"Sigh… there's really no helping it."
Sengoku Chihiro lazily leaned back and responded to Sorata's complaint. "Shiina's been studying art and painting since she was a kid. She's a little… lacking in common sense. She's not quite like ordinary people."
"Calling that just 'a little problem'? You're her teacher and her guardian. Shouldn't you, Sensei, be the one taking full responsibility?" Sorata shot back, unrelenting.
"This meeting is a waste of time. You saying that's giving me a headache," Mitaka Jin sighed, pushing up his glasses with a helpless shrug. "Think about it. I only drop by once or twice a week. I just don't have the time."
"And you expect Misaki to take care of someone? That's even more impossible. You've been here long enough to know what she's like, even I, her childhood friend, wouldn't dare."
"And as for Chihiro-sensei… she's busy going to matchmaking events every day, trying her best to sell herself. If she had to take care of Shiina, she might end up single forever."
His words, while clearly self-deprecating, got a nod from both Chihiro and Misaki. They exchanged a glance with Sorata that practically screamed, "Don't look at us."
The only other resident of Sakura Dormitory, Akasaka Ryuunosuke, was a shut-in. In the six months Sorata had lived here, he hadn't even seen the guy step out of his room once. So that option was out.
"Don't make it sound like some tragedy. There's always a way to deal with things, right?" Sorata insisted. "For example, Jin-senpai could help out more with daily tasks."
"Impossible. Monday is Mami-senpai from the drama club. Tuesday's reserved for Noriko the nurse. Wednesday is the flower shop girl…" Jin started listing, looking genuinely troubled. "And I might not even come on weekends. Where am I supposed to squeeze in the time?"
"You really are busy," Sorata muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. "But I can't help feeling you're charging headfirst down a dangerous path."
"I haven't done anything wrong! What's so dangerous about it?" Jin replied awkwardly.
At that moment, Chihiro put down her beer and gave him a pointed look. "Still, as your teacher, let me remind you, stay away from married women. That's both a moral and ethical no-no."
"Cough…"
Mitaka Jin froze. A while ago, he'd nearly been caught by Kana's husband, the woman from the flower shop.
"But I also don't want Jin getting too close to Shiina, either," Chihiro added. "After all, she's my cousin. I can't just watch her fall into the wrong hands. So Kanda, don't even think about relying on him."
Jin just smiled awkwardly and didn't argue.
Ding!
Suddenly, the laptop on the table pinged. A message popped up from Akasaka Ryuunosuke.
"I thought this was an important meeting, but it turns out to be something this trivial. Don't bother me next time."
And just like that, his icon in the bottom right corner turned gray, offline.
"See? Nothing to even discuss." Jin clapped his hands. "In Sakura Dorm, the only person with time, and the most suitable, is you, Kanda. It's decided."
"Starting today, Shiina's your responsibility."
Chihiro stood up, holding her beer in one hand. "I'm stuffed. Time to go upstairs and work off the food."
"I agree. It's all yours, Sorata. Later!"
Mitaka Jin grabbed his phone and made his exit. It was Tuesday, nurse Noriko's night.
Misaki's eyes followed Jin's departing back. A fleeting gloom flickered across her face, but it quickly vanished as she bounced to her feet, energetic as ever.
"Meeting adjourned! I've still got a ton of rework to do on my animation. Everyone, do your best! Fight on!"
And just like that, the room was quiet again, only Sorata and Shiina remained.
Shiina sat beside him, silent as always, seemingly unfazed by all the chaos.
"…Ugh. I kind of saw it coming, but… do I really look that trustworthy?"
Sorata scratched his chin. "Maybe I am actually a good person deep down."
"Sorata," Shiina said.
"Hmm?"
"Please take care of me from now on."
"…Actually, I think you should say, 'Please take care of me for the rest of my life,'" Sorata muttered, glancing at her blank expression. Without thinking, he reached out and gently ruffled her soft, smooth hair.
"You're so annoying," Shiina said, completely monotone.
Sorata raised an eyebrow. "That lacks any persuasiveness. If you want to be taken seriously, try an angry face, raise your voice a little, and maybe glare at me."
---
The next morning, 7:30 AM.
The smell of food filled the dorm's kitchen.
Golden, crispy pan-fried fish fillets, hot rice, miso soup, and fried tofu, Sorata had gone all out. Today was supposed to be Shiina's turn to cook, but that would've been a disaster. Besides, Sorata was picky about food and preferred cooking his own meals anyway.
"You're like a househusband now," Chihiro said, grabbing a cold beer from the fridge. She helped herself to a plate of food. "Didn't expect you to settle into the role so quickly."
"What else could I do? Throw a tantrum like a kid?" Sorata replied as he took off his apron.
Right then, Kamiigusa Misaki bounded down the stairs, energetic as ever.
"Wow! Junior, you're amazing!" she cheered, snatching a piece of fried fish with her bare hand.
"Eh? You didn't make a bento today?"
"Nope. Not enough ingredients." Sorata glanced at her. "Last night's dinner wiped out the dorm's entire grocery budget for the week. So it's your turn to do shopping duty after school, Senpai. Hope you don't mind."
Meat was expensive in Japan, and yesterday Sorata had gone all out cooking every dish with it, because he'd been craving it. But now the Sakura Dorm budget was toast.
Then again, that wasn't a big deal for Misaki and the others.
"Aww… I have to eat at the school cafeteria again?" Misaki groaned. "I spent all night looking forward to today's bento."
"It's all Junior's fault for not buying more yesterday. If you don't have enough money, just pay it yourself next time!"
"Do I look like you, Senpai? I'm broke enough to rattle," Sorata muttered. He'd already been worrying about this last night.
He really was broke. A high schooler from an ordinary family, living off the allowance his parents sent from Fukuoka, barely enough for basic needs, let alone luxuries.
Guess I'll have to find a way to make some money…
He fell into thought for a moment.
Kamiigusa Misaki, meanwhile, was a third-year art student and a monster of a talent. She had created several best-selling animated series over the past couple years. The copyright royalties alone were enough for her to retire comfortably. She was, quite literally, a walking fortune.
"Oh, right, I forgot you were flat broke, Junior." Misaki nodded, completely unaware how much emotional damage that kind of comment could do to an average teen.
Fortunately, Sorata wasn't the average teen. He didn't let it get to him.
"Seeing how nonchalant you are about it, I really need to make some money to prove myself."
"All right, you guys eat. I'll go wake Shiina."
Sorata wiped his hands, untied his apron, and headed upstairs.
"Why didn't I notice this before?" Chihiro muttered. "Kanda's… actually kind of reliable. Has he changed? Or is it… because of love?"
She watched Sorata's back as he walked away, her expression clouded with suspicion.
"Damn youth…"
---