Chapter 23
Kanashizuku Is On My Side
“My… house? Wait, that’s not the issue—did you just say stay over!?”
“Yup.”
In contrast to my shock, Kanashizuku calmly answered, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. But being told something like that out of nowhere was too much to take in, so I asked her,
“You’ve never even been to my house before. Why are we suddenly jumping straight to an overnight stay?”
“Because if I go home, who knows what Yufuka-chan might do to you when you’re alone. If I’m there, she won’t be able to try anything perverted or forceful, right?”
…So that’s what this is about.
Considering what happened last time, it’s only natural for Kanashizuku to worry about me like this as a friend. Still…
“It’s fine now. Like I said before, Yufuka told me she doesn’t want to use force if she can help it.”
“She doesn’t want to… right? But do you really think Yufuka-chan, as she is now, can stop herself?”
I opened my mouth, but no words came out.
If she was already that gloomy and unstable at school, it wouldn’t be surprising if things were even worse at home.
Reaching that conclusion, I finally said,
“…Alright. Then for today, you can stay over at my place, Kanashizuku.”
“Thank you… I’m glad you agreed.”
“Honestly, I don’t know if I can get through a night alone with the current Yufuka without something happening. Having you there will really help.”
“…!”
Hearing that, Kanashizuku’s face softened, showing a hint of happiness before she gently placed her hand over mine.
“Hey, Kazuiri. There’s one thing I want you to remember.”
“What is it?”
“I’ll always be on your side, no matter what. If you ever need help, I’ll think and worry with you. I’ll do anything I can for you. So when things get hard… remember me, okay?”
────Those words from Kanashizuku meant far more to me than their simple phrasing.
Always on my side, huh…
“I’ll remember that.”
“Good. Make sure you do.”
When I said that, she smiled brightly.
────After school, I waited by the front gate while Kanashizuku went home to grab her things for the stayover. Once she returned, we headed to my house together.
“This is the first time I’ve gone to a boy’s house, so… I might be a little nervous.”
“The first time!?”
Her comment startled me, but she looked equally surprised at my reaction.
“Yeah, of course. Why? Why are you so shocked?”
“I just assumed you’d done that kind of thing plenty of times already.”
“Nope. I’ve hardly ever interacted with any boys at all… besides you, Kazuiri.”
“I see.”
“Yeah. So, when I asked before about whether you’d ever kissed or done… you know, that kind of thing—I’m the same as you. I’ve never done it either.”
Kanashizuku’s cheeks flushed red as she admitted that.
“I… see.”
I didn’t really know how to respond, so we just went back to chatting casually as we walked to my house.
When we arrived, I unlocked the door, and we both stepped inside together—
—where Yufuka was waiting for us.
“Welcome home, Onii-ch—”
She stopped mid-greeting the moment she noticed Kanashizuku beside me. Her mouth shut tight before she spoke again, her tone different.
“…Onii-chan, why did you bring Kanashizuku-san here?”
“I—”
I was about to explain, but Kanashizuku gently cut me off.
“I asked him to. I wanted to stay over at his place tonight.”
“…!”
Yufuka’s eyes widened in shock at the word stay over, but Kanashizuku only smiled sweetly at her.
“That’s right. A sleepover. I’m counting on you for today, Yufuka-chan.”
Kanashizuku spoke with the calm confidence of someone older, while Yufuka’s eyes darkened with quiet hostility.
…It was clear this night was going to be rough.
But since there was no turning back now, all I could do was pray that we’d somehow make it through without incident.
