Loneliness and Rock and Roll with Band Observer

"I'm sorry... I screwed up again..."

Currently, Qiu Hui is temporarily living in Ruo Mai's residence in exchange for "helping with housework."

This situation has been going on for several days, or almost a week.

But it turns out... Qiu Hui really doesn't seem to be able to do housework.

Although she worked very hard, the results were always so gratifying that people couldn't help but frown.

Not to mention problems like dust not being swept away and oil stains still remaining, even something as simple as sending clothes to the laundry can go wrong because of not being able to distinguish the types of fabrics.

“It feels like he can’t be saved… but it’s okay, okay? But, maybe Akie doesn’t have experience doing this kind of thing at home, right? So don’t take it too seriously…”

Looking at Qiu Hui who seemed like she was about to cry in the next second, Ruomai racked his brains to find a way to comfort her.

I am the victim, right? Why do I have to make up for it?

For a moment, Ruomai had this thought.

Ahhh… Really, I really want to act angry and make Akie panic even more, then ask her with a straight face, “Please compensate me with your body” or something like that…

However, this thought only lasted for a moment.

If that really happens, the nature of the situation will change in a bad direction.

It's a rare opportunity like this...if it turns out like that, everything will be ruined.

As for clothes and other things, you can buy new ones if they are broken.

It doesn't matter if Qiu Hui is not good at housework. As long as you do it more, you will become proficient in it. Even I gradually got used to it because I did it more and more.

but……

There is also a darker side to her personality, so Wakamai feels that she might be able to understand Akie's thoughts.

Damaging clothes is a small matter in itself, but the memory of "making a mistake but being forgiven" will be preserved for a long time.

"I think I'm also responsible for not explaining the fabric situation to you in advance. So, to prevent this from happening again next time, I will explain my requirements in detail!"

Ruomai said with a smile like this.

She didn't care about the one or two damaged clothes. In comparison, she cared more about the fact that this incident could become an opportunity to influence Qiu Hui.

Tolerating her little by little like this made her realize that there were always people willing to stand by her side and consider her problems, creating a space for her to breathe freely...

Just like this, little by little, they become a substitute for "family members".

"So, don't dwell on this kind of thing."

Ruomai smiled, stretched out his hand, ruffled Qiu Hui's messy hair, then went to the refrigerator and took out some snacks.

"Let's drink some milk to change our mood! I just bought some snacks that are suitable as a side dish..."

As she was talking, she suddenly realized that Qiu Hui's expression seemed to be a little strange.

Qiu Hui looked at the food, feeling a little expectant at first, but then she seemed to realize something and shook her head slightly.

“…No need for that.”

After being together for almost three years, Ruomai could tell at a glance that Qiu Hui didn't really think it was "unnecessary" at all.

"What happened?"

So she smiled and asked Qiu Hui to sit down.

"It feels like Xiaoqiu is acting strange today. Did I do something wrong?"

"...It has nothing to do with Ruomai. It's my...own problem."

"Well, would you mind talking to me for a moment?"

"That's right, I'll have to tell you sooner or later..."

Qiu Hui paused for a moment and finally whispered her situation.

“…Actually, I was fired.”

"Eh? You mean a shop where I do odd jobs?"

"Yes... because the manager probably thinks I'm too clumsy and always have problems..."

Qiu Hui spoke intermittently.

Although Ruomai did not intend to let her pay rent, according to the previous agreement, her living expenses during this period were paid by the wages from odd jobs.

In fact, neither of them had calculated the bill carefully, but if they were fired, the amount of money Qiu Hui had to pay would become zero.

"I see. Well, there's no need to be too nervous. Part-time jobs are called part-time jobs because they can be found at any time, right?"

Wakamai continued to comfort Qiu Hui.

"I didn't really know how to do it at first, so I kept running into problems, but you get used to it if you do it more often!"

...Of course, it doesn’t matter if you never get used to it.

Ruomai did not say what she was thinking at the moment.

Xiaoqiu is always like this, she will stubbornly reject other people's kindness.

She lives in a family with strict discipline, so she probably has no idea about doing housework and doing odd jobs, right?

When she first told me about this, she looked so depressed. I guess she knew how difficult it was to run away from home and live independently.

But even so, she didn't choose her family, but chose me...

Ruomai didn't know the specific reason behind this incident, and she didn't really want to know.

Xiao Qiu now depends on her. It is enough to know this.

Relying on the living expenses given by her parents and Ruomai's own life experience, she has become accustomed to the feeling of living alone.

And Qiu Hui filled the last gap in her heart.

She no longer needed to imagine a more ideal life.

