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

Early May. A month has passed since I came to Tokyo, and I have become quite accustomed to high school life. It is Golden Week, a golden day given to those who have worked hard in a new environment, which is no different from students to working people.

“Haa… What a long holiday! It’s just a hell of a day for me!”

Wada shouted this out while pounding both fists onto his desk and releasing his dark feelings that were the complete opposite of the hopeful days ahead starting tomorrow. If it hadn’t been for the noise in the classroom at lunchtime, everyone would have probably turned to look at him.

“Is the basketball team’s practice really that tough?”

“You have no idea. It’s literally a practice day that makes me vomit blood. I can’t sleep at night thinking of the five days of guaranteed despair ahead.”

“Sounds like the prestigious basketball team is really pushing you. Hang in there.”

I cheer on the hopeful first-year ace, even though he’s complaining. He might be grumbling now, but knowing him, he’ll get through it with a nonchalant face. In fact, he’ll probably end up teasing the senpais who will be worn out from it all.

“You damn bastard! You’re saying that so casually to me because it’s not your problem… What about Itsuki? Why don’t you go back to your parents’ house during this vacation?”

“That’s what I want to do. I mean, my grandfather told me not to come back.”

I’m worried about leaving my grandfather, who is over 80 years old, alone, even though he’s an active person saying, “Don’t treat me like an old man,” when I called him the other day that I was going home to see him.

“Don’t worry about me. Play with Kanna and your friends a lot and make memories. I hope you will tell me the story next time.”

I had no choice but to answer, “Yeah, I got it,” in a gentle voice. However, I’m planning to go home during summer vacation, so I’ll surprise him with a visit then and without telling him in advance.

“I see. I mean, Itsuki on the way home is going to have a lonely gray Golden Week alone.”

“… Ah, yes.”

Wada recovers his energy after knowing my situation. I would like to say that it is not good to laugh at other people’s misfortunes, but I held back and gave him a forced smile instead

There’s something I can’t say, though. Actually, I can’t believe that my house is a gathering place for the most beautiful women in the school, including Kanna.

And not once or twice. By chance, after Kanna, Asakura, and Sasazuki had a mysterious discussion, they came to my house almost every day, ate dinner together, and stayed until late, although they did not stay overnight.

My life would be over at that moment if it was known from such a side that I was in an extremely unhealthy state.

“Don’t be too lazy. If you don’t move your body once in a while, you’ll gain weight in no time.”

“Yes. I’ll run moderately and try to move my body.”

“If that’s the case, why don’t you join the track and field club? I think it’s perfect for Itsuki because you can get moderate exercise and the tension of competition.”

Suddenly a husky, clear voice interrupted our conversation. There is no need to confirm who it is.

“I’ve told you many times that I won’t join the club. Give it up already, Asakura.”

“I’ve told you many times that I can’t give up, right? I’d really appreciate it if you could at least give me a ‘yes’ this time.”

Asakura smiles softly around her mouth as she says so. Her smile suddenly caused a stir in the classroom, but to me, the beautiful woman in front of me tempted me with a sweet scent and lured me into an endless abyss the moment I reached out. It is different from Wada, who is showing his stupid face by stupidly grinning with his nose.

“My answer won’t change, even if I have a large sum of money. I mean, as an amateur, it would only be a hindrance for me to join the track and field club where there are a lot of athletes at the national level. It’s not once or twice that I tell you this, is it?”

“Well, I’m a chick that you forget things in three steps once I start running, so I might not remember that. And this is like our greeting. Don’t make a fuss. Or should I cry?”

“I see. It was just a greeting.”

I waved my hand dismissively with a subtle hint of “hurry up and leave.”

We all decided not to talk to each other too much in the school because it would be troublesome in the first place, but I wanted them to stop troubling me. Even Kanna is sticking to it.

“You’ll change your mind within five days. But until then, that tsundere attitude will do just fine, right?”

“I’m afraid that day won’t come. I’m not some character out of a manga who flips just like that.”

“Hehe. I’m looking forward to seeing how long you can keep up that resolve.”

Asakura walked out of the classroom with a wink that looked like an idol. I put chopsticks on the side dishes left in the lunch box after I let out a heavy sigh while muttering to myself what she had come here for.

“Hey, Itsuki. You and I are best friends, right?”

“…What’s with the sudden question? I think you’re an important friend but whether you’re my best friend, I’m not sure.”

“That’s right. Then tell me. Since when did you have a friendly relationship with Asakura Nao!? Did you not get enough of Hanazono Kanna and also charmed Asakura!? What kind of trick did you use!?”

Wada asks with a desperate face as if he were shedding tears while grabbing my shoulder. It’s like I’m a womanizer, but it’s a complete misunderstanding.

“I don’t think I’ve done anything in particular. I just started talking when I noticed her. That’s what friendship is all about, isn’t it?”

If anything, I gave her a foot care massage as a gesture, and she liked it, which is why we’re talking now. But if I had made even a slight mistake, I wouldn’t be sitting here right now. Of course, I’d never say that because it would just make things worse.

“That’s right. It’s not that hard to be friends. But that’s when they weren’t Hanazono Kanna or Asakura Nao! If it were that easy to be friends with girls, I wouldn’t be spending Christmas and Valentine’s Day alone and miserable!?”

This friend is by no means a bad looker, though he grieves in this way. On the other hand, because of his delicate features and hard training in the basketball club every day, he should be able to do one or two of his girlfriends right away, unlike me, who is a countryman.

“…I think you should start by changing that attitude of yours.”

His obnoxious personality was the only thing holding him back with all the positive traits he had. I pointed it out because I think his antics are why people avoid him, but I also want him to stay the same because he’s fun to be around.

“Haa… Well, that’s all right. There’s no winter that lasts forever. Even if it’s a blizzard now, spring will come and cherry blossoms will bloom someday!”

“I like that kind of positive aspect of Wada.”

“…Is Itsuki x Wada going to start by any chance?’

While we’re having a silly conversation, another intruder appears. She made a statement that could only cause misunderstanding with her quiet voice. Also, I’m not always paying attention, so I can’t respond to surprise attacks.

“Don’t worry. Such a new series will never start, even if the world turns upside down.”

“I see. Does that mean Wada x Itsuki…?”

“Okay, let’s stay away from that kind of line of thinking, okay? Do you need something, Sasazuki?”

I asked Sasazuki, who was pouting and puffing up her cheeks. Wada was sitting across from me as he froze in surprise at her sudden appearance, but I decided not to focus on that.

“? I have nothing particular to do. Or is Itsuki the type who can’t talk to your friends unless you have a reason?”

Sasazuki suddenly asked with a sad look on her face, causing me to let out a frustrated sigh. I know that friends don’t need a reason to talk to each other, but right now, Sasazuki was like a puppy asking for attention. My impulse to pat her head was held back by the little bit of reason I had left.

“What’s wrong, Itsuki? You’re clenching your teeth. Does your stomach hurt?”

“…I’m all right, it’s all right.”

“Ahahaha. I’ll let the fact that your joke is really old slide. So, is it okay to say that I’m Itsuki’s best friend, right?”

“I’ll have to pass on commenting on that.”

If I answer this question, there will surely be a dispute. It is also a kind of battle like a no-hope kind of battle. The best option is always to escape.

“Well… I guess the strongest right now is still Hanazono Kanna. But I won’t lose.”

“What are you even fighting against?”

Sasazuki quickly disappeared and left the classroom, leaving a dangerous word that could be interpreted as a declaration of war. Between Asakura and Sasazuki, why can’t they keep their promise? Could they really be trying to ruin my peaceful high school life on purpose?