When My Younger Brother Stole My Girlfriend, I Began Living Together with My Beautiful Childhood Friend Almost As If We Were Married - Chapter 12

Episode 12: School After the Break

Golden Week has ended.

On the first day of classes, since my first class starts at the second period, I wake up a little later than usual.

Yawning, I descend to the first floor, but there’s no sign of Reina.

I see breakfast pancakes and a note on the table.

“‘I have the first period class, so I’ll go ahead. Make sure not to be late. Let’s go together once you get used to it.’ Alright.”

Gratefully eating the pancakes, I wash the finished plate, change clothes, check the contents of my bag, lock the door, and leave the house.

Reina probably commutes by car since we don’t have one. Some students commute by car because our school has a parking lot.

I usually take the train though. It’s more convenient and walking is good for health.

Even though I use a different line, the distance to the nearest station is closer than the nearest station to my home, which is convenient. The train arrived immediately after I entered the platform, perfect timing.

Riding the train, I arrive at school, realizing that the first period is almost over, so the timing is perfect here too.

Fourth floor of Building 3, the end classroom. I took it because it tickled my adolescent heart with Japanese and Chinese mythology, but honestly, it’s the place where the lectures are so boring you feel sleepy.

As I enter the classroom, several groups are formed, chatting about what happened during Golden Week.

I joined one of those groups, setting down my bag.

“Hey, Hayato’s here. I thought you’d oversleep, knowing you.”

“That’s rude.”

“But hey, didn’t you oversleep once for this class? And weren’t there a few times you messed up other first-period classes?”

“Yeah, you messed up once on Friday morning, right?”

“Shut up. I’m always sleepy in the morning.”

I retort to my three friends who are taking this class together.

The guy who made rude remarks about me oversleeping is Yuji Shinohara. He was sitting next to me during the orientation after the entrance ceremony, so he’s my first friend in college.

The girl who remembered people’s absences is Koharu Amamiya. We became friends during the all-year seminar because we were in the same professor’s seminar.

The guy who knew about my absence in the Friday morning class is Hajime Sakagami. We became friends through Shinohara.

It often ends up with the four of us in this class, and in other classes, we usually hang out with a few friends who are not taking this class.

Taking out materials and stationery from my bag, Amamiya asks while resting her cheek on her hand.

“So, Hayachi, how was your Golden Week?”

“Well… I’d say it was barely positive.”

I lost my home and my girlfriend was taken by my crappy little brother but becoming lovers with Reina, whom I’ve always loved more than anything, and starting cohabitation with her, makes it almost a net positive when you subtract everything else. At least, that’s how I see it.

My response seemed amusing because Amamiya burst out laughing.

“What’s ‘barely’ supposed to mean? Were there bad parts?”

“I mean, even if bad things happen, they mostly disappear when your beloved girlfriend comforts you.”

“Shinohara, you’re dreaming too much about your girlfriend. That’s why you can’t get one.”

“Don’t rub salt in the wound! I could have one or two girlfriends if I wanted to!”

“You talked about going to a mixer during Golden Week, right? So, what happened?”

“I went twice and just had some good meals! Damn it!”

It seems like the three of them had a fun break.

But, since Shinohara mentioned “my girlfriend,” it feels a bit unpleasant because he’s referring to Anna.

“There was nothing to comfort.”

“…Did you and Anna-chan have a fight by any chance?”

“I don’t want to answer.”

“Oh, um… sorry.”

“Sorry from me too.”

Although Shinohara and Sakagami apologize, it’s not their fault, so I feel a bit sorry for them.

But well, it was a more unpleasant incident than the argument Amamiya mentioned, so it’s a bit tough for me. However, people have their moods, and we’ve been forgiving each other even when someone says something inappropriate, which is why our relationship has lasted this long.

I’m wondering what to do because talking about me might create an awkward atmosphere, then the bell rings, and the professor comes in.

Small talk ends here, and we get ready to start the class.

Handouts are distributed from the front, and after everyone gets theirs, there’s a light conversation time for the first five minutes about what happened during Golden Week, led by the professor.

While listening to that, I suddenly think.

Today, since we don’t have overlapping classes, I don’t think I’ll see Anna, but she’s still coming to school as usual.

I don’t really want to see her face, but as I think that I chuckle at the professor’s anecdotes.