Chapter 107 – Turning Points

I had no particular opinions about spring.

They said that spring was the season of separation and encounters, but I'd  lived my life as a loner for the longest time, so I wouldn't know.

I liked the weather though.

Well, I'm sure that my opinion about it will change soon.

"…Mm…"

I woke up five minutes before my alarm went off. This happened a lot recently, probably the results of not staying up too late the past few months.

Mom seemed to have left for work already. There was a faint smell of coffee and cigarettes in the living room. She told me that she changed her cigarette brand recently, she said it had 1mg menthol or something, but I still thought that she should just stop smoking.

I finished breakfast quickly, wore my uniform and went to the bathroom.

"My hair… Mm, that should be good enough."

I applied some wax on my hair and trimmed the end of it so it wouldn't look shaggy. Then I tidied my bangs and my overall appearance while hiding the dark circles under my eyes.

I'd gotten into the habit of taking care of my appearance in the morning. 

Honestly, it was unthinkable for me to pick up this kind of habit.

"Thanks to my great 'Master', I guess…"

When I was trying to fix my crooked tie, my phone rang.

The ringtone was a familiar jingle that came default with the phone. Usually, my ringtone would be a standard phone ringing sound, but for this person in particular, I set a different ringtone.

"Good morning, Umi."

{Yo, morning, Maki. Are you awake? You can't dawdle just because tomorrow is spring break, okay?}

"What are you on about? I never let my guard down, especially because it's the last day of school."

{Hehe I wonder about that~ But anyway, I'm glad that you're doing well~}

"We were on the phone last night, you know? Nothing will happen to me overnight."

{I know, but… I'm just… worried about you, you know? It can't be helped, okay?}

"Sure, sure."

{Jeez…}

Actually, I felt the same way as her.

Umi seemed to be alright, that made me feel relieved.

We were such worrywarts, huh?

"Anyway, what's your plan for today? Want me to pick you up?"

{Yes, but, I have to go to Yuu's place this morning, so you should just go ahead.}

"I see, so it's Amami-san who's been dawdling."

{Yeah, well, she was up watching an anime last night, so she's probably still sleeping right now. I'm going to go to her house and kick her out of bed.}

Nowadays, Amami-san had taken my role as a closet NEET. She still looked as angelic as always, but I could still notice the change because we've been hanging out more often.

"Got it, see you later then."

{Mm! Oh yeah, Maki…}

"No."

{What do you mean no? I haven't said anything yet.}

"I already know what you are going to ask me."

{Eh? My Maki is a mind reader now?~}

"Ugh…"

Umi always made me say something before she let me hang up on the phone.

I didn't mind saying it since we're lovers, but…

It's embarrassing… I've said it to her many times, but it still felt embarrassing. Well, this time wasn't so bad since Mom isn't here, but still…

{But you said it out loud to me last night without me having to ask you. You could just say it like that again this time…}

"The mood was perfect last night, okay?"

{Do you hate me now?}

"Oh c'mon…"

She knew better than anyone how I felt about her.

Ever since we became friends, she has always been my dearest friend. And after Christmas, she became my precious girlfriend.

"Fine, I'll say it once, no repeats."

{Okay. As soon as you say it, I'll immediately go to Yuu's house.}

"Okay…"

I cleared my throat.

"…I-I love you, Umi."

{…Hehe…}

Her happy voice reached my ears. Honestly, I had no choice but to amuse her every morning like this, or else she'd sulk for the rest of the day.

"T-That should be enough, right? I'm hanging up."

{Kay~}

After hearing her reply, I hung up.

I had to do this for her every morning after I woke up and every night before I went to sleep. It wasn't that big of a deal, but because of this, poor old me had to think about how much money I should save for the phone charges. I probably should change my phone plan.

"…Jeez, Umi is such a spoiled brat…"

My cheeks felt unnaturally hot, so I splashed them with cold water.

It had been three months since we shared our first kiss and became a couple.

…And I've never felt happier.