Clingy Girlfriend

Let's walk home together

“Genji, I want you to know that there are lots of good people out there, and one day you will find yourself in the midst of such people. If you’re willing to open up to them, you’ll experience something like magic happening.”

My aunt was fond of pushing her ideals onto me. I would play along, never really understanding what she meant. One thing is for sure—she really loved having those conversations with me. For some reason, Rosette reminds me of her.

Friends…? The word felt unfamiliar, almost irritating, like it didn’t belong to me.

The remainder of the class period felt like it would go on forever. The entire Class 1-B was glaring at me. The reason was most likely because of the stunt she pulled yesterday.

I wish I wouldn’t have to see her again. At least I can go home in peace without drama—or so Genji thought.There she was, trouble incarnate.

Rosette was standing at the school’s exit. Anyone could tell she was waiting patiently for something.

Genji knew ignoring her wouldn’t discourage her, so he planned to disguise himself to slip past her. He headed to the arts and drama club to “borrow” some props.A different hair color should do the trick, he thought.

After acquiring the wig, Genji hoped for a smooth escape, but he was in for a shocking outcome.

“Genji, there you are!” Rosette called out. “I was hoping we would walk home together.”

“I’m sorry, who are you, and who’s this Genji you speak of? I’m Bran from Class 1-A.”“I know for certain that’s you, Genji,” Rosette replied calmly. “You can change your hair all you like, but your eyes are still the same. Remember what I said before—your eyes are still dark. It’s no use disguising yourself when those eyes remain lifeless.”

“Enough! What’s your deal?” Genji snapped.

“Well, it’s simple. I want us to walk home together.”“How do you even know we take the same path home?” Genji asked.

Rosette tilted her head slightly.

“There are only three streets leading from the school, so the possibility that we would end up taking the same path is around thirty-three percent. To me, it’s worth giving a shot.”

“You’ve actually calculated this…?” Genji muttered.

“But won’t associating with me cause you problems?” he added, trying another angle.“I can handle trouble. We are friends, remember?”

Genji felt a strange sensation in his chest.

Friends…?

The word again.

Something tightened slightly inside him. Not fear. Not anxiety. Something unfamiliar—something he couldn’t name.A feeling that would stay with him long after this moment.

Genji and Rosette walked for ten minutes. To Genji, it felt like she was simply following too closely behind him.

At one point, he suddenly stopped.

Rosette almost bumped into him.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

“You walk too close,” Genji muttered.

“Because you walk too far,” she replied immediately.

He said nothing.

They continued walking for another five minutes.

Then Genji finally asked, “What’s your game here? Why are you following me? I figured we would’ve split paths by now.”“That’s because this happens to be the route to my house,” Rosette replied.

“No. 4 Mary Street.”

Genji stopped completely.

Then it struck him.

Mary Street.

His house was also on Mary Street.

No. 6.

“So… you’re saying…” Genji muttered.

Rosette nodded slightly. “Yes. I live next door.”

Silence.

Genji stared at the building number again, as if it might change.

No. 6.

His breath slowed.

“You’re… next door,” he said quietly.

Rosette smiled faintly.

“I know.”

And for the first time that day…

Genji couldn’t decide if that was a coincidence.

Or something worse.