Night fell.
Shin returned to the Hyuga Clan Compound, but instead of going back to his own place, he headed straight to Ayari's doorstep.
He felt that his behavior was a little strange, always going to a girl's house so late at night.
Even so, he reached out and knocked on the door.
As footsteps drew closer, the door opened.
Ayari looked like she had just taken a bath. Her hair was still damp, and she wore only a nightgown. The scent of shampoo wafted toward him.
A different scent from Ayano's.
Ayari looked at Shin outside the door and pursed her lips. "Why are you here?"
Shin smiled faintly. "What, I'm not welcome?"
One stood outside while the other stood inside, and the two simply faced each other like that.
Ayari wondered if, once she let Shin in, he would get handsy with her again like he had that night.
"Come in."
Shin entered the house and immediately felt much warmer.
"It's getting colder and colder. Winter's almost here."
"Who told you to wear so little?"
Sibi eagerly ran over to Shin again, wagging his tail and shaking his head.
Ayari poured him a glass of water.
Shin watched her and suddenly asked, "What do you do during the day?"
"Huh?"
"I mean, what do you usually do?"
Ayari found the question strange. After thinking for a moment, she said, "It's not fixed. Sometimes I lie around at home, and sometimes I go shopping and eat out with friends."
"You have friends?"
Ayari snorted. "What's that supposed to mean? Doesn't everyone have friends?"
"...How come I've never seen them?"
"Why do my friends have to meet you?"
Shin curled his lips and picked up his teacup, lightly rubbing it in his hands.
Come to think of it, Ayano didn't