Heroine's Perspective and Narimasu (Eighth Time)
“Dinner is in the fridge. Don't stay in the bath too long. And use the leftover bathwater when you run the laundry. Also, cleaning is limited to one hour a day!”
“What are you, my mother?”
Just before heading out, I made sure to tell Yamamoto exactly what he needed to know. As usual, he grumbled about me acting like a nagging mom, looking thoroughly annoyed. Honestly. I’m not his mother. ...Though, I wouldn't mind being his girlfriend. Just kidding.
My face felt hot. I was just about to leave, and already Yamamoto was flustering me.
“Anyway, I’m off.”
“Yeah. Have a good time.”
“Mm-hm.”
Feeling a lingering sense of reluctance, I stepped out of the apartment.
As soon as I was outside, I checked the time on my phone. I might have spent a little too much time relaxing back there.
I broke into a light jog toward the station.
After being rattled by the train for a few stops, I arrived at the meeting spot where Akari was waiting.
“Megu!”
She was already there.
“Sorry. Did I keep you waiting?”
“Nope. Not at all.”
“I see.”
“Yeah. ...It’s been a while, hasn't it?”
“...Yeah.”
A faint, awkward tension settled between us.
From Akari’s perspective, this awkwardness was probably like being caught in a chain-reaction accident she didn't see coming. After all, the only reason we had drifted apart was because I had unilaterally harbored a grudge of jealousy against her.
To her, it was a feud born from nothing.
And yet, even now... deep down, I still held some complicated feelings toward her. Just a tiny bit.
“...Let’s go, Megu!”
“Okay.”
Akari started walking with a bright, genuine smile.
I followed behind her.
Back in high school, I was always the one leading her around. But looking back, I don’t think I ever chose our destination based on what she wanted the way she was doing for me now.
I just went where I wanted to go. Akari simply accompanied my selfish whims. I think that was the extent of it.
Once, Yamamoto sarcastically called me a person who lived for the sake of others.
I suddenly wondered what part of me was supposedly selfless.
We spent the afternoon wandering through the streets of Shibuya.
For the record, I hate Shibuya and Harajuku. I especially hate Harajuku. Since that area is a magnet for young people, it’s always packed, and I can't stand the crowds. Especially before the Harajuku station building was renovated. Back in the day, I’d come up from my hometown to visit, and without really knowing any better, I’d always head to Harajuku first. I remember being constantly irritated, wondering why on earth everyone wanted to cram themselves into such a tiny station.
Since we had met up after lunch, we spent some time browsing through clothing stores.
Ultimately, neither of us bought anything. It was right at the turn of the season, and the autumn collections were starting to hit the shelves, but...
First off, I was broke.
And Akari didn't want to carry anything heavy.
So, we ended up just window-shopping at various apparel shops as we walked.
“We still have two hours to kill.”
“What, really? Megu, you have even less of a shopping itch than you used to, don't you?”
“I guess so.”
Well, my finances were in shambles because of a certain incident, and after being cut off from the world for a while, I honestly didn't feel a burning desire for material things anymore.
“Is there anything you want?” Akari asked.
“...Let me see.”
I looked up at the sky, racking my brain for a moment.
We still had plenty of time. If we were going to walk around, I wanted at least a trivial reason to duck into a shop.
After thinking for a bit, an idea finally surfaced.
“Cleaning supplies.”
“Cleaning supplies?”
“Yeah. Come to think of it, Yamamoto mentioned wanting a water-repellent spray recently. Apparently, it’s a mirror scale remover and anti-fogging agent all in one.”
“Heh, they make stuff like that?”
“Yeah. ...Though that guy already has five different types of those sprays at home.”
“Wait, five?”
“Yeah. No matter how many times I tell him he doesn't need any more, he starts nitpicking about how this one is different from that one, or how it’s a 'higher grade.' For a guy, he’s incredibly obsessive and persistent about that stuff.”
“I see.”
“I have no idea what he finds so fascinating about it. I just don't get him.”
Once I finished my little rant, I realized Akari was silent. Strangely, I could feel her staring at me.
I glanced sideways and saw her watching me with a warm, knowing look in her eyes.
“What?”
“Oh, nothing. I was just thinking about how well you two seem to be getting along.”
“Sh-shut up!”
I raised my voice just like I used to in the old days.
The only difference was that my cheeks—no, my entire face—felt like it was on fire.
“H-hey, come on! Let's keep moving!”
“So, to the variety shop?”
“No! Karaoke! We’re going to karaoke!”
“Eh? What about the spray?”
“Forget it! I don't know the specific details he wants anyway!”
“Oh, fair point.”
Akari seemed to accept that.
“Then you can just buy it for him the next time you go on a date with Yamamoto-kun.”
At Akari’s playful suggestion, my face turned a deep, burning crimson.