The Beautiful Girl I Accidentally Helped Who Has Somehow Become Attached To Me. - Chapter 9: Morning Ambush.

Morning Ambush.

“Yawn~~~~… So sleepy.”

I drag my feet as I walk, yawning all the way. Here comes Monday—the day dreaded by both students and working adults alike.

It’s no wonder. The relaxing weekend has ended, and now it’s back to studies or work. It’s only natural to feel a bit down.

Although it’s only the start of my high school life, I can’t help but feel this way about the beginning of each week. Actually, I’d like to think that most people aren’t exactly brimming with motivation on their way to school…

With a sigh, I stop by a convenience store along my route—a little ritual I do to secure today’s meal.

This small pleasure is the one thing that makes these gloomy Monday mornings bearable. I carefully choose the bread that’ll fuel me for the day, enjoying the selection process.

Anticipating that first bite helps me power through classes. Honestly, if I make a poor choice here, my motivation for the day might just plummet.

The automatic doors slide open, and the store clerk greets me with a tired “welcome.” I really appreciate their hard work, especially this early in the morning.

After passing by the sleepy-looking clerk at the register, I turn right to where the bread is displayed.

But the moment I step into the aisle, I freeze.

There, comparing different types of bread in her hands with an adorable expression, is Mikami Hina. When she notices me, she puts the bread down and turns in my direction.

“Good morning, Kirishima-san.”

“Oh… good morning. What are you doing here?”

“I thought I’d wait here, figuring you’d show up.”

Honestly, I was surprised when Mikami-san suddenly popped into view. Sure, we’d agreed to meet up “again,” but I’d assumed that meant at school, so I was totally unprepared.

But how did she even know…?

I’d mentioned in passing that I sometimes buy lunch at a convenience store on my way to school… so that’s how she figured it out.

Also, ever since that incident, she now knows we live in the same apartment building, so it makes sense she’d be able to guess my route to school.

But still…

“There’s another convenience store a little further down, isn’t there? What would you have done if I’d gone there instead?”

“…That’s a good point.”

“Well, I happened to choose this one today, so it all worked out.”

“Once again, Kirishima-san’s whims have saved me.”

At first, Mikami-san looked rather pleased with herself for finding me, but she slowly deflated, a little embarrassed. Seeing her go from her usual cool demeanor to showing these subtle expressions is adorable. Her radiant beauty this early in the morning almost hurts my eyes.

“Hey, why didn’t you just message me? Since we exchanged contacts, you could’ve asked, you know?”

“…True. I’ll remember to do that from now on.”

She’s the first person I exchanged contacts with since starting high school. Sure, sending random stickers can be fun, but it’s nice to use it to actually make plans sometimes.

“Alright. Now that we’ve learned something today… Let’s see, what should I pick?”

“Kirishima-san, do you have any recommendations?”

“Eh? Why?”

“Well, I thought I’d try buying some bread today. You always seem to enjoy yours so much, so it made me curious.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful.”

For someone like Mikami-san, who always brings a neatly packed lunch, to be interested in convenience store bread because of me… I’ll have to make sure she gets a proper introduction to it.

“So, what kind do you want? Something sweet, something savory? Or just plain bread?”

“Not plain bread. I’d like to try what you usually eat.”

There are a lot of types of bread, after all. Although she dismissed my suggestion of plain bread, her choice narrowed things down a bit.

“Alright, that puts us in the realm of savory breads. Hm… this is a tough choice.”

“Do you always think this much about it?”

“Not usually, but since this is going to end up in your hands, I can’t be too casual about it.”

“Um… if you take too long, we might end up late, so you don’t have to stress over it.”

She glances back and forth between me and the clock on the wall, starting to look a bit anxious. She waited for me to show up, which means she’s also running late.

This is tricky. But we don’t have a lot of time to spend on deliberations.

“How about… we just get a few different kinds and do a taste test? I don’t normally eat that much, but it’s not like I have a small appetite. And anything extra, I’ll take care of.”

“Uh, um…”

“Alright, I’ll go pay. Wait here for a sec.”

There are too many good options to choose just one, so I’ll grab a bunch. Besides, I’m a high school guy in my prime—I’ll handle it.

I quickly grab a handful of bread, toss in a drink, and head to the register. Once I finish up and step outside, Mikami-san is there, urging, “Hurry up!”

“Kirishima-san, let’s hurry! We’re going to be late!”

“…Wait, seriously?”

I guess I ended up spending more time deciding than I thought. Mikami-san opens her phone to show me the time, and seeing just how close we are to being late sends a chill down my spine.

“Come on, let’s go!”

“Uh, wait… hold on…”

Before I know it, Mikami-san grabs my hand and starts running.

“If we run, we can make it!”

“…Yeah, you’re right.”

When I think about it, there’s plenty I could be focusing on—like the fact that we’re heading to school together, or that we’re holding hands…

But instead, there’s the bright, beating sun above us, and Mikami-san’s smile shining just as brilliantly.

Running with her like this, on the verge of being late—this whole moment feels like something straight out of a high school romance.