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

When I returned home, Hayashi was at her part-time job and not in the room. I had eagerly agreed to Kasahara’s wish and came home invigorated. But the fact that she wasn’t there considerably dampened my spirits.

On the refrigerator, there was a note in Hayashi’s neat handwriting.

“I’ll be back late today, so go ahead and eat. I’ve put it in the refrigerator.”

Reading the note, I scratched my head.

They say that there’s no time like the present, but if I don’t do it as soon as I think of it, my motivation dwindles. As a result, it doesn’t lead to a decent outcome. That was all too clear this time.

In a room without her, I was alone, heating up and eating the meat and potatoes she had prepared. Come to think of it, it feels like it’s been a while since I had dinner without her.

I suddenly thought.

If Hayashi were to go back to her parents’ house, would I be eating alone here again?

I felt a little lonely. But soon I realized that the situation up until now was abnormal.

Our relationship until today was severely distorted.

Back when we met in high school, we weren’t particularly close. If anything, I think she probably disliked me quite a bit.

But then we started university, and I ran into her while working part-time at a convenience store. I found out she was a victim of domestic violence. And I helped her.

The current situation was formed inadvertently in order to overcome the worst situation. Of course, we’re forging ahead in an abnormal state. It’s only natural.

…Perhaps this is the right time.

It’s not bad. From high school, when we didn’t get along well, I’ve become close enough with Hayashi to consider her my unique friend. And in the past month, I’ve been in Hayashi’s debt quite a bit.

How much more should I hide Hayashi in this room, and what do I want from her in the future?

…After all, she should go back to her parents’ house.

…But…

“In other words, I, who am so self-centered, asked for your opinion instead of giving mine.”

Just the other day…I told Hayashi.

I want her to stay in this room.

…The reason why I couldn’t say it straightforwardly is that my character is self-centered.

At that time, Hayashi was clearly depressed. I still don’t know the reason. But right now, I don’t want to uncover the reason for her depression.

Back then, I indirectly told her that I wanted her to stay in this room.

I’m a man who’s bad at lying.

So, if I was beating around the bush…it meant that I wanted her to stay in this room.

“Should I…should I leave this room after all?”

When she asked if it would be better for her to leave this room, strangely, I didn’t feel like agreeing with her opinion.

So naturally. So matter-of-factly.

I thought she should stay in this room.

…Why is that?

Because at that time, she had nowhere else to go but my room?

If she left here, would she be lost on the streets?

…Probably. That’s part of it.

There’s a lot of that.

But why does it feel like that’s not all?

I don’t know.

Even though it’s my own feelings, I don’t understand.

“…..Hmm.”

I’ve had few friends since I was a child.

So I’ve always solved my worries on my own. I didn’t rely much on my parents either. They weren’t very intrusive towards me and weren’t the type to listen to my serious talks.

…So I always solved it on my own. Sometimes I was right, sometimes I was wrong. But what I can say for most things is that, whether I was right or wrong, I have always tried to solve my worries.

But now, I…now, I don’t feel like I can solve this problem on my own.

I once told Hayashi, out of character, that if she had any worries, she should rely on someone else. That was after the domestic violence incident.

Then now, I…no, it’s not right.

…Hayashi…

Should she leave this room?

Or should she stay in this room?

When making that choice, my opinion shouldn’t be mixed in.

Should she stay in this room?

Or should she leave this room?

That is for Hayashi to decide, not me.

What I should do for Hayashi…

…is to give her choices, as her broken heart is beginning to heal.

Her path was once significantly blocked.

Due to her ex-boyfriend, the various options that were spread out before her were crushed.

She might have had numerous potential futures.

A future where she is surrounded by many friends at university.

A future where she gets a job at a reputable company and works hard as a career woman.

A future where she gets married, has children, and lives happily with her husband.

Not all futures are completely closed off.

But there was a time when she really… had all those futures closed off by a man whose name and face I don’t even know.

I am completely outside of what happened between Hayashi and her ex-boyfriend. Therefore, I don’t loudly criticize her ex-boyfriend, nor do I voice my indignation. There’s no doubt that it wouldn’t be right for me to take the law into my own hands.

But I just don’t want to be like that man.

I’m sure of that much.

…So, as her roommate, I…