Translator: Lilo
Editor: Ryuubii

Chapter 2: The Girl Beside

Act 2(2)

I closed the library, following the usual procedure.

The next problem is to get Hasumi-senpai’s contact information.

“Well, let’s just hope for the best.”

I boarded the train and got off at Myodani station.

In short, there’s only one barrier: the embarrassment of having to ask openly. Conversely, that’s all it is. Moreover, since I’m not hitting on her, there’s no fear of being rejected. The embarrassment is temporary. If so, there’s no need to think too hard.

“Makabe.”

As I left the ticket gate with this in mind, my name was called.

Just like a replay of yesterday.

However, when he turned back, standing there was not Hasumi-senpai, but rather Naoi Kyouhei.

“So we’re in the same train.”

He came up to me with a smile.

He’s not wearing a uniform, but in club jerseys and T-shirts. I heard that the athletic club’s practice usually lasts until 7:00 p.m, so they may have been dismissed early today.

“Working in the library again? That’s tough when you’re the only member.”

“It’s my job after all.”

“But it’s not something anyone can do. It’s discouraging.”

I then walked side by side with Naoi.

I don’t know where he lives, but it appears to be at least within walking distance of the station, and we’ll be going in the same direction for a while.

“By the way, I saw you here yesterday with Hasumi-senpai.”

After a short walk, Naoi suddenly spoke up. He was slightly tense.

Yesterday, that’s the time when I bumped into Hasumi-senpai when she was out shopping. It seems Naoi was also there and saw us. Did practice finish early, or was it called off?

“Are you acquainted with Hasumi-senpai?”

“I told you before, right? That I’m staying with my relatives here. That house is close to Hasumi-senpai’s home. So we got acquainted.”

I gave Naoi a story I made up in case something like this happened.

“I see. That’s really lucky. As a guy, I’m really jealous.”

He became convinced and laughed. I felt a little sorry for him.

We continue on walking.

But there was no conversation, and we remained silent. The reason why I didn’t open my mouth is because I feel bad for Naoi. He’s unusual and not much of a talker, but he usually provides a good topic of conversation since he’s the center of the group.

Suddenly, my phone started ringing. It was a phone call.

“Excuse me.”

I took out my phone and looked at the display.

It’s from an unregistered number. But it was a familiar sequence of numbers. Where have I seen this number before?

“Then, I’ll be going ahead. See you tomorrow.”

After Naoi said goodbye, he quickly walked away.

I felt bad for his concern, so I tapped the call button, even though I didn’t know who was on the other end.

“Hello?”

『Oh, Shizuru? Are you near the station? I want you to buy something for me.』

It was Hasumi-senpai.

And my knees almost collapsed.

No wonder it looked familiar. I had called this number before, after Takinami-senpai had shown it to me. I now understood what Takinami-senpai said earlier. I could just look at the call history to know. I guess that’s what she wanted to say.

What have I been worrying about all this time…?

§§§

That evening.

“Ah, right, Hasumi-senpai. Can I get your ID on the messaging app?”

While I was in the living room, Hasumi-senpai came downstairs, operating her smartphone. I asked her.

“N?… Ah, alright. That may be more convenient than a phone call. Sure, sure.”

Hasumi-senpai says, “Wait a minute,” and swiftly operates her smartphone.

“It’s faster this way than searching my ID.”

A QR code is displayed. This is certainly the easiest way to add friends when the person you want to add is right in front of you. I opened my phone’s camera and scanned the QR code.

“Done.”

“This too.”

Hasumi-senpai sat down on the sofa.

In the living room of the Hasumi residence, there’s a large sofa that can accommodate three people and a sofa for one person. The long sofa is my position, and the single-seater sofa is Hasumi-senpai’s position. Hasumi-senpai sits on the large sofa if Uncle is present, but otherwise not.

She sat down on the single-seater sofa, since Uncle is not here at the moment.

“Hm, somehow this feels fresh.”

And she spoke while looking at the screen of her smartphone. I’m sure that the screen is showing that I’ve been added as her friend.

“I’m sure you must have a lot of friends. Why are you moved just by having one more?”

“Well, that’s true. But actually, I don’t have a lot of male friends, you see.”

“Is that so?”

It was a little surprising.

Hasumi-senpai looked annoyed when she saw my expression.

“What? Do I look like I have many male friends?”

“N-no, it’s nothing like that…”

Of course, she doesn’t have the image of keeping at hand numerous men who are interested in her. I simply assumed that she must have a lot of friends, regardless of gender.

“Well, whatever. If anything happens, contact me using this.”

“Understood.”

Now we have a means of communication.

“Say…”

And that’s when Hasumi-senpai cuts in, looking like she’s having difficulty saying something.

“Are you also chatting with Takinami-san, Shizuru?”

“Not really. Because when it comes to exchanging messages one after another, I always think it’s easier and faster to do it by phone call.”

I don’t understand why they insist on doing it by chat.

“Oh, really? I was just wondering if you two were saying things you can only say in chat…”

“What do you mean?”

“Y-you know, like for example, ‘What are you wearing right now?’ or ‘What do you think I’m wearing right now?’ things like that…”

“………”