A Case in Which My House Is a Gathering Place for Girls

Unlike yesterday, I was able to finish my second day of high school without any problems.

It was a little annoying when students from other classes came to see me during a short break and when I had lunch with Wada, but other than that, it was a very normal day.

“Are you going home again today, Itsuki? Why don’t you go on a tour of club activities?”

“That’s what I’m going to do. I’m not interested in joining club activities at the moment. Well, it’s not that I don’t want to join, but I’m being told not to, so I can’t even if I wanted to.”

On my way to Tokyo, my grandfather and Katsuragi-sensei warned me to “Never join a club.” When I asked the reason, they wouldn’t tell me and instead just sighed in exasperation. It was puzzling.

“That’s why I’m going home quietly today. I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize. Even if you were to go on a tour, I’d be in the basketball club, so I wouldn’t be able to go with you.”

“Good luck, new ace of the freshmen.”

“Leave it to me! I’ll lead this school to the national championship!”

Wada said that with a bright smile. A baseless claim. But there was something about this guy that made it feel like he would really accomplish it.

“I’m heading out soon. You’re not planning on jumping into the fountain today, are you?”

“If I did it two days in a row, I’d be a fool…”

And that was because Kanna dropped her smartphone into the fountain, so I had no choice but to go there. Rather than making excuses that I would never do such a thing if nothing happened, Wada had already slung his bag over his shoulder and quickly exited the classroom.

“He’s like a typhoon…”

I stood up with a wry smile and left the classroom.

I couldn’t help but chuckle as I stood up and left the classroom as well. I’ll stop by the supermarket on my way home. My parents are overseas as they send me a decent amount for living expenses, but if I keep eating out, it will quickly run out.

“I must save money by cooking for myself. But it’s troublesome to make a portion for one person…”

And then there’s the fact that I don’t have anyone to eat with or anyone to tell me my cooking is delicious. That’s a bit lonely. Part of me is still trying to make grandfather happy with my efforts, so it’s even harder.

“Haa… I feel sorry for myself.”

It hasn’t even been a week since my new life started, and I’m already starting to feel homesick. I couldn’t help but mock myself. But I know that this is just the beginning, and once I adapt to my environment, I won’t care anymore.

I took a deep breath as I shook off my thoughts, and quickly finished my shopping before heading home. Grandfather always said that when I’m feeling down, I should eat good food, take a bath, and go to bed early.

After eating dinner and soaking in a warm bath, I followed the advice of my family back home. I found a strange feeling of energy. Maybe I’m just that simple-minded.

“Alright. What shall I do before I go to bed? Do I have to watch some TV?”

But to put it another way, it’s so overwhelming that I sometimes don’t know what to do with it all. Just as I was about to quietly do some prep work for school when the doorbell rang to signal a visitor.

“Who could be at this hour?”

The time is now past nine o’clock in the evening. Since I’m not expecting any packages, it’s likely some kind of solicitation. Katsuragi-sensei also warned me, “You have to be careful as there may be some shady people who come by.”

I could pretend not to be home, but fortunately, the intercom at this place has a camera. It’s a convenient system that lets me see the people from inside the room without having to open the door.

“Who could have come to see me─is that Kanna?”

On the indoor monitor was my childhood friend in plain clothes. For some reason, she was holding a large carrying case that seemed to be for travel. I was wondering if she had come all the way to stop by on her way home from work, but the chime rang again. Not once or twice. It’s the level where the pins ring again before the ding has finished.

“Ah─oh, I get it! Alright, wait a minute!”

I hurried to the entrance in an attempt to stop the frightening barrage of doorbell rings. When I opened the door, Kanna stood there while puffing her cheeks in annoyance as her arms crossed in a stance that seemed ready for battle.

“Hey, Jinpei-kun. Why didn’t you open it right away? Please tell me you weren’t planning to ignore me, were you?”

“Hahaha, of course not! I would never do that. Good evening, Kanna. What do you want at this hour?”

“Good evening, Jinpei-kun. Did you forget why I’m here? I told you to wait for me yesterday, right? I’m here to make that happen.”

“I mean… what do you mean?”

Kanna wore a mischievous grin. Not only was I confused about what she was talking about, but I had no idea what my childhood friend was thinking. Kanna ignored my bewildered state completely as she stuck out her tongue and threw an unexpected bomb with a cute grin.

“Jinpei-kun, I have decided to live here starting today!”

“Okay, all right. Turn around and go home right now.”

I responded instantly, and it goes without saying that my answer was firm.