Chapter 12: Friend’s Visit (1/2)

Ever since that cleanup, it seemed the wall between Amane and Mahiru had eroded just a little. The distance between them did not close much however,

At school, they were akin to strangers, and even after school, they would merely exchange a few words while sharing dinner.

A few days ago, Amane was reminded to maintain the cleanliness of his house. She was harsh, but he understood very well she was a girl who loved to care for others.

Thanks to the timely reminder and cleaning advice she gave, Amane’s house remained clean.

“Ooh, it looks a lot better.”

Once he heard the apartment was looking better, Itsuki came running over on the weekend. He could only marvel in amazement at the sight of this rejuvenated house.

“Never thought it would become so clean, especially when it was so messy. I did help you clean up the last time, and not even two days later, it got dirty.”

“Shut up.”

“No, I don’t want to nag at you, but think about how long it has been since you last threw something all over the place.”

“Don’t worry, it’s a new record. Two straight weeks.”

“Can you please be ashamed that your new record is only two weeks?”

You don’t usually throw your stuff onto the floor. Itsuki nagged, Amane frowned, but could not refuse Itsuki’s earnest pleas of common sense,

In fact, he was actually troubling Itsuki before Mahiru helped out, so he was unable to retort harshly.

Grrr. As Amane clamped up, Itsuki chirped happily.

“But well, since it’s so clean, I want to bring Chii here.”

“Don’t. Why do I have to see you two flirt with each other in my house?”

“You don’t have to be so courteous.”

“Don’t treat my house like a dating spot.”

How tragic was he for him to see his friend flirt around with his girlfriend?

Having seen what others called the idiot couple being all lovey-dovey, he hoped that they could show some consideration for him.

He could not laugh despite knowing Itsuki was joking, given that he had been seeing them every day.

He hoped they would do it at their own place.

“Well, enough with the jokes. I guess it won’t be dirty now that it’s so clean, right?”

“I’ve been dealing with it.”

“So I say… whatever. It’s good to have the habit of putting back the things you took out though.”

“Are you my mom…?”

“Seriously, Amane, you have to start cleaning your house more often, you know~?”

“That sounds disgusting, and also scarily, disgustingly similar to my mom.”

Amane felt a chill up his spine when Itsuki made a falsetto impression of his mother.

While Itsuki had never seen Amane’s mother, it was scary how much he resembled her.

Furthermore, a boy faking a woman’s voice was really disgusting, and Amane really had the urge to stop Itsuki there and then.

He stuck his tongue out in a pretentiously repulsive gesture, and Itsuki kept laughing away.

“So your mom’s like this, Amane? My mom’s pretty hands-off.”

“Guess I’ll say that I envy you. My mom’s the type to keep talking.”

“Just a good mother worried for her son, no?”

“But the kid won’t become independent.…”

“No, you’re being so terrible that your mom can’t leave you be.”

“Shut up. She’s still being too much of a busybody to her son.”

It might have been because he was an only child, but Amane’s mother really cared for him.

She did not dote on him, but rather, she was the type to interfere with everything and worry about everything. While Amane himself did not hate it, it was a hassle dealing with her.

She said lots of things when he chose to stay alone near his high school, often dropping by to check on him. She was quite the hassle.

“Well, that at least means that she really finds you important, right?”

“This love is too heavy.”

“Just give up. One day you’ll understand how precious that is.”

“You’re the standard rebellious kid, and now you’re sounding so mature.”

“Hahaha. Can’t do anything when it comes to Chii.”

Itsuki had quite a few disputes with his father because of his girlfriend, so these words really sounded unconvincing, but what he said did make some sense, so he listened to him..

Guess he has his own problems to deal with after all, so Amane thought as he let out a long sigh. Itsuki himself remained optimistic, not looking weary in the slightest. “Those who dare get between Chii and me can get run over by horses.” He did say such scary stuff before.

“Anyway, I’ll do something about my dad. You need to spend your days well Amane?”

Itsuki grinned, saying, “I know that without you telling me that.” Amane retorted with some frustration. He then realized Itsuki’s words were exactly the same as a certain person, and made a wry smile.

But Itsuki visited Amane’s house… not because he wanted to check on the latter’s living habits, but just to play games. The topic of the house soon ended, and they started playing.

They were supposed to be reviewing for the exams that were to be held the following week, but before they knew it, they were playing video games.

“Hey, stop wasting healing items man. We might not have enough later.”