My Lovely Neighbour
Beautiful Widow

"Ayumi, I leave first. Don't be late!" I called out at the door after putting on my shoes. "Don't forget the door lock!"

As usual, my sister woke up late because she was late in the game last night. I thought he was just playing as a way to get close to me. But he was playing for real. Ah, that sentence felt wrong after it was said.

Wait, after a second of thought, isn't this fast forward? You know, like "a few hours later" or "the next day" that's usually in the movies. Even though I said that, time goes on.

Meh, I don't care. Sleep is also counted as fast forward.

"Good! Be careful on the road!" The girl's voice sounded from inside. Along with the sound of plates and glasses.

Like a signal, I got out of the house.

The sun is shining and the sky is still blue. Yup, a normal day. I was still waiting for the sky to turn red or giant eyes to suddenly appear in the sky. Dropping a monster every time someone looks up.

Ah, my dark past still haunts it turns out.

Trying to forget those days of darkness, I stepped down the path. The distance between my home and school is quite far. I want to ride a bike or take a train.

However, because both alternatives could not be reached — the absence of bicycles and the distance of the school far from the station — I finally walked. It's okay, this is training for my feet. Fight, myself.

Up at a fork, I saw someone familiar. A little girl with long hair. Shidoki Mia looked confused as usual.

Is he lost again?

Actually my common sense was screaming to ignore it. Isn't the map I gave you enough? But, my legs somehow stopped. It seemed like the entire practice made him have his own thoughts.

"Ah." A voice came out from the girl's mouth when she noticed me. "Arumasu-kun, good morning."

Hearing his greeting, I automatically replied, "Morning."

The brain also has an autopilot function.

"You're lost again?" my many. Emphasize on the word "again".

"Eh? A-ah, no." Shidoki waved his hand, refuting my words. "So I met someone weird. He's going into that alley."

Shidoki pointed across the street. A dark alley that looks dirty. I don't know which is stranger. Shidoki either believes the freak or the freak who wants to enter the alley.

Feeling a little amazed, I turned back to Shidoki. "Then why are you waiting here?"

Isn't it dangerous if that person is some kind of pervert or robber. I don't want any fuss next to my house. The people in the class will know where I live.

"Er... He left his bag and blazer." Shidoki looked beside him. "I think he's one school with us."

A school bag and a black blazer on it. I could see the name of the owner on the surface of the bag. Kanji for black and tree.

Huh huh?

I narrowed my eyes and then twisted my body. Crossing the road, I went into the alley that Shidoki pointed to. Not paying attention to his call.

Some of the plastic trash that was piled up, the trash cans that gave off a strange smell, as well as the wet newspapers that were strewn everywhere. Breathing is difficult.

In front, I saw someone. Seemed to be bent in front of a cardboard box. The meowing sound sounded faint.

"His~" Followed strange male voice.

I recognized the owner of the voice. Moving on, I was behind him.

"Oi, Kusoneko."

Feeling his name being called, the damn cat turned its head. Looking over his shoulder. A strange smile was created on that cat-like face.

"ah! Aru-kun, Morning! Want to go to school, huh?"

I'm ringing my knuckles. "It's also you, you fucking cat."

"Eh?"

❀❀❀❀

Dragging the fucking cat, I'm out of the alley. Crossing the street, I made sure no one was watching.

"A-Arumasu-kun!?"

Ignoring Mia's exclamation, I threw the person towards her bag.

"Oi! Be polite a little! I'm high maintenance!" the protest, still on the ground.

"Squeals! High maintenance, your bidat!" I folded my hands. "There's high maintenance playing around in the trash."

"Y-well, I was feeding the mother cat and her cubs." Giving a strange excuse, he started wearing his blazer.

"So stop because of the cat." I'm massaging my temples. "Did you also ditch yesterday because of that?"

"Y-well, if I fell asleep yesterday...." Back putting up a strange one, he replied.

I could feel the corner of my eye twitching. For some reason, my hands are itchy. I want to beat him up. I can teach him, right? I think I'm gonna beat him up.

"U-um...." However, before I could beat him up, Shidoki interrupted.

"Oh? Who's this sweet girl? Did you kidnap her, Aru-kun?"

"What kind of question is that?"

I looked at him sharply. A few moments later, I breathed. Being angry in the morning is not a good thing.

"He's Shidoki Mia. Our new classmates. As well as my new neighbor." I introduced Shidoki to him. "Shidoki-san, the person, ah correction, this strange and impish cat is Kuroki Kusoneko Ryuzaki

"Sa-salam know. My name is Shidoki Mia, I just moved in the day after tomorrow." Politely, Shidoki introduced himself.

