Do I really have a thing for female voice actors?

the next morning.

Rin Tachibana and Hina Aoki each carried two large suitcases, waddling like two penguins who had sneaked out of an aquarium, as they carried their luggage to the living room on the first floor.

"Rin-chan, let me go to the station with you. You have so much luggage, how can you carry it all by yourself?"

Just as Tachibana Rin was about to speak, Tazaki Toru came out of the kitchen.

"It's alright, Miss Aoki, I'll take care of getting Miss Tachibana to the station."

"Huh? I see."

Hina Aoki glanced at Toru Tazaki, then at Rin Tachibana who remained silent, before giving a slightly apologetic look.

"Then I'll leave it to you, Tazaki-kun. Rin-chan is in a bit of trouble, so please don't worry about her."

"I said, could you please stop talking badly about me in front of me?"

Rin Tachibana expressed her protest slightly.

“What bad things are you saying? I’m just telling the truth,” Hina Aoki said.

Well, that's true.

Rin Tachibana was aware of this, so she pouted slightly but did not continue to refute it.

As noon approached, Tachibana Rin checked several times to make sure nothing was missing, then took the jacket draped over the back of the sofa and put it on.

"Miss Aoki, we're heading out." Tazaki Toru gripped the handle of his suitcase.

"Okay, be careful on the road."

"And Rin-chan, let me know you're safe when you get there."

"Okay, I understand."

"Okay, see you next year."

As soon as she stepped outside, a biting cold wind blew in her face, and Miss Tachibana's loose hair, like silk, danced wildly in the wind.

Compared to six months ago, her hair has grown much longer, now completely past her shoulders, and she exudes a quiet and gentle charm that is unique to girls, unlike when we first met.

Earlier, when Tazaki Toru told Aoki Hina that he would take her to the station, Tachibana Rin was initially a little flustered.

However, Aoki Hina wasn't that petty; she understood Tazaki Toru's personality well, and he was just that kind of man.

Like a clump of sand being lifted up, the tighter you hold it, the faster it slips through your fingers.

On the way to the station, Tachibana Rin remained quiet, occasionally stealing glances at Tazaki Toru's profile.

The winter sun shone on his face, seemingly adding a touch of warmth to his unique, gentle smile.

"Miss Tachibana."

Tazaki Toru suddenly called out her name.

Rin Tachibana immediately looked away, and was about to pretend to look ahead when her arm was suddenly pulled by Toru Tazaki.

Rin Tachibana was shocked. Before she could even indulge in her frivolous fantasies, she heard Toru Tazaki's rather helpless voice.

"Watch where you're going."

"Eh?"

It was only then that Tachibana Rin realized that her gaze was constantly fixed on Tazaki Toru's face, and that she was about to bump into a telephone pole without even realizing it.

“The path isn’t on my face,” Toru Tazaki said.

Upon hearing this, Tachibana Rin looked embarrassed and stammered, unable to utter a rebuttal.

She could only hum in response, gradually quickening her pace until she reached Tazaki Toru.

They barely communicated with each other along the way.

Rin Tachibana walked briskly, while Toru Tazaki followed behind her at a leisurely pace.

Upon arriving at the station, the two stood together on the platform, with two suitcases between them.

Feeling the wind blowing into the platform, Toru Tazaki stared straight ahead without moving.

Tsukishima is relatively remote, and the station is somewhat deserted, with only the sound of the wind blowing into the platform and the occasional voice announcements.

"Miss Tachibana seems to be avoiding me lately."

Suddenly, Toru Tazaki's voice rang out in the empty space.

Upon hearing this, Tachibana Rin felt a sudden tightness in her chest.

She glanced sideways and saw that Tazaki Toru's eyes were still fixed on the front, and she mustered her courage slightly.

"Huh? That's funny, why would I be avoiding you?"

"That's exactly what's puzzling me. I don't think I did anything to upset Ms. Tachibana."

"........."

"But I can't be knowledgeable about everything, and I might unintentionally upset you at some point."

"Then I remembered that Ms. Tachibana had objected to me moving in."

"I couldn't help but wonder if my moving in had caused any trouble for Ms. Tachibana."

"If that's the case, I can..."

"I don't!"

Tazaki Toru's words were abruptly interrupted, and he turned to look at Tachibana Rin, his eyes showing a slight surprise.

The woman in front of me, Ms. Tachibana, held her head high, the platinum pendant hanging from her collar shimmering with a bright light, as beautiful as her eyes.

"I, I didn't think that way at all."

"Stay as long as you want," she said with difficulty.

"Miss Kurika, don't you often say you want to kick me out?"

"You, you won't even let me have a few words?"

When it came to her quick wit, Tachibana Rin blushed involuntarily, glancing at Tazaki Toru's profile before hastily looking away as if trying to hide her embarrassment.

"Does this mean I'm allowed to continue living here?"

"........."

Feeling Tazaki Toru's silent gaze, Tachibana Rin couldn't help but bite her lip lightly, a hint of resentment appearing in her eyes.

"You think you can't understand unless I explain it clearly?"

Tazaki Toru couldn't help but show a puzzled expression, and said frankly, "We are all just ordinary people, and no one can fully guess another person's feelings."

"That's why I try my best not to lie and to express my inner thoughts in words as much as possible."

Now that things have come to this, Tachibana Rin has fully come to understand what a strange man Tazaki Toru is.

However, Rin Tachibana would probably be unable to do the same thing.

I can't communicate my thoughts as openly and honestly as he does.

If she could do that, Tachibana Rin would have already gotten rid of her social anxiety reputation.

Rin Tachibana remained silent for a long time until the distant rumble of a train reached their ears, carried by the wind.

“I don’t think that you living in my house will cause any trouble.”

After hearing this, Tazaki Toru looked at the girl with a surprised expression.

She turned her head away, and Toru Tazaki could only see her reddened ears and her long hair swaying in the wind.

"So stop thinking about what you did to upset me. In your heart, am I really just an unreasonable girl?"

“I never thought that way.”

Rin Tachibana suddenly turned her head, her eyes fixed on Toru Tazaki: "Then dare you say you never find me troublesome?"

"I really wouldn't dare."

"See! You just think I'm a troublemaker."

Tazaki Toru slowly shook his head and said softly, "Habit is indeed a terrible thing."

"Without realizing it, I've gotten used to my current job and my current place of residence."

"After my morning run, I usually prepare breakfast for three people."

"Perhaps, starting today, I should start to feel uncomfortable."

"...What are you not used to?"

Tazaki Toru looked at the girl beside him. The train pulled into the station and a breeze stirred, ruffling the hair on his forehead.

"Probably because I don't see Ms. Tachibana at home and don't feel your troubles."

The rumble of the tram entering the station overlapped with the rhythm of my heartbeat.

Unlike her sister, who left the city quietly.

It seems there really are people here who want her to stay.

Although I felt a little sorry for Hina, I was still touched to hear him say that.

Indeed, I would feel delighted.

"If I find out you're lying to me, I, I..."

"How about kicking me out?"

You wish!

"Once you move out, you might move to some female voice actress's house."

"You'd better stay here obediently and be prepared to be bothered by me for a long time."

Tazaki Toru immediately smiled slightly, as always.

The tram's operation ceased, and the doors slowly opened.

But the noise around Rin Tachibana's ears continued unabated.

Unbelievable.