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!?
“…I’m scared.”
Trapped inside the room, I curled up on the bed and trembled.
The fear of not being able to leave the room.
The fear of what would happen if I did leave.
The fear of why the door to this room—which didn’t even have a lock—wouldn’t open.
And above all else.
“Where the hell was Yukimura?”
I’m sure I checked the hallway and the first floor back then.
There was no one anywhere at the time.
‘Riiing’
The phone rang again.
“W-who is it… Yukimura?”
I can’t believe it’s just a coincidence.
But I probably don’t have the option of not answering.
“H-hello?”
“Mitsuru, what are you doing right now?”
“Uh, well, I’m in my room.”
“You can’t come out, can you?”
“Wha… you didn’t tell Hayase, did you?”
“Mitsuru, why did you lie?”
I tilted my head at the same question Hayase had asked.
“W-what do you mean, ‘lie’?”
“Mitsuru, you weren’t sleeping, were you?”
“N-no, I just happened to wake up.”
“Really? You weren’t just pretending to sleep because you wanted me to go home early, were you?”
“N-no way. I was feeling sick, too.”
“You’re not lying about being sick, are you?”
“N-no, I’m not. Thanks to Yukimura, I’m totally fine now.”
“R-really? You got better because of me?”
“O-of course. Thanks to Yukimura.”
As her voice brightened before my eyes, Yukimura said, “Well, I guess I have no choice,” and hung up.
And then, almost immediately.
Click.
From the other side of the door, I heard the sound of something being unlocked.
“…No way.”
I tentatively placed my hand on the doorknob, and the knob—which hadn’t budged a moment ago—turned with a click.
I moved slowly.
I opened the door as quietly as possible, trying not to make a sound.
“…No one’s here.”
I scanned the quiet hallway, but there was no sign of anyone.
Still, I didn’t let my guard down. I quietly left the room and tiptoed to the living room.
“…Oh.”
“Oh, good morning, Mitsuru. You’re up early.”
“Mom… Hey, when did you get back yesterday?”
“Hmm, around sunset, I think. Why do you ask?”
“What about Yukimura’s mom?”
“They went their separate ways. But more importantly, you and Yukimura’s daughter seem to be getting along quite well.”
“W-well, not really…”
“You don’t have to be shy. Look, she even went out of her way to bring you a bento this morning.”
Mom handed me a box wrapped in white cloth.
“…Yukimura did this?”
“That’s right.”
“When?”
“Just a little while ago. She said she’d say hi to you before heading home—didn’t you run into her?”
“……”
I see. So she really did come by the house after all.
Those two—even though it’s someone else’s house, they just come and go as if it were their own.
…If Shiratori starts hanging out here full-time too, I’m done for.
I have to stop that from happening at all costs.
“Well, I’m heading to school now.”
“Ah, wait a minute. Here.”
This time, she handed me a sandwich wrapped in plastic wrap.
“Huh, what’s this?”
“Breakfast.”
“Why are you suddenly giving me this?”
“A friend of yours brought it over. Honestly, you’re surprisingly popular, aren’t you?”
“……Who brought it?”
“Um, she said her name was Shirotori.”
No way.
“Huh, really?”
“She seems like a nice girl. But don’t go overboard.”
My mom, oblivious to my feelings, disappeared into the back of the kitchen with a smile on her face.
I never thought Shirotori would show up too.
So, does that mean this house isn’t safe anymore either?
“……I’m leaving.”
I said it weakly and walked out the front door.
“Oh, good morning, Mitchi.”
As if to rub salt in the wound, Shirotori was waiting right there as I stepped out the front door.