15. Rice cooker on the veranda

When I called out in front the house of my neighbor in the “Ya” business, the disturbing sounds from inside stopped precisely.

Next, was the vigorous sound of THUDTHUDTHUDing footsteps.

Feeling danger, when I stepped back the door forcefully opened.

Th, that was close! If I was a moment slower, I would’ve been in danger of smashing my face!

The one who appeared was Hosoi-san…… Or a person who resembled him.

His face was beaten up. A person with the traces of Hosoi-san…… It contrasted to that level.

Rather, his glasses are gone! His Intelli glasses!

Rather than an intelligent character, his disheveled appearance looks more like an honor student that got beat up! But well, for an honor student his eye expression looks bad though.

「Dumbass, what’d you come here for!」

Hosoi-san shouted in a small voice. Probably so that the people inside wouldn’t be able to hear.

Towards he who would try to protect me even in this situation, a smile arose.

「Iya～, since someone came just before, I thought they need me for something.」

When I foolishly laughed in reply, Hosoi-san made a face like he accidentally ate something sour.

He probably saw my hands were trembling.

Iyaー, how pathetic. It’s pathetic, but I can’t help it.

「Hosoi, if it’s that Nee-chan from before, let her in.」

A smiling voice reached us from inside.

「No, but……」

Hosoi-san replied in a hesitant murmur.

「Hosoi.」

His voice became stinging.

Hosoi-san’s body jolted.

「Then, I’ll take you up on your word and intrude～」

When entering I lightly touched Hosoi-san’s hand, in reverse mine was gripped tightly.

Impulsively, I looked hard at Hosoi-san’s face.

Although his face was beat up, he also looked at me earnestly.

――Oh no, this person’s a good man.

Well, I knew that though.

Kawata-san, Sengawa-san, Itou-san and Hosoi-san, all of them are my precious meal buddies, good men who will shelter me even though they’re in this state.

It was conveyed poignantly.

I wish our Demon President would learn a thing or two from them.

When I took off my shoes and entered the entrance hall…… I regretted it.

In the room, there was broken glass scattered everywhere!

This, if I walk clumsily I’ll get hurt! I shouldn’t have taken off my shoes!

Well, I didn’t know if I had the courage to step into a yakuza’s residence with muddy shoes either, though.

What’s more, wind came whistling in from the window!

It’s super cold!

Rather, the thing fallen over at the veranda, my rice cooker―!!!

While confounded by the chaos, I looked at my meal buddies with a sidelong glance.

At any rate, they were all beat up. But, for the time being I was relieved they were all standing on their own.

Right behind me as I advanced forth was Hosoi-san.

It appeared he was cutting off my path of retreat, but personally it felt like I was being protected from behind, so my expression relaxed somewhat.

And leaning against the wall at the entrance of the kitchen was a man with a cigarette in his mouth.

「Yoo, Nee-chan. We met just earlier.」

The face with a broad grin was as intense as ever.