It was surprisingly unexpected.
Given Yamamoto’s behavior over the last few minutes, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of doubt, though I kept it to myself.
Putting aside our time in high school, his current state felt completely out of character compared to the person he’d been since he started letting me stay in this room.
The Yamamoto I knew here was always focused on others, someone who constantly acted for someone else's sake.
Seeing a man like him so stubbornly dig in his heels about not going home... well, it was only natural that it felt wrong.
Looking back, he’d lectured me countless times about returning to my own family, yet he’d never shown the slightest intention of doing the same.
Whenever I’d pointed out that he should go back as well, he’d always found some way to dodge the question.
Knowing Yamamoto, I’d assumed he was just trying to stop me from pouting or changing the subject, but it seemed I was wrong.
Oddly enough, despite the high-and-mighty attitude he’d taken with me, I didn't feel disillusioned or annoyed.
...If anything, well, how do I put this? He actually had a pretty cute side.
Maybe I was just blinded by my feelings, but I couldn't believe my opinion of him was actually rising even further.
A silly grin spread across my face before I could stop it. That’s how happy I was to have found a chink in his armor.
"If it’s a request from your sister, you don’t really have a choice. You should head back this weekend."
Yamamoto’s pained expression didn't budge.
Did he really hate the idea of going home that much?
Good grief. What a handful—and how cute.
"...Well, I guess I have no choice."
"What are you up to, Hayashi?"
"I’m going with you. To your parents' house."
In my excitement, I didn't realize it then, but looking back, even I find my words baffling.
I think seeing Yamamoto’s weakness had sparked some sort of protective instinct in me.
I wanted to face the thing he dreaded right alongside him.
Without even considering that an outsider’s presence might make things awkward, I’d blurted it out as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"No, it’s fine. I’ll go by myself," Yamamoto said.
"Nope. You’ll just make up some excuse and blow it off if I’m not there."
"That’s... not true."
"What was with that pause?"
Until that second, I’d assumed he’d go home eventually, but that hesitation changed everything.
Yamamoto was definitely planning to make a break for it the moment he had the chance.
"...It’s fine. Just leave it alone."
"Absolutely not."
Even though I was prying into his personal life, Yamamoto didn't look particularly annoyed.
That only emboldened me to push even harder.
"You said it yourself, didn’t you? Since we’re living together, it’s only natural for us to support one another."
"...And is this actually supporting me?"
"It’ll be fine! Just leave everything to me!"
"I’d trust a sinking cruise ship before I trusted you."
"Don’t worry. If we sink, we sink together."
"How about you make sure we don’t sink?"
He offered that dry retort, but after staring at me for a long moment, he let out an exasperated sigh.
I wonder what kind of expression I was making.
Despite my words about reliability, I doubt my eyes looked particularly trustworthy.
I was probably just glowing with the sheer joy of getting to spend more time with him—of getting to visit his home together.
"...Fine. Do what you want."
"I will."
I beamed at him. "Thanks, Yamamoto."
Without another word, Yamamoto went back to silently eating his dinner.