I Was Cheated on by My Girlfriend but My Devilish Junior Now Yearns for Me V1 Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Coincidence
Apparently, today set a new record for the lowest temperature in years.
It was late January, and the town, stripped of its Christmas and New Year’s cheer, had settled back into its mundane routine. Nothing of note had happened all month—just the usual whimsical lottery ticket purchase with friends and obligatory appearances at New Year’s gatherings, same as last year.
Well, almost the same.
“Senpai, you’ve really let this place go while I was gone, haven’t you?~”
The one difference was the presence of a former Santa Claus, Shinohara Mayu, who now showed up at my apartment twicetimes a week.
“Quiet, you. A man’s got better things to do than clean.”
“What kind of ridiculous logic is that? You’re going to get dust bunnies, you know~” she retorted, her voice lazy as she began folding the clothes strewn across my one-room apartment.
“Hey, I told you to leave that. I’ll get to it later.”
“I believed you when you said that a week ago, Senpai, but they’re still here, unfolded.”
“I’ll start tomorrow.”
“Right,” Shinohara replied, her tone dripping with disbelief as her hands moved methodically through the pile of laundry.
How did things turn out this way?When Shinohara first came over at the end of the year, we’d casually mentioned her stopping by maybe twice a week. I remember being happy about it, glad to have made a new friend. But this? This was completely different from what I’d pictured. It wasn’t just “stopping by”—it was practically a commute.
As bewildered as I was by the situation, there was one thing I was genuinely grateful for.
“Senpai, I’m using your kitchen again today, okay?~”
“Oh, thanks.”
The cooking. Yes, definitelythe cooking.
A guy living alone is a sorry sight, especially when it comes to meals. I’d wake up in the afternoon, grab some bread, and eat out at night before heading home. On days I wasn’t with friends, it was a convenience store bento. My taste buds, long deprived of a home-cooked meal, were in heaven every time Shinohara cooked.
“Seriously, you’re a lifesaver. I need to thank you properly for all this.”
“I live alone too, so it’s not a big deal. I just eat with you when I’m free, Senpai. Don’t worry about it.”
“Really? You’re a saint. You understand my financial struggles.” A wave of relief washed over me. I hadn’t been working much this month, and my savings were dangerously low. With job hunting on the horizon, I didn’t have much financial wiggle room.
“A Louis Vuitton wallet would be a nice thank-you gift.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! That’s absurdly expensive!”
“Well, you’re the one who brought up a thank-you gift to someone doing you a free service, Senpai. You wave anLV wallet in front of any college girl and she’s bound to pounce.”
“Why does it have to be an LV wallet…?” I grumbled, flopping onto my bed. Still, even if we split the cost of groceries, she was the one doing all the cooking. Maybe getting her something nice after a while wouldn’t be such a bad idea.
Like for her birthday, for example.
“When’s your birthday?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Huh!?”
I shot up from the bed, my eyes locking with a blinking Shinohara. She paused, hands in the middle of tying an apron around her waist, and tilted her head.
“Is something wrong?”
“…No, it’s nothing. Just surprised me. How old are you turning?” I asked, settling on a safe question as I lay back down.
“It just hit me—you can only really ask a woman her age this casually when you’re a student, right?”
“Yeah, probably. It’d be a minefield once you’re a working adult.”
“Exactly! There’s no age limit, which makes it terrifying.” Shinohara shivered dramatically before clearing her throat. “To answer your question, I’ll be nineteen. Just one more year until I can legally drink!”
“Ah.”
The word “legally” stood out, but I chose to let it slide. Like she’d said before, that was just how college students were.
“Mmm, what’s with that weak reaction? I’ll be legal soon! And you, Senpai, ever since you turned eighteen—”
“Okay, okay, I get it,” I cut in. “But don’t say that kind of thing outside. You never know who’s listening these days.”
I successfully silenced my kouhai before she could say something incredibly dumb. She looked annoyed at being cut off but didn’t press the issue, turning away with a pout.
“It’s fine. This is your room, Senpai. It’s just you and me here.”
