My Good - Looking Neighbor

Ch 16: Atmosphere Change

In the afternoon, on the same day of dating Mami and Ryuuji, a young and beautiful girl is seen doing her daily activities in the room. It was Chizuru. She was lying on her bed after doing her yoga three times a week. Not only for his health and fitness, but there are also dreams that he must achieve.

Put that aside. Chizuru is not in the mood today. He was still thinking about Kazuya's incident in front of his room. It felt like a light rain that was not consistent to fall. Make it uncomfortable. Chizuru had no idea why it felt like this. Of course, he thought about love. But denial came right in front of his face. It is too early to discuss the love between immature neighbors in making friends. I mean, they haven't even been friends for three months.

The question now after all that is, is Chizuru aware of the fact that Ryuuji and Mami are on a laptop date right now? Of course not. Although Chizuru was still in the room when Ryuuji picked up Mami. Chizuru just hesitated to come out and say hello. At least maybe he would be grateful not to know that fact which would probably make him more uncomfortable.

Chizuru just stared blankly at the ceiling. His mind flew everywhere until the sound of birds chirping from his cell phone notification rang, making his mind gather again.

"Sina?"

Shina is one of Chizuru's friends. He sent out a message that made Chizuru frown. Yeah, maybe you can guess. What Shina sent was a message 'This senpai was yesterday right?' along with photos with male and female partners are walking as the focus. The features of her male body of course Chizuru recognized her very much.

"Senpai?"

Chizuru knew him. The man in the photo is Ryuuji.

"And...Nanami-san?"

In an instant the things on Chizuru's head turned around. Many questions passed through his brain. His heart was pounding, which unfortunately he did not know why at every beat of his heart he felt strange.

'Are they dating? They're lovers?'

There was such a thought in Chizuru's head. How not, they both look suitable even though their height differences look very contrasting. But, Chizuru did not conclude quickly and rashly. Better to hear it directly from the person.

'It doesn't mean I care either.'

Chizuru simply pressed the power button of her phone and lay down. Chizuru looked to the left at her wall clock which showed it at 15:30.

'They left long enough.'

Just then the familiar sound of a motor engine was heard from outside. Chizuru got up from her bed and peeked out from the crack of the door she opened slightly. Sure enough, it was Ryuuji and Mami. No, he's not with Mommy. Ryuuji himself.

'Do I have to go out and say hello??'

Doubtful, Chizuru only looked at Ryuuji in silence. Ryuuji Masi sat on his motorbike while looking at the mobile phone. In that flatness, Chizuru finally decided to come out. He immediately put on a jacket that he usually wears to get out in the zone near the apartment, whether it's for shopping, laundry, or anything that concerns the daily needs of Chizuru.

After putting on his jacket and slightly tidying up his look, Chizuru still peered to wait for Ryuuji to walk off his bike.

After about two minutes, Ryuuji finally got off his bike. Just then, Chizuru opened the door and exited. Ryuuji realizes the moment Chizuru comes out. He looked up to see his beautiful neighbor.

After locking the door, Chizuru turned around and acted in shock seeing Ryuuji who was now waving his hand with a smile. Chizuru also replied with a wave of her right hand and smiled sweetly.

'I think my acting is pretty good, right?'

Yeah, I think your acting is pretty good. It seemed like anyone would be fooled, even Ryuuji who had currently stopped walking near the stairs as if waiting for Chizuru to come down.

"You out? Shopping is?" Ask Ryuuji.

Ryuuji immediately asked as soon as Chizuru was down. Chizuru was a bit confused.

"Emm, I want to buy some snacks before doing my job while taking an afternoon walk." Answer Chizuru.

Ryuuji paused for a moment and placed his right hand on his chin.

"Ohh, can I join you?" Ryuuji asked with a smile.

Ryuuji's question deviated from the scenario Chizuru had thought of. He thought he would say hello and pass by. But Ryuuji gave a quite surprising response. Because of this, Chizuru was somewhat stunned, yet there was no thought of rejecting Ryuuji's request. After all Ryuuji's proposal seemed to be effective enough to ease the tension and awkwardness before.

"Of course, Senpai." Chizuru replied with a smile and nodded.

"Then, wait a minute. I'll return these helmets." Ryuuji said as he ran up the stairs.

Chizuru watched Ryuuji get to the top. As Ryuuji walked into his apartment unit, Chizuru sighed and held onto his chest.

'Why do I feel the conversation just now was quite intense. This is not good for my heart.'

'Well, it seems like a normal response when we had a tense moment before, right? I need to calm down.'

