When I reunited with my arrogant childhood friend, she had become a talented and beautiful girl – Even though she has probably forgotten about me and I don’t want to be toyed with, for some reason she keeps getting involved with me!?

“Oh, this turned into a proper room, hasn’t it?”

As promised, Fumiko came to visit in the morning, and we unpacked and cleaned together.

All the cardboard boxes that had been piled up until a little while ago were now gone, and looking at the clean room, I couldn’t help but let out an exclamation of admiration.

This room… I didn’t realize it was so spacious.

“Yes, it was just a storage room until a while ago,” Fumiko said calmly. At her words, I couldn’t say anything and fell silent.

Honestly, if Fumiko hadn’t come to help, it might have remained like that forever.

“Really, at your age, you should be able to keep your room tidy,” she chided, sounding like a mother. All I could do was bow my head and apologize.

“And… to think you’d have me help with unpacking. I, I mean, considering it’s me,” she added, her cheeks turning slightly red with embarrassment as she turned her face away.

“I’m well aware of that. Really, Fumiko is the only one for me…”

“Sho, sure,” she stammered, her reddened cheeks trembling slightly.

“…I suppose so.”

“…I’ll go home.”

“Wait, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!!”

“What is it? The unpacking is done, so there’s no problem if I go home,” she said, sounding a little prickly as I caught her hand to stop her from leaving.

Her cheeks were puffed out, clearly sulking… her reaction was so adorable, I couldn’t resist teasing her, but that was a mistake.

“No, it’s already lunchtime, right? I’ll make lunch, so please eat before you go.”

“…Eh?”

Her face looked as if she had been struck by lightning.

“Se-senpai… Can you cook?”

“Well, I told you before that I could.”

“No way…!! After all, your fridge only ever contains water and nutritional supplements! Look!!”

With that, Fumiko flung the refrigerator door open with vigour.

Usually, my sad refrigerator only contains water, nutritional supplements, and nutritional jellies, but today it was filled with various ingredients, as I planned to serve Fumiko a home-cooked meal.

“Sho, there’s food in here!?”

She was so shocked that she froze.

“Well, is that something to be so surprised about?”

Just then, the rice cooker beeped.

Great, it seemed the rice I had set earlier was now cooked.

“Did you cook rice!?”

“You’re making fun of me… Just sit down.”

“Yes, yes…”

Still looking puzzled, Fumiko took a seat in the now-clean living room.

“By the way, lunch is your favorite, omelette rice.”

“Stop making things up… I never told you that I liked omelette rice, did I?”

I could hear her voice from the living room.

“…Huh? Was that so? I can make something else if you don’t want it.”

Remembering the ingredients in the fridge, I started thinking about other dishes.

“…No, I like omelette rice. But…”

“Don’t worry, there’s no corn or green peas in it.”

“…I see.”

As I grinned at her and answered, Fumiko turned her face away, looking uncomfortable.

Her reaction was clearly that of someone who didn’t want to be thought of as childish.

“Haha, I get it. I don’t like omelette rice with corn and green peas in it either.”

I took out eggs, butter, ketchup, chicken, onions, carrots, and bell peppers from the fridge. Then, from the shelf, I took out salad oil, a cutting board, and a knife. I was all set to cook.

Just as I was about to start cutting the onion, I felt a gaze from the side.

“Don’t mind me. I’ll just watch from here.”

It felt like a child watching their first cooking attempt being observed. She was holding a first aid kit in both hands.

Hmm, I think I’m getting a good grasp of what Fumiko thinks about me.

Honestly, it’s a bit hard to work with her watching me… Well, it’s okay.

I started cooking under Fumiko’s watchful eyes.

At first, she was watching me with worry, but gradually her expression changed, and now she was watching me with wide eyes in surprise.

“What’s up?”

“No, it’s just… you’re more skilled than I imagined.”

“Well, this is what happens when I put my mind to it.”

“Then please put your mind to it on a regular basis.”

I can’t argue with that logic.

But—

“When it’s just for me, I can’t seem to find the motivation.”

“So you’re saying you can work hard for others?”

“When you put it that way… yeah, I guess that might be the case.”

Even now, I’m cooking for Fumiko, so I’m motivated, and I even find myself enjoying it.

Maybe I’m the type of person who likes to take care of others.

…No, maybe not.

“Then, senpai. Would you like to share a room with me?”

I was so shocked by her sudden proposition that I almost lost control of what I was doing.

“…What?”

No, how did we get here?

“I think you’re the type of person who will go to ruin if you live alone. If we share the housework and cooperate, wouldn’t that improve your unhealthy lifestyle?”

“No, but this place is too small for two people to live…”

Why can’t I come up with a better response than that?

“It’s fine. The Fumiko family owns more than enough apartments with rooms large enough for two people to live. You can choose whichever one you want. Besides, you’ll save on rent.”

“Whoa, don’t just bring your family’s wealth into this!!”

Just then, Fumiko’s phone rang.

“Hey, your phone’s ringing.”

As I said that, she went to get her phone with an unhappy look on her face.

Phew, I was saved… If the conversation had continued, I would have definitely been persuaded into sharing a room with her. Her eyes were that serious.

But now I can focus on cooking.

I finished making the omelette rice and arranged it on the table.

Then Fumiko sat next to me, just like before.

I believe everyone has their personal space, but do high school girls like Nakano and Fumiko not have it?

“…It’s delicious.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Hearing those words relieved me. It’s not that I lacked confidence, but it’s reassuring and pleasing to be told that it’s delicious.

I wonder if Fumiko felt the same way when she cooked for me before.

“You know, I think the food tastes better than usual, maybe because the room is clean.”

“You better keep it this clean, okay? If you mess it up, I won’t help clean it up.”

Although she says that, I have a feeling that Fumiko would help clean up anyway.

“Senior, I have… a request or, rather, a proposal.”

“Hm? What is it?”

I hope it’s not a continuation of the room-sharing thing from earlier.

“…Would you run with me in the upcoming student council election as the vice president?”

My hand, which was moving the spoon, stopped abruptly.

Thinking it was a joke, I looked up to see Fumiko’s serious expression.