The next morning at the apartment…
Kazuma was peacefully asleep in his room. After one of the most meaningful nights with Akari, he'd managed to gain a little trust from her—just a little, but enough to lift the weight on his heart. His goal was simple: to make things better from here and live peacefully for the next six months.
The morning sunlight crept in through the gaps in the curtain, gently landing on my face. I squinted, slowly blinking myself awake.
—"It's morning already?" I muttered groggily, rubbing my eyes as I sat up.
I stretched my arms and stared out the window, the warmth of the sun brushing against my skin.
—"Oh, so I did progress a little last night… I can't stop thinking about that smile…"
I caught myself drifting into thoughts again and shook my head quickly.
—"What am I even thinking? My actual goal is to live peacefully without getting in her way. Just that."
I turned to the window again, thinking out loud.
—"To think we've only been roommates for like two days… It almost feels like I've known her forever."
I smiled to myself.
—"Still got six more months to go. I wonder how that'll turn out."
And then I paused, realizing something with a small jolt of embarrassment.
I was talking to myself again this habit really doesn't fade away,
I slapped my palm over my mouth and looked around. Hopefully no one heard that. I quietly glanced over at the clock and—
My eyes shot open.
—"The hell?!"
It was almost 10 AM.
I practically jumped off the bed in panic.
I was so in thoguht last night that I actually forgot to Set the Alaram Damn it,
—"Shit,stupid me—how could I forget to set the alarm?! I can't miss college!"
And also talking to myself Stupid Habit..
I bolted out of the room, flinging the door open. My foot slid a little on the floor, but I caught myself, only to be greeted by the sight of Akie sitting casually on the couch, legs crossed, scrolling through her phone like she was watching a drama unfold.
She looked up at the commotion.
—"So you're finally awake?"
I walked over to her, rubbing the back of my neck with a sheepish grin.
—"Yeah… I slept a little late, so… it took me a while to get up."
—"Big Sis left for college like an hour ago. I think you've missed plenty of lessons by now."
Oh so she left a long time ago, I wanted to see the side of her after last night, maybe things will change a little? Well I shouldn't get my hopes up but I'll try my best,
—Yeah, that's for sure… But wait, what about you? Weren't you leaving early this morning?"
—"Yeah, that was the plan. But when I saw you weren't waking up from your good night sleep, I figured you'd miss college, and I thought…"
—"You thought?"
She smiled mischievously.
—"I thought you might accompany me to my school. What do you say?"
I gave her a look of suspicion, but I couldn't help the small smile tugging at my lips.
—"Well sure. And where is your school I'll accompany you?"
—"Nowhere that far, just a random place in Shibuya," she said, still smiling innocently.
The word Shibuya echoed in my mind like a broken record.
I blinked. Once. Twice.
Then I said slowly,
—"Shibuya, huh?!"
—"Yes."
I pause for a second before screaming out,
—"You want me to accompany you to Shibuya?? And you consider that not far?!"
—"Oh come on, Senpai! It's not that far—just half an hour of a train ride. You're being too lazy."
—"An half an hour doesn't feel like time to you? And I have to come back too, so it makes it a hour!"
—"So you can't do that much for your favorite junior, Senpai?"
I cringed at her dramatic plea.
—"Favorite junior? Seriously, you're the only junior I know."
—"Then it's decided! You're going with me."
—"I never agreed!"
—"So what if you don't go, and some strangers kidnap me and torture me, or some random old man starts to flirt with me? Who will protect me?" she said, placing the back of her hand against her forehead dramatically like she was in a Shakespeare play.
—"I think you're thinking too much right now."
—"How can you call yourself a man after this?" she gasped in fake betrayal.
I sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of my nose.
—"You can be a real pain sometimes… but since it's the only thing you want, I guess I have no choice. I'll accompany you."
Her face instantly lit up.
—"So you are worried about me being kidnapped, huh?"
—"Seriously, I won't be worried, 'cause kidnappers usually want someone quiet, not someone as painful as you."
—"That's so rude," she huffed with a pout.
I chuckled at her expression, before changing the subject.
—"And where's your uniform?"
—"It's nothing. There's a pair of uniforms in my school—I can just go and wear it. It's an all-girls school, so it's easier."
—"Oh, then I'll just get ready in 10 minutes. Then we can head out."
—"Yeah, sure!"
I turned around and headed toward the bathroom to freshen up. Behind me, Akie returned to scrolling through her phone as she waited patiently, her fingers lightly tapping the screen.
