After getting through afternoon classes, I headed straight home. I don't have a part-time job today, and since I just went shopping yesterday, I don't have to worry about the contents of my fridge. If I had to say so, I would say that the supermarket I don't usually go to is having a limited-time sale on eggs…but unlike last month, I didn't go out drinking this month, so my wallet is relatively comfortable. So, I don't have to be that stingy.
Returning home, I toss my light bag, which contains only a pencil case or so, by the front door and went to the living room. I have another appointment with Mahiru today, but she always comes around six in the evening, which means I can still rummage around for a while.
Sitting on the mattress folded up in the corner of the room, I spread out the recipe book I had bought the other day.
“What does it mean to have a 'cute girl friend' over at your house and you just ignore her and read?”
“...Unfortunately, I don't remember any fictitious existence of a 'pretty girl friend' in my mind.”
Aoba Aoi, a tall woman who somehow followed me home from college, puts her hands on her slender hips and stretches her chest out as I coldly reply to her while looking at the pages with various hamburger recipes.
“Can you please look up at me? There is such a cute girl right in front of you, you know? You and I are best friends, aren't we?”
“You've got too much self-esteem. You and I may be friends, but we're not best friends.”
“I don't mind if I'm not friends with you for a couple of hundred steps, but can you just agree that I'm 'Cute'?”
“Bastard, don't you put your reputation above being friends with me.”
I look up at her with a sigh, but she giggles and smiles in her usual amused way.
“I mean…what are you really doing here, Aoba? There's nothing that interesting in my house, you know?”
“I already know that. It's not like it's my first time here, so I don't expect that much from Yuu.”
“You understand me so well…so, why did you follow me? I thought you were going for a drink?”
“Un, that’s why I thought we could have a drink at your place.”
“Haa!? What are you talking about!?”
“Isn’t that great~! Hey, I want a Cassis Orange, do you have any in the fridge?”
“None! I don't drink at my place, to begin with!”
“Ehh~? This is troubling, you should’ve told me earlier. I'm going to go get some now.”
“You're the one in trouble! You really should go home! I told you I had an appointment late—”
Before I could finish, the doorbell rang. Aoba gave me a wicked smiled, who suddenly looks at the front door.
“Yes~ Who is it~?”
“W-Wait, Aoba! You've been planning to do that from the start, aren’t you—!?”