NOVEL NEXT Chapter 29
On a weekend following the school trip, which was a three-day weekend for the third-year students due to a substitute holiday. Being a student preparing for entrance exams, I spent half of each day studying.
On Saturday night, I received a message from Ninomiya-san.
“Can you come over tomorrow as promised?”
Ah, yes. I had promised to visit Ninomiya-san’s grandmother to receive thanks for the day at the shopping mall with Riko-san. Ninomiya-san had helped me quite a bit, including during the school trip. I needed to bring a confectionery gift to avoid an astronomical consulting fee.
“Sure, I can come.”
“Great, let’s meet at the station after lunch.”
I replied affirmatively and thought about asking Haruka for confectionery recommendations. Then, another message came in.
“Do you want to hang out tomorrow? How about a post-trip get-together?”
It was from Riko-san. And our plans overlapped. She probably meant it as an individual invitation, as she had already attended a group celebration on the last day of the trip. I wanted to go, but…
“Sorry, I’ve been invited to Ninomiya-san’s grandmother’s house…”
Her response was immediate.
“From her grandmother?”
“Yes, it’s to thank me for the day we went to the shopping mall.”
“Oh, I see. Maybe we can meet up somewhere?”
“I’m actually being invited to her house.”
She called me right after I replied.
“…Hello?”
“You’re going?!”
“…Yes, I’m sorry.”
I apologized reflexively.
“No, I mean, sorry. It’s not like I have the right to stop you. You don’t need to apologize. It’s just…”
She didn’t sound angry.
“Okay.”
“It’s just… the idea of you going to some girl’s house makes me feel… I don’t know.”
“…I see.”
“…I don’t like it.”
“…”
Was this what they call “Japanese jealousy”? It was clear she was feeling jealous.
“But it’s just to receive thanks. I don’t plan to stay long.”
“…Will you come back soon?”
“That’s the plan.”
“Okay… sorry for saying all this when we’re not even dating.”
Indeed, we were just friends, but I understood her feelings.
“It’s okay. Thank you, Riko-san.”
“…Okay.”
I could almost hear her breath catch when I called her by her first name.
“I want some of your time next week.”
“Okay.”
“Then, I’ll contact you again. Good night, Toru.”
“Good night, Riko-san.”
After the call, I stared at my phone, feeling light-hearted. She had sent me a goodnight dog sticker.
“Was that Adachi?”
Startled by Haruka’s cold voice from behind, I hesitated.
“What’s with that reaction?”
“I’m not startled.”
I was totally startled.
“That call was from Adachi, right?”
“…Yes.”
Haruka’s mood felt heavy. She didn’t approve, but she also didn’t say anything. It seemed she had drawn her own line. Wait, am I not being questioned?
“Well, I won’t allow it if something happens. I want to crush it even if nothing happens.”
I was doomed. Haruka’s rage was visible. And I had to ask her about the confectionery gift for Ninomiya-san’s house…
“Um… I’m going to Ninomiya-san’s house tomorrow. Could you tell me what kind of confectionery to bring?”
“What?”
Scary. Her anger was rising again. I’m really worried about her blood vessels.
“Toru.”
“Yes?”
Haruka paused.
“Don’t expect anything just because you’re invited to a girl’s house. You’re Toru, after all.”
…That’s rude. I know that without being told.
“…I know. Ninomiya-san told me she doesn’t like me that way.”
I understood Riko-san’s feelings, and Ninomiya-san had said she didn’t have feelings for me.
“…I wonder if it’s really just to say thanks.”
Haruka muttered, and I had no answer.
—
On Sunday, I waited for Ninomiya-san at the station, holding the confectionery I had bought. When a luxurious limousine pulled up, and Ninomiya-san stepped out, I was surprised. She must be quite wealthy. I reluctantly got into the car, which thankfully didn’t have a fridge.
“It’s rare, isn’t it?”
Yes, I was stunned. Ninomiya-san seemed pleased to surprise me. The car ride was smooth, and soon Ninomiya-san pointed out her house – a splendid mansion reminiscent of
something from Star Wars.
Today was going to be interesting. I just hoped I could handle it.