The sudden rain began to fall a short while after I finished the dinner Hayashi had prepared for me. It was a classic guerrilla rainstorm. Massive droplets lashed against the windows, filling the room with the heavy roar of the storm.
"I’m home..."
It looked like Hayashi had run the whole way back through the downpour.
"That’s some serious rain," I noted.
"Yeah. I’m soaked to the bone."
"...Go take a bath."
"I’m going..."
The hallway echoed with the pitter-patter of her footsteps.
As I watched the television, I hung my head slightly. I’d missed another chance to talk to her about going back to her parents' house. Under the din of the rain, I caught the faint hiss of the shower. Between the TV’s static and the storm, the noise was barely audible, yet I couldn't help but be hyper-aware of it.
Up until a moment ago, I’d been agonizing over how to convince Hayashi to return home.
It was a well-known fact that she was a stubborn woman. She was the type who could flatly refuse anything she didn’t like, and when she got aggressive, she was genuinely terrifying. That was just who she was. And I was about to try and persuade a person like that to move back in with her parents.
If this were just a normal visit home, the conversation would be easy. But she had a history of being disowned, which made things complicated.
Hmph. But don't underestimate me.
I’m no idiot. I’d already envisioned a future where Hayashi rejected the idea immediately. Naturally, I’d prepared a few backup measures for when that happened.
Before I actually talk to her, allow me to announce them here: the Three Strategies I devised after racking my brain for the better part of an hour.
One: Bait her with a bribe. Two: Threaten her. Three: Propose a "reconciliation trip."
I know what you're thinking. "Wait, hang on. Those are all terrible ideas."
Naive. You guys are as sweet as a Chupa Chup.
...Actually, I know. I don't have a single decent plan.
What does "baiting her" even mean? She’s a woman of few desires, and I know better than anyone that she doesn't even have much of an appetite.
And "threatening her"? That would make me no better than her ex-boyfriend.
Then there’s the "reconciliation trip." Honestly, that’s the most impossible one of all. There is no way Hayashi would ever want to go on a trip with someone like me. Know your place, you moron!
Phew. I’m stuck. Completely stuck.
This is hopeless. I can’t think of a single way to get her to go back. If I take the direct approach, she’ll glare me down. If I try to be sneaky, she’ll get angry. If I threaten her, I’ll be socially ostracized. If I suggest a trip, she’ll just be creeped out.
I can't see any of this ending well.
Forgive me, Kasahara. I just can't do it...
"Phew, that’s better."
Hayashi returned to the living room, drying her hair with a towel. She was wearing her usual pajamas—a T-shirt and a pair of shorts.
My body gave a small, involuntary jolt.
As for Hayashi, she fell silent the moment she stepped into the room. Maybe it was the heat from the bath, but her cheeks were flushed. She bit her lip, turned her back to me, and sat down on the edge of the bed.
Actually, I’ve been wondering lately... maybe it’s just my imagination, and I'm sure it's probably nothing, but... has Hayashi been avoiding me?
She won't even look me in the eye. She only ever shows me her back. When we’re around other people, she becomes noticeably tight-lipped.
Did I do something to make her hate me?
Wait... come to think of it, she already hated me to begin with.
Yeah, there's no way. I'm not the right person to convince her to go back to her parents.
...But if I give up now, I won't be much of a man.
"Hayashi, you got a second?"
Sitting with her back to me, Hayashi’s shoulders jumped as she dried her hair.
"...W-What is it?"
Her voice sounded unusually high-pitched. Did she have a fever? Whatever, it didn't matter.
"I have a favor to ask."
"What...?"
"Would you consider going back home? To your parents' place?"
I’d finally spit it out.
Hayashi went silent. I waited for her to speak, but I stayed silent too. Only the sound of the rain and the television filled the room.
After a long while, she finally turned toward me. She’d been agonizing over it for a good amount of time. She’d probably finally reached a conclusion. Not an answer to my request, mind you. She’d probably been deciding whether to glare at me, blow up at me, punch me, or kick me for saying something so stupid. No, surely she wouldn't resort to violence.
In other words... was the intimidation finally coming?
I swallowed hard.
"Okay."
And then, Hayashi let me have it.
...Wait.
"Huh?"
"I said okay."
She... wasn't mad?
"If it’s a request from you, then fine."
"Oh... Right. Okay. Yeah. ...Thanks."
"But, on one condition."
"Yeah?"
"Yamamoto... will you come with me?"
"What?"
Why was she trying to drag me into that lions' den? I really didn't want to go.
"Sorry. But please."
She seemed to sense exactly how I felt about it, but she pressed on anyway.
"I’m scared. Scared they'll be angry."
Hayashi finally looked me in the eye for the first time in a while. Her face was pale with fear. It was the same expression she’d worn when we’d reunited at the convenience store.
"...Fine. I’ll go."
Well, if her going home just meant I had to take the brunt of her parents' anger, that was a small price to pay.
"Thank you."
I felt like it had been an eternity since I’d last seen her smile.
"I really... I can't thank you enough."