My Lovely Neighbour
Kayla

"I think Arumasu-kun is pretty good!"

I was silent at the back entrance of the class. Staring at Shidoki who was standing at his desk. Slightly raised his voice, issuing a sentence containing my name and a thing I should not have heard.

The class's view is now on Shidoki. Realizing that, the girl covered her mouth with both hands.

"A-ah, sorry! I shouldn't have said that."

"... It's okay."

"Y-yes, it doesn't matter."

I've guessed. Anybody seriously saying that about me.

Receiving an apology from Shidoki, slowly they finally left the girl's seat. Leaving him alone.

People like to avoid awkward situations. I want that too. But where am I going?

Raising my shoulders, I walked towards my desk. Shidoki was a little surprised. I seem to have surprised him.

"A-Arumasu-kun?!" The girl looked at me for a moment and then looked down. "W-did you hear that?"

"Listen," I answered honestly. No other reason to lie.

"O-oh...." Shidoki answered. Sounds a bit sad. "Pardon me...."

"Why are you apologizing?" I asked. "What you said was not wrong."

I put a box of strawberry milk and my sidebread on the table. I looked towards Shidoki. It's still standing.

"But I think you're wrong" I continued. "I'm not a good person. So, ka—"

"You're wrong!" Shidoki. "A-Arumasu-kun is a good man!"

I looked back at Shidoki. If someone were to explain my expression, then the confusion would match.

"I-i mean! Which good person does not help others? A-Arumasu-kun always helps me, so Arumasu-kun is a good person."

Taking out a childish excuse, Shidoki began to argue. Starting from helping him when he was lost, and earlier at the beginning of the lesson.

Whatisthis?

The naive reason was so easy to break. But, looking at Shidoki, I felt unbearable. If she cries here, I can be troubled later.

"... You freak," I murmured.

"E-uh? What was?"

"There's nothing." I shrugged my shoulders. "You've proven your purpose. Now sit. You're not ashamed?"

Realizing that the class attention was back on him, he finally sat down. His face was flushed like a tomato.

Really weird. But... Being called a good person is not so bad.

I smiled at a glance. Shaking my head, the smile disappeared.

I remember something. I took melon bread out of my blazer pocket. "Catch." I threw it at Shidoki.

"Eh!?" Despite almost dropping it, he managed to catch it. "Th-this?"

"Take my thanks" I replied. Not looking in his direction.

I opened the plastic wrapping of my side bread and took out a diagonal piece of sandwich bread. I started eating my lunch today.

"E-uh? Ta-tapi—"

"Oh, take it. Aru-kun is stubborn in these things."

Another voice interrupted Shidoki. I glanced at the table in front of me, a glasses girl sitting there. The chief, Shiragami Fuyumi, smiled at Shidoki.

"U-um...."

"Ah, greetings. My name is Shiragami Fuyumi. Class Chair." Realizing the confused Shidoki, Shiragami introduces herself.

"Ah, greetings, Shiragami-san. My name is Shidoki Mia."

Finished introducing himself, Shidoki looked back at the melon bread I gave him.

"Not to think about it, Aru-kun is like that. He also often bought me juice." Shiragami showed a pair of orange juice cans in her hand.

I looked at him sharply. It was as if saying "Whose fault is it!?". But, it seems like he didn't notice it.

Shiragami leaned her body. He put the orange juice on Shidoki's table. "For you," he said lightly.

"E-eh!? Let me pay for it!" Shidoki took out a blue wallet. "For Arumasu-kun too."

"No, no need." Shiragami waved her hand. "I have two. It will be wasted."

"Thank you. I don't like someone who rejects someone else's good intentions" I said. I put the last piece of bread in my mouth.

"U-umm... All right, thank you." After a while, Shidoki finally accepted it.

He opened the plastic wrapper and started eating it. He also said "Itadakimasu!" Earlier. His parents taught him well.

"So, Shidoki-san is from Koriyama huh? What's it like there?" Shiragami asked. Starting talks.

I poked my straw into the milk box and started sipping on the contents. Shidoki swallowed some of his bread before answering Shiragami's question.

"Sunny! Although not as crowded here, there is quite fun. But, I'm looking forward to staying here."

"Good then! I hope you're happy to live here." Shiragami put on her graceful smile as usual. He looked towards me.

"What?" I asked. It is impolite to look at someone who is drinking.

"It's okay." Shiragami turned her face away. "By the way Shidoki-san. Where do you know Aru-kun from?"

So rude.

"Ah, last night I got lost on the road, Arumasu-kun helped me get home." Shidoki replied with a smile. "It turns out, he's also my neighbor."

"He~eh! Did ya? It just so happens." Shiragami sounded amazed.

Why are you amazed? He's just a neighbor.

"I became curious about Aru-kun's house."

"Sorry to drop your expectations. My house is mediocre." I took the straw out of my mouth. "And I hope you don't suddenly come to my house."

