Aso's room was tidier and more modest than I had expected.
There were no stuffed animals or anything you'd typically find in a girl's room just a neatly organized desk, a single bed, and a bookshelf.
I sat down on a round cushion, and she perched on the edge of her bed.
"It's a nice room."
"You think so? Well, I guess I've been spending most of my time at his place lately."
Glancing at Aso, who looked a little uncomfortable, I took a look around the first girl's room I'd ever set foot in.
Then my eyes landed on a photo frame lying face down on the desk.
"Huh."
"Ah. It's not like I'm still hung up on him or anything. It's just... photos are kind of hard to throw away."
"I didn't say anything yet."
"B-because I just knew you were about to say something like, 'So you're still totally hung up on him, huh?'"
"Well, yeah, probably. So, are you? Still hung up on him?"
"Not really. I don't think so."
Aso stood up, picked up the photo frame, and took out the picture inside.
It showed a boy and a girl smiling and posing with their arms around each other.
"Haha, that brings back memories. I really do fall for anyone who's nice to me. I'm so stupid..."
She crumpled the photo in her hand.
Her eyes welled up with tears.
Seeing her like that, I had things I wanted to say.
Like, how could she still like him after he treated her so badly? Wasn't that crazy?
That's exactly why guys like that take advantage of her.
But no matter who the person was, I couldn't bring myself to call Aso stupid for falling for someone so seriously and suffering because she cared about him.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to cry."
"It's fine. This is your room, after all."
"Ha ha, what's that supposed to mean? You're still so calm at a time like this. It's kind of funny."
She wrinkled the corners of her eyes, and big tears rolled down her cheeks.
"...Hey."
Wiping her tears,
clutching the crumpled photo even tighter,
she came and sat next to me, and said in a small, fragile voice.
"Will you... stay with me tonight?"
---
"Even though summer is almost here, late at night it's still chilly outside.
Maybe wearing short sleeves was a mistake.
Thinking that, I trudged alone down the pitch-black street.
I was thinking about Asou-san.
'...What an idiot, that woman.'
In the end, she's just lonely.
So when someone's kind to her, she can't help but want to lean on them.
That thing earlier was the same. If someone said that to her, most guys would have made a move. And she probably would have given in too.
Didn't we just talk about not selling yourself short?
'Haa...'
Worried about being seen by someone—like the police—I walked home in the dark, more tired than I expected.
I made it home safely, let out a sigh of relief, and went back to my dark room. Without turning on the lights, I flopped down onto the bed.
What is Asou-san doing right now? Have her parents come home yet? Is she still alone in her room, crying?
These thoughts crossed my mind, but I shook them away.
If I was that worried, I should have just stayed with her instead of leaving. Besides, she has a family. Even if I don't worry, she'll probably be fine.
But what about me? Who do I tell about this indescribable feeling, and when?
'...Beni.'
I glanced to the side. I looked for her, always lying there, looking bored while scrolling through her phone.
But of course, she wasn't there."
---
◇
"'Hey, Minato!'
The next morning, I left the house a little early when a familiar voice called my name from behind.
'Yumekawa?'
'You're rarely out at this hour. Something up?'
'Not really. I just woke up early. More importantly, you're always early, Yumekawa.'
'Well, you know. The early bird catches the worm, they say.'
'Huh. Then maybe I'll have some luck today too.'
I muttered, a little overwhelmed by Yumekawa's cheerful energy, as if something good had already happened.
'You're lucky just running into me, aren't you?' she said.
'You're pretty full of yourself, huh.'
'Oh, stop, I'm obviously joking. But I'm glad I got up early.'
'Why?'
'Why? ...You're usually so sharp.'
'What are you talking about?'
'Nothing~ Ah, speaking of which—'
Without stopping, she quickened her pace to catch up to me.
Then Yumekawa asked with a slight smirk.
'Hey Minato, do you work today?'
'Work? I'm off, but why?'
'Really? Actually, there's something I want to ask you~'
'Again? I'm done playing the boyfriend role.'
'I know, I know. So, there's this keychain I want at the arcade, and I want you to win it for me.'
'What's that supposed to mean?'
'Come on, you're good at crane games! I'll pay, so please?'
'I just got lucky.'
'Please? No?'
'...Fine.'
I couldn't come up with an excuse on the spot, so I reluctantly agreed.
'But don't complain if I can't get it.'
'I won't! Okay, see you after school.'
I hope nothing bad happens again.
Worrying about that, the school came into view.
I thought we were the first ones there, but I could already hear morning practice calls from the field and saw people near the main gate.
'Everyone's early.'
'You're the late one, Minato. Well, Yuzu cuts it even closer.'
'Hey, are you and Beni close?'
'Hmm, we don't really hang out, but Yuzu's been with me since elementary school.'
'I see.'
'Oh? Is Minato after Yuzu too?'
'Huh? And what's that "too" supposed to mean?'
'Lately, a lot of guys have been asking me to introduce them to Yuzu. But when I tell her, she shuts it down in a second.'
'Huh.'
So she's more popular than I thought. I figured guys wouldn't be into her.
But yeah, she'd probably hate being set up. So when she said she didn't need a boyfriend, it wasn't just bravado.
'Ah, good morning!'
My thoughts about Beni were pulled back by a voice I recognized but rarely heard at school.
I looked up and saw a girl waving at me from the main gate.
'...Asou-san?'"