Even outside my field of vision, the world keeps spinning.

Until now, I had no interest in what was happening there. I didn't have any friends there, and it had nothing to do with me at all. But today was different.

"That person was in the university's smoking area."

Waiting for the right moment when there were no customers, Wine bag came to me at the register and said with a somewhat smug expression. Neglecting the shelf restocking job.

When I was puzzled about what he meant, he grimaced for a moment as if to say I was slow on the uptake, and continued speaking with a hint of irritation.

"She's the beautiful woman who always comes to the store to buy cigarettes. You said she might be from the same university, right?"

I realized it was about Twenty-five-san. At the same time, my heart fluttered.

"I thought I didn't remember seeing her, but it turns out we were on different campuses. Our university is split into two campuses across the road, you see. I'm in the Faculty of Economics, and she's in the Faculty of Arts. She was on the campus across the road."

"Did you really go out of your way to look for her on another campus?"

"I had some free time until the next class. Maybe she's over at the other campus. I went to check the smoking area. Then, bingo. I realized her in one shot."

"Did you hear about the department?"

"Huh?"

"Well, because that person said she was in the Faculty of Arts and Letters."

"Oh, right, right. In the flow of the conversation. Now that you mention it, it does have a literature department vibe to it. I mean, she has a mysterious aura? When I told her that I work part-time at the convenience store where she always comes to buy cigarettes, it seemed like she remembered me, too. She said she likes novels, so I told her that I really love books too."

"Do you like books?"

"I like it. Surprising, right? But I read a lot."

"What kind of things do you read?"

"Business books, etc. I have an acquaintance who is a company president. The book that person published. It's published by a place called Link Publishing. Do you know it?"

"I'm sorry. I don't know."

"Oh, I see. Eno-cchi probably doesn't read business books, huh?"

"Haa."

"The conversation was lively, and everything felt great. Her friend interrupted us halfway through. It was like being pulled away at an idol handshake event. It was so close. I was so close to getting Hazuki-san's contact information."

"Hazuki-san?"

"That person's name. I heard her name is Hazuki Rui-san."

The moment her name came out of Wine Bag's mouth, a bitter taste welled up.

I didn't know her name. To me, she was Twenty-five-san. Hearing her name from Wine bag was unpleasant.

"But from now on, we can meet anytime if we go to the smoking area. She would probably come to the store again, too. There will be plenty of opportunities, right?"

Wine bag said that,

"When that person comes to the store, I will handle the register. Eno-cchi, okay?"

"...That's something."

And I give a vague response.

"If Sakurada-san is restocking the shelves, it might make people wait. If there are other customers in line, they might come to me."

"Just say you understand for now. You're not very fun, are you? You won't get any attention like that, you know?"

It's not that I'm not fun. Yeah, it's bad, but... I just didn't want to say I understand for now.

Even if I couldn't clearly refuse, I didn't want to pander to Wine bag. My self-consciousness wouldn't allow me to show that attitude.

After that, Wine bag kept telling me endlessly about how much he was relied upon in the circle and how his older friends lived in high-rise apartments. He was working a well-paying part-time job at a company owned by a friend's relative, earning about the same monthly salary as a new graduate. He can quit this part-time job anytime, but he's still here because the manager is trying to persuade him to stay.

That day, Twenty-five-san didn't come to the store to buy cigarettes. For today, I thought it was a good thing she didn't come to the store.

I didn't want to see her talking intimately with Wine bag.

☆

Sometimes I forget to lock the door when I leave the house.

When I go to school, that's not the case. Because I check it thoroughly. However, there are times when I forget to lock the door after coming back.

It was the same today. After finishing my part-time job and coming home, I forgot to lock the door. I realized it before the day changed.

Suddenly, I heard the sound of the door being opened. I was surprised because I had just gotten out of the bath and was about to go to bed. Because I was in my pajamas and completely defenseless.

The first thought that crossed my mind was a robbery. They broke in to steal money and valuables. But did they really come all the way to this rundown apartment? I thought. There seem to be so many other options available. Do they really want to go into this room where it seems like there’s nothing of value?

To cut to the chase, it wasn't a robbery. The visitor was Twenty-five-san. She was in casual clothes and was holding a shopping bag in her hand.

"Clerk-san?"

With a flushed face, she looked at me sitting in front of the living room table and had a puzzled expression.

"Why is Clerk-san in my room?"

"Huh?"

"Huh?"

And Twenty-five-san looked around. The layout is the same. However, the arrangement of the furniture was probably completely different.

"Oh?"

And then she turned to me and asked.

"Could this be Clerk-san?"

"That's right."

