A Jealous Childhood Friend and an Unexpected Visitor

I had finally managed to escape Miyu’s enthusiastic attempt to hug me.

After explaining that my apartment was number 208 and that we were neighbors, I hurried toward the elevator before she could find another excuse to cling to me.

Unfortunately, my relief was short-lived.

Miyu followed me all the way upstairs.

By the time we reached our floor, I was already regretting every decision that had led me to this moment.

*Why does she have so much energy? Does she ever get tired?*

I stopped in front of my apartment and turned toward her.

“Well, Miyu, this is my place.”

Her eyes sparkled as she looked at the door.

“Oh! So this is where you live, Aoto! I'll come visit you sometime!”

*Please don't.*

I wanted to say those words aloud, but my survival instincts were apparently stronger than my honesty.

Instead, I forced a smile.

“Y-Yeah. Sure.”

Miyu seemed satisfied with that answer. She was about to say something else when I quickly added, “Actually, there's something you should know.”

“Hm? What is it?”

“My apartment is… a little messy.”

I scratched my cheek awkwardly.

“And by a little, I mean really messy. It's probably not a place you'd want to visit.”
That was an understatement.
I told her that My apartment wasn't exactly a disaster zone, but it certainly wasn't the kind of place I wanted a girl to see without warning. There were books scattered around, clothes I hadn't put away, and a few other things that would have been better left undiscovered. It was a lie

I was hoping she would take the hint.

Unfortunately, Miyu interpreted my warning in an entirely different way.

“Oh, that's great!”

“…What?”

“I'll help you clean it!”

She said it with such enthusiasm that I briefly wondered whether she'd heard a single word I'd said.

*How did 'my apartment is a mess' become 'please come and clean my apartment' in her head?*

“Ah, no, you really don't have to—”

“Don't worry about it! Helping a neighbor is what friends are for!”

*When exactly did we become friends?*

Before I could argue, she gave me a cheerful wave and disappeared into her own apartment.

I watched her door close.

Then I slowly turned toward mine.

“I'm in trouble…”

I unlocked my apartment and stepped inside, already imagining the embarrassment that awaited me.

However, the moment I entered, I noticed something far more dangerous than a messy room.

Sara was standing near the entrance.

She had just stepped out of the elevator.

And she was looking directly at me.

More importantly, she was giving me the coldest stare I had ever received in my entire life.

I froze.

“Sa-Sara…”

She didn't answer.

Her expression remained perfectly calm, but somehow, that made things worse.

*Why does she look like she's about to sentence me to death?*

I tried to smile.

“Actually, Sara, there's something I—”

“Come inside.”

Her voice was quiet.

Far too quiet.

“We need to talk.”

And just like that, my fate was sealed.

---

I followed Sara into the living room.

She sat down on the sofa with the composure of a queen preparing to judge a criminal. Meanwhile, I sat on the floor in front of her, my back straight and my hands resting nervously on my knees.

The difference between us was astonishing.

She looked perfectly comfortable.

I felt as though I were attending my own execution.

Sara folded her arms and tilted her head slightly.

“Now, Aoto. Tell me everything.”

“Everything about what?”

Her smile widened.

Oh, no.

That was not a friendly smile.

It was the kind of smile a villain wore immediately before revealing that everything had been part of their plan.

“You know exactly what I'm talking about.”

I swallowed.

“Um… Miyu?”

“Very good. At least your memory still works.”

*Why does that sound like an insult?*

I took a deep breath and began explaining.

I told her how I'd met Miyu, how we'd discovered that we were neighbors, and how she'd insisted on helping me clean my apartment despite my best efforts to discourage her.

Sara listened without interrupting.

That should have reassured me.

It didn't.

In fact, the longer she remained silent, the more nervous I became.

When I finally finished, I looked up at her.

“So… that's everything.”

Sara continued staring at me.

Then she smiled.

“After all this time, I finally get to beat someone up on purpose.”

“…Huh?”

I stared at her, certain that I'd misheard.

Unfortunately, the expression on her face suggested otherwise.

“W-Wait, Sara! Please calm down!”

I immediately began apologizing.

“I'm sorry! I didn't do anything wrong, but I'm still sorry! Please don't be angry!”

I had no idea what I was apologizing for anymore.

All I knew was that the situation had somehow become much more dangerous than a simple conversation about my new neighbor.

Sara leaned forward and gently lifted my chin, forcing me to look at her.

“Don't worry, Aoto.”

