Chapter 54: CH 54

On my usual commuter train, I was absentmindedly looking outside and thinking about the current situation.

Four days had passed since my meeting at Zany on Monday, and preparations for Comiket were going well.

However, I was worried about Kaedezaka’s visit to my house.

There were only two days left until Sunday.

I had a strong feeling that there would be trouble, but there was nothing I could do about it now.

“Ha~, ….What should I do?”

I wish Yuika was here to help me out at times like this, but she was currently on summer vacation.

It’s not that I’m lonely.

Yes, I’m not lonely.

However, it was a bit … difficult to suddenly lose the presence of someone who had been greeting me every day. A little … Well, … what can I say, … I am lonely.

Just then, I heard a familiar unenthusiastic voice.

“Good morning, Onii-San.”

… Hmm?

That voice belonged to Yuika .., wasn’t it?

I thought there was no way, but when I looked up, I saw a high school girl I knew well.

“… Yo~, Yuika.”

I still said hello to her, but why was she here?

Since she was wearing plain clothes, it didn’t seem to be a club activity. …

“…It’s your summer vacation. What’s going on?”

“I came to check on you to see if Onii-San was lonely.”

“You went to all this trouble for me?”

“You must be happy.”

“… Well, there you go.”

Yuika stood next to me and rubbed my arm twice as she always did.

When I looked at her, I saw that she looked somewhat relieved.

Maybe it was just because I felt relieved that it looked that way.

“There are fewer people on the train during the summer vacation.”

“Yes. Especially when the train stops at every station.”

“There’s an empty seat, but you won’t sit down.”

“It’s a habit. Would you like to sit down?”

“No. I’m fine like this.”

Talking to Yuika like this for the first time in a week, I felt very relaxed.

For me, who wanted the same everyday life, Yuika had already become a part of my daily life.

“So, how is it going with assisting the trainee?”

“My battle is just beginning.”

“Not bad for a guy who dares to raise flags.”

That’s right.

Since Yuika had come all this way, I should talk to her about Kaedezaka visiting my room next Sunday.

Of course, I couldn’t just ask her straight out.

It would be best to ask her in a roundabout way.

“By the way, Yuika”

“What?”

“Once upon a time, there was a cool office worker ….”

“Why did you suddenly start a tale of the past and present?”

It appeared that this way of initiating a conversation was a failure.

“Sorry. I just wanted to make a quick chat.”

“Yeah. You wanted to talk to me. I’ll listen.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

As before, I decided to talk about Kaedezaka as a trainee.

She wouldn’t find out

“Actually, the trainee I was telling you about is coming to my room.”

“Just the two of you?”

“Yeah. To be honest, I don’t think we’ll have much time.”

Yuika looked at me and said,

“Onii-San’s room. Sounds messy.”

“It’s pretty clean. Want to see it?”

It was common to get the image that men’s rooms were dirty, but this was a misconception.

I still clean my room frequently, so there was nothing to be embarrassed about even if Yuika saw it.

I guess I should try to impress the cheeky high school girl once in a while.

Fufufu.~~

I showed Yuika a picture of my room.

“Hey, Onii-San. Can I ask you something?”

“I’ll answer as best I can.”

“Do you know the difference between ‘clean’ and ’empty’?”

“Ah, … That’s very advanced stuff. Greek philosophy?”

“I am referring to your room.”

Yuuka gave me a pathetic look.

Hmm …. Looks like my room is classified as ‘nothing’.

I think it’s cool, but is it not?

“I mean, what is this? There’s nothing here at all.”

“That’s rude. There’s a desk and a chair.”

“That’s all there is. For a second, I thought you were in solitary confinement.”

“Terrible.”

“Just a general observation.”

一A long time ago, the words “decluttering” and “minimalist” were all the rage, and I thought I was the type of person who practiced them, but I was wrong.

Yuika said, holding up her index finger.

“Okay, Onii-San. Listen carefully.”

“Yes.”

“To assist means to provide reassurance to the other person.”

“Safe huh … I want it too.”

“Don’t look so distant. You’re a working man.”

I knew that Yuika would be able to match my jokes.

I’m not kidding half the time, though.

Yuika continued her story in a casual tone.

“The environment is important to make the other person feel at ease. That’s why you have to take care of your room.”

“… I see.”

Indeed, I had heard that just having some houseplants in the workplace would improve communication within the company.

So, because of the relaxed environment, we would be able to open up to each other and talk more.

As expected of Yuika.

“So, Onii-San’s next mission is an interior remodeling project.”

I nodded my head in agreement.

“In other words, you want me to show off my taste to the fullest.”

“Hey. Do you know why I’m worried about you?”