Hmm.

After school ended, Ryuichi returned home and stared at the screen of his phone. Seeing the new name added to his contacts, Rindo Shizuna, had Ryuichi wondering how this had happened.

Contact information?

Yes. I want to exchange contact information with you, Shishido-kun Do you not want to?

Ryuichi didnt particularly mind; he simply hadnt expected her to ask this of him. Yes, she had come over to his place once, but Ryuichi doubted whether that alone had made them close enough for this.

What is there to talk about, though?

Suddenly, Ryuichis phone began ringing. It was a call, and the words Rindo Shizuna appeared on the screen.

Speak of the devil. Who wouldve thought that she would call just as Ryuichi was thinking about her? He pondered for a while whether he should answer it or not, but eventually, he decided to be a good boy and answer the phone because otherwise, who knew what shed say to him at school tomorrow.

Hello?

Oh! Hello, Shishido-kun? I actually thought you wouldnt pick up.

Why?

I just had a feeling.

Although her answer came back hesitantly, Ryuichi bitterly smiled at how perceptive she was, seeing as her guess was entirely true. Ryuichi, however, didnt know what to talk about on the phone, so Shizuna, perhaps anticipating this, started talking about something.

Have you had dinner yet, Shishido-kun?

Yeah

What did you have?

Actually, on the day Shizuna came to cook for Ryuichi, shed told him to at least try cooking a little for his health. But of course, Ryuichi had made cup ramen for dinner today. Shizuna seemed to have guessed this as well from Ryuichis silence and let out a sigh.

Shishido-kun.

Err, I just didnt have time, you see?

In truth, he had lied; he just didnt want to say that hed found it a pain in the ass. But of course, Shizuna knew that. Still, the reason why she didnt push the matter too aggressively might have been because she thought he would find her annoying for forcing him to do so much.

You must have a properly balanced diet, okay?

Fine. Geez, what are you, my mom?

Oh, was your mother like this, Shishido-kun?

Not really. I was just saying that figuratively. My moms miles apart from you Actually, forget I said that.

He forcibly put an end to the topic. Shizuna seemed to have guessed his feelings on the matter and did not ask any further questions, which Ryuichi was grateful for. These days, Ryuichi basically spent his time alone unless somebody happened to be around.

Ever since hed regained his memory, hed dropped his habit of wandering around the city streets at night.

That was why a small thought surfaced in his mind.It felt really warm when Chisa was here. Shizuna, too.

That was why a small thought surfaced in his mind.

It felt really warm when Chisa was here. Shizuna, too.

You know

Yes?

Cup ramen tastes so bland compared to thenikujagayou made that day.

Cup ramen tastes so bland compared to the

nikujaga

you made that day.

Ryuichi didnt know how Shizuna reacted to his words, but he had a feeling she was happy because he could hear a flapping noise on the other end of the phone.

Alright, Ill make some more for you next time. Of course,nikujagaisnt the only thing I can make; Im pretty confident in my Hamburg steaks too, you know?

Alright, Ill make some more for you next time. Of course,

isnt the only thing I can make; Im pretty confident in my Hamburg steaks too, you know?

Hamburg steaks, huh. Ive never had one outside restaurants.

Yup. I like that part of you that never says no.

Yeah, yeah, sure.

There are a lot of other parts that arent cute about you, though.

Ryuichi felt humiliated to be called cute despite being a man. After receiving permission to stay the night, Chisa immediately laid down on the bed and started fiddling with her phone, perhaps messaging her friend.

Your panties are out there for the world to see, yknow.

Chisa continued to play with her phone silently, paying no heed to the fact that her short skirt was rolled up. When Ryuichi pointed this out to her, she only glanced at him and made no attempt to fix it.

Of course, it wasnt like it would be a fatal blow to her as a woman, but Ryuichi still wanted to show this image of her to all the boys in her university who were in love with her.

Wonder what the boys would say if they saw you now.

I wont show this to them. I know I play around a lot, but Im very selective when it comes to who I entrust my body to.

Oh, really? First time Ive heard of that.

Thats just cos I never told you. Just so you know, youre the only one Ive been doing it with lately.

Hearing that didnt really make Ryuichi happy. He was not really interested in what kind of relationship Chisa had with others; plus, regardless of whether hed regained his memory or not, their relationship would only amount to that: sex friends.

Gonna wash yourself up?

Yeah, I think Ill take a shower.

Then do it before you sleep.

Okaaay~.

Chisa sluggishly got up, went to the closet, grabbed a change of clothes, and headed for the bathroom.

After a while, Chisa came back. True to her words, she didnt seem to have soaked in the bathtub; shed only used the shower. Thanks to the shower, she seemed somewhat more awake now, but her eyelids still looked heavy, likely because of all the alcohol shed had.

Well, its getting late now, so lets hit the sack.

Not gonna fuck me?

Not today.

Alright. Im also pretty sleepy right now, to be honest.

Since Ryuichi lived alone, all he had was a single futon; thus, the two of them had to sleep in the same futon together.

Doesnt feel bad to sleep on a futon every once in a while. It feels really Japanese.

But a bed is definitely better.

Agreed.

Nevertheless, the sheets were quite soft, so it was pleasant enough to fall asleep right away. Chisas expression was very much adult-like as she used Ryuichis arm as a pillow, but her gesture of leaning in close to seek his body heat almost gave him the impression that they were about the same age.

Hey, Ryuichi. Is there anything bothering you?

No?

Nothing stressful happening?

Do I look stressed?

No But Im just worried for you since youre younger than me.

Really, now? Anyways, you have college tomorrow, dont you? Ive got school too, so lets leave it there.

Okaay~. Gnight, Ryuichi.

Chisa immediately conked out and fell asleep. Her regular breathing elicited a wry smile from Ryuichi, who quietly whispered.

Well, it aint like that old man or hag would give a crap about whatever was happening to me.

And with that, Ryuichi, too, closed his eyes.

Thatwas a womans voice just nowwasnt it?

Somewhere else, another girl was thinking about Ryuichi with gloomy feelings.

HamletJr's notes:

I'll try for one more bonus chapter tomorrow!