My Lovely Neighbour
Degan

Finished cleaning the classroom, I re-tidy the cleaning equipment. The other students who got picket assignments have gone home. Not that I was left behind, but because they had already finished their part.

Aye, right. I stayed because I was diligent.

Convincing myself that I was more meritorious than them, I nodded. I closed the locker that houses the class cleaning equipment. The chalkboard has been cleaned, the class has been dipel and swept, the window is shiny. I'm done with my job here.

I walk to my seat. My bag is still in the place where I left it. I picked him up and walked out of class.

Leaving the school gate, the sky had already changed color. Orange now meets the canvas which was originally blue. To me, this is just a normal natural condition. There is no point in being sentimental because of the sky.

Thinking like that, I kept walking. Today Ayumi is cooking, so I'm not in too much of a hurry.

Ah, speaking of Ayumi. Didn't he send me a message?

I pulled out my phone. Igniting it, I called the usual notifications. Twitter, Youtube, incoming messages, and so on.

However, there was one thing that caught my attention. A message notification. From someone I consider special.

[Sorry, I just got back! I'm really busy (e)!]

I smiled a little. Probably the second time today.

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

I started typing my answer:

[Occompani. It's okay. I know your schedule is tight]

A few seconds later, the answer came.

[But still! I feel bad O╭╮]

I can only smile bitterly. I can't do anything. His work is important too.

I didn't type an answer. I just tapped on the phone symbol in the corner of my screen. Calling her, I put the phone next to my ear.

"Efu-kyu..." The delicate voice of a girl greeted my ears. Calling my name with a little regret. "Sorry...."

"Don't I tell you? No need to apologize." I changed said. Small smile. "Talking about sad things is troublesome."

"Un, all right." The girl answered. Now it sounds more cheerful. "So, why did Efu-kun call? Missed huh? Fufufu, charm

U—"

"Yes, I miss you" I said without hesitation. "I want to hear your voice too."

"...." - ".The person behind the phone was silent for a moment. "... Cheating."

A little answer made me want to laugh. "Your attack is 100, but your defense is 0. It's like a glass cannon."

Saying that pretty good analogy, I was satisfied with myself. While talking to him, I walked home.

"cheat! Efu-kun cheated! That was a cheating move! So low, that move should have been sniffed!" The girl sounded frustrated. The sound of the bed being hit could be faintly heard.

"Improve your defenses" I suggested. "You suck at adding stat."

"Ughh! Whatever!"

"Haha." I'm laughing a little. "I watched you yesterday. You're great."

"Ehehe, really? I'm thrilled. Praise me continue."

Besides being able to read minds, it turns out that a woman's mood is easily changed huh? I'll remember that into the encyclopedia in my brain.

"Hey, your head's big huh."

"Bodo~! The most important thing is Efu-kun's praise!"

I didn't answer him directly. Just a little smile. On the way home, I found a playground.

Looks lonely. Given the time it's been night, it's not strange. I walked towards the swing then sat on it.

"Efu-kun's home?" A question came back from the voice behind the phone.

"It has. I'm on picket duty so I'm not home yet" I replied. Small swings. "You?"

"I just got home. I have to leave tomorrow." His voice sounded annoyed. Maybe because the schedule is too tight? "Oh yeah, next month there's another audition."

"You coming again?"

"of course! It's my dream!"

"Good then. The spirit."

"of course! Efu-kun always cheers me on!"

I can imagine the smile of the girl. He must have been lying on his bed staring at the ceiling, smiling happily. Unknowingly, I smiled too.

"City, Efu-kun. Is it still there?"

Ah, I seem to be daydreaming.

"I'm sorry, I'm thinking about you."

"Ap—!? Told you! No sudden attacks like that!" Once again, the sound of the mattress being hit back was heard.

"I'm an Assassin. A sneak attack is my forte."

"Mou! Baka!"

Oh, the cliche I've heard in old anime. I didn't think I could hear it.

It's night. Ayumi must have been looking for me.

I stood up from the swing. Chain sounds out because of it. The street lights were already on. I think I've been here too long.

"Hmm? What was?" tanyakanya. Seems confused because he heard the sound of a swing.

"Ah, no. I just got to go home."

"Eh!? Efu-kun hasn't arrived home yet!?"

Hearing that loud noise, I kept the phone away from my ears. He likes to break someone else's ear.

"Yet. I was sitting in the garden near the house."

"Go home first! Ayu-chan must be worried."

"Yes, yes." I answered. "Here you go?"

"... Aye." Yeah." The girl answered slowly. Sounds sad. "Ah, one more. Can Efu-kun call my name."

"Huh? Wh-wh-what for? What a strange request."

"Easy! Just do!" He called back behind the cell phone.

"All right." I let out a breath. Prepare to call his name. "Nozomi."

"Hm... Again, again."

"Nozomi."

"One more time."

"Nozomi."

"One more time."

"Nozomi."

There's a long pause. Silent. There was no sound from him. It looks like he pushed the Mute button.

"Well, I'm satisfied" he said after a while. He sounded relieved and happy. "Thank you, Efu-kun."

"certain. But, what was that for?"

"Mou, Efu-kun does not understand women's hearts" he suddenly complained. "Here you go, I'll take a shower first. Bye!"

"Tu—!" Before I could finish my sentence. He immediately disconnected the call.

I can only scratch my head while sighing. I don't understand what the girl's thinking is. Never mind, the paradox named Ninomae Nozomi is indeed difficult to understand.

I continued my steps home. I'm getting hungry too.

Drrta! Drrta!

Not five steps away, my phone shook again. Nozomi's name is clearly emblazoned as the identity of the caller. I took it and put it close to my ear.

"Hello?" I greeted him.

"...."

There's no answer. Bizarrely.

"Hello? Nozomi?"

"...."

"???"

I'm really confused. What's the matter?

"I...."

"What's? Nozomi."

I don't hear his voice. Sounds slow. I bring my ears closer. Trying to hear it better.

"I love you, Efu-kun."

"Ap—!?"

As I held onto my right ear, he again disconnected the call. Leaving me still confused. And feel a little embarrassed.

I covered my face which was starting to get hot. Calming myself, I also squatted. Look at my phone screen from my fingers.

A message came in. From Nozomi.

[ありがとうダーリン! 好き(ෆ╹ ‿ ╹ෆ)]

I cover my face again. More like covering my smile. I feel like a fool now.

"Heah.... I forgot the attack was 100."

I bow my head. Look at the pebbles under my feet. Trying to calm down.

"Tonight I must have trouble sleeping."

Resetting my feelings, I walked home. My feet feel light. A sense of pleasure that I rarely experienced filled me.

When I got home, my food was cold and I was scolded.