"It's so cruel!" Kuroki. I didn't respond to him. "Successful...." He finally gave up. "I'm Kuroki Ryuzaki, please help."

"Ah, me too." Shidoki lowered his head.

I stared at the conversation between the two of them. I don't know why, I'm satisfied. Like an old problem suddenly resolved.

I walked away from them. Not wanting to be late for school. I could hear their footsteps and conversations behind me.

I turned on my phone. Look at the empty screen.

"...."

❀❀❀❀

The break bell rings.

As usual, the noisy sounds coming from the students in the students instantly stormed my eardrum. Trying to ignore it, I pulled out my phone.

No incoming messages.

At this hour, Nozomi seems to be studying. I sent him a short message. Just reminding. The girl often forgets to eat.

"Aru-kun, are you going to the cafeteria?" Kuroki asked. Stand beside me behind me.

"Ah, sure." I put my phone down and stood up. Patting my back pocket to make sure my wallet is in place.

"Shidoki-chan, would you like to come too?" Kuroki swapped to ask Shidoki.

"Ah, yes." Shidoki nodded. Closing book.

I just realized it. Turns out he's a hard kid. Although he did not have a complete book, he always borrowed my book and recorded the material even though the bell had rung.

I was embarrassed not to pay much attention to the lesson.

Just a little bit.

"Hmm? Where is shiragami-san?" Shidoki realized the glasses girl was not in the classroom.

"Oh, he was called a upperclassman. It seems like a club matter," Kuroki replied smoothly.

Alongside him, it was clear who had higher communication skills. I don't really mind it. Don't people like kuudere characters like me?

Somehow I thought Ayumi was going to say "Disease," to me. But, that's how my sister is. Or is it just my imagination?

Anyway, we went to the canteen.

"You didn't bring supplies, Shidoki-san?"

"A-ah, today my mom made it. But, I forgot." Shidoki laughed dryly. Looked embarrassed.

"You know, Aru once forgot to bring his provisions. His sister came to school with a box of supplies."

"Eh? Arumasu-kun has a sister?" shidoki asked, looking at me.

Shidoki shook his head. It seems not, huh?

"What is your sister like?" ask again.

"It's normal." I said. "She's cute, smart, friendly, cute and loves to play games."

"Say cute twice. Basic Siscon."

"What are you doing, damn it!?" I snapped, unable to bear to see Kuroki sigh.

Siscon is just a stigma of society. A brother who loves his sister, is that wrong? Saying it to his person straight away was indeed embarrassing. But, if you say it to someone else, they'll mock you with a weird name like Siscon.

Being someone who cares about family is hard.

Although he is not a manga ero writer, my brother is indeed that blanket. After all, this isn't Chiba or Tokyo. But, Kanagawa is pretty close to them so I'm pretty worried¹.

"Kum." Shidoki covered his mouth while chuckling. "Arumasu-kun really likes his sister huh."

"That's how." I shrugged my shoulders.

Actually, I like that word too simple. I love my sister! If Ayumi has a boyfriend, I can be sure I said "What do you have? You have no right to take my Ayumi!"

Ah, now I can see her saying "Disease" while looking at me like trash clearly.

Wait for. This chapter is not about Ayumi.

Thinking of such a strange thing, we arrived at the cafeteria. Kuroki bought a loaf of bread, Shidoki bought a pair of melon breads, while myself a diagonally sliced sandwich.

For a drink, I take a box of strawberry milk, Kuroki coffee milk, and Shidoki two cans of orange juice.

At first I thought Shidoki was hungry or something and made me want to say something about him. But, he said that he bought Shiragami's.

I think my negative thoughts are starting to show.

When we got to class, we sat down at our own place. Except Kuroki. He sat in front of Shidoki. The one sitting there, Yamahara (?) seen in the corner of the room. Was talking to Casanova class, the Aki(?) along with some others.

Today no one tried to talk to Shidoki. I looked at Kuroki. Maybe it was because there was that strange person nearby.

Silently, we started eating. Shidoki held his bread with both hands. It makes him look like a rabbit.

"You think cat girls should have how many ears?" Kuroki started asking strange questions.

"This question again." I put the milk box. "This is the fourth time in a week, you realize?"

Recalling the message he sent at 2am, I felt sick. Who sent a message at 2am just to ask about the cat girl!? Bad people, that's the answer.

