Chapter 139: Preparation (Part 3)
After finishing up, Yuna and I left the house together and walked to the station.
We chatted idly about things like the new sweets shop that just opened or classmates’ relationship gossip—just harmless, everyday stuff.
I parted ways with Yuna at the address written on the note she’d given me.
When we said goodbye, she didn’t say a word—just pulled me into a tight hug. I could feel her concern for me so clearly, it almost hurt.
The apartment building wasn’t memorable at all—so plain that I only realized "Oh, it’s here," once I’d arrived right in front of it.
Inside the entrance, a row of neatly aligned mailboxes made it clear that even though the building was old, it was still being properly maintained.
I pressed the elevator button in the back and waited a few seconds until the doors opened. Stepping in, I checked the memo and pressed the button that matched the room number.
With a mechanical clunk, the doors closed, and the elevator started moving.
2, 3, 4, 5…
The display numbers ticked up one by one.
When it hit 6, a soft chime sounded and the doors opened.
Holding the memo in one hand, I compared the numbers as I walked down the hallway. The room I was looking for was easy to find.
There was no nameplate—but then again, neither did most of the other doors.
After hesitating for just a moment, I pulled the key out of my bag and inserted it into the door. It turned smoothly and clicked open, confirming that I’d gotten the right place. I felt a small wave of relief.
"...Excuse me."
I grasped the doorknob and slowly pulled open the heavy metal door.
Beyond it was a small entranceway, which led into a combined hallway and kitchenette area.
The door to the back room was open, and I could see a figure inside. As I watched, the figure moved—Souta poked his head out with a sheepish look.
"...Uh, hey."
"Hey, Souta. It’s been, what, a few hours?"
I gave a small wave and stepped inside.
The door slowly swung shut behind me.
I turned around, took a deep breath, and twisted the lock with a click.
"...Sorry, I made you wait, didn’t I?"
Turning back around, I spoke as I slipped off my mules.
So much had happened that even though we had intentionally set the time for two hours later to give ourselves some buffer, I still ended up running a bit late.
"It’s fine. Still… you sure took your time, huh?"
I stepped further into the room.
It was about the size of my own bedroom—maybe just a bit bigger. A studio apartment for one.
The first thing that caught my eye was the bed, which took up about a third of the entire space. Aside from that, there was only a steel desk, a TV, and a cabinet or two. It felt more like a business hotel than someone’s home.
"...Hm? What’s wrong, Souta?"
While I was glancing around the room, Souta sat frozen on the bed, slightly hunched over with his phone still in both hands.
"Uh, it’s just… you changed."
Souta was still wearing the same clothes as earlier when we parted ways.
"Oh, yeah… Is it weird?"
I felt a little embarrassed, like I’d gone all out while he hadn’t changed at all.
"Not at all. I just… never saw you wear anything like that before, so… I was surprised, that’s all."
"I see…"
Come to think of it, this might be the first time I’ve actually dressed up for Souta.
It was always either my school uniform or something casual. Even that maid costume from the school festival felt like a completely different vibe.
"...It really suits you."
"Huh…?"
His unexpected words left me stunned.
"...I never thought I’d hear you compliment a girl’s outfit, Souta."
"Hey—what kind of person do you think I am?"
"Hmm… but you’re still just you, Souta."
"What’s that supposed to mean?"
Still, I could more or less guess why he’d suddenly said something like that. While waiting, he probably got bored and started looking up how-to articles and first-time experience stories on his phone—most likely finding tips that said stuff like 'Compliment your partner.'
"...What’re you laughing at?"
He pouted as I watched him, reassured by how clumsy and awkward he still was.
"It’s nothing… Thanks, Souta."
"O-oh…"
Embarrassed by the praise over something so out of his element, he turned his face away.
"...Also, you sound different now. Lately, when we’re alone, you’ve been talking like a guy—it’s throwing me off a bit."
"Well, considering what we’re about to do… I’m at least trying to be mindful. Don’t worry. I’ve been putting on this act for half a year. I’m not gonna slip up that easily."
"...Right."
Souta gave me a conflicted look.
...Anyway.
Standing around like this wasn't helping.
I took the shoulder bag off and set it on the desk, then slipped off the sailor-style blouse and hung it neatly on a hanger hooked on the wall.
Souta watched my every move intently, making it a bit awkward. Didn’t any of those guides mention you’re not supposed to stare while a girl’s getting ready?
...Well, whatever.
Wearing just the white one-piece dress now, I walked over and sat down next to Souta on the bed. I hesitated a bit over how close to sit, but in the end, kept the usual bit of space between us.
And then came a silence—a different kind of silence than usual.
The moment I sat down, Souta turned his face away.
First staring, now looking away—you’re exhausting.
...Now then—what should I even say?
Souta was probably feeling the same way I was.
It was he who finally broke the awkward silence between us.
"...Are we really doing this?"
It was a question he’d asked several times over the past day or two.
A so-called final confirmation of intent.
"...I’m ready."
I gave a short reply—without hesitation.
Because this was the only path left to take if I wanted to live alongside Alicia.
"...Alright."
Souta looked me in the eye, his expression serious, and said only that.
This time, even when I returned his gaze, he didn’t look away.
But his face turned bright red in an instant, making it obvious just how nervous he was.
Seeing him like that… it eased my heart a little.
It meant I wasn’t the only one feeling tense.
Clumsy as he was, Souta’s straightforwardness—his willingness to do anything for a friend—felt deeply reassuring right now.
"Um… well then… I’ll be in your care."
Comments (0)
Please login or sign up to post a comment.