Lonely Me And The Lonely Caring Goddess - Chapter 255: The Goddess Residing in the Takanashi Household.

The Goddess Residing in the Takanashi Household.

Sunday

Today is the long-awaited day our new furniture finally arrives.

The delivery company had contacted us a little while ago—they said they’d be here in about thirty minutes. So for now, I’m passing the time by casually sorting through some of our things. Even Sara-san, who normally refuses to let me help with housework, has silently permitted me to lend a hand today. Of course, the truth is that she finished almost everything by yesterday, so there’s barely anything left for me to do.

And now I’m stuck puzzling over what to do with our old bed. Should I get rid of it, or store it somewhere? It’s a folding bed, so it doesn’t take up much space. But it’s obviously useless for the new double futon we bought. Realistically… it probably won’t ever be used again.

But still…

“Um, Sara-san, do you think it’d be a waste to throw this bed away?”

It’s a cheap one I picked up at a nearby recycle shop, but it’s still perfectly usable. Part of me feels it would be a waste. And who knows—maybe there’ll be some occasion where we might need it again. Thinking like that makes me hesitate to throw it out.

“Since I haven’t used it at all since moving in, I doubt we’d miss it, don’t you think? And it does take up some space, so personally, I think it’s better to dispose of it.”

She’s leaving the final decision to me, but her answer is basically the conclusion already. After all, she’s the one who actually handles all the housework at home. If it gets in her way, then getting rid of it is the right choice.

“…You’re right. Let’s dispose of it.”

“Yes. And in exchange—when we move someday, let’s buy a proper double bed together, okay?♪”

“R-Right…”

For someone who insists on sleeping together every night, her desire for a real double bed is perfectly understandable.

We had actually talked about it while shopping the other day—if we’re getting a double futon, then maybe the bed frame too… But our current place isn’t big. Having something so large permanently installed would cause all sorts of problems. So we gave up. Thanks to that, we even had some budget left over to put toward Sara-san’s new oven. Honestly, I think that worked out for the best.

Ding-dong.

While we were talking, the doorbell—rarely used in this household—performed its duty for the first time in ages. We aren’t expecting visitors, so it must be the delivery crew.

“Hello! Furniture delivery~”

“Yes—coming!”

Before I could say anything, the person on the other side spoke first. I answered back, grabbed the work gloves we had prepared, and opened the door… only to find a muscular man standing there, completely different from the gentle voice I’d heard.

“Thanks for your hard work.”

A bit startled, I stepped outside while greeting him. From the passenger seat, another equally muscular man was hopping down. Looks like a power-type duo.

“Sorry to keep you waiting! We’ll bring everything to your room, so just tell us where you want it.”

Come to think of it, I forgot to confirm how much of the work they would handle when placing the delivery order. I didn’t want to make Sara-san do any heavy lifting, so I’d planned to help with carrying everything inside. Honestly, I’m relieved.

“Thank you! Then please follow me—”

“Yes, so we’ll just—huh…?”

The two of them suddenly froze, staring wide-eyed at something behind me.

Wondering what they were looking at, I turned around—and found nothing except Sara-san stepping out of the house and walking toward us.

“Sara-san, they said they’ll handle carrying everything inside. I’ll help them, so can you guide them on where to place the furniture?”

“I see. Thank you very much, that helps.”

The two men stared at her in a daze, almost slack-jawed. But after she bowed politely while thanking them, they suddenly snapped back to themselves and shook their heads hastily, flustered.

Even as she walked back into the house, they continued watching her with a sort of stunned disbelief.

“Uh… is she your girlfriend?”

“Yes. She is.”

Technically, she’s my fiancée, but it’s not something I need to explain to strangers.

“Um… is she… maybe an idol or model…?”

“No, nothing like that.”

It’s not unusual for people to react like this to her looks. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if she were in showbiz. So I can’t blame them for assuming that.

“Wow… man, I’m jealous.”

“Seriously. If I had a girlfriend like that—ah, sorry. We’ll start unloading now.”

“Yes, please.”

He cut himself off, hopped onto the truck, and began unloading the furniture with sharp, efficient movements. I helped by carrying the smaller boxes so I wouldn’t get in their way. I was on my second trip when—

“Yo, Takanashi!!”

From behind me. I didn’t even need to turn to know it was Yamakawa. When I did, I saw him standing there with the usual trio, watching me.

“You moving in here or something?”

“No, I’ve been living here since the beginning.”

“For real? Huh… so we’ve been neighbors all along.”

