So You’re Telling Me I’m in My Popular Phase!? - Chapter 26 & 27 & 28 & 29

Chapter 26: An Unexpected Sleepover Schedule!?

This happened during third period.

Since it was Home Economics, my class went to the home ec room.

The Home Economics teacher is Umeda-sensei.

You already know what I wanna say, right?

It was unbelievably exhausting and tough.

“Hey, Ichikami! This is how you use a sewing machine!”

He’s way too good at it.

With that scary face, having that level of skill…

Is he a maiden at heart!?

※

“Ryu?”

“Hm? Ah, sorry.”

Right now, I’m in the middle of eating lunch with Tomoya.

“What were you thinking about? About today?”

“Ah—I gotta think about that too.”

No, let’s just forget about Umeda-sensei. Let’s do that.

Seriously though, why did it end up with these guys coming to my house?

When I called Mom earlier, they really had gotten permission.

Why did you give permission to them?!

“Looking forward to it.”

“Acting like it’s someone else’s problem.”

“Ahaha.”

Don’t “ahaha” me!

Ah, seriously, what should I do?

“Well, I’ve thought about most of it, but the sleeping arrangements are tricky.”

“Then, wanna sleep together?”

“No. Also, creepy.”

I wanna ask the girls: what’s so good about this guy?

If I actually asked, I feel like I’d get killed.

I’m already getting glared at.

“Well, I’ll be looking forward to it.”

“Do whatever you want.”

While Tomoya and I were talking like that, Izumi and Machida-san came over.

“Now then, Ichikami-kun, please tell us the schedule for today.”

Machida-san urged me.

Straight to the point, huh. That’s the first thing you say?

Don’t you have any other lines? Probably not, huh.

“Yes, understood…”

Ah—I’m not feeling up to this. And I don’t plan to get into it.

“What’s wrong, Ryu-kun? You look down.”

“Obviously, because you guys forced your way into staying at my house!”

Izumi, learn to think about other people’s feelings.

And once you do, stay away from me. Because you’re scary.

“Ichikami-kun, please hurry up and start talking.”

Why is Machida-san getting mad at me?

Are you a scary person too? Man, I hate this.

Well, whatever for now.

“First off, I’m leaving dinner to Izumi.”

“Roger! Leave it to me.”

“Izumi-san can cook? That’s amazing!”

Is Machida-san maybe bad at cooking?

Well, she’ll be even more surprised once she sees Izumi’s cooking.

“Next, bath and clothes. Everyone brings their own clothes. Also, for the bath, girls go first, guys after.”

“Okaaay.”

Tomoya gave a good answer, but the two girls froze up?

“What’s wrong?”

“Well, taking a bath at Ryu-kun’s house is, you know…”

Ah, that.

Yeah, that might be worrying. For me too.

“I’m looking forward to it, so I’m fine with it.”

Machida-san seems to have no problem. If she’s okay with it, then I’m fine too.

“Ah, also, we’re going home Sunday night, so please bring enough clothes until then.”

What is Machida-san saying? Is she maybe an idiot? No, she is an idiot.

“Your parents told me that.”

What are those two saying?!

So the idiots were you guys—!

“Yaay, can’t wait.”

Izumi too…

My safe space is disappearing more and more.

Today’s Friday, so 3 days, 2 nights? Alright, time to die.

“So, Izumi, what about the bath?”

“Yeah, well, it’s fine.”

“No, you don’t have to force yourself.”

Please, for bath time, just go back to your own house.

“It’s fine. Ryu-kun’s bath is good.”

Somehow that phrasing sounds kinda weird?

Actually, that’s exactly why it’s not fine.

“Did something happen?”

Machida-san asked. I gotta tell a lie here.

Before she realizes how dangerous Izumi is!

“No, nothing at all.”

I couldn’t come up with a good lie.

“What about sleeping arrangements?”

Yeah, this is the one thing that won’t get decided today.

My safety, my safety. It won’t get decided so easily~!

“Well, let’s decide the rest at Ichikami-kun’s house.”

It was decided by Machida-san’s suggestion.

That’s probably better for my safety anyway.

“Alright, I have to clean up the house, so come over a bit later.”

“Around what time would be good?”

“Let’s see… 5:30 PM, please.”

“Then let’s go shopping together.”

Izumi invited Tomoya and Machida-san.

“Sure.”

