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

I managed to get through the dreaded self-introduction without any difficulty, and just as I was about to receive the scheduled explanation from Misuta-sensei for the days to come, the long day that started with the entrance ceremony finally came to an end. But for me, this was only the beginning.

“Hey, Itsuki. If you don’t mind, why don’t we eat somewhere before heading home?”

“I’m sorry, Wada. I’ve got some business to do after this. Let’s do it another time.”

It was a kind offer, but I politely declined. It was a stroke of luck that the person who sat in front of me was Wada. He had a short, shaved haircut and a big, muscular build that made him look intimidating, but on the contrary, he has a very caring personality.

He had entered Amahashiritsu Academy in middle school and joined the basketball club. Last year, he led the team to a national championship, and even after his self-introduction, Misuta-sensei added that they were expecting him to do well in high school too.

However, in this class, there was a female student with the kind of talent that could carry the hopes of Japan someday. When I thought about it calmly, there were quite a few people like that. It made me realize how small my own world had been.

“That’s right. You’d like to talk to your childhood friend that you haven’t seen in a long time.”

“That’s about it. Thank you for your consideration.”

He probably spoke to me out of kindness since I was new to the academy and didn’t know my way around. I didn’t want to turn him down, but what concerned me more was that no one seemed to be around Kanna.

I found out that Kanna had been attending Amahashiritsu Academy since elementary school, and apparently, she had often been alone back then. I couldn’t help but worry if the reasons for that were the same as they had been over a decade ago. If so, I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of thoughts she had lived with all this time.

“Kanna, want to walk home together?”

So I talked to Kanna, who was getting ready to go home. A sudden silence fell over the classroom. It’s strange that just talking to her would surprise everyone.

“Oh, Jinpei-kun. Of course, it’s alright! I was just about to go and invite you, so you got ahead of me.”

Kanna stood up and was smiling. It seemed like she was going to link arms with me like she used to. But just before she did, she placed both hands behind her back and stopped herself. That was a relief. If she had done it, the atmosphere would have frozen up. I let out a sigh of relief in my heart.

“What’s wrong? You look a bit dazed. Are you okay?”

“Unlike Kanna, I’m not used to the city air yet. I’m just a little tired.”

“Hehe. Jinpei-kun must have been feeling the city vibe now.”

She’s completely adapted to city life, but I hope she hasn’t forgotten that we’re both from the same countryside as myself. I shot her a sideways glance.

“If that’s the case, shall we move to a place where we can relax? There is a good place nearby. I’ll show you around!”

I was completely ignored. She had already left me and started walking towards the door. What a heartless childhood friend. It almost brought tears to my eyes.

“…That sounds good. I have a lot to talk about.”

“I also have a lot to tell Jinpei-kun. But before that. May I say something?”

Kanna stopped in her tracks and turned back to face me. Her tone had dropped slightly, and her smile now carried a sense of pressure. I had a bad feeling about this.

“…Please be gentle with me.”

I swallowed nervously as I waited for her words. After a long pause, Kanna approached me, grabbed me by the tie, and said.

“Don’t you think you could have sent at least one or two letters!? Don’t you!?”

Kanna adds that twice because it was important.

Her long eyelashes, and soft-looking cherry-colored lips. The sweet fragrance from her hair reaching my nose made my heart race… But that’s not the point.

It’s not that I didn’t write. I’ve tried to write more than once. It’s just that the pen stopped every time. After all, it’s been a boring day since Kanna left.

“No, no! If we’re talking about that, Kanna never sent me a letter either. I think there’s a lot more to write about here than I do.”

“T-that’s… I was planning to reply if Jinpei-kun sent me one first!”

Kanna stuck her tongue out at me as if trying to brush off the situation. To think she would complain while putting herself on a pedestal.

“Alright! This conversation is over! Let’s move on quickly! Don’t fall behind and follow me!”

“You’re the one who started this conversation! That’s unfair—wait, don’t run all of a sudden! I’m still not familiar with the area yet, so don’t leave me behind!”

I was in a hurry to follow Kanna, but I was happy that the reversal of our roles felt oddly amusing and made me happy. A smile naturally spread across my face.

“Jinpei-kun, what are you laughing at?”

“No, I just thought you’ve grown a lot better.”

“…Where are you looking at that?”

Kanna quickly hides her body shyly with her hands. She made it sound like I said it as if I have obscene eyes in which it’s just a misunderstanding. Besides, with her arms crossed in front of her chest, it only highlighted her curves even more, so maybe she should have stopped doing that.

“…Jinpei-kun, you perv.”

“I didn’t say anything!?”

This was beyond unreasonable. However, Kanna’s slight blush and the way she pouted were undeniably cute. I would have totally fallen for her without the bias of being childhood friends.

“While there’s a certain charm to an obliviously bold Jinpei-kun, I think time, place, and occasion is important. Please do that when we’re alone.”

“I didn’t do anything in the first place! Besides, I’d never look at my childhood friend like that…”

“Hmph… I don’t like how Jinpei-kun always ignores what I say.”　

For some reason, Kanna suddenly turns away and starts walking again. This was troubling, I can’t read my childhood friend’s emotions at all. Maybe there is a deeper gap between me and Kanna than I thought.

“…Well, I guess I can just fill in that gap from now on.”

“Come on! What are you doing, Jinpei-kun!? If you don’t catch up, I will really leave you behind! Don’t expect me to come find you if you get lost!”

I hurried to walk beside her and not wanting to make my childhood friend any angrier.