Her voice was sweet.

Too sweet.

“Didn't you say you loved me?”

My entire body went stiff.

“Y-Yes, but—”

“That's what I thought.”

She gave me a beautiful smile.

“So I'll just break your legs. Or perhaps your hands, too?”

“THAT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU SHOULD BE SAYING SO CASUALLY!”

My voice echoed through the room.

Sara blinked innocently.

“What? I'm only joking.”

*Then why do you look so serious?!*

I couldn't tell whether she was genuinely angry or simply enjoying my suffering.

Knowing Sara, the answer was probably both.

“I-I told you I love you, but I didn't mean it like that!”

The instant those words escaped my mouth, I realized I'd made a terrible mistake.

Sara's smile disappeared.

“…Oh?”

A chill ran down my spine.

“That so?”

“N-No! That's not what I meant!”

“Then what did you mean?”

“I meant—well, I—”

My brain had stopped functioning.

I searched desperately for an explanation, but every possible answer seemed capable of making things worse.

Sara slowly stood up.

“That's fine, Aoto.”

She turned away.

“I understand.”

*No, you clearly don't!*

“I'll just break your legs after all.”

“PLEASE FORGIVE ME!”

I was beginning to wonder whether apologizing was making things worse.

At this point, I was almost certain it was.

---

Eventually, Sara seemed to lose interest in threatening my limbs.Or perhaps she'd simply decided to postpone my punishment.

Either way, she sat down beside me.

I carefully followed her lead, leaving a small distance between us.

For a few moments, neither of us spoke.

Then Sara reached out and took my hand.

I glanced at her in surprise.

Her fingers slipped between mine, and she held my hand firmly, as though she were afraid I might disappear if she let go.

Her expression had softened.

“Aoto…”

“Hmm?”

“You know I was jealous, right?”

I looked at her.

There was no teasing smile on her face this time.

She seemed almost embarrassed to admit it.

“…I know.”

“Do you?”

She lowered her gaze toward our joined hands.

“Because I really don't like seeing you with other girls.”

I didn't know what to say.

Part of me wanted to tease her about it. Another part wanted to ask why she felt that way when she was the one who had always occupied the most important place in my heart.

But when I saw her expression, I decided against making a joke.

Instead, I gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

“Miyu is just my neighbor, Sara. That's all.”

Sara remained quiet.

“And you're…”

I hesitated.

*How am I supposed to say this without making things awkward?*

“You're my childhood friend. My very first friend.”

Her eyes widened slightly.

Then she looked at me.

“Your very first friend?”

“Of course.”

I smiled.

“Have you forgotten? We grew up together.”

For a moment, Sara simply stared at me.

Then her cheeks turned pink.

“Wait…”

She tilted her head.

“You remember that?”

“Remember what?”

“The fact that we're childhood friends.”

I blinked.

“Of course I remember! How could I forget something like that?”

Sara looked away.

“Nothing…”

But I noticed the faint smile forming on her lips.

*What was that about?*

Before I could ask, she spoke again.

“I'm glad.”

Her voice was so quiet that I almost missed it.

“I'm glad you still remember.”

Something about those words made my chest feel strangely warm.

For all her teasing, her threats, and her ridiculous attempts to frighten me, there were moments when Sara seemed much more vulnerable than she wanted anyone to realize.

I wondered how many of those moments I'd failed to notice over the years.

Then she suddenly looked back at me.

“By the way, Aoto.”

“Yes?”

“Do you remember what you promised me when we were children?”

My mind went blank.

*Oh, no. Please don't tell me this is another trap.*

“Um… which promise?”

Sara puffed out her cheeks.

“You really don't remember?”

“I remember lots of things!”

“Then tell me!”

She leaned closer, staring into my eyes.

I searched through my memories, trying to find something that might satisfy her.

And then, suddenly, I remembered.

My face began to heat up.

“Ah… that.”

Sara's expression immediately brightened.

“So you do remember!”

I looked away.

“Please don't make me say it.”

“Why not?”

“Because it's embarrassing!”

She laughed softly.

“Come on, Aoto. Tell me.”

I sighed in defeat.

“When we were kids, I said I'd come back to see you after I became rich.”

Sara's smile widened.

“That's right!”

She looked genuinely delighted.

“You promised you'd come back for me once you became rich!”

“I was just a kid! I didn't even know what being rich meant back then!”

“But you still promised.”

“Children say all kinds of things!”