"Well, I'm just curious." Kuroki shrugged his shoulders.

I let out a breath. "My answer is still the same; four ears. The combination of soft cat ears with the authentic impression of human ears is able to create perfection."

"Will it be the same?" Kuroki stroked his chin while listening to my explanation. "Well, I'm still firm that two ears are the best! Shidoki-san, what about you?"

Hold still. Why did you bring Shidoki?

Not heeding my gaze, Kuroki still looked at Shidoki with a strange smile. Instead, Shidoki looked puzzled.

"E-hm... I think cat ears are cute(?)"

Giving an answer that sounded doubtful, Shidoki instead looked at me and Kuroki. I looked towards the cat.

"You know, your weird talk often leaves others confused" I complained. Kuroki just stuck out his tongue, making me want to slap him.

"Shidoki-san too. Don't listen to this freak."

I give advice. Based on my experience with him for more than 4 years, he's quite a strange person.

"A-ah, no." Shidoki shook his head. She smiled a little. "I just thought that you guys were so familiar...."

"Akrabic?"

I looked towards Kuroki. He gave me a smile. I closed my eyes and turned to Shidoki.

"Your joke is good too, Shidoki-san"

"Cruel oi! I cry!"

Ending this indistinct conversation, I ate the rest of my side bread. With a sullen face, Kuroki also drank his coffee. Shidoki also chuckled slightly before biting his bread.

"Ah, you're here apparently."

Just in sight, Shiragami approached us. Justifying his glasses, he sat in his chair. His attitude was graceful as always.

"Ah, Shiragami-san, this is for you." Mia stood up and gave her melon bread and orange juice. "Thank you for yesterday."

"Eh? I said it's not necessary." Shiragami looked reluctant, but the smile on her face said otherwise. He accepts. "Thank you, Shidoki-san."

"Nee, Arg. It's one of teetee²'s moments, right?" Kuroki whispered something pretty stupid to me.

"It's the real world. You'd be weird to say that, so stop."

"Ah, right. Kuroki-kun" Shiragami turned towards Kuroki. "You were told to go to the teacher's room. Lily-sensei's looking for you."

"Oh? Really true?" Kuroki seemed to have expected that this would happen. Seen from the smile of his cat. "Okay, thank you, Chairman."

Kuroki stood up straight away. Don't forget to clean up the rest of the lunch.

"You want to go there now?" my many.

"Well, Sensei misses me. What can I do?"

"""...."""

"Say something oi! I'm just kidding!"

❀❀❀❀

"Excuse~"

Sliding the door of the teacher room, Kuroki stuffed her head inside. His smile was on his face.

He looked at the atmosphere in the room. Some teachers were sitting at their desks. Managing student grades or assignments. Calm and regular.

"A, Kuroki-kun. Finally came." A woman looks towards the door. Staring at Kuroki with an annoyed expression.

"Come, Yuri-chan. Don't put that expression on." Kuroki chuckled. Pulling an empty chair and sitting in front of Lily.

"I told you, call me Sensei!" Lily massaged her temple. "I am your teacher."

"Eh~ doesn't want~" Kuroki swung her legs. He even turned around in his chair. "That sounds too formal, doesn't it?"

"You must be formal to your teacher." Lily took a breath. He brushed his hair behind his ear. "Then, why didn't you leave yesterday?"

"Hmm? If I told you because it helps kittens, Yuri-chan believes no?"

"Another reason." Lily grumbling. Write something in his journal. "This is the third time this semester. You can't keep this up. What if you stay in class?"

"Hmm? Isn't that good?" Kuroki smiled. He held his head above his hands.

"That way, I can stay with Sensei even longer."

"Ap-o!? Kuroki-kun! No kidding!" With a slightly red face, Lily exclaimed.

"Sensei, please keep your voice down."

"Ah, forgive me."

Getting a rebuke from the vice principal, Lily immediately bent her body. She looks embarrassed and nervous. At a glance, he could see Kuroki holding back his laughter.

For the umpteenth time, Lily returns Kuroki's joke. That is, their interaction.

————*Note————

Corner Notes have returned~!

¹ Time for Anime reference! Chiba and Tokyo are the setting for Oreimo and Eromanga-sensei. You know the story how ( ⁇ ° ⁇ °)

² Language Slang Vtuber. Teetee means precious, pure, sweet, or something like that. Usually used when there is a sweet moment

³ Lily or Lilies in Japanese is ⁇ (Yuri). Be a call Yuri*~