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In the end, I decided to apply for a part-time job at a family restaurant near my nearest station.
What’s more, with Shino urging me, “Strike while the iron is hot,” I ended up making the application call right then and there. I dialed the number listed on the job posting page, gave my name and preferred shift times, and answered a few questions.
As a result, things moved so quickly that I ended up scheduling an interview for tomorrow on my way home from college.
──It feels kind of silly that I was worrying so much about it.
For someone like me who tends to overthink things before getting started, maybe it’s better to have someone forcefully push me forward like this and cut off any escape routes.
“Well, it looks like Rintaro’s journey of self-discovery is finally beginning.”
“That’s an exaggeration—it’s just applying for a part-time job.”
“You’re one to talk—you were the one overthinking and wavering.”
After submitting the application, we walked out of the classroom together.
Even after just a short walk, Shino was being called out by several people she knew. Each time, she’d give a quick wave or exchange a casual greeting. As always, she really does know everyone.
We left the campus and headed toward the station. We were chatting away about trivial things when my phone vibrated in my pocket.
[Rintaro. Are you with Shino right now, by any chance?]
Am I being watched…?
I had a hunch, so I glanced around, but there was no sign of Ellis. It must have been a misunderstanding after all.
“Rintaro, is that from Ellis-chan?”
“…Yeah, you figured it out.”
“I can see right through you, Rintaro… Well, to be honest, I only figured it out because I got a message from Ellis-chan too.”
“Shino got one too?”
“Yeah, asking if I’m free later.”
“Then why did I get one too…?”
Wondering about that, I sent a reply to Ellis.
‘I’m heading to the station with Shino right now.’
‘I’m heading home now too—is it okay if I meet up with you guys?’
I got a reply right away. It seems Ellis has gotten completely used to typing in Japanese. She might even be faster than me by now.
“Shino, Ellis asked if it’s okay for her to join us.”
“I know. I got the same message too. Since we’re here anyway, let’s go home together.”
There was no reason to refuse, so we decided to meet up.
“Rintaro, Shino!”
A few minutes later, as we waited near the convenience store in front of the station, Ellis came jogging toward us from across the crowd.
“Hey there! That’s rare—Ellis-chan reaching out to us.”
“Yeah, actually… I’ve been wanting to talk to Shino.”
Perhaps taken aback by Ellis’s words, Shino blinked a few times.
“Huh? Not Rintaro—me?”
“Yeah, if you’re free later, I was wondering if we could grab a bite to eat together.”
It seemed Ellis’s real intention was to talk to Shino, not me.
In that case, I’d probably just be in the way.
They probably have things they want to talk about just between girls, and it would be tacky for a guy to butt in.
“Well, I’ll head home first, then.”
“Huh?”
Ellis looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“Well, you want to talk to Shino, right? I figured you’d feel more comfortable without me around.”
“No, I want you to come too, Rintaro.”
“Me too?”
“Yeah. I want to get to know Shino better, but I’m still a little nervous about being alone with her.”
Ellis said that and looked down, looking a little embarrassed.
Oh, I see.
Ellis can speak Japanese fluently and is starting to settle in at college, but she’s naturally shy. It’s only natural that she’d be a little nervous about suddenly having dinner alone with Shino.
“Okay, I’m free after this, so I’m in! Let’s go have a wild, hedonistic party, the three of us!”
“hedonistic party…?”
“You don’t need to remember that, Ellis. It’s a lousy word anyway.”
Shino laughed, and Ellis followed suit with a small chuckle.
“Well, let’s go then. As for the place… how about that family restaurant over there?”
“Yeah. I’m fine with that.”
“I’m good too.”
And so, we headed toward the family restaurant in front of the station.
Ellis and Shino walked side by side next to me. Even though there was still a bit of distance between us, it was a strangely unsettling combination.
The three of us went to the family restaurant together. Maybe because it was a little early for dinner, the place was still pretty empty. We were shown to a table in the back. Ellis and Shino sat across from each other, and I ended up sitting next to Shino.
“Ellis-chan, do you usually eat at the school cafeteria?”
“Yeah. I usually eat at the cafeteria when I’m with friends.”
“There are a lot of flashy guys and girls in the International Liberal Arts program, right? You’re so cute, Ellis—haven’t you ever been hit on?”
“It’s fine. If it gets annoying, I just pretend I don’t understand Japanese.”
“Haha, what’s that? I want to try that too.”
“Shino, you look like the quintessential Japanese lady, so that wouldn’t work for you…”
I’d heard that Shino and Ellis kept in touch, but it seemed they hadn’t really had many chances to talk face-to-face until now, so the atmosphere was a little awkward at first.
So I was thinking about stepping in to keep the conversation going… but it turned out to be a complete waste of worry; within a few minutes, they’d already warmed up to each other completely.
