Persuasion

The sudden rain started pouring down a while after I’d finished the dinner Hayashi had made for me. A so-called guerrilla downpour. The raindrops pelting the windows were huge, and the sound of the rain echoed loudly throughout the room.

“I’m back!”

Hayashi had apparently run through that torrential downpour to get home.

“That was some crazy rain, huh?”

“Yeah, I’m completely soaked.”

“…Go take a bath.”

“Will do!”

The hallway filled with the sound of her hurried footsteps.

While watching TV, I slumped a little, realizing I’d missed yet another chance to bring up the topic of her visiting her family.

Amidst a rain sound, I could faintly hear the sound of the shower running.

Mixed with the TV’s noise and the rain, it was barely audible. But for some reason, I was hyper-aware of it, more than usual.

…Just moments ago, I’d been racking my brain, trying to figure out how to convince Hayashi to visit her family.

It’s a well-known fact that she’s a stubborn woman. She’s the type who can firmly say no to things she doesn’t like, and when she’s angry, she’s downright terrifying.

And now, I had to convince that kind of person to go back to her family home.

If this were just a regular visit, it’d be easy.

But knowing she’s got a history of being disowned by her parents? That complicates things.

…Hmph.

Still, don’t underestimate me.

I’m not an idiot. I’ve already anticipated that Hayashi might refuse to even discuss going back home. And of course, I’ve prepared ways to persuade her if that happens.

…Before I tell her, let me lay it out. The three strategies I came up with after agonizing for a good hour.

One: Bribe her with something tempting.

Two: Intimidate her.

Three: Suggest a comfort trip.

I bet everyone’s thinking the same thing.

Wait a sec. These ideas are terrible.

Too naive. You guys are as naive as a Chupa Chups lollipop.

…I know.

I couldn’t come up with anything decent!

Bribe her? With what? I know better than anyone that Hayashi isn’t particularly driven by desire, especially not by food!

Intimidate her? What’s that supposed to mean? That’s no different from what her ex would do!

And then… a comfort trip!

Honestly, that’s the most ridiculous one of all.

As if Hayashi would ever want to go on a trip with me!

Know your place, idiot!

…Phew.

I’m screwed.

Completely screwed.

This is hopeless. I can’t think of a single way to get her to go back to her family.

If I go at it head-on, she’ll chew me out.

If I try something sneaky, she’ll get mad.

If I threaten her, I’ll be socially obliterated.

If I suggest a trip, she’ll be creeped out.

Every path… I can’t see a single one leading to a good outcome.

…Sorry, Kasahara. I can’t do this…

“Phew, I feel refreshed.”

Hayashi came back into the living room, drying her hair with a bath towel, dressed in her usual sleepwear—a short-sleeved T-shirt and shorts.

I flinched, my body jolting slightly.

Hayashi, on the other hand… went silent the moment she entered the room. Maybe it was because she’d just gotten out of the bath? Her cheeks were flushed, she bit her lip, and she turned her back to me, sitting down facing the bed.

…Now that I think about it.

Maybe I’m just overthinking things.

It’s probably nothing, but…

Have I been getting the cold shoulder from Hayashi lately?

She won’t even look at me.

All I see is her back.

And when other people are around, she barely says a word.

…Did I do something to make her hate me?

…Oh.

Wait, she already hated me to begin with.

…Yeah, maybe it’s impossible for me to convince her to go back to her family.

…But.

If I give up here, I’m not a man.

“Hayashi, can we talk for a sec?”

Hayashi, who had been sitting with her back to me, drying her hair with the towel, flinched visibly.

“…W-What?”

Her voice was oddly high-pitched. Does she have a fever or something? Well, whatever.

“…I’ve got a favor to ask.”

“W-What is it…?”

“…Why don’t you go visit your family?”

I steeled myself and said it.

Hayashi went quiet.

I stayed silent too, waiting for her response.

The sound of the rain and the TV’s noise were the only things filling the room.

…After a while, Hayashi turned to face me. She’d clearly been mulling it over for some time. She must’ve finally come to a decision.

She probably wasn’t thinking about my request itself.

…She was likely debating whether to snap at me, yell, hit me, or kick me for saying something so stupid. No, wait, she wouldn’t resort to violence, would she?

…So.

She’s gonna chew me out?

I swallowed hard.

“Fine.”

And then, Hayashi gave me a sharp look.

…Wait, what?

“Huh?”

“Fine.”

…She’s not glaring at me?

“If it’s your request, I’m okay with it.”

“…Oh. Uh, got it. Thanks.”

“…But in return.”

“Hm?”

“Will you come with me, Yamamoto?”

“…What?”

Why would you drag me into that mess? I don’t want to!

“…I’m sorry. But please.”

Hayashi seemed to sense my reluctance.

Even so, she was pleading with me.

“I’m scared. Scared of being yelled at.”

And then, for the first time in a while, Hayashi let me see her face.

That face… it was trembling with fear. The same expression she’d shown me when we reunited at the convenience store.

“…Alright.”

Well, if all it takes is me getting yelled at by her parents for her to go back home, that’s a small price to pay.

“Thank you.”

It felt like forever since I’d seen Hayashi smile.

“I really can’t thank you enough.”

We’ve surpassed 10,000 points! Thank you so much. It’s all thanks to your warm and constant support.

I haven’t counted exactly, but this is probably my fastest 10,000-point milestone ever. Seriously, thank you.

With that in mind, there’s something I want to say.

I really want to get this published as a book soon (cries).

Please keep the ratings, bookmarks, and feedback coming!!