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

Chapter 9.1: Manaki Himuro’s Elegant Breakfast

Masaki Munechika was dreaming. He saw himself as a middle schooler talking with a girl his age. However, the conversation seemed far from peaceful, as both wore hostile expressions.

He had fought with her many times before. Considering the length of their relationship, he thought the fights were relatively few, but they weren’t nonexistent. The reasons for their arguments were trivial, but they always poured out their anger and reconciled afterward.

“Why, Masamune…?”

However, that day was different. The girl’s face carried emotions Masaki had never seen before: anger, sadness, and… disappointment. It wasn’t the usual impulsive anger but a deep, dark expression of despair.

“ ”

Her voice came through clearly, but he couldn’t hear his own.

Yet, she seemed to hear him clearly. Her already pale skin visibly drained of color. She showed a fleeting expression of disbelief before quickly hiding it.

Then, she took a deep breath and chose words that would hurt him the most.

“I hate you, Masamune!!!”

*****

His phone’s alarm jolted him awake. It seemed it was time to get up. To wake himself fully, he got out of bed and turned off the alarm.

“Ugh, tsa…”

He stretched vigorously, letting out a wordless groan. His joints cracked, and he felt his spine lengthen slightly.

His sleeping posture was usually bad, but today it was particularly poor. He vaguely recalled dreaming something, and its contents might have been unpleasant.

Even after changing, he didn’t hear his mom calling him. It was about time for breakfast to be ready. Rubbing his sleepy eyes, he went downstairs. No sounds of cooking reached his ears.

“Morning!”

Squinting at the harsh morning light in the living room, he greeted everyone.

“Good morning, Munechika. Breakfast is ready, so hurry up, brush your teeth, and wash your face,” his mom says.

“Good morning, Masamune! It’s another nice morning, isn’t it?” Manaki chimes in.

“Yeah,” he replies.

Following his mom’s instructions, he closes the door and heads to the bathroom. Cold water splashes his face, waking him up instantly.

“…She’s here, huh.”

He analyzed the situation calmly, no longer surprised. Given her personality, he expected something like this, but he couldn’t feel happy about his hunch being correct.

After washing his face and returning to the living room, he saw a guest already at his seat. He approached, intending to claim it.

“Good morning, Masamune,” Manaki says.

“…Good morning,” he responds.

Having been surprised too many times, he resolved not to be shocked today, no matter what Manaki did. He would stay calm.

“Come on, Munechika, sit in your dad’s seat already,” his mom urges.

“Okay,” he replies.

He thought his mom should make Manaki sit in his dad’s seat, but once seated, he understood why.

The flat, slightly wobbly cushion on the chair was hardly suitable for a guest. Seeing the treatment given to the family’s breadwinner, who left for work every morning, he silently prayed in his mind.

Looking at Manaki sitting daintily beside him, he noticed a thick, plush cushion from the sofa under her. The difference in treatment was stark.

“Manaki-chan came all the way to pick up Masamune. She said she didn’t eat much this morning, so I invited her for breakfast,” his mom explains.

“I see,” he replies.

Spreading jam on his toast, he responds vaguely. It was pretty much as he expected.

“Sorry for intruding so early in the morning…” Manaki apologizes.

“What are you talking about? I wanted you to stay and eat the other day too!” his mom exclaims.

“Really? But Maiko-san’s cooking is so delicious, I might come back again~” Manaki teases.

“Yes, yes! Since our houses are close, come eat anytime!” his mom encourages.

His mom is unusually energetic for the morning, and Manaki speaks with oddly polite language. Her posture is perfect, and she lightly covers her mouth when she laughs. She almost looks like a refined young lady.

“But, if I come, Masamune might feel bothered…” Manaki says.

“You thinking about bothering me is the real surprise,” he retorts.

Nibbling on his bread, he counters Manaki’s ladylike act. She deliberately furrows her brow, and his mom lets out a panicked sound.

“Forget about Masamune! If it’s okay with you, Manaki-chan, you can come up to his room like last time!” his mom insists.

“I’m not okay with that!” he protests.

“Really?” Manaki exclaims.

His desperate resistance is drowned out by Manaki’s words, never reaching his mom’s ears. She nods, satisfied with Manaki’s reaction.

“I’ve always wanted a daughter,” his mom confesses.

“Oh, really?” Manaki asks.

“Yeah, I grew up with only brothers, so I’ve always wanted a girl to talk to,” his mom explains.

“You’re not exactly a ‘girl’ anymore…” he mutters.

“Munechika, did you say something?” his mom asks sharply.