Chapter 13 I Won't Ask
#21MotoKanojoI Won’t Ask
“…If possible, crying is off-limits too.”
“O-okay…”
Since Kakizaki-san finally stopped crying, I quickly laid down that rule.
I mean, if she cries every time something happens, I won’t have the slightest idea how to handle it.
“B-but, I think Naoe-kun is partly to blame too…”
“W-why me!?”
“Haha, who knows~?”
Saying that, Kakizaki-san, now in a much better mood, grinned mischievously.
Sigh… Even though I’m the one who’s really struggling here…
But… well, I guess it’s fine.
After all, it’s much easier when she smiles like this instead of crying.
“So, if I’m going to cook from now on, can I check what ingredients are available?”
“Sure, but… honestly, there’s almost nothing left.”
Ignoring my response, Kakizaki-san got up and began rummaging through the fridge.
“Eh? There are quite a few containers of side dishes in here.”
“Ah, yeah. Kinoshita-senpai made me a week’s worth earlier.”
“Wow…”
When I explained, for some reason, Kakizaki-san smirked at me.
“Could it be… she’s your girlfriend?”
“Wha—!? N-no, no! Kinoshita-senpai is Sasaki-senpai’s girlfriend!”
“Sasaki-senpai?”
She tilted her head curiously as I frantically denied it.
Oh, right… She wouldn’t know who Sasaki-senpai is just from the name.
“Um, Sasaki-senpai is a senior from the same university as Kinoshita-senpai. They both always look out for me…”
When I explained, Kakizaki-san smiled softly.
“Haha… Naoe-kun, you really like those two senpais, don’t you?”
“Eh? Do I…?”
“You do. When you talk about them, your face lights up.”
“R-Really…?”
Now that she mentioned it… Yeah, those two are really important to me—the only people I truly trust.
“But… ah, I wanted to show off my cooking skills, but with all this food, it looks like I’ll have to wait at least three days.”
“Well, there’s no helping it, right?”
We exchanged glances and shrugged at the same time.
“Yeah… You know, Naoe-kun, you look much better when you smile like that.”
“Eh…? I-I’m smiling…?”
At her comment, I instinctively touched my face.
Ever since… that time, I thought I’d forgotten how to smile.
“Haha… Yep!”
Seeing me like that, Kakizaki-san gave me a bright, radiant smile.
“…Make sure you don’t peek, okay?”
“I-I wouldn’t do something like that!”
After cleaning up from dinner, Kakizaki-san gave me a pointed glare before heading to the bath.
Ugh… Do I really seem like such an untrustworthy, pervy guy…?
Well… It’s just the two of us here. Considering that 24 hours ago, we were complete strangers, I guess it’s only natural for her to be cautious.
“Haha…”
Thinking about it, I let out a dry laugh.
…After being betrayed by Hiyori, I decided I’d never be interested in another girl ever again.
And then.
—Shaaaaa…
The sound of the shower echoed all the way into the room.
No, like I said, I’m no longer interested in women, so there’s absolutely no reason for me to feel anything just because Kakizaki-san is taking a shower! …Wait, who am I even trying to convince here!?
B-but, she’s not just cute—she’s nearly 20 centimeters shorter than me, and I’m barely 170 centimeters tall, yet her… her chest is unusually well-developed… What am I even thinking about!?
“Phew… I’m done. Huh? Wh-what’s wrong?”
“N-nothing at all…”
As I pressed my forehead against the wall, meditating to clear my impure thoughts, Kakizaki-san stepped out of the bath in her pajamas and looked at me with concern. Yeah… of course she’d react like that…
“I-I’m going to take a bath now!”
“Oh, o-okay… Have a good bath…”
Letting cool water pour over my head, I could only stew in silence.
Once I finally regained my composure, I left the bath, changed into my sweats, and returned to the room.
“Hmm… Maybe it’s time to cut it after all…”
Sitting there, staring at her still-damp, long hair, Kakizaki-san muttered to herself.
“Uh, um… What’s wrong?”
“Ah, well… My hair’s gotten really long, so I was thinking it might be time to cut it.”
“I-I see…”
Indeed, her hair was so long it almost reached her waist.
It must be such a hassle to shampoo and care for it at that length…
“B-but, it’s such beautiful hair. Cutting it feels like it’d be such a waste.”
“R-really? I don’t think it’s that pretty since I don’t really take care of it…”
She looked up at me nervously as she said that.
“No, it’s beautiful. At least to me, your hair, shimmering in deep blue, is stunning.”
“Haha… I-is that so…”
Twirling a strand of hair around her finger, she glanced down, her lips curling into a faint smile.
“H-hey… What kind of hairstyle do you think would suit me?”
“Eh? Hairstyle?”
Hairstyles, huh…
Her long hair is beautiful and suits her, but honestly… I’m not a fan of long hair.
Because Hiyori had long, glossy black hair too…
“…This is just my personal preference, but I think something like a slightly long bob would look nice.”
“Hmm… I see.”
Even though she asked, her reply was curt, and she slipped into the futon already laid out.
“Well, goodnight.”
“Ah, o-okay… Goodnight.”
With her back turned to me, I had no choice but to turn off the light and crawl into my own futon.
Then.
“Hey…”
Kakizaki-san called out softly.
“Hm? What is it?”
“Naoe-kun, why don’t you ask me about myself? Why don’t you dig into my past…?”
Her voice was timid, almost fearful… But the answer was obvious.
I don’t want anyone asking about me, either.
I don’t want anyone to ask about that miserable past… I don’t want anyone to know.
“…I won’t ask. And even if I did… Even if I knew… it wouldn’t… change anything…”
“…! Th-thank you…”
Her voice trembled as she thanked me, then she pulled the blanket over her head.
But… that blanket trembled ever so slightly.