The Most Beautiful Girl in School Has Become a Mother - Chapter 16: Suspicions of Motherly Hobby Arise Again

“U-um… when should I start playing the role of mother?”

After finishing the crepes, to break the awkward silence, Imiya-san spoke.

In just these few minutes, there was the indirect kiss incident—though Imiya-san doesn’t seem to have noticed—and the cream-on-the-cheek finger incident, so it was quite a hassle.

I can’t help but feel that my lifespan has definitely shortened by three years. Crepes are terrifying.

“Um… since tomorrow is Saturday, shall we do it tomorrow? Is your schedule okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Should I go to Sanada-kun’s house?”

At the sudden proposal, I couldn’t help but flinch.

Imiya-san is coming to our place… An unimaginable situation was about to unfold.

“This helps us out, but… is it okay?”

“Yeah. Shuri-chan will probably be able to relax too, so I think that’s better.”

That’s true.

It’s not like she’s coming over to see me. For a moment, I got my hopes up thinking that Imiya-san was coming to our place, but she was just coming to play the role of Shuri’s mother.

“Well, I get nervous…”

“Huh, why?”

“Why, you ask…? I’ve never been to a boy’s house before.”

“It’s strange not to be nervous,” Imiya-san says, puffing her cheeks slightly.

Apparently, it seems that she really has kept her distance from boys throughout her life. This must be the first time she’s going out somewhere with a boy. That’s why earlier, she was treating me as if I were Sumomo.

──She’s so cute and popular, yet… I wonder why she never got a boyfriend until now.

Looking at her profile as she seems embarrassed, I suddenly think so.

Sumomo was speculating that Imiya-san’s parents might be involved, but in reality, she didn’t know. However, seeing her talk like this, it didn’t seem like she particularly disliked boys.

“For now, here’s the link to our map…”

I thought about it and opened my smartphone, but I didn’t know her contact information.

Is it okay to ask for contact information in situations like this?

“Um… do you want to exchange LINE IDs?”

She must have sensed what I wanted to say. Imiya-san hesitantly offered.

LINE is a messaging app that includes messaging and calling features, as well as various other functions such as electronic money. Many Japanese people use it, and it is common to use this app to communicate with close friends and family.

That said, I’ve only exchanged contact information with Shinya, my dad, and a few other guys. Girls are out of the question.

Since Imiya-san provided the QR code for her account, I scanned it to register her contact information, and she also registered from there.

“I exchanged LINE with a boy for the first time.”

“Weren’t you asked until now?”

“I was asked, but I always just gave vague answers to dodge it. It seemed like exchanging would only lead to more trouble.”

“Well… most of the time, there’s an ulterior motive, right?”

If she was that popular, even more so.

If she exchanges one, others will probably come rushing in too, and she won’t be able to tell who is who, resulting in a mountain of unread messages.

“How about Sanada-kun…?”

“Huh?”

“Do you have ulterior motives too, Sanada-kun?”

“Th-there’s no way! My house! It’s because I need to send you my address!”

To prove it, I pasted my address and a map and sent it to Imiya-san.

She is watching me in a flutter, giggling softly.

“Oh, Sanada-kun lives around here.”

“Have you been here before?”

When she opened the map app and checked our location, Imiya-san muttered those words.

“No, but it’s not that far. I think it’s within walking distance.”

“Where does Imiya-san live?”

“I’m in the eastern town’s third block. It’s really close to that supermarket.”

When it comes to the eastern town’s third block, it’s roughly halfway between Shuri’s daycare and our house. Although the middle school district is different, it seems we were neighbors more than I thought.

“If it’s the third block, wouldn’t the bus be faster? I’ll cover the bus fare.”

“That’s fine, I can walk there.”

Imiya-san pointed to the crepe wrapper and said, “You’ve already paid for the crepes, haven’t you?”

I want to at least cover the transportation costs, but she wouldn’t back down on that. She doesn’t want to make her classmates pay that much.

──Even though I’m the only one asking for favors… she’s really such a kind person.

Somehow, I feel like I’m the one who should be apologizing.

Well, if she’s saying that, then I’ll take advantage of her kindness. I can gradually repay her with things like paying for meals, school matters, and other aspects.

“Um… let me introduce myself again.”

Just when I thought Imiya-san had folded the wrapping paper and thrown it into the trash can next to the bench, she stood up straight.

“I’m not the most capable mom, but please take care of me.”

And then, she bows to me.

“Y-You too! I  may not be a very considerate son, but… wait, what?”

I also hurriedly stood up and bowed, but then I realized the absurdity of my own words.

Why am I becoming a son?

“Just as I thought… Does Sanada-kun have a motherly-like hobby?”

With a mischievous laugh, Imiya-san asks with interest.

“N-no! That’s not it! I mean, I’m Shuri’s older brother, and if Imiya-san is going to play the role of Shuri’s mother, then I should be a child too, right?!”

“But, we’re the same age, right?”

“Yeah, but! Anyway, this conversation is over!”

“Eh? I want to hear a bit more.”

As usual, Imiya-san is in teasing mode, but if she digs any deeper into this topic, she might end up digging her own grave.

Just because we’re the same age, if I were to say that I’m the dad and Imiya-san is the mom, it would be awkward in a different way.

In the end, my suspicion about my motherly hobby wasn’t cleared, but for now, I’ve secured the promise for tomorrow. I can say I’ve cleared a major hurdle.

The rest depends on what happens tomorrow when Imiya-san comes over and how things go with Shuri. I can’t predict that at all.

First of all, I vowed to thoroughly clean the house when I got home.