"Maybe we should just order takeout today..."
I deserve some praise for resisting the sweet temptation twice.
No, seriously.
While Snow was taking a bath after finishing her "caffeine time," I was lying around, watching TV, and getting too lazy to cook dinner.
We had walked around a lot today, so I was tired.
And, well, there's nothing in the fridge.
I should've bought something while we were out.
"...I guess takeout will do."
Takeout is pretty convenient, isn't it? You just order, and the food is delivered right to your doorstep.
But, apparently, because of the delivery service, pizza prices tend to be a bit higher.
I once researched why pizza places can afford to do things like "buy one pizza, get a second free" or "get a free M-sized pizza," and it turned out to be a fun little tidbit of knowledge.
So, there was a pizza shop where if you order one pizza, you get an M-sized pizza free, so I ordered four pizzas, including tomorrow's.
If you wrap the pizza in plastic wrap and freeze it, you can just bake it later, and it still tastes great.
I tossed my phone aside and lay back on the bed.
...Did Snow sleep here last night?
I wasn't the kind of person who'd go so far as to roll over and smell the sheets, but now that I was aware of it, I felt strangely guilty about lying here. I guess I'm a weak man like that.
Oh, and I forgot to buy a futon.
With so much going on, I tend to forget things. I should probably start taking notes.
Something tells me things are going to get busier from here on out.
Ding, the message app notification went off.
Wondering who it was, I grabbed my phone and checked the message. It was from someone I had contacted earlier—one of my acquaintances who's really knowledgeable about the internet and tech.
The reply had come through.
Actually, the message was a little off because of my "attack" from Snow earlier.
'Got something to ask.'
'You're pretty good with the internet and computers, right?'
'Need your help with something?????'
Help with something?????
Wait, why the odd question mark?
I had sent that message, but now it felt like I was asking for help in a weirdly awkward way.
Not that it mattered. They didn't comment on the strange phrasing, just replied with "I'll hear the details later," so they were probably busy.
That person was the kind to keep a straight face and never poke fun at my mistakes.
They never laughed unless something was genuinely funny.
I guess they were just the type who didn't get emotionally worked up.
"...Still, so much has happened yesterday and today."
It feels more like a continuation of yesterday, though.
If I tried to piece everything together, it all started to feel surreal. If someone told me that Snow wasn't a spirit and that I was just avoiding reality by slacking off on job hunting, I might actually believe it.
But if that's the case, I'm the crazy one for imagining it all.
However, the sound of the shower from the bathroom and the washing machine spinning the sheets tells me this is real.
"...This has turned into a big mess, huh?"
I muttered, as if it were someone else's problem, just when the doorbell rang.
...Wait, isn't it too early for the pizza to arrive?
Could they have brought pre-made pizza instead of fresh ones?
I was hoping for fresh ones, but as I thought about it, I grabbed my wallet and headed to the door. When I opened it, I found not a delivery person, but a short girl standing there.
She had short hair and always looked sleepy. She was about 140 cm tall, small, but still a university student—my age.
"Your face says you're thinking something rude."
With that familiar, unreadable expression, she accused me of something.
"...No, that's not it. Why are you here, Chika?"
This was Nagami Chika, a classmate from university. We've known each other for four years now.
She was the one I had messaged earlier when I needed someone who knew about tech stuff.
"...You're here for an internet or PC issue, right? You should fix it soon; it could be a big deal."
Ah, so that's why she came.
For Chika, the internet and computers are like lifelines since she's involved in online work.
"It's not really a problem," I replied.
"Then what? You seemed in a hurry."
"I just need some advice. And by the way, is it okay for you to come to a guy's house this late?"
She looked at me, tilting her head as if puzzled.
"You don't have the guts for that, do you?"
She said this while looking at me innocently.
W-Wait, that's not fair. I'm a guy too!
"..."
Well... I guess she was right. I don't have the guts for that.
However, even though Chika looked youthful, she was actually pretty cute. I've seen other girls hug her, calling her a living doll, and I've envied that.
There were times when I wished I weren't a guy.
It would be awkward to send her away, but it also seemed like a troublesome misunderstanding if Snow and she bumped into each other.
"Well, come on in."
"Thanks. It's been a while since I've been to your place."
I let Chika in, mainly because of her appearance—if any neighbors saw, they might get the wrong idea.
"I can tell you're thinking something rude."
"It's just your imagination."
I quickly invited her in to avoid any awkwardness, especially since Snow could pop out at any moment.
...Wait, now that I think about it, I'll have to explain Snow eventually, so there's no need to hide it.
"Someone's here?"
Chika must have keen ears because as soon as she heard the shower running, she turned toward it.
At that exact moment, Snow, wrapped in a bath towel, popped her head out of the bathroom (her body was visible too, though), and said,
"The body wash is running low. Where's the... oh?"
Snow froze the moment she saw Chika.
Chika's expression didn't change, but there was a dark aura radiating from her that felt... ominous.
Wait, is this going to be trouble?
I mean, seriously, the timing and the way Snow came out couldn't be worse.