I Was Oblivious to the Subtle ‘Yandere’ Side of My Nonchalant Sex Friend Gyaru - Chapter 7

Chapter 7: 

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As I walked home at night alongside Kurenai, she stayed silent beside me, fiddling with her phone the entire time. Our shoulders were so close they almost touched, but not quite. Even though I touched every inch of her body all the time. Even though I’d probably do the same again tonight.

For some reason, whenever our shoulders nearly brushed, it felt awkward, and I’d subtly widen the gap. We didn’t hold hands like lovers.We didn’t even look at each other.

Quietly, the two of us walked back to my apartment.

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“Ugh… Haa… Haa…”

As I finished, I let out a breath. Maybe because it was right after work, I felt more exhausted than usual and collapsed onto the bed.

“What, are you tired?”

“Haa… Yeah, work was busy.”

“I see. Do you have work tomorrow too?”

“Yeah, but only starting in the afternoon.”

“Hmph, you must be busy.”

She turned her back to me, rolling over, and picked up her phone with an uninterested look.

“Hey, what do you always do on weekends anyway?”

“What’s with that? Trying to control me? Gross.”

“I just asked what you do. You were the one asking about my plans earlier.”

“I don’t do anything. I just stay home all day. Happy now?”

“Happy about what?”

“You were all curious at the convenience store about what I was buying. But there’s no other guy, okay?”

She said that while still facing away from me, playing with her phone.

“I-I see. Well, even if there was, it wouldn’t matter to me.”

“Because I’m just a sex friend?”

“Yeah, it’s not like we’re dating anyway.”

“That’s true. So? Are you going to sleep already?”

“Hmm, in a bit.”

“Got it. I’m staying over tonight.”

She wrapped herself in a towel blanket and headed to the bathroom to shower. Lately, it felt like she’d started talking more. Even though we were in this kind of relationship, maybe seeing each other every day had made her turn her guard down around me a bit.

But tomorrow again, when I woke up, she’d probably already be gone. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to at least say good night tonight. As I thought that, drowsiness came over me again.

I drifted off to sleep.

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“…Mmm.”

It was morning. I woke up still naked, and when I sat up, I saw my clothes folded neatly beside me where Kurenai should’ve been sleeping. Just as I thought, she was gone. Even though she didn’t have to rush off so early in the morning like that….

“Fwaa… I’m hungry.”

On days off, I usually didn’t eat breakfast since I had nothing to do except work. But maybe because Kurenai had come over yesterday, I felt especially tired. I still had time before work, so maybe I’d hit the convenience store—huh?

“Ah.”

As I opened the door to my room, I bumped into Kurenai, who was holding a tray of food with both hands.

“W-what, you were still here?”

“What, is that a problem?”

“Not really. But that…”

On the tray were two sets of rice, miso soup, and rolled omelets.

“I borrowed your kitchen. I was hungry.”

“No, that’s fine, but…”

“What? You don’t want to eat the food I made?”

“I-I didn’t say that.”

“Then move. And don’t get the wrong idea. This is the rent for staying over.”

She brushed past me, set the tray on the table, and said.

“Eat it before it gets cold.”

“A-ah. Thanks for the meal.”

I hurriedly sat down across from her and took a sip of miso soup.

“Mmm, it’s good.”

The flavor felt oddly nostalgic.

“Do you cook for yourself?”

“Not really. I mostly get by on staff meals at work.”

“Hmph.”

She responded curtly and started eating quietly. I had no idea what to say either, so we both just kept eating in silence. When we finished, Kurenai picked up the tray and dishes.

“I’ll clean this up.”

“I can do that much.”

“It’s fine. And don’t help.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s tiring, isn’t it?”

“Huh?”

“Just stay in your room. I’ll leave when I’m done.”

She spoke coldly and walked off to the kitchen in the hallway. After she closed the door, the only sounds I could hear were running water and the clinking of dishes. When it finally fell silent and I stepped out of my room, she was already gone.

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“Aoyama-kun, can you take the order for table six? And when you’re done, could you do the dishes?”

“Y-yes.”

Today’s shift was busier than usual. Partly because Asou-san was out, but also because there were more customers than normal. Especially couples—they were everywhere.

