When I Was Rejected and Returned Home, My Childhood Friend, Who Should Have Been Distant, Was in My Room

Chapter 14: Loan 1

The next morning, Himuro came to my house again, and we went to school together. She arrived a bit late today, but she made it just as I was about to leave.

“Have a good day, you two,” my mom said.

“See ya,” I replied.

“I’ll be back, Maiko-san,” Himuro said politely.

I replied casually, while Himuro bowed politely before we left the house. Mom seemed busy today, so she didn’t pack me a lunch. I carried a slightly lighter bag and thought about the school store’s options.

“Masamune, you seem excited,” Himuro observed.

“Doesn’t a different lunch make you kinda hyped? Like those rare bento days in elementary school,” I said.

“I get that feeling. It’s not that school lunch or bentos are bad, but a change in food gives a bit of an unusual vibe, right?” Himuro agreed.

“Exactly! Maybe I’ll dash to the store with Shogo today,” I said.

“Hmm, probably fine, right?” Himuro replied.

Himuro said something odd. I didn’t think she was into the school store.

“Is something up today?” I asked.

When I asked, she looked away.

“Who knows? You’ll find out soon enough,” she teased.

“Uh, okay,” I mumbled.

The topic ended without me getting it.

“By the way, what was yesterday’s errand? I waited to walk home with you, but you never showed up, so I got tired of waiting,” Himuro said.

“Hey, I told you to go home, didn’t I? You didn’t have to wait,” I protested.

“I thought we might’ve missed each other, so I left, but we didn’t meet,” she said.

“That’s… my bad,” I admitted.

I didn’t know how long Himuro stayed, but I got home pretty late yesterday, so I felt guilty. Still, Himuro looked somewhat satisfied.

“It’s fine, waiting was fun too,” she said.

“Good… I guess?” I replied.

“But, that aside, since we didn’t meet, you owe me one,” she declared.

Himuro happily pointed a finger up. So, I owe her one, huh?

“Your loan scare me,” I said.

“Hey, what do you take me for, Masamune? I’m not planning anything weird,” she protested.

Himuro laughed heartily, and I could only give a wry smile. She’s the type to seriously ask for anything.

But then I realized something. She waited on her own, so it’s not really a loan, is it?

“Hey, Himuro,” I started.

“Hm? What’s up, Masamune?” she asked.

“No, never mind,” I said.

Seeing her genuinely happy made it seem silly to argue about the loan, so I dropped it. Himuro’s expression turned serious, and she muttered something.

“Should I make him feed me? No, he did that already. Maybe go straight for the neck…? No, that’s skipping too many steps,” she mumbled.

“What are you planning to make me do?” I exclaimed.

Her demands sounded way too intense for just making her wait. And that feeding thing definitely wasn’t what she thought!

“Well, I’ll have you pay back the loan when the time comes,” she said.

“Keep it reasonable,” I pleaded.

“Hehe, we’ll see,” she teased.

She said something terrifying and stopped imagining.

“So, what were you doing yesterday? You said you had an errand, but you’re not in a club or committee, right?” she asked.

“Uh, well…” I hesitated.

Himuro’s question made me stumble. It’s not like becoming friends with Hoshino was something to hide. But her old words flashed in my mind.

“I won’t let another girl take you, Masamune,” she had said.

Maybe I’m overthinking, but I feel Himuro doesn’t like Hoshino much. Probably more than I do.

Hoshino’s fine with it, and we’ve sorted things out, but sometimes others get angrier than the person involved. They’ll probably clash eventually, so should I tell her now?

“What? Masamune, were you doing something you can’t tell me?” Himuro asked.

She leaned in close, her beautiful eyes full of suspicion. Crap, hesitating made her even more suspicious. I need to smooth this over.

“It’s not like that. Also, Himuro, if you get mad, it’ll ruin your pretty face,” I said.

“Hmph. You think I’m some cheap girl who falls for flattery?” she retorted.

It completely backfired. Her narrowed eyes showed her anger rising.

“That aside, say that line again,” she demanded.

“Huh?” I said.

“Just say it again,” she insisted.

“But…” I hesitated.

“Come on, hurry up,” she urged in flat Japanese-English.

Not understanding her intent, I cautiously repeated.

“Uh, if you get mad, Himuro, it’ll ruin your pretty face,” I said.

“Pfft,” she let out.

I heard an impossible sound from the supposedly angry Himuro. Doubting my ears, I looked at her, but her expression stayed the same. No way, but could it be?

“Himuro-san, were you just happy?” I asked.

“About what?” she replied.

“I heard a ‘pfft’ or something,” I said.

“Must be your imagination,” she dismissed.

“I want to think it’s my imagination, but…” I insisted.

“You’re probably tired, Masamune. A lot’s happened lately,” she said.

While we talked, Himuro started using her phone. Was she checking a message?

“If you get mad, Himuro, it’ll ruin your pretty face,” my voice played.

“But, that aside, I recorded that line,” she announced.

“What are you doing?” I exclaimed.

When did she record my voice? She showed no sign of it.

“Girls are good at gathering info, you know?” she teased.

“That’s not info gathering,” I protested.

Girls are quick with gossip, sure, but not at secretly recording people.

Himuro didn’t listen, playing the recording while walking. As we neared school, I worried someone might hear it.

After listening enough, Himuro started to put her phone away.

“Wait, let me delete that data,” I said.

“No way,” she refused.

“You’re scary for pulling that off,” I said.

“What? Is that a compliment?” she asked.

“Not a compliment,” I clarified.

Himuro acted like it was her right, hugging her phone with an offended look.

“Even if it’s you, Masamune, I’m using this as my alarm, so no,” she said.

“That’s even worse!” I exclaimed.

The idea of my childhood friend waking up to my voice is too embarrassing. And did she say something about editing it?

“But if you tell me what you were doing yesterday, I might not keep it,” she offered.

“That’s vague,” I said.

How do I explain this without causing trouble? I looked away, thinking. After a while, Himuro asked hesitantly.

“Masamune, is it really something you can’t tell me?” she asked.

Snapping back, I saw her gripping her phone tightly. She acted tough, but her eyes showed deep anxiety. That’s when I realized my mistake.

Worrying about Himuro and Hoshino’s compatibility was stupid. They’re both my precious childhood friend and friend. If they don’t get along, I’ll mediate. Simple. I stopped and moved to a quiet spot under a tree.

“Sorry, Himuro, I didn’t mean to make you anxious,” I said.

I needed to explain properly to Himuro that Hoshino and I became friends and that there’s no romantic feelings involved.

“Look, Himuro,” I started.

“Yeah?” she replied.

I looked straight at her. Her gaze darted around, her long lashes moving rapidly. I took a small breath to explain yesterday’s events.

“Actually, I…” I began.

“Hey, Masaki-kun!” a bright voice interrupted.

The cheerful voice cut through our tense moment. Thrown off, we reflexively looked over. A small figure ran toward us, gradually becoming clearer.

“Morning, Masaki-kun! Oh, Himuro-san’s here too!” the voice said.

“Why are you here?” Himuro said, stunned.

At the end of Himuro’s shocked gaze stood none other than the person we were talking about, Hoshino Ozasa.

“Hi, we haven’t met! I’m Hoshino Ozasa, Masaki-kun’s friend!” She introduced herself.