Ping-pong.

    The next day after Hatsumode, I visited Saito’s house as usual. Remembering what happened yesterday, I rang the doorbell nervously.

    I was somewhat restless and fidgety, so I moved my body back and forth and waited, but she didn’t come out.

    I tilted my head at the fact that no one answered, and pressed the doorbell again.

    I thought I heard a loud slamming sound coming from behind the door, then I heard someone’s footsteps and a voice coming from the speaker.

    [Yes, yes]

    [Um, it’s Tanaka, are you okay?]

    [I… I’m sorry. Can you give me 3 minutes?]

    I could tell she was in a hurry, her tone was high and she was stuttering a lot.

    Apparently, something was going on in her room.

    I was a little worried, but if she said to wait a little, I don’t think I should be worried about it too much.

    [Yeah, I’ll wait]

    [I’m sorry, I’ll make it as quick as I can]

    [Got it]

    When I said that, the speaker clicked and went silent.

    I can feel she was running around inside, but what was really going on?

    I was a little curious as to what happened, but I was bored, so I played with my phone.

    I waited for a while, then I heard a bang and the door opened.

    [Sorry to keep you waiting!]

    As soon as she came out, she bowed her head.

    She seemed to feel bad about making people wait, and her eyebrows lowered.

    When I see that kind of expression, I feel like I’m doing something wrong.

    Everyone has something unexpected happen to them, and I didn’t mind, so I followed her inside.

    [No, it’s fine, really…]

    After saying that, I realized from her appearance as to why she was late.

    [Oh, have you been asleep the whole time?]

    Her hair was tied up, but her ends were bouncy and her bangs were more messy than usual.

    She probably was sleeping soundly until I rang the doorbell.

    It was unusual for her to sleep at this time, but there might be times when she does.

    When I said that I noticed, she blushed and turned her eyes away from me.

    Her ears began to turn red as well and she froze.

    [I-Is t-that so…?]

    [Uhh… I’m sorry for noticing]

    From her point of view, it seemed that it was something embarrassing. When she looked so embarrassed, I didn’t know what to say and apologized.

    […It’s okay already, come on in]

    She said it in a tsundere tone and went inside. (TN: More Tsun Saito :0)

    At first, I had an image that she was a perfect girl, but now I realized she was also a human with a few loose ends. The tension I had earlier was gone when I realized that fact.

    I let out a thin chuckle at her back as I followed her inside.

    AN:

    I’m sorry. I was supposed to write a story about the part-time job, but I came up with a good one, so I’ll do one more story. (*?ω?)*_ _)