Vol. 1 Chapter 4 – Excuse Me

“Still, it was disappointing~” (Akari)
“What was?” (Yuuto)

On the way home, retracing the path from the morning commute, Akari murmured. Incidentally, Murai-san, who was apparently going to hang out at Akari’s place, was still watching me with the wary eyes of a stray cat. No, glaring at me. How does one get close enough to visit someone’s house on the first day…?

“Well~ As an aspiring idol, I don’t plan on getting a boyfriend, but you know, the Entertainment Course seems like it would have a lot of cool guys, right? So I was kinda looking forward to it~” (Akari)
“I wasn’t looking forward to it! Not at all! I reluctantly chose the Entertainment Course for my dream, but as expected, there were a lot of frivolous-looking people!” (Hinata)
“Frivolous… Isn’t that word kinda dated…?” (Yuuto)

The girl still peeking out from behind Akari’s shadow clearly harbored a strong hatred for cool people, the resentment towards today’s classmates seemingly resurfacing in her mind oozing out.

“So, what was Akari dissatisfied about?” (Yuuto)
“Well, it’s not like I’m dissatisfied, exactly? Just that everyone seemed more childish than I expected? Like, it’s disappointing that I probably won’t have a shoujo manga-like romance… something like that?” (Akari)
“Anyway, why is the childhood friend-san in the Advanced Course? With that irritatingly handsome face, couldn’t he dominate the Entertainment Course too?” (Hinata)
“It’s Yuuto. He’s just not interested. Besides, I have some pride in the effort I’ve put into studying, and I don’t really want to live solely off the DNA I got from my parents.” (Yuuto)
“Well, Yuuto’s mom is super beautiful, after all~” (Akari)
“Hmph~ Then his father must be quite the looker too, I bet. I’d love to see him.” (Hinata)
“Ah, Yuuto doesn’t have a father, so you can’t see him.” (Akari)

Akari, understanding that neither Mom nor I minded the fact that I didn’t have a father, stated it matter-of-factly. But Murai-san, upon hearing this, dropped the wary expression she’d held towards me until just moments ago, her eyebrows instantly lowering into an apologetic look.

“Uh, um, well… It’s true I dislike handsome guys, but I didn’t mean to belittle or, like, make fun of you, or anything like that…” (Hinata)

Her sudden meekness, such a contrast to her previous attitude, made me laugh despite myself.

“Hey, what are you laughing at! I genuinely feel bad, you know?” (Hinata)

Closing the slight distance she had kept until now, she narrowed her eyes in a look of dissatisfaction.

“Sorry, sorry. No, it’s fine, really. I don’t mind. But, for someone who talks tough, you’re surprisingly decent.” (Yuuto)
“Wh- Wha- I just dislike handsome guys who make girls sad! It’s not like my core personality is rotten!” (Hinata)

Her attempts to express her anger with her entire small body made me want to chuckle again.

“I see. So you’re not a bad person.” (Yuuto)

“Alright! We’re here~!” (Akari)

While we were exchanging such banter, we arrived at our destination.

“Wow~… It’s huge. My house is detached, so this is kind of exciting.” (Hinata)
“Eh~? It’s not that great, you know? When you’re about to be late and the elevator doesn’t come, it’s super stressful.” (Akari)
“But having an elevator as part of daily life seems kind of exciting.” (Hinata)
“Eh~? What’s that, weird! Hey, Yuuto thinks so too, right?” (Akari)
“Well, using it every day can be a hassle sometimes.” (Yuuto)
“Is that how it is?” (Hinata)
“Murai-san seems like the type to get excited about elevators, based on your appearance.” (Yuuto)
“Hey, do you still think I’m a middle schooler?” (Hinata)
“Nah, more like elementary school.” (Yuuto)
“That’s even worse!” (Hinata)
“Ah, Hinata-chan, want to press the elevator button?” (Akari)
“Akari-chan too! Fine, I’ll press it!” (Hinata)

The sight of her angrily mashing the button made us both laugh. Her cheeks flushed slightly pink, perhaps more from embarrassment than anger, and she puffed them out to show her displeasure. Though maybe it wasn’t displeasure, as she proactively went to press the ‘open’ button herself when we got off.

“Huh? Childhood friend-san is getting off too?” (Hinata)
“We’re on the same floor… And it’s Yuuto, okay? What’s with this ‘childhood friend-san’?” (Yuuto)
“Well… I thought maybe calling you by your first name right away would be too familiar…” (Hinata)
“You don’t have to worry about it. Yuuto is fine.” (Yuuto)
“Uh… um… ///” (Hinata)
“Ah, Yuuto’s last name is Aoi!” (Akari)
“Ah, then Aoi-kun, please!” (Hinata)

By calling me forcefully by my last name, she indirectly strongly rejected calling me by my first name. Was I being a bit too familiar…? Maybe this level of closeness on the first day requires Akari’s level of natural communication skills…

“Jeez! Yuuto, you have to notice! Hinata-chan is just embarrassed to call you by your first name.” (Akari)
“Eh? But she calls Akari…” (Yuuto)
“Boys are different!” (Hinata)
“Ah-ah, Yuuto, no matter how good-looking you are, if you can’t be considerate like that, no one will ever be your girlfriend, you know?” (Akari)
“That’s none of your business…” (Yuuto)

“Hinata-chan, this is my place!” (Akari)

The two stopped in front of Akari’s apartment, which was before mine.

“Hoh… So this is the residence of the famed Akari-san…” (Hinata)
“Which Akari-san are you talking about…? Well, Akari, see you tomorrow. Murai-san too.” (Yuuto)
“Okay! See ya~!” (Akari)
“Ah, thank you for today.” (Hinata)

Hearing their voices, I walked towards my own apartment further down the hall and reached for the door.

“Ah.” (Akari)
“What’s wrong?” (Hinata)

A conversation drifted from their direction. Since we’d already parted ways, continuing to listen from here might get me accused of eavesdropping by Akari. Ignoring it, I opened the door and started to go inside.

“Ah, Yuuto!” (Akari)

Caught off guard by the conversational ball tossed my way, I turned back.

“What is it?” (Yuuto)
“I forgot Mom and Dad aren’t home today, and I don’t have my key…” (Akari)
“…And?” (Yuuto)
“Can you let me in your place?” (Akari)

A sigh escaped me at my incredibly dense childhood friend.

“Alright…” (Yuuto)
“Ah, um… Should I go home?” (Hinata)
“No, no! Come on in! You came all this way, and Yuuto’s place has the same layout, so it’s practically my house anyway!” (Akari)
“Why are you giving permission?” (Yuuto)
“Um… Is it really okay? To go into the house of a guy I just met?” (Hinata)
“It’s totally fine. I’d feel bad sending you home now anyway, and honestly, I’d appreciate it if you came in without hesitation.” (Yuuto)
“Then… I guess I’ll impose.” (Hinata)
“Please.” (Yuuto)

Opening the door wider, I ushered the two inside. As I closed the door, footsteps echoed from the back of the apartment.

“Welcome home~ Oh, Akari-chan and…” (Mom)
“Ah, excuse me for intruding…” (Hinata)
“A-A girlfriend!?” (Mom)

There was another troublesome person at home…