Back in high school, there was someone I just couldn't get along with. To people looking in from the outside, our relationship was described as "water and oil."
She was a girl who, unlike a shadow-dweller like me, stood out in class. The reason for our friction wasn't anything special—she just unilaterally hated my guts, and I had no particular desire to associate with her either.
I honestly thought I would never see her again once high school ended. But through a bizarre twist of fate, we were now somehow living together.
To be honest, our life as roommates had been a rocky road from the start. We fought, we argued, I made her cry, and I crushed her with cold logic.
...Wait, listing it out like that makes me sound like a total scumbag.
Regardless, during this turbulent cohabitation, nearly six months had passed. What I initially thought would be a short-lived arrangement was becoming a long-term reality, and our relationship was beginning to shift ever so slightly.
To be specific...
The number of fights? Hadn't decreased.
The number of arguments? Hadn't decreased.
Wait, had nothing actually changed?
No, no... that couldn't be right.
Because...
The times I made her cry? Those had definitely decreased. In fact, these days, I was the one who felt like crying more often.
The times I shut her down with logic? Those were gone. Lately, the number of times I even picked a fight had dropped significantly—mostly because I just got pulverized every time I tried.
Good grief. Not a single one of these changes was in my favor.
After months of living with her, I now spent my days firmly under her thumb. Coexisting with Hayashi was indeed a series of endless difficulties.
However, lately, a small feeling had begun to bud within me—the wish that this life would continue just a little longer.
In other words, yes...
"Living with the Queen Who Was Arrogant in High School is Surprisingly Not Bad."
Today, I once again threw myself into my life with Hayashi, which was gradually becoming quite fun.
"Hayashi, you've put on a little weight lately, haven't you?"
"Could you go pick up some delicacy for me?"
Even though I’d just reached such a sentimental conclusion, I was immediately scolded.
"Didn't your mother ever teach you that you shouldn't just tell a girl she’s gained weight out of the blue?"
"Actually, she told me to point it out aggressively because she wanted to watch her weight."
"If it's your mother, I can actually see her saying that."
"I wonder about that."
"...In what kind of situation did she even tell you that?"
"I remember... it was the night Yamamoto's Mother came home from a school reunion with her high school classmates. She was drunk and being annoying, so I insulted her by calling her a 'three-layered belly.'"
"Scumbag."
"Then she just burst out laughing. She egged me on to say more, and then she told me that since she wanted to watch her weight, I should say it more. Point it out aggressively, she said."
Come to think of it...
"Actually, when I pointed it out a few days later, she got incredibly pissed off. I really don't understand it."
"Scumbag."
Hayashi had officially transformed into a Scumbag-bot.
How could this be? She was making it sound like I was an actual scumbag.
Wait... was I a scumbag?
"...I'm sorry. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?"
For now, I decided to bow my head.
"Seriously. Honestly. Telling someone they've gained weight just like that..."
"My bad. But look, since you moved in here, the number of times you go outside has plummeted, right? Plus, lately, I feel like I've seen you snacking on potato chips and chocolate constantly."
"Well... I mean, maybe a little."
"Right?"
"But I'm the type who doesn't really gain weight," Hayashi said optimistically.
It seemed she was completely asymptomatic when it came to self-awareness.
"...Well, if you're going to be that insistent, maybe I'll step on the weight scale tonight?"
"Why don't you do that?"
"Yeah. I’m sure it'll be fine, though."
Hayashi gave me an optimistic smile as she spoke.
And then, that night.
"Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
A blood-curdling scream erupted from the changing area.
"Hey, Hayashi! What's wrong?" I shouted through the door. "Hayashi? Hey!"
No matter how many times I called out, there was no answer.
"...Yamamoto."
Finally, Hayashi's voice drifted out from the changing area. For some reason, she sounded utterly hollow and exhausted.
"Yamamoto... would you mind if we made the meals bland for a while?"
I understood everything immediately.