Hayashi Megumi’s Moment of Tension
For a while, we enjoyed chatting in Yamamoto’s room.
It had been a few hours since we arrived at Yamamoto’s family home. I was pretty nervous at first, but Shiho-chan was kind, and being alone with Yamamoto felt familiar from our time in his Tokyo apartment, so I’d completely regained my composure.
“Still, I never would’ve thought the day would come when I’d visit a guy friend’s family home.”
I said something like that once I’d settled down.
“What, you never went to a boyfriend’s house back in high school?”
“B-boyfriend? I didn’t have one in high school!”
“Wait, really?”
“You’re totally judging me by my looks, aren’t you?”
“…Well, knowing the high school version of you, I mean…”
Sure, the high school me might’ve seemed like the type to have one or two guys like that. Heck, I probably gave off the vibe of someone who went through guys like changing clothes!
But that wasn’t the case at all…
It stung a little.
Probably because it was Yamamoto, of all people, who thought that about me.
But, well, what can you do?
This was something I could’ve avoided.
If I hadn’t brought up my high school days to Yamamoto, this whole misstep wouldn’t have happened.
…Still, he didn’t have to say it to my face like that.
“Hmph, I bet you were always hanging out at Akari’s place, weren’t you?”
“…Nope, not at all. Never did.”
“Wait, really?”
Yamamoto went quiet, his face a little hard to read.
That expression of his—it’s one I’ve gotten pretty used to over the past two months.
That face right now? It means he’s not lying.
That’s the kind of face it is.
“Huh, really? Wow.”
“Just so you know, you’ve got a pretty nasty look on your face right now.”
“What kind of look?”
“The kind a villain makes when they’re plotting to tear someone down.”
“W-Who’re you calling a villain?!”
Okay, maybe I wasn’t exactly planning to tear Yamamoto down, but I was at least thinking of teasing him a bit.
So, acting like I wasn’t thinking that at all and snapping back at him was a bit weird… but it just kinda happened in the moment.
“Hmph, calling me a villain out of nowhere like that. No wonder you don’t have any luck with girls.”
After blurting that out with my face all red, I suddenly remembered that not only Akari but even Ichi had a thing for Yamamoto.
…The word “unpopular” doesn’t exactly suit Yamamoto, I realized a bit too late.
“…W-Well, being unpopular or not isn’t the point right now, is it?”
Looks like that one hit Yamamoto right where it hurts.
He’s always saying he doesn’t need a girlfriend right now, or acting like he’s not popular at all. This guy’s cluelessness is honestly kind of baffling.
But it’s probably because he’s like this that so many people are drawn to him, that he earns their respect.
And now, I’m about to meet both of Yamamoto’s parents.
My first time meeting them.
I’d just started to relax a bit earlier, but now that I’m thinking about it, my stomach’s tying itself in knots again.
Why is that?
Normally, meeting new people wouldn’t faze me at all, but today, all I can think about is not screwing this up.
And the more I think about it, the more my mind floods with negative images.
When I let myself dwell on it, all I can picture is Yamamoto’s parents—whose faces I don’t even know yet—scolding me.
I let out a sigh, trying to ease the tension.
“Sorry about that.”
The one who suddenly apologized was Yamamoto.
“For dragging you into this. It’s probably a lot, huh? Meeting the parents of someone of the opposite sex.”
“…It’s fine. I’m living in your apartment, which your parents are helping pay for, so it’s only natural.”
“You’re so dutiful, Hayashi.”
Yamamoto let out a small, almost exasperated laugh.
…No.
You’ve got it wrong, Yamamoto.
Taking in a girl who’s a victim of domestic violence, no questions asked.
Kindly looking after a girl you couldn’t stand back in high school.
Being there to support me.
The dutiful one is you, Yamamoto.
It’s you.
Because you’re so dutiful, so kind.
That’s why I can’t even run away.
Even though I’m this scared.
Even though I’m this afraid.
I have no choice but to face it head-on.
And I have this certainty, too.
“Hey, Yamamoto?”
“Yeah?”
If it’s Yamamoto, then surely…
“If… if I start saying something weird, you’ll back me up, right?”
Surely, he’ll lead me to success.
If Yamamoto’s there, surely.
With Yamamoto’s family, surely…
I’ll be able to keep living these happy moments.
Yamamoto said,
“First, it’s a good idea to mentally list out any NG words—stuff you definitely shouldn’t say.”
Such a Yamamoto thing to say, offering a practical solution like that.
Yamamoto-kun!
Could you lead this author to success too!?
I’ll do anything!
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