I walk down a moderately dark street with Chika.
At this hour, I couldn't possibly let Chika, who's practically the size of a middle schooler, walk home alone, so I decided to accompany her.
It had started drizzling, so we're sharing an umbrella, but Chika didn't bring one, and as a guy living alone, I didn't have two umbrellas. So, we ended up sharing.
Despite her appearance, she's actually 22 years old, and her personality is more mature than her looks. So, naturally, I'm feeling awkward all on my own. Unable to handle the silence any longer, I try to start a conversation.
"This time of year…"
"Hmm?"
Chika responds absent-mindedly.
"It's so damp, right?"
"...What do you think when someone says 'summer is hot'?"
"I don't know how to answer that."
Well, that's true.
"I'm basically doing the same thing right now."
"Sorry."
Even though I was struggling for conversation, I probably went too far.
"Aah... It's raining."
"You mean 'winter is cold,' right?"
"Okay, okay, I get it!"
I was considering teasing her with the same topic again, but then Chika suddenly changes the subject.
"About the company's office…"
She says, bringing up a very valid topic.
"We'll use the house you get from the Dungeon Management Bureau."
"…Is that even possible? It's a residence, you know?"
"It's possible. Renting an office for just three people is inefficient."
"Yeah, you've got a point."
When I think of a company, I always picture renting out a corner of some office building. But with just three people, and me as the "CEO," it makes more sense to save costs.
"Also, I'm thinking we'll make it a corporation. The investment money will be…"
"Do you really think I have any?"
While I don't have nothing, there's no way I have enough to start a company.
"Then I'll cover it. We only need about 10 million yen for the capital."
"Wait, you have that much?"
I knew she was making money, but this is way more than I expected. And if she can just throw that kind of cash around, she must have a lot more stashed away...
"Is it really okay?"
"I'm sure I'll make it back. Don't worry about it. But what about the procedures? Should I handle them?"
"Of course not. I'll take care of it. I feel bad leaving everything to you."
"I don't mind. I don't dislike taking care of you."
"You're like my mom or something."
A surprisingly small "mom," I add in my head.
"Hey, is your shoulder getting wet?"
"Nope, it's fine."
Actually, with the height difference and the fact that this is a one-person umbrella, I'm getting a bit wet. But when I answer, Chika just nods, saying, "Hmm, I see," before getting closer and pressing against my arm.
"Did you even listen to what I said?"
"If you catch a cold, it'll be a problem."
She's really acting like a mom.
But she's also warm… I wonder if it's because she's small.
I won't say anything though. She'd probably bite my head off if I did.
But the truth is, with her pressed against me, my shoulder doesn't get wet anymore, so that's a win.
"…Are you really sure about the 10 million? That's a huge amount."
"I know. It's just an investment, so don't make a big deal out of it."
"Even so…"
Logically, it's like investing in a company with potential, right? But still, it feels different when it's me involved.
"If it's really bothering you, I'll take it back in another way."
…Back in what way?
Her voice sounds a little suggestive, and my mind automatically goes down a certain path.
"…By 'another way,' do you mean through physical labor?"
Chika looks up at me. As always, her deep blue eyes are hard to read.
"You mean like what you were imagining?"
"What?!"
"Just kidding."
She laughs lightly. Damn, she's teasing me again, this time with her innocent appearance. Chika often teases me like this, and I always fall for it.
But I decide to just accept it this time.
I mean, it's 10 million yen after all. I'm basically in a position where I should be grateful.
"…Anyway, once I start earning, I'll pay you back first. It's not good to have these kinds of debts between friends."
"You don't have to worry about it."
"Even if you don't, I still do."
By the time we're done talking, we've reached the station. A lot of people are walking quickly, trying to escape the rain.
I actually kind of like the atmosphere of the station when it's raining. Not that I like the rain itself.
We step under the roof, and I shake the umbrella off before asking again.
"Are you sure you don't want me to walk you all the way home?"
"I'm fine. I just have to get off the train and walk a minute."
Right. Chika, who's been earning money since her university days, lives in an apartment that's only a minute's walk from the station (I actually measured it once, and it only took about 40 seconds).
Then, as if she suddenly remembers something, Chika says,
"By the way…"
"Hmm?"
"When you said that it's not good to lend money between friends, does that mean it's okay if we're not friends?"
"…Huh?"
She pulls on my sleeve, forcing me to bend down.
"What if we were more than friends?"
She whispers this right by my ear, and I feel my face heat up. I quickly pull away.
"…What the hell are you doing?"
I glare at her while holding my ear, trying to block out the heat from my face.
She doesn't change her expression much, but she seems amused as she speaks.
"Are you a lolicon?"
"You're the one who'd get angry if I called you that. You're so convenient."
Ignoring my protests, Chika casually says, "See you later," and heads off toward the ticket gate.
Twenty minutes later.
I go to the convenience store and buy an onigiri for breakfast tomorrow, the sound of the plastic bag rustling as I open the door.
"I'm home!"
"Welcome back!"
Snow, who had been watching TV, looks up at me. It seems she's adjusted to this world quite well.
I had imagined that someone from another world would be more surprised by all the new things here, but maybe she passed that stage a while ago since she said she'd been floating around for so long.
"Well, you're really low energy today."
"I got teased by that girl and she ran away."
"'That girl'… you mean Chika?"
"Yeah."
"Teased? How?"
"Well, she was messing with my feelings, like asking what the deal is with lending money between friends versus something more than that."
"Hmm…"
Snow eyes me intently, and then says,
"...What is it?"
"Nothing. If you don't realize it, it's nothing."
She waves her hand, then turns back to the TV.
…What the heck was that about?