This isn't the Worst

“Akimoto-san… You seriously need to eat slower. First you’re chewing with your mouth open and second you’ll get sick.”

“Mhfhfhs fmfsmfmm smmfs!”

I glanced over towards my mother who was opposite of me at our dining table. My family plus a bum were enjoying my mom’s home cooked dinner.

“Aww, come on Mako, she’s just appreciating how good the food is,” My mother said.

“Mhmfh!”

Sayuri tapped my shin under the table.

When I become a famous writer and I’m really rich, I’m going to move far away and not give these schmucks anything. Moscow? Barbados? Malta? Okinawa maybe? I’ll have a private maid and cook… probably a writer too I’ll just tell them my ideas and they’ll write for me.

Okay maybe I’ll keep Sayuri as my maid instead of a random hire… Yeah. That sounds nice.

“You know, Mako, I realized something.” Sayuri tapped my shin again. “Kaoru-chan is popular because even when she’s being weird she’s cute. And she usually keeps that side to herself or other people. You. You on the other hand. You only have that gross weird side and show it to everyone.”

“It’s not gross! And I’m not weird! I— I’m just into different stuff than you…”

These people are all delusional! I’m not weird at all! I’m the one who’s planning for my future! What’re they doing? Playing video games? Gorging themselves on food?

I only watch anime and read light novels for reference of course. They help me write.

“Mrs. Kiyotaka, this is the best. My mom is always too busy to cook for us.”

Akimoto finally got a clear sentence out after swallowing her food.

I looked to my right at her, she was beaming a bright smile—her blonde hair was a bit messy and fell around her face.

She really doesn’t care at all when she’s around me… Huh…

“Mako, why’s your face turning red?” Mom asked. “Are you feeling alright?”

I scrambled to look back at my plate and take a bite of my dinner.

“Y-yeah I’m a little warm I guess. I’m fine though.”

The rest of the night was fairly calm. Akimoto did a bit more writing with me until Sayuri distracted her with some Otome game—that the two spent the rest of the night playing. As of right now, I’m more than close to finishing the rough draft. I think one or two more scenes and that’s it.

There’s still that issue… Fuka-sensei… She said no. I know why she said no. But I’ve changed! I’ve almost finished a draft! It’s not like I’m just gonna abandon it this time.

Ha.

Hahahaha…

Hm…

That sounds like foreshadowing.

It’s not though. I’m happy with this story. With Suzuki-san.

My room was completely dark except for light coming from my LED screen. In one quick motion I shut my laptop and was left in the pitch-black until my eyes adjusted. I gave them a rub with my fists and saw a silhouette laid out on my mattress.

She eats my dinner. Plays my games. Steals my sister, my bed…

I found myself kneeling at the side of my bed looking over Akimoto’s sleeping face. I feel like a great writer such as myself should have something profound to say at a time like this.

I wasn’t close enough to feel her breath or anything, but definitely close enough where if she woke up it’d be a little more than awkward.

…

…

…

I got it.

…

Suzuki-san. Akimoto. This is it. This girl is my ticket. I’ll convince Fuka-sensei by using this slob as a reference. I’ll turn her into something more than my writing partner!

She’ll be my main heroine!

***

“Hm? Kiyotaka-kun? You’re up already? What time is it?”

She sat up in my bed and rubbed her eyes with the back of hands. She was draped in the same oversized green-hoodie… However… Something was terribly wrong.

“A-A-Akimoto-san!”

“Hm? Why so loud so early…?”

“Put some pants on! W-what’re you thinking!?”

“Wha? Oh, right. I just usually sleep without any on. And I figured since it’s Kiyotaka-kun it should be fine.”

“N-no! It’s not fine!”

“Mm~? Is someone having lewd thoughts this early?” She pushed some of her blonde hair off her face. “Please, keep your grossness to yourself.”

I quickly flicked my head away so she wasn’t in my view.

“It’s not grossness! You’re being gross in my room!”

“This hoodie covers everything anyways, you can relax—”

Hold on—she’s right. It isn’t lewd or anything like that, it just shows she is a slob. No class or anything! It’s not sexy! She’s a mess!

I peaked back at her and her legs were now covered by black-sweats.

“Good. Now that your public indecency arc is over, let’s go over today’s schedule.” I clasped my hands together.

“Blaaaaa! Schedule!? That’s so boring!”

Akimoto flopped back on my bed with her arms out—letting her legs float up and fall back down.

“Why can’t we just like, hangout and write and stuff?”

I adjusted my glasses and frowned. “If we do it that way I know you won’t get anything done. I know I could, but that’s because I’m me… But you’re you and that’s where the issue lies.”

“What?”

“Exactly.”

I continued to try and explain today’s itinerary to her but she would have none of it. We decided to re-convened after some breakfast, hopefully food would get her listening.