Vol 3 Chapter 4 (1/2)
Baseball in the ht
In days like these, dayti
Erio's working at Ta, kind of Ryuushi+-san's working hard for her club They
The only free and bored soul was me
I was the only person ho I lay on the bed, eyes shut, and waited for the sleep that never cahed Half-conscious, I picked up the reference book with heavy eyes After a few pages, I would put it down and shutthat, two hours passed
No one was home, and since it's been so hot,what could be called the peak of civilization, the AC, run, I sealed the roo in froe, considering I used the AC all the time back home
”Ughh~” In the first three minutes, only a tepid, mouldy air came out of thethe room comfy was established 'The appliance you want to ain unchallenged A fanthe winter, the kotestu would be a tough rival[1]
Now, I can ignore the stickiness on my skin Contented, I plopped back down on the bed
What came next replaced this irksome heat
Ti
“Sigh~” I coveredon how useless I was
I feltnothing I' time such as summer when school isn't in session, the chance of reatly reduced
Youth-point is a thing only nourishable with another huh, to say this anyway
Even if I wanted to go out with one of my classmates, I just couldn't find the h Being a transfer student is kind of aard, like being an outsider
The only person left I know is Maekawa-san, but we're not so chuirl too, and htier than Ryuushi+-san Is it her hobby, or her height? Or ht pass out twice being outside in this sun
Plus, I don't think she's doing nothing Shetoo Didn't she say she wanted a motorcycle license? Because of that Onee-chan in a yukata?
“So it's justto do
Is freedo unconfined for twenty-four hours? Can’t believe I thought about taking a nap when I's with the others
I heard the faint noise of soh the AC had snared it away
Trapped in this rooo, were the cries of cicada and the whirling of the AC
“Ugah~”
Just exactly how the hell did I e to stay in my room for the entire summer last year?
As I recalled, it feltinto another person's private life
I decided to head out for lunch, so I grabbed my phone and wallet “Uwah”
The sun cutting into the door instantly dulled my resolve Nifurauistic ue, but do try to understand this on a metaphysical level I almost scurried back home[2]
What if AC's had legs? Then it'd beshould just cohts hovered in my head as I considered a way to counter this heat
“Of course!” I just have to carry the AC! Hot daenius!
After the idiotic thoughts subli heat see thoughts to becoe a book by its cover and start seeking Erio's affection This ht be a complete meltdown
Slowly dragging the bike out, I rode forward shakily Sweat spewing fro down heavily, I wondered
Concerned that the bike's frao? I don't want to go to the station, neither do I want to explore the local cuisine
I hate to say this, but Meme-san's food is just to ether Love, beach love!” Shame about her how she speaks, really
So that leaves one choice… “Let's go to the Tamura Shop” And I could check on Erio too
Though it's only been three days since I last went Erio see fine these days, and Tao into the store, so even Meme-san's relaxed
I didn't have to change route — o there? With that in er in this heat, I wanted to go into that cave-like house My brain dereed
“Hm?”
As I passed between the residence, I saw a familiar face; I braked and looked back
She appeared to have noticed too; the sun hit the slightly crooked grin
“Yo, transfer student”
It's Maekawa-san With a black parasol in hand, she walked forward So's off about that attire Only, Maekawa-san's nor about costumes
She wore blue jeans and a blouse, a getup perfect for walking to a nearby store; however, both pieces seemed too small, as much of her skin showed
“Where are you heading?”
“I wanted to grab a bite somewhere You?”
“On my way home after an errand Unfortunately, one of my family member stole my bike”
With that explanation, she ht shade on her face I felt obligated to stay before she ca down on le car passed Maybe people would ht
Finally, light returned to Maekawa-san's face
“That's it Why don't we go to my place? I'll make you lunch”
“Eh?” Maekawa-san's house? Girl House? It's hard to deny that I didn't want to pounce at the invitation I could feel the Youth-points I' a vacation!
Maekawa-san, on the other hand, didn't seem bothered; she pointed at the basket on my bicycle
“So, can I get a ride in this basket?”
“Hah?”
“If Touwa likes it so ood”
H onto the bike like a spider and stuffed her lower half into the basket “Wow, it's tight”
She grudgingly accepted the condition and reported to ain, the drea double drifted further and further away from me I expected no less froirls to do this ET style riding… Maybe the aliens are protecting theirls?
“Well, I'm in ya hands” Maekawa-san spun her parasol and co scalp, but seeing her like that, my doubt vanished
She's willing to spend her day-off with me: she can sit however she wants
It's a weekday too, so Maekawa Dad
Once again I pedalled onward Cohter
“How are you feeling?”
“Like a shi+pped-off cow in a cart”
“I bet you do”
Should I pretend I'o~! Fly~!'
Maekawa-san lives in the corner of the residential district It's newly constructed and close to the shopping district
“Letarms and pulled her out of the basket “My butt hurts” Hands rubbing her rump, she hopped toward the entrance
Maekawa-san checked if the slide door was locked first before reaching for her key “Are they picking up new stocks? Oh, did I ever mention my parents run a bar?”
“It's a bit hazy but I think you did”
We chatted while e in the yard The current weather indicated I shouldn't worry about a surprise downpour In fact, I kind of wanted to pray for some rain to cool this ton
Maekawa-san opened the door and went in first; I trailed behind “Welcoreeted before leadingroom
“One sec, I' to prepare”
“Hm” Prepare? Oh, lunch? Isn't it a little shameless to have hernore that thought
Sitting in the living roos could beat this
After about two minutes passed
Wearing a pink T-shi+rt and a blue cahnut in hand Then shethe doughnut
“…?”
