The Saturday part-time job had a different shift from Wine bag.

When I found out, I felt relieved.

I didn't want to see Wine bag. I usually don't, but today especially. Because of what happened at the university the other day.

Today, the person on the same shift was a female university student. She's in her second year. It seems she attends a different university from Rui-san's, which is nearby.

At first, when I started my part-time job, she was the one who taught me how to do it.

When the ink in my pen for taking notes ran out, she lent me a pen. It was definitely one with a Sanrio character on it. Pompompurin.

When I asked her if she liked Sanrio, she replied that she liked Sanrio, or rather, Pompompurin.

"Pompompurin likes showing its anus."

Not a cute way of saying it like butt hole, but anus. I didn't know what to say, so I just exposed my shame and said, "Is this okay?"

"Really? Maybe. Anyway, that anus is nice."

We don't have a close relationship, but it's not a bad one either.

A relationship where we occasionally exchange a few words.

Even so, for me, she was a valuable person with whom I didn't feel burdened even if our shifts overlapped. That day's shift also went smoothly.

I entered the store in the morning, and by the time I left, it was evening.

Feeling the cruelty of precious holidays coming to an end, I set off on my way home. As I reached the front of the rundown apartment, I felt a sense of unease.

The motorcycle was parked. In the bicycle parking area in front of the apartment.

There is usually nothing parked in the bicycle parking area. Even considering that, the red vehicle stood out against the surrounding scenery.

I wonder whose it is.

That question was resolved after climbing the stairs to the second floor.

There was a person in the hallway.

A small face with cool, sharp features. She had her golden hair tied back. She was wearing a black T-shirt and jeans.

Spreading her legs wide apart, not touching her butt to the ground, she was squatting between Rui-san's room and mine in what is commonly known as a delinquent squat. She was fiddling with her smartphone, looking displeased.

She was previously the person who visited Rui-san's room. I mistook her for her boyfriend, and Rui-san said that she was just a friend.

I wonder if she is visiting again.

I pass by the delinquent girl. If I don't, I can't get into the room. At that moment, she gave me a glance. My heart skips a beat at her sharp gaze.

I arrived in front of the room door. It was when I took out the key and inserted it.

"Hey. Do you know where Rui is?"

I was suddenly spoken to.

"Even if I ring the intercom, she won't come out."

When I turned my gaze to the side, a delinquent girl sitting in a gang posture was looking at me. It was clear she was trying to talk to me.

"That..."

And I squeeze out my voice.

"Or rather, why me?"

"You're the one, right? The one who's been playmate with Rui."

"Playmate?"

"I often hear about you from Rui. She's made a new friend recently. A high school student is living in the apartment next door."

"Rui-san is talking about me..."

"It's rare for her to talk about others. She must really like you. That's why I know you very well."

The delinquent girl says while sitting in a delinquent pose.

"You were also the first to mistake me for a man."

"..."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to look like a man."

"...How should I put this, um, I'm sorry."

"It's not like you have to apologize or anything. Well, it doesn't leave a good impression. It's not exactly entertaining to hear about you from Rui either."

A harsh tone.

From the very beginning, the favorability rating had plummeted to rock bottom.

I'm not trying to make excuses, but seeing her up close like this, her hairstyle and clothing were just androgynous. She was definitely a woman.

Pushed by the awkwardness, I changed the subject.

"Is Rui-san not here?"

"She's not here. Even when I ring the intercom, she doesn't come out. We promised to have dinner today, but where on earth is she wandering around?"

The delinquent girl grumbled while sitting in a delinquent posture.

Since she can't get into the room, she'll probably keep waiting here. It feels somewhat awkward for me to go back to my room while she waits. So, I started a conversation.

"...Um, the motorcycle parked downstairs..."

"Huh?"

"Is that bike in the parking lot yours?"

"Yeah, but was it really bad to stop?"

"I think that's fine."

"Then, what is it?"

"No, it's nothing special."

I say.

"I just thought it looked cool when I passed by earlier."

"...What? Are you interested in motorcycles?"

"I'm not an expert or anything, but I thought that bike was nice."