"So, that means it's not my room?"

"Twenty-five-san's is next door, right?"

"..."

After thinking for a moment with her hand on her chin,

"I accidentally went into the wrong room."

"It seems that way, doesn't it?"

Her cheeks were flushed as she wore a shy smile. Her eyes are half-closed. It exuded a somewhat fluffy atmosphere.

"Are you drunk?"

"It was a seminar drinking party."

I see. So that's why she didn't come to the store to buy cigarettes today.

"It's all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink. The professor covered the entire bill."

"So that's why you got so drunk."

I said, looking at the contents of the shopping bag, surprised.

"Then why are you still buying alcohol?"

"I was thinking of having another drink by myself. But, it was just right."

Twenty-five-san said that, then placed the bag containing the highball cans gently on the table in front of me.

"Clerk-san, could you please accompany me?"

"I can't drink, though. If that's okay with you."

"Hehe. Sure thing~"

Twenty-five-san sits down next to me with a smile. The distance is close. If I lean my body slightly, our shoulders might touch. Amidst the lingering scent of alcohol and the izakaya, I could smell her pleasant fragrance.

When she takes the highball can out of the shopping bag, she opens the pull tab. Crack. A pleasant sound echoes throughout the small room.

She holds the highball can with both hands and drinks. As if cradling it. I think the way she looks when she smokes is cool, but the way she looks when she drinks is cute.

After she took a sip from the can, I brought up the topic.

"What seminar are you in?"

"It's a creative writing seminar. Writing novels, reading, and critiquing. Compared to other seminars, it seemed easier."

"Are you writing a novel?"

"That's right. When the assignment is given. That said, it's just a short piece."

"But it's amazing. What kind of things do you write?"

"Various things. Romance stories, or things that feel like autobiographical novels. The other day, I wrote a story about seminar students being killed one after another."

"How will the last part be received?"

"It was a huge hit. Well, it's just an inside joke."

But if I were to write it, I feel like it wouldn't be accepted. Twenty-five-san is probably quite popular in the seminar.

"How is Clerk-san doing? Have you made any friends?"

"Not at all. Nothing has changed at all."

"Is that so? That's good to hear."

When Twenty-five-san heard my answer, she tilted the highball can with a satisfied look. I take advantage of her drunkenness to slip in my words.

"So your name is Rui-san, right?"

"Yes?"

"Twenty-five-san's name."

"Did I introduce myself to Clerk-san?"

"I heard. To someone on the same shift. There was someone from the same university as you, and that person said he talked to you at the smoking area."

"Is it someone from the same shift?"

"Don't you remember? Brown-haired. He said he liked books."

"...Ah, I remembered."

After a long silence, she murmured absentmindedly. I feel a bit relieved that she couldn't think of anything right away.

"He said the conversation was quite lively."

"Is that so?"

"According to the person himself, though."

"Hmm."

Twenty-five-san gave a vague response. Seemingly disinterested.

"What did Clerk-san think when you heard that story?"

"What is it?"

"Name. Did you want to hear it from my mouth?"

"...Well, that."

At the very least, I didn't want to hear it from the mouth of a drunkard. The important part was trampled on with dirty shoes. I definitely felt that way.

"But that person doesn't know, right? My other name is."

"Another name?"

"Twenty-five-san."

Twenty-five-san said that with a faint smile.

"I actually quite like this name too. The nickname Clerk-san gave me. No one else calls me that, though."

"But now I already know your real name. It's strange to call you by that name, isn't it? How should I address you from now on? Hazuki-san?"

"I'm happier with my first name than with my last name."

"...Rui-san."

Twenty-five-san ―no, I mean Rui-san, gives a faint smile. Hazuki Rui-san. The name Twenty-five, which was once lifeless, has gained color.

"Well then, it's our turn now."

"What do you mean by that?"

"The name of Clerk-san. It's not fair that only you know my real name."

"That's not even a real name."

And I continue with a wry smile.

"It's Enoki. Enoki Yuito."

"Enoki-kun."

Rui-san said. My name. For the first time.

"Or Yuito-kun. Which one do you prefer?"

"Either way is fine."

"Then, let's go with Yuito-kun. Enoki-kun is probably being called by other people, too. Besides, you also call me by my name."

Rui-san said that and then gave a small chuckle.

"Now that I think about it, it's strange that we've talked so much as neighbors, yet we didn't know each other's names."

Twenty-five-san and Clerk-san.

Our nickname has increased by one more.

Rui-san is completely drunk, but I secretly hope that by the time she wakes up tomorrow morning, she won't have forgotten this memory.

Chapter 9: Her Name