Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/2912051598917319858
■Borrowing and Not Returning
“Rintaro, I’m making some tea. Want to join me?”
Late one night, while I was playing a video game in the living room, Ellis called out to me. I’d reached a good stopping point, so I set down the controller and turned around—and saw Ellis blowing on her hands.
“Are you cold?”
“Yeah, but I’m going to drink something warm, so I’ll be fine.”
“You’ll catch a cold. Should I turn on the heater?”
“No, that’s a waste.”
Since we started living together, I’ve realized that Ellis is very conscientious about things like this. I don’t really pay much attention to it myself, so I guess I should take a cue from her.
That said, when I looked closely, I saw that Ellis was wearing thin loungewear.
Maybe she still doesn’t have enough clothes to wear around the house.
If that’s the case…
“Wait a sec.”
Saying that, I went back to my room and pulled a hoodie out of my closet.
It was a plain, safe one I often wear when I go to the convenience store.
“Here, just wear this for now.”
“…………Is that okay?”
“You’re cold, aren’t you?”
Ellis’s face lit up, and she happily slipped her arms into the sleeves.
Since I’d bought it a little too big, the sleeves were too long on her, completely covering her fingertips.
“……Hehe.”
Holding the cuffs, Ellis spun around in place.
“How’s that? Rintaro.”
“Yeah, it’s a little big, but it looks fine.”
“…That’s not what I meant.”
“No, it’s not that it looks good on you… it’s just that with something this plain, the clothes get overshadowed by you—”
Yeah, now that Ellis is wearing it, my super plain hoodie actually looks kind of nice, but the reverse isn’t true.
“Hehe… If that’s the case, then great♪”
“By the way, if you’re short on clothes, you should go buy some more, okay?”
“Hmm, but it’ll get warmer soon, right?”
“Now that you mention it, you’re right.”
It’s almost May.
Lately, summer has been dominating, leaving spring feeling a bit out of place.
We’ll probably need short sleeves soon.
“So, can I borrow this for a little while?”
Saying that, Ellis buried her face in the sleeve and smiled happily.
Incidentally, after that, she never returned the hoodie—she just kept it.
■ Payback
“Hey, boss. I’ve got a special item here.”
Lunchtime, at the school cafeteria.
Shino, sitting next to me, pointedly flaunted what she had: past exam questions for the quiz coming up next week.
“This… how did you get it!?”
“I can’t reveal my source, can I? ♪”
“So, what do you want in return, Shino?”
“I’m a little strapped for cash this month~”
“Got it. I’ll treat you to lunch today.”
“Hehe, thanks as always~ ♪”
Deal done. Shino requested kitsune udon, so I left her to hold our seats while I went to buy a bunch of them.
Since starting college, Shino has been saying she’s been making an effort to connect with all kinds of people to build her network.
Even though her Instagram account is private, she’s gained nearly 100 followers recently.
I guess since all that socializing probably costs her money, her plan is to get what she can from people like me—her long-time, unreliable friend.
That said, there’s really no reason for Shino to go out of her way to do me a favor, since I’m just an ordinary guy with almost no real value to her.
Yet, even so, she still takes classes with me and eats lunch with me all the time, so maybe I should be grateful.
I feel bad about always just taking without giving anything back.
I’m a little hesitant to repay her with a gift, but it’s better than not giving anything at all—
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Here’s some kitsune udon… and this is a little something extra.”
On the tray was the bottled black tea Shino always drinks.
Shino blinked in surprise when she took it.
“Huh, is that okay?”
“Sure, it’s just a little something in return.”
“And this tea…”
“It’s the kind you always drink, right? You weren’t drinking it today, so I thought maybe you hadn’t bought any to save money.”
“…You’re absolutely right.”
Shino pursed her lips slightly.
She had a look on her face that was hard to read—as if she wasn’t quite convinced.
“Rintaro, you remembered that well.”
“Of course I did. I’m always watching you, after all.”
“…………!”
The moment she said that, Shino froze.
“……You, you know…”
Muttering that, Shino reached for the plastic bottle.
“That’s just the kind of thing you’d do.”
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