After a Beautiful, Yandere Onee-San Moved in Next Door, My Life Changed Drastically~ (Please Save Me...) - Chapter 25 - Kinoshita-San’s Invitation 2

Chapter 25 – Kinoshita-San’s Invitation 2

I’m sure Mom and Dad are going to be busy with work again this year, but I guess I should at least say hello…

I’ve been living alone for almost two years, but I’ve never been back to my parents’ house. I deliberately chose a high school in the neighboring prefecture, to put as much distance between me and my parents as possible.

It’s not that I dislike Mom and Dad, but if I go back there, I might remember the bad things again. I didn’t want to bring those fuzzy memories into sharp focus. I’ve lived my life pretending those things never happened, just to keep my sanity. That’s who I am now… and maybe that’s why I ended up all alone.

“Manager, thanks for your hard work today!”

“Good job——”

Since I have some free time today, I’ll take it slow and have a proper talk with Hanada-san…

“……”

Unbeknownst to Nao, a shadow was staring at him as he left the cafe.

……

…

“Ah…”

On the way home, I immediately replied to Hanada-san.

Nao: [I just finished work, so I’ll be back soon!]

Natsuki: [Yeah! I’ll wait at Nao-kun’s house too!]

I wonder what Kinoshita-san came for after all…

She looked like she had something she wanted to say to me, but I think she didn’t say anything because of the manager.

It’s weird to come all the way here to eat a parfait…

Even if our café is trending on social media, it’s not the kind of place someone would come to alone. Usually, people come with friends or a partner… What was she up to…?

“……”

For a moment, I felt someone’s presence behind me.

“Huh…”

Having a bad feeling, I went back home immediately. When I got there, Hanada-san was waiting in the entrance, holding a pair of mittens and wearing an apron.

I flinched a little at the sight.

“Welcome back!”

“I-I’m home…”

“What’s wrong? Did something happen? You’re sweating…”

“No, it’s nothing. I just came quickly because Natsuki might be waiting for me…”

“Fufu, you were thinking about me? I’m so happy, ehehe~”

“I finished early today, but I’m sweaty so I’m going to take a bath!”

“Yes!”

And then, as I was taking my jacket off, someone rang the doorbell.

“Huh… Who’s there at this time of night…?”

Wait… Isn’t it 8pm now…?

The only person who knows my address other than Shimizu is…Kaede. There’s no one left. Still, he’s not the type to come without telling me… It’s unlikely to be mail, either… Who would be ringing the bell this late?

It’s a little scary…

“Hanada-san! Please wait!”

“Hmm…? Why?”

“I wasn’t expecting anyone tonight… Just to be safe, let me check.”

“Ah, okay…!”

Knock, knock, knock…

It’s weird that they’re even knocking on the door… Who could it be?

“Who is it…?”

“Kashiwagi-kun…?”

Huh…?

This voice, could it be…

“Is that…you, Kinoshita-san?”

“Ah… yeah! It’s me!”

For real…?

But more importantly, how does Kinoshita-san even know my address…?

I never told her… Could it be that she——

“……”

I glanced back to see Hanada-san shaking her head, signaling she didn’t know anything about this.

With no other choice, I whispered, “Hide somewhere,” and I opened the door.

“What brings you here at this hour…?”

“I was supposed to meet a friend around here, but they suddenly had something come up, so I ended up alone…”

“Really…? But how did you know my address…?”

“I was wandering around because I couldn’t figure out the streets here… Then I saw you heading home, Kashiwagi-kun, so I kind of just followed you.”

Was the presence I felt back then Kinoshita-san…?

I never thought she’d come all the way to my house…

“Can I come in…?”

But Hanada-san is here… This could turn into a very unpleasant situation…

“That’s a bit… I was just about to take a bath.”

“I can wait in your room!”

Is she serious…? Is Kinoshita-san planning to casually walk into the house of the guy her friend is dating…? Why? Did something happen with Takahashi-san? That can’t be… They were just pretending to be lovers so she probably wouldn’t care that much.

I wish I could just pretend this isn’t happening…

“No. I’m in a relationship with Hanada-san, so that’s not appropriate.”

“Oh, come on… just for a bit. I’ll call a taxi right away!”

“I’m sorry, but we really can’t.”

The conversation at the door wasn’t far enough away for Hanada-san not to hear it.

From the vibrations in my pocket, I could tell she was trying to reach me——either calling or sending a message via LINE.

“But Natsuki’s not here right now…”

She’s technically the next door neighbor, and she’s actually listening from behind…

Please understand that I’m doing my best to keep my relationship from getting worse.

Seriously… Seems like Hanada-san has had enough of this, I hope Kinoshita-san goes home soon…

I’m also really cold right now because I’m only wearing a shirt…

“Please go home…”

“…Eh…”

There really shouldn’t be anything going on here. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself. But honestly… The thing that scared me most was what Hanada-san might say to me after this…

“Please go home… I’m exhausted from work and really want to sleep.”

“…Why…? Did I ask something so wrong?”

Thud!!

A sound of something heavy falling could be heard. Could it be that was…Hanada-san…?

“What’s that sound?”

“Something must’ve fallen… Anyway, you really have to go now…”

“Fine… just tell Natsuki to read her LINE messages.”

“Y-yes…”

Clack…

She finally left, but what was that sound from before…?

“……”

“Where’s Eru? Has she gone home?”

“Y-yes…”

“…What did she say?”

“Just to read her LINE messages…”

“Really? I don’t need to… Come here.”

“Yes…”

Hanada-san immediately hugged me, but…

For some reason, there was a knife stuck in the middle of the beef that had been left out as the ingredient for dinner.

“……”

“I’ll cook dinner, so go take a bath.”

“Yes…”

♢

T/N: Oh, we almost had a bloodbath…