"What do you want for lunch?"
It had been several hours since we started studying, and since it was almost lunchtime, I figured I'd order delivery.
Yumiko lifted her eyes from the book she was reading but didn't answer.
"Still upset about that? Don't live in the past."
"It was just a few hours ago! How is that the past?!" she snapped, lowering her book.
"You brought it on yourself."
"Still… that was really cruel of you."
"What's so bad about taking a few hits from a notebook?"
"I didn't even realize I'd been hit. It was terrifying."
Yumiko held her head as if reliving the trauma.
I'd only tapped her lightly with the notebook—or so I thought. Maybe I did it so fast she didn't register it. Okay, maybe I went a bit overboard.
"Alright, alright, maybe I overdid it a little. But it was your fault too."
"I want pasta…" she muttered, glancing at me from the corner of her eye.
I nodded and grabbed my phone to order the food.
Yumiko reached for her own phone too, but with a quick motion, I smacked her hand with the notebook.
"I thought…"
"Keep studying."
She flinched and went right back to her book.
When we first started studying, I'd stepped out to use the bathroom, and when I came back, she was glued to her phone doing everything except studying—so I confiscated it.
The delivery app said the food would take about thirty minutes, so all we had to do was wait.
"The food'll be here in half an hour, so keep studying."
This girl is such a handful.
"You're cruel…"
"Did you say something?" I looked up.
"I didn't say anything!" She quickly refocused on her book.
I don't like being strict, but I can be when I have to.
…
"Finally, freedom…!" Yumiko sighed with relief, as if she'd just been released from prison.
"You've only been studying for a couple of hours."
"It felt like days…" She looked exhausted.
"You're overreacting."
"I'm not! You're just too strict—you didn't even let me take a break!"
She kind of has a point.
"Don't say it like I'm the villain here."
Yumiko stared at me in disbelief, like she couldn't believe I'd said that.
"Alright, alright, maybe I was a bit harsh. Now focus on eating—we'll get back to studying after." I gestured toward her plate on the table.
When the food arrived, we left my room, headed to the dining area, and after paying, I set the meals on the table.
"I don't like that side of you," she said before taking a bite of noodles.
"I just want to make sure you study properly," I replied, trying some of the pasta myself. It actually tasted pretty good.
"Raiden, you're so…" Her expression softened into a smile.
"Because if I don't, you'll just ask me to help again next week. I'd rather avoid that."
"…Idiot," she sighed.
"What was that?"
"Nothing. I just forgot you only have two modes—cruel and idiotic." She looked away and continued eating.
Girls really are more complicated than they seem…
The rest of the meal went by in silence.
After lunch, once we'd cleared the table, it was time to get back to studying—but Yumiko looked reluctant.
"I deserve a break! I studied for hours straight—I'm exhausted!"
"Are you a little kid or what?"
"I'm not!" She plopped onto the couch, clearly refusing to go back to my room.
"Stop throwing a tantrum. Besides, what's four or five straight hours of studying?"
If you want to achieve something, you have to give it everything you've got.
"Tell me, Raiden, how many hours do you study?" she asked, pointing at me.
"Half an hour to an hour," I replied flatly.
"Then why do I have to study so much longer without a break?"
"Because you're the one who wants to learn. I read in my free time."
"No way! I want a break, even if it's just half an hour!"
This girl is so stubborn… though I have to admit, she studied for several hours.
"Fine. Just half an hour."
"Yay!"
Sometimes I really think she's actually a little kid…
Yumiko made herself comfortable on the couch and grabbed the TV remote.
"Hmm, what should I watch…" she hummed cheerfully.
It's nice seeing her in such a good mood.
With nothing else to do here, I headed upstairs — might as well relax in my room.
"I'll be back in half an hour, not a minute more."
"Eh?" Yumiko looked at me from the couch. "Don't be boring, come on, let's watch a movie." She patted the seat beside her.
"You won't stop until I give in, will you?"
Yumiko just smiled.
With a sigh, I walked back to the couch and sat next to her.
…
I glanced at the clock — it had been half an hour since I sat with Yumiko to watch this mystery movie.
It was actually more interesting than I expected; I got absorbed in the theories about catching the culprit. Even Yumiko stayed quiet the whole time.
Still, that's enough of a break.
"Yumiko, time to get back to studying…"
When I looked at her, her head was resting on my shoulder, her breathing soft and steady. In short, she'd fallen asleep.
All that studying must've worn her out. I should've given her more breaks. Oh well.
Slowly, I leaned away so she wouldn't fall or wake up.
Once free, I went to the storage room and grabbed a blanket to cover her; it was winter, and I didn't want her catching a cold.
Her long blonde hair and peaceful expression were mesmerizing. Just looking at her gave me a warmth I couldn't quite describe.
How can she be so relaxed in a guy's house? Is she really that confident around me?
I shook my head.
