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

The place I live in is located in a good location, just a 10 minutes walk from the school. It is a five-story apartment that has been built for a quarter of a century, but the room is fully renovated, so it is as clean as a new one. The layout of the room is more than enough for a high school boy living alone.

There is a supermarket nearby, so I don’t have to worry about cooking for myself, and there is a complex shopping mall if I walk to the station, so I can kill time on holidays. It’s just a perfect property.

“This is amazing. You rented a place like this well.”

It was only natural for Kanna to be surprised in front of my home. Even though it’s been a few days since I started living here, it still doesn’t feel like this is my home.

“Don’t tell me this is a stigmatized property? Are Jinpei-kun sure you weren’t tricked?”

“Don’t say such rude things. In the first place, this place belonged to my former homeroom teacher. They lent it to me in particular.”

“Wait, wait. That information has added to my surprise.”

“I didn’t get all the details, but they said it was part of a real estate investment or something like that.”

I didn’t remember it because I hadn’t been paying full attention to the explanation as I led Kanna through the entrance and into the building. Since my room was on the fourth floor, we got on the elevator.

“Even though it’s a well-known teaching profession with a low salary, they own property and invest in real estate… Who even is this teacher?”

“I’ll leave it to you whether it’s a small salary or not, but what I know is that Katsuragi-sensei, who was my homeroom teacher, is a graduate of Amahashiritsu Academy.”

“Katsuragi? An alumni? I don’t think I’ve heard of that name before…”

Kanna tries to remember something by putting her hand on her chin. Maybe Katsuragi-sensei is a famous person. Honestly, even if she was, my impression of her as a weirdo wouldn’t change.

“I’m curious about what middle school Jinpe-kun was like. Yes, show me your graduation book!”

“I don’t mind, but it’s not that interesting. Anyway, we’ve arrived.”

We were talking nonsense before we knew it and we were in front of the room. I took the key out of the bag and unblocked the door.

“Pardon my intrusion! Let’s check out the album right away! Shall we go treasure hunting before that?”

“W-wait. Before that, You need to take a bath. If you stay wet, you’ll catch a cold. I’ll get some clothes ready, so head to the bathroom.”

“Ahaha… You’re right. I’ll save the fun for later!”

When I saw Kanna smiling, I started to regret bringing her here, but I guided her to the bathroom anyway. I prepare an unused towel from the shelf after pouring hot water. I also explain the location of the dryer and outlet.

“Alright, I’ll leave you to it. Take your time warming up. In the meantime, I’ll dry your uniform and prepare some clothes for you.”

“Yes, thank you for everything, Jinpei-kun.”

Kanna looked apologetic for a moment. I just told her not to worry about it and went back to the living room to find clothes for her while her uniform dried. That said, I didn’t exactly have clothes a girl could wear.

“It’ll take about an hour to dry, so I guess an oversized shirt and some loose pants will do.”

The washing machine in this house has the latest drum washing machine. This was prepared by Katsuragi-sensei. I’d told her I didn’t need something so fancy, but—

“Listen, Itsuki. Laundry is one of the top three troublesome housework rankings. The best way to raise the quality of life is to rely on modern technology. In other words, the drum washing machine is the ultimate solution.”

Katsuragi-sensei made her case with an oddly intense conviction and left me with no room to argue. It was ridiculously large for a house meant for one person, and getting it moved in was a real hassle. Katsuragi-sensei is definitely a weirdo.

After thinking about that, I pulled out some suitable clothes from the dresser and headed back to the bathroom. By then, Kanna was already inside the bathroom, and I could hear the sound of the shower along with her humming a tune.

“Kanna, I’ll leave your change of clothes on top of the washing machine. You’ll have to make do until your uniform dries up.”

“Thank you, Jinpei-kun. You don’t have to go through all this trouble, you know?”

“I’m doing it because I want to. Take your time, then.”

“No, no! I’m sorry to keep you waiting, so I’ll just take a quick shower!”

The shower stops and there is a rush. It was almost the same time that I thought it would happen, and the bathroom door was about to open. I immediately stood in front of the door and blocked the exit.

“Get out of the way, Jinpei-kun! I can’t go out with this!”

Kanna was banging on the door. It’s just a scene from a horror movie. I am the one who is hunted by vengeful spirits, and Kanna is the one who hunts.

“You don’t have to come out! I’m telling you to take your time in the bathtub!”

“But I’ll feel guilty if I don’t! Oh right, why don’t Jinpei-kun join me in the bath?! That would be perfect!”

“It’s not perfect at all!? That makes it worse!”

Give me a break. Maybe this would be excusable if we were kids, but surely she understands that having a teenage boy and girl bathe together is completely inappropriate.

“Don’t worry about me and just enjoy a proper bath! That’s all I’m asking!”

Before Kanna opens the door, I move back to the living room. This was definitely not the kind of scenario I had in mind when I invited her here.

“Seriously, give me a break…”

I looked up at the unfamiliar ceiling and muttered to myself, but soon after I heard the sound of the shower again from the bathroom, and I let out a small sigh of relief.

Several minutes later, the sound of the hair dryer stopped, and Kanna finally came from the bathroom.