After that, Yuuki started having meals at our house.
Everyone was a bit more relaxed than when they were in high school. Classes started about an hour later than during high school, so we all ended up waking up later than usual in the mornings.
But it seems Yuuki still struggles to adapt. Since he went to school in Tokyo, it’s geographically closer from his place. Well, he probably woke up later than us even during high school.
Me, Koko, and Kagami would go straight to Yuuki’s room and shake him awake if it looked like he was having trouble getting out of bed in the morning.
No matter how hard it was to wake up, he didn’t want to be late or skip school, so he would just let out a little whine before somehow managing to get up.
In our house, Kagami’s policy was, “People must eat three meals a day.”
Maybe it’s because I hadn’t been eating properly at first after coming over here that it still weighs on his mind.
He absolutely couldn’t stand light meals like cereal or bread and made sure rice, miso soup, and side dishes went into our mouths somehow—even if it was breakfast and we couldn’t eat because our mouths felt weird.
At first, Yuuki struggled to adapt to these forced (?) meals, but after about a week, he seemed to be managing somewhat.
“Don’t you eat like this for breakfast at home?”
“…Dad just let me be as much as possible if I said I’d go.”
Looks like he grew up pretty spoiled.
It wasn’t just that he had gotten into the habit of waking up late; it seems like he had developed the habit of not eating breakfast at all.
Thinking back, it doesn’t seem like Mr. Yamashita had that kind of personality either.
As for Ms. Mori… well, she must have been quite the ideal “mom” even before getting married, so she probably took care of breakfast, but if Yuuki wanted to skip it lightly, she would have had the patience to let him off the hook a bit.
Or maybe she tailored her approach to Yuuki because she knew his personality well.
However, up until now, Yuuki never told us, “I’ll cook for myself, so don’t bother me.” At first, it seemed like he was just being considerate, but at some point, it felt like the atmosphere had changed a bit.
“Well then, I don’t have any classes this morning.”
Kagami said while tidying up the dishes after breakfast.
“Can the three of us just go together today? We’ll be able to see each other in the afternoon.”
At Kagami’s words, the three of us nodded and stood up from our seats.
Surprisingly, our three universities aren’t really that far apart, so we’ll move together for a while.
However, unlike when I had to go almost all the way from Saitama to Tokyo, Koko and I would get off earlier. It’s because the campus of our university is somewhat closer to our house.
In terms of location, Yuuki’s university isn’t too different either, so it’s practically right next to it. But… I don’t know, even if you say it’s just as close, it doesn’t feel as close as “Minato Ward and Shinagawa Ward.”
“Well then, see you this afternoon.”
“Yeah.”
As we got off the subway first and waved goodbye, Yuuki nodded.
Since it was rush hour, the subway was as crowded as usual.
I wondered how Yuuki usually got to school? Did he have a driver drop him off? Considering his personality doesn’t like to stand out, it wouldn’t be surprising if he took the train or bus instead.
Well, looking at his expression amidst the crowd, it didn’t seem like he had really adapted much.
…Well, that’s given that there’s bound to be a difference between those entering the inner Tokyo area from nearby and those coming from outside. Typically, many people enter from the outer areas into the inner city.
Once we arrived at the station, Yuka was waiting.
This wasn’t much different from back in high school. After all, it’s the same school, and since Yuka was in the same department as the two of us, there wouldn’t be a problem as long as one of us didn’t take too long to arrive.
“It’s hot today.”
Yuka said, waving her hand as she stood there; a bit of sweat was beading on her forehead.
Of course, there was air conditioning on the train. It just didn’t feel like it because there were so many people. In the end, we couldn’t help but get our clothes sweaty by the time we got here.
“Let’s hurry to school.”
Because after all, the university has air conditioning in each lecture room.
“Ugh…”
It seemed that Koko’s energy was sapped by the intense summer weather too, as she let out a sluggish sound.
While moving quickly towards the school, I suddenly remembered something I had forgotten.
“Oh, right. I was going to meet Yuuki today. And I’ll meet Mako and Harumi too.”
“Really?”
