Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/1177354054897729140/episodes/16816452218869187526
“It’s really a huge amount…”
“What are these huge mirrors and strange ethnic instruments used for?”
The boys carry heavy items to the storage room in the mansion, while the girls clean up.
It’s a given that heavy work is done by men…
This time, since all the other men except me are in the kendo club, the work is progressing smoothly. Except for me.
I did practice karate and judo until middle school, but since becoming a high school student, I haven’t done much physical activity outside of PE, so I’m a bit out of breath.
The decline in physical strength is really scary.
“Hanzo, sorry, but can I go to the bathroom for a moment?”
“Go ahead. But you’re not slacking off, are you?”
“I’d love to slack off, but unfortunately, I want to finish this work quickly. I’ll be back as soon as I’m done.”
“Are you mocking my tone !?”
It’s been about an hour since we started working, but there’s still no end in sight.
According to the schedule for the forest school, we’re supposed to stay here until the evening, but will we be able to finish by then?
I think there’s a limit to working for free…oh, but Naito san said he had a reward prepared.
Yoshizaki san seemed to have noticed something, but I wonder what it was.
Thinking about such things, I finished using the restroom and tried to hurry to where Hanzo and the others were.
However,
“Ah !”
I heard a girl’s scream nearby, so I rushed over.
This mansion is so big that sounds echo easily.
When I went to where the scream came from, I saw Tanaka-san standing there with tears in her eyes.
“Tadokoro san? What’s wrong?”
“N-Nagamine kun. While I was sweeping earlier…there was a big rat…”
“A rat?”
“It was a really big rat. Bigger than the rats in the alleys of Shibuya…”
“Even the rats in Shibuya are pretty fat, but if it was bigger than that, it must have been huge.”
No, seriously, in the early morning, there are rats running around in Shibuya and Center Street, and it’s crazy.
They mostly target restaurant trash, so there are a lot of mice that have grown fat.
I kind of think of Center Street as Mouse Land.
[Haha ! I hate smart kids !]
Oops, I just heard the voice of a certain dreamland king scolding me in my head. No, no.
“Haa…but I’m relieved that Nagamine kun came. Thank you “]
“No, I just came because I was worried. I ignore Hanzo’s screams.”
“That’s so mean ! Poor Hanzo kun !”
“It’s an action born out of trust that he’ll be okay.”
“But if he’s screaming, I don’t think he’s okay……”
….Hmm?
I feel like I’ve had a conversation like this before…
That’s right, I had a similar conversation with Karen.
At that time, Karen and I could laugh together even over the most trivial things.
Perhaps in love, as in everything else, the beginning is the most enjoyable, and the passion gradually fades. It’s the sad nature of human beings.
“…? What’s wrong, Nagamine kun?”
“…Huh? Oh, sorry, I was lost in thought.”
“Oh, I see. Nagamine kun, you sometimes look like your mind is elsewhere.”
“Really? I didn’t notice.”
“Yeah, I see you look like that from time to time. Like the other day at karaoke.”
“Ah…well, don’t worry about it. It’s not like I’m not listening to you.”
“It’s okay ! I get like that when I’m worried too, so I understand how you feel…”
“Really?”
No one is free from worries and anxieties.
I’ve only known Tadokoro san for a few days, so I don’t know her very well yet, but she must have her own worries too.
“Hey, isn’t that Nagamine kun? And Tadokoro chan too. Having a secret meeting here…you two are quite the couple, aren’t you?”
“Oh ! When did you get here, Yoshizaki san?”
It was Yoshizaki san who appeared, speaking in the tone of a gossipy old lady from the neighborhood.
“Yikes ! Isn’t that rude to a girl?”
“My apologies.”
“So, what are you two doing here?”
“Well, I was sweeping the area when a big rat came out and startled me. Then Nagamine kun came over…”
“Wow! Nagamine kun is a hero ! Did you manage to get rid of the rat?”
“No, it seemed to have scurried away somewhere, so I didn’t even see what it looked like.”
“That’s hilarious !”
“No, it’s not funny…”
“Well, we can’t just leave the timid Tadokoro chan alone. This is where Yoshizaki Ayame comes to the rescue !”
“No, no ! It’s okay ! I’ll handle this area on my own !”
“Really? Are you sure? It’s no fun doing it alone…”
“Besides, it’s more efficient if we all divide up the work, right?”
“Oh, I see. Well, then I’ll go do something else…”
“Bye-bye” Yoshizaki san said, waving her hand lazily as she walked away.
“…Oh no, I should probably head back to Hanzo’s place soon.”
“Oh, sorry for holding you up ! Thanks !”
“No problem ! But are you sure you’ll be okay alone? Maybe you should have done it with Yoshizaki san?”
“Um, yeah….I guess so. But…it’s kind of hard to say…”
“Hm?”
“I…I’m not really comfortable with Yoshizaki san. Honestly, I just don’t know what she’s thinking…”
“Is that so…”
I felt the same way.
I interact with Yoshizaki san from time to time, but I can’t tell what she’s thinking.
I’ve even felt a chill sometimes.
She’s usually cheerful and smiling, but there’s something dark about her that I can’t quite put my finger on.
I hope it’s just my imagination…
“This is a secret, okay? I’m really sorry if it sounds like I’m badmouthing her…”
“Ah, there’s no point in telling anyone anyway. Well, you never know what people are thinking, do you?”
“That’s true…well, see you later, Nagamine kun. Let’s keep going for the rest of the time.”
“Alright ! See you later.”
After parting ways with Tadokoro san, I hurried back to Hanzo and the others.
“That was a long bathroom break, wasn’t it?” I was glared at.
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