Hayashi Megumi’s Jealousy
Just before Yamamoto returned to the living room, I started eating dinner as if I’d just remembered to.
While shoving rice down my throat, I stole a glance at Yamamoto’s face as he sat across from me. His expression was, quite plainly, dejected.
“How’d the phone call go?”
I’m not that concerned, you know. I just happened to notice your attitude and got curious. That’s the vibe I was going for as I asked.
“Well, it’s fine, isn’t it…”
Still wearing that dejected look, Yamamoto started picking at his rice, eating it bit by bit.
No matter how you look at it, his current state didn’t scream “it’s fine.” It’s clear he got a call from home and was told something.
But to make that kind of face?
What on earth did they say to him?
“With a face that obvious, ‘it’s fine’ doesn’t cut it, you know.”
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t pry.”
“No way.”
“Please, I’m begging you…”
Yamamoto, pleading? Now that’s rare.
…It’s kind of stirring up some sadistic urges in me.
“I’m not asking just to mess with you, you know.”
“Then why are you asking?”
“Because we’re… roommates?”
As I said it, I could feel my face heating up.
Even though my sadistic side was itching to drag out whatever Yamamoto was told, I hadn’t expected to get hit with a counter like this.
No, not a counter—more like I shot myself in the foot.
“…I see.”
“Y-Yeah. So, tell me already.”
Yamamoto seemed to hesitate for a moment.
Is it really something he doesn’t want to talk about that badly?
Up until now, I was just curious, but at this point, I’m dying to drag it out of him.
Yamamoto let out a big sigh and started talking.
“They told me to come back home.”
“…Okay. And?”
“Huh?”
“Huh?”
We locked eyes, both tilting our heads in confusion.
“Tch, that’s all…”
“That’s it?”
And that’s why Yamamoto was so down in the dumps earlier?
“…Just to confirm, you’re not, like, fighting with your parents or anything, right?”
“As if I’d do that.”
His tone had a slight edge, like he was throwing shade at me.
“Then there’s no reason to be that reluctant about going home, is there?”
“…There’s a lot going on.”
A lot, huh?
I wanted to press further, but it didn’t seem like he’d say more.
I fell silent and went back to eating my dinner.
“…So, are you going?”
Barely a moment after starting to eat again, I spoke up.
My thoughts were all over the place, and my approach was inconsistent, but in the end, is this guy actually going back home?
“I don’t have a choice.”
“You don’t have a choice, huh.”
“…Yeah. Shiho pretty much told me I have to…”
Twitch.
My brow twitched faintly. Probably so faintly that a dense guy like Yamamoto wouldn’t even notice.
…I don’t want to be misunderstood here, but this isn’t jealousy.
That much is crystal clear.
I’m just… irritated that he’s casually tossing out some girl’s name like they’re close.
I mean, this guy still calls me by my last name, and even Akari, who he used to date, he calls by her last name too.
And yet this guy… is using a first name?
That’s practically a scandal, isn’t it?
“…Oh? So, who’s this Shiho girl?”
“Huh? …Oh, she’s a cute kid. A bit cheeky, though, that’s her only flaw.”
A cute kid…!
…This isn’t jealousy.
I’m telling you, this is not jealousy.
That much is crystal clear.
“Oh… what’s your relationship with her?”
“She’s my sister.”
…Now that I think about it, Yamamoto’s phone call didn’t sound like he was talking to his parents.
A lovable little sister strong-arming her big brother, and him giving in to her pushiness. That’s the vibe I got from his attitude on the phone…
…Well?
I figured it was something like that, you know?
I knew it.
I’m telling you, this isn’t jealousy. That much is crystal clear.
…Hmph, I’d love to know what defeat feels like.
“As expected, your little sister’s got you wrapped around her finger, huh.”
Relieved, my mouth suddenly felt a lot lighter.
In contrast to my newfound ease, Yamamoto’s expression remained subtly troubled.
It’s jealousy. That much is crystal clear.
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