“Is that really the point?”
“It is the point.”
After her firm declaration, Shinohara pulled her phone from her pocket. The vibration signaled an incoming message.
“Want to go grab a bite or something tomorrow?” I offered casually. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to treat her, partly as thanks for everything. Besides, I had no plans. And even if I were to get her a gift, I didn’t trust my own taste.
Shinohara looked up from her phone, then shook her head.
“Sorry, I can’t tomorrow.”
“Oh, you can’t?”
“Don’t look so surprised. Even I make plans for my own birthday, you know. I’m celebrating with my friends!” she announced, flashing a happy V-sign. I’d caught glimpses of her wide social circle before; she was clearly blessed with good friends.
“Huh?”
“Hm? What is it?”
“Senpai, were you… thinking of buying me that wallet for my birthday?”
Her guess was dead on. I gave a reluctant nod, and she immediately started waving her hands frantically.
“I was just kidding about that! Seriously! I’d never ask a college student living on his own for a designer wallet!”
“No, a designer wallet might be a stretch, but I was planning on getting you something.” I hadn’t planned on buying gifts for anyone else anytime soon. The memory of trying to give my ex a present was still painfully fresh, and a small part of me wanted to overwrite it by giving something to Shinohara.
“R-Really? After you’ve only known me for a month?”
“Don’t be an idiot. I told you, it’s a thank-you gift. I want to give it to you, so just accept it. If you don’t like it, you can throw it away. Just, uh, not where I can see you. That would still sting a little.”
“Eh, are you serious, Senpai?” she asked, surprised.
Did she think I was joking? She seemed to mull it over for a moment, but the idea didn’t seem to displease her.
“W-Well, if you insist…”
As she trailed off, the corners of my mouth lifted on their own. Giving a gift was exciting for the giver, too.
“Is there anything you want?”
Shinohara tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Let’s see… I’ll leave it up to you, Senpai. I know that’s the hardest answer to get, but that’s exactly why I want you to choose.”
“Ugh, so that’s your game,” I sighed. “…Fine. Leave it to me.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it!” she said with a wink.
“You got it,” I replied lightly.
Truthfully, I had no clue what she’d like. The only thing I was sure of was that my own taste wouldn’t align with hers. Trying to nail someone’s preferences after only a month was a tall order, even for a girlfriend. If we were a couple, choosing it myself would probably be better, but this was just a gift for my kouhai. Consulting a reliable friend was the smarter move.
And the first person who came to mind was, of course, her.
◇◆
“Please.”As I pressed my hands together in a plea, the ever-reliable Ayaka frowned. I’d called her out to the university’s main gate, and it seemed my request wasn’t going over well.
“You want me to choose a thank-you gift for Shinohara-san?”
“Yep. I’m counting on you.”
“No.”
“That’s not an option.”
“What do you mean, not an option?” Ayaka sighed, exasperated. “You asked if I could meet, so I went out of my way to come here. I thought you were treating me to a meal.”
“Like I’d have the guts to pull you out of a group of girls just for a meal. That takes some serious courage.” I’d called her during lunch break, and walking into her group while they were eating had been an ordeal.
“Oh, I bet. They all thought I was getting hit on again.”
“Wha—seriously!?”
“Just kidding. They all know we’re friends from high school.”
“Don’t scare me like that. That’s a terrible joke.” While I was on good terms with Ayaka, who stood out in our faculty, I didn’t really interact with the other girls. Sometimes, girls I didn’t know would approach when I was with her, and Ayaka would always find a reason for us to be alone. Her reasoning was simple: “It’s easier.” She seemed to enjoy maintaining her public image, but I guess everyone needs a place to let their guard down.
“Besides,” she continued, “Shinohara-san said she’d leave it up to you, right? Doesn’t that mean it’s pointless if you’re not the one choosing? It’s the thought that counts, isn’t it?”
“No, Shinohara might seem that way, but she’s a rational person. For her to use the ‘leave it up to you’ line on a guy she isn’t even dating… I see it as her way of putting pressure on me. So, something practical would be best.”