“Understood.”

“Alright, I’ll leave that stuff to you three.”

With that, break time ended and I went back to my own classroom.

Sigh… looks like a lot of trouble will be brewing.

※

As soon as school ended, I hurried home.

Luckily, club ended early today.

They’ll be here in about an hour and a half, so I have to clean up fast.

Chapter 27: An Unexpected Sleepover Kickoff!?

Ding-dong.

“Ah, they’re here.”

They really showed up right on time—the three of them.

I opened the door and let them in.

“Come on in.”

Izumi walked in first.

“I’m hooome~.”

“Why are you saying ‘I’m home’ like that?!”

“I’ve been coming to Ryu-kun’s house tons of times since I was little, so it feels like my own home.”

Sure, she’s been coming over since we were kids, but—

“It’s not your house!”

“Someday I’ll make it my house.”

Huh?

No way—is she planning to steal my house?! (T/N: WHY IS THAT YOUR CONCLUSION!?)

“Ichikami-san, you two are taking too long. Hurry up and let us in.”

While Izumi and I were talking, Machida-san came in.

“Ah, sorry. Ask Izumi where the living room is.”

Machida-san went inside with Izumi.

“Izumi-san, where’s Ichikami-kun’s room?”

“Um, it’s on the second floor—”

“Don’t tell her, Izumi!”

“Tch.”

Did you just click your tongue, Machida-san?

“Ryu, hurry up.”

Tomoya, the luggage guy, was waiting.

“You bought a ton.”

“Yeah, we asked everyone’s opinions and before I knew it, it piled up like this.”

There were six bags total—a big supermarket bag and Izumi’s eco-bag.

“How’d you guys pay for this?”

“No idea, but Machida-san covered it.”

I figured she was kinda rich, and yep, checks out.

“Well, let’s head inside.”

“Yeah.”

Tomoya and I each grabbed three bags and went to the living room.

“Izumi, Machida-san, Tomoya—come here for a quick sleepover rundown.”

The three of them came over.

“Alright, we’re kicking off the first sleepover now.”

“Why are you saying it, Machida-san!?”

What’s with her?

“First off, don’t go into Mom and Dad’s bedroom, Aki’s room, or my room.”

“Who’s Aki?”

Machida-san asked.

Ah, right—she doesn’t know about Aki.

“Aki’s my little sister.”

Machida-san tilted her head.

“Where is she?”

“She’s at a sleepover with friends.”

So lonely.

Hurry back home.

“The other rooms are fine?”

Tomoya asked.

“Yeah, pretty much. Not that there’s much to see anyway.”

“Got it.”

“Also, you’re all cleaning up on Sunday night.”

“Ehh—”

“O-okay.”

“Yay!”

Only Izumi’s happy.

“If you don’t know something, ask Izumi or me.”

“Yes.”

Alright, time to start.

“Let’s do this.”

“The first sleepover begins now!”

“Why are you saying it agai—!”

“Yay!”

Whatever, fine.

※

And so, my personal hell of a sleepover began.

Nooo—!

Chapter 28: An Unexpected Bath and Dinner!?

“So, what about the bath?”

I’d cleaned the tub just in case, but they probably won’t use it.

“Since I’ve gotta make dinner too, can I go first?”

Izumi asked Machida-san.

“Of course.”

“Thanks.”

Izumi dashed straight to the bathroom.

“Tomoya, help me put away the stuff we bought.”

“Sure.”

The two of us started sorting through the mountain of ingredients and snacks.

“Ah, I’ll help too.”

Machida-san pitched in.

We hurriedly put everything away together.

“Ichikami-san.”

Machida-san called out while we were cleaning up.

“Yeah?”

“Sorry for pushing you into this today.”

She bowed deeply toward me.

“It’s fine. I was gonna be alone anyway, so having people around is actually nice.”

That’s my honest feeling.

Sure, at first it was way too sudden and annoying, but now it’s kinda fun, so whatever.

“I’m glad you feel that way.”

We kept putting things away.

Machida-san’s really a good person. She’s always serious no matter what, and always aware of what’s around her.

I kinda respect her for that.

“Ryu-kun, I forgot the bath towel!”

Izumi’s voice came from the bathroom.

I grabbed a bath towel and handed it to Machida-san.

“The bathroom’s that way—give this to Izumi, and then you take a bath too, Machida-san.”

