Chapter 31 You're Not Here

You’re Not Here

“Oops, I’d better get going soon.”

Sigh… Since the landlord showed up out of the blue, I didn’t even get to enjoy a relaxing breakfast with her…

“So, Kakizaki-san, want to head to university together?”

“Ah, uh… today… I think I’ll pass.”

“Oh, I see…”

Well… after last night’s letter and the landlord’s visit, she probably doesn’t feel like attending lectures today…

“Alright then, I’m heading out.”

“Ahaha! Take care!”

Kakizaki-san saw me off with a smile as I left for university.

Even though she must be hurting deep down, she forced that smile to keep me from worrying…

“…Alright.”

If it’s come to this, then I’ll do everything I can.

I’ll make sure those idiots who left that graffiti and letter regret it for the rest of their lives. No—I'll make them suffer so much they’ll never think of pulling a stunt like this again.

And for that… I’ll do whatever it takes.

So.

“I see… still, it really pisses me off!”

The moment I arrived at university, I called Sasaki-senpai, Kinoshita-senpai, and Mushakoji-san, and we huddled at the farthest table in the cafeteria to talk.

Even though I can’t do much on my own, I’m lucky to have three people who are willing to help for Kakizaki-san’s sake.

“Fufu… these people must be brave to mess with her. Fine. Anyone who dares to oppose Hatsune-senpai will be utterly crushed by this Mushakoji Mikoto.”

Mushakoji-san smirked, her lips curling into a sly grin.

“B-but… can Mushakoji-san actually do something like that…?”

I didn’t mean to rain on her confidence, but honestly, I don’t think she has that much power.

After all, back when Kakizaki-san dropped out of high school and ran away, Mushakoji-san couldn’t do anything because of the pressure from her family.

So, this time too… I can’t set my expectations too high.

“…Don’t underestimate me. I’m not the same as I was in high school. I’ve been preparing for the day I could help Hatsune-senpai.”

“O-oh, I see… Sorry about that.”

“Anyway, I’ll figure out who’s behind the graffiti and that letter. Hmm… two or three days should be enough, perhaps?”

As Mushakoji-san chuckled softly, a chill ran down my spine.

Yeah… I should probably avoid getting on her bad side.

“I’ll have my juniors take turns patrolling Yuuta’s apartment too. People like that tend to pull unpredictable stunts.”

“Thank you so much.”

“But… if you’re having trouble with the landlord too, wouldn’t it be better to just move?”

“Oh, that’s a great idea!”

At Kinoshita-senpai’s suggestion, Sasaki-senpai clapped his hands and nodded in agreement.

“M-move…?”

It wasn’t a bad idea.

But… moving would mean talking to my parents back home… and that would be…

“You know? I’m planning to move soon anyway. How about you two take over my place?”

“Eh!? Kinoshita-senpai, you’re moving!?”

“Yeah. And the place I’m at now is run by my uncle, so he wouldn’t kick you out because of some idiots like that. In fact, he’d probably be happy to help you. My uncle really hates people like that.”

Th-that would be amazing, but…

“Um… are you sure?”

“Of course! So, Kouki, I’m counting on you to make this happen, okay?”

“W-whoa!? Wait, are you saying you’re moving into my place!?”

“…What? Is that a problem?”

“Haha! No, of course not! I mean, we’re practically living together already, right?”

“Exactly!”

The two senpais laughed cheerfully at the idea.

Truly… thank you so much…

“I’ll talk to my uncle today, and if everything goes smoothly, I can move out as early as this weekend.”

“Whoa, that’s quick…”

“What are you talking about? If I don’t move out soon, Yuuta-kun and Hatsune-chan will keep suffering in the meantime, won’t they?”

“You’re right.”

Wow… things are happening so fast.

A new life with Kakizaki-san in a new place, huh…

“…Naoe-kun, you’re making a really idiot face right now.”

“Huh!? What!?”

Mushakoji-san stared at me with a deadpan expression, and I instinctively touched my face in a panic.

But… yeah.

Living with Kakizaki-san really does make me so happy.

Living with her fills me with so much joy.

I… and Kakizaki-san…

“Well, anyway, let’s start making preparations today!”

Sasaki-senpai pumped his fist, fired up.

“Right! I’ll talk to my uncle too. Oh, and Kouki, you’re definitely helping me with my move!”

“O-of course! And Yuuta will help too, right?”

“Haha… well, if I don’t, we can’t exactly move in, can we?”

“Exactly!”

Hmm… I just stocked up on groceries last week, but now I’ll have to buy more essentials.

And… I’ll have to talk to my parents too…

“Fufu… I can’t wait to see the look on those idiots’ faces when we get even.”

Mushakoji-san smirked wickedly as she spoke.

Haha… go for it.

And so, we disbanded—or, at least, we were about to.

“Oh, Yuuta, one more thing—you don’t need to work tonight.”

“Eh?”

Just as we were leaving, Sasaki-senpai casually dropped this, leaving me blinking in surprise.

“Of course not! You need to stay by Hatsune-chan’s side tonight.”

“Ah, y-yes!”

Really… Sasaki-senpai always notices the most important things.

Since I was told to take the night off, I figured I might as well skip my afternoon lectures too.

With that thought, I grabbed my bag, left campus, and headed straight for Kakizaki-san’s apartment.

But when I got there—

“Huh…?”

Kakizaki-san, who should’ve been waiting there, was gone.

She’d left behind only a single note on the small table.