CH 40

The three of us went into the coffee shop and once again we decided to introduce ourselves.

“I’m Kanade Doumoto. Thank you so much for what you did for me back then.”

I can understand her upbringing in the way she bowed her head politely.

But what I was more interested in was her last name. 

Aina looked surprised as well as me, and she tilted her head trying to put things together.

“Ahh, sorry. I was surprised to hear your last name.”

“Is your last name… as well?”

I nodded.

“Hayato Doumoto. That’s my name.”

“… Ehh?”

Well, that seems to be the case.

It is not unusual to have the same surname. But still, I was surprised because the person who saved and the person who was saved had the same surname. The world is a small place, now I believe it’s as true as they say.

“I’m surprised that you have the same last name as Hayato-kun. I’m Aina Shinjo. Nice to meet you.”

“Ah, yes! Let’s see, it’s… Doumoto-san and Shinjo-san, was it? Pleased to meet you too.”

I kind of feel a bit weird to call her Doumoto-san.

Apparently, it was Aina, who thought so, too, and with a chuckle, she mentioned something like this.

“Hey, if it’s okay with you, why don’t we use our first names? It’s a bit complicated for both you and Hayato-kun to call each other by your last names, isn’t it?”

“Is that fine…?”

Aina’s words were gratifying.

I nodded, saying that of course, it was better that way.

“… Then, please let me call you Hayato-san and Aina-san. In return, I would appreciate it if you could call me Kanade as well.”

“I get it. Kanade-chan.”

Kanade seemed happy that I called her name. And for some reason, she suddenly turned her focus on me. She’s intently staring at me… perhaps, she wants me to say it again?

“… Kanade-chan.”

“Ah… ehehe♪… Yes!”

Aina muttered the word “so cute” next to me.

She certainly has a very cute smile. Looking at Kanade again, her black hair is about the same length as Arisa’s, though she has it in twin-tails, which makes her look a bit childish. Her dark eyes are the same as mine, and her face is small so anyone who sees her would probably think she has a cute face.

“Kanade-chan’s uniform is from Seijo Girls, right?”

Kanade nodded.

The name is not what it sounds like, but it’s the high school she was going to. The fact that I’ve been in a co-ed school all my life makes me nervous when I actually meet an all-girls high school student like this. I feel they have a little bit of sophistication, or a kind of specialness that co-ed students don’t have.

“Ah, even though it’s an all-girls high school, I’m just a normal student. So I would be happy if both of you could treat me normally. The only difference between us is whether we’re male or female, or whether only girls go there.”

Although Kanade said so, I’ve heard that Seijo Girls is a place where quite a few rich students gather… huh? So that means it’s not wrong to say that she’s a good young lady.

“Hey, it’s already dark outside, do you have a curfew or something?”

“… Hah?”

That’s why I thought it was okay not to leave early… This response seems to be a bold no-no.

“… Erm~… It’s totally fine! I mean, it’s not like there was a curfew when I was looking for Hayato-san until this time of night! It’s totally fine!”

“… Were you alright all this time?”

“… Yes.”

I wondered if this girl was a bit of a doofus despite her appearance.

It’s true that me and Aina were the one who called her into the store in the form of an invitation, but it might be better to get her home as soon as possible.

“…Oh, wait a minute.”

It looks like Kanade got a call on her phone.

Kanade choked on her words as she looked at the screen of her phone and answered the phone in fear.

“… Mama? Yes… sorry. I’m so sorry for worrying you…”

She bowed her head apologetically, which made me feel sorry for her. If I could, I would tell Kanade’s mother that we were the cause of the problem, but it would make things even more complicated if I, a man, were to say that.

“Hey, Kanade-chan, can I talk to her for a minute?”

“Eh? Uh, okay.”

After saying that, Aina received the phone from Kanade.

“Hello, I’m sorry for taking the call, my name is Shinjo… Yes, I met Kanade-chan today and we were talking at a coffee shop. I am so sorry for causing you to worry.”

“Um, Aina-san, I’m the one who’s at fault…”

“Just get on with it. Yes… ah, really? I understand. We will be waiting then. Okay then.”

She gave the phone back to Kanade, after she seemingly finished talking.

Aina then told me what she said, as I stared at Kanade,

“She wasn’t angry, she’s just worried. She also asked me to stay by her side while she comes to pick her up, is that okay?”

“Ahh, that’s all right. I don’t mind at all.”

I see. Well, that’s good.

Relieved and a little distracted, I felt the need to go to the bathroom. 

I put in a word to Aina and headed to the bathroom and returned to my seat after I felt refreshed.

“….? What’s up?”

“Noo, it’s nothing.”

“… Yes. It’s nothing.”

I was curious about Aina, who seemed to be enjoying herself, and Kanade, who looked a little embarrassed.

I didn’t ask her about it because she told me it was nothing, but Kanade-chan kept stealing glances at me…

“Is something wrong…?”

“Oh, uh, that… the thing…”

Did I do something wrong?

I was feeling anxious, but Kanade-chan’s next words, as if she had made up her mind, were completely unexpected.

“Um… is it okay if I call Hayato-san as Onii-san?”

“Onii-san?”

“Yes. I’ve always admired the figure of a big brother, and when I’m talking to Hayato-san like this, I think you’re the kind of a big brother to me which I often see in comic books.”

“Heh..”

Well, I’m older than her, so there’s nothing strange about that?

I was a little surprised to be called that by a girl I just met today though, but I nodded my head lightly, deciding it was fine.

“… big brother… big brother”

“Pfft♪”

Aina chuckled at Kanade-chan who was muttering those words,

A few moments later, a car came to pick her up, and Kanade bowed her head and headed to the car.

“She’s indeed a mysterious girl.”

“I guess so…”

She wasn’t the type to see much in people since she’s still young.

I don’t know why it felt somewhat more familiar than it was. That’s what bothered me.

“Speaking of which…”

“What?”

“Aina said that Kanade-chan is like her, why?”

“Ah, that~.”

Aina giggled and answered my question.

“I wonder if it’s the way she looks at Hayato-kun.”

“How she… look at me?”

“Yeah. I think we are very much alike. I feel a little bit close to her… After that, I simply thought that this is what it would be like to have a younger sister. I’m sure Hayato-kun would be happy to have such a cute little sister.”

Well, I haven’t thought of that.

I’m an only child and I feel like if I had an older sister I would love to be spoiled by her and if I had a younger sister I would love her to the fullest. I’ve heard that actual siblings don’t get along with each other as often as they should…

“Well, we should go home too. My sister and mother are waiting for us.”

“Alright.”

Well, there’s a lot going on, but let’s hurry home so we don’t keep them waiting.

[Postscript]

Happy New Year!

I look forward to seeing you again this year as well.