NOVEL NEXT 15: She’s There, as Expected
“Oh, good morning, Uraku. Even though you have a bicycle, you’re up early today.”
“Whoa, you scared me… Why are you in front of my house, Kamidama? I remember telling you not to come pick me up?”
As I left the house, feeling about 30% more uncomfortable than usual, Kamidama called out to me.
I mean, she showed up like it was the most natural thing… what’s with this girl?
Kamidama, with her usual smile that could mesmerize anyone, spoke to me, who was slightly bewildered.
“I’m not here to pick you up. I was just waiting.”
“That’s almost the same thing…”
But she was waiting…
I couldn’t help but wonder how long she had been waiting.
Kamidama isn’t stupid, but she’s definitely a weird girl.
It’s possible she calculated the exact time I would leave home, or she’s been here since much earlier like a stakeout.
I don’t want to know…
I didn’t want to start my day with a scary story.
Since the result was already in front of me, there was no point in arguing about going separately when Kamidama had a firm grip on my arm.
It’s amazing; no matter how I try, I can’t shake her off.
I could vividly imagine my future, being stabbed with gazes from other students on the way to school.
Just thinking about it makes me gloomy…
I placed Kamidama’s bag in my bike basket and started walking.
“I was joking. It was a coincidence… though I did hope to see you, I was really surprised to see you come out.”
“That’s quite a coincidence.”
“You don’t believe me, do you?”
“Meeting this early would make even an idiot realize it was intentional…”
The lie was so obvious that I couldn’t help but laugh.
It was exactly 7 AM. It takes about 30 minutes to walk to school, so leaving this early with my bike, or even Kamidama walking, was way too early.
It’s as if we love school to an absurd degree.
I should mention that I don’t particularly like school.
If anything, I dislike it. But compared to home, it was more comfortable.
It’s just a matter of which is better.
But I relied on school enough to leave the house this early.
“I told you, I like walking. I like taking detours before school, and for now, that’s your house, Uraku.”
“At that point, it’s more of a hobby. Liking walks… that’s very old-fashioned.”
“What? That’s rude! So rude, Uraku!”
“Don’t worry. You’re way ruder to me usually.”
Her rudeness to me was off the charts.
The problem is that there are others who are also rude to me.
I hate it… All my acquaintances are rude to me.
Well, my acquaintances are just Takatsuki-sensei and Kamidama.
It’s a ridiculously small social circle.
Thinking that I’ve been telling myself that I’ll start trying harder tomorrow made me tear up.
It’s fine. Life can be fun alone, that’s how it is.
“You look incredibly grumpy, Uraku… Are you thinking about something weird again?”
“How do you always know… Stop reading my mind.”
“That’s a terrible thing to say… If you don’t want me to know, stop showing it on your face.”
“I’m the one having trouble here.”
No matter how I see it, she’s reading my thoughts. But she doesn’t intend to, so it’s a vicious cycle.
We seem to think, “She understands me,” and “She’s telling me,” but there’s no such thing.
It’s like being given the skills of an old married couple suddenly.
It makes Kamidama’s past life setting feel real, and it’s really annoying.
It’s the worst kind of compatibility.
The world seems to revolve around Kamidama, being overly kind to her.
They say the sky doesn’t give two gifts, but Kamidama is an exception. How many gifts will God give this girl?
Kamidama squinted and touched my cheek. Then she leaned in close, frowning.
“Uraku, are you feeling unwell? No, that’s not it. Did something happen this morning?”
“That’s amazing… Is it really that obvious on my face?”
“You’re hiding it well. But I’m your bride. Of course, I can see through this.”
“…Is that so? Well, it’s not that nothing happened, but it’s nothing special either. You don’t have to worry.”
Maybe those words were meant for myself.
If not worrying were easy, life would be so much easier.
I tend to dwell on things.
It makes me sigh just thinking about it. But Kamidama smiled softly at me.
“Then, to cheer you up, I’ll give you a big hug!”
“No, I don’t need that! What kind of recovery method is that for a couple?”
“Eh… Then, at lunch. I’ll definitely cheer you up then. Look forward to it.”
I instantly thought of skipping lunch, but Kamidama is my neighbor in class.
So, there’s no escaping her.
Sitting next to Kamidama feels like a punishment.
In the end, as I watched Kamidama hug me tightly, I thought idly.