Snooping on a Friend

"Hey hey Zhou, did you get along well with the gift partner?"

　It's only natural to say that he went shopping with me, but the next day I was greeted by Chitose's grin and prying eyes.

　Chitose from another class came to the after school class, which was nice, but because of the kind of smile I didn't want to deal with, I felt like breaking up with them right now.

"It was definitely not the kind of relationship or development you imagined."

　At least, I didn't have any romantic feelings for her, and I didn't give it to her with any intention of doing anything.

　There is no doubt that it was pleased, but it was hardly the development that Chitose expected.

"No, come on, it's rare that you care about it. It's an acquaintance who has a lot to do with you. So, woman.

"It's not a bad relationship."

　Itsuki also goes around to support Chitose, but Zhou has no choice but to cut it off.

　It's good that Mahiru was happy, but since it was such a hassle, he didn't want to discuss it with others as much as possible.

　I don't want to be used as food for their curiosity, so I return it curtly, and Itsuki puts his hand on his mouth as if thinking a little.

"... Hmm. Hey Zhou."

"What"

"Could it be that the recipient of the gift is your neighbor?"

　Truly, Itsuki has good intuition and is a good land master, but I thought it would be troublesome at times like this.

"... why did you think that?"

"As far as I am concerned, I know you and you are my neighbor.

"I do not know"

"Hmm... Zhou, your complexion looks really good these days."

"Ah, that's what I thought too."

"Osusowake, I guess it happens quite often. That's why you gave it to me as a thank you gift on my birthday?"

　In fact, it was so accurate that Shu had to do his best to keep his cheeks from twitching.

　He's so accurate that I think he was watching the scene, and sometimes I get scared of Itsuki. Itsuki, who seems flirtatious and diligent and thoughtful, is actually quite popular, but I would like Chitose to demonstrate that part.

"You can't say such wild things just by making assumptions."

"Since we don't know the facts, we can only imagine. So, what's the truth?"

"I do not know"

"Stingy guy"

"Kechi"

"noisy"

　No matter what they say, I'm not going to give up.

　I put it in my mouth, but in the end, I won't stop pursuing it until I spit it all out. Leaving aside the tree, the active high school girl who loves Koibana.

　There are mysterious creatures that can lead you to love even if you have no love at all, so it's extremely troublesome.

　With a sigh, I got ready to go home and put on my backpack.

　This is a strategic retreat and also to avoid their heartburn attacks.

"Okay then. You guys should stop interfering with other people's affairs and start flirting."

"Even if you don't tell me, I'll do it, right?"

"...I'm going to follow you and meet the woman in question..."

"That's not something you should say in front of your target, and it's nothing like you think, so I'll stop at the entrance."

"Chee"

　Her lips were pouted cutely, but her eyes were quite serious.

　Chitose seems to be taking things seriously without joking, and while feeling a sense of dread, Shu quickly leaves the classroom and leaves the two of them behind.

"...it was dangerous"

"What?"

　When I got home and spilled it, Mahiru asked me curiously.

　I came to Zhou's house after doing some shopping when it was too early to make dinner, so we were relaxing together for a while, but I think he heard me talking to myself.

　By the way, she is the same as usual today.

　I can't see a single trace of that smile from yesterday. She admires her usual expression so much that I wonder if she was a dream.

　That's normal, and I'd rather it be that way. Seeing that kind of expression on my face made my heart hurt.

"No, well, Itsuki and the others were wondering about the present."

　I sighed after adding that I consulted with the trees, and Mahiru, who seemed to remember the tree's name, sighed as if he was convinced, "I see."

"Well, it's something that Fujimiya-san probably won't buy."

"That's not what I meant."

　The fact that Zhou wants to give a woman a present seems to be impossible in their image, and they must be very suspicious of romance.

　In reality, neither party has any feelings or emotions associated with love, such as sweet, sour, or bitter.

"This is what I'm talking about. You're acting strangely suspicious."

　Certainly, midday is cute and I had a desire to touch it at that time. I don't deny that.

　However, I think that it can happen to anyone in the youth, and in the first place, I just realized that midday is a ridiculously beautiful girl and my heart beats once again, but there is no reason for this to be a romantic feeling.

　I like her as a person, but I don't think it's a big deal about what I want to do with her.

　If you take a quick look, you'll see that she's as beautiful as ever.

　However, I don't have palpitations like I did last night. He reaffirms that he's not in love with her, and she lets out a soft sigh.

　I didn't know what they would say if they found out I was looking at it, so when I returned my gaze to my smartphone, I suddenly saw several unread numbers piling up on the chat app icon.

　When Shu opened the app, thinking it was probably Itsuki, the name that appeared in the New Arrivals section was one he hadn't imagined.

　Seeing the name Shihoko, Shu frowns.

　One of Zhou's three female contacts.

　The breakdown is Chitose, Mahiru, and--her mother.

　What is it, when I open the conversation screen dedicated to her, Zhou is not good at writing high-tension sentences, such as how the examination was and how there is no inconvenience in life.

　The reason I'm not good at Chitose is because I have people in my family who are similar to Chitose...or rather, I wonder if Chitose will become like this when she gets older. I don't hate her, and I can't hate her, but even her real mother has a weak personality.

``I received some fruit from my father-in-law, so I'm going to share it with Zhou as well.I'll send it to you, so please stay at home in the afternoon on Saturday! I won't tolerate refusal or absence. "

"My schedule is decided without permission ..."

　I don't have any particular plans on Saturday, so it's fine, but shouldn't I contact you a little earlier?

"What's happen?"

　It seems that he heard the muttered words, and midday looks at me with his usual expression.

"Mm, my mother said that she would send me the fruits that my grandfather picked in the early afternoon on Saturday. Maybe an apple or something."

"Do you peel skin?"

"... can I use a peeler?"

"You can peel it off, but you peel it off too thick, so it's a bit of a waste of nutrients."

　I swallow the impression that my mother is likely to say it.

"I'll bite the whole thing when it comes down to it."

"It's wild"

"Because it's troublesome"

"It's sloppy."

　Mahiru, who is as frank as ever, can only smile bitterly and shrugs his shoulders.

　Although midday looked frightened, he showed a satisfied attitude, saying, "Well, once it's in your stomach, it won't change that much."

"That's right, I don't know if I'll be able to eat it all before it gets damaged, so do you want Shiina?"

"Then I'll take it. Fruits are expensive."

　He's saying things that are familiar to the family, but if you say it seems like Mahiru, it's probably Mahiru.

"It's Saturday, isn't it? Then I'll make lunch first as a way of thanking you."

"I'm always taking care of you."

"I don't mind making it for Fujimiya-san, so I don't mind."

　Mahiru gave a really small smile.

　It reminded me of yesterday, and somehow it was awkward.