“Hah, well, I don’t really care either way,” Ayaka said, clearly uninterested. The fact that she hadn’t just made an excuse about a part-time job meant there was still a chance. I just needed one last push.
“Ayaka.”
“What?”
“Tests are coming up, right? You want the past papers, don’t you?”
“Unfortunately for you, I doubt you have any past papers that I don’t already have.”She was right. Against the well-connected Ayaka, five of me wouldn’t stand a chance. In fact, she was usually the one giving me the past questions.
“Come to think of it,” she added, “didn’t you pass on the questions I gave you to another friend?”
“Gah!?”
“You’ll be treating me to a meal for that, too.”
Ayaka snorted. I had no defense for that one and mentally vowed to make it up to her later. But that was a separate issue. It was time for my last resort.
“…The limited-time buffet at the hotel in front of the station. How about it?"
“What did you just say?”
Starting this weekend, the hotel was hosting a week-long buffet on its top floor. It wasn’t your average buffet; it featured high-end ingredients and delicacies, making it quite pricey. It seemed to have worked on Ayaka, who had a weakness for rare dining experiences.
“Alright, fine! If you’re going that far, I’ve got no choice!” she declared, finally giving in.
I let out a sigh of relief. It was an unexpected expense, but if it was for Ayaka, it was probably worth it. It wasn’t just Shinohara I was indebted to; I owed Ayaka a lot, too. I’d be thanking two people in one day, but I guess a day like that every once in a while was fine.
◇◆
A few days later, Ayaka and I were at the city’s largest shopping mall. The grand hall, once adorned with Christmas decorations and then New Year’s banners, was now plastered with signs announcing bargain sales. We’d been to several stores already, searching for a wallet for Shinohara, but nothing had earned Ayaka’s approval. Two hours had passed.
“All these wallets are starting to look the same to me,” I muttered, my feet aching.
“You’re the one who asked me to choose. Now that I’ve agreed, I’m not going to compromise.”
“…Don’t worry, I’ll pay for the buffet.”“That’s not what I’m talking about. Since I’m the one choosing, my reputation is on the line if Shinohara-san doesn’t like it.”
“You’ve got some nerve…” I grumbled as we left the fourth store. It was a shop that carried brands popular with university students, but apparently, nothing had impressed Ayaka. The four stores we had visited were all popular student brands. As you get into university and have more disposable income, more people start caring about brand names. I wasn’t particularly attached to them myself, preferring simpler clothes, but brand-conscious people coordinated their entire outfits. My thinking was that even a so-so design would have some prestige if it was from a popular brand, making it a safe gift for a girl. Yet, Ayaka had turned her nose up at four such stores. She was clearly very particular.
“Found it. We’re going here next.”
Ayaka pointed to a store guide. The shop on the eighth floor was a brand known for being quite expensive for students.
“Money…” I flinched instinctively, but Ayaka grabbed my bag to stop me.
“It’s okay. I’m a member, and they’re having a members-only sale right now. If we buy two things, we get an even bigger discount, so I’ll buy something for myself, too.”
“Eh, I can’t let you do that.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. It’s the perfect excuse. I can just tell myself I’m helping a friend. I’m going to finally buy that bag I’ve been wanting.”
“Are you sure…?”
“Let’s go!”
With an energetic shout, she grabbed my arm firmly.
We took the escalator up, and the store on the eighth floor had a much more luxurious feel than the others.
“I’m not great with places like this.”
“I see. Well, let’s go.”
“Eh…”
Ignoring me completely, she strode in. I followed, glancing at a bag with a staggering ninety-thousand-yen price tag.
“Nope, I’m going home.”
“Hey, don’t give up so easily! They have stuff you can afford!”
Ayaka then took off on her own. Ten minutes later, we met back up inside the store. A new bag was already hanging from her arm.
“I found a good wallet. Come on!”
She grabbed me by the scruff of my neck and dragged me over to the wallet section. The price was…
“Twenty-one thousand yen. Well, I guess this is about right.”
