I Was Sleep-Deprived at a Matchmaking Meeting and Ended Up Engaged - Chapter 12

By the time I got home, I had a message from Yoshinori.

“Are you free today?”

Why didn’t you ask me earlier…?

Ah, Ayato thought, probably because he didn’t know when work would end yet.

After thinking for a moment,

“I’m free”

she typed, and

“Then I’ll wait at that convenience store”

came the reply.

The one that’s not near Noda-san’s place, she thought,

“Okay”

she typed,

…this alone is probably too simple, she thought, and sent some stamp she’d received.

When she went to the meeting spot convenience store, Yoshinori hadn’t arrived yet.

I’ll wait in the magazine section.

Since I can see outside from here, she thought, and was looking to see if there were any good magazines when,

“Hey, it’s Miyamiya.

Nice~”

a somewhat flashy-looking guy called out to her.

He was dressed like a hip-hop dancer.

Well, not that hip-hop dancers are necessarily flashy.

But anyway, he was dressed in that style.

“Long time no see.”

“Eh, ah, long time no see.”

Who is this guy?

But since he called me Miyamiya, he must be someone from elementary or middle school.

Miyamiya was a nickname only used during those years.

“Miyamiya.

If you’re free, wanna come along?

We’re having a party after this.

One of the girls canceled last minute.

You know, Yuya.”

“Ah, Yuya”

He really does seem to be a classmate.

Who is he?

“You and Yuya were close, right?”

We were just in the same group sometimes.

“Come instead.

Think of it as doing me a favor”

he said, though she didn’t know whose favor, and grabbed Ayato’s wrist.

“No no no!

I’m actually waiting for someone right now!”

“Eh?

Really?

What, your boyfriend?”

…She hesitated, showing her reluctance to call him that.

“You’re lying, Miyamiya.

I lent you an eraser before, remember?”

That was how many years ago!?

Sensing the commotion, the convenience store auntie started coming over.

Just then, Ayato’s smartphone rang.

“Ah, I got a message from the person I’m meeting!”

she said, dramatically thrusting out her smartphone screen,

Well then, I’ll be going, she tried to leave, but he grabbed the hand holding out the phone.

“…Your boyfriend is a drugstore?”

The screen showed a coupon from a drugstore.

Since I don’t know when he’ll finish, I can’t tell him to wait.

If he rejects me, what will I do? I still can’t say it.

When Yoshinori asked for her messaging app ID, Ayato couldn’t say anything.

But fortunately, work ended early.

She finally managed to secure a promise.

“Then I’ll wait at that convenience store”

he typed, and

“Okay”

came back immediately, but—

…Simple.

I don’t know what kind of message usually comes back from women at times like this.

Isn’t this a bit too simple?

Does she actually dislike meeting me?

Just as he grew anxious, a stamp came through a bit later.

He was relieved, but.

The more he looked at it, the more it seemed like a bear with a subtle expression.

What is this?

The expression is hard to read.

Is it smiling, or troubled…?

Well, this face probably isn’t reflecting her true feelings.

It seemed to be some company’s stamp, and he recognized that bear.

Which one was it from…?

More importantly, I feel like she sent me a really random stamp.

Does she dislike me?

Anxious again, he went to that convenience store to find Ayato arguing with some flashy-looking stranger.

The guy was grabbing Ayato’s wrist.

Even I haven’t grabbed it yet! he thought, as Yoshinori hurried into the store to help her.

Impatient even with the automatic door opening, he rushed in and heard the guy’s voice.

“Wake up!

You’re just being played!”

By who?

No way, me?

Just as he thought that, the guy said.

“Anyway, coupons are…”

…Coupons?

“‘Buy this, get another one free’ or

‘This energy drink comes with this.’

Think about it.

Do you really want both of those things!?”

“Yeah, but

if I’m having fun being played, then it’s fine, isn’t it!?”

…Why is she having a coupon debate with a stranger?

Watching the two argue,

This guy says surprisingly sensible things for his appearance,

he thought, when Ayato noticed him.

“Ah, Shirakami-san!”

The guy looked over in surprise.

“What.

You really were meeting a guy.

And he seems too good for you.

Ah, I’m this one’s…

Fujimiya’s childhood friend, Iiguro is my name.”

“Iiguro!?”

For some reason Ayato exclaimed, looking up at him.

What? Iiguro looked down at Ayato.

“Ah, no no, sorry.

That’s right.

I remembered a friend who might go to the party.

Should I try contacting them?”

You’re a lifesaver~, Iiguro started bowing to Ayato.

While Ayato started typing on her phone, Iiguro turned to him and said.

“She’s a bit restless, but she’s a good person.

Please take care of Fujimiya.”

“Likewise”

Yoshinori bowed while thinking,

He’s a good young man, isn’t he?

Ayato seemed to get a reply from her friend immediately.

“She says okay”

“What’s she like?”

“This girl, Midori”

“Whoa, she’s cute.

A bit unique.

Might be my type.”

Really? Glad to hear it, they chatted amiably, and well then, the two started to part.

But Iiguro, still smiling, looked down at Ayato and said.

“Miyamiya”

“Hm?”

“You forgot my name, didn’t you?”

Yoshinori burst out laughing.

“N-n-no no no!

But you were bald back then!

And you were tanned really dark!”

“Well, let’s say it’s because I became quite the handsome guy so you didn’t recognize me.

Thanks, Miyamiya.

Let’s all drink together next time.

Your boyfriend too, if he’d like.”

He left with a smile.

“…Ah, sorry.

Thanks for waiting”

Ayato said with a small bow.

“He’s a good young man.”

“Yeah, surprisingly.”

“…Do you remember my name?”

“It’s fine.

I know it now.”

Now!?

Not knowing that Ayato hadn’t known his family name, Yoshinori unintentionally asked back.