So You’re Telling Me I’m in My Popular Phase!? - Chapter 9: An Unexpected Shopping Trip for Two!?

Chapter 9: An Unexpected Shopping Trip for Two!?

While I was sleeping comfortably, the notification sound from my phone woke me up.

When I checked what it was, it was a message from Izumi.

I forced my sleepy brain to work and checked it with my eyes half-open.

“Good morning, Ryu-kun. Are you free today? I want you to help me with shopping for a bit—would that be okay?”

It’s rare for Izumi to ask for help with something.

Most of the time she either goes by herself, or if it’s sudden like last time, she asks in advance.

Maybe she’s buying something heavy.

Well, I’ve got nothing to do today, so I’ll go.

“Okay. What time and where should I go, and where are we going?”

I thought I’d go back to sleep after sending that, but she replied right away.

“I want to buy a bunch of things, so I’m thinking of going to the nearby department store. Is it okay to meet in front of the station around 1:00 PM?”

I checked the time on my phone and it was already past 11:00.

Even I think I slept way too much.

But if it’s that time now, I’ve got plenty of time, so it’s not a problem.

“Okay, then 1:00 PM at the station.”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

I forced my body to get up and went downstairs.

“Ah, you’re finally awake. Well, it’s already 11:00 though. You’re really stupid, you know. And creepy.”

When I entered the living room, there was an angel sitting on the sofa, watching TV.

Her very first words to her big brother after waking up were insults, huh.

Well, I love Aki like that too—bring on the verbal abuse!

I’m not an M or anything, though.

“Sorry. If I’d gotten up earlier, we could’ve talked a lot.”

“I’m going to study, so start cooking the rice, okay? Also, just rice is enough to complete lunch.”

Huh—did she just ignore what I said?

“Got it. Oh, also, I’m going shopping with Izumi today.”

“Hm. Then you probably don’t need to go to the library.”

“Did something happen?”

“If you’re around, I can’t focus on studying, right? So I was planning to go to the library, but now I don’t have to, so it’s lucky for me—that’s all.”

After saying that, Aki went to her room.

Maybe my little sister is in her rebellious phase.

Cute.

After rinsing the rice, I studied in the living room too.

The rice finished cooking, and after Aki and I ate lunch together, it was already 12:30.

“Oh crap—alright, I’m heading out.”

I hurriedly got ready and jogged toward the station.

It’s about a 10-minute walk to the station, so if I keep this pace, I should make it.

※

I arrived in front of the station five minutes before our meeting time, and a few seconds later, Izumi showed up too.

“Sorry, Ryu-kun—did I keep you waiting?”

Izumi said that classic “anime trope” line.

Hearing it in real life is pretty damn calculated.

If we’re playing along, the correct reply would be, “No, I just got here,” but…

“Izumi got here instantly, so it’s fine.”

I’m not saying it.

There’s no way I’m saying it.

“Hm. Okay, good.”

I feel like she got a little irritated, but… it’s probably just my imagination.

After that, the two of us got on the train and headed to the department store we were aiming for.

At this moment, nobody knew what was going to happen later.

…Or is thinking that in my head all by myself just chuunibyou?