Hayashi Megumi and the Sleepy Guy
After chatting with Yamamoto’s mom for a while, she called Shiho-chan to start preparing dinner since it was about that time.
“Oh, um, I’ll help too!”
“Really? Thanks!”
Leaving Yamamoto holed up in his room, the three of us had fun cooking together.
My first time at Yamamoto’s family home. At first, I was nervous and all sorts of things were going through my head, but being able to laugh and cook with Yamamoto’s mom and Shiho-chan like this—it felt really nice.
I genuinely thought so, from the bottom of my heart.
A little later, Yamamoto’s dad came home, and after introducing myself, I ate dinner with the Yamamoto family.
“I never would’ve thought you’d come back after so long and bring a girlfriend with you.”
Yamamoto’s dad said, his voice tinged with sentiment.
“Right? Well, she’s not exactly my girlfriend, though.”
“Is that so? I think you two look good together.”
Yamamoto’s expression was a bit awkward.
I was feeling the same way.
Our relationship right now is surprisingly delicate… so when people tease us from the outside, it makes us feel a little uneasy.
Shiho-chan and Yamamoto’s mom were playfully nudging Yamamoto’s dad.
Yamamoto’s dad, wincing slightly in pain, looked a bit pitiful.
After dinner, we spent some time in the living room, bombarded with questions from the Yamamoto family.
Yamamoto answered their questions with a clearly exasperated look on his face.
Midnight.
“I’m gonna hit the hay.”
Yamamoto yawned, rubbing his eyes sleepily.
“Don’t rub your eyes. It’ll mess up your vision.”
“…Ugh.”
Maybe because he was back home after so long, Yamamoto seemed more relaxed than usual. That must be why. I’d never seen his face this unguarded before. Even his reply to me was half-hearted.
“Meg-chan, you must be tired from the long trip, right?”
Shiho-chan said.
“Huh? Oh, maybe.”
Now that she mentioned it… yeah, I was starting to feel sleepy.
“You should rest, then. Onii-chan’s room is fine, right?”
“No, that’s not fine!”
My sleepiness vanished in an instant.
What on earth was Shiho-chan talking about?
“Eh, but the only room free right now is Onii-chan’s room, you know?”
“What about your room, Shiho-chan?”
“I’m using it!”
“Hold on a second. If that’s the case, where’s Yamamoto supposed to sleep?”
“In his room, obviously.”
“Then there’s no free room, is there?”
“Onii-chan’s room is big enough.”
Was… that true?
I’d been to both of their rooms once, but I could’ve sworn Shiho-chan’s room and Yamamoto’s room were about the same size.
“Sorry, Megumi-chan. It’s just for one night.”
Yamamoto’s mom, as if sensing something, clasped her hands in front of her face, pleading.
It was strange.
Why was I being pleaded with right now?
And what was I supposed to say in response?
…Well, sleeping in the same six-tatami-mat space as Yamamoto is something we’ve been doing for about two months now, so it’s pretty much business as usual.
“Alright.”
If they wanted it that badly, I had no choice but to agree.
I gave a reluctant nod.
In an instant, Yamamoto’s mom and Shiho-chan lit up with bright smiles.
…For some reason, their faces right now reminded me exactly of Yamamoto’s expression when he finally gets stubborn water stains to come off.
Is this what it means to be family?
“Yamamoto, let’s go to bed.”
“Huh? …Oh, yeah.”
I grabbed the sleepy Yamamoto’s hand and started walking toward his room.
The curious gazes burning into my back were probably not my imagination.
It’s been three days since my last post.
At a glance, it might look like I slacked off for three days.
But that’s not true.
Before I knew it, three days had passed.
If three days passed without me noticing, that’s not slacking off.
Please leave your ratings, bookmarks, and comments!!!
