CH 4

After the exciting event of taking a shower at a girl’s house, I was in the changing room, changing into a navy blue jersey that Hoshimiya’s father used to wear.

It smelled surprisingly good. It didn’t smell like it was worn by an old man. It smelled like it had been stored in the back of a wardrobe for a long time (smelled like mold?).

After I finished wiping my head, I left the bathroom and went back to the room where Hoshimiya was.

「Thanks for the bath.」

「Un. I’m preparing dinner on the table.」

When I looked at it, I saw that carbonara was placed on the table, and there was a good smell in the air that made me hungry. Don’t tell me it’s homemade by…… Hoshimiya?　

This is bad, what should I do?

I’m so excited to be able to eat a girl’s homemade food.

N, no, no, wait, wait.

I thought I had a girl in mind… Who was my childhood friend, but she had already dumped me…. Someone kill me, please.

「It’s really delicious. It’s a popular item at convenience stores.」

「……」

It wasn’t Hoshimiya’s homemade food.

But since Hoshimiya bought it and cooked it, can we call it Hoshimiya’s homemade dish?

…I can’t call it.

I can’t call it that, yes.

「I’m going to take a bath.」

Calling out to me as I sat down by the table, Hoshimiya picked up her clothes and left the room.

Eh, a bath?

Are you going to take a bath, but there’s a boy here?

And he’s not your boyfriend or anything.

We’re classmates, but we’ve never even talked to each other before, you know?

zap

Not long after, I heard the sound of water from the shower.

「……」

Oh, man. My heart started beating furiously. My heart is changing faster than a stock market crash today.

I confessed to my childhood friend in a happy mood like I was going to win the game, was rejected and knocked into the depths of despair, went to the mountains in desperation with the intention of committing suicide, fought off a convenience store robbery, and got encouraged by Hoshimiya’s crying face…….

And now, I hear the sound of a girl bathing.

It’s been truly a turbulent day.

「…Maa, let’s eat.」

I can’t help but be conscious.

I’m starving.

Maybe it was the relief of deciding not to die, but I was beginning to feel more relaxed.’

Ding dong.

Just as I picked up my fork, the sound of the doorbell rang out in the room.

A visitor, at this hour.

「I wonder what I should do….」

I wonder if it’s okay for me to answer.

If it was an acquaintance of Hoshimiya, I’d be in trouble. But I can’t just ignore it.

So should I go get Hoshimiya?

「No, no, no, I can’t. There’s no way I can go to a girl who’s taking a bath.」

Ding dong.

The bell rang again.

…I’m sorry, but you’ll have to come back another time.

There’s nothing I can do about it now…….

Ding dong.

Ding dong.

Ding dong, ding dong.

Ding dong, ding, ding, ding, ding, dong.

「Shut up!」　

You’re making a lot of noise!

No, maybe it’s that urgent.

Damn, I guess I’ll have to answer it now.

I made up my mind and went to the front door and slowly opened it.

「Ayana-chan! ――――Who?」

There she was, a beautiful woman with shoulder-length hair.

It looks like she’s a little older than me…… right?

She’s wearing a loose-fitting shirt and shorts. That’s loungewear.

She has a beautiful face, and I would call her beautiful.

In summary, her image is that of a beautiful, serious-looking woman.

「Um, I’m Rin Kuromine.」

「Rin? That sounds like a girl’s name.」

「…I guess.」

What’s with this person all of a sudden?

Well, I’m used to being told that.

「This is Ayana-chan’s room……. Are you her boyfriend by any chance?」

「No, I’m not.」

「Then, who are you!? Eh, a suspicious person?」

「Do I look suspicious to you? Eh, even though I look like such a harmless person? I’m Hoshimiya’s classmate.」

「Hmm.」

The mysterious beautiful woman looks at me from head to toe with a somewhat suspicious look in her eyes. It’s very uncomfortable.

「Hey. Why are you in a girl’s room at this hour?」

「That’s because…. I’m running away from home.」

「Runaway?」

I couldn’t help but lie.

I have no choice but to continue.

「Yes. I had a quarrel with my family and… got desperate and came to the mountains. Then I stopped by aa convenience store and happened to meet Hoshimiya, and she agreed to let me stay at her house.」

「Hmmm. Ayana-chan, you’re as good-natured as ever. You’re too careless.」

「That’s right.」

「…Is it really going to happen?」

「Ha?」

The mysterious woman smiled at me.

「I’m speaking of that. A healthy man and a healthy woman under one roof…. how can nothing happen!?」

「You’ve suddenly changed your character.」

She started out as a nice lady, but now she was like a high strung lady.

