Part 8

[Hey. Do you have time to talk for a second?]

It was about 6 PM, just before dinner. I had been watching my stove heat up a kettle of water when I received a call from Horikita. As she spoke, the water just began to boil, the sound of the kettle whistling as it did.

[Are you making dinner?]

No, dont worry about it.

The water had only just started to boil, so I hadnt done anything special yet.

Whats up? What did you want to talk about?

If she was looking to ask me for my help with sorting out the events, I would have to refuse.

[Dont worry, this isnt about getting your help with the events. I promise.]

Horikita immediately saw through what I was thinking.

[Though, well. If its alright with you, can we talk in person? The conversation shouldnt take more than an hour.]

Was it something hard to explain over the phone? Or maybe she was looking to confirm something by meeting face-to-face?

An hour wasnt an unreasonable amount of time. It would be difficult to turn her down.

Alright. Will you be coming here?

[While thats fine with me, youve been getting involved in all sorts of things recently. How about you come over here instead?]

She seemed to be wary of any unexpected visitors that might come to visit me.

I had also been to Horikitas room before, so there wasnt any particular reason for me to refuse.

After turning off the stove, I went straight out of my room with my cell phone in hand. Then, I got on the elevator and headed toward Horikitas room. While the sun had already set, it was still early in the evening, so it shouldnt be that strange for a boy to be walking around on the upper floors of the dormitory where the girls resided.