Hayashi Megumi’s Overthinking
After comforting the sobbing Nene, I returned to cooking.
“I’m sorry for all the trouble…”
While checking the pot’s boil, Nene’s feeble voice came from the living room.
“It’s not like you caused any trouble.”
Yamamoto said.
“Yeah. That’s why I wasn’t talking to you, Yamamoto-kun.”
Figures.
All you did was flounder around.
I glanced at Yamamoto, and he looked dejected.
“…Um, thank you.”
“No big deal.”
Caught off guard by being addressed, I replied curtly.
“…Hehe.”
Nene was smiling.
“What’s so funny?”
“Huh? Oh, no, it’s just… it’s been a while, you know? Hanging out with friends like this.”
“Huh.”
Yamamoto’s response was vague, like he was barely listening.
“I never would’ve thought I’d make a friend like Hayashi-san.”
…What about Yamamoto?
“Me?”
“You cook so well, you’ve got this big-sister vibe, and honestly, I kinda admire you.”
Yamamoto was giving me a weird look.
I hesitated, unsure how to respond.
But there’s one thing I need to make clear.
“I’m not exactly your friend, you know?”
“Huh?”
“What?”
Yamamoto was staring at me like, Are you serious?
Nene’s eyes widened in shock.
But I needed to set things straight.
The only reason I’m even entertaining Nene is because she’s Yamamoto’s friend.
Like I said before, since I’m staying here under Yamamoto’s roof, I have to treat his friends well.
In other words!
If Nene wasn’t Yamamoto’s friend, I wouldn’t be doing any of this!!!
…In fact.
“Tch.”
“Did you just click your tongue!?”
I let out a tongue click without thinking.
I cleared my throat to cover it up.
That was close.
I almost went off on the new girl my crush brought home.
Not that attacking her would be a problem (it would be)…
But letting Yamamoto figure out my feelings? That’s absolutely not happening (idiot).
That guy, seriously.
Suddenly going to mixers, suddenly bringing a girl over—he’s so unpredictable.
Does he even realize?
Why I decided to cook for his (female) friend?
Sure, like I said, there’s the whole “treating his few friends well” thing, but… the main reason is to show off.
To show any girl eyeing Yamamoto just how good my homemaking skills are…!
That’s part of the plan too!
But, beyond that, there might be something else.
…Maybe.
Just maybe?
Could my devoted attitude make even someone like Yamamoto pick up on something… or not?
Well, you know…
I know.
I know, okay?
It’s Yamamoto we’re talking about.
There’s not a chance in a million he’d catch on.
If he did, I’d actually be creeped out.
I’d pinch his cheeks and ask, Who are you?
I’d slap a cooling pad on his forehead, thinking he’s got a fever.
That’s what I tell myself…
I know…
But still…
Could it be…?
“Smells good.”
“Tch.”
That dopey face of his!
What’s his deal!?
What is his deal!?
Is there seriously anyone out there who’d fall for a guy like that!?
…
“It’s almost ready, so help me carry stuff, okay?”
“Got it.”
Yamamoto stood up.
Nene followed suit, a bit belatedly.
“Oh, Takeshita, you can stay seated. You’re the guest, after all.”
“O-Okay…”
Ugh, irritating.
“Can you stop trying to score points every chance you get?”
“Huh?”
I shot him a complaint as I finished cooking, and we gathered around the living room table.
“Let’s eat.”
“Let’s eat.”
“L-Let’s eat…”
And so, we started our slightly early dinner.
No conversation.
Nene looked awkward.
Yamamoto seemed pleased with the food.
I kept my quiet hostility toward Nene under wraps.
We continued eating our quiet dinner.
“…Hey.”
It was Yamamoto who broke the silence.
I got a little annoyed.
You’re not the type to read the room and start talking!
…And yet.
“Takeshita, what do you do on your days off?”
What, are you her distant boss or something!?
Like a boss who’s struggling to make conversation, afraid of crossing into harassment territory, and ends up asking the most generic question possible!
“Uh, um… I sleep.”
What, are you the subordinate who doesn’t want to share their private life!?
Like someone with tons of hobbies, secretly living it up, but dodging nosy coworkers by casually mentioning they were sleeping!
“Oh…”
“…Yeah.”
“…Hmm.”
Now that I think about it, this Nene girl’s communication skills are about on par with Yamamoto’s.
And these two became friends after just a little chat…?
Wait a sec, was I jumping to conclusions?
Could it be that Yamamoto didn’t actually make a friend so easily?
…Oh.
That’s it, huh.
Man, I got all worked up for nothing (thrilled).
“Don’t you ride a bike?”
“…!”
Wait…
“I-I do…”
Yamamoto…
“Oh, where do you go touring?”
That Yamamoto is already prying into a girl’s hobbies!!!
“Th-The other day…”
“The other day?”
“To Shikoku.”
“Shikoku!?”
“Shikoku!?”
I accidentally mirrored Yamamoto’s reaction.
Shikoku, really?
We’re in Tokyo… How long did that take?
“It’s not that far, you know?”
“I-Is that so…?”
“Yeah. I got back in about two days.”
Nene smiled shyly.
“…What places did you hit?”
“I did a loop around Shikoku.”
“A full loop!?”
“Yeah. Ten hours to Naruto Bridge, twelve to circle Shikoku, and about ten hours back.”
“You mean you barely slept…?”
“Are you, like, an idiot or something…?”
“Huh? Haha, that’s pretty normal for bikers, you know…?”
“Don’t make ‘bikers’ sound so hardcore.”
Yamamoto threw in a exasperated jab.
So, everyone, how’s your Christmas going?
As usual, the author’s out on a date with his girlfriend.
If I were actually on a date, I wouldn’t be posting the next chapter, so readers who noticed that, watch out on those dark streets.
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