I’d had a feeling they might click, but I never imagined they’d get along this well…
“You know, Ellis, you’re way more easygoing than I expected. You’ve really changed my impression of you.”
“That’s because Shino’s so funny.”
“Cut it out. Even if you compliment me, the best I’ll give you is some Dom Pérignon ♡”
“Like we’d have that at a family restaurant.”
The conversation itself wasn’t really about anything major.
College, the cafeteria, stories from my past—all just lighthearted topics.
Ellis laughs at Shino’s lighthearted banter, and Shino finds Ellis’s serious responses amusing.
Before long, even without me bringing up topics, the conversation between the two of them was flowing naturally on its own.
I’m genuinely happy when people I know get along well.
But… why is a faint trickle of cold sweat running down my spine?
—Don’t mix them—it’s dangerous.
A warning bell is ringing in the back of my mind.
Ellis knows the me from elementary school, and Shino knows the me from middle school onward.
It was the same when I heard they were sending each other photos—I couldn’t help but worry that the parts of my past I didn’t want anyone to see would be laid bare.
I had a bad feeling about it.
★ ☆ ★
By the time we finished eating and left the restaurant, it was completely dark outside.
Ellis and Shino’s conversation was flowing freely, and they’d even made plans to go shopping together next time. Even after leaving the restaurant, they continued chatting cheerfully about this and that.
Walking a little behind them, I was starting to think that bringing these two together might have been a mistake after all.
For some reason, ever since a little while ago, I’d been catching snippets of suspicious-sounding words—something about my old videos or whatever…
Feeling a sense of danger, we boarded the same train.
“Thanks for inviting me out today, Ellis-chan.”
“No, it’s nothing. I had fun talking with Shino, too.”
“So, about that stuff—I’ll leave it to you.”
“Leave it to me. I’ll send you mine, too.”
They were having some kind of ominous conversation while glancing over at me. When I made a face to show I didn’t like it, they giggled as if they’d planned it.
What on earth are they up to?
“Well, I’m getting off at the next stop.”
The conversation kept flowing even on the train, and before I knew it, we were approaching Shino’s stop.
“—Hey, where are you getting off, Ellis-chan?”
“The one after next.”
“…Same as Rintaro?”
Oh no…!
The blood drained from my face. I’d completely let my guard down.
Desperately trying to keep my panic from showing, I glanced at Ellis.
Ellis didn’t seem the least bit flustered.
In fact, as if she’d known she’d be asked that from the start, she nodded calmly.
“Yeah. We get off at the same station.”
“Huh… really?”
“At first, Rintaro was the only person I knew in Japan. So I asked to be placed somewhere close to him, just in case something happened and I needed to rely on him right away.”
“Ah, I see. When you were deciding on a homestay?”
“Yeah.”
Ellis answered naturally.
She wasn’t lying. She wasn’t lying, but she wasn’t telling the whole truth either.
I hesitated, wondering if I should chime in, but panicking now would only make me look even more suspicious.
So I kept quiet.
“I see. That makes sense. When you’ve just arrived in Japan, it’s more reassuring to be near someone you know.”
“Yeah. Plus, Rintaro’s reliable.”
“Huh.”
Shino’s demeanor was the same as always, but her gaze was completely fixed on me.
—She hasn’t noticed… I hope.
It was an unexpected turn of events, but it seemed I’d managed to cover it up.
I certainly don’t have the courage yet to reveal that Ellis is staying with me (and that it’s just the two of us).
I feel bad for Shino, but I’d like to keep it a secret for a while longer.
“—Well then, I’ll leave you here. See you at college.”
The train pulled into the station, and the doors opened.
It had only been about two minutes, but it felt like several times that long had passed.
“Yeah, see you later, Shino.”
“Well then, Shino, see you tomorrow.”
Shino stepped down onto the platform.
Ellis waved cheerfully, and Shino smiled and waved back as usual.
Just before the doors closed.
I saw Shino look at Ellis and me and mutter something under her breath.
(No way…)
I had no proof, but I felt like that’s what she’d said.
Please let this just be my imagination…
As the doors closed and the train started moving, I let out a big sigh.
Then I took a deep breath—as if to make up for all the air I’d been too nervous to breathe in until then.
I glanced over at her, and Ellis was smiling, looking relieved.
“Sorry, Rintaro. You want to keep it a secret that you’re with me, right?”
“Yeah, Shino’s pretty sharp, so be careful.”
“Okay, got it♪ It’s our little secret… hehe.”
Seeing the look on Ellis’s face as she savored that smile, a strange thought suddenly crossed my mind.
—What if she did that on purpose?
“Rintaro, what’s wrong?”
“……No, nothing.”
No way. I’m definitely overthinking this.
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