the price was not cheap.

"You can have it."

"I mean, why would you want to do that? I mean, why the suddenness?"

"It's your birthday present. Your birthday is in July and it's already past. Come to think of it, I've never given you a birthday present before."

"Oh, really? That's so cool, are you sure about this!"

I have a surprisingly high voice myself.

Gifts are nerve-wracking for both the giver and the receiver.

The person giving the gift is nervous, wondering if the recipient will like it, and the recipient is nervous that a poor response will make the recipient feel bad.

I'm the type of person who is particularly bad at receiving gifts, and even when I'm really happy, my reactions are slurred.

But now I got something I really wanted, and I couldn't help but get excited. It's been a really long time since I've received a gift and had a good reaction without being conscious of it.

Ayaka also beamed with satisfaction at my reaction.

"It's all right. I'm not in pain."

"No, thank you so much. Seriously."

"'I'm glad you're happy. All right, let's go then."

"Yeah, where?"

"I'm a Viking! Show me with attitude and money that you appreciate me giving you the first gift of your own to a man!"

"Hey, the latter ruined it!"

When I poked at her, Ayaka laughed out loud.

Ayaka starts walking excitedly in the direction of the hotel where the buffet will be held.

As I followed along, I let my mind ruminate on what I had just said.

─ ─ Was this the first time Ayaka gave a gift to a man by herself?

Even though we were close, I didn't keep track of our friendships, so I thought it was normal to at least give them gifts.

My mouth relaxes at the sight of Ayaka's back as she walks quickly, unable to wait for the buffet.

Ayaka probably likes my relationship as a complete friend that does not develop into a romantic relationship.

It wouldn't be a bumble to at least be happy that I was the one who gave Ayaka her first gift.

My mind, which had been disturbed by the encounter with Reina, was already completely healed.

◇◆

Ayaka and I enjoyed the buffet and I was on my way home.

On the way, I take out my wallet, which is now completely light. I thought about buying a cup of coffee from a vending machine and going home, but there was only enough money in it to make me hesitate to do so. Where did the money go?

"It was expensive. It was good, but..."

He blurts it out and puts his wallet in his back pocket.

How much money they have spent today alone would be something a student living alone would not want to imagine.

If the expense was due to an event like Christmas, but today is not an event, just a weekday, it is frightening.

The buffet was not like a family restaurant with an assortment of dishes, but rather single items that would be a good value.

Since I ate it to my heart's content, I suppose I should be satisfied with the lightness of this wallet.

"I didn't realize you couldn't even buy coffee. ......"

I let out a very pitiful voice and headed home this time.

I will probably have to forgo the game console and other devices I wanted this month.

I could see my apartment, my home, and the light was on in my room. Today Shinohara said she was going to celebrate her birthday with her friends, but that must have been over.

['I'm going to finish early today, so please put the key in the mailbox.']

The line came this morning.

I was not feeling a sense of urgency about being burglarized, so I agreed without thinking, and put the key in the mailbox.

The current time is 22:30.

I don't know what he is doing up to this hour, but he must be at someone's house right now goofing off and reading manga.

I climbed the creaking stairs and stood in front of the door. My house was on the second floor of a rather old, if not ramshackle, apartment building.

I opened the door and said, "I'm home," and the sound of the TV greeted me.

A familiar face peeks out from the end of the hallway.

Shinohara's loosely curled hair was bunched into a ponytail.

"Ah, senpai. Welcome back."

"I'm home. What are you doing here this late?"

"As you can see, it's television, television."

As she replied, Shinohara changed the channel she was watching. The screen where the woman was being interviewed switched to a news program.

"Heh, what were you looking at?"

"Don't tell anyone. Don't pry into the girls."

"You're not prying too hard. Give me the remote."

"Ah!"

As I take the remote control and change the channel appropriately, I reach the woman I just saw. The message in the upper left corner read, "When do you feel like having a boyfriend?" and I could see that it was a love talk show.

"Heh, I didn't expect you to watch such a damsel-in-distress show."

"Aah! That sucks, I can't believe I didn't expect that!"

"Why were you watching this show?"

When I asked, Shinohara looked away as if lost for a moment.

"...... Well, if you don't want to say it, that's okay. Anyway, I'm ...... today."

"I was wondering if I was out of sync."

"You're going to say that? What? What's going on?"

"Oh, you're cold! I tried so hard to be brave!"

Shinohara puts a lot of effort into her eyes, but it's just cute and doesn't do anything for me.

"I was dating Motosaka-senpai, right? I was suspected of having a sense of being out of touch with the world because of that. Mainly in my mind."

Huh." That's a little late for that."

It is impossible to determine in general whether a person is out of step with the world, as it depends on the environment in which he or she has spent his or her life.

But, well, I guess I'm a slightly out-of-touch thinker in the world I think of. Not that there's anything wrong with that. It's just unusual.

"You told your friends about the breakup, didn't you? I know we broke up last month and it's a little late for that, but I just wanted to report it to you in person."

"'Heh, and what was your response?'"

