Chapter 19 – I’d pretty much gotten over it, so…

“Well then, I should probably hang up now, Yui.”

“Y-yeah…”

It had been quite a while since I started the call with Yui, and I was finally starting to feel a bit sleepy, so I said that. But Yui nodded reluctantly.

…Isn’t Yui sleepy? Even I took a nap this afternoon and I’m drowsy.

“See you tomorrow, Yui.”

“…Yeah. See you tomorrow.”

While thinking that, I said goodbye and hung up.

All right, I’m feeling just the right amount of tired, so I should go to sleep now while I can. I’d just be bored if I stayed up anyway.

And so, after turning off the lights, I lay down on my bed and closed my eyes.

The morning sunlight woke me up.

…I’m still a bit sleepy, but I should get up.

【Mana, I know it’s late to ask, but want to walk to school together today?】

After brushing my teeth, finishing breakfast, and seeing Mom off to work, I sent Mana that message. Now that I think about it, I don’t think I actually asked her to walk to school together yet.

【…Of course that’s fine, but Yuuto, are you really okay with it?】

…Hm? Why would I have a problem with it? I’d be more shocked if she turned me down.

…Is that it? Is she talking about what happened yesterday? …That was my fault anyway, and besides, I pretty much got over it after talking with Yui yesterday, so I don’t really care anymore.

【Of course I’m fine with it. If you don’t mind, Mana, let’s go together?】

【Yeah! Then let’s go together! I’ll be waiting!】

I’m glad she didn’t turn me down, but “waiting”? I haven’t even said when I’m leaving yet.

…Don’t tell me she’s already waiting in front of my house? …No, no way, that’s impossible. It’s still a bit early to head to school, so there’s no way she’d be waiting outside my house at a time like this… right?

While thinking that, I headed to the front door, opened it, and looked outside.

And there was Mana, her face red, clearly aware of me.

“Ah, Y-Yuuto… A-are you leaving already?”

“…No, I think it’s still early, so not yet.”

“O-oh, I see. Then I’ll wait here.”

…Couldn’t she just go back into her own house? I’ll send another message when I’m leaving.

No, actually, why don’t we just hang out at my place?

That might be better.

“I can’t just make you wait outside. Come inside. Mom already left for work and no one’s home, so feel free to relax.”

“H-huh? I-it’s fine, I’d feel bad… Besides, a boy and a girl alone together—are you really okay with that, Yuuto?”

“Hm? Yeah. If it’s you, Mana, I’m totally fine with it.”

“Wh-what? Wh-what do you mean by…”

“Come on, it’s fine, so hurry up and come in?”

“…O-okay.”

Then Mana, looking embarrassed and tense, came inside.

“P-pardon the intrusion.”

“It’ll just be for a short time, but make yourself at home.”

“O-okay. Th-thank you.”

With that exchange, Mana and I moved to the living room together.

Chapter 20 – Delinquent Girl?

Nothing in particular happened as time passed, and it became the right time to leave the house.

To be honest, I was aware that Mana kept glancing at me with expectation, but it was still way too early, and it was morning, so I pretended not to notice.

…I did consider the possibility that I was just imagining things, but her gaze clearly went toward my lower body several times, so I’m pretty sure about it.

That’s exactly why I didn’t do anything to tempt her—if I had made even the slightest move, something would’ve seriously happened.

“Mana, let’s head out soon.”

While thinking that internally, I said that.

“Huh… Y-yeah, you’re right.”

Mana looked disappointed, but she nodded obediently, so we left the house together.

I don’t have any sense of sexual restraint whatsoever, so honestly, if she’d attacked me, that would’ve been fine too, but we ended up leaving normally.

…Well, as I thought earlier, it’s still too early, so it’s fine.

“S-speaking of which, Yuuto, after that… n-no, never mind!”

Before I could respond, Mana seemed to resolve it on her own, turning bright red and looking down.

I didn’t need to ask. She definitely remembered what happened in the bath yesterday.

“Hm? What’s wrong?”

While reaching that conclusion, I pretended to be completely oblivious and asked.

“N-nothing! M-more importantly, let’s hurry and go?”

“Really? Then let’s go.”

“Y-yeah.”

And so, Mana and I walked to school together.

Her face was red the whole time, but I think that’s just her normal state at this point.

She’s genuinely cute, so there’s absolutely no problem… It’s easy on the eyes too… Though we stand out quite a bit, that’s probably my fault.

Actually, now that I think about it, what kind of position do Mana and Yui hold in this world?

In my original world, I could confidently say they were both overwhelmingly beautiful girls, but I don’t really understand the standards in this world.

…It’s not like I can ask them “Are you considered cute?” That wouldn’t make me oblivious—it’d just make me rude.

If I asked something like that, I wouldn’t be an oblivious guy anymore, just a plain rude one.

“Yuuto? Is something wrong?”

“Hm? I was just thinking that I’ll have to say goodbye to you soon.”

“Huh, y-yeah… I don’t want to either.”

“I see. Same here.”

“S-same… Y-yeah, the same as Yuuto… Ehehe.”

When I said that, Mana suddenly started beaming.

…Isn’t she way too cute?

While thinking that and gazing at Mana, we walked through the school and reached Mana’s classroom in no time.

“See you later, Mana.”

“Yeah. I’ll come see you.”

I wanted to be with her longer, but homeroom was about to start, so I said that and parted with Mana. Then, on my way back to my own classroom, I was messing with my phone and bumped into someone.

“Ah, sorry.”

“Hah?”

I reflexively apologized, but I heard that menacing voice.

“Huh, wha? A guy… n-no, a-actually, perfect timing. Come with me for a sec!”

At the same time, I heard a flustered voice like that, and my arm was grabbed.

It was a slender arm, but it had so much strength that I didn’t feel like I could escape no matter how hard I tried.

While thinking that, I took another look at this person’s appearance.

I knew from the voice that it was a girl, but I hadn’t confirmed it yet, and I think that’s important.

So when I checked her appearance, I saw she had her hair in a ponytail, blonde, and I could catch a glimpse of piercings in her ears.

You’re a middle schooler, right? Well, Mana, Yui, and this girl all have a cuteness that’s beyond middle school level, but is it really okay with the school for a middle schooler to have piercings? …No, it’s not okay, which is why she’s a delinquent.

Actually, if I’m going to say that, Yui’s jirai-kei makeup is pretty borderline too, so I guess it’s a bit late to worry about this now.