Yuka smiled at my words.
I had made friends at college too. But still, the atmosphere of friends made during college felt slightly different from those made in high school.
Moreover, the events I experienced with Yuuki, Mako, and Harumi were significantly different from those experienced with “ordinary friends.”
“Yeah. Since we’re going home together anyway, it’d be nice to meet them all at once.”
After all, even if I attended classes at university until the afternoon, there usually wasn’t much that kept me late. Well, even if everyone attended, it would still be much longer than during high school, but it’s not like we’re tied down to our university like professionals.
“I see. Together…? Huh? Together?”
Yuka tilted her head, still nodding at my words, with her eyes widening.
“You guys live in different directions, don’t you? Did Yuuki start living alone or something?”
“Well, yeah, if you call it living alone. Didn’t I mention it?”
I asked, a bit surprised, and Yuka tilted her head in confusion.
Ah, I didn’t mention it.
Since it was summer and we met almost every day during the weekdays, plus we often hung out on weekends, I thought it was something that could be said anytime.
After pondering for a moment, I realized there really wasn’t a need to go out of my way to say it.
Even if I met up with Yuka and said goodbye, I’d be taking a train in another direction, and I hadn’t hung out with Yuuki over the weekend.
“Yuuki is living in the spare room of our apartment.”
Inspired by the thought, I said that, causing Yuka to come to a sudden halt.
“Eh?”
Turning to look at Yuka, she was gazing at me with a shocked expression.
What’s that about?
“Yuuki is living alone at your place?”
“No, it’s not exactly our house…”
… I don’t know, it seems like it does count.
Yuuki has meals with us after all.
Kagami did refuse when it came to food expenses. Anyway, he was just learning, and once he gets used to it, he’ll manage the meals himself anyway.
“Yeah, he’s living in the spare room.”
But it felt a bit strange to say he’s living in our house, so I restated it that way.
“How did that happen?”
Yuka asked as she started walking again.
I pondered for a moment about how to respond to that before saying,
“For personal reasons.”
I dodged the question.
What can I say? I can’t talk about my friend and cousin’s parents’ night activities.
“Personal reasons…”
“We’re living together at our place, but I’m also paying rent properly.”
“Is that so?”
For some reason, Yuka responded as if she were pondering my words.
“Yeah, I get it.”
There’s something off about that response.
Usually, wouldn’t it just end with, “I see”? There’s no need to add, “I got it,” right?
While I was pondering this, Yuka didn’t continue the topic any further.
*
And then that weekend.
knock knock, I heard someone knocking on our door.
Today, the place wasn’t a complete mess. I had a bit of homework, so I had spread out the table and was slowly working on it with Koko.
Unlike last time, when Yuuki came over, I somehow felt I knew who was outside this time.
Well, it makes sense because Yuka has already mentioned wanting to live alone. Given that I said Yuuki was living in our apartment, it would be strange if she didn’t react at all.
After all, the only people living in this apartment are our family. Though Yuuki recently started living with us.
“Okay~ I’m coming out~”
Also, it seemed Kagami got up from her seat naturally, as if she also knew who was coming.
When Kagami opened the front door—sure enough, there stood Yuka.
With a big bag on her back and dragging a large suitcase in her hand.
“Hello!”
Yuka smiled brightly, looking at me and Koko.
“Wow!”
Koko enthusiastically waved her hand following Yuka.
“Mom?”
“Oh, well, Yuka’s grandfather called a few days ago. He thought that since Yuka wanted to live alone, he could trust this place.”
Wasn’t he the one who looked at me with disbelief a few years back?
… Well, if Yuka wants to do this, then so be it.
After all, this place is Kagami’s property, and whoever stays here isn’t really Kagami’s rights.
Yeah, I somehow noticed yesterday that she was looking at the room more than usual.
Moreover, well,
I think it wouldn’t be bad to have a close friend living next door.
Standing up with a smile, I said, “Welcome, Yuka.”
“Yeah. I look forward to living together!”
Yuka replied with a wide smile.
Somehow, did the room feel a tad brighter? Or is it just my imagination?
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