Chapter 77: Fickle (Part 1)

After leaving STARRY, they walked directly into the adjacent apartment building.

They took the elevator up.

Nijika explained her family situation to the others, and also mentioned that Ryo often stayed over, telling Kita and Hitori to relax.

She also paid attention to Ishikawa Hayato, and seeing him take out his phone to check the time, she smiled relaxedly... Nijika's empty home was dark and quiet, like a still body of water.

Suddenly, there was the sound of a key inserting, and then the front door opened.

“I’m home.”

In a home where no one responded, Nijika’s voice, along with the lights turning on, instantly brought life to the house.

“Excuse us~” The mixed voices of men and women followed.

After the sound of shoes being placed.

“Everyone, please make yourselves at home and come in.”

Nijika’s home was a fairly typical Japanese apartment, with pure white walls and light wood furniture, looking clean and warm.

The kitchen was open-plan, with the dining table placed very close to it.

It was as if when someone was cooking, the whole family could watch each other or lend a hand.

Further inside was the living room, and on the sofa in the living room, there were several plush toys.

Nijika didn't stay long in the living room; she led them through the straight corridor beside it.

She opened her bedroom door and said to the three younger ones.

“This is my room.”

After speaking, she led the way in.

Kita followed her into the room, and upon entering, she was surprised by the unexpected interior, making her look around in astonishment.

“Ijiichi-senpai’s room is completely different from what I imagined.”

As Kita said, Nijika’s room was completely different from the impression she gave.

From the desk, carpet, curtains, and the clothes rack nearby, to some ornaments, various items, and furniture colors, everything was filled with subculture vibes, so exaggerated that it was almost overwhelming.

Behind Kita was Ryo, half-asleep and half-awake, as if in an automatic follow mode.

Finally, there was Ishikawa Hayato standing at the doorway, and Hitori, who seemed to be repelled by an invisible barrier, timidly peeking her head in.

Nijika heard Kita’s words and sighed.

“That’s because Ryo…” She stopped halfway, feeling it would be difficult to explain, so she changed the subject.

“Please feel free to sit anywhere.”

Walking into the room, Nijika thought about the arrangements for the evening.

Her room had good soundproofing, so Kita and Hitori could practice for a while.

Also, with so many people staying overnight, they would have to sleep on futons, as for showering and such…

After deciding, she turned around, but noticed the two people standing outside the door, and she asked in confusion.

“Hayato-kun? Bocchi-chan?”

Hitori, when called, panicked. She looked at the room, then at Nijika, her eyes darting around rapidly.

After trying for a long time and still not daring to step into the room, she sighed but tried hard to put on a smile as if admiring it, saying with admiration.

“Wow… wow, what a beautiful room~”

How could she dare to enter such a stylish room!

Nijika stared at her blankly.

Was her room that difficult to enter?

Meanwhile, Kita, who had entered the room, looked around curiously, always feeling that the room didn’t suit Nijika at all.

She couldn't help but point to a somewhat flashy-looking jacket on the wall and asked Nijika in confusion.

“Ijiichi-senpai, is this clothing yours?”

Nijika thought that Ishikawa Hayato was next to Hitori, so she didn't need to worry too much about her, and looked towards Kita.

After looking at the clothes, she then glanced at Ryo, who was unceremoniously lying on her bed, and told Kita.

“That’s Ryo’s.”

Kita: ???

Kita then tentatively pointed to a niche manga on the bookshelf.

“This manga is…”

“That’s Ryo’s too.”

“This toy with no apparent purpose is…”

“Also Ryo’s…”

Kita’s expression froze, and she asked blankly.

“This is Ijiichi-senpai’s room, right?”

Nijika sighed and walked to her bed, sitting in the spot not occupied by Ryo, and said with a helpless smile.

“Only this part is my space.”

Kita looked at the small area Nijika claimed as her own space.

The bed was already occupied by Ryo, and the curtains were clearly Ryo’s preferred style.

Even that corner, aside from the bed, plush toys, and practice drum pad, everything else didn’t seem like Nijika's belongings.

Kita was puzzled.

On the other side.

Ishikawa Hayato patted Hitori’s shoulder.

Hitori, in her state of unease, flinched. She carefully looked at Ishikawa Hayato.

Ishikawa Hayato walked in, as if he were the owner of the room, inviting Hitori.

