Oof.

“Whatever…”

“…What’s that?”

In the silent room, Hayashi and I were trembling with frustration.

A few moments of silence.

During that time, all sorts of emotions bubbled up and faded away.

“Fair enough.”

“Wait, you’re just gonna accept that?”

I was dumbfounded by Hayashi’s sudden change of attitude.

This whole thing started because Hayashi was the one picking a fight. If she’s now saying it doesn’t matter, then there’s no need for further argument.

“Then don’t start a fight in the first place.”

Still, I couldn’t help but pout a little, wanting to air my grievances.

Getting dragged into an argument she started and then having it brushed off as “whatever” felt a bit harsh.

“Ugh, shut up already.”

“Meg, why did you turn down Yamamoto’s suggestion?”

“Huh…?”

Probably caught up in her emotions, Hayashi had rejected my suggestion, and now, faced with Kasahara’s question, she started to groan.

It seemed like her reaction was purely impulsive, and putting it into words was proving difficult. With her arms crossed, she kept muttering, “Umm, umm,” as if she were feverish.

“Because it pissed you off?”

“You’re saying the absolute worst thing like it’s some kind of revelation…!”

I was completely stunned.

I couldn’t believe she’d rejected me so impulsively, without even thinking it through.

“I mean…! You’re always preaching about being self-centered, so when you suddenly say something all noble, doesn’t it just make you super annoyed?”

“Hey, hold on, that’s how you see me? Kasahara, say something to her!”

“Uh…? Oh, umm. Hmm. Well… yeah, I guess. Eheh.”

Kasahara’s response, when I tossed the conversation her way, was unnervingly vague.

Wait, does Kasahara think the same way as Hayashi?

…No way. Nah, no way. Absolutely not.

“Whatever, fine. Let’s just say we’ve settled this.”

With an exaggerated cough, I continued.

“So, I kept my promise, but there’s no reward for it. Also, we’ll tidy up some of the extra cleaning supplies while we’re at it.”

There. Done.

Or so I thought, but…

“Meg, is there something you still want to say?”

Kasahara threw the question at Hayashi, who looked like she wasn’t quite satisfied.

“Hmm? Hmm. Well, I mean, I feel kinda bad. Like, if I do well with my bookkeeping studies, I get a head pat, but still…”

“Cough!”

It was Kasahara who choked.

“Hey, you okay? Don’t choke on your miso soup!”

“Sorry…! Pfft, you two have gotten pretty close, huh?”

“Close?”

“How so?”

Wiping her mouth with a tissue Hayashi handed her, Kasahara let out a big sigh.

After tending to Kasahara, I ended up bringing the topic back around.

“It’s fine, really. Patting your head is no big deal.”

“But… you’re already helping me with my studies.”

“Oh yeah, Yamamoto, your grades were pretty good, weren’t they?”

“Eh, well, it’s not a hassle, so don’t worry about it.”

“…And you’re letting me live in this place.”

“We’re already splitting the rent, aren’t we?”

“…Grr.”

Didn’t she just say this was all “whatever”? Why’s she being so stubborn now?

She’s got this surprisingly indecisive side, huh.

Knowing her from high school, it’s a bit unexpected to see her being this wishy-washy.

“…Fine, I get it.”

“Good, you finally understand.”

“The person you talked to yesterday—bring them over to the house today.”

“Why!?”

I couldn’t help but raise my voice at the sudden leap in logic.

Meanwhile, Hayashi was casually sipping her miso soup, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“You’re being a bit too overbearing, don’t you think?”

“But that’s so Meg, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“I think I’m starting to get how you two see me…”

With a sigh, Hayashi let out a “haaa.”

“You got to talk to a potential friend yesterday, right?”

“Don’t talk about people like they’re objects…”

“Anyway, you finally got to talk to them, so there’s no reason to let this chance slip. Miss the timing, and you’ll lose your shot to connect.”

“So now’s the perfect opportunity?”

“Exactly.”

“…Hold on a sec. If I’m just gonna talk to them again, why do I need to bring them to the house?”

“Huh? Isn’t it normal to invite friends over to hang out?”

“That’s only for extroverts… No, scratch that, only for the elite extroverts.”

That kind of top-tier person… the only ones who come to mind are high school Hayashi and Kasahara.

Oh, so that’s why they think it’s normal.

“Alright, fine. So, what’s the penalty this time?”

“Getting a reward and avoiding a penalty.”

“Penalty…?”

After some incomprehensible back-and-forth, Kasahara and I were kicked out of the house since we were cutting it close to university class time.

By the way, since this whole thing involves finding that person on our huge campus, I got permission to enlist Kasahara’s help.

“Do you and Meg think of me as some kind of cheat item?”

As we left the house, Kasahara, unusually, grumbled with a hint of dissatisfaction.

“Sorry, sorry. Please, lend me a hand.”

Without thinking, out of recent habit, I patted Kasahara’s head.

“Oh, sorry.”

Realizing my mistake, I quickly pulled my hand back, but Kasahara just stared at me, looking stunned.

For a moment, we locked eyes.

I thought, If I look away, I lose. So I quickly averted my gaze.

“I seeee. So this is what Meg’s so hung up on.”

Glancing sideways, I saw Kasahara grinning with an infuriatingly smug look.

“My bad.”

“No, it’s fine. How about this—if we find that person, I get a head pat as a reward too?”

“…Do whatever you want.”

“Hehe. …Oh, by the way, Yamamoto.”

“What?”

“Is that person a guy or a girl?”

“A girl.”

“…”

“Kasahara?”

“Oof.”

As if something had gone wrong, Kasahara put a hand to her forehead.