I feel like she’s a pervert.

…No, it’s too early to assume.

「Ah, my name is Kadondo Chiharu. I’m an erotic manga artist by profession!」

You say that with a really nice smile and a lot of pride. No, it’s great to be proud of your work.

No matter what your profession is.

「Rin-kun. You can call me ‘Monmonchan’ if you’d like」

「…Is it me, or does it sound like a dirty word?」

「Eh? Monmon, the erotic manga artist, is in agony? Noo, Rin-kun is a pervert～」

「Okay, okay, you’re a pervert.」

It’s a gate, Monmon.

And an erotic manga artist….

Yeah, it’s not good. In many ways.

And she’s calling me by my name. The distance between us was close from the very beginning.

「Hey, I’ve got some advice for you.」

「What is it?」

「When you do it, don’t get too close to the wall as much as possible. Because I’m in the next room.」

「Haa….. what thing?」

「That’s――――」

「No! You don’t have to say it!」

I figured out when she almost said it. I regretted that I should have realized it way earlier.

This person is tougher than a convenience store robber.

「This is a story of pure love between a runaway boy and a gal under one roof. And finally…… Oh, no, I’ve got an idea for a story. Sorry Rin, I’m going home!」

「What are you really doing here?」

「Hmm? I’ve been hearing Ayana-chan’s screams for a while now, so I came to check on her. Byee～」

With a slight wave of her hand, Monmonchan disappeared into the next room.

She’s like a storm.

I didn’t think she’d be able to swing me around so easily after I twisted a convenience store robbery from the front…….!

「……Let’s eat carbonara. It’s getting cold.」

Let’s not think too much about that woman.

I don’t think I’ll be seeing her again (I hope so).

◯

「That was a tough one. Monmonchan, really is a peculiar person, isn’t she?」

「Not just amazing, it’s outrageous. She left a strong impact in that short amount of time.」

Hoshimiya, who had just finished taking a bath, let out a wry smile, “Hahaha…….”

By the way, I should mention that Hoshimiya was now wearing pink pajamas.

The traces of tears that had stuck to her cheeks had disappeared, and her hair, which had been dried thoroughly with a hair dryer, was shiny and reflected the lighting.

「But I’m sorry. You didn’t like it when she thought she you were my boyfriend, did you?」

「I didn’t mind, though. I was a little surprised.」

I told Hoshimiya what I had talked about with Kadono-san.

But I didn’t tell her about the part about the thing. There’s no way I can tell her.

「Well, Kuromine-kun.」

「Yes, Hoshimiya-san.」

Hoshimiya is sitting upright on the bed. I sat upright on the floor.

「Where… will you sleep?」

「The front door―――― is no good, I guess. I’ll sleep here then.」

「Here….. on the floor?」

「Yeah.」

「You’re not gonna hurt yourself.」

「Don’t worry, I can’t sleep in soft places.」

「You mean, you can’t sleep in a bed?」

I nodded to Hoshimiya, who seemed a little suspicious.

「Kuromine-kun, even I can tell that’s a lie.」

「That’s not a lie. If that’s the case, why don’t you come to my room next time? There’s no bed, no futon, no couch, no nothing.」

「….Okay, I get it. I believe you, but don’t overdo it, okay?」

「Yes.」

Hoshimia said, “Then I’ll turn off the light”, she turned off the light in the room. The room was enveloped in darkness.

「Good night, Kuromine-kun.」

「Good night, Hoshimiya」

I hear the sound of a futon.

In the hazy darkness, I could see the outline of Hoshimiya lying down.

….I should go to bed too.

I lay down on the floor with a thump. My back might hurt more than I thought.

But, it’s okay.

I’ve seen some assassins and killers sleeping in bathtubs in comic books.

So sleeping on the floor should be no problem.

「……..」

I never thought I’d be sleeping in the same room as Hoshimiya.

Aah, what will I say to my childhood friend?

No, I don’t need to make an excuse.

I’ve already gotten rejected by her.

「…..」

I’ll see what I can do tomorrow.

I’m definitely going to have to face my childhood friend.

I don’t know what face I should make.

This is just my guess, but since it is my childhood friend…… I think she will treat me normally as usual.

When I think about it, it’s starting to get kind of frustrating.

「Suu… suu」

I can hear her breathing peacefully in her sleep.

She’s fast asleep.

I’ll go get some sleep, too.

It’s no use thinking about it now.

If my childhood friend will greet me with an innocent face, saying “Good morning!”, I’ll just snap at her, “Shut up! You disingenuous woman!”

Un, I’ll do that.

As I planned that, my consciousness gradually faded.