My Lovely Neighbour
Matchmaking

Inconveniencing.

That's what I think when I see teenagers joking around me. Ah, scribble it. Almost all human relationships are troublesome.

Especially in the youth. This is called the pink time. Full of friendship, romance and other adventures.

It's nonsense.

Friendship is a very difficult thing. Humans are crafty creatures. Always betray someone he calls "friend". If you get benefits, then harming others is not a problem.

That's why I, who is now a first class High School, chose to be in my own world. Without the influence of others, my calm will not be disturbed. For me, calmness is the best feeling.

I don't think that opinion applies to everyone. Like those who are always gathered in the seat beside me.

According to the useless information that always enters my ears every day, in this school there is a rank.

C is the lowest level. It's just the Otaku who always talk about pop culture.

B is second place. Contains people who are quite popular, but still lack. Whether it's less style, less looks, or less cool. It could be said, this rank was the rank followers on it.

A, first place. The ones who rank this are the ones who are really popular. Gyu, Ikemen, Athletes. The people who have everything. Looks, coolness, style, and cleverness.

Me? Of course I cannot be measured using such a rank. I am a unique existence. An outside observer who does not interfere in their affairs. An S ranker, you can call it that.

Back to topic. This group beside me, they are A and B rank. In other words, rankings are the most annoying to deal with.

Actually I don't care, but their voice when talking is too loud. I think they have a hearing impairment.

I don't think that's wrong.

I breathe out slowly. Trying to ignore their disturbing voices.

I folded my hands on the table and put my head on it. This sleeping position I always do every time I rest.

Wh why? Because dealing with others is troublesome.

Humans can be considered as social creatures. But I call that shit.

In the past, socializing has become a thing that is required to meet the needs of life. But, now we can get all our needs through technology, with relatively little level of socialization.

In this day and age, being too dependent on others is definitely a source of trouble. If you put your trust in a creature called man, only regret will come.

I learned this the hard way. Moreover, humans are indeed troublesome creatures. Again, I show you an example. The A and B stages were conversing beside my seat.

The sound of their laughter sounded like thunder in the bright afternoon. Unexpected and very annoying. I almost fell out of my chair in shock.

Please shut your mouth.

If the so-called normal High School student always makes a loud noise then the howling monkey also includes normal High School students. They mark their territory with their distinctive howls to drive out the enemy.

Does that mean they want me to leave? Too bad, I'm not one of your kind.

Still in my sleeping position, someone nudged my desk. Make him make a loud noise. Followed by the voice of a louder woman.

"ah! I'm sorry!"

"Hou-chan, be careful."

"I was not intentionally! Sorry err... Who else, his name? Arikawa-kun?"

"Houtaro, when you don't remember his name? Her name is Arima-san."

"Ah, yes. Sorry for kicking your desk, Arima-kun!"

"...."

"...."

"He's still asleep? That's so quiet."

"He really likes to sleep. Let it go, Houtaron."

"Ah, okay."

Just disturb.

You guys even mispronounced my name. Well, I don't really remember your names either, so we'll consider this even. I am also not someone who likes to hold a grudge, this matter I will not extend. Thank me.

After a few exchanges of sentences about me, they finally changed the topic. The conversation involving me did not last long.

Shortly after, the entrance bell rang. It didn't take long before the table was filled with disciples. I woke up and pulled out a book.

I took a breath back.

Actually, I also think that the school is not needed. In this age, science can be obtained easily. However, society requires everyone to have a high level of education.

Please end this day quickly.

I keep expecting that every lesson changes. Of course it didn't materialize. There are no shooting stars in the classroom. I saw a wall clock in front of the class, three hours before I could go home.

I breathe again. I don't know how many times that day was. Afterwards, I took a lesson.

After nearly three hours of lessons, the bell rang. I tidied up my desk and went home soon.

I don't want to be here more than I need to. School is just a place to learn. Of course, many abuse it into a gathering place with "friends".

Really troublesome.

