Late into summer vacation, the doorbell chimed in the apartment Hayashi and I shared.
"Coming!" Hayashi called out, heading toward the entrance. I was the one left behind, fidgeting restlessly in the living room, unable to even look her way.
The doorbell rarely rang in this place. At most, it was the occasional religious solicitor or a delivery driver. However, I knew the person on the other side of the door was different.
Usually, a doorbell is an unexpected sound, but I was certain of who it was. Hayashi had already told me who was scheduled to visit today.
We were expecting a guest. Not for me, the one who actually rented the apartment, but for my live-in companion, Hayashi. She had a wide circle of friends, but the visitor she had mentioned was someone even I knew—someone who had attended the same school as us during our high school days.
"Megu! I was so worried about you!"
A high-pitched, familiar voice drifted in from the hallway. My heart gave a sudden, nervous thump.
"Akari, stop! Don't just pounce on me!"
"I can't help it! I was really, really worried!"
To anyone looking in, I probably looked pretty suspicious—sitting there alone, ears practically pressed against the air to catch their conversation.
In any case, the guest who had arrived at our home was Hayashi’s best friend from high school: Akari Kasahara.
"Megu, Meguuu!"
"Kyah! Stop it, Akari! That tickles!"
Kasahara’s joyful voice continued to ring out from the entryway, punctuated by Hayashi’s equally loud, annoyed-sounding protests.
The two had met back in our second year of high school. While Hayashi and I had been in the same class for all three years, Kasahara had joined us for our second and third. They had been best friends back then—so close it was rare to see them apart. They were practically inseparable.
I felt a little bad for the flustered Hayashi, but they hadn't been in contact for nearly six months since the graduation ceremony. I suppose it was only natural for their reunion to be this explosive.
"...Ah, Akari. People can see us out here. Let's just get inside for now, okay?"
"Eh? Hmm, I don't know if I want to."
"What’s with the attitude?"
"Oh, nothing. It’s just, I was so worried about you, you know?"
"I said I was sorry."
"Oh, an apology? So you admit you did something bad to me, Megu?"
"...I guess so."
"Well, if you feel that bad, you won’t mind indulging a few of my selfish whims, right?"
What on earth were they talking about?
I found myself glancing back toward the front door. I hadn't realized it in high school, but Kasahara was surprisingly bold when it came to dealing with Hayashi. I’d always assumed she just hung around to bask in Hayashi’s popularity, so this was unexpected.
Still, good for you, Hayashi. It’s good to have a friend who cares about you that much.
"...What do you want?"
"Hug me."
"Could you please not do that in the doorway of my home!?" I finally shouted, unable to keep quiet as the atmosphere at the entrance took a turn for the intimate.
Dammit.
This was my first time seeing Kasahara since our graduation ceremony, and I’d hoped for a much more dignified reunion. But honestly, this was her fault. Why did she have to choose my front door of all places to do that?
Had she just reached her limit? (Doubt).
No, she had definitely reached her limit. (Conviction).
The entryway, which had been a scene of chaotic affection until a moment ago, suddenly went silent. Soon, I heard the sound of shoes being kicked off and footsteps approaching.
"Long time no see, Yamamoto-kun."
Kasahara stepped into the living room and greeted me nonchalantly, as if her previous unseemly display hadn't happened at all.
"...Yeah. It’s been a while."
And so, Hayashi, Kasahara, and I were finally reunited.