The Beautiful Senpai from the Archery Club Is Sleeping in My Room with Her Stomach Exposed. - Chapter 2: Rare Midnight Event— 2

Rare Midnight Event— 2

I rubbed my eyes a few times, suspecting that I might be hallucinating.

But no, the image of the tired-looking senpai didn’t disappear. Is this what they mean by “talk about the devil”?

Wearing an expensive-looking outerwear, Watanuki-senpai was holding a few cans and quickly turning back toward the store shelves.

Her swift movements, although just part of her everyday routine, had a certain “sharpness” to them, almost as if they were deliberate. It was the same kind of movement I had seen this morning.

Wait… So Watanuki-senpai buys a huge amount of energy drinks this late at night? That was an unexpected revelation. My previously formed fantasy about her shattered in an instant.

Well, I guess it doesn’t really matter much that my impression of her changed. She’s a senpai with whom I have zero interaction, after all.

I should hurry and get the errand done. I picked up two ice creams that Mei liked and headed for the checkout — Wait, senpai, you haven’t finished checking out yet?

Since this convenience store doesn’t have self-checkout, I could easily see how the payment was progressing.

The displayed amount was just under 7,000 yen. That’s a lot of money for a high school student.

Watanuki-senpai took a few bills from her money clip and carefully placed them on the counter. The male cashier, who had piercings, spoke in a rather indifferent tone.

“Would you like to earn points?”

“Oh, I’m not a member… but since it’s a large purchase, I’d like to if possible.”

“Then, could you install the app?”

“Okay…”

With a tired voice, Watanuki-senpai started rummaging through the deep pocket of her black jacket, only to pause.

“…Actually, I’ll pass on the points. I forgot my phone…”

What? How unfortunate… My initial impression of Watanuki-senpai was already flying away. She had this completely pitiful aura about her.

When she picked up the two bags that had already been packed, the cans of energy drink inside clinked together.

They seemed pretty heavy, but I guess a sports club member’s strength could manage it. I wouldn’t be able to carry that; I can barely do five push-ups. My arms would fall off!

But why would she buy so many energy drinks? I used to drink them when I wanted to get hyped for ranked matches. Maybe Watanuki-senpai needs to focus on something important too.

“Thank you very much.”

Before I could think more, the transaction seemed to have finished.

As she was leaving, Watanuki-senpai turned and gave a polite bow to the customer waiting behind her — which was me.

And then… 

“Wait, what!?”

I froze for a moment, my mind racing. Watanuki-senpai, who had appeared somewhat surprised when she saw my face, seemed flustered. But no, it was probably just my imagination. After all, we had zero relationship.

There was no way she’d be thrown off by someone like me. I must be overthinking this.

Still, I couldn’t help but feel like I had witnessed a rare event. With that strange feeling, I moved toward the now-empty checkout counter.

My own transaction was quickly completed. Like a routine task, I paid swiftly, eager to get back to Mei with the ice cream and enjoy it in my room… and then I could relax and unwind for the rest of the night. That was the plan as I left the convenience store.

But then—

“Aren’t you Amemoto-kun, the first-year?”

“Huh?”

Having someone wait for me after I’ve already left the store? That’s an experience that rarely happens in my life.

And the fact that it was Watanuki-senpai made me so shocked I almost lost my balance. If I hadn’t practiced controlling my emotions, I might have collapsed on the spot shouting “Waaaah!” or something.

“Y-yeah, that’s me… Is there something wrong?”

“I’m Watanuki Rino, a second-year student. We go to the same school. Do you know me?”

No, I didn’t know her until this morning. In fact, I just learned her first name now.

I didn’t want to sound too blunt about it, so I avoided saying something like “I didn’t know you at all until now.” Instead, I gave her my best forced smile, trying not to seem uncomfortable.

“Well, I’ve heard rumors about you. You’re kind of famous at school, right?”

She was probably famous, considering how some of my classmates seemed to be fans of hers.

Though, if I was wrong, I’d be embarrassed—fortunately, Watanuki-senpai nodded in agreement. Phew, I wasn’t wrong. Still, why did I act like I knew that?

“It’s a bit exaggerated to call me famous. I know I tend to get a bit of attention, but I’m aware of it. So, I’d prefer if you kept the fact that we ran into each other here a secret.”

“Ah, I understand. Got it.”

