What a troublesome girl.

On the way home from the gym, we stopped by the supermarket to prepare for dinner.

“Hey, Hayashi, check this out. Pork’s cheap today.” “…” “Oi, Hayashi, why’re you putting potato chips in the basket? Eating that fatty junk during a diet is just unthinkable.” “…” “Hayashi-san, why’ve you been ignoring me this whole time?”

Something’s off.

I noticed something was wrong when Hayashi kept ignoring me, piling up so many ingredients at the checkout that I wasn’t even sure they’d fit in the fridge.

Amid the mechanical beeping of the scanner, Hayashi didn’t respond to a single word I said.

It’s almost like I’m being completely ignored.

But even if I told Hayashi to stop ignoring me, she wouldn’t answer.

It really feels like I’m being ignored… but, huh, did I do something to upset her?

I can’t think of anything, so I can’t even apologize.

“Hey, Hayashi, come on, snap out of it already.” “…” “You’re usually so loud and chatty, this isn’t like you at all.” “…”

Wait, am I actually being ignored by Hayashi…?

What did I say that got under her skin?

…Could it be that?

Hayashi, did you actually not want to go on that hot spring trip?

“Hayashi, I’m sorry, okay?” “…”

No response, but Hayashi flinched slightly.

“…You didn’t really want to go on the hot spring trip, did you? I’m sorry for pushing you into it.” “…” “So, let’s cancel the hot spring trip and go somewhere else. How about… hiking?” “…” “It’d be fun this time of year. Go for it. I’ll talk to Kasahara for you.” “…That’s it.” “Huh?” “That’s it!”

…Hayashi’s mad.

“…Wait, what’s it?” “…” “You’re quiet again.” “…Aren’t you going?” “Huh?” “I’m asking… aren’t you going?”

With her cheeks flushed and her gaze lowered… in an unusually meek tone, Hayashi mumbled.

…So, she’s asking if I’m not going hiking?

Well, I guess hiking might be a bit of a niche activity for two girls to do together.

“Nah, I’m good.” “Why not?! It totally sounded like you were coming!” “Hiking’s not my thing. I’d go for a hot spring, though.” “Then let’s just go to the hot spring!?”

Wait, what?

Do you want to go to the hot spring or not? Which is it?

“…Let’s go to the hot spring.” “…” “Come to the hot spring with me.”

…Oh. That’s what this is about.

I couldn’t figure out why Hayashi was so upset earlier… but now I get it.

Geez.

She’s got some pretty good qualities, doesn’t she?

“…Hayashi, thanks.” “It’s nothing…” “But don’t worry.” “Hm?” “Even I’ve been on a hot spring trip before, so you don’t need to stress about it, okay?” “Huh?” “You probably thought I’ve never been to a hot spring, so even though you didn’t want to go, you invited me along anyway, right? You don’t have to force yourself. Just go with Kasahara and have a blast.” “…Tch.”

…There’s Hayashi’s tongue click.

Having lived with her for a while, I’ve learned that Hayashi only clicks her tongue when things aren’t going the way she planned or when she’s extremely irritated.

In other words, I’m saying something completely off from what she intended.

…Good grief.

How is it that I’m sharp enough to pick up on the conditions for her tongue clicks, but I can’t figure out what Hayashi’s feeling? (lol)

This probably isn’t the time to be laughing.

“…I’m kidding.”

At this point, even I’ve figured out the answer.

“Is it really okay? Me joining you on the hot spring trip?” “…If I didn’t want you to come—” “Hm?” “If I didn’t want you to come, I wouldn’t be this upset.”

…Hayashi.

Liar.

You get pretty openly pissed when someone does something you don’t like, don’t you?

That’s exactly why, back in high school, people called you arrogant or a queen.

…But, well, yeah.

The Hayashi of today might actually mean what she’s saying.

Honestly, the queen these days doesn’t have much bite… she’s lost her edge.

But maybe that’s something we both share.

“…Alright. Then let’s look for a hot spring inn for the three of us.” “…Just two.” “Huh?” “Two is fine.” “…What?” “Let’s go, just the two of us.”

…Hayashi and Kasahara?

No way, not after this whole conversation.

“I want to go with just the two of us.”

…Me and Hayashi, just the two of us?

For a moment, I… hesitated.

“Alright.”

But the answer came quickly.

“Alright… I got it.” “Really?” “Yeah. This is… your reward, after all.”

So, just this once, I’ll let you have your way.

Honestly, I don’t get why she wants to go on a trip with just me.

But if that’s what she wants… what can I do?

“…Sheesh.”

This girl is seriously troublesome.

Sorry. While writing this, I couldn’t help but think—

At this point, them not being together is just the author’s ego talking.

Lol.