'If you think about it later is the right time to correct our misunderstanding.'

'Alright, then it's decided.'

After a long enough inner monologue (perhaps not), Ryuuji finally exits his apartment and immediately descends. Chizuru was calm at the moment.

"Let off now?" Ask Ryuuji.

"okay." Answer Chizuru quickly.

The two of them started to walk casually.

"To the mini market?" Ask Ryuuji.

From this could be seen the awkwardness floating between them.

"So, Senpai?" Chizuru asked as she looked towards Ryuuji.

"Hmm??" Ryuuji's response was gentle.

"Where are you today?" Asked Chizuru straightforwardly.

Ryuuji was silent for a moment and looked directly at Chizuru. He closed his eyes for a moment, as if he was thinking. And soon Ryuuji answered.

"Well, there's a date today." Ryuuji answered while turning his gaze forward.

Ryuuji gave a clear but somewhat vague answer. Somehow it was like he was trying to see Chizuru's reaction.

"Ah, dating yes. With boyfriend?" Ask Chizuru.

Chizuru actually felt a bit uneasy with her own question. Because according to him, he's already touched in a personal direction. But Chizuru wanted to make sure.

Ryuuji who heard Chizuru's response, glanced at Chizuru and smiled faintly.

"Daughter? Of course it wasn't. You know Nanami-san from the first year International Relations major?" While confirming, Ryuuji also asked.

"Yes I know, he's pretty popular on campus." Answer Chizuru.

Ryuuji looked towards Chizuru and smiled faintly.

"I just accompanied him to buy a laptop today. So maybe you could say dating but not dating?" Ryuuji shrugged his shoulders.

"Ohoo, that's it." Chizuru said while holding her chin.

"Yup." Answer Ryuuji.

The immediate confirmation from Ryuuji, inexplicably made Chizuru somewhat calm. Of course, he doesn't know why.

"So how, Senpai?" Ask Chizuru.

"What's how?" Answer Ryuuji.

"Nanami-san." Answer Chizuru.

"Hmmmmm, beautiful, cute, and I don't know why, she gave a weird vibe." Answer Ryuuji flat.

'beautiful? Cute?' Chizuru thought a little distracted. But he immediately got rid of the two words because he saw Ryuuji's honest response that seemed not to care too much. So he asked Ryuuji the third statement.

"Weird tremor?" Ask Chizuru.

Ryuuji looked slightly up and closed his eyes.

"Hmmmmmmmmm, how do I explain it? Like hiding something? I don't know. Maybe it's like that." Ryuuji replied somewhat doubtfully.

"That's it." Chizuru said briefly.

Honestly, Chizuru understood. Sometimes popular people tend to hide something. Especially Nanami. Chizuru felt that what looked on the outside was different from what was on the inside. Maybe to build an image because many are paying attention to it? Well, he doesn't know. So Chizuru immediately took her mind far away. Chizuru is not a person who likes to be prejudiced.

After a few conversations about Ryuuji's date today, they chatted on various topics while traveling. Gradually the rest of their awkwardness both disappeared and chatter flowed naturally. And it does not feel like they have been running for 10 minutes and have reached the mini market.

"What do you want to buy, Chizuru?" Ask Ryuuji.

Chizuru was shocked by Ryuuji's words. Not because of the question, but because of Ryuuji who called him by first name lightly without any burden. Her cheeks are slightly flushed.

'Chizu-'

Seeing that the silent Chizuru did not reply, Ryuuji stopped his steps and looked back. He saw Chizuru's surprised face with a slight red hue on her cheek. At that time, Ryuuji's face seemed to show realization and revisit his previous words. His expression looks awkward.

"Ah, I'm sorry. Because of our previous chatter that flowed, I unknowingly called you by first name!" Ryuuji scratched his nape and bowed.

Looking at Ryuuji, Chizuru also did not want to be ashamed of herself.

"Ahems. N-No problem, R-Ryuuji-Senpai!" Answer Chizuru.

Hearing that, Ryuuji immediately straightened his body and looked at Chizuru with a surprised expression. Well, even though he only showed the most minimal reaction by slightly widening his eyes and raising eyebrows. Ryuuji froze for a while and after that, he instantly averted his gaze and cleared his throat.

"Ahems. Is this not a problem?" Ask Ryuuji.

"That's the matter?" Chizuru asked back and tilted her head.

Looking at Chizuru who responded with ignorance, Ryuuji stared at Chizuru's face gently. However, there was a strange faint glint in his expression.

"Didn't you have a boyfriend?" Answer and ask Ryuuji.