Chapter 12
The day after I got advice from Koseki and Mizuki, at lunchtime,
I came up to the rooftop and munched on bread, just as I always did.
“How do I exchange LINE IDs? I’m at a loss.”
Yesterday, Koseki and Mizuki had suggested several solutions. And among them was one that struck me as just the thing.
It involved using a smartphone and the messaging app LINE.
If facing him was difficult, why not try talking to him on LINE first?
Surely, without having to meet face-to-face, I’d feel less tense and embarrassed, and as we talked, I’d gradually get used to him.
Then, eventually, I’d be able to treat him normally again, like I used to.
That was the advice Mizuki gave me yesterday. Since I was having trouble with strong stimuli, she suggested I gradually get used to them by starting with smaller ones.
It sounded like a sensible solution. It was a fairly tried-and-true way to overcome the problem, too. So I decided to go with Mizuki’s idea.
Of course, there was one condition for trying this approach.
A rather tricky one: Kaede and Arai had to already have each other on LINE.
‘As if.’
I slowly shook my head.
Kaede had never even exchanged contact information with Arai before. What were the chances she’d exchanged LINE IDs with him before all this happened?
…None.
After realizing she was in love? …Even less likely. She was too embarrassed to even talk to him properly. There was no way she’d exchanged LINE IDs with him in that state.
“I’ll have to make the first move. What else can I do?”
After stuffing the last piece of bread into my mouth, I brushed the crumbs off my palm. Then, without hesitation, I reached for the juice I’d brought with me.
Gulp, gulp.
“Ahh.”
The distinctive tang and sweetness of orange juice moistened my parched mouth. I savored the taste for a moment, then wiped the moisture around my mouth with the back of my hand.
Now that I’d satisfied my hunger, it was time to figure out how to exchange LINE IDs with Arai.
“Should I ask the Mochizuki family for help? …No. That won’t work.”
In fact, with the Mochizuki family’s technology, finding out Arai’s LINE ID wouldn’t be difficult.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t use that method. It would mean finding it out behind his back, in a way I couldn’t exactly be proud of.
If I tried to contact him that way, he’d only grow suspicious. How did I find out? We never exchanged LINE IDs…
He’d probably react like that. It’d be no different from making trouble for myself.
“I guess the straightforward approach is my only option.”
It would be awkward, but if I wanted to avoid complications, I’d probably have to ask him myself.
“Urgh.”
As soon as I reached that conclusion, a groan slipped through my lips. It was good that I’d decided what to do, but actually putting it into practice felt daunting.
“……….”
I quietly pulled my smartphone from my pocket and opened one of the apps on it. The messaging app I’d been talking about all this time: LINE.
“Empty. Completely empty.”
Other than Mochizuki Kaede, not a single person’s name appeared in my contacts.
The sight was proof of my abysmal social skills. I stared at the pristine screen, bitterness welling up.
Come to think of it, ever since I’d been transported into this world, I’d never exchanged contact information with anyone for a reason other than work.
I’d been too busy with work to have time to build friendships with anyone.
But could I really add Arai’s name to this empty contacts list?
“Sigh…”
…I didn’t know. But I couldn’t just give up because it seemed daunting.
I’d have to wait for an opportunity, and when the time seemed right, read the room and somehow give it a try.
No matter how much I thought about it, that seemed to be my only option for now.
“Let’s give it a try, somehow.”
Creak—
While I was lost in thought, I heard the door open.
Hmm. I was the only one who ever came up to the rooftop at lunchtime.
Who could it be? I paused my train of thought and looked toward the sound.
Then a familiar face came into view.
‘Arai?’
It was Arai.
Why was Arai here? I was caught off guard by his unexpected arrival when he fixed his gaze on me. What’s more, he was walking straight toward me.
It seemed like he had something to discuss with me.
This was perfect timing.
Speak of the devil, and he appea―――
…Hmm? Come to think of it, are there tigers in Japan?
Ahem. Anyway,
Arai had shown up at just the right moment. I didn’t usually interact with him much, so I should take advantage of this opportunity.
I’d try to exchange LINE IDs with him while I had the chance.
