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

Ever since Hayashi started living in the room, the fast-paced voices from “cathartic” videos were heard almost daily. I despise those types of videos; it seems like the only thing they convey is the creator’s desire to belittle others. Hearing those videos alone is irritating for someone like me, so Hayashi’s change in behavior was honestly a relief.

However, when it comes to what Hayashi does during the time she would have spent watching those videos… she’s busy with various things.

One is part-time work. Regardless of what I say, she insists on contributing half of the room’s rent and the monthly food expenses. To make ends meet, she’s been working part-time whenever she has time.

Another is studying. Hayashi has said that she wants to earn multiple qualifications, including bookkeeping, for her future job prospects. For now, she’s studying hard for an upcoming bookkeeping exam.

Lastly, housework. I’m hopeless at anything other than cleaning. I admit that I’m the obsessive type and would probably get better once I got into it, but before that could happen, I ended up with a freeloader who handles everything like a housemaid, missing my chance to improve.

“…Why don’t you take a break?”

Hayashi, who was studying with her reference books spread out on a small desk, looked up from her girl-like sitting position, adjusting her red-framed glasses.

“I’m not tired.”

“Really? You seem busy lately, with work, studying, housework… everything.”

“Aren’t you also busy with a lot of things? Your part-time job at the convenience store, studying for lectures at university, cleaning the house…”

“True.”

Wait, why am I agreeing?

I shook my head to clear the agreeing thought.

Speaking of which, Hayashi, while her voice is the same as always, keeps looking at her reference book and doesn’t look at me. I’ve felt like our eyes haven’t met recently… or is it just my imagination?

Damn. This might be more serious than I thought.

“No, that’s not it. Lately, you seem… desperate.”

“Is that a problem?”

“It is. It’s not good to push yourself too hard… you need to take breaks.”

As someone who’s providing her shelter in this room.

As someone who knows she was once exploited by a boyfriend and suffered.

I want Hayashi to live comfortably here, taking breaks and relaxing for a while.

That was my wish. I believe that’s the best solution to heal the emotional wounds caused by domestic violence.

“I had a period of several months where I did nothing. During that time, I was left behind by everyone. If I don’t work hard now, when will I?”

“…I see. Let’s at least take a break today. We can work hard from tomorrow.”

Even a day’s rest can clear your mind a bit, and it’s obviously good for your body.

But still, Hayashi remained downcast.

…It’s not my place, but I owe her for taking care of me in this room. I have no choice but to do something.

“Hayashi, it’s okay.”

“Huh!”

I approached Hayashi and firmly grasped her shoulders.

…A scream came from Hayashi whose eyes met mine, making me falter for a moment. Then I realized that she should be fearful of men due to the domestic violence, and I felt even more guilty for overdoing it.

But, it wouldn’t be manly to back down now.

“It’s absolutely okay to take a day off. If you need help, I can tutor you. Despite appearances, I’m quite smart. I got into bookkeeping in middle school, so I have a good grasp of it up to the second level. So trust me. Let’s take a break sometimes.”

…Hayashi’s face was rapidly turning red.

I’m going to get scolded.

I know because I was pretty disliked by Hayashi in high school. Right now, she’s really furious.

The reasons for her anger are probably… You’re getting in the way of my studies… I can’t rely on you… That sort of thing.

But I can’t back down.

After all, she has been through a lot so far, so while she is here, I want her to have an easier time.

I continued to look intently at Hayashi.

Hayashi stared back at me for a while, her face still red… and then swallowed hard.

“O-okay, I got it… I got it, okay…”

Huh, I thought I was going to get scolded, but she surprisingly… accepted it easily.

“…I-I’ll listen. I’ll listen because it’s you…”

Reluctantly, Hayashi closed the reference book spread out on the desk.

“Thank you, Hayashi.”

I moved away from Hayashi. I felt sorry for scaring her, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it, so I turned my attention back to the television.

For a while, we watched TV in silence.

As I laughed at the TV talk show, Hayashi remained silent. Occasionally, I felt as if I was being pierced by her sharp gaze.

Naturally, I didn’t dare look in her direction.

After a while, I heard the fast-paced voice of the “cathartic” video coming from Hayashi’s direction.

…If it was going to be like this, I shouldn’t have persuaded Hayashi. At that moment, I regretted my actions a little.