Living with the Arrogant Queen from High School is Surprisingly Not Uncomfortable

[Back to the present]

The past will continue in later chapters…

***

I opened my eyes and let out a sigh. I had been lost in old memories for quite a while. I checked on Hayashi, who was behind me. She was still wearing a gloomy expression.

“I’m sorry. Really.”

The only thing I could do for Hayashi now was to apologize. So, I apologized again.

However, I was beginning to lose track of what I was apologizing for. Hayashi had said earlier that her girlfriend’s current depression wasn’t due to a disgust towards me and Kasahara dating back then. If that’s the case, I can’t figure out why Hayashi is feeling down now.

“…Yamamoto.”

“What is it?”

“…Let’s go home.”

Her depressed girlfriend didn’t seem to have recovered. But Hayashi asked me to go home. I didn’t know how to help her recover. So, I thought I’d at least do as she said and followed her.

On the way home, Hayashi didn’t say a word. The bag that held the book felt a bit heavier, perhaps because I’d been holding it all this time.

Even after we got home, Hayashi’s mood didn’t improve.

Yet, she started cooking dinner as usual. The delicious aroma filled the room. Feeling bad about lounging alone in the living room, I decided to clean the balcony. It was in terrible shape due to recent sudden downpours, much like the squalls in Southeast Asia.

Of course, there was no conversation between us while she was cooking. The sound of the TV personalities from a variety show was the only noise in the room.

Sweating, I picked up fallen leaves with a dustpan, wiped the place where the clothesline stood, cleaned the window, and somehow passed this unbearable time.

From the balcony, I occasionally watched Hayashi through the window.

Hayashi still seemed gloomy. What aspect of my past relationship with Kasahara did she not like? But even if she didn’t like it, would she normally be this upset? Maybe the reason Hayashi is in such a state now is due to something other than feelings of anger or resentment.

As I was staring at her absent-mindedly, I noticed that the pot she was cooking in was boiling over. And Hayashi, who was elsewhere in her mind, hadn’t noticed it.

“Hayashi, the pot.”

“Eh? …Ouch!”

I called out to her in a hurry, but it was too late.

Hayashi, who was stirring the pot with chopsticks in a daze, was splashed with boiling water and flinched. The lid she was holding in her left hand clattered to the floor.

“Are you okay?”

I quickly took off my sandals and ran over to Hayashi. I turned off the stove and grabbed her hand. The tip of her right index finger was red. It seemed she had burned herself.

“First, cool it with water.”

I helped Hayashi up and took her finger to the sink, running water over it. The cold water made Hayashi grimace for a moment, but she soon seemed a little calmer.

“…I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m also to blame for leaving the cooking to you alone. I’m sorry.”

“…I’m so useless.”

“Don’t say things that aren’t like you. It doesn’t suit you at all.”

“…I’m not strong, you know.”

There was a moment of silence. Only the sound of running water echoed around us. I remembered thinking before that Hayashi was surprisingly fragile. But seeing her blame herself made her look weaker than ever.

“…Really, I hate myself. I can’t stand being unable to do anything…”

“You’re not usually this weak. Did something unpleasant happen?”

I tried to deflect the question, but Hayashi didn’t even attempt a bitter smile. She seemed to be in a deeply serious state.

As I held her hand under the running water, I realized I was still holding her wrist. By now, she should be able to cool her burn without my help.

I stepped back from her. While she cooled her hand, I thought I’d prepare some vaseline.

“I’m sorry for always causing trouble,” she said.

“Don’t worry about it. No one can live alone.”

“…But I’m always causing trouble for you.”

“If we’re talking in that time frame, I’ve caused you plenty of trouble too. So don’t worry about it.”

“…Hey, Yamamoto.”

“What is it?”

“Do you think… I should move out of this room after all?”

I picked up the vaseline and slowly turned my face to Hayashi.