NOVEL WEB Chapter 28
“Ko, Ko Gayang.”
“Uh?”
“U-Um, um, hey, uh, would it be alright if you stayed over at our home tonight?”
“…Huh?”
What is this? Is she trying to seduce me right now?
A sudden question flashed through Suzuha’s mind.
Of course, that thought quickly faded, but the flush on Suzuha’s face showed no signs of retreating.
“W-Well, it’s just that no one is home today, and I’m scared to be alone…”
Suzuha knew too well what Izumi meant—she wasn’t being hidden behind a veil of other meanings.
But the image of Izumi, sitting on a chair wrapped in a blanket and looking up at her, was just too…
“C-Can’t you just?”
What could she possibly say?
It was only natural that such thoughts flitted through her mind, as Izumi looked so sensually cute!
Her eyes had a soft pink hue from earlier tears, and the blue irises seemed teary with fear.
Seeing her huddled under the blanket, glancing up at herself and shivering…
That was totally unfair—
And so even after thinking those thoughts, Suzuha was fully prepared to defend herself by hiding under her hands.
“You know, it would be a nuisance, wouldn’t it? I mean, you have a broadcast later, and I’m really sorry…”
“Ugh…”
To say she wasn’t discomforted right now would have been blatant hypocrisy.
Just like Izumi had mentioned, after today’s off-collabo, wasn’t she supposed to have her personal broadcast at 10:30?
While there were several reasons, including Suzuha being a night owl, the crucial point was that she also had her own broadcasting schedule tonight.
But…
“I-I’m really sorry for being selfish…”
How could she possibly leave behind such a timid, scared little pet like her?
That was definitely an impossible task for Suzuha.
If this was all an act, then Izumi surely had a talent for acting.
With that thought, Suzuha bowed her head and sighed.
“Okay, I’ll stay over tonight. The broadcast? I can just explain the situation and take a day off.”
“…What? But that’s too much of a problem…”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. I know you’re scared, but I’m the one who brought this upon you, so I’ll consider it an apology. It’s just a casual talk stream anyway.”
Earlier during the broadcast, Suzuha had been wandering through various internet communities, checking out evaluations of today’s off-collabo for some ego surfing.
And if she had to pick the most memorable comment, it would be:
“Mei-chan always seems to be swayed heavily by Suzuha-chi, which is hilarious lol.”
That’s what the netizen had written.
Suzuha wanted to tell that writer:
“Despite appearances, it’s really me who’s always being led around by Izumi.”
“…Though it seems like she doesn’t have that self-awareness.”
“Uh? Did you call me?”
“Nothing at all.”
Looking at the shivering Izumi, Suzuha smiled lightly and sighed again.
★
“So, what should I do about pajamas?”
When I heard that, I looked at Suzuha Koga’s outfit.
A white short-sleeve shirt and summer jeans.
Definitely not a suitable outfit for her.
“Hmm.”
Everyone may have forgotten, but Suzuha Koga is shorter than me.
But seeing her in such a mature casual outfit was just strange.
Of course, she was older than me, but it still felt dissonant and oddly thrilling…
It’s unavoidable to see her with those sly eyes, all thanks to Suzuha Koga!
“Stop thinking weird things, Izumi.”
“I-I’m not!”
How did she know?!
Suzuha Koga must be a mind reader, piercing through the facade of this self-proclaimed poker face I have!
“So, what should we do about pajamas?”
“Um, um.”
If my previous life had asked how to deal with not having pajamas, I would have replied, “Just sleep in your clothes for one day.”
I had never seen a clear distinction between outdoor clothes and pajamas.
Well, she usually brought pajamas whenever she visited us.
But now, I know.
It’s way more comfortable to wear pajamas while sleeping!
Just my own pajamas are fluffy and made from a material that lets air flow easily.
Lying on a bed in that outfit would be pure bliss.
And seeing Suzuha Koga’s appeal about not having pajamas, she must be another victim who’s fallen into the snare of that blessed garment.
“Pajamas, you sinful creature…”
“What are you saying all of a sudden?”
“Ah, it’s nothing…”
“Um. I waited a long time outside, so my clothes are all sweaty and I want to change….”
Of course, I have some pajamas.
I have several pairs, and my mom and Yuyika also wear pajamas, so there are extras to spare.
But the problem is that all those clothes are too big for Suzuha Koga.
Even my smallest size at home wouldn’t fit her, and lending her Yuyika or my mom’s pajamas is just unreasonable.
All the clothes from a few years ago were disposed of, so I have nothing left.
What should I do?
As I pondered over that, Suzuha Koga cleared her throat and spoke up.
“I can manage even if they’re a bit loose, so just lend me anything.”
“But it would be uncomfortable for you…”
Not to mention, Suzuha Koga is the one who I asked to stay over.
I can’t make her go through that discomfort…
“Pajamas are actually more comfortable when they’re loose, so it’s fine.”
