Vol. 1 Chapter 7 – On the Outside Looking In

“So? Why exactly were you hiding the fact that you knew me?” (Nagisa)
“Well… it wasn’t exactly hiding, more like, I didn’t think it was necessary to say…” (Yuuto)

Her polite demeanor from before was nowhere to be seen. For some reason, she had invited herself into my house and was now sitting nonchalantly on my bed. Incidentally, if only Akari had stayed in the room, this situation wouldn’t have occurred, but the person responsible was sprawled out on the sofa, lazily reading manga.

“There was no need to put on an act for someone from the same school’s Advanced Course. Ahh, what a waste of energy.” (Nagisa)
“Sigh…” (Yuuto)

While I didn’t understand her criteria for putting on an act, I gave a noncommittal nod.

“You look unconvinced. It means I only put on the cat act for potentially useful pawns, like those in the Entertainment Course. Energy conservation, you see.” (Nagisa)

She idly fiddled with the ends of her eye-catching, fine brown hair, neatly cut at shoulder length.

“This one’s in the Entertainment Course, though?” (Yuuto)

Pointing towards my ever-carefree childhood friend, I countered her previous assertion.

“She doesn’t count anymore. You can tell just by looking, right? Nothing works on her. Being nice, being cold. At first, sure, I tried to be friendly, but she followed me around like a stalker for two weeks, and being cold had zero effect. I gave up.” (Nagisa)
“Uh… Sorry to hear that.” (Yuuto)

Seeing someone else suffering from Akari’s antics evoked a sense of sympathy.

“Speaking of her, it’s her!” (Nagisa)

The finger that had been fiddling with her hair now pointed towards Akari, her tone becoming angry.

“Why is she here?! The nameplate said Aoi, too. What? Are you her boyfriend? Some sordid relationship?” (Nagisa)
“No… She’s just my childhood friend.” (Yuuto)

Keeping my voice low at the unpleasant misunderstanding happening right in front of me, I calmly denied it.

“Childhood friend… Does a girl normally come over to a boy’s room? In high school? When his parents aren’t even home?” (Nagisa)
“I’m on the side that wants her to leave too.” (Yuuto)
“Then just kick her out.” (Nagisa)
“It’s impossible. Plus, she lives on the same floor, so she comes over frequently… You understand what she’s like, right? Minase-san.” (Yuuto)
“Well… impossible, yes…” (Nagisa)

Minase-san, likely understanding the full force of Akari’s personality experienced over the past two weeks, seemed to comprehend without needing much explanation. A slightly awkward silence fell, but the childhood friend who could have been a lifeline kept her mouth shut, reading her manga, only opening it to let out laughs directed at the comic. While I was used to Akari, having Minase-san, whom I’d only spoken to for the first time today, in my room was unsettling and offered no peace of mind. Just as I was about to suggest it was time for her to leave, Minase-san’s dry sigh broke the silence.

“Just my luck… Finally living alone, and there are two classmates from the same year of the same high school on the same floor of the same apartment building…” (Nagisa)
“Eh? Really? Isn’t that super lucky? Sounds fun.” (Akari)

Akari, apparently having finished her manga, leaned forward from the sofa and joined the conversation.

“I prefer quiet. That boy over there is fine, but with Horita-san around, things get noisy, don’t they?” (Nagisa)
“Ah… That might be true. Sorry for being loud.” (Akari)
“No, I didn’t mean loud, exactly…” (Nagisa)

At Akari’s rare apology, accompanied by a shadow falling over her usually bright expression, Minase-san, perhaps feeling guilty about her slightly sarcastic words, hastily denied her previous statement.

“But I’m really happy, you know? That Minase-san moved into this building, onto the same floor.” (Akari)

Her earlier gloomy expression vanished, replaced by a bright look and straightforward words that must have felt warm even to Minase-san.

“So if you ever need anything, just let me know, okay?” (Akari)
“…Alright, I get it.” (Nagisa)

Although her words were curt, the thorns had visibly disappeared from her expression. Why does my childhood friend have so many friends? Before getting the other person to open up, she opens up herself first. Well, she probably does it naturally without thinking… That lack of pretense is likely another reason she’s so likable.

As I, the homeowner, watched from the sidelines while the two rapidly closed the distance, with Minase-san now sitting on the vacated spot on the sofa chatting happily, the auto-lock chime rang. Looking at the monitor, it seemed Mom was finally back this time.

Going down to meet her at the auto-lock entrance, I took the bags from both of Mom’s hands and headed into the elevator.

“Ah, by the way, the neighbor girl is visiting. She’s a first-year in Ichiyou’s Entertainment Course and became friends with Akari.” (Yuuto)
“Hoh~. A girl?” (Mom)
“Yeah.” (Yuuto)
“How exciting~! She must be cute.” (Mom)

Well, she is cute, but… She might still adopt a haughty attitude towards people she hasn’t warmed up to, unlike with Akari. Thinking this, I watched Mom walk down the hallway in high spirits.

“Huh? Isn’t that Minase-chan! The one who’s often in dramas and stuff.” (Mom)
“Ah, hello… I’m Minase, I just moved in next door. Your son and I go to the same school… Sorry for intruding so suddenly.” (Nagisa)
“It’s totally fine~. More importantly, could I possibly shake your hand? I’m a fan~” (Mom)

Overwhelmed by Mom’s enthusiasm, Nagisa shook her hand, looking dumbfounded. Afterwards, Mom said, “I’m going to make dinner~ You two can stay and eat too~” and left the room.

“You put on the cat act for Mom, huh.” (Yuuto)
“She’s older, the neighbor, and the homeowner’s mother. Different from you.” (Nagisa)
“I see, appropriate judgment. Ah, if you don’t want to stay for dinner, I can tell Mom for you? It might be hard for you to say, Minase-san.” (Yuuto)
“No, I hadn’t decided on dinner tonight, so I’d be grateful if I could join. Also, Yuuto… right? Is it okay if I call you by your first name? Calling you ‘you’ in front of your parent might give a bad impression.” (Nagisa)
“She probably wouldn’t mind… but fine. Go ahead.” (Yuuto)
“Roger.” (Nagisa)

As she said that, Akari, who had been listening beside Nagisa, jumped in.

“Eh! Then call me Akari too! It’s not fair if it’s just Yuuto!” (Akari)

Perhaps wanting to say something else, Nagisa paused for a few seconds as if contemplating, then mumbled shyly.

“…Akari” (Nagisa)
“Okay! Nagisa!” (Akari)

Once again, I was on the outside looking in…