“Sara-san... will you listen to my story? Until now, no one ever believed me, so I stopped seeing the point in telling it. But I want to tell you everything, truthfully.”
I had made up my mind to speak.
After hearing her resolve, I wanted to offer her my own in return.
“It’s a long story, though. Considering the hour—and if you’re tired, Sara-san—we could wait until tomorrow instead...”
Before I could even finish, she pulled out her smartphone and placed a call.
“Mother, I’m sorry for the short notice, but I won’t be coming home tonight... Yes, I’m staying over at Kazunari-san’s house. ...Yes, I understand.”
She hung up and slipped the smartphone back into her bag.
Wait... did she just say she was staying the night?
“Now we can talk without rushing. Besides, there is no way I could leave you alone right now, Kazunari-san.”
Staying over... Sara-san is staying at my house?!
“W-Wait, but what about a change of clothes and everything?”
My flustered brain latched onto the most mundane detail possible. That really shouldn't have been my main concern.
“My mother is bringing a change of clothes later... Oh, and she mentioned she has something she wants to discuss with you, Kazunari-san.”
Something to discuss? What could it be? I really wished everyone would stop piling on the pressure...
“Well then, before we get to that... I’ll make you dinner, Kazunari-san.”
Sara-san opened the refrigerator and started rummaging inside. She checked the freezer as well, pulling out several items that looked like they could be turned into a meal.
She seemed certain that I hadn’t eaten... which was a safe bet, because I hadn’t.
“I froze a few things earlier so I could put a meal together quickly if the need arose.”
Having long since given up on real cooking, I hadn’t even realized those ingredients were sitting in my freezer.
While she was at the kitchen counter defrosting the food, her gaze drifted toward the garbage bag. It was filled with the discarded remains of several cup ramen containers.
Crap, I’d meant to take that out today.
“Honestly, Kazunari-san. How many times have I told you that instant ramen is no good for you?”
“S-Sorry... Force of habit.”
Before I met Sara-san, I’d sometimes eat ramen for all three meals when I was feeling down. Old habits died hard when I was left to my own devices.
“That is a no-no, understood?”
She approached me slowly and gave my forehead a playful poke with her index finger.
My normal life was back.
Sara-san was back.
The girl I had missed so desperately was right here, smiling in front of me.
The joy was so overwhelming that my lingering anxiety simply evaporated...
Once we finished the meal and were catching our breath, Sara-san’s phone rang.
“Yes, I’ll come down. ...Kazunari-san, my mother is outside. I’m going to go get my luggage.”
“Ah, I’ll help. You said she wanted to talk to me anyway, right?”
I figured it was best to get the conversation over with, so I followed her outside to help. A car was parked at the curb, and Mayumi-san was waiting beside it.
“Thank you, Mother.”
“Goodness, Sara-chan, deciding to stay over so suddenly. Here, take these.”
She handed over a suitcase for travel and a garment bag containing her school uniform.
Right... I’d been so preoccupied that I’d completely forgotten school started back up tomorrow.
“Takanashi-san, I’m sorry for her barging in like this. Here, Sara-chan, take this inside. I want to have a quick word with Takanashi-san.”
“I understand. Well then, Kazunari-san, I’ll head inside first.”
Knowing her mother wanted to speak with me, Sara-san took the luggage and went back into the house without a fuss.
“Now, about that talk. It’s nothing major, really. Takanashi-san, you’re a boy, so I’m sure you understand what I’m getting at.”
Even with the roundabout phrasing, I knew exactly what she meant. But she didn't need to worry.
“It’s alright. I understand completely.”
“Good. That’s why I said this would be quick. Sara-chan doesn't fully grasp the weight of her own actions sometimes, so I’m sorry to burden you with this, but please be the responsible one, Takanashi-san.”
Naturally, any parent would worry about their daughter staying the night at a boy's house. But since she was trusting me, I had no intention of betraying that trust.
“I will.”
“Well then, good night.”
Mayumi-san hopped into her car, gave me a wave, and drove off.
After seeing her off, I went back inside to find Sara-san organizing her things.
“Welcome back. Did my mother say anything odd?”
“No, she just apologized for the sudden notice and asked me to take care of you.”
It wasn't a lie. That should satisfy her.
“I see... It’s true that I acted on impulse and decided this without even consulting you. I’m so sorry. Is it really okay? Even now?”
Her expression was tinged with anxiety, but I didn't mind at all.
“It’s fine. I wouldn't have given you a key if I didn't want you here. More importantly, I’m going to head out to a convenience store for a bit. Would thirty minutes be enough for you to take a shower and change?”
I felt I should at least show her that much consideration. I’d planned to offer her some privacy once her change of clothes arrived. I actually wanted to give her an hour, but...
Sara-san looked surprised that I’d been the one to bring it up.
“Thank you. I’ll take you up on that, then. Though really, you’re more than welcome to stay in the room. Have I not washed your back before, Kazunari-san?”
I mean, when she put it that way... Wait, was she really okay with that?
“Well then, I’ll borrow the bath. I’m sorry to keep you waiting.”
With that, Sara-san headed toward the bathroom with surprising nonchalance.
I suppose I should take that as a sign of absolute trust...
Well, I had things to do. While Sara-san was in the bath, I pulled out my phone to send a RAIN message to Yuji. I needed to fill him in on the situation—and tell him that I had finally found the courage to speak.