But deep down, her thoughts were drifting elsewhere.
I still don't know why I want him to accompany me… Maybe, just like how he wants to know Akari, I want to know him more too. Because he's the first person who talked to me like… I actually mattered.
She smiled softly to herself at the thought.
10 minutes later,
I came out of the bathroom, freshened up and dressed in a casual outfit, ready to accompany Akie to Shibuya.
This is going to be a long day… I could already feel it in my bones.
As I walked into the living room, I found Akie sitting on the couch, legs crossed, scrolling through her phone with that calm, cheerful look she always had when she was relaxed.
She looked up as I approached and smiled lightly.
— "You ready?" she asked, tucking her phone into her bag,
— "Yeah, let's go."
She stood up with a small hop and started heading toward the door. But after just a few steps, she suddenly paused and turned back toward me, remembering something.
— "Oh, by the way, forgot to tell you… The apartment owner isn't home, so if you leave, you need to take the keys for the floor with you, right?"
I blinked in confusion.
— "Uncle Mashira's not at home?" I asked.
— "Well, Big Sis told me that he wasn't and also told me to tell you if you go out, then take the keys with you."
— "But… she doesn't even have my number. How would she call me if I'm not home?" I asked, puzzled.
Akie smiled mischievously.
— "Oh, I gave her your number. She resisted like you did at first, but I said it's for her own good, so she agreed."
— "Oh ok than"
A Realization hit me and I looked at her my eyes widen,
— "Wait—how the hell did you get my number?"
She froze, then bit her tongue slightly like she got caught stealing cookies from the jar.
— "Oh… last night when you were cooking, I saw your phone on the couch… so I kinda opened it and found your number. Sorry."
I let out a deep sigh and rubbed my forehead.
— "Seriously?"
I paused, then chuckled softly.
— "Whatever. It ended up being helpful, so I forgive you. And I can comeback to Apartment before her college ends"
She grinned confidently and tilted her head playfully.
— "You were going to forgive me either way because I'm too adorable."
— "How are you so sure?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
— "I know you, Senpai. You can't stay mad forever."
She giggled as if she knew exactly how to win me over.
— "Right now, you can stop glazing," I said with a smirk.
— "I wasn't glazing! It was a harmless compliment."
— "Yeah, yeah."
With that, we finally stepped out of the apartment, locking the door behind us.
The early city noise just starting to hit our ears,
Akie adjusted her bag on her shoulder as we made our way down the stairs,
The train station was our next stop.
Destination: Shibuya.
It took us 10 minutes to reach Shinjuku Train Station by taxi.
We both got out, and the usual chaos of the station hit me like a wave. People everywhere—way more than in any Kyoto station. I guess this is normal in big cities like Tokyo, where locals rely heavily on trains.
I looked around, scanning for something familiar.
— "I can't find the ticket counter."
Akie blinked, puzzled.
— "You can't find what?"
— "Umm… ticket counter?"
She stared at me for a second before letting out an exaggerated sigh and slapped her palm on her forehead.
— "Do you live in 2003, senpai? It's 2025. There's a more advanced way to buy tickets."
— "Advance?" I asked, still confused.
Without warning, she grabbed my wrist.
— "Come with me."
She dragged me in front of what looked like a vending machine.
— "So what is this thing supposed to do?" I asked.
Akie pulled a card from her bag and held it up with a grin.
— "You see this? This is an IC card—it's like a debit card for trains. You just insert it like this…"
She slid it into the machine and tapped a few buttons.
— "Choose your destination and how many tickets you need… and pay."
She selected "Shibuya" and two tickets. The screen blinked: 200 yen.
— "And that's how you pay."
I paused, a little impressed.
— "Whoa… cool. You got an IC card in this age?"
— "Age doesn't really matter. Most high school students have these. You haven't seen an IC card before?"
— "Well, I used to live in Kyoto, so I wasn't familiar with these."
— "Oh, so you're like a country bumpkin in the big city?" she giggled.
I smirked, slightly annoyed.
— "I lived in Kyoto, not the mountains."
— "Same thing."
— "I give up," I sighed. "Anyway, you paid for me?"
— "Oh yeah."
— "How much was my ticket? Let me give you back."
— "It was just a hundred yen. No need to give it back. Take it as a gift."
— "I'm sorry, but I have to give you back. You're my junior—I was supposed to pay here."
— "Ugh, what if I'm your junior? I dragged you here with me, so it's my duty. Don't go giving me anything back."
— "But I can't re—"
— "Enough! I'm not accepting your giving me back."
