The Beautiful Girl I Accidentally Helped Who Has Somehow Become Attached To Me.

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After-School Additional Time.

The final bell had rung, signaling the end of all classes and even the homeroom meeting. As the classroom bustled with the usual noise of students packing up, I quietly gathered my things, aiming to slip out before the hallway became too crowded.

Just as I stood up, my phone vibrated in my pocket.

“Huh?”

It was rare to get a notification at this hour, so I fished out my phone, swiped the screen, and—there it was. A message from Mikami-san.

“Shall we go home together?”

What?

I stared at the screen, frozen, as another notification buzzed. I clicked it open to see her follow-up message.

“I’ll be waiting at the usual spot.”

Waiting… for me? Without even waiting for a response?

…Seriously?

***

I waited a bit until the flow of students in the hallway calmed down before heading to our usual spot. This was actually my first time going there for a reason other than lunch.

“Sorry for being late.”

“I thought you weren’t coming since you took so long,” Mikami-san said, closing the book she had been reading and putting it away while giving me a pointed look.

I had been so surprised by her message that I stared at my screen five times before finally making a move.

“It was sudden, so I was taken aback. And seriously, you didn’t even ask if I wanted to join!”

“Fufuu~, is that so?”

Her response was cheeky, leaving me no option to decline. I wasn’t sure how much of this was planned, but given that I had come all the way here, it felt like I was in the palm of her hand.

“But why the sudden invitation? Don’t you have other friends to hang out with?” I asked, curious.

“That’s right. So I decided to go home with you, Kirishima-san,” she replied with a smile.

“…Is that so?”

“Yes, it is.”

She said it without a hint of embarrassment. It was hard to believe that someone like her would want to spend time with someone like me. But if that’s what she wanted, I couldn’t complain.

Being honest with her feelings. That’s what she wanted, and… I didn’t mind at all.

But still… friends, huh? Who would have thought my first friend would turn out to be such a high-profile person? Life is full of surprises.

“Is something wrong?” she asked, noticing my brief pause.

“No, it’s nothing. Let’s go,” I said, brushing off the thought.

I felt my expression soften for a moment, so I turned my back to her, waiting for her to stand up before starting to walk.

***

After exiting the school gate, I cautiously call out to Mikami-san, who has inexplicably started walking in the opposite direction from my home.

“Um, Mikami-san? That’s the wrong way; are you perhaps lost?”

“I’m not lost. I’m just taking a detour.”

That’s quite unexpected.

However, the idea of a detour feels somewhat… youthful.

“By the way, you’re not in any clubs, are you, Kirishima-san?”

“Oh, what about you, Mikami-san?”

“I’m not in any either.”

“Really? You seem like you’d be great at sports; it feels like such a waste.”

“…Ah, speaking of that during PE class… You shouldn’t be daydreaming in class, you know?”

“I was in study hall! Besides, you were waving over there, too.”

“Now that you mention it, that’s true.”

It seems we were both guilty of daydreaming during class.

“So, what about you, Kirishima-san? Weren’t you interested in joining a club?”

“I live alone, you see. If I join a club and stay late, it would make things quite complicated. That’s why I chose this school, where joining a club isn’t mandatory.”

Some schools require all students to participate in clubs, but this one allows for freedom. Given my circumstances of living alone, I wanted to avoid the situation where I’d be exhausted from mandatory club activities, leading to a disrupted daily routine and neglecting my studies.

If I accidentally joined a sports club, I can already envision myself returning home utterly worn out, only to collapse before I can even prepare dinner. I might end up falling asleep right there, completely neglecting my assignments and becoming the kind of delinquent student who is frequently late.

“So you live alone, Kirishima-san.”

“Yeah, I’d like to get used to it sooner.”

I’m just beginning to adjust, but at first, the change in environment caused me to catch a cold, which forced me to miss the entrance ceremony.

Unlike before, when my parents would wake me up, now I struggle to get up in the morning.

“It’s impressive to be living alone at your age.”

“It’s my parents’ policy. Sure, getting used to living alone might be useful for college, but there’s no need to throw me into it during my first year of high school.”

“I suppose that’s true. While it’s a valuable experience, it’s undeniably tough.”

“…I didn’t mean to complain.”

I realize I’ve been speaking quickly and pouring out my worries, which might have made Mikami-san feel uneasy.

“Since our homes are close, please don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need anything, okay?”

“…Yeah, I’ll take you up on that.”

Mikami-san peered into my face with a worried expression, her gentle tone warming my heart.

“I’m sorry for dragging you along without knowing you lived alone.”

“It’s fine. If anything, I appreciate it. I’d just be alone at home anyway. It’s nice to have days like this once in a while.”

She’s the only acquaintance and friend who threatens my solitary existence.

There was never any need for her to hold back; she can disturb my solitude as much as she wants.

“Since we’re taking a detour, let’s leave the gloominess behind. So… where are you taking me?”

“I heard a new crepe shop opened on that street, and I’d like to check it out.”