CH 45

I didn’t have time to think long and hard about what Yukihana was going to do or something like that. Anyway, I’d like to say a few words about my current thoughts.

（How did this happen?)

There is a large mansion towering in front of me. It’s near a train station, but it occupies a large area of land, which suggests that the owner has a lot of money. The entire mansion is surrounded by walls, and on the large gate in front of it, there are simple words.

–Yukihana Group–

By the time I realized that this was a bad idea, it was already too late. Nanase and I entered the house as if we were being urged to do so.

How did this happen? It all comes down to one word that Yukihana just said.

[…….We always return the favor. That is our family motto.]

The fact that she forgave her cronies for their barbaric behavior. That in itself was a debt of gratitude to me. And then I was invited to her house. Of course, I tried to leave the place as quickly as I could, but I……

[ [ [……] ] ]

I was immediately blocked from going by her cronies. I’m sure it’s a hint that if I don’t come, I’ll be treated badly. I think Nanase alone is enough.

In addition, Yukihana’s house was in the same direction as the station I was heading to before Nanase followed me there. Nanase said

[If we’re going in the same direction, let’s go together, Senpai !]

Nanase made a deal with me like that. So, I was invited to Yukihana’s house.

Geeee…….

The heavy wooden door opens. It seems that you have to go through this gate to enter the house. As soon as Yukihana started walking ahead, many men gathered in the yard to greet her. And then

[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [Welcome back, Young lady !] ] ] ] ] ] ]

“……”

Yukihana silently walked through the center of the crowd. She looked just like an empress. There was nothing strange about being in the center and being in charge of a group of delinquents. Or rather, it felt amazing.

“……What about him?”

“Yes. I’ve heard that the Young master will be home late today. I heard that a new game is coming out today.”

“……Yeah. I also ordered it from Amazon.”

(Young master?)

I heard a new disturbing word, but it doesn’t matter now, so I’ll let it pass. Then Nanase and I went through the front door as if prompted.

“……Senpai, I know it’s a little late for this, but didn’t we just find ourselves in the most ridiculous place?”

“…Have you ever been called an idiot child?”

“Hey, that’s terrible !”

We started to poke and prod each other in a small voice. I was feeling pretty nervous even for me. Nanase must be feeling as much tension as I do.

Then we were taken to a slightly spacious Japanese-style room. In the center of the room, there was a kind of sunken hearth, and there was a pair of chopsticks that must have been used a long time. It was probably the owner’s hobby.

For the time being, I chose a seat in the back of the room and sat down. Yukihana, who had been following closely behind me, mimicked my movements and sat down next to me with natural movements.

“Yukihana senpai, you’re an amazing person.”

“Rather than Yukihana, it’s probably her parent.”

“Even so, Yukihana….Yukihana, huh.”

Nanase was sitting on her knees next to me and quietly calling out her surname “Yukihana”. Wondering if there was anything that came to mind with this sound, I asked Nanase vaguely.

“Do you like the name ‘Yukihana’ that much?”

“No, it’s not like that, but don’t tell me it’s…..,right?”

Even after saying that, Nanase kept mumbling. I think it’s useless to ask her any more questions, and I don’t need to know anything about it, so I let the topic drop.

After some time passed, the sliding door slowly opened.

“…….”

(……What’s with that outfit?)

Yukihana changed into a kimono (?). On the tray there was sweets and cold tea. Which she offered to us.

“…… Unfortunately, this is all we had. Here you go for now.”

“Oh, thank you very much, Senpai.”

Nanase stuffed her cheeks with Japanese sweets as if nothing had happened. If I’m not mistaken, this should be sold at a high-end long-established store in the station. I went to a sweets buffet with my step sister the other day. Perhaps I’m loved by the star that governs sweetness.

But what I’m more interested in is……

“More than that, Senpai, I’m more interested in the fact that you’re wearing a beautiful kimono. You look beautiful.”

“…Of course. It’s custom made to order.”

(No, no matter how you look at it, it’s cosplay)

Otherwise, she wouldn’t be wearing a kimono with manga or anime designs on it. I think the character depicted in the kimono was a popular character in the current season’s anime. I don’t know if they even had something like that made.

[……For the time being, this is a bad thing if it goes out into the world, so I will take care of it and keep it strictly in a glass case.]

You said that kind of thing to that figure, and yet you are clearly in the process of getting your own hands on it. I guess this is what they call a boomerang. I wonder how angry she was at that time.

“… For the time being, I want you to wash away this time with those sweets and tea.

“I-if Senpai says that much, I can’t help but let it go. I have already forgave you.”

“….Thanks.”

Nanase didn’t realize it because she was addicted to expensive Japanese sweets, but Yukihana looked completely relieved. It’s a reaction that you probably know that it’s going to be troublesome. Or perhaps something similar had happened before.

After some time had passed, the three cronies came into the room to get down on their knees, and Yukihana suddenly challenged Nanase to a game.

“Come on, come on”

“……You’re good, junior.”

Nanase was surprisingly good at fighting against Yukihana, who is a nerd. After that, we were defeated firmly and we decided to go home.

(Maybe it was the first time in my life I’d ever done something that was typical of a high school student.)

This may have been the first time in my life that I had ever visited someone’s house. I’ve been known to go over to bad guys’ places, but I’ve rarely had the experience of visiting other people’s places. Even when I was spending time with Shinkai.

Then Nanase and I will leave the Yukihana family’s gate together. At the same time, Yukihana saw me and Nanase off and we went our separate ways. I was tired after all that and decided to go straight home.

(The reason why she followed me is a mystery, but it’s good to know that she doesn’t seem to have any hostile intentions.)

I decided to leave Nanase alone. The way she was polite until we parted seemed to overlap with someone else’s appearance.

(……Come to think of it)

After spending a little less than an hour together and it was already dark outside, I suddenly realized that I had forgotten something.

Hmm, looks like I’m forgetting something…