A few dozen minutes spent swaying on the train from the station nearest to the school.
We arrived at the station nearest to my house and walked the path home from there.
“I’ve completely memorized the roads around here now.”
“I see.”
“Yeah. Well, I used to come around here a lot in the past, too.”
“That’s true.”
“There used to be a convenience store around here back then... but it’s gone now, so it’s become a bit inconvenient.”
“That’s for sure~”
After walking for ten minutes while making idle small talk, we arrived at the house.
“Excuse me for the intrusion,” Kanade said politely.
“Today... well, today as well, my mom and the others are working overtime, so don’t worry.”
“Ufufu. That’s actually not very reassuring.”
Kanade really is a kind girl.
“I’ll go brew some tea, so could you go wait in your room first?”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
Told so by Kanade, I headed toward my room.
...Wait, why did the flow lead to Kanade brewing the tea?
This is my house, right?
Anyway, entering the room first, I decided to return the teddy bear to its original place.
“Sorry for the wait.”
“...Ah.”
However, Kanade entered the room at the worst possible timing.
“You were moving it after all.”
Kanade looked a bit angry as she placed the glasses of barley tea on the table.
“Well, it had gathered some dust.”
“There’s no need to worry about that.”
“...But, didn't you say it yourself?”
“Eh?”
“That I should think of this teddy bear as you.”
...In short, I couldn’t allow your substitute to be covered in dust.
It was too embarrassing to say that out loud, but that was the reason I had moved the teddy bear.
“...Muu.”
Kanade puffed out her cheeks.
It seemed she wasn't convinced by my explanation.
“Well, then... it’s fine to leave it there.”
Ultimately, however, she allowed the teddy bear not to be placed on the top shelf of the bookshelf. What a tolerant girl Kanade is.
...Tolerant, huh?
“Ei!”
Abruptly, Kanade dove face-first into the bed I use for sleeping.
“Ak-kun, you idiot.”
Kanade lay face down, kicking her legs back and forth.
...Umm, well.
Every time Kanade kicked her legs, her skirt fluttered and swayed... It was truly eye candy—no, I didn't know where to look. When I stole a glance, her healthy thighs were exposed.
That aside, just where exactly was I being an idiot?
Rarely for me, I couldn't agree with even one part of her statement.
Perhaps Kanade’s mood still hadn't improved, as she hugged my pillow and buried her face in it. She turned over on the bed, curled up on her side, and grew quiet.
...I really don't know where to look.
“Kanade, what did you come here for?” I asked.
Or rather, it was a complaint. She came here today to study. At this rate, forget studying, she looked like she would fall asleep there until dinner time.
“...Ak-kun.”
“What is it?”
“...What if, okay?”
Kanade's voice was muffled as she spoke with her face still buried in the pillow.
“What if... I said I came here today to do something other than studying, what would you do?”
Hearing Kanade's muffled words, I thought about it. ...If she had come here today to do something other than studying.
Just what in the world did Kanade come here to do?
The first thing that came to mind given Kanade's current state was... she came to sleep? But if that were the case, she could just sleep at her own house instead of mine.
Then... judging from her provocative behavior...
...If that's the case.
If Kanade came here today with those intentions...
“Ak-kun...? What would you do...?”
I...
“I’d get angry.”
...I spoke with a frown between my brows.
A brief silence followed.
“...Eh?!”
Kanade hurriedly lifted her face from the pillow, looking flustered.
“I mean... that would mean you came here today not to study, but to get in my way, right?”
Looking at Kanade's current situation, no other idea came to my mind.
“No, even if you didn't come to get in my way... you came here to study, didn't you? To get good grades on the test. To deepen your learning. For your own future...!”
“...Au.”
“Then, let’s do this properly.”
“...Yes.”
Uncharacteristically weak, Kanade got off the bed and headed to the table. I felt a bit apologetic, thinking I might have said too much... but whether I think about it calmly or not, I feel like Kanade is about sixty percent to blame for this incident... well, I’ll make sure to apologize properly later.
“Ak-kun...”
A few dozen minutes after we started studying, a teary-eyed Kanade called out to me.
“What?”
“I don't understand this problem...”
“Ah, that one is...”
From then on, we focused on our studies until my parents returned home.