I Got Cheated On, so I Thought I’d Cheat Back and Went to a Group Date, I Ran Into a Classmate Who Used to Boss Me Around and Now We’re Living Together - Chapter 19

“―Whoa! What is this?”

In short… Umi was instantly hooked.

The moment she took a bite of Machida-san’s carefully made carbonara and bagna cauda, her eyes widened, and she looked at Machida-san with pure admiration.

“Is… this too good? Who are you? A professional?”

“Well, I do work part-time at an Italian restaurant but?”

“And Machida-san actually loves cooking and is aiming to be a chef.”

“W-Wait… so I just ran headfirst into a losing battle…”

Even though she felt a little defeated, every bite made Umi murmur, “This is too good…” and her taste buds danced in delight.

“Ehehe, now you know I’m not the kind of woman to give Shiraki a bad influence.”

Machida-san said proudly as she ate next to me while puffing out her chest.

“Actually, I’m giving him a good influence by cooking delicious food every day. Can Tokitou-san even prove that you’re not giving Shiraki a bad influence?”

“I, well… I can’t give physical proof, but when Sousuke’s reputation was harmed by rumors at university, I helped spread the correct information to balance it out.”

“Machida-san, I’ll say this clearly. That’s the truth.”

When I explained that to help Umi understand,

“I see… then I guess it’s safe to trust her.”

Machida-san said with a sigh of relief.

Then she added,

“…But, Tokitou-san really is just a friend, right?”

“Yeah, she’s just a friend. Why?”

“…So she’s not after Shiraki?”

“―Pfft!!”

Umi almost spat out. Why would that question fluster her…?

“N-No, I’m not aiming for him…”

“…Really?”

“Of course… I just want to repay some debts from high school. I-it’s not like I have feelings for Sousuke… And what about you?”

“M-me?”

“Yes… You’re living under the same roof. Don’t you have any weird feelings?”

“I-I don’t…”

…What kind of conversation is this?

It kind of stings that neither of them seems interested in me…

“So… even if you see my underwear drying, you don’t mind because you have no feelings?”

“I-I treat it as part of living together… It’s still a little embarrassing…”

“I see…”

The strange conversation kept going, and I felt oddly exhausted just from eating dinner.

◇

“For now, I can relax about Machida-san. She’s a good person.”

After dinner ended, Umi was leaving. I decided to walk her to the station through the quiet night streets. Machida-san stayed at home.

“We only talked a little, but I think she’s trustworthy. And her food was really good too.”

“I told you, right? You don’t need to worry.”

“…Was I meddling too much?”

“No, I appreciate that you were worried about me.”

It might have been a little meddling, but I couldn’t deny that it made me happy.

Especially when a beautiful girl like Umi cared about me.

“But don’t focus too much on me. You spent a lot of your own time helping with those rumors at university, didn’t you?”

“That’s fine. I can spend my time however I want. Sousuke has no right to control that.”

“Well… that’s true…”

“Anyway.”

With those words, Umi stepped a little ahead,

“—This is far enough.”

She said and turned back with her long black hair flowing behind her.

“There are too many people around. You don’t need to walk me all the way, but I appreciate it. Thank you.”

“Alright. Take care then.”

“Yes. Also.”

“What is it?”

“I’m honestly kind of relieved that you’re single now.”

“Huh?”

“I’m just kidding. Goodbye!”

She waved lightly and walked away, the sound of her heels fading.

…Why was she relieved that I’m single? Maybe she was just glad that some kind of bad luck had left me. Probably, yeah…

“―Huh? That was a quick walk to the station.”

Back in the apartment, Machida-san had finished washing the dishes.

“She came back on the way. She said this was far enough.”

“Oh, I see… Still, she was really pretty.”

Machida-san sat on the sofa and was clearly impressed. Even other girls notice a beautiful girl like Umi. That’s probably why some get jealous.

“By the way, why is Shiraki friends with such a beautiful girl but dating Rinne? Doesn’t that seem weird?”

“I can’t really deny that… but Umi’s just a friend.”

“…So you don’t see her as a girl?”

“No, she’s attractive, but maybe too much… I feel like she’s out of my league.”

If Umi ever became my girlfriend, how many guys would I have to fight off? Just imagining it was terrifying. She’s way too beautiful. Literally a flower on a high cliff. She’s way out of my reach.

“…Besides, Umi doesn’t see me that way, so dating is out of the question anyway.”

“Really?”

Machida-san tilted her head and looked unconvinced. Then, like a new thought struck her,

“Oh, by the way… can you start calling me by my first name too?”

She said,

“Huh?”

“You keep saying Umi, Umi all the time. Why don’t you call me Nene?”

“…A-Are you sure it’s okay?”

“Yeah, it’s fine… I just feel a bit distant and lonely if you don’t.”

Hmm… Yeah, I can see why she feels that way.

Alright, I’ll do it. Stay calm, don’t overthink it—

“So, alright then… Nene-san, then?”

“Yeah… okay.”

Nene-san looked away and was blushing. She seemed shy about being called by her first name. I thought maybe I shouldn’t have called her that, but it was honestly kind of cute.

“Hey… can I try calling you by your first name too?”

“Ah, that’s fine…”

“Then… S-Sousuke…”

…Just hearing my name like that made a strange, warm feeling rise inside me.

For a little while tonight, I stayed secretly happy and floated on that feeling.