After that, Yuu ended up having meals at our place.

Everyone was a bit more relaxed than during high school. Classes started about an hour later than in high school, so we also woke up later than usual.

Still, Yuu seemed to have trouble adjusting. She had attended school in Tokyo, which was closer to her house. Well, even in high school, she probably woke up later than us.

The three of us—me, Koko, and Kagami—would go straight to her room and shake her awake if it seemed like Yuu couldn't get out of bed in the morning.

Despite how difficult it was for her to wake up in the morning, she must have disliked being late or absent, because Yuu would just make a small whining sound before somehow managing to get up.

Kagami's policy in this house was that "people should eat three meals a day."

I think she's still concerned about how I wasn't eating properly for a while after I came here.

She absolutely wouldn't allow us to get by with just cereal or bread, and made sure we had rice, miso soup, and side dishes in our mouths. Even if our mouths were too dry in the morning to finish everything.

At first, Yuu couldn't adapt to these forced(?) meals, but after about a week, she seemed to be getting used to it.

"Don't you eat like this at home in the morning?"

"...My dad would just let me sleep as much as I wanted."

She was more spoiled than I thought.

It wasn't just that she was used to waking up late; it seemed she was accustomed to not eating breakfast at all.

Come to think of it, Yamashita-san doesn't seem like the type to be strict about such things.

As for Mori-san... well, she was probably quite the ideal "mom" even before marriage, so she must have prepared breakfast, but she probably had enough flexibility to accommodate if Yuu wanted something light.

Or maybe she knew Yuu's personality well and adjusted to her.

However, at least until now, Yuu hadn't told us, "I'll make my own food, so don't call me." At first, it seemed like she was just being considerate, but at some point, the atmosphere seemed to change a bit.

"Well, I don't have classes this morning," Kagami said as she cleared the dishes after the meal.

"Would you three mind going together today? I'll be able to meet you in the afternoon."

The three of us nodded at Kagami's words and got up from our seats.

Our three universities were surprisingly not that far apart, so we traveled together for part of the way.

However, unlike having to go almost all the way to Tokyo Bay from Saitama, Koko and I got off earlier. This was because the location of our university campus was a bit closer to our home.

Location-wise, the university Yuu attended wasn't that different either, so it was practically in the adjacent district... but well, in my perception, even though they were both neighboring districts, it didn't feel as close as, say, "Minato-ku and Shinagawa-ku."

"See you this afternoon, then."

"Yeah."

As we got off the subway first and said goodbye, Yuu nodded.

It was rush hour, so the subway was crowded as usual.

How does Yuu usually get to school? Does a chauffeur drive her? Considering her personality that dislikes standing out, she might surprisingly take the train or bus.

Well, judging by her expression among the crowd, she doesn't seem to have adapted very well.

Well, there's also the difference between people going from near Tokyo Bay inward and those coming from outside into Tokyo. Usually, there would be more people coming from the outside in.

When we got off at the station, Yuka was waiting.

This wasn't much different from high school. We were at the same school anyway, and Yuka was even in the same department as the two of us, so as long as neither party was too late, whoever arrived first would wait and we'd go together.

"It's hot today."

Sweat beaded on Yuka's forehead as she waved in greeting.

Of course, there was air conditioning on the train too. It's just that there were so many people that its effect wasn't really noticeable. In the end, we couldn't avoid our clothes getting soaked with sweat by the time we got here.

"Let's get to school quickly."

At least the university has air conditioning in each classroom.

"Uuugh..."

Even Koko's energy seemed to be meaningless in the full-blown summer heat, as she made a drooping sound.

As we quickly moved toward the school, I suddenly remembered something I had forgotten.

"Oh, right. I'm meeting Yuu today. And Mako and Harumi are joining us too."

"Really?"

Yuka smiled at my words.

I had made friends at university too. But still, there's a bit of a different vibe between friends made in university and those made in high school.

Plus, the experiences with Yuu, Mako, and Harumi were quite different from those with "ordinary friends" in many ways.

"Yeah. Since we're going home together anyway. It's nice to all meet up while we're at it."

Even if you attend all university classes until the afternoon, you don't usually have to stay that late. Well, if you really attend all classes, you'd have to sit much longer than in high school, but it's not like being stuck at a company like office workers.

"I see. Together... Huh? Together?"

Yuka, who had been nodding at my words, looked at me with wide eyes.

"You two live in different directions. Did Yuu start living on her own?"

"Living on her own... well, yes. Didn't I tell you?"

I asked, a bit surprised, and Yuka tilted her head.

Ah, I guess I didn't mention it.

It was summer, and since we met every weekday and often hung out on weekends too, I thought I could tell her anytime.

Thinking about it briefly, there really wasn't a need to mention it.

Even after hanging out with Yuka, I'd take the train in a different direction, and last weekend, we didn't meet up with Yuu included.

"Yuu started living in the spare room in our apartment."

When I said that, Yuka's steps came to an abrupt halt.

"Huh?"

Looking back at Yuka, she was staring at me with a somewhat shocked expression.

Why?

"Yuu is living at your place?"

"No, not our place exactly..."

...

I guess it is our place.

Yuu eats meals with us.

She offered to pay for food, but Kagami refused. She's just learning for now, and once she gets used to it, Yuu will handle her own meals.

"She's living in the spare room."

But saying she's living at our place sounded a bit strange, so I just repeated that.

"How did that happen?"

Yuka asked as she started walking again.

I pondered briefly how to answer that question, then said,

"For personal reasons."

I kept the answer vague.

What else could I do? Even if they're friends, I couldn't discuss the nighttime activities of my cousin's parents.

"Personal reasons..."

"She is living at our place, but she's paying proper rent."

"I see."

For some reason, Yuka seemed to mull over my words.

"Okay, got it."

Her response seemed suspicious somehow.

Wouldn't it normally end with just "I see"? Was there a need to add "got it" afterward?

I wondered about that, but Yuka didn't talk about it anymore.

*

And that weekend.

Knock, knock, there was a sound of someone knocking on our door.

Today, I wasn't sprawled on the floor. I had some assignments, so I had set up the table and was slowly working through them with Koko.

I hadn't known who it was when Yuu came last time, but somehow, I felt like I knew who was standing outside this time.

That's because Yuka had already mentioned wanting to live on her own before. And since I told her that Yuu was living in our apartment, it would be strange if Yuka wasn't stimulated by that.

After all, our family is the only one living in this apartment. Well, Yuu has recently moved in too.

"Coming~!"

And somehow, Kagami got up from her seat with an expression that suggested she knew who was coming, too naturally.

Outside the front door that Kagami opened was—as expected—Yuka.

She had a large bag on her back and was pulling an equally large carrier.

"Hello!"

Yuka smiled brightly at Koko and me.

"Woah!"

Koko raised one hand and waved enthusiastically, mimicking Yuka.

"Mom?"

"Ah, you see, Yuka-chan's grandfather called a few days ago. He said Yuka wanted to live on her own, and he felt he could trust her with this house."

Weren't you looking at us with a completely distrustful expression just a few years ago, Grandfather?

...Well, if that's what Yuka wants, there's nothing to be done.

After all, this place belongs to Kagami, and it's her right to rent to whoever she wants.

Right, I thought she was buying more groceries than usual yesterday.

Besides, well.

I don't mind having a close friend living next door.

I got up from my seat and said with a smile,

"Welcome, Yuka."

"Thanks. Looking forward to living here!"

Yuka replied with a bright smile.

Was it just my imagination, or did the room get a few lumens brighter?