"Of course not. What kind of girl walks into a man's house alone."

"Uhuk! Uhuk!"

"Eh!? Shidoki-san is! Wh why? You okay?" Shiragami stood up and walked over to Shidoki.

"That's okay." Shidoki smiled weakly.

"Be careful when you drink."

I pretended not to hear Shiragami say.

❀❀❀❀

The school bell rings. The relieved voice of the disciples sounded louder than usual. Maybe that's just my feeling.

The sound of footsteps from the hallway and the classroom gives its own atmosphere. Discussion filled the air.

I held my nape. Feeling a little tired. Studying all day is energy draining.

"Otsukaresa." The leader looked over from his seat. Sitting sideways.

"Otsukaresa." Shidoki. Finished writing his book.

I also tidied up my things. Picking up my bag next to the table, I began to put in books and other writing utensils. I took my phone.

Some messages are in. My sister, my cousin, spam, and that's it. Feeling a little disappointed, I turned it off.

"What's Aru-kun? Your work?"

"Ah, yes. Arumasu-kun works at a bookstore huh."

I listened to the two girls talk. I shrugged my shoulders. "No. Today's not my shift."

I put my bag on the table. I hurt my phone.

I walked to the closet behind the class. Take a broom.

"Ah, today Aru-kun picket huh?"

I didn't answer the question. Isn't it obvious? Why would I take a broom? Whatever.

Deciding not to heed it, I began to sweep. Sometimes lift the chair to the table. Cleanliness is an obligation. As long as I picket, there is no place that is not clean.

"So, Shidoki-san. Do you have any plans after school?" Shiragami asked Shidoki.

"A-ah, there's no. I'm going straight home."

"Oh, is that it?" Shiragami turned towards the wall clock. "ah! I forgot! late to the club!"

Shiragami started putting her things into the bag. Even though her appearance looked diligent, I began to doubt her.

"Shiragami-san joined the club as it turned out."

"Yes, the band club. I play clarinet. Know it? Next month we have a concert. But, lately I want—"

"Are you late or not? Decide on the right." Unable to hear Shiragami's inconsistency, I interrupted his explanation.

"Oh, yes." He knocked on his head then stuck out his tongue while smiling sillyly. A teehee☆pero.

What the fuck?

"Then I'm gone. See you later, Shidoki-san, Aru-kun." Waving his hand, he ran out of the classroom.

Substantial. If you want to go stay away.

I looked at Shidoki who was still sitting in the classroom. "You didn't go straight home? Or don't you know the way home?"

"W-uh! U-uhm!" Shidoki looked over and there. Looks like looking for answers. In the end, he could only duck.

"Actually this morning I was lost too...."

I let out a breath. I guessed it, didn't I? In fact, isn't the fact that he got to school amazing ?

I leaned a broom on my body. Groping my pocket, I pulled out my phone. "I'm asking for your number."

"E-eh!? U-for what??"

"Calm down. I'll just send you a way to get back home" I explained.

Thinking for a while, Shidoki finally nodded. He pulled out a blue phone. A green frog-shaped cell phone hanger swung a little.

For some reason, his taste is a bit strange.

Putting aside such thoughts, I thrust out my black phone. The white patches on the back of my phone formed the figure of the Kaiju king I liked.

Well, my taste is just as strange.

Finished saving my number, Shidoki stared at the screen of his phone. He moved his fingers. Tapping on the keyboard, writing something.

Shortly after, my phone shook. A new notification, a message from an unknown number.

[Good afternoon, Arumasu-kun( ╹▽╹ )!]

"...."

Women are not ashamed, right? Using kaomoji like that.

I let out a breath. Better not to think about it. I tapped on my phone screen. Stores Shidoki's number and answers his message.

[Good afternoon, Shidoki-san]

Not to forget, I sent the route home that I got from Maps. If you follow that route, anyone can get to your destination. Even a certain green-haired sword user.

[Aah! Thank you very much! With this I can go home ✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧! ]

"...."

I glanced towards Shidoki. His mouth was covered in his cell phone. His eyes looked at me expectantly.

Just say it directly. Oh gosh.

[Together. Be careful when you get home.]

[Good(✿^^)!]

Finished sending that, Shidoki smiled at me. He bowed his head to me.

"Arumasu-kun, thank you very much."

Why are you thanking me again?

"certain."

After a while, he lifted his head. Her sweet smile was still on her face. Her cheeks are a little red. I guess because of shame? I don't know.

He turned his body and walked out. In front of the door, he looked at me.

"Then, I'll see you tomorrow!" he said, sounding rather happy. He even waved his hand a little.

"Ah, yes. See you soon."

I raised my hand. Intended to wave, but I paled. I just saw the girl get out of class. His brown hair was swaying following his movements.

And that way, a day passed. A day that should have been boring, now feels a little fun. Little shit.