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Hearing the sound of a key being inserted into the front door, I, Elis, turned off the stove and headed straight for the entrance.
It’s not like I was lying in wait or anything.
It’s just that when it gets to be about the time he’d usually be coming home, I try to keep a part of my attention focused on not missing that sound.
So I don’t miss the look on Rintaro’s face the moment he walks in.
On days when something good has happened, his gaze is lifted, and our eyes meet right away.
Conversely, on days when I can tell he’s a little tired, he tends to look down as he comes in, letting out a small “phew.”
I wonder what kind of expression he’ll show me today.
Thinking that, I went to greet Rintaro.
“Welcome home, Rintaro.”
“…………Ah, I’m home. Ellis.”
That’s an expression I’ve never seen before.
Rintaro looks like he’s deep in thought or has his mind elsewhere; he probably came home almost without realizing it.
(Something must have happened.)
I figured it out right away.
I don’t know what exactly, but something must have happened while he was at the aquarium with Shino that really shook him up.
I smiled brightly and walked over to Rintaro.
“How was your date?”
“—It wasn’t a date.”
Huh? What was that awkward pause just now? Rintaro would usually deny it right away.
—Was he lying, or trying to brush it off?
No, Rintaro isn’t used to lying, so he’d probably sound even more awkward.
If that’s the case, he must have hesitated for a split second, trying to figure out how to answer.
Something really did happen.
Something that kept him from answering “It wasn’t a date” right away.
“How was the aquarium? I heard it was a really stylish place, right?”
“Yeah. It wasn’t very big, but it was a nice place, including the atmosphere inside.”
He’s not lying. That’s Rintaro’s honest opinion.
──Huh?
I was so focused on Rintaro’s face that I didn’t notice…
“By the way, Rintaro, your shirt’s wet.”
“Oh, this? I got splashed while watching the dolphin show.”
“I see. Well, you’d better change right away or you’ll catch a cold.”
“──You’re right.”
It clicked. Something must have happened during the dolphin show.
I don’t really know much about Shino’s ways, but I wonder what happened?
If it were me, I’d probably take advantage of the commotion to throw my arms around him… but well, just knowing that something happened is enough for now.
“Rintaro, the bath is ready. You go first.”
“Thanks, that’s a big help.”
Rintaro gave a small smile and headed toward his room.
Watching his back as he walked away, I let out a soft sigh deep in my chest.
Once I confirmed Rintaro had gotten in the bath, I stopped cooking and decided to check Shino’s Instagram.
Shino’s account is private, but she posts photos fairly often.
In particular, whenever she’s gone out with Rintaro on a day off, she’s posted a photo 100% of the time.
I looked through her past posts too, and I could tell right away which photos were probably taken by Rintaro.
I think almost all the photos where Shino is alone and wasn’t taking the picture herself were probably taken by Rintaro.
“…………Nothing.”
There were no new posts. No Stories either.
No dolphins, no aquariums, no drinks—she hadn’t posted anything at all.
That’s strange. I can’t imagine Shino didn’t take any photos.
But if she didn’t post them on Instagram, that means…
(It’s so frustrating.)
I can’t stop feeling restless.
I want to know—I want to know what happened.
No, I don’t want to know… the sight of Rintaro on a date with another woman… but I still want to know.
Shino is sneaky.
She knows a side of Rintaro that I don’t.
For the six years I wasn’t by his side, she was close to Rintaro, and she probably knows the Rintaro of today better than I do.
I’m jealous. It stings.
But I can’t bring myself to hate Shino.
Because Shino is the one who supported Rintaro.
She’s the one who was by Rintaro’s side when I wasn’t there.
“…Shino”
I opened my chat with Shino.
We haven’t known each other for very long, but our chat history has already grown so much that I can’t scroll back to the beginning with just a few taps.
I know very well that she’s a really nice person.
I also know that she likes Rintaro.
But when I think about Rintaro and Shino being together—about those times when I’m not by his side—the knot in my chest just won’t go away.
“Elis, I’m out. Thanks for getting everything ready.”
“No, it’s fine.”
Rintaro, who had just gotten out of the bath, seemed to have sorted out his feelings—he was back to his usual self.
Though maybe he’d soaked in the tub a little too long; his face was slightly flushed.
“I’m going in next. Rintaro, could you keep an eye on the stove for a sec?”
“Oh, sure.”
I started to feel like I might lose my cool, so I decided to take a bath myself to calm down.
I tend to go off the rails when I get too worked up…
To be honest, I kind of—no, actually, I really like making Rintaro’s heart race, but if I overdo it, he’ll end up hating me, so I try to hold back as much as possible.
I went to the changing room, took off my clothes, and put them in the laundry basket.
By the way, Rintaro and I each have our own separate laundry baskets.
I was tossing my clothes in, planning to run the washing machine while I took a bath, when…
“What’s this?”
An unfamiliar T-shirt had slipped in among my clothes.
When I unfolded it, I saw it was the T-shirt from the aquarium Rintaro visited today.
He probably got wet during the dolphin show and bought this to change into.
—Which means… Shino did too?
Ugh………………
Shino, that’s so unfair.
Shino is abusing (?) her position as a friend to try to seduce Rintaro.
Well then, I’m going to make better use of the fact that we live together and make Rintaro’s heart race too…!
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