My budget wasn’t deep enough to call a twenty-thousand-yen wallet “about right,” but after seeing so many expensive items, my sense of money was getting warped.
“Wallets are at their cheapest today, so you can probably get it for around fifteen thousand. Lucky you.”
“Whoa, that big of a discount? That’s tempting.” But that was if I were buying it for myself. Buying it for someone else required a certain level of resolve. When I calmed down, the thought of giving a gift worth over ten thousand yen to a girl who wasn’t even my girlfriend felt outrageous. It was only because the recipient was Shinohara, but for any other girl, an amount like that might be overwhelming.
“I’m going to call a clerk over. We need to get it out of the case.”
“Hold on! I’m still thinking!”“You said you’d leave it to me. The price is within your budget, and I don’t think you’ll find anything better.”
“Even if you say that…”
As I hesitated, my gaze fell upon a pair of girls who looked like university students. For some reason, my eyes were drawn to them. They had a glamorous vibe, but that was common at university. So why couldn’t I look away? I watched them as they moved through the store. What caught my attention was the girl with ash-colored hair, standing in front of a display case, fiddling with her phone.
I couldn’t see her face, but I recognized her style, her gestures, her aura.
As if she felt my stare, the girl slowly looked up.
──It was my ex-girlfriend, Aisaka Reina.
◇◆
“──Reina.”
A dry voice escaped my throat. Reina looked just as surprised as I was, her eyes wide.
“…Yuuta-kun.”
The sound of my name felt nostalgic. Her voice, her expression, her mannerisms—everything stirred up memories. The black long coat, the red muffler, the high heels—it was an outfit I’d seen before. Her hair was a little lighter than when we were dating, but there was no mistaking the girl I had once shared my heart with.
After a few seconds of silence, the girl next to Reina spoke up. “Reina, who’s this? A friend?”
“Eh? Ah, yeah. Something like that.” Reina hedged, then glanced back at me with a troubled smile. “…It’s been a while. Have you been well?”
I sighed internally at her polite, socially acceptable question, clearly meant to avoid any awkwardness. The girl next to her obviously didn’t know me. We’d dated for about a year, and I’d met several of Reina’s friends, but this girl was a new face. Reina went to a wealthy all-girls’ university, so we never had many mutual acquaintances. From the curious look on her friend’s face, I knew she was completely in the dark.
“…Yeah, so-so,” I replied with equally safe words.
It was our first time seeing each other in two months, but there was no need to drag her clueless friend into our past. There was nothing more I wanted to say. We had broken up the day after I found out she cheated. Even then, Reina had offered no explanation. When I told her I wanted to break up, she just nodded silently.
Only two months. It sounds short, but in the immediate aftermath of the breakup, every day had dragged on so slowly it made me sick. In that sense, this felt like a reunion after a very long time. When she was my girlfriend, I had cherished her deeply, with feelings that went beyond simple “love.” But once you break up, you’re just strangers.
“Are you buying that?” Reina asked, gesturing to the wallet in my hand, likely just trying to make conversation.
It was the wallet for Shinohara.
“Yeah. A little expensive, though.”
“I-I see. I hope she’ll be happy with it.”
“Mm.”
I gave a short reply and turned my gaze back to the display case, signaling the end of the conversation. I could feel my feelings for Reina finally settling. Right after we broke up, just seeing a picture of her would make my chest ache. Now, while seeing her had been a shock, it was much better than before. Time would take care of the rest.
“Can I… see you again?”
“──Huh?”
The sharp response came not from me, but from Ayaka, who had been silent until now. Reina looked at her, surprised.
“Are you serious?” Ayaka’s voice was laced with contempt.
Reina and Ayaka had never officially met. I had tried to introduce them a few times while we were dating, but their schedules never aligned. However, Ayaka had seen countless pictures of Reina and knew exactly who she was.
Perhaps Reina understood from that single comment. She averted her eyes and quickly walked out of the store, murmuring, “See you again,” as she passed.
“…Hey.”