I sighed again.
— "Don't be so stuck up, Akie."
— "You're the one being stuck up here. Just get into the train already. You can treat me to something in Shibuya so we can be even, alright?"
— "Now that sounds good."
— "Finally, you stopped arguing."
After a few more back-and-forths, we walked into the train. I took a window seat; she sat beside me. The sign at the front of the train said: Shibuya – Arrival in 10 minutes.
— "We should've taken the faster route, don't you think?"
— "Faster route takes a little more charge, so…"
— "Oh, it's okay then," I said, reassuring her.
He believed it. That was easy.
Of course he doesn't know much about train routes—he's from Kyoto.
I just… wanted to spend a little more time with him. I don't know when we'll meet again.
Suddenly, I broke the silence.
— "Oh by the way… You bought the tickets with IC card, which is great and all, but how am I supposed to come back?"
She snapped out of her thoughts and looked at me.
— "Oh, don't worry. I already bought the round-trip tickets, so you can go back easily. No IC card needed."
— "So you bought two tickets for me? That means more money spent."
— "I told you not to talk about that. I dragged you here, so it's my responsibility."
— "You're my junior," I muttered, still feeling guilty.
— "I swear, senpai, if you say 'junior' one more time…"
I sighed and turned to look out the window.
The train started moving. The bullet trains can be really relaxing, and it's my second time experiencing it; the last time was just two days ago when I came here in Tokyo.
Suddenly, as the train goes on, Akie spoke up,
— "Thank you, Senpai."
I looked at her puzzled,
— "For what?"
She smiled at him,
— "For coming with me at my selfish request. I'm really glad."
— "I should be glad that you're paying for me; it's just a free ride for me," I said, a little mood off.
— "Ugh, this again. You coming with me just at a small request meant everything to me, so I don't mind paying a little."
— "Why would you be glad? I'm just accompanying you, just that?" I asked.
— "You don't know how much happy I feel right now… You're the person who talks to me like I matter in situations or I exist. I never felt that."
I was shocked at her opening out to me, but I could understand her a little.
— "Why wouldn't you matter? You're literally the smartest and most annoying junior I've ever met."
She giggled at my comment before replying,
— "You really are a nice person, Senpai. You just know how to make people happy."
I rolled my eyes at her.
— "I'm not telling you to make you feel happy or anything. I'm not like that. I say what I feel. And I feel that you matter to me. You've been nice with me, you got closer with me, you wanted me to accompany you — that's all the reason you matter to me," I said.
I just stared at his words, blushing instantly. I caught myself staring when I looked down. Still can't stop blushing at his honest response.
— "Is that so?" Akie asked, muttering under her breath, still looking down because she's blushing way too much.
— "Yes, and you also paid for the tickets, which I'm still feeling guilty about," I said.
Akie's blush went away from my mentioning it for like the hundredth time by now. She rolled her eyes towards me.
— "How many times are you going to bring that up?"
— "Until we're even," I said.
— "God, reach Shibuya already," she said sarcastically.
— "Just 20 more minutes," I said before rolling my eyes back to my phone.
Akie stared at Kazuma with her palm on her cheek while he was focused on his phone.
Although I was praying for reaching Shibuya already, at this moment, I really wanted time to be stopped so I could spend more time with him. He's not a prince on a shining horse, but how he handles people makes them happy and makes them feel they matter. He truly is a gentleman.
I felt like someone's staring at me, so I looked beside me.
Akie saw him looking back and made herself focus on her bag, pretending she was searching for something. Her heart ached like lightning at that moment.
I saw Akie searching for something. Maybe it was my imagination. I rolled my eyes back to my phone.
Meanwhile, Akie
Whoa, almost got caught.
She again looked at him with a side eye before looking down at her bag.
If the time really freezes…
Thirty minutes later, the train reached Shibuya Station.
— "I guess we're here," I said to Akie, looking at her.
She was looking mad at something, her eyes narrowed as she looked away.
It's not like I was even expecting time to freeze, but it got over so quickly…
— "Hey, Akie," I called again.
She got away from her thoughts before responding,
— "Yeah, coming."
We both got up and got out of the train. The Shibuya Station was way more chaotic than the Shinjuku station.
We both quickly got out of the station.
We both got up and stepped out of the train.
Shibuya Station was way more chaotic than Shinjuku Station.
We quickly made our way out of the station, dodging the crowd.
As we walked, I took in the city outside—huge buildings and so many people moving in every direction.
— "This is my first time at Shibuya," I said.
