Gotou's parents would occasionally joke about their daughter, saying things like "I wish Ichi-chan would get married soon."
But if Gotou Ichi really brought a man home, Gotou-san would probably cry and hug his daughter's legs, saying "Ichi-chan don't leave, Dad will support you for life."
Then, Yan Xi with his dyed yellow hair would appear, taking Gotou Ichi away on his ghost fire…
What kind of strange IF plot is this?!
In any case, even though Gotou-san had never met Yan Xi, he had already developed a grudge against him just from hearing his voice.
This was all thanks to Gotou Ichi's terrible luck with the opposite sex. Yan Xi was practically the only non-family member of the opposite sex in her life.
"Oh, a friend from the band." Gotou-san said with an emotionless tone.
"Ichi-chan has been taken care of by her friend a lot, why don't you invite your friend over to our house next time!"
Yan Xi internally complained, "Really a guest? It feels like a banquet of the Hongmen."
"I-I know, I'll ask."
Inviting friends over for a visit, such a thing only existed in Gotou Ichi's imagination before.
If she could really invite them… Pocchi worriedly thought.
I wonder if they would be willing.
Gotou Ichi hung up the phone, feeling relieved.
She was afraid that if they continued talking, her parents would blurt out something even weirder.
"What about Laffey, do you need to tell your family?" Sakurajima Mai asked.
Laffey smiled and said, "I'm currently living alone, my parents are abroad."
Gotou Ichi envied her, thinking, "So cool!"
A modern high school student studying abroad alone, it's just like the protagonist in all those works.
Comparing herself to Sakurajima Mai and then Laffey, Gotou Ichi felt a little inferior.
However, she always compared herself to a slipper, although she felt inferior, she was used to it, so it was okay.
"One more question… how about sleeping arrangements for tonight?" Yan Xi asked.
Besides the option of sleeping on the floor, the only other places in the house to sleep were the sofa and the bed.
Yan Xi's house had a double bed, considering the girls' small stature, they could squeeze in, but it wouldn't be very comfortable.
Sakurajima Mai said, "I'll sleep on the floor."
Yan Xi shrugged and said, "Forget it, I'll sleep on the floor. Mai-san will sleep on the sofa, Laffey and Pocchi will sleep on the bed."
Laffey said, "That wouldn't be right."
Yan Xi glanced at her and said, "Your expression doesn't look embarrassed at all."
After deciding on the sleeping arrangements, the next step was to wash up.
It's said that Japanese people can't live without taking a bath every day.
This is obviously a rumour.
But it's true that people should take a bath when they have the opportunity.
"To foster our bond, let's take a bath together, Pocchi-chan!" Laffey suggested with a smile.
"No!" Gotou Ichi refused immediately this time, probably because it touched her bottom line.
A social phobic taking a bath with others?
What's the difference between this and public execution!
Gotou Ichi lowered her head and whispered, "That… Yan Xi-kun, can you… that…"
Gotou Ichi was too ashamed to speak. She was staying at someone else's house and making such a shameless request.
"Bang!"
Shame made Gotou Ichi apologize to Yan Xi with a standard seiza (formal kneeling position).
"Pocchi-chan!?"
"Gotou-san?"
Even Yan Xi was startled by Gotou Ichi's display.
But thinking about how Pocchi-chan could even bark like a dog effortlessly, maybe seiza was normal?
"I know this is a shameless request... Could you… wear headphones while taking a bath, Yan Xi-kun?"
Yan Xi: "..."
Sakurajima Mai: "..."
Girls are indeed more concerned about these things, having their bath sounds heard by the opposite sex.
But Yan Xi and Sakurajima Mai were already used to it, so was it them who were strange?
Yan Xi said helplessly, "Get up first, I'll go for a walk."
"Ah, I didn't mean that…" Gotou Ichi quickly explained.
Did her words cause a misunderstanding? From the current situation, it looked like she was the one driving him away!
If that was the case, she'd rather… not take a bath!
Just as Gotou Ichi had this thought, Yan Xi seemed to see through her mind and warned her, "Don't even think about sleeping in my bed if you don't shower!"
Yan Xi had a bit of OCD.
Sakurajima Mai, who was quite close to him, had noticed this and paid attention to details when they were together.
Like making sure the washed dishes were neatly arranged, for example.
Although he had OCD, it wasn't so severe that he couldn't tolerate even a speck of dust.
It was like someone who didn't like to eat vegetables, but could still eat a green pepper in their lunchbox occasionally.
"Ah…" Gotou Ichi was speechless.
Yan Xi said, "Even if I wear headphones, you'll still be uncomfortable, right? Don't mind it."
Gotou Ichi kept her head down, feeling inexplicably touched. What was that?
Laffey said, "Although I didn't say anything, don't think of me as a shameless girl who doesn't mind a guy hearing her showering."
Sakurajima Mai: "..."
Laffey didn't specify, but Sakurajima Mai got hit.
"Why are you explaining that?"
Laffey pretended to be shy, covering her face and said, "It's because it's you, A-xi, that I don't mind."
Yan Xi rolled his eyes at her.
It was another misleading statement, Yan Xi didn't fall for it.
Without responding, Yan Xi turned to Sakurajima Mai and said, "I'll go for a walk, send me a message when you're done washing up."
But Sakurajima Mai said, "I'll come with you."
"You want to come along for this? It's not like girls going to the bathroom together during break time."
Sakurajima Mai said, "Because if you go eavesdrop outside, it wouldn't be good."
"Who would eavesdrop!" Gotou Ichi was startled.
"Of course not!"
"Ah, you're right… Sorry."
Yan Xi waved his hand and said, "Whatever, come with me if you want to."
And so Sakurajima Mai followed Yan Xi out the door.
Laffey waved to them at the entrance with a smile, "Be careful out there."
Gotou Ichi felt even more guilty, even Sakurajima Mai-san had been driven away by her.
"Pocchi-chan is really interesting." Laffey said with a smile.
"R-Really?"
Even though it felt strange, Gotou Ichi could be happy for hours just from being praised.
The Pocchi-chan who was just filled with self-blame a moment ago, was now beaming with pride.
Laffey took the opportunity and said, "Alright, let's take a bath together."
Pocchi-chan instantly calmed down and said, "Let's not do that."
"What's wrong with that?"
"No!"
………
PS: This is the first chapter. Please support with a monthly ticket and tip!