Futon

　After lunch, I headed to the nearest department store alone. My goal was a full set of bedding. Due to circumstances, Hayashi had ended up staying at my place for a while. 　 　And she’d taken over my bed. After two nights sleeping on the floor, even I had reached my limit.

“Heave-ho. Heave-ho.”

　The large shopping bag was stuffed with a futon mattress, comforter, blanket, and pillow. 　 

They were heavy, and I let out a groan that sounded like something from a children’s fairy tale picture book these days.

Even for a grown man, carrying all this alone for a kilometer one way in the middle of summer was exhausting. 　 　

Once I get home, I’ll chug some ice-cold juice. I had to think of a reward after getting back, or I wouldn’t make it.

　Finally, with great effort, I arrived home. 　

When I opened the door, the only sound from inside was the TV.

“…Hayashi?”

　I called out to my housemate from yesterday, but there was no reply. 　

 Given the circumstances that led to her staying here, I hurriedly kicked off my shoes and headed to the living room.

　In the living room, Hayashi was sound asleep, breathing softly. 　 　

I’d imagined the worst-case scenario, and I could feel my tense, rigid body relaxing all at once.

“What a misleading girl, seriously.”

　Taking advantage of my roommate being asleep, I muttered a complaint about her. Of course, I couldn’t say it to her face. 　 

Part of it was an instinctive fear of making her angry, but mostly, I didn’t want to add any more stress to her when she was already so vulnerable. 　 　

Even I was surprised at how much I was siding with her, and a sigh of exasperation escaped me.

　For now, I decided to spread out the bedding without waking her. But in this six-tatami-mat room, just taking the futon out of the bag made noise.

“Mmm.”

“Sorry. Did I wake you?”

“…Oh, sorry. I was asleep.”

“You don’t need to apologize. You must be tired. Just take it easy.”

“…I can’t just let the homeowner do all the work by himself.”

　Even as we exchanged words, it was Hayashi who got up as if it were the most natural thing and started helping me while I worked silently alone.

“It’s fine. I can handle this.”

“It’s not fine. I’ll help too.”

“Like I said, I can manage this on my own. Go back to sleep.”

“I said it’s okay.”

　We both raised our voices a bit once, and then we stared at each other wide-eyed. After a moment, we both laughed. 　

Hayashi sat down next to me and started opening the package for the comforter.

“You’re way too stubborn.”

“You’re just as bad.”

“What I said is just the facts. I really can handle this alone.”

“And what I said is perfectly reasonable. I can’t stand lying around while the homeowner does all the work.”

“Is that how it is?”

“That’s how it is.”

　I haven’t really acted much while considering other people’s feelings, so I don’t get it, but if she says that’s how it is, then it must be true. 　 

She’s someone who’s been surrounded by way more friends and has way more experiences than me. I’ll just back off here. It’s scary anyway.

“Still, you’re sweating a ton.”

“It’s just hot outside. Once we’re done, how about some barley tea to relax?”

“If that’s what you want, I don’t mind.”

　For a while, we worked in silence. 　 

Maybe because there were two of us instead of one, the unpacking finished quickly.

All that was left was to stuff the trash into a bag, take it to the garbage shed, and we’d be done.

“Good work.”

　When I got back to the room, Hayashi had already prepared barley tea for two ahead of me.

“Thanks.”

　I thanked her and sat down at the small table, facing Hayashi. The barley tea went down with satisfying gulps, tasting exceptional.

“How’s your body holding up?”

　Satisfied after drinking the tea, I asked Hayashi.

“Huh?”

“I mean, injuries or fatigue. You were asleep earlier too.”

“…Oh, that was just because I had nothing to do and was bored. As for the injuries, well, I’ll just have to keep going to the doctor patiently.”

“…Yeah.”

　It was me who brought up the injuries, but seeing her face so resigned made me feel helpless. I shook my head, deciding to drop the gloomy topic.

“By the way, do you not watch TV or anything?”

“Not really.”

“Really?”

　It was a bit surprising. I thought teenagers found topics on TV to talk about at school the next day. But I don’t have many friends, so I wouldn’t know.

“…What about reading manga?”

“Not much.”

“Got it.”

　…Huh? 

　The conversation isn’t flowing. It’s weird. I’m the one providing topics, so why…?

　…Hmm.

　This is awkward.

　It’s been a little over a day since reuniting with Hayashi. Come to think of it, up until now, because of her intense few months, we hadn’t had a chance to spend calm time alone like this. 　 　

As a result, now that things have settled, the conversation won’t continue. I can’t expand on anything.

　…Is this like when couples go to an amusement park, run out of things to talk about, don’t get excited, and end up breaking up?

　…This is bad. 　

At this rate, Hayashi will get fed up with me, start hating me, and leave the house…!

　But wait, she originally disliked me anyway, and she’s been exasperated with me multiple times… And leaving the house once the problem’s solved isn’t an issue. 　 　

So, no problem at all, right?

“…Hehe.”

　As I was thinking to myself, Hayashi in front of me suddenly started laughing.

“Sorry… I just never thought back in high school that I’d end up in this kind of relationship with you, and it struck me as funny.”

　What part of that is funny, exactly?

“Come to think of it, we barely talked in high school. As far as I remember, I can count the times on one hand.”

“Same here.”

“And usually, Akari was around. So this is the first time we’re talking alone like this.”

　Akari is her best friend, Kasahara. Full name: Kasahara Akari.

“…Yeah.”

　I gave a slightly awkward bitter smile.

“Back in high school, I thought you were such a frivolous guy. Always saying whatever, seeming insincere, and it rubbed me the wrong way.”

“Thanks for the honest opinion. I’ll keep it in mind for the future.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?

 …But still, I never imagined the day would come when you’d save me.”

“…Were you unhappy about it?”

“…What do you think?”

　…Asking me that right now is a bit mean. 　 

　Well, I helped Hayashi for my own reasons this time. It’d feel off to get gratitude or respect from her over it.

“I was glad.”

　That’s what I thought, but Hayashi was smiling happily.

“…Stop that. It makes me all itchy and uncomfortable.”

“Then maybe I’ll say it even more.”

“You’re mean. You’ll turn out like me.”

“Then maybe I’ll say it even more!”

　I’m pretty mean myself, but she’s no slouch either. 　

Looking at Hayashi smiling kindly in that tomboyish way, I thought that and gave a bitter smile.