＊＊＊
――Set up another date.
Remembering Yuki’s ultimatum, Shota sighed inwardly.
‘I’m not your errand boy or anything. Isn’t this treatment a bit much? ‘
Shota was a little unhappy with his younger sister’s stubborn demands. How long had it even been since the day of the meeting? And now she wanted him to set up another one?
That was why Shota didn’t want to grant his sister’s request this time. …At first, that was what he thought.
But although it had been his own mistake, thinking of his sister, who’d missed the meeting she’d been looking forward to, gradually softened him. In the end, he went back on his original decision.
Just as Yuki had said, he decided to arrange another meeting with Takamine.
‘Why am I getting nervous over something like this?’
Shota lowered his gaze. Takamine, deep in thought, came into view.
Unlike last time, Takamine seemed to be pondering something. From the looks of it, Takamine was going to turn him down this time. The last time must have been an exception.
Shota gave a wry smile and prepared himself to accept the refusal.
“Okay. How about we meet on Sunday, like last time?”
“Huh?”
Contrary to his expectations, Takamine agreed again. Shota was so surprised that he let out a stupid sound before he could stop himself. Embarrassed by his own reaction, he parted his lips.
“Huh? Oh, I see. Sunday doesn’t work for you, then. How about Saturday?”
“A-any time works. Whatever’s convenient for you, Takamine.”
“Really? Then let’s make it Sunday.”
Sunday was better than Saturday in several ways. It gave him more time to adjust the household staff’s schedules.
“Okay.”
Shota agreed, and at the sight of him nodding, Takamine let out a sigh of relief inwardly.
Just as Takamine had hoped, they’d settled on Sunday. That should give Takamine plenty of time to arrange the schedule.
‘Phew. I’ve avoided overtime. …Now I can go to bed on time.’
Takamine smiled with satisfaction, so happy that Takamine forgot Shota was watching.
‘Takamine… They seem kind of happy?’
Takamine’s expression looked brighter than it had a moment ago. Why was that? Shota found himself wondering where Takamine’s smile had come from.
So Shota stared at Takamine’s face without thinking, wondering why Takamine’s expressions had become more varied than before.
More precisely, he was about to wonder.
“Arai-kun, can I ask you a favor?”
But Takamine’s next words brought Shota’s thoughts to an abrupt halt. The word ‘favor’ had that effect on him.
“A favor?”
The thought of Takamine asking him for a favor made Shota scramble to collect himself. Shota repeated the words in a bewildered voice.
As he did, Shota studied Takamine’s expression.
“Ah, well…”
As Takamine spoke, they awkwardly twirled a lock of hair around a finger, then let it go. Shota watched and waited for Takamine to continue.
What kind of favor could it be, for Takamine to hesitate like that? Shota felt a little nervous.
“Arai-kun, would you exchange LINE IDs with me?”
“………Huh?”
It was something Shota had never expected to hear. Shota was flustered. He was so surprised that for a moment, he wondered if he’d misheard Takamine.
To think Takamine was the one asking to exchange LINE IDs first.
What on earth did that mean? Could this be—
“If something comes up, like last time, it’d be better to contact each other beforehand, right?”
“Ah, yeah. That’s true.”
Of course, that was what Takamine meant.
Feeling sheepish for jumping to conclusions, Shota scratched his cheek.
Then, when Shota saw Takamine take a smartphone out of a pocket, he took out his own as well.
“Want to send it, Arai? I’m not very good at this.”
“…Sure.”
“Oh, got it. Hehe.”
Right after they exchanged LINE IDs, Takamine smiled with satisfaction. What was Takamine so happy about?
Takamine kept throwing Shota into confusion one thing after another. As if entranced, Shota gazed at Takamine. Just then, Takamine looked back at him too.
Their eyes met.
“……….”
“……….”
A brief silence settled between them.
Was Takamine flustered by the sudden silence? Takamine blinked over and over.
After doing that for a moment,
Takamine finally gave him a nonchalant smile.
“Did you know, Arai-kun? You’re the second person I’ve exchanged LINE IDs with.”