Chapter 1: Reunion 2
Chapter 1: Reunion 2
"The house where Hoshimiya lives in is a two-story wooden apartment. The walls are discolored and give off a worn-out atmosphere. It doesn't seem like a house where a gal would live. That's what I thought, but the current Hoshimiya isn't a gal. From any angle, she appears to be a completely flawless plain girl. It's amazing how much people can change, and it fills me with a sense of wonder."
"Over here."
"I parked my bicycle and followed Hoshimiya way up to the rusty stairs."
Hoshimiya's room was at the far right on the second floor. She lives here alone.
"Why does Hoshimiya live alone?"
"Hmm? Well, you see, my mother went with my father on a business trip."
"I see. So you've stayed behind."
"Yeah, but I friends too. But it seems she won't be coming back after about a year."
"Still, it must be lonely."
"Yeah, but I know we'll be able to meet again someday..."
Hoshimiya said in a subdued voice, looking down. Perhaps she remembered my situation.
"Don't worry too much. As you can see, I'm doing fine."
"That's something someone who was about to kill themselves would say, you know..."
It's troublesome to be told such things. Humans always live based on their current mood and vibe.
However, in my case, the range of fluctuations might be a bit larger.
"Kuromine-kun, don't people often say that about you? That you may seem quiet on the outside but your personality is a bit different?"
"No, not at all. The evaluation I receive from those around me is that I'm a serious and plain male student in both appearance and personality. I think Hoshimiya feels the same way."
"I guess."
"............"
Like I said earlier, it's fine if you play mean a little.
"I guess you really can't tell until you actually talk to someone. I thought Kuromine-kun couldn't talk to people."
"That's really mean. I normally get hurt also, you know."
"Hahaha, sorry, sorry."
Hoshimiya bows her head with a mischievous smile on her face.
Depending on the situation, it might be annoying, but Hoshimiya had a charm that made her seem cute.
This light atmosphere is a bit gal-like.
"I'm back."
Hoshimiya opens the door and steps into the entrance. Of course, it's pitch dark inside and no one is there.
"I'm sorry for intruding."
"Please."
Hoshimiya responds with a gentle smile. It makes me slightly nervous.
"Sorry, Kuromine-kun. Can you wait in the entrance for a bit?"
"Yeah."
Hoshimiya takes off her shoes at the entrance, passes through the kitchen, opens the door, and enters the room. She must be cleaning. It looks like a one-room apartment. The kitchen is right next to the entrance. There's a door leading to the bathroom and toilet. The room Hoshimiya entered is probably the space where she spends her daily life.
"Sorry for the wait."
Before long, Hoshimiya returns. Her face is clearly visible in the room's light, but there are clear traces of tears on her cheeks....Maybe she has not realize it on her own face.
"Please, come in."
Guided by Hoshimiya, I enter the room, glancing past the kitchen. It's a girlish room with a pink theme. It's about the size of eight tatami mats. The floor is not flooring but tatami mats, although they have been covered with a carpet to give it a more Western-style look. The curtains and bed are a light pink color that is not too flashy, and the closet by the wall is spotlessly white. The arrangement of the furniture, including the desk, is cleverly done to make the room feel spacious despite its size.
"............?"
My attention is caught by a certain point. It's a family photo placed on the desk.
It shows a kind-looking couple and a middle school-aged Hoshimiya with a smile on her face.
...Hoshimiya looked plain back then too. Her hair was also black.
Could it be that Hoshimiya is someone who debuted in high school?
"............"
What is this uneasiness? Something in my mind is throbbing.
"What? Is my room... strange?"
"It's not strange, but it has a fruity scent. I see, so this is Hoshimiya's scent."
"I think that's something normal people wouldn't even think of saying."
Hoshimiya's sharp gaze from her narrowed eyes pierces my face.
"Are you really okay with me staying over?"
"Of course."
"What about your boyfriend? I think this could cause problem..."
Upon hearing that, Hoshimiya frantically shakes her head.
"N-No! I don't have a boyfriend."
"Really? Hasn't anyone confessed to you?"
"Nothing, nothing! Confessions and all that..."
From her surprised denial, it doesn't seem like she's lying.
I can't believe it. Someone like Hoshimiya must have been born under a star that will make her popular with opposite sex.
Or rather, she should be popular. I may have zero friends, but I've heard the rumors about Hoshimiya multiple times.
At the very least, it's a fact that several guys have tried to confess to her.
"Have you ever had a guy in this room?"
"Never. You're the first one, actually..."
When she says that, I become even more conscious.
...Am I the only guy who has entered Hoshimiya's house? I feel a slight sense of being a special.
"It's surprising that even though you're a gal, you don't invite guys."
"Does it have anything to do with being a gal? That sounds kind of biased."
"But the Hoshimiya at school looks like someone, who enjoys playing around."
"I'm just fashionable. I'm pursuing cuteness in my own way."
Hoshimiya retorts with a pouting expression. It seems she has absolutely no experience with guys.