“Huh?”
Loose pajamas?
“…Ah. I-I might have some.”
“Really?”
“Uh, um, I think I have pajamas that Suzuha Koga can wear. I-I think they might be in my mom’s closet…”
★
“…This is comfy.”
“Hehe.”
The pajama Suzuha Koga wore after washing up was a cat-themed animal pajama that I had lent her.
My mom had bought it during a business trip last year, and I had kept it instead of wearing it again as it was a bit too warm.
So I had thought it might spend its lifetime stuck in my closet, but now it found new life.
While it might still be slightly warm since it’s winter wear, it wouldn’t be an issue with the air conditioning turned on.
No, this is practically a luxury.
Wearing winter pajamas with the air conditioner at full blast, nestled under blankets, even the gods of the underworld would agree that’s happiness.
And it would certainly fit Suzuha Koga loosely, allowing good ventilation.
“…I never thought I would wear something like this at my age.”
Suzuha Koga sighed as she said that.
When I first showed her that pajama, she reacted as if to say, “You expect me to wear this right now?”
But Suzuha Koga. We must acknowledge something.
It’s incredibly important for people to have self-awareness.
For instance, my true essence may be the ultra-cool silver-haired middle-aged man of 40, but in reality, I’m just a socially awkward high school girl living with a communication impairment.
I’m merely hiding my true self because the world is still too fragile to expose it…
In any case, even if Suzuha Koga is technically an adult, she’s still just a cute girl on the outside.
No matter how much she boasts about her “Maman-ryoku” (Mama Powers), she can’t escape the adorable pajama look.
So this choice of mine is absolutely the right answer without any mistake.
“Well, while the laundry is running… what should we do now?”
At Suzuha Koga’s words, I shifted my gaze to the computer monitor, which showed it was 8:32.
“Well, we should probably eat dinner, right?”
“I’m fine with that, but is Izumi okay? You had lunch a bit late, right?”
“I’m fine as well.”
Though I had eaten lunch late, delaying dinner too long would mess up my routine.
It’d be better to eat a bit less for the evening.
“Alright then. Let’s just order something simple for dinner. I’ll pay.”
“What? If we’re ordering out, then I should be the one to pay…”
“If I take a meal from a high school student, what kind of position would that put me in? Just enjoy the meal.”
“Uh, well…”
I would have said the same thing if I were in Suzuha Koga’s shoes.
But…
“D-Doing that while wearing such clothes….”
“…What?”
“Eeek! So sorry…!”
At my words, Suzuha Koga’s expression suddenly went pale.
It was even scarier than that giant zombie from the game earlier, and I had no choice but to bow my head and apologize immediately.
Ugh. I just stated a fact and ended up in this situation.
“Has freedom of speech collapsed…?”
“Stop talking nonsense and just tell me what you want to eat.”
“Ah. I-I’d like chicken…”
“Chicken? Well, we can just order one and share it.”
But? If there’s chicken? Maybe I wouldn’t mind sacrificing my freedom of speech.
Chicken is invincible, and cola is divine.
Ah, this is bliss!
★
Late at night, past 11 PM.
It goes without saying that I was feeling quite drowsy.
I had napped somewhat awkwardly during lunch, and then stuffed myself with chicken and cola for dinner.
But even so, I couldn’t just go to sleep right away.
Whenever I closed my eyes, the image of that giant zombie from the horror game would come up…
So I should really avoid horror games in the future.
People who enjoy such genres must definitely be masochists.
“Izumi. Are you asleep?”
“N-No, I’m still awake.”
“Hmm.”
Suzuha Koga was lying next to a blanket on the floor next to my bed.
Initially, I felt a bit bad for making her stay over without really wanting to, so I proposed we lie together on the bed.
After all, both of us were small enough to fit together just fine!
But when I suggested it, Suzuha Koga’s face turned red for some reason, and she insisted that she was fine with a blanket on the floor.
…Truthfully, I thought she’d probably be scared sleeping alone on the bed.
However, since I couldn’t say something so embarrassing, I ended up spreading the blanket on the floor, and she was left alone in bed feeling anxious and unable to sleep.
“Are you scared and unable to sleep?”
“N-No… Y-Yes, I’m a bit scared to be honest.”
“Really? Then do you want to talk a little more until you fall asleep?”
“Y-Yeah, I’d like that.”
Thank goodness.
If Suzuha Koga had actually fallen asleep, I would definitely assess the situation and cuddle with her on the floor.
…What am I going to do about this fear?
“Then I’ll go first. I have something I’m curious about.”
“Y-Yes! I’m ready to answer anything!”
“Do you remember the promise we made about collabing once a month?”
“Of course, I remember! Hehe…”
That’s a precious sign that Suzuha Koga still considers me a friend.
“I hope you didn’t nod along out of obligation. If you did, we wouldn’t need to hold collabs regularly.”
“…Huh?”
What is she even saying?