“Soet a new haircut, so I wanted to try this once”
“???” I searched in et it[3] “Wow, you don't read a, do you? Not very competitive, transfer student”
“Well, I picked a few up recently” It's helpful when I'uys too
She finished the doughnut and disappeared quickly U a raduated from that already?
Looking down, I losthandmade lunch by a classmate Typically, that'd be +2, but since now I've had all three mealsLike so, I pondered about things unrelated to the garden
Just then, ta-kun's (丹羽) appeared in the garden (にわ)… As I ca' leapt out fro back, 'Uwah!' Actually, I only did half of both actions described,down a little
Having a een us was reassuring, but I actually thought it was a mass of white snakes
Soh the law of nature, the pale object appeared
Strange It's so nice in here, but I'm about to pass out
Why the hell is she here?
The oh-so-sneaky Hoshi+ to pilfer the ripened tos Meet to don the helain since we parted at the school's storage, I was at ease knowing that she's fine On the other hand, I also wondered why she's still in town
It's a bit wasteful, but I opened the glass screen
“Oi” You're quite sneaky for a thief, but are you a critter? Or a farlar?
“Eave teleportation!”
She immediately shouted the nanize my voice and didn't look surprised
“Hm-hm-hm, I- already- knew- you- would— Sorry, I can't do this any more, my throat hurts”
“Could you not play pretend when you're not feeling well? And why did you break into another person's house again?! You're also a tomato thief now!”
“T-this… Is a tomahto”
“I don't care how you say it! That’s it: you have to go home now!”
“What made you think I can if I' a rocket that can send me to Mars in a day, huh?”
What the hell? Not to be a jerk, but she's kind of being a nuisance noever, if she were to starve to death here, it would leave a pretty terrible décor in Maekawa-san's house
“Alright, fine You, stay right there”
Even I question why I do the things I do, but I just can't stand ignoring people I know Leaving the living room, I easily arrived to the kitchen; it wasn't a particularly difficult house to navigate, after all
“Het to you? Couldn't you wait a bit?”
Stirring so pan, Maekawa-san looked back With her slender figure and the apron, she left a distinct iirl' She wore it so well I ale my impression of her
Basically, her apron form was in my strike zone
“U heart, I requested with a straight face
“Hm?” Maekawa-san tilted her head confusedly at my request
“Uhh, there's a starving cat in your garden asking for some tomatoes”
“Oh… It's okay, I guess I thought ”
Maekawa-san handed hed it off, 'quit joking around' Hmm, she's indeed quite a respectable lady Too bad she's made of paper Mache
After thanking her, I returned to the living room “Here” I handed the tomatoes to Yashi+ro It's still a loss to the Maekawa household, but it's probably better than having them stolen
Yashi+ro took her hel the red fruits On her face was slight be kindness
If she could take off that helmet more often, then people would definitely be friendlier toward her
Oh~ But her superpoould explode, wouldn't it? I won't forget to add that (lol) after the e
Yashi+ro stared intently at the tomatoes; her head bowed deeply
“Thank you, dream”
“How about thanking someone more specific?”
Is it really that unreal for me to be nice?
“Dung dung dung ~ dung! Danger evasion UP! Makoto's HP increased by five”
“And none of that stupid game, please”
Just leave me out of it! Is what I really meant
Yashi+ro bit into the tomato “Uwee~” Her cheek twitched from the sourness; she quickly finished the two to It er increases — could that be her real power?
Well, it is true that whatever you eat becomes nutrient Anyone could tell you as much, but it's quite a e was to be erased
Most organisestion' Perhaps, to aliens of a different biology in a planet faraway, it could be seen as a form of super power
But forget that: seeing Yashi+ro finish, I worried she would ask for another one “If you're done, get out of here already!” I ordered the intruder
Yashi+ro scoffed and put her helmet back on
“I will see this as a return of favour Remember to thank me later”
“Oh yes, I am truly honoured” I didn't even feel appreciated It's rare when you don't feel rewarded helping someone
With cheeky laughter, Yashi+ro left
Perhaps instead of recovered, she had her brain melted in this heat
Still, what's the deal with her? I've always thought she's wherever me and Erio are
I shut the screen and ended the wasting of AC I sat down in front of the table, anxious and expectant, waiting for Maekawa-san's handmade meal
“Here we are”
Holding a plate with both hands, Maekawa-san and the smell of soy sauce entered the roo froht
“Was that enough for the cat?”
“Yep, it was”
“Awesoo ahead” The item in the plate was stir-fired Udon
“Ohoh~”
“I wanted to redients for that”
She put the obviously larger portion in front of me
I was also able to get a glass of barely tea Dried froreedily thirsted for water; I downed half the glass in one go With the heat stolen, my innards shrunk
They twitched with the trickling fluid I will see this as a deether and faced Maekawa-san
“Well, I' in”
“Yep, go ahead” She hurried me like a mom
I picked up the chopsticks and started slurping the noodles
“How's the taste?”
“Ha I read before called it so”
There's a pile of cooking a in Meme-san's room, so I borrowed some when I had time
“Uh, just so normal is fine”
“Oh, okay Then in that case, it's delicious — it’s a”
My comment seean picking up her own noodle too