The Matter of Starting to Live Together With a Long-Time Friend From High School After Becoming a Working Adult - Chapter 33: She Came From Over This Time

Ah, I didn’t even have time to think about saying, “I’ll tell you what just happened as it is.”

I welcomed Arikura at the ticket gate of Urawa Misono Station, but I never expected her to suddenly hug me like that.

Seriously—what happened this time?

Just as I was about to make dinner, I received a message saying she was suddenly coming over, so I thought I’d welcome her and listen to what she had to say, but she ended up in a completely unexpected situation.

Sure, she was full of energy this morning, though.

At the very least, she should have been in a state where she had regained her physical and mental health, and there would have been no issues for anyone to see.

Is she saying that I mistook it for something else?

Such a ridiculous thing――

“Hehe~♪ It’s Katase-kun~♪”

Hmm. It’s kind of like saying it’s not there if she says it’s not, and it is there if she says it is, right?

Although I’m not in a state of mental distress like before, I can’t help but feel that something is off right now.

There are a lot of things I don’t understand, but for now, I can at least say this.

“Arikura. Step back a bit.”

“Huh? Why?”

“…In front of people.”

When I simply said that, Arikura looked up at me in confusion and then glanced around lightly.

Compared to Meguro Station, there are indeed fewer people, but it’s not completely devoid of foot traffic. That’s why passersby naturally glance over.

However, Arikura maintains a calm expression and turns her gaze back to me once again.

“Isn’t it okay if you don’t worry so much?”

“Do it. We’re being watched.”

“Just a quick glance, so it’s fine.”

“That might indeed be a blessing in disguise, but that doesn’t mean it’s all good…”

“Hmph. Katase-kun is so selfish.”

“Being selfish is fine. Just please leave me alone.”

Only after saying that did Arikura finally let go. Although she had a rather reluctant expression. Then, at that moment, a heavy sound, as if crawling from the depths of the earth, could be heard.

“…I’m hungry.”

Arikura holds her stomach as if to literally follow the words, and slumps down. To be honest, I’m the same. It’s already past eight o’clock.

“Let’s go to my place for now. I want to eat too.”

“Huh? Katase-kun’s homemade cooking?”

“I was thinking of doing it at home, but since I don’t want to spend too much time, I’ll just do it at the convenience store.”

“Ah, yeah, that’s right…”

Arikura slightly slumped her shoulders. Was she really looking forward to my cooking that much? Well, I guess that’s a bit nice in its own way.

“Um… I’ll cover the cost of the meal. It’s my fault for barging in.”

“It would be helpful if you could do that.”

“Yeah, leave it to me♪”

This time, she suddenly seems so happy—it’s a bit late to say this, but does Arikura have an unexpectedly unstable emotional side?

I don’t think she was that type of person during our student days.

Is this also a change that comes with becoming a working adult? I felt like she hadn’t changed much, but… hmm, I wonder?

“Hey, hey, Katase-kun!”

Arikura pulled my arm.

“Let’s hurry up. We’re going to be late for dinner!”

“Ugh…”

Looking at it this way, it’s just the usual Arikura Migiwa, but—no, I still don’t really get it.

For now, let’s not worry about the details and just think about what to eat.

――Squeeze♪

Hmm? Instead of making it harder to walk, I can feel a soft and warm sensation directly from my arm.

Well, uh—it’s just that Arikura hugged my arm.

“Arikura-san? Is something the matter all of a sudden?”

“I want to walk like this today♪”

Wow. You completely ignored my honorifics. And what’s with the sudden great mood? I don’t get it at all, Ritsu-kun.

“Hey, Katase-kun, aren’t you getting a bit nervous yourself?”

“Can you really not do this?”

It felt like quite an unreasonable question, so I answered honestly. Since we’re at it, I’ll keep the momentum going and continue speaking.

“I’ve never walked with a woman linking arms with me before.”

“Is that so?”

“That’s right. Don’t underestimate the number of years without a girlfriend.”

“Really…? Then we’re the same♪”

Hmm? What do you mean by “the same”?

“I’ve never had a boyfriend either. In that sense, I’m just like Katase-kun.”

“…Have you never been there?”

“Yeah, totally. I told you before, right? I don’t have any opportunities to meet people at all.”

Come to think of it, did she really say that? I thought we had at least briefly dated, but was that not even the case?

Well, that aside, there’s one thing I’m curious about.

“Considering that, you sure do hug me so boldly, huh?”

“Because I don’t want to let you go.”

“No, no, I’m not trying to run away or anything.”

“Still, though. I won’t let go until we get home.”

“Eh?”

I feel like I’ve been told something like an outrageous trial or challenge.

Even at this point, the feeling in my arm is terrible!

It smells incredibly good, and I can’t help but be aware of the soft and warm feeling around my arms. I can’t help but sincerely think from the bottom of my heart that you have two magnificent melons. This is truly something that I want to loudly proclaim is unavoidable for a man. But I won’t, because it would be a nuisance to the neighbors.

“Absolutely—I’m never letting you go♪”

That smile seemed to show that she was completely sincere.

At the same time, I can’t help but think that it’s pointless to say anything now. It would be quicker to just accept it straightforwardly.

“Alright, alright, I understand. Just do as you please.”

“――Yeah♪ Then I’ll do as I please♪”

In the end, after that, Arikura never really stopped clinging to my arm.