— "Is that so? You don't visit other cities, do you, Senpai?" Akie asked, glancing at me.
— "Not really. The only place I visited before Tokyo was Osaka, and that was over 10 years ago."
— "So Tokyo was your first visit after a long time, then?"
— "You can say that."
Suddenly, I remembered the main reason I came here.
— "Oh, where is your school anyway?" I asked.
— "That's the way we're going. It'll just take 10 minutes to reach my school, and on the way you can treat me to some street food so you can be even with me," she said with a playful smile.
— "Now we're talking. I was feeling too guilty back there, trust me."
— "Loosen up a little."
We kept walking and chatting, enjoying the buzz around us.
Soon, we stumbled upon a small street food stall, with steam rising from sizzling pans and the smell of fried food filling the air.
— "Didn't know street food had that much variety," I said, eyeing the colorful display.
— "This is Tokyo, Senpai. You're going to see many new things from now on," Akie said with a grin.
We both approached the stall.
— "So, what do you want?" I asked.
— "Umm, let me see," Akie said, scanning the menu posted right in front of the stall.
I figured I should pick something cheap—I didn't know how much money he had, and I didn't want to be a burden.
Then I spotted it: Korokke, the cheapest item on the menu at 200¥. Yeah, I guess I'll just have some Korokke.
— "Yeah, I really want some Korokke."
— "Huh? Really?" I asked, surprised. Why would she want Korokke on a hot day like this? It even felt uncomfortable just seeing someone eat it.
— "Yeah, I just really want something sweet and crispy," she said.
I could clearly tell what she was doing—trying to buy the cheapest option.
— "But don't you think Takoyaki would be better for this kind of weather?" I asked.
— "Yeah, but I really just want some Karo—"
I cut her off,
— "Say less. I don't recall telling you I'm broke."
She looked at me, puzzled.
— "Huh?"
— "I'm treating you. Just pick whatever you want. You don't need to think that much."
— "But you don't have to spend that much."
— "It's not like you're the only one eating, right? I'm here too. It's been so fun since I came here, so I don't mind paying a little."
Akie looked up at me.
— "Are you sure?"
— "100 percent."
She smiled,
— "Okay then, I'm going to sit over there. You just give the order."
Akie walked to the tables beside the stall and sat down at one right by the side.
Meanwhile, I headed to the vendor.
I stepped in front of the stall and said,
— "Can we get one 8-piece Takoyaki?"
The vendor smiled.
— "Sure, sir. Just wait at the table. One 8-piece Takoyaki coming right up."
— "Thank you," I nodded and headed back to the table beside Akie.
I glanced at her and asked suddenly,
— "By the way, when is your school anyway? I thought it was supposed to be in the morning?"
She rolled her eyes at me.
— "Our school has two shifts—one in the morning and the other at noon, or you can say daytime."
— "So you're in the day shift?"
— "Yes."
— "And when does your school start?"
— "12 pm."
I checked my phone.
— "It's already 11:32, just 28 more minutes to go."
— "Yeah, just grabbing some Takoyaki treat from my Senpai," she said, giggling.
— "That should be more important than going to school."
— "Really, it is," I said, still smiling.
As we talked and laughed, I couldn't stop thinking about how much fun I was having right now.
Even though I dragged him here, he kept saying it was fun and was happy to go wherever I wanted.
He cared about how I felt more than anyone in my own family, and that made me want to spend a little more time with him.
He talked with me like I existed, like I mattered.
Lost in my thoughts, the Takoyaki was served—eight golden balls nestled in a small wooden tray, steam rising from the warm snack.
It looked perfectly cooked.
— "I'm going to start, Akie. I'll get the bigger one first."
— "Are you really going to eat the bigger one when you have a junior in front of you?"
— "There shouldn't be any compromise in eating, Akie."
— "You aren't getting away with this… I'll get the bigger one."
We both laughed as we dug in and enjoyed our meal.
Inside, I was fluttering with joy.
I don't want this day to end.
After eating, Kazuma paid the bill, and we started heading toward the school.
— "It's 11:50. We took too much time eating Takoyaki," I said.
— "It won't be a problem. We're almost there."
We took another step to the left, and there it was—Fuji Girls High School.
Students gathered from all over the city, and the sheer crowd of girls made Kazuma feel insecure about going further.
— "I guess that's as far as I go," I said, scratching my neck.
— "So than, it's goodbye?"
— "No, it's see you again."
She smiled.
— "Yeah, see you again, Senpai."
— "See ya," I said, turning back and starting to walk.