Ruomai smiled and opened her arms, and Qiu Hui lowered her head slightly as if she understood, and obediently threw herself into her arms.

"It's okay, Xiaoqiu."

"No matter what happens, I will do my best to help you."

"Because, we are best friends..."

Feeling the touch of Qiu Hui in his arms, Ruomai's eyes became blurred.

"…Maybe there's more to it than that," she said in her mind.

……

At that time, I actually knew nothing about Xiaoqiu's affairs.

But, he was acting on the impulse of a child.

I don't understand what kind of family she grew up in.

I don't understand why she ran away from home.

Although I was watching her every moment during that time, perhaps I had no idea what she was thinking.

All I knew was that I was willing to help her, no matter how much it cost.

But I never thought about whether she could accept what I gave with peace of mind.

The days of being inseparable from Xiao Qiu continued like that for a while... maybe just a few days.

Because Xiaoqiu's family came to me very soon.

One afternoon, after school.

Ruomai, who was traveling alone to do something, was stopped on his way back.

"Hello, is this Ms. Yutenji Wakumai?"

This kind of naming and addressing made Ruomai stop in panic.

"…What's the matter?" She looked at the person who called her with some caution.

She was a young woman in her twenties, wearing a neat black suit and a gentle professional smile on her face.

"I am inviting you on behalf of Ms. Togawa Haruna. She has arranged a meeting with you and hopes to discuss issues concerning Ms. Togawa Akee."

Questions about Xiaoqiu?

Ruomai was startled.

Togawa Haruna... Is this name Xiaoqiu's sister?

She then looked blankly at the car parked behind the woman in the suit.

She didn't know the brand of the vehicle, but from the opaque window glass, the slender and beautiful body, and the design that separated the cab from the rear cabin, it was clear that this was definitely a high-end official vehicle.

The woman in a suit opened the car door with a smile, and Ruomai saw the luxurious interior.

"If you need, we will take you to the meeting place. If you prefer to go by yourself, that's no problem either..."

“…I understand! I’ll get in the car right now!”

Although Ruomai was still somewhat uneasy, she did not suspect that the other party had any ill intentions.

First of all, the fact that they knew about Xiao Qiu is enough to explain a lot of problems.

Secondly, she felt that... probably no one would use such a luxury car to do anything illegal or despicable.

When she came to the open car door, she saw clearly what was inside.

Simple and luxurious interior, a ventilation system as comfortable as a hotel room, heated leather seats, and a spacious and cleverly divided interior space...

……Wait a moment!

Although Ruomai's eyes were fixed on the matter, he did not forget to think.

The staff member in a suit just now said that he came to see her on behalf of "Togawa Haruna", and Togawa Haruna should be Xiaoqiu's relative...

In other words, this luxury car that looks like it could be worth several houses belongs to... Xiaoqiu's family?

Wait, it’s more than just a car! This car has a driver!

What kind of family does Xiaoqiu live in?

The heated seat beneath him gave off waves of warmth, but Ruomai felt a chill down his spine.

She is just a junior high school student. When has she ever seen such a scene?

The driver drove the car and took her to the door of a high-end hotel.

After Ruomai got off the car, the hotel waiter came to greet her as if they had made an appointment in advance.

"Ms. Yutenji, your scheduled meeting is in Conference Room 24 on the th floor. Please follow me."

The waiter had a professional smile on his face, not caring at all whether Ruomai in front of him looked a little too young.

"Ma, please..."

Ruomai, whose legs felt a little weak, followed the waiter into the elevator.

"Your scheduled meeting"? Oops, what kind of talk is that!

Why do I feel like I have entered society early?

Ruomai, who was continuously bombarded with doubts and astonishment, was led into the conference room by the waiter and sat down at the guest seat at the conference table.

There was no one who looked like Togawa Haruna in the conference room, only a staff member with a serious face.

Noticing Ruomai's appearance, he took out the remote control and pressed a button. The projection screen on the wall of the conference room slowly lowered, displaying a picture.

Wakamai let out a cry of surprise. Although the woman in the picture was not wearing glasses, her hair was longer, and her figure seemed taller, her face was 80% or even 90% similar to Akie.

Her complexion and maintenance condition are several levels higher than those of Qiu Hui, who lives under someone else's roof. Therefore, even though they have the same foundation, she looks particularly radiant.

"You must be Yutenji-san, right? My name is Togawa Haruna. I'm not in Tokyo right now, so I can only meet you in this way. Please forgive me."

"I'm sure my sister has caused you a lot of trouble during this period. I would like to express my sincere gratitude and apologies."

Togawa Haruna spoke in a friendly manner.