Is there some event happening nearby?

“Phew.”

“Good work, Aoyama-kun. You really helped today. Here, have a cola.”

“Ah, thanks.”

Just as I finished the dishes and was taking a breather, the store manager, Yukio Takeda, brought me a drink. He had just graduated from college this spring and had gone straight from working here part-time to becoming a full-time employee.

“Asou-kun took the day off at the last minute today. She’s been cutting back her shifts lately. Did she mention anything?”

“No. We go to the same school, but we don’t talk about stuff like that.”

“I see. Well, maybe she went to the event today with her boyfriend.”

“There’s an event?”

“Oh, you didn’t know? The shopping street nearby is having a couples’ event, and they’re giving out those ‘Lover Rabbits’ stuffed animals to attendees.”

“Lover Rabbits?”

“Wait, you don’t know? Aoyama-kun, you’re really out of touch with trends. Look, this.”

He showed me his phone, and on the screen was a rabbit plush I recognized. It was the same one Yumekawa had made me win at the arcade.

So this thing was popular, huh.

“Do you like this kind of thing, Manager?”

“My girlfriend does. But when I told her I couldn’t take Sunday off, she got really disappointed. I wish I could at least get her the stuffed animal.”

For once, the manager looked genuinely troubled as he sighed.

“Couldn’t you have asked Asou-san?”

“I tried contacting her, but she hasn’t replied. Sorry for holding you up with my rambling. You’re off now, right? Good work today.”

The manager hurried back to the kitchen. I clocked out and went to the locker room to change, but as I did, I couldn’t get his worried face out of my head.

He’d always looked out for me, even since hiring me when I had no experience and was pretty unfriendly. He always let me be flexible with my shifts too.

Maybe this was a chance to do something for him. Could I get that plush for him instead? But thinking it over didn’t help. I didn’t have a girlfriend who’d go to the event with me.

The only one I could maybe ask was Asou-san, but since the manager couldn’t reach her, I probably couldn’t either.

As for Yumekawa… No, I didn’t even have her contact info. I did know where she lived, but it was Sunday. I didn’t want to show up and run into her family.

Then there was… Yuzuha Kurenai. Could I really ask her for something like this? Well, even if I wanted to, I didn’t have her contact info either. There was no way I’d just randomly run into her like yesterday, right?

I should just say goodbye and head home. I left the kitchen, spotted the manager on the floor, and called out to him.

“Thanks for today, Manager.”

“Oh, perfect timing, Aoyama-kun. There’s someone here to see you.”

“See me?”

“Haha~ Looks like you’re more popular than I thought. Over there at table one.”

“…Ah.”

Sitting there was a familiar high school girl.

Yuzuha Kurenai.

Just as always, she looked bored as she fiddled with her phone.

“You… What are you doing here?”

“I forgot something at your place. But I don’t have your contact info, remember?”

“Forgot something? What do you mean?”

“Doesn’t matter. Anyway, are you done with work? Let’s go to your place already. I need you to unlock the door.”

She stood lazily and left the shop without waiting. When I caught up, she was already heading straight for my apartment.

“H-hey.”

“What? This is the way to your place, right?”

“Uh, yeah, but…”

Could I ask her to come with me to that event? The words were stuck in my throat out of embarrassment even though we’d seen each other at our most vulnerable countless times.

“What?”

“Um, there’s something I want to ask you.”

“So? What is it?”

“Could you come with me to the event they’re having over there? The manager’s girlfriend wants one of those stuffed animals, but you need to go as a couple to get one…”

As I stammered through my explanation, she gave me her usual exasperated look and slowly walked closer.

“Then let’s go already.”

“Eh? R-really?”

“Yeah. I just have to go with you, right?”

“Y-yeah.”

I thought she’d refuse, but she agreed so easily it actually threw me off. Without waiting for me, she started walking briskly toward the shopping street. Once again, Kurenai was leaving me behind.

“W-wait up!”

I hurried after her, and she glanced back just a little.

“Am I… Good enough?”

“Huh?”

“Nothing. Just hurry up.”

She sped up again, and her words were swallowed by the breeze before I could catch them.

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