“Bocchi, please come in and make yourself at home.”

Hitori hesitated for several seconds, then looked at Ishikawa Hayato again before taking a step and crossing the dividing line.

Ishikawa Hayato reached out with satisfaction and stroked her head, unceremoniously ruffling her hair.

“Very good, very good, so cute.”

Hitori, like a small animal, showed a comfortable and soft smile on her face. With a reassuring smile, she was pulled by Ishikawa Hayato to sit at the table in Nijika’s room, lost in thought.

After settling her, Ishikawa Hayato said to Nijika, who was sitting on the bed.

“Then I’ll head back now. If I don’t leave soon, I’ll miss the train.”

Nijika, seeing the situation there, smiled and stood up, walking towards him.

“I’ll walk you to the door.”

After leaving the room, with only the two of them left, Ishikawa Hayato and Nijika didn’t exchange much.

They walked down the quiet hallway.

However, Nijika seemed to have something on her mind.

Until Ishikawa Hayato reached the entrance and put on his shoes.

Nijika watched him bend down to tie his shoes, and only then did she clearly feel Ishikawa Hayato’s attention shift away.

Only then did she dare to speak.

“Hayato-kun, thank you for today—and for everything you’ve done so far.”

Ishikawa Hayato paused, then looked up at Nijika.

Seeing Nijika’s sincere gratitude, he said casually.

“It’s good that Nijika doesn’t find me troublesome, and Nijika is so cute, I couldn’t help but help.”

Nijika smiled, then thought of something else, and asked back with a hint of resentment.

“Cute? Isn’t that something only a mom would say?”

Hearing this, Ishikawa Hayato’s expression suddenly became serious. He tensed his face, as if he had something important to say.

His expression startled Nijika.

“Wh… what’s wrong?”

But then Ishikawa Hayato only said.

“Oh no, Nijika is too cute, I really want to take Nijika home.”

Nijika sighed deeply, exasperated by this guy, and advised him with a faint smile.

“Hurry up, you’ll miss the train.”

Ishikawa Hayato turned his back, like an anime protagonist heading to a certain death, and with an unstoppable momentum, he raised his hand elegantly.

“Ishikawa Hayato, full speed ahead, now heading home!”

Then, he opened the door and saw Seika outside, looking puzzled.

“Ah…”

Seika looked at him, then at her sister, and then confirmed that this was her home.

Amidst their horrified expressions.

She lowered her head, like the silence before a volcanic eruption, and called out word by word.

“Ishi… kawa…!”

But before she finished speaking, Ishikawa Hayato flashed past her, ran out, and shouted arrogantly at the same time.

“Manager, your wind-up is too long!! Hahahaha!”

“I’ll definitely kill you!!”

After Ishikawa Hayato’s joyful shouting, there was the roar of a volcanic eruption.

...

The last train was eerily quiet, its cold white lights seeming to illuminate a deathly place.

On the train, among the tired people or those with their faces reflecting the white light of their phones, Ishikawa Hayato leaned back in his seat. He stood out from the others with a sweet smile, like someone after a date with his girlfriend.

His visit to Nijika’s house was originally just to fulfill a promise to Hitori’s mother.

After all, at that time, Hitori’s mother had said on the phone.

[ “Compared to others, I trust Hayato-kun more. If possible, please take good care of Hitori.” ]

He replied.

[ "No problem." ]

Caring for those around you, not lying (except as a joke), diligently fulfilling your promises, and... moving forward according to the rules you've set, whether you fail or succeed, you'll always have a small sense of happiness.

And occasional surprises.

He had just felt that Nijika truly trusted and relied on him a little.

To have a gentle yet actually very independent and strong-willed girl like Nijika rely on him, it really felt a bit sweet.

*Ding-dong*

A Line message?

He took out his phone and was surprised when he saw that the sender was Nijika.

Nijika: [ Hayato-kun, you're on the train now, right? Don't worry about Bocchi-chan. She and Kita-chan are still practicing. I'll tell them to go to bed soon. ]

Ishikawa Hayato: [ Okay, Mama Nijika, I'll go to bed very soon too. ]

Immediately, Nijika sent an angry emoji.

After chatting with Nijika for a while, Nijika said she was going to rest, and Ishikawa Hayato bid her farewell online.