ch21-ch40 · 039-ch38

Chapter 38: An Invitation!

　After seeing Rei-chan off as she returned to her own classroom, satisfied with herself, I entered the classroom to find Kiriko, who had arrived earlier, waving at me.

"Good mornin'—you're early, huh?" "Well, for some reason I just woke up with a snap. I mean, this season's anime lineup is pretty weak, but when I think about how I'm experiencing something more exciting than any anime, I guess reality is becoming more fun."

　Papa's situation is apparently having a positive effect on Kiriko's healthy lifestyle too.

　Still, with potentially dangerous people coming after us, is it really okay for her to be enjoying this?

"By the way, Ai, didn't your bike break? Did you take the bus?" "Nah, it's a new bike. The one Papa bought on his way to the shrine."

　He told me he bought it at a home improvement store when he was heading to the shrine to help us. Since Papa had passed out, he just left it there at the shrine, and I went to pick it up yesterday.

　Since it was meant to replace my broken bike, it's actually too small and cute for Papa to ride. Seeing how he chased down a car with it, I was once again reminded of how amazing his physical stamina really is.

"Oh, right. I'm going to Papa's food truck with Rei-chan next time, you wanna come, Kiri?" "That'd be nice, I've been wanting to eat Ai's Papa's cooking for a while now.... Well, if we're doing that, we should invite Sumi too, shouldn't we?"

　Kiriko says with a knowing smile for some reason.

　Of course I plan to invite her normally... but what's with that meaningful grin of hers?

"When're we going? Saturday?" "Tomorrow and the day after, Rei-chan's schedule doesn't work out. So it'll be next Saturday then."

　By the way, tomorrow I'm helping at the Rock Kitchen.

　Since the otherworld situation seems unstable, I've been told to stop looking for part-time jobs for a while. It'd be bad if we caused trouble for other shops.

　Instead, Papa's letting me help at his place on my days off, and he'll even pay me for it.... It feels a little counterproductive, but I guess there's no helping it for now.

"How's Melkid doing? Not causing any trouble?" "Well, he's all depressed and stuff." "Ohh..."

　Kiriko gives a wry smile.

　Eiyōso is Melkid's lifeline, so I get why he has to act submissive, but... He's even started treating me like some kind of subordinate, which is throwing me off.

　Being favored by Shogun-chan and having to sleep together in the doghouse at night might actually be kinda pathetic for him.

"...Speaking of which, Sumi's late, isn't she?" "Yeah, she is. She's not usually this late."

　Sumi, the serious-type gal, doesn't come to school late.

　But every once in a while, there are times when she shows up right at the last minute. And when that happens, usually...

"Good mornin'〜! Ahh, what a pain from the mornin'〜"

　Speak of the devil.

　Sumi, who had entered the classroom, seemed a little out of breath, probably from rushing, and she plopped her bag down on her desk with a thud.

"Sumi, where was today's guy from?" "Hmm, where was he? I think it was a greenish blazer and checkered pants, maybe〜"

　Sumi tilted her head as she tried to recall the uniform while her classmates, who had gathered with great interest, looked on.

"Whoa, Eru High?!" "That's amazin'—that place's level is pretty high, isn't it?"

　When they say "level" here, it apparently means "handsome guy" level, not academic deviation level. I don't really know much about the handsome guys at other schools, though.

　Eru High is a private school that's big on sports.

"He looked good? How tall was he?" "Hmm, well, I guess he was pretty tall?"

　And so, this is how Sumi gets confessed to by guys from other schools from the morning.

　What are they doing, starting this stuff first thing in the morning when there's no time!?... But don't be fooled. For the guys from other schools who have no point of contact except passing each other during their commute, this is their only chance.

　...Well, Sumi herself just finds it annoying, of course.

"It's like a tradition of the new school season, huhh?" "I thought it decreased within our school, but other schools haven't changed, huh?"

　Watching Sumi and her classmates interact, Kiri and I have a chat like we're drinking tea on the veranda.

　At our school, a lot of guys got shot down back in middle school, and even the other guys seem too scared to confess now. Even so, Yamanai-kun, who's still aiming for her, has some real guts, doesn't he?

　...And as I was watching, I made perfect eye contact with Sumi.

"Ah, good mornin'〜 Ai, KiriKiri"

　Sumi drifts over, looking genuinely tired or something.

"You had a rough morning, huh, Sumi." "Right〜? I came early 'cause I wanted to fix my hair, but nooo〜"

　Sumi opens her compact mirror and pats down her hair.

　It doesn't look messed up to me at all, but the spring wind was strong, so apparently she wanted to check it properly in the bathroom mirror.

"To Sumi, who's had such a tough morning, I have good news. Next Saturday, we're going to Rock Kitchen, so wanna come along..." "I'll goo!!"

　As Kiriko tells her with a grin, Sumi replies with her mouth practically watering.

　I saw that look earlier, too. Since when did our shop get so popular with high school girls??