Dullard Buddy-kun: Heading Reluctantly to School Again Today - Episode 55

Ah… Home really is number one.

The best.

As a brave warrior who has successfully returned from the demonic realm known as the school trip, I’m spending this Saturday doing absolutely nothing—just zoning out and enjoying my free time.

Even though it’s the weekend, it’s been a while since I’ve let myself relax this much.

I still have plenty of time before my phone repair appointment, and honestly, I have zero motivation to do anything right now.

The comfort of my gaming chair is as amazing as ever—on a completely different level from the cramped airplane and bus seats I endured during the trip.

And the song from Mrs. [GREEN APPLE] playing through my high-quality headphones? It hits differently… deep in my soul.

Yeah… home is the best—

—Ow.

“Huh?”

What the hell?

Why is this person barging in here like it’s nothing?

I turn my head, feeling a sharp pain in my shoulder, and there she is—

Ruruka Mamiya, my little sister.

“Hey. Why the hell are you barging into my room uninvited…?”

“Huh? I knocked like, a million times.”

As you can see, my little sister is a cheeky middle schooler.

Lately, she seems to be going through a rebellious phase—but only when it comes to me.

Well, I guess that’s normal for her age.

Still, it annoys me how she took after Mom and ended up way better-looking than me.

She’s probably in the same social category at school as girls like Yamamoto and Shibuya—basically, the popular crowd.

And yet, despite putting on this super fashionable, “I live for aesthetics” act outside…

At home, she’s a complete mess. Seriously, why is she walking around in such lazy, skimpy clothes? Even if it’s just inside the house, have some decency.

“…Alright, fine. My bad. What do you want?”

I already know there’s no winning an argument with her, so I just get straight to the point.

The sooner I wrap up this conversation, the sooner I can go back to enjoying my well-earned peace.

“Onii! You do know that Hani-sama has officially decided to study abroad in Japan, right?”

Nope. Not a clue.

“Apparently, they’re going to a high school in this area—you know, one with the word ‘Hoshi’ (Star) in the name!!! The internet is already going crazy trying to figure out which school! Onii, do you know anything?! Your school has ‘Hoshi’ in its name, doesn’t it?!”

Unlike my disinterested reaction, my sister is practically bouncing with excitement.

“And on top of that—Onii, you’re actually in the same grade as Hani-sama!!!”

Well, yeah, my high school does have “Hoshi” (Star) in its name… but I have no idea.

I mean, I’m a loner. The only time I even hear about this kind of stuff is when I’m pretending to sleep at my desk.

“Ruruka, sorry. Your big brother is a loner, so I don’t know anything about that…”

Yeah. Let me say it again—I’m a loner.

And honestly, I don’t even care about this Hani-sama person to begin with…

“Oh… right. S-Sorry.”

And just like that, after acting all high and mighty a second ago, she suddenly remembers reality and looks all apologetic.

Damn. That actually stings a little, you know?

“W-Well… if you ever find out anything, let me know, okay…?”

And then, looking genuinely sorry, she quietly leaves my room.

…That hit harder than I expected.

Well, I guess, at her core, she’s not a bad little sister.

But even if we’re family… at the end of the day, an extrovert and a loner like me will never truly see eye to eye.

But I see… Thanks to my sister, I at least know the name Hani.

And if that information is true, then the number of high schools in this area with “Hoshi” (Star) in the name narrows down to four.

Which means… there’s a one-in-four chance.

I guess you could call that a high probability… but at the same time, it’s not exactly low either.

Either way, it has nothing to do with me.

Even if this Hani-sama does transfer to my school, the chances of us ever having a conversation are zero.

I mean, not to brag or anything, but I barely even talk to most of my classmates as it is…

“……”

…Saying that out loud just made me feel kind of miserable.

Whose fault is this?

…Mine, huh?