Chapter 43 The Worst Timing

The Worst Timing

Bang!

The door slammed shut.

Water droplets dripped from my hair.

My clothes were completely soaked, clinging to me uncomfortably.

…But more importantly.

“So, this is Irara’s house…”

It was an ordinary detached house, but the entrance was spotless.

Shoes were neatly put away, and two pairs of slippers were lined up perfectly on the mat.

It was clear that either her father, her mother, or both were highly organized.

The whole entrance gave off that impression.

“Kyogoku-kun, use this!”

“O-Oh. Thanks.”

Irara walked over briskly and handed me a bath towel.

Her rain-soaked hair made her look even more enchanting than usual.

Avoiding her gaze, I awkwardly took the towel, hesitated for a moment, and then began wiping my hair, trying to mimic her.

…It smelled like her.

…No, stop it. That’s creepy, me!

Thinking about something like that because of a bath towel… If thoughts were crimes, I’d be facing life imprisonment.

I’m so gross. This is why I’m like this…

“Um, where are your parents?”

The silence felt unbearable, so I asked.

I wondered how it would go if I had to greet her parents.

Would they take one look at me and demand I leave? The thought was nerve-wracking.

“My mom’s at work today, so she won’t be home until late.”

“O-Oh, I see.”

“Y-Yeah.”

In other words, just the two of us.

Alone. In her house.

The sound of the rain echoed faintly through the entrance.

Feeling awkward, I folded the towel and handed it back.

“Thanks. That helped.”

“Wait, your hair’s still wet! You barely wiped it!”

“This much is fine.”

“No, it’s not! You’ll catch a cold, Kyogoku-kun!”

“They say idiots don’t catch colds. So by that logic, someone as hated as me, with a villain’s face, shouldn’t get sick either.”

“Is your body just superhuman at this point?!”

“Facing constant glares of hatred probably built up my immunity or something…”

“Ugh, that’s enough! If you won’t do it, I will!”

“Wha—?!”

Irara grabbed the towel she had been using and started drying my hair vigorously.

“Honestly, Kyogoku-kun… You always come up with the most ridiculous excuses.”

“W-Well, it’s just how I am.”

I muttered, unable to give a proper reply.

Irara pouted as she diligently wiped my hair.

Her scent surrounded me completely.

“…”

“…”

The only sounds were the rain growing heavier and the rustling of the towel.

Clenching my fists, I tried with all my might to suppress certain thoughts.

Afterward, we headed upstairs.

We entered Irara’s room and began studying.

But honestly, I couldn’t focus at all at first.

“…So this is Irara’s room.”

Unlike the pristine entrance, her room carried a sweet, soothing scent that was undeniably hers.

Come to think of it, this was the first time I’d ever been in a girl’s room.

This is the sacred, forbidden realm of a girl’s room… gulp.

“I-I can’t focus with you staring at me like that…”

“Ah! S-Sorry!”

Hastily, I turned back to my textbook.

Irara sat across from me at the low table, her head tilted down in embarrassment.

What was I even doing?

The truth was, Irara probably didn’t want someone like me in her room.

Yet, she invited me in so we could study.

And honestly, I had to take this seriously—I really needed to focus.

Not concentrating would be disrespectful to her.

Even if we were alone in Irara Akari’s room!

“…Alright.”

Mumbling softly, I pushed everything else aside and focused on my materials.

Surprisingly, I found myself completely absorbed in studying.

Maybe it was because I knew how important this moment was.

Before I knew it, an hour had passed.

“Ah, I’m out of pencil lead.”

“I think there’s some on the desk over there! Feel free to use it~!”

“Got it.”

I stood up and walked over to her desk. It seemed like her usual study spot.

On it were a lamp, a pen holder, caramel, chocolate, rice crackers, candy… Wait, what? It was just snacks everywhere!

“It’s not here.”

“Eh? Maybe it’s in one of the drawers!”

Taking her suggestion, I hesitantly opened the drawers.

It felt rude rummaging through someone else’s things, so I did it as carefully as possible.

“Hmm?”

A photograph appeared.

It was placed face down. Curious, I reached out to take a look—

“Ahhh! Don’t look at that!!!”

Irara shot up in a panic, reaching for me.

Reflexively, I dodged, but the movement made me lose balance.

“Ah!”

Irara stumbled forward too, and then—

Crash!

A loud noise echoed through the room.

“Ouch…”

“Ugh!!!”

Irara ended up pinning me down.

Our bodies were pressed together, and—oh no—that part of me was touching her…

“Gah…!!”

Calm down, me!

If I didn’t control myself now, my friendship with Irara would be over!

Forget the sweet scent, the soft warmth.

Forget everything else!

Hang in there, me…!!!

“S-Sorry! I panicked and…”

Irara quickly got off me, flustered.

That was close. Somehow, I managed to avoid her noticing anything. Relieved, I exhaled—until suddenly…

The door burst open.

“I’m home~! Hey, Akari! Did you bring a boy—Oh.”

““…Oh.””

My eyes met those of the woman who entered.

She looked exactly like an older version of Irara…

“M-Mom?!?!?”

“Ara maa~!!!”

…Of all times, this had to be the moment I met her mother!?