Which means Kawamura must live nearby. I’ve never run into classmates around here before, but there’s nothing strange about it.

“We saw you coming out while we were passing by.”

“We thought you were moving, so we figured we’d help if you needed it.”

“The delivery guys are already handling it, so I’m fine. But thanks.”

Apparently they’d approached me out of sheer friendliness. I appreciate the thought, but the unloading was nearly done anyway.

“Hey, Takanashi… since we ran into you on a weekend and all… could we talk? Just for a bit?”

Ah. So that was the real reason Yamakawa came over. He rarely looks this serious. It throws me off.

It’s obvious this is something important—likely a consultation of some sort. And considering everything… it’s almost certainly about Hanako-san.

But I already decided I wouldn’t meddle in that matter. So to be honest, I didn’t feel like hearing him out.

“Excuse me—everything’s finished.”

Before I could answer, the delivery staff returned with the completion slip. I signed it, handed it back, and thanked them properly.

After sending off the truck, the four of us were left standing awkwardly in front of my building.

Now then… what do I do?

I wanted to listen to him since he seemed serious. But inside the house, we still had unpacking to do. I didn’t want to get in Sara-san’s way. Going to a park or convenience store might be better.

“Takanashi, I won’t take long, so if possible, could we go to your—”

He stopped mid-sentence.

I knew immediately he’d been about to say your place. They all know I live alone, so of course they’d think of that.

But Yamakawa suddenly froze, staring in the direction of my door. The other two followed his gaze, and all three of them went wide-eyed, shocked stiff.

It didn’t take a genius to know what they were looking at.

Sure enough, when I checked, Sara-san was standing at the doorway, peeking out to check on us.

“Kazunari-san, did something happen?”

When she approached, the trio recoiled slightly, as if intimidated. Nervous, stiff, almost fearful.

Well, she doesn’t know them, so I should introduce them.

“Sara-san, these three are my classmates. My friends.”

Hearing that, she softened her expression slightly and bowed with beautiful, fluid grace.

“I see. My apologies for the late greeting. Thank you for always taking care of Kazunari-san.”

I had a feeling she’d say that. And while it’s a bit embarrassing, now that we’re engaged, maybe it’s not strange.

“Wh-wh… wha…”

“Oh… god… this is… real…”

“S-Satsukawa-senpai…”

They were clearly shocked. Even though they saw everything yesterday at school. Yet here they were, acting as if her presence at my home was something beyond belief.

“…? Is something the matter?”

Watching their stupefied expressions, she tilted her head slightly.

***

We didn’t have enough chairs for everyone, so I laid out zabuton on the tatami and had the three of them sit. The newly delivered furniture wasn’t fully unpacked yet, but the large items were already placed where they belonged, so they weren’t in the way.

I’d actually planned to take them somewhere like a park to talk, but—

“Standing around talking seems a bit rude. Should we invite your friends inside?”

With that gentle suggestion, I had no choice but to accept and let them in.

The three of them, utterly overwhelmed, sat in proper seiza on the cushions, backs straight, like terrified kittens. They watched in silent awe as Sara-san prepared tea in the kitchen.

“H-Hey… Takanashi…”

“What?”

“That’s… really… Satsukawa-senpai, right…?”

“Yeah.”

“Why is she… in your house…?”

“Why…? You saw it yourself yesterday.”

“““…………”””

They stared at her as if witnessing a divine apparition.

Yet yesterday, they weren’t this shocked. Especially Yamakawa.

“It’s just… yesterday I was too distracted by realizing Hanazaki-san wasn’t your girlfriend…”

“For me… it’s hitting me only now that this is reality…”

“Same…”

Ah, so that’s it.

They hadn’t fully processed it yesterday. Seeing her here, in my home, made the truth sink in.

“…Still can’t believe it…”

“Satsukawa-senpai… in Takanashi’s house…”

Even after accepting it, they still couldn’t calm down. They muttered the same phrases like they were in a trance.

“Hey… enough already.”

I know they meant no harm, but hearing them act like it was impossible stung a bit. I couldn’t help scolding them.

“Sorry. We didn’t mean it like that. It’s just… we really can’t wrap our heads around it.”

“I mean, come on… it’s her. The school’s goddess. And she’s right there, making tea in your kitchen…”

“No offense, Takanashi, but… this is unreal. A literal goddess…”

It wasn’t about me. They simply couldn’t believe that someone like her had a partner at all.

Their reactions told me exactly how people see her. And if these three, who are close to me, feel this way… the rest of the school probably finds it even harder to believe.