I said, "Yes, I am. I'm sorry you had to go through all that trouble of being cheated on, and I hope the next time you fall in love, it will be better."

"Hmmm. That's a good friend."

"Yes, that's right."

Shinohara shakes his head as if to say that's not what he wants to say.

"I was itching to hear those words. I'm sorry for the trouble I caused the seniors on Christmas Day. But we only went out because we wanted to act like a couple. ......"

I wasn't hurt, Shinohara shrugs.

"But I've been cared for and comforted all day. I'm exhausted today."

"That's why you broke up rather early, even though it's your birthday."

"'Yes. I went out with Motosaka-senpai because I wanted to have a ...... couple-like event, and I was angry that he cheated on me, but I wasn't hurt. Am I out of line?"

"Are you out of sync?"

"I knew it."

Shinohara laughed at my honest impression. It was a carefree laugh, not looking particularly hurt.

"I'm sure there are plenty of guys out there who go out with Shinohara because they want to do the same couple-like things that Shinohara does. But usually you have to like them a little to go out with them, and if they cheat on you, it hurts more than a little."

Thinking back, Shinohara just said he was pissed off right after he had been cheated on, and did not show any signs of being hurt by the affair.

"Why were you so mad at him when he cheated on you?"

"Because I was pissed off."

"Why?"

"Because I was mocked."

"Maybe he was jealous because he was attracted to a woman other than himself? Like, "Did you lie about your love for me?"

"No, it's not. I was persistent in confessing my feelings to him, so he confessed to me for the first time and then cheated on me. It's not more and it's not less. It's neither more nor less than that."

Shinohara, who said this, eventually looked at me in silence and furrowed her brow anxiously.

"...... am i light?"

He still thought that his thinking was somewhat out of sync with others, and he began to wonder if the next one would be lighter.

To be honest, I didn't have all the ingredients to immediately deny it, but I didn't dislike Shinohara's way of thinking.

"Everyone has their own way of thinking, so why don't we just wait for that meeting to come along someday?"

"I waited, I met him, and he cheated on me."

"............ I see."

"What's with the sorry voice?"

"No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

"I just told you that attitude is exhausting!"

Shinohara's cheeks puffed out.

He then bent his knees into a triangle and buried his face in them.

"I envy everyone. It's nice to have a couple that likes each other."

"Indeed."

For a moment, the face of Reina, whom I had just met again, flashed through my mind.

To cover it up, I fumbled with the bag Ayaka gave me.

"Here, I'll do it. Purse."

"Ew."

Shinohara instantly undid his triangular sitting position and approached me. A sweet scent, not that of house shampoo, tickled my nose.

"Happy birthday. Keep up the good work."

"I had a crush on ......."

"I see. I'm glad you're pleased."

"I've always wanted to buy this brand of accessories. I've always wanted to buy accessories from this brand, so how did you know? Are you a genius?"

As expected of Ayaka, his choices are always spot on.

He said he could somehow tell from everyday conversations.

...... Forgive me for dressing like that.

At that moment, the intercom rang.

A loud sound, which does not suit a one-room apartment, is emanating from the room.

"Who is it at this hour?"

Shinohara stood up and walked to the front door.

He must have really liked it, as he was holding the wallet with great care.

It was not a cheap purchase, but seeing her like that made me glad I gave it to her.

With a clang, I heard Shinohara open the door.

The next thing I heard was a familiar voice, not Shinohara's.

"What are you doing here? What are you doing here?"

"...... Ayaka Senpai"

Across from Shinohara, my eyes met Ayaka's.

◇◆

I involuntarily turn my face away from Ayaka's gaze.

Come to think of it, I don't remember telling Ayaka that Shinohara was frequenting my house.

I have no impure motive at all for letting Shinohara stay at home until this hour, but I wonder what the opposite party would think of this situation.

That's obvious.

"...... Yes? Are you guys dating by any chance?"

Sure enough, Ayaka sounded surprised.

When I look at his face, it's not the usual teasing look, but one of pure surprise.

Thinking back, Ayaka was the first person I reported to every time I had a girlfriend.

From Ayaka's point of view, it must be doubly surprising that I had a girlfriend without saying anything to Ayaka, and that it was with an acquaintance, Shinohara.

I waved to Ayaka, who seemed to be at a loss for words, as I walked to the front door.

He said, "Tough shit. If something happened, I'd probably tell you."

Still, Ayaka shook her head after a few seconds of silence.

"I'm sure ...... you might do that. Anyone would if they saw this situation."

"Well, that's for sure. I wouldn't be so confident of clearing up a misunderstanding if it were anyone other than you."

"No, no, no, I'm confused too. Don't expect me to understand everything."

Ayaka added, "I'm usually surprised," and closed the front door.

The north wind that had been entering the room was blocked, and the room was lit by a slight heat.

"Still, you understand it better than others."

"Well, maybe so."

College students are often ambiguous about their relationships with men and women, but I myself have not been in a room with a girl I was not dating many times. And when it was just the two of us, I couldn't remember many times.