After confirming Reina was gone, I turned to Ayaka. She glanced in the direction Reina had gone, then spoke.
“Sorry. You were trying to act normal, so I tried to hold back, but… I guess I got pissed off anyway.”
“I appreciate the sentiment. That was my ex-girlfriend.”
“I recognized her immediately. You showed me her picture enough times. She’s cute, but that’s about it.”
“Well, yeah. That’s true.” She probably had other good qualities besides being cute, but then again, every human has some good points. It would be tactless to say that to Ayaka now. She had gotten angry on my behalf.
“…Thanks.”
At my unintentional words of gratitude, Ayaka gave a bitter smile. “Don’t thank me for that. Her friend had nothing to do with it. I feel bad for how I acted.” She let out a deep sigh, as if releasing her anger. “Come on, that’s the wallet. I’ll put it all on my card; you can pay me back in cash.”
My mind, which had completely drifted from shopping after seeing Reina, snapped back to reality. The wallet was now in Ayaka’s hand. In her other, she held the bag she’d been eyeing, her anger gone and replaced by a bright, excited expression.
“Shopping for expensive things really gets you excited, huh?”
“I can’t say I don’t get it… but whatever. I’ll buy the wallet. And I’ll pay for it myself.” I wanted to splurge, to wash away the gloomy feeling from seeing Reina. A gift for someone I was indebted to seemed like the perfect way to kill two birds with one stone.
“No, I’ll pay.”
“Eh, why?”
“I get points on my card. Give me 500 points.”
“S-So greedy!”
She never acted like this around other people, only when it was just the two of us. Not that I had any complaints.“Alright, you wait outside the store.”
“Yeah, yeah…”
I reluctantly gave in, and Ayaka headed to the register, humming happily. After making sure she was at the checkout, I looked one last time in the direction Reina had gone. Her figure had already vanished into the crowd.
◇◆
Five minutes later, Ayaka came out of the store.
“Here. Your share,” she said, handing me a bag with the wallet inside. I noticed something else in the bag and pulled it out.
“This is…”
It was a key case. The subtle black luster told me it wasn’t cheap.
“It’s for you.”
“Eh, are you serious? Why so suddenly?”
“It’s a birthday present. Your birthday was in July, so it’s way late, but… I just realized I’ve never given you a birthday present before.”
“Eh, really!? This is so cool, are you sure it’s okay!?” A voice much higher than my own escaped my lips.
Presents are nerve-wracking for both the giver and the receiver. The giver worries if the recipient will like it, and the receiver worries about not having the right reaction. I’m especially bad at receiving gifts; even when I’m genuinely happy, my reaction can be hesitant. But this time, I got something I actually wanted, and my excitement was genuine. It had been a long time since I’d been able to react so honestly to a gift.
Ayaka smiled, satisfied with my reaction. “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”
“No, really, thanks a lot.”
“I’m glad you’re happy. Alright, let’s go.”
“Eh, where to?”
“To the buffet! Show me your gratitude with your attitude and your money, since this is the first time I’ve ever given a present to a guy!”
“Hey, you ruined the moment with that last part!” I retorted, and Ayaka burst out laughing.
She started walking excitedly toward the hotel, and as I followed, I replayed her words in my head.
So this was the first time Ayaka gave a present to a guy.Even though we were good friends, I didn’t know the full extent of her social life. I had just assumed she’d given presents to guys before. Watching her walk briskly ahead, eager for the buffet, a small smile formed on my face. Ayaka probably liked our relationship just the way it was—friends, with no chance of romance.
But I was sure there was no harm in being happy that I was the first.
My heart, which had been unsettled by the encounter with Reina, had already completely healed.
◇◆
After indulging at the buffet with Ayaka, I was on my way home. I pulled out my now very light wallet. I’d considered grabbing a coffee from a vending machine, but I only had enough change left to make me hesitate. My dear Yukichi and Higuchi, where have you gone?[Note: Fukuzawa Yukichi is the person on the ¥10,000 bill and Higuchi Ichiyō is the person on the ¥5,000 bill.]“So expensive… but it was delicious,” I grumbled, shoving the wallet back into my pocket. It was an amount of spending that a student living alone shouldn’t even have to imagine for a single day. It would have been one thing if it was for an event like Christmas, but today was just a normal weekday. The buffet wasn’t your typical family restaurant spread; it was filled with dishes that would have been expensive on their own. I had eaten my fill, so I supposed I should be content with my empty wallet.