∅＊＊＊＊＊∅

Although the interaction between humans was troublesome, I admired him. Not as amazed as seeing your idol, but as amazed as seeing animals in a zoo.

Thousands of interactions occur around us. But if you're a regular participant in that interaction, there's little that catches your attention. On the contrary, if you become an observer, you can see the whole human interaction.

A fake smile and laugh when dealing with a friend who is secretly hated. Talk about someone behind them. Excommunicate someone who does not think the same. Coloring someone who is below the level.

The longer I observe, the more clearly I understand. Humans are not so different from animals. Their social interactions can be compared to most animals.

Ah, maybe that's too much. But, I think that's quite true.

I picked up a book that was on the top shelf. A pretty thick book. About 2000 pages with a hard cover.

Sure oes. If there was a thin dictionary, no one would want to buy it.

I looked up, looking at the place where the book was. It's a little dangerous if the book falls on someone.

Thankfully I saw it. It's no exaggeration to say that I saved someone's life.

I put the dictionary into the trolley. There are many books that have either been on the shelf too long, broken, or out of place.

This is my part-time job. Become an employee at a bookstore. Not a bad job in my opinion.

The bookstore is quiet too. There was only a faint music chant coming out from the in-store speakers. In addition, the lack of customers in my shift also adds to the tranquility of the store.

Calmness is the best.

However, with rights, there is an obligation. In return for my calm and decent salary, I worked hard.

Equally fortunate in my opinion. For me and this shop.

By working here, I was able to observe a wide variety of human characters with a fairly low risk. During my two years of work, I've seen hundreds of people going in and out of the store.

During that time as well, I was able to memorize the nature of all the people who frequently entered here. Uncle who likes to buy adult magazines, college student who likes to buy fashion magazines, delinquent men who secretly buy shoujo manga. I remember all that.

Although for me to remember that person as a waste of energy, my brain said something else. I think the more you meet someone, the more your brain indirectly stores that memory.

The human brain has a strange function.

"uh-uhh... Where are ya?"

Unintentionally, my ears caught a sound. The voice of a woman who seemed confused. Looking ahead, that assumption is proven.

There was a brown-haired girl who looked nervous. My gut tells me he can't find the book he wants. In times like these, my obligations have to be fulfilled. I left my trolley and walked over to him.

"Excuse me, do you need help?"

Trying to be as polite and friendly as possible, I asked every employee mandatory questions when seeing customers in distress.

The girl flinched for a moment. Maybe shocked and frightened after hearing my hoarse voice that did not come out from this morning. He looked at me then showed a slightly relieved expression.

I think he's relieved to see me wearing the yellow apron typical of this bookstore employee. Or maybe because someone helped her. Both possibilities are equally possible.

"I-that's. I-I'm looking for Light novels..."

His soft voice greeted my ears once again. It's a bit small, but my ears can catch it.

I pointed ahead.

"You can find a collection of light novels in the sixth row, right in front of the cashier."

"Ah, is that it? Th-thank you very much."

Hearing my directions, the girl smiled happily. He bowed to me and then left immediately.

Typical new customers. The type who rarely goes to the store alone. I think I've met that type of customer several times.

I let out a breath.

My shift is running out soon. Better hurry up.

I went back to my trolley and pushed him into the back room. My kouhai will take care of it later.

∅＊＊＊＊＊∅

"Thank you for the hard work!"

Nodding faintly in response to my boss. Opening the door, the spring breeze hit my face accompanied by a pretty pungent salty taste. My area close to the sea is the main reason for this salty aroma.

I want to eat chicken.

Sighing, I spread my feet towards the house.

I want to talk about the afternoon sky, but the sun has been setting since. Nothing lasts forever.

I looked up. The night sky looks empty. There was only a moon with its faint rays. The stars that should decorate the black canvas are nowhere to be seen. Air pollution may be the cause.

There are thousands of stars in space. Each of them radiated its rays for thousands or even millions of years. It takes more than a million light-years for their rays to reach Earth. A light from the past. But, it is invisible to the naked eye due to pollution.

