Chapter 6 The Woman Who Moved in Next Door and the Suspicious Person

The Woman Who Moved in Next Door and the Suspicious Person

“Ahhh, the mixer yesterday was so much fun…”

A month after the woman moved into the apartment next door, I’m at my part-time job, where Sasaki-senpai stands beside me, assembling hamburgers—placing patties between buns and wrapping them. He keeps glancing at me, talking as if to show off.

“That’s nice to hear.”

“Yuuta, aren’t you being a bit cold!? Can’t you engage with me more!?”

Ugh, how troublesome…

“Alright, alright, so you got dumped again this time, didn’t you, Senpai?”

“Gahhh!? Why would you rub salt in my wounds like that!?”

Though he clutches his chest dramatically, it’s obviously just an act.

“Anyway… if you keep going to mixers like this, Kinoshita-senpai is going to scold you, you know?”

“It’s fine! I got proper permission from Kasumi!”

Sasaki-senpai grins smugly, giving me a thumbs-up. It’s honestly kind of irritating.

By the way, Kinoshita-senpai is Sasaki-senpai’s girlfriend and my senior by one year.

That said, since both Sasaki-senpai and I took a gap year before entering college, Sasaki-senpai and Kinoshita-senpai are classmates despite being a year apart in age. As for me, I’m the same age as Kinoshita-senpai.

Because of this, Kinoshita-senpai often pleads with me, “Please don’t call me senpai, okay!?” But I insist on addressing her as “Senpai,” which she begrudgingly accepts.

“By the way, Kasumi’s coming over today. You should join us, Yuuta.”

“Haha… no, no. I wouldn’t be so rude as to intrude on such a lovey-dovey couple.”

“…She said she’ll pack a week’s worth of meals into containers for me—and your portion, too.”

“Understood. I’ll stop by.”

I don’t really want to go, but… I can’t ignore the allure of free food.

“Alright! I’ll let Kasumi know. Anyway, take care of this hamburger for me, will you?”

“…”

Saying that, Sasaki-senpai waves a hand as he heads off to the staff room.

W-well, I can’t exactly say no to free food…

And so—

“Kouki! Yuuta-kun! I’ve been waiting for you!”

“Oh!”

“…Hello.”

When I arrive at the apartment where Sasaki-senpai lives, Kinoshita-senpai greets us at the door with a warm smile. Sasaki-senpai excitedly hugs her. Hey, I’m here too, you know…

“Look, look! We’re having hot pot today! Did you make sure to pick up the ponzu and my Calpis sour?”

“Of course! Right?”

“Uh, yeah…”

With a grin, Sasaki-senpai throws an arm around my shoulders and proudly shows off the shopping bag.

“Good, good. You’re such a sweet guy.”

Saying this, Kinoshita-senpai pats both of us on the head.

“S-senpai, um…”

“Ah… r-right… I’m sorry, okay?”

“It’s fine…”

She apologizes, looking genuinely remorseful.

Even though I’ve managed to get along with people like Sasaki-senpai, Kinoshita-senpai, and the store manager… I still can’t handle being touched by women.

“A-anyway, let’s head inside already!”

“Y-yeah, let’s do that!”

Ahhh… making these two, who could be called my benefactors, worry so much… I really am the worst.

But… no matter how much I want to overcome it, my heart and body just won’t let me.

After that, we sat around the hot pot and chatted until past midnight.

Sasaki-senpai kept telling stories about failed mixers, and Kinoshita-senpai laughed hysterically while holding her drink.

As for me, I silently ate the hot pot beside them.

But watching these two kind people enjoy themselves… it felt oddly comforting.

“Kinoshita-senpai, thank you very much.”

“Sure! Make sure to put it in the fridge as soon as you get home, okay?”

Holding a bag filled with a week’s worth of side dishes packed in containers, I bowed deeply.

With this much food, if I manage it carefully, I might be able to stretch it out to ten days.

“Sasaki-senpai, thank you as well.”

“Huh? I didn’t do anything, though.”

Sasaki-senpai waved his hand dismissively, but… I know he’s the one who covered the cost of the ingredients.

Haha… they’re supporting me so much. I really need to figure out how to move forward, too…

“Well then, I’ll be taking my leave.”

“Take care!”

“Just don’t go committing any crimes, okay!”

Ignoring Sasaki-senpai’s strange parting comment, I headed home.

Alright… I need to put this in the fridge like they said and then get some sleep…

But when I arrived in front of my apartment—

“Huh!?”

Standing in front of my room—or rather, the room next door—

Were two suspicious figures. I tensed up immediately.

Could they be burglars? Or were they targeting the woman next door…?

I grabbed my phone and deliberately spoke loudly.

“Hello, police? There are suspicious individuals in front of my apartment!”

““R-Run!””

The suspicious figures flinched at my words and quickly fled, rushing down the stairs and disappearing into the night.

“Phew…”

Clutching my phone tightly, I let out a deep breath.

I hadn’t actually called the police, so I was relieved they fell for the bluff… but still.

“I-I need to check if anything weird happened!”

I hurried up the stairs to my room—or rather, to the door of the room next to mine—and… huh!?

“Ah…”

“…”

The woman from the neighboring room silently opened her door and peered out at me.

But her body was trembling, and through her glasses, I could see her eyes, unmistakably wet with tears…

“S-Should I call the police?”

“…! (shaking head violently)”

She shook her long, messy hair vigorously from side to side, clearly refusing.

B-but those were definitely suspicious people. I still think calling the police would be the right move…

“O-okay then…”

Well, if she says it’s fine, it’s probably not my place to interfere further.

Besides, if I get involved any more, it’s bound to turn into a hassle…

“W-well then, make sure to lock up properly… uh…”

“…”

She clutched the hem of my coat, trembling, and looked up at me as if pleading, “Please, don’t go.”

“…Excuse me, could you let go of me?”

I forced myself to speak in a flat tone, mercilessly brushing her off.

I… don’t want to get involved with her.

But—

“…Please… just for tonight. Stay with me… just for tonight…”

“…”

Her face crumpled as she kept bowing, her voice so faint it was almost inaudible.

Even so—

“…Good night.”

“Ah…!”

I shook her off and quickly retreated into my room, shutting the door behind me.