A Small Change

I hadn’t expected her to call out to me first, so I froze in place for a moment.

But I quickly realized.

“You’re at the university pretty early, huh?”

“Huh? …Oh, haha. Making breakfast in the morning is kind of a hassle.”

Kasahara laughed, looking a bit embarrassed.

The university cafeteria. Here, as part of supporting students living alone, you could get not only lunch but also breakfast.

November of my first year at university.

The temperature’s starting to drop, and it’s that time of year when even making breakfast feels like a chore, so I guess it’s understandable.

“…C-Come on, Yamamoto-kun, don’t stare at me like that. It’s kinda embarrassing!”

“You’ve been embarrassed since we ran into each other, haven’t you? Why’re you acting like you’re only just now feeling shy?”

“Y-You don’t have to say it so bluntly…”

Come to think of it, this might be the first time I’ve seen Kasahara pout.

“…Sorry.”

“It’s fine. …By the way, you’re up pretty early too, Yamamoto-kun. Here for breakfast?”

“Nah. I’m always here around this time.”

“Oh, wow. Well, that’s so you, Yamamoto-kun!”

“Glad to know I’ve got your trust.”

We smiled at each other.

Back in our third year of high school, there was a time for a few months when Kasahara and I smiled at each other like this every day, but now, those moments feel like distant memories.

“So? What’s up, Yamamoto-kun?”

“…Standing around’s kinda awkward. Go grab some breakfast.”

“…Haha, alright. Give me a sec.”

I sat down next to the chair where Kasahara had left her bag, fiddled with my phone for a bit, and waited for her to come back.

“Sorry for the wait.”

“No worries. I’m the one who should feel bad for holding you up.”

“It’s all good. You and I go way back, don’t we?”

“Yeah, guess we do.”

I muttered with a hint of nostalgia, and Kasahara started eating her breakfast.

As she quietly opened her small mouth, delicately picking up rice with chopsticks held in her slender fingers, I found myself a little captivated without realizing it.

“…Yamamoto-kun?”

“Hm?”

“It’s kinda hard to eat when you’re staring at me like that.”

“…Sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

An awkward silence hung in the air.

“I can listen while I eat, so what’s on your mind?”

Kasahara was the one to break the silence.

I’d almost forgotten amid the small talk, but I’d approached her because I needed to discuss something.

What was it I wanted to talk about?

…Oh, right.

“Kasahara, could you introduce me to an easygoing friend?”

Cough!

Kasahara choked.

“You okay? Choking out of nowhere like that—you must’ve eaten too fast.”

As I hurriedly rubbed her back, it hit me.

Come to think of it, Kasahara wasn’t exactly scarfing down her food, was she?

“…Yamamoto-kun, since when did you become such a playboy?”

“Huh?”

“…Oh, wait. It’s just you being your usual self, isn’t it?”

Getting all flustered and then calming down on her own. She’s a busy one.

“So, Yamamoto-kun. What did Meg say to you?”

“Huh? Why’s Hayashi coming up?”

“Was I wrong?”

“No, you’re right.”

“So, what’d she say?”

The conversation was moving surprisingly smoothly.

I was a bit thrown off, but I figured I’d take it as a stroke of luck that I didn’t have to explain too much.

So, here’s the deal.

I explained to Kasahara, as carefully as I could, everything that happened with Hayashi from last night to this morning.

“…Phew.”

After laying it all out, I let out a small sigh.

At the same time, Kasahara seemed to have finished her breakfast.

“Okay, I get the picture.”

“Good. Thanks.”

“Yup.”

Kasahara nodded.

“So, basically, you’re scheming to sweet-talk one of my innocent friends for your own selfish reasons, right?”

And with that, she flashed me a mischievous, childlike grin.

To that Kasahara, the words I let out were… well, obvious.

“Yeah, pretty much.”

“You’re not supposed to just agree with that!”

Can’t help it.

Looking at it objectively, my current approach is downright rude to someone I’m trying to build a friendship with.

But, well, can’t help it.

I’d really like some cleaning supplies, and I’d really rather not get thrown out (what a jerk).

I mean, human relationships are like that, aren’t they?

Everyone builds friendships for their own benefit.

In the end, humans are self-centered creatures.

“Don’t worry. I won’t toy with anyone. I’ll explain everything, apologize, and just ask for a single conversation. That’s all I need to achieve my goal.”

“I don’t think Meg said those things because she wants you to approach people like that, you know.”

“That’s… yeah, probably.”

“Exactly.”

“…Thing is, I’m not exactly desperate for friends right now.”

That’s the kind of convoluted thinking that led me to this messed-up plan.

Yeah, I’m kind of a jerk, no doubt about it.

“You’ve always been like that, haven’t you, Yamamoto-kun?”

Kasahara’s tone carried a faint hint of reproach.

“I don’t think you actually hate dealing with people. It’s just that you can handle most things on your own, so friendships aren’t your top priority.”

“…I’m pretty sure there’s no one more reliant on others than me.”

“…If that were true, we wouldn’t have messed up so badly at our first culture festival.”

Well… yeah, I guess.

“You don’t expect much from others, do you?”

Kasahara’s voice, pressing on, sounded a little lonely this time.

“That’s why you try to do everything yourself, no matter what it is.”

“…I don’t think that’s true.”

“It’s not…”

Kasahara gave a wry smile.

“Maybe you’re right.”

Kasahara flipped her attitude just like that.

“Especially lately, I guess.”

“Lately…?”

“Yeah, lately.”

Holding her tray, Kasahara stood up.

“You must’ve had some kind of great encounter, huh?”

I had no clue what she meant.

“You’d better treasure that encounter.”

But Kasahara’s voice was the most certain it had been all day.

“So, Yamamoto-kun, I can’t grant your request. That’s something you’ve got to face yourself.”

I like to think I know Kasahara pretty well.

And from what I know, a statement from her this unwavering… it’s got to be absolutely true.

A great encounter, huh?

…Well, whatever that means, the negotiation’s fallen through.

Now I’m stuck having to talk to someone today, even if it means taking the creepy stranger route.

“Sorry for bothering you. Did you at least fill your stomach?”

“W-Well, yeah…”

Kasahara’s profile looked a little flushed.

“B-But still, you’re such a responsible guy, Yamamoto-kun! Cooking for yourself and everything.”

“Nah, I get my meals made by Hayashi every day.”

“Yamamoto-kun.”

Setting the tray back on the table, Kasahara leaned in close to me.

From her determined expression, I could almost sense some kind of fierce resolve.

“Kasahara…?”

“Details.”

“Huh?”

“Give me the details.”

There wasn’t a trace of hesitation in Kasahara’s voice.

Personally, I think Yamamoto’s way of living makes life unnecessarily tough.

When I thought about why he lives like that, I came to one conclusion: even if he’s not aware of it, he doesn’t expect much from others.

A guy who tries to do everything himself, living a tough life, starts to connect with the people around him and gradually changes his way of thinking.

That’s what this story’s about, I think.

But he doesn’t need to go flaunting his relationships with the opposite sex, does he? (Angry)

This isn’t jealousy, okay?

If an author got jealous of their own characters, they’d just be a total weirdo.

Oh, oops.

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