If he told them, he didn't think it would change their minds, though. Apparently, after living in an all-male household for so long, even a crazy girl like Haruko seemed like a beautiful flower.
However, he had to do something. That girl was a dangerous maniac.
Seated in the bathtub, Naota gently touched the bandage on his forehead. He wasn't sure whether being near her would make the horn better or worse.
Through the window, he heard laughter. It seemed that Haruko, Kamon, and Shigekuni were having a drink in the living room.
They're in a good mood.
After his bath, when Naota went upstairs, he noticed a voice coming from his bedroom. It sounded like Haruko: "On the surface, they make medical machines, but I haven't snuck in yet."
A cell phone?
It seemed that arrogant girl had made an uncharacteristic mistake. From her serious tone, it appeared she was making excuses to someone. She sounded like a child who was being scolded for tardiness.
Just then, Naota was further surprised to hear a man tut-tutting in response.
This wasn't a cell phone call! She was talking to another person in Naota's room. There was another stranger in his house! That aside, though, the weird girl had gone into his room without asking his permission. It was a very serious matter.
This wasn't the kind of moment to stand around listening, so Naota quickly opened the door to his room. Inside, contrary to his expectations, Haruko sat upright on the floor, completely alone. There was no one else present.
The only other being was Miyu Miyu, who sat outside on the veranda, visible through the open window. The cat gave a little cry and jumped onto the roof.
"Who were you talking to?"
"Just myself," said Haruko, laughing.
"You shouldn't go into other people's rooms without asking."
"So, there are a lot of things a teenage boy needs to hide, huh?" Looking up at the top bunk, she reasoned, "Takkun uses the bottom bunk, so I'll take the top."
"You must be kidding."
She wasn't kidding. She truly was planning to sleep in the same room with Naota tonight.
"Come on," he said, "what are you really?"
"I'm a wandering helper."
"Earlier, you said you were a housekeeper."
"Under the bandage…"
"You're so weird."
"What's under the bandage?"
Pausing, Naota thought, Wait a second.
His theory that his horn had resulted either from Haruko hitting him or from the mouth-to-mouth CPR she had given him seemed to be true. As she was already there in the house, it wouldn't hurt at least to ask her what the horn was.
"Tell me, Haruko, what is this?"
"Yes, tell me, what is this?"
"It's your fault."
"It's your own head," she replied maddeningly.
"It's because you hit me."
"So, take it off and show me."
"Don't touch it!"
Haruko approached with a grin, which triggered a sudden, instinctive fear in Naota. He knocked away her hand. I can't let my guard down. I have to be careful with her.
He said, "Dad brought you here, so go be with him. Stop bothering me!" Without meaning to, he'd let his tone become harsh.
Haruko fell silent and stared at him with a serious expression, unlike any he'd seen on her face before. Her eyes resembled those of a lover who'd been hurt by an unfaithful man.
"What?" he asked.
"I saw you first."
The innocence in her voice took Naota by surprise.
Haruko was trying to explain that the reason she'd come to this house was because Naota lived here.
Of course, having a maniacal girl set her sights on him was scary—but still, hearing her innocent tone and seeing her expression… When she looked him with those green eyes and said she was here because of him… for that single instant, Naota felt something for her.
Idiot, what are you thinking?
"Anyway, the top bunk is my brother's, so absolutely no one else can sleep there. That's simply the way it is," Naota said, stretching out on his own bed.
He turned his back to Haruko, giving her an unspoken hint to leave.
Now isn't the time or place for weird feelings.
If this girl, Haruko, didn't know what the horn was, he would have to return to the hospital. Tomorrow, he'd ditch her and then go to get it checked out.
"Where is your brother?" Haruko didn't hesitate to ask, despite the fact that Naota had turned away from her to sleep. "Hey," she said insistently, "where is your brother?"
"You're so annoying! He's in America."
"What's he doing there?"
"Playing baseball."
"Wow, he must be good at it!"
"So what?"
"Well, good night," said Haruko.
Maybe she finally caught the drift, Naota thought, as he sensed Haruko standing up. Naota assumed she was leaving, and he felt relieved. The next moment, however, her actions stupefied him.
Does this girl have no common sense?
"You're sleeping here?" His voice rose automatically as he said a second time, "You're sleeping here?"
Of all things, Haruko had slipped into bed next to him.
"There's nowhere else," she said sheepishly.
"Fine, do what you want."
Naota knew there was no point in any further argument, so he attempted to push his way past her in order to sleep in the top bunk. As he tried, Haruko shouted in a loud voice, "That's your brother's bunk!"
Naota was stunned into silence.
"That's your brother's bunk! It's his, so absolutely no one else can sleep there! That's simply the way it is!"
In wordless fury, Naota listened to his own strictures thrown back at him.
Such a childish fight, he thought to himself. There aren't any real adults in the world.
His place to sleep stolen from him, Naota went downstairs, clutching his pillow. He found Kamon sitting in the darkened shop.
"Naota?" said his father, adopting the same tone he used when petting the cat.
Seeing his father like this was kind of eerie.
"We need to have a serious talk, Naota."
"About what?"
"It's about Haruko. Are you opposed to her?"
Naota had no idea whether his father was talking about employing her as a housekeeper or having her as a wife. Actually, Naota would have opposed either one, but he knew his opinions wouldn't affect his father's decision.
"Do what you want."
"Naota… Nao, innocent little Nao. Oh, right! Mamimi stopped by earlier today."
"Eh?"
What did Dad say? Did he just say Mamimi came over?
Kamon explained, "She came over to ask for the leftover bread."
"Mamimi came here?" Naota said, his voice betraying his emotions.
"Of course, it'll taste fine if she fries it with a little oil. I guess her family isn't so well-off."
Mamimi came here. Mamimi came to my house!
"Where do you think you're going at this hour?"
Kamon's question didn't reach Naota's ears, as he had run out of the house into the night streets.
All thoughts of the horn and Haruko had disappeared.
Chapter 4
Naota ran through the dark streets.
When he opened his eyes, he found himself standing at the place it seemed he usually visited after schooclass="underline" Mabase Bridge.