Meanwhile, Akie couldn't stop thinking about something as she watched Kazuma walk away.
Since childhood, I was always the one who felt out of place.
It was always Akari who got good results, good grades, and all the love from everyone.
I was just someone who was there.
It felt like no one cared about me—or if I even existed.
I don't hate anyone, But I always become like a background Charecter in Everybody's life..
So when I got to meet someone who cares about my feelings more than his own.
At my selfish request, he came all the way over here, Not questioning a single thing.
He made me feel like I mattered.
He made me feel like I existed.
How could someone not like this person?
As Kazuma walked, I ran after him, his face still turned away.
I reached out and held the hem of his shirt from behind, looking down.
Kazuma looked back, surprised.
— "Oh, Akie? What is it?"
I looked up at him.
— "Promise me."
— "What?" I asked, confused.
— "I can't explain how much fun I had today, so I want you to promise me… that you'll visit me again," I said, still looking down, blushing heavily.
I looked back at her.
— "You want me to visit again?"
— "Yes, promise me."
— "Umm, but I don't have any IC cards."
I cracked a laugh at that comment before replying.
— "You really can make things funny at serious times, Senpai. You'll get it in no time.
So now, will you promise me?"
I sighed.
— "Since my favorite junior is telling me, I can't really say no… I promise I'll visit again," I said, smiling.
— "I'll be waiting," Akie said before running off inside her school.
I watched as she ran away.
— "This girl…"
Akie ran into the school and quickly hid behind a wall, clutching her chest as if trying to hold something in.
Her thoughts were running wilder and wilder.
I thought it was normal to think about spending time with someone or talking with them…
But this time, I didn't want the time to fade away…
I wanted it to freeze. I wanted the moment forever.
I wanted to be with this person.
I guess that figures my feelings…
I like you, Kazuma-senpai.
She thought, blushing infamously to herself, finally admitting what had been building up inside.
Meanwhile, back to Kazuma who had almost reached the station.
I stretched my arms with a sigh.
"Now that took a little too long…" I thought.
But I couldn't help smiling to myself.
It really was fun spending time with her.
Although I promised her I'd come back and visit someday…
How the hell am I even supposed to get an IC card? I sighed again.
"Alright, let's just get home first and think about it calmly."
Just as I was approaching the train platform, my phone buzzed in my pocket.
I reached in and pulled it out.
An unknown number.
"Huh?" I muttered, puzzled, then picked it up.
— "Hello?"
A loud scream blasted through the speaker.
— "Where the hell are you, huh?!"
It was definitely Akari.
— "Oh Akari… How are you?" I said casually.
— "Are you seriously asking me how I am when I literally just asked where are you?!"
— "Oh, I'm at Shibuya," I replied.
— "What the hell are you doing in Shibuya?!"
— "I accompanied your sister to her school."
— "She asked you to?"
— "Yeah."
There was a pause before she sighed on the other side.
— "She can be a real pain sometimes. I apologise."
— "It's okay, no big deal. It was fun either way.
So that's the only reason you called? Were you…worried about me?"
Silence.
Akari blushed instantly on the other side of the call.
— "Who's worried about who?! I called because I came to the apartment and found it locked!"
— "What are you doing at the apartment during college hours?"
— "I just came by to take some notes, that's all!"
— "I think it'll take me another 30 minutes to come back," I said, stepping into the train and finding a window seat.
— "No need. Uncle Mashira came back, and he had a spare key, so I already took the notes and headed for college."
— "Oh? So then what was the reason for calling… if your job's already done?"
She froze.
She knew she had been caught.
She just called to know where he was.
It felt like… she was worried about him.
Or maybe… like she actually cared.
— "I just wanted to know where you are and when you'll be back!" she said being fully honest that why she called,
— "Don't worry about me that much," I said, grinning.
There was a beat of silence.
Akari blushed again from that comment and screamed through the phone,
— "I WASN'T WORRIED, YOU IDIOT!"
Click.
She hung up.
But even after cutting the call, she couldn't stop blushing.
He always makes me feel like this…
Stupid, stupid Kazuma…
Meanwhile, back to me, sitting on the train, eyes looking out the window as the city rolled by.
It's just been two days since I became roommates with Akari—my childhood crush… and so much has already happened.
At first, I thought this was going to be hell.
But as I keep going forward, I realize
— "It's not that bad to have a roommate I guess,"
Apparently I muttered that out loud without realizing.
I looked around.
Everyone in the train was staring at me.
I froze.
"Yup that was awkward."