Sunday.
Today was finally the day the new furniture was scheduled to arrive.
I had received a call from the contractor about thirty minutes ago saying they would be arriving shortly. Now, I was busy doing some light tidying up while I waited. Sara-san, who usually refused to let me help with any housework, was tacitly allowing me to participate today. To be honest, however, there was almost nothing left for me to do, as she had finished nearly all the preparation the day before.
My current dilemma was what to do with my old bed—whether to dispose of it or tuck it away somewhere. Since it was a folding bed, it didn't take up much space, but it was obviously useless for the new double-sized futon we’d bought. Realistically, the chances of me ever using it again were slim to none.
But still...
"Sara-san, about this bed. Do you think it would be a waste to throw it away?"
Even though it was a cheap thing I’d picked up at a local recycle shop, it was still perfectly functional. Part of me felt it was a waste, and another part wondered if there might be some unforeseen occasion where I’d need it. I couldn't help but think it might be better to keep it.
"I haven't used it once since I started coming to this house, so I don't believe we would be troubled by its absence. Besides, it does take up quite a bit of space, so I think it would be best to dispose of it. Don't you agree?"
Sara-san left the final decision to me, but the conclusion was already effectively reached.
Ultimately, since she was the one actually doing the housework in this home, I should get rid of it if it was going to be in her way.
"You're right. I'll get rid of it."
"Good. In exchange, once we move to a new place, let's make sure to buy a proper double bed♪"
"Y-Yeah, let's do that."
Since she was so insistent on us sleeping together, I suppose a double bed was her true goal.
Naturally, when we went shopping the other day, we had discussed getting a bed if we were moving to a double futon. However, since my current apartment wasn't exactly spacious, we’d given up on the idea, realizing that a permanent piece of furniture that large would cause all sorts of problems. Dropping the bed from the list had freed up some of the budget, which we’d then put toward Sara-san’s new oven. I figured that was a win-win.
Ding-dong.
While we were talking, the doorbell—which rarely ever rang—finally fulfilled its purpose. Since I wasn't expecting any other visitors, it was almost certainly the delivery company.
"Hello! We're here with your furniture delivery!"
"Coming!"
Before I could even check the intercom, a voice boomed from the other side of the door. I called back a response, grabbed the work gloves I’d set aside, and opened the door. Standing there was a man so brawny I never would have guessed it from his voice.
"Thanks for coming."
I was a bit taken aback, but I greeted him calmly and stepped outside. A second man was just climbing out of the passenger seat. He looked just as muscular as the first; they were quite the powerful duo.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. We'll carry everything inside for you, so just tell us where you want it."
I’d actually forgotten to check how much of the labor the shop would cover when I requested the delivery. I hadn't wanted to make Sara-san do any heavy lifting, so I’d been planning to offer my own help with the move. Honestly, this was a lifesaver.
"Thank you so much! Let's head inside then."
"Right. Well, then..."
The two men started toward the back of the truck, but then they suddenly froze, staring at something behind me in shock.
Wondering what was wrong, I turned around. Sara-san had just stepped out of the apartment and was walking toward us.
"Sara-san, the contractors are going to handle the carry-in. I'll stay here and help them, so please go back inside and decide exactly where you want everything placed."
"Is that so? Thank you, that is very helpful."
The two men were staring at Sara-san with dazed, mesmerized expressions. When she bowed and thanked them, they snapped out of it, frantically shaking their heads as if humbled by her presence.
They continued to watch her as she disappeared back into the room, still unable to hide their astonishment.
"Um... is she your girlfriend?"
"Yes, she is."
Technically she was my fiancée, but I didn't feel the need to explain that much to a total stranger.
"...Is she like, a model or an idol or something?"
"No, she doesn't do anything like that."
It wasn't unusual for people to be stunned by Sara-san's looks. I often thought it wouldn't be strange at all if she were a professional entertainer, so I couldn't blame a first-timer for assuming so.
"Man... I'm jealous, kid."
"Yeah, if I had a girlfriend like that... Oh, sorry. Let's get started with the delivery."
"Right, let's do this."
One of them started to say something else but cut himself off, his expression sharpening as he hopped onto the truck bed. They began unloading the dresser and the futon, moving them with practiced efficiency. I carried the smaller boxes to stay out of their way, but after a couple of trips, a voice suddenly called out to me from behind.
"Yo, Takanashi!"
I didn't need to turn around to know it was Yamakawa. I looked back to see the usual trio standing there, watching the commotion.
"Are you moving in here or something?"
"No, I've lived here from the start."
"Really? Man, I guess we're neighbors then."
Given his comment, Kawamura must have lived nearby. I’d never run into any classmates around here before, but it wasn't exactly an impossible coincidence.
"We were just passing by and happened to see you coming out of the room."
"We thought you were moving. You want a hand?"
"No, the delivery guys have it covered, so I'm good. Thanks, though."
It seemed the three of them had called out to me out of genuine kindness. I appreciated the gesture, but the delivery was almost finished, and there wasn't much they could help with inside. I gave them a polite refusal.
"Hey, Takanashi... since we ran into you on a day off, do you think we could talk for a bit? Just for a few minutes?"