"...Hmm."

The delinquent girl nods ambiguously while sitting in a delinquent position. After a brief silence.

"Want some gum?"

"Huh?"

"Gum. If you don't want it, that's fine."

"Oh. Well then, thank you for this."

I take the chewing gum offered by the delinquent girl. I squat down on the spot, peel off the silver wrapper, and put it in my mouth. It tasted like mint.

"I've wanted that model for a long time. It's a popular model. I was waiting for it to be restocked, and then it just happened to come into use at a nearby bike shop. So, I dipped into my savings and bought it."

"I see."

So, it wasn't running when I came here before.

"Hey, from your perspective, what did you think was good?"

"Um."

If I get the answer wrong here, it feels like it could be fatal. I need to be cautious. After a brief moment of careful consideration, I voice my opinion.

"Overall form and such...?"

"..."

Damn it. Did I miss it?

"...You've got quite an eye for things, don't you?"

I'm glad. That was a relief.

"That car model has a rugged form that's just right. It's also particular about customization. Just wait until you hear the sound of the exhaust!"

"R-really?"

It seems that I managed to get the correct answer.

I wondered if the favorability that had fallen to rock bottom could be somewhat restored with this. It was at that moment that I was thinking about such things in the back of my mind.

"It's quite lively, isn't it?"

A voice came from above. I looked up. From the gap in the open front door of the room, Rui-san was peeking out.

"Rui, were you in the room?"

The delinquent girl says suspiciously.

"Seriously, if that's the case, then come out right away. Do you have any idea how many times I have rung the doorbell?"

"I was sleeping, just until a moment ago."

"You were sleeping... What time do you think it is now? It's six o'clock, six o'clock. What's going on with your daily routine?"

"I was late yesterday because I was reading a book until morning."

"I don't know, but you really should fix your day-night cycle already. You didn't even attend the mandatory class the other day, even though it was in the afternoon."

"I woke up properly that day. I even came to the university. I just prioritized chatting with Yuito-kun."

"Is it his fault?"

The delinquent girl glares at me with a scowl. I had been blamed for Rui-san's skipping class. Well, it's true, but still.

"I don't care, seriously, even if I end up repeating a year."

"When you look at it over a long life, that's also good."

"...Well, never mind. You probably won't listen anyway. Just let me in for now. I've been squatting in the hallway for a long time, so I want to sit down."

The delinquent girl stands up and tries to enter Rui-san's room.

Rui-san looked at me while keeping the front door open with her hand.

"I was supposed to have a hot pot with Saki-chan today. If you don't mind, would you like to join us, Yuito-kun?"

"Huh?"

The delinquent girl raises her voice in dissatisfaction.

"This guy, too?"

"Isn't it more fun to have more people for a hot pot?"

"I only bought enough ingredients for two people."

"Well then, let's go buy one more serving."

"Who."

"Saki-chan is."

"Why? If he's joining halfway, it's only fair that he buys it."

The delinquent girl says, pointing at me. She's got a point.

"I'll go buy it myself."

"But that would take a lot of time, wouldn't it? In that regard, if Saki-chan speeds up her pride and joy, you will be there in no time."

"That might be true."

The delinquent girl says.

"But, like, I don't even remember agreeing to let this guy join in the first place."

"Oh dear. Yuito-kun's likability is low, isn't it?"

"I think it's Rui-san's fault."

"Is that so?"

Rui-san looked bewildered. It's worse because she has no awareness of it.

"Hmm. What should we do?"

"It's fine, don't worry about it. I'll eat by myself. I always do."

"Hey, wait a minute. If you act all meek like that, it makes me look like a mean, childish brat."

"Isn't that actually the case?"

"Please don't worry about it."

"..."

After a brief struggle, the delinquent girl...

"Ugh, fine, I get it. I'll buy it, okay? But you better come along with me."

"Me too?"

"I won't allow my pride to be trampled by being made a gopher for high schoolers. I'll give you a ride to the store, but you can buy the ingredients yourself."

In the end, it seems I was allowed to join.

Chapter 21: Her Friend