If news got out about her buying a ton of energy drinks in the middle of the night, it might cause her some trouble. So, it made sense that she’d want to keep it private.

“Can you keep it a secret?”

“Yeah, of course. I won’t tell anyone. Actually, I have a question too, if you don’t mind me asking—”

How did you even know my name when I’m just the quiet guy who doesn’t stand out?

Before I could ask, Watanuki-senpai let out a huge sigh of relief and slumped slightly.

“Thank goodness…” Her long sigh dissolved into the quiet air of the residential area.

“Uwaa… I think… now that the tension has eased… I might be feeling a bit… sick…”

“Huh? Are you okay? Can you move?”

“…I think it’s a bit bad… I’ll probably need a break for a while…”

In a parking lot with no cars parked, Watanuki-senpai, looking pale and unwell, crouched down while clutching two heavy bags. Beside her, the ice cream I’d bought with Mei was starting to melt. The time was nearing midnight.

Could this be… an emergency?

I hesitated, unsure of what to do, but Watanuki-senpai weakly smiled at me.

“Ah, I’m sorry if I’m causing trouble… it’s probably anemia. It happens occasionally, so don’t worry about it. I’ll just rest here for a bit.”

She wobbled to her feet, then crouched down again by a campaign flag, looking like she needed a break.

…Rest here? In this chilly weather? Couldn’t she call her family to pick her up? Oh wait, no, she doesn’t have her phone with her.

“Do you need to contact anyone? I can lend you my phone if you’d like.”

“No… I sneaked out from home… I don’t want anyone to find out.”

Her voice, weakened from her condition, grew quieter, but there was still determination in it.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine after resting a bit…”

No way. Realistically, I couldn’t just say “Okay, well, see you then!” to a senpai who seemed like she was about to collapse.

So… what should I do?

Based on my past experience, it’s best to make decisions quickly. I acted on the idea that had immediately come to my mind.

“U-um… this might seem presumptuous, considering we have no relationship, but…”

“Hmm? What is it?”

I took out my phone and dialed Mei’s number, handing it to Watanuki-senpai. Her pale, refined face looked up at me in confusion, and her trembling hand reached out to take the phone.

“My house is only a two-minute walk away. If you want, you could rest there for a bit. I also have an older sister in the same grade as you, so it’s fine.”

‘Heyyy, what’s up? Oh, wait, don’t tell me… you forgot to grab the ice cream that I like, right? Don’t worry, I’m so nice, I’ll remind you as many times as you need!☆’

“That voice… is that Amemoto Mei-san from the next class?”

‘W-who are you!? Who is this girl!?’

Even though I hadn’t put the phone on speaker, Mei’s voice still managed to cut through the air so clearly.

If Watanuki-senpai knew I had such a lively sister, she might feel more at ease. After all, inviting someone into your home at night, especially a woman with health issues, wasn’t the best idea, particularly for a high school guy.

But I couldn’t just leave a senpai like this, struggling to breathe and shivering in the cold.

“It might just be me being nosy, but I think it’s dangerous for a woman to be out here alone at this time of night when she’s not feeling well.”

“Hmm… is it really okay?”

Her hesitation was clear, and she looked at me with serious eyes, making sure.

“Yes, of course. If you feel uncomfortable, you can turn me down. I mean…”

‘Tsuyaaa, explain yourself! Wait, is this your number? What’s going on? Are you using this as an excuse for a late-night date? I’m gonna cry, you know? First, no ice cream, so I cry, and second, my cute little brother suddenly has a mysterious girlfriend, so I cry even more!’

“Honestly, it might end up being a hassle for us siblings, so if you’re okay with it…”

“Fufu~. Well then, I guess I’ll take you up on your offer… You will need to explain things to your sister anyway.”

Watanuki-senpai agreed to take a break at my house, despite Mei’s mischief and expanding misunderstandings.

I let out a quiet sigh of relief that my bold suggestion was accepted. Of course, I didn’t show it.

“Alright, let’s take it slow. I’ll carry both bags for you.”

“Really? That would help a lot… I don’t think I could carry them alone right now. I’ve been struggling.”

She gave me a faint, tired smile. It was more human than the flawless one from earlier this morning. Honestly, I liked this one better.

By the way, even though I suggested it myself, I couldn’t help but wonder if I could actually carry these two heavy bags of energy drinks.

…I should probably prepare myself for a dislocated shoulder or something.