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

After finishing our ramen, we boarded the train to head home. The train was relatively empty. Upon checking the time, I saw that it was past eleven-thirty. We’d only done the first round of our night out, and yet it was already quite late.

“I’ll walk you home.”

“Thank you.”

At this pace, there’s a chance I might miss the last train if I drop her off at her house.

I knew this, but I chose to escort her home. I felt a bit uneasy letting a girl walk alone on a road this late at night.

Her gratitude was sincere, which made me think that she might also have been a little scared deep down. She’s adorable, after all.

The train passed my nearest station.

We reached her nearest station about ten minutes later.

This would be my second time walking to her house.

Last time, Hayashi was with us. Meaning, this was the first time we walked together alone.

“Hey, Yamamoto-kun?”

“Hmm?”

“I’m… a little drunk.”

“I see.”

“Could you carry me?”

She asked, as if she were a spoiled child, even though she hadn’t been drinking.

“Hmm.”

So, I carried her like I did earlier.

She leaned against me, trusting me to carry her.

“I’m sorry about today.”

Her apology was out of the blue.

“Why?”

“Irie-chan was the one who invited you to the mixer today. I only found out about it today. To be honest, I didn’t want to go to the mixer either. I thought about making up an excuse about suddenly having a shift at work.”

“Why’s that?”

“I’m… just not interested, I guess.”

“I see.”

“You don’t ask much, do you?”

“You don’t like it, right?”

“Yeah…”

Somehow, I understood the situation from our conversation.

It seems like she’s in the same group as Irie, but doesn’t harbor pleasant feelings towards her. That’s why she reluctantly attended the mixer today, to prevent Irie and I from getting too close.

This also explains the well-timed drunken commotion. She probably planned to forcefully pull me out after the first round, even without the help of other girls besides Irie.

“Why don’t you like Irie?”

“…Are you really going to ask that?”

Her cheek rubbed against the back of my neck.

“She’s like Meg.”

She said, sounding very reluctant.

“Really?”

“She is. She’s just like her.”

“I see.”

Well, if Kasahara, who has a closer relationship with both Hayashi and Irie than I do, says so, it must be true.

“She’s not a bad person. But, she’s not Meg.”

“You really like Hayashi, don’t you.”

If that’s the reason she’s disliked, I feel a bit sorry for Irie. More likely than not, it’s not exactly dislike… it’s because they’re so similar, she wants to maintain some distance. That’s the feeling I get.

…But, it’s strange.

Why did Kasahara dislike the idea of Irie and I getting close?

Maybe…

No, it’s probably not the case with her.

“I was surprised, though. I didn’t think you would go to a mixer, Yamamoto-kun.”

“Huh? …Oh, well. I couldn’t turn it down.”

“Did you feel indebted in some way?”

“More like a life-saver.”

I couldn’t say it was because they’d saved my precious cleaning tools.

We fell silent for a while.

Carrying Kasahara, I walked on. It was night, but it was still hot outside. Combined with the full meal we’d just had, I was feeling weighed down, and sweat was beading on my forehead.

I was also a bit tired.

In hindsight, I should have kept going to the gym after starting college.

I had a slight regret.

…Back in high school.

I would go to school and study.

Go to the gym and sweat.

Then, I would go home with Kasahara.

Thinking back now, it was a precious time that seemed too good for the likes of me.

Talking with Kasahara.

Sharing smiles with Kasahara.

I’m usually somewhat cynical… but I truly enjoyed those moments.

“Hey, Yamamoto-kun?”

“Hmm?”

“Will you make the last train?”

“…Probably not.”

“I see.”

We fell silent again.

It was night, but it was still hot outside. Combined with the full meal we’d just had, I was feeling weighed down, and sweat was beading on my forehead.

I was also a bit tired.

Yet, I was… just a little… enjoying this time.

Maybe it was to reminisce about the past.

Or perhaps it was due to a lingering attachment.

…Or maybe.

“Is there no hope for the last train?”

“…Hmm.”

Kasahara now seemed to be emphasizing the last train.

Was she inviting me?

…She always hides her true feelings.

“Hey, Yamamoto-kun?”

With a mixed sigh and smile, Kasahara was there.