“To think I can’t even buy a coffee…” I muttered pathetically and finally headed for home. Looks like that new game console would have to wait.
As my apartment building came into view, I saw the light was on in my room. Shinohara had said her friends were taking her out for her birthday, but she must be back already.
My plans will probably end early, so please leave the key in the mailbox.That was the LINE message she’d sent this morning. Lacking any sense of caution about potential burglars, I’d agreed and left the key for her.
It was 10:30 PM. I had no idea what she was doing, but she was probably just lazing around, reading manga in someone else’s house. I climbed the creaky stairs to my second-floor apartment—a fairly old building, but not quite a wreck.
I opened the door and called out, “I’m home,” greeted only by the sound of the TV. From the back of the hallway, a familiar face peeked out. Shinohara’s loosely curled hair was tied up in a ponytail.
“Ah, Senpai. Welcome back.”
“I’m home. What are you doing here so late?”
“As you can see, TV. TV.” She changed the channel. The screen, which had been showing a woman being interviewed, switched to a news program.
“Oh, what were you watching?”
“That’s a secret. A girl needs her privacy.”
“I wasn’t prying that much. Hand over the remote.”
“Ah!”
I snatched the remote and flicked through the channels until I found the program with the woman from before. The caption read, ‘When do you feel like you want a boyfriend?’ It was a romance talk show.
“Huh, you watch surprisingly girly shows.”
“Argh! What’s so surprising about it!? You’re the worst!”
“So why were you watching a show like this?”
At my question, Shinohara averted her eyes, seeming at a loss for words.
“…Well, if you don’t want to say, that’s fine. More importantly, today…”
“I was wondering if I’m out of touch with things,” she blurted out.
“──You’re gonna say it? Eh, what’s with this all of a sudden?”
“Ah, so cold! And after I worked up the courage to say it!”
Shinohara glared at me, but it was more cute than intimidating.
“…I was dating Motosaka-senpai, right? Well, a suspicion has surfaced that my sense of things might be a little… off. Mainly, a suspicion within myself.”
“Hah. A little late to be realizing that.” Whether someone was “off” or not depended entirely on their environment. But from my perspective, yes, her way of thinking was a little skewed. Not in a bad way. It was just rare.
“I told my friends we broke up. It’s a bit late, since we broke up last month, but I wanted to tell them in person.”
“Oh? And how’d they react?”
“Well, you know. ‘That must have been tough,’ ‘I hope you find someone better next time,’ things like that.”
“Hmm. They sound like good friends.”
“They are, but…” Shinohara shook her head, as if that wasn’t the point. “I feel kind of awkward hearing all that. I mean, I do feel bad about causing all that trouble for you guys on Christmas. But I only went out with him because I wanted to do couple-y things…” She shrugged, adding, “…it’s not like I was hurt or anything.”
“Still, they spent the whole day showing me sympathy and trying to comfort me... I’m so exhausted.”
“So that’s why you left your own birthday celebration early.”
“Yes. …I dated Motosaka-senpai because I wanted to experience couple-like events. I was angry that he cheated, but I wasn’t hurt. Am I… weird?”
“Aren’t you?”
“I knew it,” she laughed. It wasn’t a hurt laugh, but a genuinely carefree one.
“I think there are plenty of guys who, like you, would date someone just to do couple-like things. But normally, you’d have to like the person at least a little, and you’d definitely be hurt if you were cheated on.” Thinking back, even right after it happened, Shinohara had only said she was pissed off, never showing any signs of being hurt.
“Why were you so angry when he cheated on you?”
“Because it pissed me off.”
“Why?”
“Because he made a fool of me.”
