After I Started Living Alone, My Place Turned Into a Hangout Spot for Beautiful Girls - Chapter 11: The Day Before the Outing

Chapter 11: The Day Before the Outing

It had been quite a while since Mizutani and I became close.

Even though it was still the rainy season, the harsh summer heat was already relentless.

And today, as usual, Mizutani came over to my place after club activities to take a shower.

While she was lounging on the living room sofa, messing with her phone after her shower, I pulled out an envelope and handed it to her.

“Thanks for lending me the money.”

“You’re welcome.”

Yesterday, my allowance was safely deposited into my bank account.

So, I was returning the 2,000 yen I borrowed from Mizutani.

Perhaps thinking it would be rude to check the envelope in front of me, Mizutani tucked it into her bag without looking inside.

“Well then, I should properly thank you, right, Mizutani?”

“Huh? You already paid me back, so you don’t need to do anything else.”

“But… you know, the other day, didn’t you turn down an invite to karaoke with your friends?”

I had seen Mizutani get invited to karaoke by her friends.

But she turned it down.

If I hadn’t borrowed money from her, she probably could’ve gone to karaoke with them.

Anyone who wouldn’t feel guilty about that would be a total jerk.

“Oh, it’s not your fault, Teruaki-kun. There was someone in that group I’m not great with, so I used being broke as an excuse to politely decline.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I had enough money.”

“That’s a relief. I was feeling bad, thinking I might’ve taken away your chance to hang out with friends.”

“Well, if you want to thank me anyway, I won’t stop you!”

Mizutani said this with a playful grin, as if trying to make me laugh.

I chuckled and responded.

“What do you want?”

“Hmm, maybe a shoulder massage?”

“That’s surprisingly simple.”

“I mean, I didn’t do anything that big for you. I’m not expecting some grand gesture or anything.”

Mizutani didn’t seem to want anything extravagant.

As I was pondering what kind of thank-you would be appropriate, she must have come up with a good idea. With a smug look, she pulled out her phone and showed me the screen while asking,

“Then, as a thank-you, tell me which swimsuit you think is better!”

Mizutani showed me a picture of a stylish one-piece swimsuit, followed by a slightly sexy bikini.

With summer approaching, she wanted my opinion on swimsuits.

“I think I prefer the one-piece. The design’s cute.”

“Got it.”

“What kind of swimsuit did you wear last year, by the way?”

“A tankini. Oh, sorry, you probably don’t know what that is, being a high school boy.”

“Nah, I know. Sakuya wore one last year. It’s a mix of a tank top and bikini, right?”

She probably didn’t expect me to know the word “tankini.”

Surprised by my knowledge, I smirked triumphantly, but Mizutani grinned mischievously and teased me.

“Hmm, so you and Sakuya-chan are close enough to check out each other’s swimsuits, huh?”

Ugh, she latched onto that.

It’s not like we have some big relationship like she’s imagining, but explaining the details would probably just make her more excited.

As I was debating how to talk about seeing Sakuya in her swimsuit, Sakuya herself walked into my house.

Using her spare key, Sakuya entered and saw us in the living room.

“You two seem to be having fun. Judging by your phone screen, are you talking about swimsuits?”

“I was asking Teruaki-kun which swimsuit looks better. And then he mentioned you wore a tankini last year, so I was just about to grill him on how he got to see you in it!”

“Oh, that? Aunt asked me to drag this shut-in out of his air-conditioned room, where he spends all his time gaming instead of doing anything summery during the break. So, I had no choice but to take him to the pool.”

“And then?”

A guy and a girl going to the pool together.

To a high school girl who loves romantic gossip, that’s prime material.

Mizutani’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“Nothing happened,” Sakuya said flatly.

“Really? The more I hear, the more I think you two act like you’re not close, but you totally seem like friends.”

“How many times do I have to say we’re not close?”

“Sorry, sorry. So, Sakuya-chan, which swimsuit do you think is better?”

Mizutani asked Sakuya’s opinion on which swimsuit she should get for the summer.

After comparing the options, Sakuya gave a clear answer.

“I think the one-piece would suit you, Mizutani.”

“Teruaki-kun said the one-piece might be better too, so maybe I’ll go with that.”

“Well, it’s your swimsuit, so you should pick what you like best.”

“Nope, I trust your and Teruaki-kun’s taste! Oh, and the online store I was looking at has a physical shop, so I’m gonna go check it out in person!”

“Yeah, sizing’s important. If there’s a store, you should definitely go.”

“Are you getting a new swimsuit, Sakuya-chan?”

“I was planning to reuse last year’s, but helping you pick out a swimsuit is making me want a new one…”

Sakuya muttered thoughtfully.

Mizutani nudged her with her elbow, teasingly saying,

“Just buy one!”

“Heh, you’re right.”

“Hey, since we’re at it, why don’t we go shopping together?”

“Alright, let’s do it.”

Sakuya and Mizutani, who usually hung out with different friends at school, were getting along well.

I was smiling at the sight of their budding friendship when Mizutani suddenly turned to me with a grin and asked,

“Since we’re at it, wanna come with us, Teruaki-kun?”

No way, I’d just be in the way.

Wouldn’t the girls have more fun shopping without me?

I was about to decline, but before I could, Mizutani continued excitedly.

“Hehe, shopping with someone other than my usual crew feels fresh and fun!”

I hadn’t even said yes or no yet.

But in Mizutani’s mind, it seemed like I was already going.

Still, I was about to refuse when Sakuya pinched my side lightly and whispered intimidatingly.

“Declining now would be way too clueless, you know?”

Mizutani was clearly excited about the idea.

Sakuya was warning me not to disappoint her.