The youthful romantic comedy between my “commuting wife” and me is too sweet!! - Chapter 4

Episode 4

The seventh period ended, and with it, the short homeroom session that followed, finally concluding the day’s schedule.

After the spring break and a brief stretch of shorter school days, this was the first time in a while we had a full seven periods.

It had taken its toll on me, and by the latter half, I was fighting to keep my eyes open.

Stretching my weary body, I rotated my neck in circles, feeling the stiffness in every joint.

It had been a while since I got any decent exercise, I thought idly, when Miu approached my desk, bag in hand.

“Souma-san, I’m on cleaning duty this week…”

“Oh, yeah. I know.”

I added that I wasn’t on cleaning duty this week.

This week, Miu was on cleaning duty, while my turn was next week.

Our cleaning schedules were arranged based on attendance numbers, alternating each week.

As a result, Miu and I would never be assigned cleaning duties simultaneously throughout the year.

“Well, I’ll just find somewhere to kill time while I wait for you.”

“Thank you! It’s such a nice day today, how about we walk home together afterward?”

“Walk? I’m fine with that, but won’t it make you get home late?”

I glanced out the window at the sky as I asked.

On days with seven periods, classes end past 5:00 PM.

Adding the cleaning duty afterward, we’d be leaving school around 5:30 PM.

If we walked all the way to my station from school, even in April, the sun would have completely set by the time we arrived.

For reference, I live in Hasegasaki, which is two stops from school in Hachigahama.
It’s within walking distance, but I usually take the train to commute.

On the other hand, Miu lives in Fujisawa, which is at the end of the same railway line.

She needs to ride the train for about 20 minutes, and since the Enoshima Electric Railway is a local line, the train frequency is low.

If the timing isn’t right, she can end up arriving in Fujisawa quite late.

“I don’t mind if I’m late, okay? I’m just going to take the train from Hasegasaki…and besides…”

She added shyly, I want to walk with you.

Being told this by my girlfriend, there was no reason to refuse.

“Well, if you’re okay with it, I don’t see a problem.”

“Okay, then we’ll walk.”

Despite still being in the classroom, Miu reached out to touch my hand.

In response, I gently laced my fingers with hers, just barely intertwining them.

For a few moments, we played with each other’s fingers, almost like a secret game.

Recently, Miu had been more open about initiating physical contact.

The dagger-like glares from Yuuta and the other guys in class were practically stabbing me in the back, but seeing her so happy made it impossible for me to tell her to stop.

And truthfully, I didn’t want her to.

“I’ll finish cleaning quickly!”

After saying that, Miu let go of my hand and scurried off to her assigned duties.

As I watched her retreating figure, I turned to Yuuta, who was packing up.

“Hey, Yuuta. If you’re free, want to kill some time—”

“No chance in hell!”

“Thought so…”

“Though… I am kinda free, so I’ll hang out anyway.”

“You’re a good guy.”

Despite his constant complaints, Yuuta was always there to keep me company.

He really is a good guy.

Until Miu finished her cleaning duties, I passed the time playing mobile games with Yuuta.

Although his sharp tongue never rested, his presence was always appreciated.

“Damn it! Why can’t I even win in a game against a guy who has a girlfriend?! Life is so unfair!”

Yuta exploded after several rounds.

I tried to lose on purpose to keep things even, but finding the right balance was trickier than I thought.

“You keep using the same predictable moves, that’s why.”

“GAHHHH! One more round! Just one more!”

“Sure, sure…”

Honestly, while I loved spending time with Miu, I also enjoyed these silly moments with Yuuta.

He could be loud and over-the-top, but these trivial exchanges made my days feel fuller.

Life was chaotic, but it was also fun and exciting.

Even mundane waiting periods like this felt meaningful now.

And that was mostly thanks to Miu.

I still can’t believe it, I thought.

Just a few months ago, my days were empty.

Ever since quitting my middle school club, a sense of hollowness had been my constant companion.

That void was inescapable.

The best I could do was distract myself—joking around with Yuuta or working part-time jobs.

I had resigned myself to the idea that this was just how life would be.

But the time I spent with Miu changed everything.

She turned those empty days into something vibrant and full of life.

Of course, I still haven’t found anything I can seriously dedicate myself to, nor a dream to pursue.

Even so, it feels like I’ve made much more progress compared to the gray, empty days I used to live.