“It wasn’t jealousy? Like, him paying attention to another woman? Or thinking, ‘was your love for me a lie?’”
“No. He was so persistent with his confessions, so I finally gave in, and then he cheats on me? Is he messing with me? That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less.” Shinohara declared, then frowned worriedly when I remained silent. “…Am I easy?”
She seemed to be aware that her way of thinking was different and was now worried about how it came across.
Honestly, I didn’t have enough evidence to deny it, but I didn’t dislike her way of thinking.
“Everyone’s different. For now, why don’t you just wait for a fateful encounter?”
“I waited, I met someone, and I got cheated on.”
“…………I see.”
“What’s with that pitiful tone?”
“No, sorry. That must have been tough.”
“I just said that’s the attitude that’s so tiring!” Shinohara puffed out her cheeks, then pulled her knees to her chest and buried her face in them. “I’m jealous of everyone else. Couples who are actually in love… that seems nice, doesn’t it?”
“That’s true.”
For a moment, Reina’s face flashed in my mind. I fumbled with the bag from Ayaka, as if to push the thought away.
“Here, for you. A wallet.”
“Eh!?”
Shinohara instantly broke her posture and scrambled closer. A sweet scent, not from my shampoo, tickled my nose.
“Happy birthday. Let’s get along this year, too.”
“…My heart just skipped a beat.”
“I see. Glad you like it.”
“I mean, this is exactly my taste! I’ve been wanting something from this brand for a while now. How did you know? Are you a genius?”
As expected of Ayaka, her choice was perfect.
“You can tell from our usual conversations.” …Please forgive me for trying to sound cool.
Just then, the intercom buzzed, the loud sound echoing through the small apartment.
“Who could that be at this hour?”
Shinohara stood up with an “oomph” and walked to the entrance, clutching the wallet preciously. Seeing her so happy made the expensive purchase feel worth it. I heard the click of the door opening.
The next voice I heard wasn’t Shinohara’s, but one that was just as familiar.
“Eh, Shinohara-san? What are you doing here?”
“…Ayaka-senpai.”
With Shinohara standing between us, my eyes met Ayaka’s.
◇◆
I instinctively looked away. Come to think of it, I’d never told Ayaka that Shinohara had been hanging out at my place. There was nothing improper going on, but if I were in her shoes, what would I think?
The answer was obvious.
“…Huh? You two… are you dating?”
As expected, Ayaka’s voice was filled with surprise. When I looked at her, she wasn’t wearing her usual teasing expression; she looked genuinely shocked. I’d always told Ayaka first whenever I got a girlfriend. From her perspective, I had not only gotten a girlfriend without telling her, but that girlfriend was our mutual acquaintance, Shinohara. It was a double shock.
Ayaka was uncharacteristically speechless. I waved a hand as I walked toward the entrance. “You’re wrong. If something like that had happened, I probably would have told you.”
She remained silent for a few seconds, then shook her head. “…That might be true for you. But anyone would think that, seeing this situation.”
“Well, that’s true. If it were anyone but you, I’m not confident I could clear up this misunderstanding.”
“No, no, I’m confused too. Don’t expect me to understand everything,” Ayaka added, closing the front door. “That honestly surprised me.” The cold wind was cut off, and a bit of warmth returned to the room.
“But you understand more than others, right?”
“Well, maybe.”
Ambiguous relationships between men and women were common in college, but I hadn’t had a girl who wasn’t my girlfriend in my room very often, especially not alone. Seeing me with Shinohara at 11:30 PM, Ayaka’s misunderstanding was perfectly natural.
But it should be cleared up now. Just as I was about to apologize to Shinohara, she spoke up.
“I didn’t know you were the kind of thoughtless person who would visit someone’s house at this hour, Ayaka-senpai.”
Ayaka paused, then tilted her head. “…My, I don’t think I want to hear that from an underage girl who’s hanging out alone in a man’s house this late.”
Hey, why are you two fighting the moment you see each other?I instinctively stepped between them. “Shinohara, Ayaka is still your senpai.”
