Today marked the third day since Sara-san had stopped coming over.
I wondered when I had become so fragile.
The nightly phone calls were my only source of strength. I felt pathetic for being so genuinely lonely, but I couldn't help it. I missed her.
In the first place, the reason it had turned out like this was...
"Starting tomorrow, I'll be heading to my Father's Family Home for about five days..."
Sara-san had called me after returning home that evening, right after we had finished our usual routine of Dinner and cleanup.
Apparently, her busy Father had finally managed to take some Summer Vacation, and the trip to his Family Home had been decided on short notice.
Since she’d been asked to pay her respects during a Grave Visit for her Grandfather and Grandmother, there was no way Sara-san could refuse.
"I am truly sorry..."
Even though it was over the phone, I felt like it was the first time I had ever heard her use such a deeply apologetic tone.
It would have been easy to answer with a simple "It's okay," but that felt wrong. Considering how much Sara-san had been Taking Care of me lately, I couldn't claim I was "okay" without lying through my teeth.
So, even if it sounded pathetic, I said what I really felt.
"I understand. It’ll be lonely, but I’ll do my best so you’ll have a reason to praise me when you get back, Sara-san."
"Kazunari-san... Yes! I'll be sure to call you every single day so you don't feel too lonely. And when I return, I'll praise you as much as you want and give you plenty of 'there, theres'!"
It was good that she seemed more moved than I expected, but "there, theres"...
I really felt like Sara-san treated me like a child at the most unexpected moments.
I woke up the next morning and realized how late it had gotten.
Naturally, there was no Breakfast waiting for me. I toasted a single slice of bread; that was the extent of my meal.
I tried to start my homework, but the motivation wasn't there. I decided cleaning and laundry could wait.
What was I supposed to do?
...Wait, how did I used to spend my time?
Right, I had to think about what to do for lunch and dinner. I had just finished breakfast, and I was already worrying about the next meal?
I was aghast at myself.
What was wrong with me? How had I lived before I met Sara-san? I remembered my life being bleak back then, but I'd certainly managed on my own. Yet here I was, on the very first day, realizing just how much I'd come to depend on her.
Wasn't it only natural that she treated me like a child? I felt myself spiraling into self-loathing.
"Hahaha, I see. You really are spoiled rotten by Satsukawa-senpai, aren't you, Kazunari?"
Since I was bored and couldn't think of anything to do, I'd called Hayato, and he'd come over to hang out. It was actually the first time I’d ever had a Male Friend over to my house. Not even Yuji had been here.
"Yeah, I realized that painfully on the first day," I admitted.
"If anything, it's more like Satsukawa-senpai spoils you too much. You're the type who wants to be pampered anyway, so in that sense, I think you're a well-matched couple."
So that was how we were seen by the people around us.
"I still can't believe you managed to land her, though. When I first met her and tried to say hello, she told me not to talk to her because it was a 'hassle,' you know?"
I suspected Sara-san had categorized Hayato as a target of dislike based purely on his flashy, handsome looks, though I couldn't exactly tell him that.
"Satsukawa-senpai stands out so much that the image the whole School has of her is 180 degrees different from how she treats you. If word spreads that the two of you are dating when the Second Semester starts, it'll be a massive uproar."
That was a high possibility. Since Sara-san generally didn't care about the opinions of others, I could see her being very affectionate at school, which would definitely fuel the rumors.
"But wouldn't that mean fewer guys would approach her?" I asked. "There probably wouldn't be anyone trying to confess anymore."
"...Huh? Confessions?"
Hayato looked a bit exasperated, perhaps surprised by my blank expression.
"Wait... you really didn't notice? Come on, you know how popular she is, right? Lately, her expression has softened, and a lot of guys are taking that as a sign they have a chance. Her Confession count is through the roof. I think we both know why she’s softened, though."
That was... well, it was probably because of her time with me. But come to think of it, what he said made perfect sense. In other words, Sara-san had been making sure I never saw that side of things.
"I actually saw it happen recently," Hayato added. "The number of guys is definitely increasing."
"Satsukawa-san, I have something I want to talk to you about."
"I have nothing to say to you, though?"
"Satsukawa-san, sorry to interrupt, but do you have a moment?"
Hayato described the scene he had witnessed. It involved Sangawa-senpai from the Soccer Club and another guy whose name I couldn't recall, but who was also fairly popular.
"For now, just come with me for a bit..."
"Hey, I was talking to her first, wait your turn."
The two of them hadn't even realized that Satsukawa-senpai was no longer standing in front of them. It was a refreshingly complete case of being ignored.
"W-Wait a minute!"
"Satsukawa-san, we need to talk—"
"I have nothing to say to you," she had told them coldly. "So please, feel free to enjoy your conversation together."
"Just a little bit of your ti—"
"If I tell you that this is an extreme nuisance, will that suffice as a rejection for both of you?"
"........."
"........."
To be crushed all at once before even getting to the main point was almost impressive. They couldn't read the room after being rejected the first time, so I suppose they got what they deserved.
"Oh, hello, Yokokawa-san," Sara-san had said, noticing Hayato.
According to him, the fact that she even gave him a greeting was an improvement.
"Hello, Satsukawa-senpai. Are you heading to the Student Council now?"
"Yes, I have Takanashi-san's Lunch to attend to. Please excuse me."
Hayato sighed as he finished the story. "When she shows a happy smile like that, more guys mistakenly think they have a chance. And those two started glaring at me, even though I'm in the same boat as them."
"Anyway, you should probably be more aware of exactly where your Lover stands at school," Hayato concluded.
"You're right," I said. "Including that, I'll try to keep a broader perspective from now on."
I needed to make sure no other men felt like they could just muscle in on Sara-san... easier said than done.