It seemed that was Yamakawa's real reason for stopping. Usually, he was the life of the party, so seeing him look so uncharacteristically solemn was a bit jarring.
I could tell this was a serious conversation—a consultation of some kind. And I was ninety-nine percent sure it was a talk about Hanako-san.
To be honest, I’d already decided I wouldn't meddle or take any liberties regarding her personal affairs. Because of that, I wasn't particularly eager to have the conversation.
"Sorry to interrupt, but we're all finished here."
While I’d been talking to Yamakawa and the others, the delivery men had finished up. One of them held out a clipboard and a pen, and I signed for the delivery.
"Thank you for your business. We'll be heading out now."
"Thank you. I appreciate the hard work."
Since I hadn't been much help, I made sure to give them a polite send-off. They gave me a quick nod and climbed back into the truck. There were still other items in the back, so they likely had more stops to make. As the truck pulled away, the four of us guys were left standing there in an awkward silence.
Well, now what?
Setting aside the actual topic, Yamakawa was clearly being serious, so I felt like I should at least listen. However, we had work to do inside the house, and I didn't want to get in Sara-san's way. It was probably best to move to a convenience store or a park.
"Takanashi, it won't take long. If you're okay with it, can we talk at your ho—"
I knew he was about to say "at your house." They knew I lived alone, so I’d expected the request.
But Yamakawa froze mid-sentence, staring at my apartment. Following his gaze, the other two froze as well. All three of them were wide-eyed, staring at the exact same thing in total shock.
I already knew what was happening. I looked back at my room and, sure enough, Sara-san was peeking out to see what was going on.
"Kazunari-san, is everything all right?"
As Sara-san walked over to us, the three of them instinctively recoiled as if they were sensing a threat. Their faces were tense; they were actually terrified of her.
Since Sara-san didn't know them, I figured I should at least introduce them.
"Sara-san, these three are friends of mine from my class."
When I introduced them as friends, Sara-san's expression softened slightly, and she gave them a graceful bow.
"I see. Please forgive my late introduction. Thank you for always taking care of Kazunari-san."
I’d had a feeling she would say that. She still used the same phrase about them "taking care of me." But unlike before, we were now officially engaged, so I suppose the greeting didn't feel quite as out of place... maybe.
"Wha... a... h..."
"U-Uhh... are you... serious...?"
"Sa... Sa... Satsukawa-senpai..."
It was glaringly obvious how shocked they were. But they should have already known about our relationship after seeing what happened in the classroom yesterday.
Despite that, they stood there like statues, their faces pale with disbelief as if they couldn't wrap their heads around the fact that Sara-san was actually here.
"...? Is something the matter?"
Seeing their reaction, Sara-san simply tilted her head in confusion.
Since I didn't have enough chairs for everyone, I had them sit on floor cushions on the tatami. The room was still a bit of a mess from the delivery, but the large furniture had already been placed where it belonged, so we weren't in each other's way.
I’d originally planned to take them to a park, but Sara-san had suggested otherwise.
"It wouldn't be right to have your friends stand around talking outside. Why don't you invite them in?"
I’d taken her up on the offer.
The three of them were so intimidated that they sat in rigid seiza as soon as the floor cushions were laid out. They looked like meek little mice, staring blankly at Sara-san as she prepared tea in the kitchen.
"H-Hey... Takanashi..."
"What?"
"That... that really is Satsukawa-senpai, right?"
"Yeah, obviously."
"Why... why is she in your house?"
"What do you mean 'why'? You saw us in the classroom yesterday."
" " "............" " "
They continued to stare at her, looking as though they were witnessing a miracle.
From what I remembered, Yamakawa hadn't seemed quite this shocked yesterday...
"No, see, yesterday I was so focused on the fact that Hanasaki-san wasn't actually your girlfriend..."
"I... I think I'm finally realizing that this is actually real..."
"Me too..."
I see.
Yamakawa had been so preoccupied with Hanako-san that the news about me and Sara-san hadn't fully registered. And the other two probably just hadn't felt the reality of yesterday's events yet. Seeing Sara-san here in my apartment was finally forcing them to accept the truth.
"...I still... I can't believe it..."
"...The Satsukawa-senpai... in Takanashi's house..."
Even though they claimed to understand it was reality, the shock clearly hadn't worn off. They kept muttering the same things over and over like they were in a trance.
"Seriously, just accept it already."
I knew they didn't mean anything by it, but having them repeatedly deny the situation wasn't exactly pleasant. I spoke up to snap them out of it, and they gave me awkward, sheepish apologies.
"Sorry, we didn't mean it like that. It's just... it's impossible to believe that Satsukawa-senpai is actually here."
"...Yeah. I mean, it's Satsukawa-senpai! She's the Goddess! And here she is, making tea in a buddy's apartment..."
"Sorry, Takanashi, but... yesterday's news, and now this... it's just so surreal. The Goddess... it feels like a dream."
It seemed it wasn't so much about me, but rather the sheer fact that Sara-san had a lover at all that was so hard for them to grasp.
Their reactions made it very clear how they—and likely the rest of the school—viewed her. If even these guys, who were on my side, were this stunned, then the rest of the student body was probably going to be in even greater state of disbelief.