Since I was with Shinohara at the time of 23:30, Ayaka's misunderstanding was quite natural.

But the misunderstanding would have been cleared up.

Just as I was about to apologize to Shinohara for this conviction, unexpected words came out of his mouth.

"Ayaka-senpai was such an insane person who would visit my house at this hour."

Ayaka paused for a moment after hearing these words and tilted her head.

"...... Oh, I don't want to be told by a minor who stays up this late at a guy's house she's not dating."

No...no, why are you guys fighting as soon as you meet?

He goes in for a restraining order.

"Shinohara, Ayaka is a senior."

"...... it was. Sorry."

Shinohara apologized honestly, but his eyes remained fixed on Ayaka.

You didn't act like this when we were at the party.

 ─ No, it's not.

They had not spoken a word to each other at that time.

What is it?

I intuited this from the tense atmosphere.

I suddenly turned my gaze to Ayaka, who was staring at Shinohara without losing her calm expression.

After a short pause, Ayaka opens her mouth.

"...... this girl's not really a problem. I've been her junior for a long time."

"From the old days?"

I had heard that he was a junior, but was it from before college?

But I don't know if this is related to the reason why the atmosphere between Shinohara and Ayaka is slightly tense.

...... and I don't need to know that now.

It's a two-person problem.

After giving it some thought, I decided to add a few words to Shinohara.

"Shinohara, stop right here."

Shinohara glanced at me at that comment and bowed his head in an honest manner.

"I'm sorry. I said it a little harshly after all."

Ayaka does not seem bothered by Shinohara's apology and shakes her head.

"It's okay. I'm sorry too. I was just trying to stir things up. Besides, from the looks of it, it doesn't sound like they're really together."

"Yes, sir."

Only there, Shinohara nodded honestly.

It was only a few weeks ago that Shinohara complained that they had never really liked each other.

Ayaka seemed to be satisfied with that, and put her slender fingertips on the doorknob.

"I'm sorry to have disturbed you. I'll see you next time."

"Oh, I'll see you at college."

Ayaka responds to me with a smile and turns her back.

But as he turned on his heel, his gaze seemed to be caught by something Shinohara was carrying.

"Is this it?"

Shinohara noticed the gaze and showed Ayaka the object in his hand.

"I just got this wallet from one of my seniors."

"Dokiri."

At those words, my heart leapt.

Ayaka looks at the wallet held up by Shinohara and frowns a little.

That's just as well, because the wallet was Ayaka's choice.

"...... so. Lovely purse."

Ayaka answered shortly and tapped me on the shoulder as she left.

"You're doing great, you've got good taste."

"No."

Is it okay? Ayaka did not seem to be bothered by the nuance in my gaze, which included the question, "Are you sure?

"Sorry to interrupt."

With a final greeting, Ayaka walks out the front door.

I could do nothing but watch Ayaka melt away in the darkness.

◇◆

"Shinohara, hey."

"...... eh."

I crossed my legs on the sofa and Shinohara sat upright on the floor in front of me.

From the outside, the situation could be problematic, but unfortunately, this is my house. I don't have to worry about anyone seeing me.

"Senior."

"What the hell?"

"It's cold, the floor."

"I don't have a floor heater in the room I live alone. I mean, you sat there before."

He takes one look at Shinohara, who is dressed very conservatively, and recrosses his legs.

I have only one thing to say to Shinohara.

"The way you were acting just now. Ayaka is still a senior, right?"

"...... yes. My apologies."

Santa, lying on his face, is less energetic than he was immediately after his breakup with Motosaka.

From the way he apologizes honestly, I know he is sorry.

At least, that he behaved that way in front of me.

So I decided to change directions a bit.

"...... and I'd like to be mad at you. Just act normal in front of me and that's all that matters."

As soon as my words reached her, Shinohara looked up.

The cashier's expression is cheerful.

"Yes! I'll do it normally!"

'What kind of declaration is that? ...... Well, go home today. It's late."

This was the first time that Shinohara stayed home until the time when the sun was about to change. Judging by the time difference alone, it was not a big deal, since I always let her go home at 23:00.

"It's rare nowadays for people to send girls home this close to the last train. You should worry a little."

Shinohara says this and heads for the front door.

The flattering entranceway is even smaller with three or four of my boots lined up in a row, but Shinohara seems accustomed to it and stretches her legs out to her heels.

"I mean, don't you care? Why did I behave so rudely?"

"I don't care. It's none of my business."

"Don't tell me it's none of my business, I'm usually a little hurt."

Shinohara turned to me once she finished putting on her heels.

"But I like that kind of dryness from my senpai."

"Oh, yeah. Hurry up and close the door, it's cold."

"...... You're a real dullard! Please react a little!"

Shinohara shows his tongue for the last time, and the door closes.

"Don't say things like, "I like ...... a lot," lightly."

I know Shinohara has no such feelings, but in high school he would have certainly soared.

That makes the man look bad if he gets it wrong.

Girls may be the same way, but men are also men and difficult to live with.

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