When I Brought The Lost Little Girl To Her House, The One Who Came Out Of The Front Door Was The Most Beautiful Girl In The Grade.

I ended up going inside Shirakawa’s house again.

I had initially said I would wait outside, but Shirakawa gave me a look of disbelief and said, “Huh? What are you saying? It’s so hot outside, I’d be really worried if you ended up with heatstroke. Come inside. In fact, just come in.”

“…Well then, I guess I’ll intrude for a bit.”

I couldn’t really help it when she insisted like that. I had no choice but to go along with it.

Well, it wouldn’t be a joke if I actually got heatstroke. That’s right, I entered her house with the sole purpose of not getting heat stroke.

I sat on the living room sofa and drank the cold barley tea that Shirakawa brought out for me.

As I gulped it down, I felt like it was the most delicious thing ever.

They say that hunger is the best seasoning when eating, but maybe the most satisfying way to enjoy a drink is when you’re thirsty.

***

After waiting a few minutes, Shirakawa appeared wearing a white T-shirt with a single design and jeans. It was a very casual outfit, probably suitable for going shopping at a supermarket or convenience store.

Of course, it wasn’t a date with her boyfriend, so there was no need to dress up. But when Shirakawa wore it, even the most casual attire looked stylish. Or rather, she looked fashionable.

“Sorry for making you wait. Let’s go then!”

With an energetic voice, I gulped down the remaining barley tea and we left her house.

“So, where are we going?”

Suddenly, I became curious, and since I’m going along, I think I have the right to know.

Shirakawa put her index finger on her cheek, as if contemplating something. “Hmm, I think I need onions, carrots, pork, and maybe some curry roux. That should be enough…”

“Wait a second, I wanted to know where we’re going, not what you’re buying.”

“Huh? Well, didn’t you figure it out from what I said just now?”

Well, anyone who hears what she said would assume it’s somewhere other than a supermarket.

“Alright, you can buy one thing too,” she added.

“Huh? Are you sure?”

“Yeah! Of course! Besides, you’ll be carrying the bags for me.”

“Well then, I’ll take you up on that offer.”

“Also, I feel bad for what I did earlier,” she continued.

“I don’t think you feel bad at all, with that stiff line.”

“Caught me? Haha.” She said this while smiling. It was the smile of a top-ranking student.

However, despite her playful smile, did she want me to react that way? Shirakawa blushed and looked embarrassed.

For some reason, she lightly punched me. I didn’t understand. I felt really confused.

“We’re almost there… What I said earlier, um, that…”

“What about it?”

“Forget it…” she said, embarrassedly gazing at me. It was a very cute and innocent gesture, like a small animal.

Usually, she gives off a cool and beautiful older sister vibe, but maybe this is her true self, or her everyday self.

If the boys at school found out about this, they would go crazy over the gap. Just like how I feel like I’m going to die right now.

I even started to have ridiculous fantasies, like her popularity soaring, and fan clubs and photo albums being created for her.

Well, I can’t say it will definitely happen…

***

As Shirakawa said, we arrived soon, and it seemed to be a supermarket in an extremely secluded spot where not many school students come.

So, I felt relieved knowing that we wouldn’t be seen by other school students here.

“Alright, from here on, you can go and get whatever you want. I’ll be here,” Shirakawa said.

“No, I’ll come with you,” I replied.

“Huh? But… it might take a while, you know?”

“Haha, I don’t mind at all.”

Shirakawa didn’t seem fully convinced, but I genuinely didn’t mind if it took longer. Besides, I didn’t have many things I wanted to buy.

Another reason was that I didn’t think it was safe for Shirakawa to be alone, even in a supermarket. People passing by kept stealing glances at her, and some women even seemed mesmerized. I couldn’t just leave her alone, as I’d be responsible if anything happened to her.

Shopping with Shirakawa felt like being with a newlywed. It was amazing how she could quickly put cheaper vegetables in the basket than usual, and there were deals like being able to buy two eggs for oneself instead of just one per person.

I couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like if we got married. I wondered if it would be like this.

“Alright, let’s go to the sweets section for the final stop.”

At the end, we stopped by the sweets section, and I picked up a bag of potato chips and put it in the cart.

“Thank you very much,” I said.

“No, no, thank you!”

She joined in with a playful manner. I found it much more enjoyable when she played along instead of just ignoring it.

After that, we went to the cashier to pay, but the cashier, an older woman, asked if she was my girlfriend, which made the situation a bit awkward.

I denied it, but for some reason, when we were leaving the supermarket, Shirakawa seemed visibly annoyed and in a bad mood.

***

“Here! These are the potato chips as a thank you!”

After we arrived in front of Shirakawa’s house, she took out the potato chips from the bag and thrust them in front of me.

“Why are you so angry?”