Chapter 33

Before I knew it, five days had passed.

According to the original plan, I was supposed to stay at my parents’ house for six days, so I’d be leaving tomorrow.

It’s a long way from home, so I wouldn’t be able to come back anytime soon. The next time I’d return would probably be New Year’s.

In other words, tonight was the last night I’d spend in this house for the summer.

So, as a sort of farewell, I sat at the living room table with Dad, sharing a drink.

"Shin."

"Thank you."

Dad placed a glass in front of me. It was filled with whiskey on the rocks. The rich aroma made me think it must’ve been something expensive.

"...Shin, Yuu’s a good person, isn’t she?"

"Yeah."

I nodded at Dad’s words. It was something I’d been thinking for months now.

"A woman like that is rare. Take good care of her."

"...Of course I will."

Something about the way he said it felt a little off, but it wasn’t wrong. Yuu was my precious best friend. I didn’t need to be told to cherish her.

"Congratulations, Shin."

"...Thanks?"

For a second, I hesitated, unsure what he was congratulating me for. But after a moment, I figured it must be about finding a best friend like Yuu.

"Hah… Hearing it said so formally is kinda embarrassing."

"That’s how it goes."

I guess he’d been worried about me not having many friends. It was equal parts awkward and touching.

"It’s a celebration. Let’s drink."

"Thanks."

Dad refilled my half-empty glass. That night, we drank together late into the evening.

The next afternoon.

Yuu, Mom, Dad, and I stood together at the train station.

"Did you forget anything?"

"Nope, I’m good."

I replied automatically to Mom’s question—the same one I’d heard every time I left home. It almost felt like being a kid again.

"Yuu-chan, you’re all set too?"

"Yes, I’m fine!"

Yuu and Mom had grown surprisingly close over these six days. Yuu’s smile as she answered was a far cry from the uneasy expression she’d had when we first arrived.

"Yuu-chan, you’re always welcome here, okay?"

"Thank you so much."

Seriously, these two had really hit it off.

"Shin, it’s almost time for the train."

"Huh? Already? …Oh, you’re right."

A glance at the clock confirmed we had just five minutes left. We’d better hurry.

"Yuu, let’s go. Dad, Mom—see you at New Year’s."

"Mm. We’ll see you both then."

After saying goodbye, we headed for the platform.

With time running short, we picked up the pace. I lifted Yuu’s carry-on and broke into a light jog.

"Thanks."

"Nah, it’s nothing."

No time to drag it slowly—this was only natural. By the time we reached the platform, the train was already waiting. We’d barely made it.

"Glad we caught it."

I let out a relieved sigh as we boarded. Somehow, we’d managed to get on the right train.

Luckily, the car was mostly empty, with plenty of open seats. We settled into a pair of seats side by side.

"Hey, Shin."

"What?"

I turned to see Yuu smiling brightly at me.

"Your parents are really nice."

"...Yeah. I think so too."

Putting it into words was embarrassing, but I truly meant it. And I was a little happy that Yuu had grown to like my family home.

Too flustered to hold her gaze, I looked out the window just as the station began to shrink into the distance.

…Yeah. When New Year’s comes, I’ll bring Yuu with me again.

A little while later, I started dozing off.

Probably because of last night’s drinking. Combined with the train’s steady rhythm, my eyelids grew heavy.

My eyes began to close on their own—until Yuu suddenly spoke up.

"...Shin, can I borrow your phone? There’s something I want to look up."

"...My phone? Sure."

Still half-asleep, I handed it over without thinking. Yuu had gotten pretty good at using smartphones lately. It was almost nostalgic remembering how, just three months ago, she’d struggled to find the power button on a computer.

…Maybe it’s about time I got Yuu her own phone as a gift. The thought drifted through my drowsy mind.

"...Huh? Wha—WH-WHAT?!"

"...Yuu?"

Suddenly, Yuu started flailing in panic. When I looked, her face had turned bright red.

"Aaaaahhh…"

"Did something happen?"

Her frantic movements snapped me awake. Worried, I called out to her.

"N-N-Nothing! It’s nothing!"

"O…kay?"

She hurriedly closed the browser tab she’d been staring at and shoved the phone back at me.

I had no idea what had happened. But judging by her expression—flustered as she was—it didn’t seem like anything bad. If anything, it reminded me of that time she’d had alcohol.

"Wh-What do I do…?"

"..."

If it wasn’t anything bad, then as much as I was curious, maybe I shouldn’t pry. She’d closed the tab, so she probably didn’t want me to know.

I decided not to check the search history.

…Well, everyone has things they’d rather keep to themselves.

"Aaaaaaahhh…"

As Yuu clutched her head and let out a tiny scream, I selected [Clear All History].

Somehow… lately, Yuu’s been like this every now and then, huh?