“…You’re right. I’m sorry.” Shinohara apologized obediently, but her eyes remained fixed on Ayaka. She hadn’t acted this way during the group date.
──No. The two of them hadn’t spoken a single word to each other that night.
Is there something going on between them?The tense atmosphere was palpable. I glanced at Ayaka, who was staring back at Shinohara, her calm expression un Flinching. After a short pause, Ayaka spoke.
“…This girl is fine. She’s been my kouhai for a long time.”
“A long time?” I’d heard they were kouhai and senpai, but was it from before university? I didn’t know if that was related to the tension between them, and right now, I didn’t need to. It was their problem.
I decided to add a word to Shinohara. “Shinohara, let’s stop here.”
At my words, she glanced at me, then obediently lowered her head. “I’m sorry. I guess I was a little harsh.”
Ayaka shook her head, looking unconcerned. “It’s fine, I’m sorry too. I couldn’t help but provoke you back. Besides, from the looks of it, you two aren’t really dating.”
“Yes, that’s right.” On that point, Shinohara nodded obediently. She had just been complaining that she’d “never seriously fallen in love.”
Ayaka seemed satisfied and placed her slender fingertips on the doorknob. “Well then, I’ve disturbed you. I’ll take care of my business another time.”
“Yeah, see you at uni.”
Ayaka smiled and turned to leave. But as she turned, her gaze was caught by what Shinohara was holding.
“This?” Shinohara noticed her gaze and held up the wallet. “I just got this from Senpai.”
Thump.My heart leaped. Ayaka stared at the wallet and frowned slightly. Of course she would—she was the one who chose it.
“…I see. A lovely wallet,” she said shortly, then patted my shoulder as she left. “Not bad, you. Your taste has improved.”
“No,” I started, my gaze pleading, Is this okay? But she brushed it off as if she didn’t care.
“Sorry to have bothered you.”
With a final greeting, Ayaka left, melting into the darkness. All I could do was watch her go.
◇◆
“Shinohara, a word.”
“…Uhm.”
I crossed my legs on the sofa as Shinohara sat in seiza on the floor in front of me. To an outsider, this might look problematic, but this was my house. There was no one to see.
“Senpai.”
“What?”
“The floor is cold.”
“This is a studio apartment; there’s no floor heating. Deal with it. Besides, you sat there yourself.” I glanced at Shinohara, who was dressed quite casually, and re-crossed my legs. There was only one thing I wanted to say.
“Your attitude just now. Ayaka is your senpai, right?”
“…Yes. I’m very sorry.”
The downcast former Santa was even less energetic than when she’d broken up with Motosaka. From her obedient apology, I could tell she was reflecting on her actions. At least, for acting that way in front of me.
So, I decided to change my approach slightly.
“…Is what I want to say. But as long as you act normal in front of me, that’s all that matters.”
At my words, her face brightened. Her expression was back to its usual cheerful self.
“Yes! I’ll act normal!”
“What kind of declaration is that? …Anyway, go home for today. It’s getting late.” It was the latest she’d ever stayed. I usually made sure she was home by 11, so it wasn’t much later than usual, but still.“You know, it’s rare these days for a guy to send a girl home this close to the last train. You could worry about me a little,” she said as she headed for the entrance. The small entryway was cluttered with my boots, but she navigated it with a familiar ease, slipping on her heels.
“So, aren’t you curious? About why I was so rude.”
“Not really. It has nothing to do with me.”
“Ah, don’t say that. It actually kind of hurts.” After putting on her shoes, Shinohara turned back to me one last time. “But, I actually quite like that detached side of you, Senpai.”
“Is that so. Hurry up and close the door, it’s cold.”
“…You’re a really cold person! At least give me some reaction!” Shinohara stuck her tongue out before closing the door.
“…Don’t say things like ‘quite like’ so casually,” I muttered to the empty room.
I knew she didn’t mean it that way, but if this were high school, I definitely would have gotten carried away. Then I’d be the bad guy for misunderstanding. It’s probably the same for girls, but life is tough for guys, too.
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