A jab at me?
“Don’t you think there are a lot of people around you rushing to settle down?”
Hayashi, who had broken up but had lived with her boyfriend, Ishida.
We’re just eighteen or nineteen, fresh out of high school, and yet some are already moving toward cohabitation or even marriage—I couldn’t help but feel the weight of that realization.
Sure, there’s a slight difference in timing for guys and girls when it comes to marriage, but even so, those guys are definitely on the fast track.
“I-I’m shocked too…”
Hayashi seemed a little flustered by my words.
She probably thinks getting engaged at eighteen or nineteen is pretty early too.
“No way, Icchan of all people?”
And to think, the one deciding on such an early marriage is Ishida, who was known for being super serious back in school. That’s gotta double the shock.
Even for me, since I had a decent connection with Ishida back in high school, it’s surprising to say the least.
“So, what did your parents say?”
“Huh? …Oh, right. So, apparently, Icchan sent an invitation to my parents’ place.”
“For what?”
“A wedding.”
Got it.
I roughly understood the gist of the call from Hayashi’s mom.
“You should go.”
“…Hmm.”
I thought Hayashi would agree right away, but her response wasn’t as enthusiastic as I expected.
With her arms crossed and a complicated expression, Hayashi looked almost comical—like this serious pose didn’t suit her at all.
“What, you’re not going?”
“…Hmm.”
Come to think of it, the last time she went to meet a high school friend, she acted really reluctant despite going through with it. From the outside, it seemed like the people who hung around her in high school were mostly just leeching off her influence.
Maybe, from Hayashi’s perspective, Ishida seemed like one of those types too.
Nah, probably not.
After all, she just said Ishida was as kind as Kasahara. She’s not one to lie. If that’s the case, those words mean she holds Ishida in high regard.
“Go celebrate your friend’s big moment.”
“Yeah, I know, but…”
So she does want to celebrate Ishida’s milestone.
Then what’s the issue…?
“I don’t have a dress for a party, and the gift money’s gonna be a big expense… My wallet’s kinda…”
Oh, right—she’s been pretty broke lately, hasn’t she?
“If that’s the case, I’ll lend you some money.”
“That’s nice, but I’d rather borrow from my parents.”
“Oh, uh, sure.”
“…And the biggest reason I don’t wanna go is because I’d have to deal with all those high school people besides Icchan.”
“Ah, makes sense.”
That’s fair.
Like I thought earlier, most of the people around her in high school were just using her for clout.
Reconnecting with them or catching up on recent events probably sounds like a nightmare to Hayashi.
“…Get Kasahara to back you up.”
“Oh, right. I wonder if Akari got an invitation too?”
“Probably. You three were practically glued together during senior year, weren’t you?”
Hayashi narrowed her eyes at me.
“What’s that look for?”
“You sure noticed a lot. Probably because you had a girlfriend, huh?”
I turned away.
No reason for her to tease me like that.
Still, that’s what I was thinking deep down.
“I’m gonna call Akari real quick.”
“Yeah, go for it.”
Just the other day, it felt like Hayashi was avoiding Kasahara one-sidedly, but lately, things seem to have softened between them.
I think that’s a good thing. These two should keep supporting each other through life.
Hayashi held her phone to her ear.
“Hey, Akari? Yeah. So, you might already know, but… Icchan’s getting married.”
I turned my attention back to the TV.
I could faintly hear a voice leaking from Hayashi’s phone. It was Kasahara, sounding surprised.
“Right? Totally shocking. Yeah… Yeah… Oh, I wonder when they submitted the marriage papers? My parents didn’t mention that. I’ll ask next time… Wait, what? You’ve got someone like that recently too, Akari? …Oh, come on, don’t worry about me!”
She’s teasing Kasahara and getting teased right back.
“…Ugh, stop it! Stop! I hate you, Akari! …Whoa, no, no, I’m kidding! Don’t cry!”
“What are you two even doing?”
I couldn’t help but butt in.
When I turned around, Hayashi stuck her tongue out at me.
“Sorry, my housemate’s being a jerk. Says I can only talk for an hour a day. But he’s the one who doesn’t stop cleaning even when I limit his cleaning time, you know? Talk about unfair. Maybe I should report him to the cops for domestic violence again. Kinda thinking about it.”
Since when did she start relying on the authorities like that?
For the record, I’ve never complained about her long phone calls, and lately, I’ve been keeping my cleaning to an hour a day. …Well, okay, maybe I go a bit into overtime.
“So anyway, has Icchan sent you an invitation? Let’s go together!”
Finally getting to the point.
I was secretly relieved to escape the awkward atmosphere.
“…Yeah, got it. Can you ask your parents about it? I’ll wait to hear back. Talk later.”
At last, Hayashi ended her call with Kasahara.
Man, women are such a hassle when they gang up.
Hayashi loves to rag on me for not having friends in high school, but if you think about it, part of the reason was… her. She was the queen bee, and she couldn’t stand me.
The people who followed her lead usually looked down on me because of it.
Thinking about it, Kasahara and Ishida were… different. Even though they were close to her, they kept a certain distance from me, which made them stand out.
Hayashi’s phone rang.
“Oh, Akari? How’d it go? Oh, really? And? …Got it. So you got invited too.”
Looks like Kasahara got the wedding invitation too… Now Hayashi can go celebrate her best friend’s big day without any worries.
“…Huh?”
Or so I thought, but then Hayashi’s voice turned cold.
What’s wrong?
I turned around, and she glared at me. Scary.
“…Yeah, got it. I’m gonna have a little interrogation here.”
…Oh no.
I’m in trouble, aren’t I?
Her cold tone and demeanor made it clear.
I’m sorry, but I don’t recall doing anything that warrants an interrogation.
Hayashi hung up the phone, got off the bed, and moved right next to me.
“What’s up?”
“…Akari said her parents weren’t home, so she called Icchan directly.”
“Oh, cool.”
“And Icchan told her to come to the wedding.”
“That’s great. Now you’ve got Akari to back you up. You’ll be fine.”
Hayashi didn’t respond.
“So while you’re at the wedding, I’ll just hold down the fort here. Don’t worry about me—I’ll be fine. Go have fun.”
“…Icchan told Akari something.”
“…What?”
“She said to bring you to the wedding too.”
My eyes widened.
…Why?
Is this some kind of jab?
Like the yearbook committee all over again, is this a jab at me?
“Since I didn’t know your parents’ address, I gave her this one. Akari passed it on, so the invitation should arrive in a couple of days.”
“…What?”
“You really didn’t have anything going on with Icchan?”
Hayashi’s gaze was sharper than ever.
I’m at a good age, but I’ve still never been invited to a wedding.
My relatives had family-only ceremonies, and my friends haven’t had weddings at all.
I’ve got plenty of friends, okay?
All of America’s crying for me.
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