Episode 235: Let’s Go Buy Furniture

Sunday

Today, the three of us, Sara-san, Natsumi-senpai, and I, came to a large store specializing in furniture. Since I started living with Sara-san, we decided to buy the furniture we felt was missing.

It was a bit far, so we had to take the train, but Sara-san said it was a well-reputed store (according to her) that was large, had a great selection, was reasonably priced, and carried a lot of stylish Western-style furniture. With Sara-san’s cute pleading, the decision was made instantly.

As for why we suddenly decided to buy furniture… it all started this morning when Mayumi-san called us and we stopped by Sara-san’s family home.

「Kazunari-kun, I’ll give this to you.」

With those words, Mayumi-san held out a perfectly ordinary brown envelope.

I accepted it for the moment, but as I hesitated over whether to check the contents right then, Mayumi-san offered a supplementary explanation.

「Use that money to get new furniture or add whatever you need.」

Money!?

Surprised, I checked the inside of the envelope, and even a quick glance confirmed there were definitely more than ten bills in there.

Naturally, I couldn’t accept such a large sum of money, so I tried to return the envelope to Mayumi-san. I should be able to afford a bit of furniture myself. I still have money left from my part-time job, and thanks to Sara-san, I have living expenses pooled away.

「Mayumi-san, this is really too much…」

I tried to return the envelope, but as expected, Mayumi-san refused to take it back.

「You have to accept it. Sara-chan, if there’s any left over, put it toward your living expenses.」

「Understood. Kazunari-san, please accept it.」

With Sara-san being convinced first, I had no path left but to take the money. It can’t be helped; I feel quite bad about it, but I’ll quietly accept her kindness here.

「…I’m sorry, thank you very much.」

After thanking Mayumi-san, I decided to hand the envelope over to Sara-san since it involved money. Sara-san took the envelope, put it in her bag, and thanked Mayumi-san with a「Thank you very much.」

「You can use it all up. If you run into any other trouble, you can contact your mother-in-law anytime, okay?」

Mayumi-san smiled gently while slowly trying to edge closer to me. Of course, Sara-san noticed this and quickly stood in front of me to block Mayumi-san.

「Aah, honestly, Sara-chan. You shouldn’t get in the way of skinship between a mother and her cute son.」

「That sort of thing is unnecessary. Having skinship with Kazunari-san is my privilege.」

Mayumi-san was obviously just teasing us. And because her opponent was Mayumi-san, Sara-san’s vibe was a bit different than usual. I couldn’t help but find the sight heartwarming.

「We’ll have to have a showdown someday. If I win, I get to flirt with Kazunari-kun.」

「Please save the sleep-talking for when you’re actually asleep. There’s no need for a showdown; I am the only one who gets to be close with Kazunari-san.」

……She’s just teasing, right?

She’s not serious, right?

And so, after that exchange, we decided to take Mayumi-san up on her offer and add some furniture. Mainly a dresser for Sara-san, a vanity, new tableware, and such.

Sara-san said she didn’t need a vanity, but I’ve already decided to force the purchase once we’re there. I think it’s an absolute necessity for a woman, and I figured she was just holding back. If I take a firm stand and say I’m definitely buying it, Sara-san will surely give in.

And on the other hand, the item Sara-san strongly requested… was a futon. It wasn’t that she was dissatisfied with the current one. Sara-san is definitely not the type of person to say something like that.

As for why a futon, the answer was…

「Let’s take this opportunity to get a double-sized futon. It’s going to get cold soon, so a large one is better to make sure Kazunari-san doesn’t catch a cold.」

That was it.

So, if the budget allows, I’m even thinking about making the leap and buying a double-sized bed. I’m fine with the floor, but I really want Sara-san to sleep in a bed. If we have enough money… that is.

Once today’s goals were settled like that, Natsumi-senpai happened to contact us and ended up joining.

She was hesitant at first, but I invited her myself. Since Sara-san is always stuck to my side, I thought she needed a breather with a best friend of the same gender once in a while.

「Sorry~ I’ve wanted to check out that store at least once. I won’t get in your way, so once we arrive, feel free to just leave me be.」

That would defeat the purpose, so I have no intention of doing that. Since we decided to come as a group of three, Sara-san probably thinks it’s only natural for the three of us to have fun together.

That’s how we ended up here, but…

I was overwhelmed by the store, which was far larger than I imagined. With this much furniture, if we just looked around aimlessly, the day would be over in a flash. There was even a stylish cafe attached to the store, and Natsumi-senpai, whose hobby is visiting cafes, was already totally in the mood to stop by.

「It seems they’ve renovated. There wasn’t a cafe here before…」

「We are definitely stopping there later, okay?」

「I know. Natsumi really does love cafes.」

「It’s my life’s work~」

「That’s quite a grand life’s work.」

「Hmph, what? Then your life’s… actually, never mind. You only have Takanashi-kun anyway.」

「Fufu… Kazunari-san is my everything.」

「Yeah, yeah, I’m sure he is.」

Listening to their conversation, I could feel the casualness that comes from being best friends. In a different sense than when she’s with me, she seemed relaxed. Bringing Natsumi-senpai along was the right choice.

「Well then… let’s split up for a bit. I’ll just look around on my own, so you two take your time.」

「You don’t have to force yourself to go solo, we’re fine, you know?」

「Ehh… but I don’t want to watch you two buying a futon to sleep in together.」

She was probably joking, but she hit the nail so perfectly on the head that I reflexively fell silent. But Sara-san took it differently and tilted her head curiously.