“Really?”

She leaned closer, her golden eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Then does that mean I shouldn't believe anything you say now, either?”

I immediately turned toward her.

“No! That's completely different!”

“Is it?”

“Yes!”

Sara burst into laughter.

I watched her, unable to stop myself from smiling.

For a moment, it felt as though we'd traveled back in time.

Back to the days when our biggest problems were scraped knees, silly arguments, and promises made beneath the open sky.

Back to the days when I could make her laugh without worrying about what my words meant.

Back to the days when everything seemed so simple.

I wondered whether she was thinking about those days, too.

But before I could ask, someone knocked on the door.

*Knock, knock.*

I froze.

Sara's smile faded.

We both turned toward the entrance.

Then I remembered.

*Oh, right.*

Miyu.

I'd completely forgotten that she'd promised to help me clean my apartment.

I stood up, already dreading what was about to happen.

“Sara, that might be Miyu.”

Sara slowly turned her head toward me.

Her expression changed.

Again.

“…Miyu?”

I swallowed.

“Yes.”

“Why is she knocking on our door?”

*Our door?*

I decided not to correct her.

“Well, I told her my apartment was messy, and she said she'd help me clean it. I tried to tell her she didn't need to, but—”

Sara gave me a flat look.

“Go on, then.”

“Huh?”

“Go and handle it.”

Her voice was perfectly calm.

Which, in Sara's case, was never a good sign.

I nodded nervously and walked toward the entrance.

Then I opened the door halfway.

And there she was.

Miyu stood outside with a bright smile, looking as though she'd been waiting for this moment all day.

“Hi, Aoto!”

She leaned forward slightly.

“I'm here to help! So, shall we clean your apartment?”

I stared at her.

“Miyu, actually, there's something I should tell you…”

“Hmm?”

“I haven't taken a shower yet.”

It was the first excuse that came to mind.

I had no idea whether it made sense, but at this point, I was willing to try anything.

Miyu blinked.

“Why?”

“Because I was just about to take one!”

“Oh, is that all?”

She smiled.

“Don't worry! I'll clean while you're taking your shower. I promise I won't bother you!”

*That was not the problem!*

Before I could protest, Miyu stepped past me and entered the apartment.

I turned around, ready to stop her.

But she had already reached the living room.

And there, sitting on the sofa, was Sara.

Miyu stopped.

Sara looked at Miyu.

Miyu looked at Sara.

For several seconds, neither of them said a word.

Then Miyu slowly turned toward me.

Her eyes widened.

“Aoto…”

She pointed at Sara.

“Who is she?”

I opened my mouth.

“No, she's—”

“WAIT!”

Miyu's expression suddenly changed.

She looked between us, her cheeks turning pink as a completely different possibility entered her mind.

“Don't tell me…”

She pointed at Sara again.

“Is she your girlfriend?!”

“She's not—”

“I WANT AN EXPLANATION!”

Miyu's voice rang through the apartment.

I flinched.

Sara, meanwhile, remained seated on the sofa.

She smiled.

It was a perfectly pleasant smile.

The kind that made me wish I could teleport to another country.

*I'm finished.*

I could already imagine the conversation that was about to follow.

And judging by the expressions on both girls' faces, I had a feeling my peaceful life was about to become a lot more complicated.

---

After a considerable amount of explaining—and several interruptions from Miyu—I finally managed to clear up the misunderstanding.

I explained that Sara was my childhood friend and that we'd known each other since we were little.

Miyu listened attentively, occasionally nodding as though she were memorizing every detail.

When I finished, she turned toward Sara with a cheerful smile.

“So, Sara! That means we're friends, right?”

Sara's expression remained cool.

For a moment, I thought she might refuse.

Honestly, I wouldn't have blamed her. Miyu had barged into our apartment, mistaken our relationship, and demanded an explanation before she'd even properly introduced herself.

But then Sara smiled.

“Sure!”

Her voice was cheerful enough to fool anyone who didn't know her.

“We'll probably become good friends.”

I stared at her.

*…Why do I feel like something terrible is about to happen?*

Miyu, completely unaware of my growing concern, beamed with delight.

“Yay! I'm looking forward to it!”

Sara returned her smile.

And I could only sit there, wondering how a simple afternoon at home had turned into the beginning of what was almost certainly going to be a disaster.

*Please, someone tell me my life is going to get easier.*

Because, at this rate, I wasn't sure my heart—or my legs—would survive it.