“Got it.”

Machida-san headed to the bathroom.

“I forgot my clothes too! The ones for today are in the red bag—bring ‘em!”

“On it!”

I had Machida-san take those too.

“Feels nice and refreshed.”

“Ask Machida-san yourself when she’s around.”

“Okaay.”

This guy doesn’t get it at all.

“Huh? You usually bring them?”

Tomoya asked.

“No clothes since I’m wearing what I had on, but towels? Yeah, sometimes.”

“Hehe.”

This ain’t funny.

She has no idea how much of a hassle it is to hand them over every time.

“How do you hand them over then?”

Good question, Tomoya.

“Stick to the door, make sure not to peek, and pass it through.”

You have no clue how hard it is to not peek.

“Huh, cool.”

You asked but don’t even care.

“Sorry, I’ll be more careful.”

Izumi said with a big grin.

“You better remember that.”

After that, Machida-san finished up, then Tomoya, then me.

“Feels great.”

When I got back to the living room, a nice smell hit me.

“You’re done with your bath too, Ryu-kun? Dinner’s almost ready—let’s set the table.”

Following Izumi’s lead, we got everything ready.

Once we sat down, Izumi brought out the food.

“Hamburg steak? Looks delicious.”

Menu was hamburg steak, onion soup, salad, and rice.

Izumi brought out everything, and we started eating.

It was super tasty.

Glanced at the clock—it was still only 9 PM.

We’ve got movies and stuff ahead.

In this short time, it doesn’t feel like hell at all—might actually turn into a fun sleepover.

Chapter 29: An Unexpected End to Day One!?

“While Izumi-san washes the dishes, let’s get the movie ready over here.”

We were watching a bit of TV when Machida-san gave the order to prep the movie.

I’m pretty sure we bought juice.

“Ryu, where’s the juice?”

Tomoya asked, so I told him it was in the fridge.

He brought back six bottles.

“You bought way too much!”

Can four people really drink that much?

Well, no helping it since we already bought it.

“Ryu, what about snacks?”

Tomoya asked again, so I pointed to the cupboard up top…

I get it already—save the tsukkomi for later.

“Here are the snacks.”

Tomoya grabbed them—nice.

“You bought way too many snacks too!”

No kidding—the table’s buried in juice and snacks.

More importantly, how much did this cost?!

No choice, I pulled out a small table.

“Dishes are done.”

Izumi finished up and came back.

“So, what movie are we watching?”

I left all the movie stuff to them, so I have no clue.

“I found something that looks fun.”

Machida-san showed it off proudly.

“‘Terror Haunted Mansion.’”

“Yes!”

“……”

“What’s wrong?”

“Super B-grade horror flick.”

And what’s this? Doesn’t look scary at all.

“Come on, let’s watch it.”

Machida-san said casually.

Fine, this horror won’t be scary anyway.

The second Machida-san hit play, she turned off the lights.

That’s scarier than the movie.

“Eek!”

I just heard a really cute squeak.

That voice was…

“Machida-san?”

“What? Did I squeak?”

She bit her tongue. Is she the type who’s bad with horror?

“Alright, starting now.”

Machida-san’s hand gripping the remote was shaking.

“Machida-san, you don’t have to force it.”

“Be quiet.”

The movie started.

Even the early non-scary scenes had her shaking.

It got a bit spooky toward the end.

I thought it wouldn’t be scary at all, but surprisingly it was.

About 90 minutes later, it ended.

“Surprisingly scary.”

“Yeah, a little.”

Izumi nodded slightly.

“Really? Wasn’t scary at all.”

Tomoya was grinning like always.

“You’re surprisingly tough with scary stuff.”

“Am I?”

“Yeah.”

I looked over at Machida-san.

“One ghost… two spirits… three monsters…”

Machida-san broke!

I hurriedly shook her awake.

“Hehe, wasn’t scary at all~.”

No way—she’s lisping and teary-eyed.

“Movie’s over.”

I ended the whole thing and cleaned up.

Once we finished, it was bedtime.

We laid out the futons I’d dried earlier in the living room—the two girls slept there.

Tomoya crashed in my room.

“Night.”

I said goodnight to Izumi and Machida-san and headed to my room.

Tomoya was out like a light from exhaustion, so I went to bed too.

Today was surprisingly fun.

With that thought, day one ended.