「Oh, how did you know?」

「Eh… I-I was just joking… you’re really buying one?」

「Yes. Even though we cuddle, a normal futon is still small. It’s going to get cold soon, so to make sure Kazunari-san doesn’t catch a cold…」

Natsumi-senpai listened to the story with an exhausted expression. Her gaze was directed more toward me, and she looked like she had some ulterior thought. Could it be she has something she wants to say to me?

「Now that I’ve heard that, I am definitely going solo. I don’t want to be anywhere near you while you’re choosing it.」

That’s a bit harsh, but I’m well aware that we’ve been overdoing it, so I can’t deny it…

「W-well then, I’ll be somewhere in the store, so call me if anything happens…」

Natsumi-senpai tried to hurry away as if she were seeking refuge. But since she started moving while looking back at us, she clearly wasn’t looking where she was going. Sara-san and I noticed a figure coming out from the shadows at a bad time, but by the time we thought「Oh,」it was already too late. Before we could call out, she bumped into the person, and both of them stumbled back significantly.

「Ah, s-sorry! Are you okay…」

「S-sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was go…」

Both of them blurted out apologies in a panic, but they froze the moment they saw each other. Naturally, Sara-san and I, who were watching, also froze at the appearance of this unexpected person. Because it was…

「Tachibana-kun!?」

「Natsumi-san!?」

To my surprise, the person Natsumi-senpai bumped into was Yuji. I never expected to run into him in a place like this.

「Yuji? What are you doing here?」

「Kazunari!? N-no, I was brought along as an escort… what about you guys?」

「Well, we came to look at furniture, obviously. You said you’re an escort, but are you alone right now?」

「No, I got separated for a bit…」

He was looking around as he said that, so he was apparently in the middle of looking for the person he came with. With a store this big, it’s definitely possible to get lost.

「Tachibana-kun, why don’t you try calling?」

「I tried a few times, but they won’t pick up…」

「Aaaah!! I finally found you!!」

Startled by the sudden loud voice, I looked toward the sound and saw a girl heading our way.

She had an interest… I mean, a characteristic hairstyle that looked like dumplings on top of her head. Moving her legs busy beneath a healthy-looking miniskirt, she approached at a light run.

Her age… is she younger than us?

「Geez, Yuu-kun, you just went on ahead!!」

「You’re the one who disappeared before I knew it!! You didn’t even answer your phone, do you have any idea how much I looked for you!!」

Yuu-kun; that’s a pretty friendly way to call him.

And Yuji’s tone was quite casual for talking to a girl; there’s a good chance they’re close.

「Oh, are you hitting on someone!? Even though you have me!!」

「Heh… Tachibana-kun, you seem to be quite close with that girl?」

Natsumi-senpai, who had been frozen by the sudden event, slowly lifted her face as if the paralysis had broken… and directed a truly wonderful smile at Yuji. So this is what they mean when they say someone’s eyes aren’t smiling. That was a learning experience, yeah.

「Eh!? N-no, this girl is…」

「That’s right! He gets mad easily, but Yuu-kun is kind in the end, so I love him!! …Wait, huh? Are you ladies acquaintances of Yuu-kun?」

Since Natsumi-senpai was showing obvious displeasure, I decided to handle the response instead. For some reason, Sara-san also seemed to be radiating irritation… why?

「Um, nice to meet you. I’m Takanashi Kazunari, and as for Yuji…」

「Ah!! I know about Takanashi-kun. You’re Yuu-kun’s best friend, right!?」

Apparently, she knows about me. She probably heard about me from Yuji. Best friend… I was truly happy that Yuji introduced me that way.

「A-ah, yeah, Yuji is my best friend too.」

「I see! That’s great, Yuu-kun!」

「Y-yeah.」

Even if it’s something we always think, having it said so clearly is very embarrassing for both Yuji and me. But her carefree smile made it clear she genuinely felt that way.

No, this isn’t the time to be getting all cozy. Who is this girl?

「By the way… um…」

Noticing what I wanted to ask, she had an「Ah」expression like she’d realized something and tapped her open left palm with her right fist.

What an interesting girl.

「Sorry, I’m Kishiyama Asami!」

「Kishiyama-san, then. Um, you seem quite close with Yuji…」

「Yuu-kun and I are lovey-dovey!!」

「Lovey-dovey… Heh… so you’re lovey-dovey…?」

On the other hand, Natsumi-senpai was trying to corner Yuji while radiating an ominous aura.

Yuji noticed Natsumi-senpai’s state and was visibly flustered.

「Hey, don’t just say things like lovey-dovey!! In the first place, you’re…」

「Ehh… how mean!! Even my mother said it was a good thing!」

Wait, wait… could this be…

I thought Yuji liked Natsumi-senpai, but was I wrong?

From what I can see, these two look like they have a very intimate relationship.

「Um, by the way, who are you, big sister?」

Calling out to the current Natsumi-senpai…

Kishiyama-san either has a ton of guts or she just can’t read the room; either way, she’s fearless.

「Ah, don’t worry about me. I’ll be gone soon. Takanashi-kun, call me if anything happens.」

「Y-yes. I understand.」

After saying that, Natsumi-senpai approached Yuji with the ultimate fake smile.

「I wish you much happiness with Kishiyama-san, okay?」

「Eh!? Wait!?」

After dropping that single line, she left a panicked Yuji behind and walked away with brisk steps.