Removing the cold towel from my eyelids, I straightened up from leaning against the backrest and sighed at the heat lingering in my ears. It’s already summer vacation, with the closing ceremony over.
Unable to bear the room temperature, I had turned on the air conditioning, but it didn’t have an immediate effect. I’ll have to coexist with the heat for a while.
「…Nn.」
As I was lazing around, my smartphone vibrated on the desk.
I can’t think of anyone who would contact me.
At least not a human.
It’s a hassle to move even a little, and it’s probably a monster on the other end of the smartphone, so should I just ignore it? A cupid doll with an angel’s appearance whispered in my ear, “Don’t succumb to the devil’s temptation”.
One ring.
Two rings.
Three rings.
I sat still in my chair, looking up at the ceiling, but the vibration showed no sign of stopping. The caller seems to be quite persistent. This makes me even less inclined to answer.
I debated whether to bring my hand to my ear or to the smartphone, and eventually reached for the smartphone.
「…Hello.」
『Ah, Adashino-san.』
A voice like rolling bells.
A voice filled with refreshing coolness.
Like the babbling of a brook.
But I know that the being on the other side of the screen is like something pulled from the deepest depths of a demon’s lair. Therefore, my emotions don’t rise at all. They just keep sinking.
「The weather is clear today, but the waves are high.」
『Where are you planning to attack?』
「You on the other side of the screen, aha.」
『Uwaa, that character doesn’t suit you at all.』
「I know.」
I felt sick just saying it.
On the same level as when I look directly at the lump of meat.
Maybe even more.
I pierce my chest with the edge of the backrest as if writhing, clearing the fog from my thoughts with the dull pain. The voice over the smartphone remains clear. If I could erase a few months’ worth of memories, it would seem like a romantic comedy. Unfortunately, I have my memories, so it’s cosmic horror.
『Adashino-san, are you free?』
「Super busy.」
『Seems like you’re free.』
「Can you stop making assumptions?」
『I have a certification in Adashino You.』
Throw that thing away.
I stood up from the chair and stretched. Having sat for quite a while, a light “pachi” sound echoed. The improved circulation made my head ache. As I hurriedly put my hand down on the suddenly heavy view,
「Then, although the banquet is in full swing.」
『It hasn’t even started, you know?』
──Light Novels──
──Read Here──
「Let’s call it a day here.」
『Cheers.』
Total defeat. I tried to forcibly end the conversation, but it just continued normally. A communication-strong type of lump of meat. Usually, lumps of meat can’t communicate at all. It’s probably a different color variant or something. I’m lucky to have drawn a 1/4096 chance.
「…Shall I hear your business?」
『It’s summer vacation now, isn’t it?』
「Yeah.」
『Don’t you want to hang out?』
「Ye, ah…?」
「Why are you being so hesitant?」
Answer, because you’re a monster.
However, as the representative assistant director of the Kunashiri Island Branch of the All Japan Super Gentleman Association West Japan East Japan Inter-Union Association, I can keep insults and harsh words safely tucked away in my heart, even if the other party has an appearance that would instantly funeral my SAN value if I looked at them directly. After tucking them away, the malice that leaked out tinges the air.
「You see, the direction is a bit…」
『I’ve only said let’s hang out, I haven’t even mentioned a destination yet.』
「When you reach my level, you just “know”.」
『Waa, so cool. Then, shall we go to the aquarium?』
「I’m scared of dark places.」
『What happened to the direction talk?』
Nanaka says “pun pun” herself.
「Don’t sweat the small stuff, don’t sweat it.」
『I think Adashino-san should sweat it a bit more.』
「You say that to me, who’s called the demon of careless mistakes?」
『Are you called that?』
「Not really.」
『I see.』
Then, let’s meet at 10 o’clock in front of the station. Nanaka hung up. The words “call ended” and “8 minutes 34 seconds” are displayed. I wondered what she would have done if I really had something to do, but someone who really has something to do wouldn’t have such a silly conversation. Probably.
I don’t have any plans for today, or even for the entire summer vacation.
A completely blank calendar. Barely usable as a notepad.
Sad.
That’s why I’m happy to be invited out. If it were a human, I would have been genuinely happy and eagerly rushed out. But it’s a lump of meat. It looks like it was born and raised in a laboratory. More believable than being told it was born from its mother’s womb, a bug.
「…Well, whatever.」
I casually discard the thoughts I’d been mulling over for a while and put on the clothes I bought when I went out with Yuna.
I still only have these clothes that are described as “stylish”. This is solely because my sense of style is disastrous, but also largely because I don’t need them. After all, it’s usually monsters I’m going out with.
Why should I get excited about going out with monsters? No, there’s no need to get excited.
It’s been about four months since high school started, which means it’s also been four months of living with a lump of meat and a zombie. Humans are creatures with high adaptability. Therefore, I’ve developed too much resistance to monsters. To the extent that I don’t feel any resistance to suddenly planned outings like this. Although it’s a hassle.
The doorknob I grasped to leave my room felt inexplicably heavy.
And so did my shoulders.