"It might be meddling, but it's better not to easily invite guys into your house."
"Why?"
"Why... because... you might get attacked...., sexually."
Hoshimiya didn't seem to understand the meaning of my words, and I could see her eyes blinking behind her glasses. However, she quickly understood─
"W-What are you saying!? pervert!!"
"No, I didn't mean 'me' specifically─"
"Just so you know, I didn't invite you to my house with that intention! Stop it, okay?!"
"............"
Hoshimiya, with a sharp look in her eyes, tightly embraces her own body as if to protect herself.... This is bad, I gave her bad impression.
◇◇◇
>After the thrilling event of taking a shower at another girl's house, I changed my clothes into navy blue jersey that belonged to Hoshimiya's father. Surprisingly, it smells good. It doesn't have that old man smell. It has a lingering scent as if it had been stored deep inside in a drawer. 'Perhaps with a hint of mold?'
According to Hoshimiya, it seems that her father's jersey got mixed up with the belongings during the move.
Gratefully, I decided to borrow it for tonight.
After drying my head, I return back to the room where Hoshimiya is.
"Thank you for the bath."
"Yeah. Well then, I'll go in too."
Hoshimiya casually said that without any hesitation and headed towards the bathroom.
...Wait, the bath? She's going to take a bath?
It's only natural to take a bath, but there's a guy here. Moreover, I'm not her boyfriend or anything.
We're just classmates who haven't even had a conversation before.
*Shhh...* Before long, I could hear the sound of the shower.
...
Is she not conscious of me as the opposite sex, or does she trust me... Probably neither.
Now that I think about it, when I was still kid, I've been told, "Riku-chan, you're cute like little puppy!" Maybe I'm not recognized as a human being.
"─I've got it!"
If I'm being seen as a dog rather than a human, then it shouldn't be a problem for me to enter the bath where Hoshimiya is right? (TL: This idiot gives me chuckle haha.)
Surely, I won't be petted and praised saying, "Aww, how cute!" No, I'll probably just get punched and get arrested by the police afterwards.
*Ding-dong.*
The sound of the intercom echoes in the room. A visitor at this hour?
"What should I do..."
Is it okay for me to answer? It could be someone acquainted with Hoshimiya, and that would be troublesome. But ignoring it isn't an option either. Should I go and call Hoshimiya?
"No, no, that's impossible. I can't go to where a girl is bathing."
*Ding-dong.*
It rings again. Sorry, please come back another time.
There's nothing I can do in my current situation.
*Ding-dong. Ding-dong. Ding-ding-ding-dong.*
*Beep-beep. Beep-beep-beep-beep.*
"This is getting annoying!"
They keep ringing it incessantly! Damn it, I guess I have no choice but to answer.
With determination, I head towards the entrance and slowly open the door.
"Ayana-chan! ────Who?"
There stood a woman with unkempt, long and messy hair. Dark circles under her eyes were so prominent that she looked like a clown. Judging by her appearance, she seemed to be slightly past college age, maybe? She was wearing an oversized shirt and shorts, like loungewear. Overall, she had an unhealthy vibe, but her facial features were beautifully arranged, so one could call her pretty.
"I'm Kuromine Riku."
"This is Ayana-chan's room, but... Oh, could you be her boyfriend?"
"No, I'm not."
"Then who? Wait, a suspicious person?"
"Do I look suspicious? I mean, even though I have this harmless appearance? I'm a classmate of her."
"I see."
The mysterious woman examines me from head to toe with a somewhat suspicious gaze.
"Just a classmate, huh? Why are you in a girl's room at this hour?"
"...I'm actually running away from home."
"Running away?"
I involuntarily tell a lie. Once it's gotten to this point, I have no choice but to continue.
"Yes. I had a big fight with my family... I got desperate and ended up coming to the mountains. Then I happened to meet Hoshimiya at a convenience store, and she let me stay at her place."
"Ohh, Ayana-chan is still such a kind person. She's not cautious enough, huh?"
"Yeah..."
"...So, are you two going to do it?"
"What?"
The mysterious woman smirks.
"You know right? When a young man and woman are under the same roof... It's only natural that something would happen, right?"
"It seems like your character suddenly changed."
The mysterious woman smirks. She gives off a perverted vibe... No, it's too early to jump to conclusions.
"Oh, by the way, my name is Mondo Chiharu. I'm erotic manga artist as profession."
She proudly announces it. Well, it's wonderful to take pride in your own work.
"Feel free to call me 'Monmon-chan.'"
"Does it sound like a dirty meaning, or is it just my imagination?"
"Huh? Are you saying that Monmon-chan, the erotic manga artist, is moaning and groaning? Oh my, Riku-kun, you're naughty~"
"Please go home."
Mondo, because of her name, Monmon. And an erotic manga artist... Yeah, this is bad. In various ways.
"Hey, hey, I have a little something to discuss with you."
"What is it?"
