And so, my childhood friend asked me "Want to go home together?"

I'm at the library after school, doing some routine work. I'm off to a good start as one hour already passed and I'm still writing. Well, that's because...

"Ahhh!!! Why the hell did I send that tweet? Nira-san definitely thinks I'm weird."

I need something to escape my current reality and so I turn to my heavy load of work to divert my attention. I was so shocked that I also ended up writing the next chapter without realizing it.

"I guess I should post this tomorrow morning..."

I cross my arms and stare at the dirty library ceiling. Normally, I would have no qualms with posting it, but I'm hesitating.

How will Nira-san react? It's highly possible that I got myself involved with a suspicious person.

Thinking about all of this, it feels like I've been run through with a sword.

Nira-san's helpful thoughts and words really did help me as a writer though. Yeah, my work definitely didn't do anything wrong.

To my first fan, I'm sorry that I dragged you into my personal life with my complex relationship with my childhood friend, I really am a stupid author. I need to atone for my sin somehow. With my big sigh, it's natural that I would attract the attention of everyone else.

"Why does your face look like it's the last day of summer break?"

I notice Rin standing beside me, with a big pout on her face and she's glaring daggers at me. Well, she seems a little different from usual.

"Why is your face a little red?"

"...Tsk"

"Rin?"

"I-it's just that it's really hot here."

"Okay, that's fair."

It is true that with the lack of ventilation, the library can get pretty hot.

"Putting that aside, why are you here?"

"Please stop acting so pretentious, like you're some high-level, government worker."

"It's pretty great that you can come up with those right on the spot."

"Good response. Well... after you're done writing, want to go home together?"

"Huh?" "Please stop acting like a dumb child."

"No, that's awesome."

That sounds like an ability I want!

"You aren't going home with Hashimoto-san?"

"Yuumin and Hiyorin already went home."

"What was the rush for them?"

Rin avoids my gaze for some reason after my honest question.

"Well... it's good once in a while to go home with my childhood friend."

Rin's cheek became even more dyed with red. This definitely isn't because of the library's humidity. She's not being honest and ignoring her true feelings.

The fact that she is also so prickly with me shows that she trusts me. At least I hope so.

We've been together for 10 years, I'm sure Rin has some form of attachment to me. At least I hope so.

However, she is embarrassed to speak so honestly, which is why she chose her words carefully when asking me to go home. At least I hope so.

At least I hope so... huh? I hate presumptuous people.

"You're thinking of weird stuff right now, I know it!"

"Definitely not."

"Please stop sounding so robotic."

"You really are amazing."

And so, we go home together. Honestly, I'm pretty happy. My mind was a mess after lunch when I was imagining Rin being the target of revenge.

I'm really grateful to have met Rin. I'll post my newest chapter tomorrow for sure.

______