To trust me that much… she really is an idiot. I smiled faintly.
Leaving Yumiko resting on the couch, I went back to my room.
I suppose I should return that trust.
I grabbed some papers and a few books.
"A cruel side and a stupid one…"
I repeated her words.
"Maybe she's right."
Pushing other thoughts aside, I focused on writing, my free hand flipping through pages.
…
I stretched to loosen up.
Well, that was tiring…
Just as I was about to pack up my desk, I heard footsteps coming toward my room.
"I fell asleep!"
That was the first thing Yumiko said as she burst in.
"I can tell."
Her hair was a bit messy from dozing off on the couch.
"You could've woken me up! It's almost three!" she pouted.
"Didn't I? Whatever." I shrugged, keeping my tone neutral.
The plan for today was to study with Yumiko from nine in the morning until three in the afternoon, and judging by my desk clock — there were only a few minutes left.
"You could've at least tried."
"I did. I called you a couple of times, but since you looked tired, I let you sleep."
Yumiko smiled.
"So you admit you were too strict for not giving me breaks between study hours?"
This girl will use any excuse to make it sound like I'm the villain here…
"You already said it, so there's no need for me to repeat it."
"Come on, don't be so shy. It's wise to admit when you're wrong," she said cheerfully.
"Anyway, here." I handed her a notebook. "While you were asleep, I wrote some notes and summaries on the topics most likely to show up on the exam, plus a questionnaire."
I found the questions online—in forums where former students complained about how brutal the exam was.
"Oh!" Her eyes widened as she took the notebook. "You're very thoughtful. Maybe there's more to you after all."
"Mostly, I just figured you'd blame me anyway, so to avoid wasting next Saturday, I prepared some material for you to study at home."
It's called being cautious.
She gave me a look of disbelief.
"I can't tell if I should praise your effort to get rid of me or feel guilty for making you see me that way." She raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm." Good question. But if I had to answer… "Maybe both?"
Seeing her face twist between irritation and surprise is honestly entertaining.
"I take it back completely. You're only thoughtful when it benefits you."
"Congratulations, Sherlock. You just discovered humans are selfish by nature."
Pretty obvious, if you ask me—words once said by a great philosopher.
What? You think I only read novels?
…Okay, fair, but I did learn that in school.
"You're such a…" Yumiko muttered, clearly irritated.
"You shouldn't…"
Too late.
"Ouch…"
"Tried to warn you," I sighed.
As usual, she smacked my arm and somehow managed to injure her own hand instead.
"You should stop being so unfair! It's not right to be that tough!" She pouted, rubbing her hand.
"I don't know what kind of world you live in where hitting people on a whim is normal, but it's definitely not this one."
"You sound so arrogant."
And then she grabbed my cheeks, stretching them.
"O-o-kay, I gi-give up." I raised my hands.
It's impossible to talk properly like this.
"That's better." She flashed a triumphant grin.
Once she let go, Yumiko packed her things into the bag she'd brought.
"Not forgetting anything?" I asked.
"Got everything." She slung her bag over her shoulder.
People think she's clingy, but she's actually considerate—she knows I need breaks from her.
That might sound weird, since we're technically friends, but one of the reasons I tolerate her is because she does respect my space when it counts.
We left my room, and I walked her to the front door.
"Putting aside your cruel acts, it was fun," Yumiko said, looking relaxed.
"Putting aside your stay here, I guess it was fun," I replied, not entirely convinced.
"That completely denies my existence!"
"Is that what you think? Who knows," I answered, sticking to my usual tone.
"Really…"
Before leaving, she turned and held my gaze.
"You should show that kind side of yours more often; you'd be more popular with girls. See you."
With a gentle, cheerful smile, she walked away.
I raised my hand to wave goodbye, even though she couldn't see me. Just a habit.
What did she mean by that last part?
As I headed back to my room, I noticed the blanket I'd used to cover her earlier was neatly folded on the couch.
"Hm?"
My phone buzzed.
When I opened Line, I saw a selfie of Yumiko: smiling playfully, flashing a peace sign.
The message below read:
"A little reward for being so thoughtful~ Don't get used to it!"
She must've taken that selfie seconds after leaving.
That girl is glued to her phone.
Also, what is she thinking, sending me stuff like this?
Guess this is my fault. I've probably spoiled her too much these past weeks…
Without giving it much thought, I saved the photo to my gallery.
Who wouldn't? A cute girl sends you a picture—you save it. Simple.
And before you wonder, my gallery has photos of Kuro, Rumi, and random stuff—nothing weird.
I slipped my phone back into my pocket, went to my room, grabbed a light novel from my shelf, and lay down on my bed.
Kawasaki shouldn't take too long… I just hope she finds her way here.
I sent her my address an hour ago, so she shouldn't have trouble locating my house—or at least that's what I want to believe.
Thinking about it won't make her get here any faster, so I pushed the thought aside and focused on reading.