“Chun, chun chun.”
From outside the house, the sound of birds chirping could be heard.
“Unn…”
Wrapped in a blanket on the floor, I shivered slightly.
Even though it was getting warmer in early summer, there were still cold days, and sleeping on the floor with just a blanket was a bit harsh on such days.
“Hmm…?”
My groggy head started to clear.
Why was I sleeping on the floor with just a blanket in the first place?
“Uun…”
At that moment, a troubled female voice came from my bed.
I jerked in surprise.
Tentatively, I looked towards the bed.
There, wrapped in the futon I usually slept in, was a young woman peacefully sleeping, making soft breathing sounds.
I couldn’t stop sweating.
Why was Kazane-san sleeping in my bed in my house?
“Munya munya… Come on, Rokuyari-san… this goes here, right…”
Kazane-san’s sleeptalk assault.
My confusion only grew.
What kind of dream was I having?
…No, calm down.
Kazane-san was fully clothed while sleeping, and I was lying on the floor.
There should be no mistake.
Remember.
What happened last night?
The after party, the family restaurant, the line of beer mugs, Kazane-san passing out drunk… yes, I remembered!
Lost on what to do, I had taken Kazane-san in a taxi to my house and put her to bed.
I faintly recalled the suspicious look from the taxi driver.
Well, the issue was not about our bikes left at the family restaurant or anything.
Why did I bring her home?
Wouldn’t it have been better to spend the night at the restaurant…?
“Hmm… Fwaaaah… Wait, where am I…?”
Kazane-san woke up.
She sat up, looking around with sleepy eyes.
From the neckline of her clothes that could be seen as they slipped off, her shoulders had a strangely alluring look.
Our eyes met.
Kazane-san tilted her head cutely.
“Huh…? Good morning, Rokuyari-san…?”
“G-Good morning, Kazane-san.”
Kazane-san still seemed half-asleep as she looked around the room.
Eventually, her eyes widened and she blinked several times.
Her expression gradually paled.
“Um… Rokuyari-san…? W-Where is this…?”
“Calm down and listen, Kazane-san. First of all, this is my home.”
“Eh…?! W-Whaaat!?”
“I said, calm down and listen!”
It took a few minutes for the screaming, blushing Kazane-san to regain her composure.
***
“I’m terribly sorry about this.”
“No, I should be the one apologizing. I should have handled it more thoughtfully…”
I expressed words of reflection as Kazane-san uncomfortably apologized.
At breakfast.
Seated across a small table in the one-room apartment, Kazane-san and I were having a meal together.
Well, breakfast consisted of toast, ham and eggs, tomatoes, and some canned corn soup.
Kazane-san seemed to have understood the situation for now.
Once convinced that I had done nothing wrong, she now seemed to be consumed with self-loathing.
“Rokuyari-san is too kind, I’m so useless, it’s making me depressed… I’m sorry for being a human waste…”
“No, I’m okay with it. It’s just carelessness. There are bad men out there in the world, you know.”
“But but, that’s because of Rokuyari-san’s character, right? You don’t just let anyone in. It’s fine on that front.”
“…So basically, no reflection.”
“Sob! I am reflecting! I’m really sorry!”
Kazane-san almost prostrated herself, bowing deeply.
Well, it’s fine and all… but if I think I’m okay, then my judgment of people really can’t be trusted, right?
“Well, regarding this incident, we’ll have a proper reflection later. Can we head to the dungeon together after this? I’ll retrieve our bikes left at the family restaurant.”
“Ah, um… I’m sorry, but may I have some time to go home first? I need to freshen up… I want to take a bath.
“Understood. So shall we disperse for now and meet back around eleven? We’ll gather in front of the dungeon.”
“Got it!”
Kazane-san saluted sharply.
She started out as the beautiful older sister character, but she’s really gotten the hang of playing the comical third-wheel character…