I became somewhat sentimental. Hungry effect? I suppose.

I shook my head. Night time is the time when a person's true personality comes out. The night is also the most difficult time.

I sped up my pace, not wanting to linger outside. I hope I don't meet with troublesome things.

"M-Mr... Wh-father...."

Ah drat.

The first troublesome example was found not long since I thought of it. A girl crying under the street lights.

He's human, right? I hope so.

Do I have to just turn around? The other way is further.

I let out a breath. It's useless if I turn around now. Doing that will only add to the troublesome things in my life.

I walked closer to him. After a while, I finally woke up. He was a customer at the bookstore.

He's lost, isn't he? Ah, seeing his behavior this afternoon and his unfamiliar face to me, I think he moved from another city. It's only natural that he's lost. Well, that's just my assumption anyway.

"Need help?"

I asked directly, not intending to make small talk. Hearing my voice, he gasped in surprise. Slowly he turned towards me. His eyes were red and red from crying.

"A-ah, that shop clerk..."

With a trembling voice, he noticed me.

A good memory.

I reached into my bag. Finding a dark blue handkerchief, I thrust it at him.

"Thank you very much..."

He accepted it with trembling hands. He rubbed his eyes and cheeks that were still wet.

"Not to think about it. Lost 'huh?"

He stopped rubbing his cheeks and nodded slowly. He stared at the handkerchief he was holding.

"I-I just moved in this morning...."

I scratched the back of my head. Because I was right, I hated myself.

"Your parents have you called?"

"I-I didn't bring my Smartphone...."

"Your parents' numbers remember?"

"I-I don't remember...."

There are also people like this.

"Since you got out of the house you walked a long way?"

"Eh? Nothin. I only walked a few minutes before I got to the bookstore."

Ah, so his house is close. Maybe because he doesn't remember the streets around.

"Do you remember anything from your new home? Like a sign or something?"

He was silent for a moment. Seems like I'm thinking about something.

"E-hm... It seems so."

"really? Likewhat?"

"There is a small playground that has many cats and cherry trees"

I covered my mouth. Trying to think.

Cat and Sakura? Somewhat weird? Ah wait, wait. There's only one area near here.

"I think I know where your house is."

"Really?"

His eyes immediately sparkled. His grim face now changed with an optimistic smile. The mood of a person is easily changed.

∅＊＊＊＊＊∅

Leading the way, I was about four steps ahead of the girl. The road is really slow. Looking at her small posture, I don't blame her too much.

"You recognize this street?"

Breaking the silence, I asked.

"Lit-little bit. Ah, that was the trash can this afternoon."

Hmm, I think this is the right way.

I turn right. Follow the road before arriving at a small park. There are a lot of cats living here. Not only that, the park is also filled with Sakura trees.

"ah! This is the park!"

The girl smiled broadly. He seems to be in the right place.

"Why do you know?"

He looked at me to ask. I looked back at him.

"Because this is close to the place of my work."

I decided not to say anything unnecessary. What I don't need is for him to come to my house to thank me.

"That's it."

"Do you remember your home?"

Hearing my question, he nodded happily. He walked in front of me and bowed.

"Thank you very much!"

"Not to think about it. What matters is that you can go home."

Otherwise, my humanity could be hurt. I decided not to say that either.

The girl raised her head and smiled.

"One more time, thank you!"

"... Aye." Yeah."

He waved his hand slightly after walking a bit far away. I just nodded small. After the girl left, I was finally able to go home. That troublesome burden slipped off my shoulder.

∅＊＊＊＊＊∅

The bell ringing in my house rang right before I devoured the last piece of chicken. My sister just got upstairs to study. I doubt he'll come down.

I let out a breath. There is no point in getting angry. I put my chicken on the plate and walked to the front door.

"Attent."

I opened the door. Staring at the person who rang the doorbell, I could only sigh inwardly. I should have guessed this.

"The shopkeepers were!"