I’ve Been Working My Hardest as Manager of the Girls’ Track and Field Team, but Ever Since I Retired, the Team Members Have Been Coming at Me Like Crazy!?
“…Where is she?”
As soon as I got back to my room, I put away the reference books I’d left by the window and strained my eyes to look outside.
All I could see was the second floor of my neighbor Hayase’s grandmother’s house.
However, there were no windows on that side facing my room, so I had no idea where she was or how she’d managed to see me by the window.
“……I’d better close the curtains for now.”
In the past, I wouldn’t have overreacted like this, but things are a little different now.
Hayase is the kind of woman who seems to want to lock me up.
I haven’t heard her true intentions yet, but it’s only natural to be on guard when someone who voices such ideas is talking about my room.
Plus, with her house right next door to mine, I can’t relax even when I’m inside.
…Anyway, I have to stay on my guard until my parents get home.
I checked that all the locks were secure and closed all the curtains……
‘Ding-dong.’
The doorbell rang.
Who is it?
It’s still early evening and the sun is out, so it could be a delivery or an acquaintance of my parents dropping by.
But what if it’s Hayase?
If she breaks into this empty house…
‘Ding-dong. Ding-dong, ding-dong, ding-dong.’
Now the doorbell is ringing repeatedly.
I can’t imagine delivery people would be so rude.
If that’s the case, then it must be…
‘Riiing.’
Now the phone is ringing.
I timidly pulled out my smartphone, which was vibrating loudly in my pocket.
“…Mom?”
But contrary to my expectations, the name displayed on the screen was my mother’s.
“H-hello?”
“Hey, Mitsuru, you’re home, right? I left my keys at work, so could you open the front door for me?”
“Uh, sure.”
I hurried to the front door and unlocked it without hesitation.
“Oh, welcome home, Mom.”
“I’m home. And welcome home, Mitsuru.”
Looking a little tired, Mom took off her shoes as she came inside and plopped down the shopping bags she was holding.
Senba Aki.
My mom, who turns forty this year, is a pretty lively person. She has brown, permed hair, and she looks quite young, at least on the outside.
Apparently, she holds a pretty high position at work, so she usually doesn’t get home until the middle of the night.
“You’re home unusually early today.”
“Actually, I hit it off with someone from a client company I met recently. She’s coming over to our place today.”
“Oh, really?”
“They’re supposed to arrive in a little while, so I need to get everything ready to entertain them. You’re going to help, too.”
“Ugh, I just got home myself and I’m exhausted.”
“Don’t give me that. They said they’re bringing their family, so we have to make sure everything’s in order, don’t we?”
“Fine, fine, I get it.”
So, Mom and I headed to the kitchen and started getting ready to welcome our guest.
We laid out the sushi Mom had bought and got the drinks and glasses ready.
We cleaned up the slightly messy kitchen and peeled off the flyers and notes stuck to the fridge to tidy things up.
Just as we were finishing up, the doorbell rang again.
“Oh, looks like they’re here. I’m just about to put the coffee on, so you go greet them.”
“Are you sure that’s okay?”
“It’ll be ready any minute. Come on, go on.”
“Okay, okay.”
Wondering if that was really enough to welcome such an important guest, I headed to the front door, tilting my head in confusion.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
When I opened the door, standing there was a tall, slender woman.
“Oh, you must be… Senba san’s son?”
“Y-yes. Mitsuru, Senba Aki’s son.”
“I see. I always so grateful for your mother’s help.”
She bowed politely, then looked up, brushed her hair back, and introduced herself.
“My name is Yukimura Hana. I hear my daughter is under your care.”