"When you're doing 'it,' could you lean against the wall as much as possible? I'm in the room next door, you know."
"Huh... What do you mean by 'it'?"
"That means───"
"Go home."
At the mention of "it," I understood everything. I regret not realizing it from the beginning.
Oh no, this person is stronger than a convenience store robber...!!
"A story of pure love between a runaway boy and a gal living under the same roof. And in the end... Oh, whoops, I got an idea. Sorry, Riku-kun, I'm going home."
"What on earth did you even come here for..."
"Hmm? I heard Ayana-chan's scream after a long time, so I came to check on her. Jyaa nee~"
With a casual wave of her hand, Mondo Chiharu disappeared into the next room. She's quite the unpredictable person, like a storm.
To think that she can easily manipulate me, who subdued a convenience store robber head-on...
◇◇◇
"That must have been an quite experience. Chiharu-san is quite an eccentric person, isn't she?"
"Not just eccentric, she's out of this world. She left me a strong impact in that short time."
As Hoshimiya finished bathing, she chuckled and laugh.
Hoshimiya was now wearing a pink pajama. The traces of tears that had been clinging to her cheeks had disappeared, and her hair, thoroughly dried with a hairdryer, shone and reflected the light.
Perhaps it was because there was no longer a messy feeling, she looked like quite beauty right now.
Not wearing glasses might also make a big difference. Hoshimiya's well-defined facial features were clearly visible.
"I'm sorry. You were probably uncomfortable being mistaken for my boyfriend, right?"
"Not really, but I was just bit surprised,"
However, I didn't tell anything about what we, Mondo-san and I talked about.
"Now then, Kuromine-kun," Hoshimiya began.
"Yes, Hoshimiya-san," Kuromine replied, both of them assuming a more formal posture. Hoshimiya sat on the bed, cross-legged, while Kuromine knelt on the floor.
"Where will you... sleep?"
"I can sleep in the entrance, it's fine."
"N-No, that won't do. You need to sleep in a proper place, or else your body will get sore."
"So, what should we do? Should we sleep together on this bed?"
"............S-Sure."
"Seriously!?"
Hoshimiya blushed as if her face was about to explode, then turned away and started fiddling with her own hair.... She's really a playful gal, after all.
Sleeping in the same bed with a guy she has no relationship with seems a bit... But it's clear that she's embarrassed by the atmosphere.
Is she genuinely concerned about me and suggesting we sleep on the bed together?
"K-Kuromine-kun? You're... staring at me too much..."
"Ah, uh, my bad."
"I-I really... don't have any intentions like that. If you try to do anything... perverted, I'll get really angry..."
"Rest assured. I have absolutely no intentions like that. I swear that I will never lay a hand on you, and I don't even have the desire to do so. The thought of touching Hoshimiya never crossed my mind. Seriously, believe me."
"...Being told that to that extent is actually shocking," Hoshimiya responded, pouting with dissatisfaction.
It seemed that emphasizing the point had opposite effect.
"The entrance... is no good, huh. I'll sleep here," I said.
"Here... on the floor?"
"Yeah."
"Won't your body hurt?"
"It'll be fine, the carpet is soft..."
"Well... but..."
"Do you really want to sleep with a guy that much?"
"Can you stop suggesting I'm slut? Even though I haven't... I mean, I don't have any experience with that stuff."
"I see, so you're still virgin."
"Why would you say that!? I tried to imply it!"
"Don't worry. I'm inexperienced too... I'm a virgin."
"Pervert!"
Hoshimiya yelled at Kuromine in earnest... Through their conversation, one thing became clear.
Hoshimiya is... innocent.
Considering her calm appearance now, it's hard to believe, considering her gal mode at school.
"Well then, I'll go to sleep now. Goodnight."
Without waiting for Hoshimiya's response, I lay down on the floor.
"Alright, but don't push yourself," she said.
"Yeah."
"Then, I'll turn off the lights now. Goodnight, Kuromine-kun."
"Goodnight, Hoshimiya."
I heard the sound of her getting under the futon. In the dim darkness, I could make out the silhouette of Hoshimiya lying down.
...
I never expected that I would end up sleeping in the same room as Hoshimiya.
Ah, how should I justify it as just childhood friends? No, maybe there's no need for justification anymore. After all, I've already been rejected. Maybe I don't even need to come up with excuses.
What should I do from tomorrow onwards? It's certain that I'll have to face my childhood friend. How should I look? This is just my speculation, but knowing her, she'll probably treat me normally as always. Thinking about it that way, it's starting to make me feel frustrated!
*Sound of peaceful breathing*
She fell asleep quickly. I should go to sleep too.
There's no point in overthinking right now. If my childhood friend greets me with a nonchalant "Good morning!" tomorrow, I'll snap at her, "Shut up, woman!" Yeah, that's what I'll do.
As I moronically plot a plan that is bound to fail anyways, my consciousness gradually faded away.
Chapter 1 Part 2 End
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