Chapter 43: I Guess This is Goodbye

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Regardless of my suffering there's only myself to blame. I'm the one who asked everyone for help, so it's on me that everyone decided to come over to my new place. Therefore, it's up to me to be a good host until the Asahina brothers and Ema end up leaving.

Naturally, if it had just been Natsume, Yusuke, and Wataru I would be okay letting them stay as long as they want, but now that the twins are here there's an overwhelming pressure to entertain them. I don't want to be part of whatever attacks they're clearly launching onto Natsume and Yusuke. Having been on the receiving end of a brotherly attack before, I know that I'd rather put my attention to anything else.

Unfortunately, the other option is to watch Wataru stare with bright eyes at his older sister, who is either none the wiser or very good at pretending she doesn't notice. 

On top of that, it really is getting late, and I want to get my room sorted out before going to bed. Otherwise I might have to curl up on the floor. 

But kicking them out now wouldn't be polite... Well, if I'm never going to see them again then it doesn't matter, right?

As I ponder my options Natsume suddenly stands, drawing everyone's attention. 

"I have to go back to the office," he says abruptly. He between the twins, causing them to lean away from him to let him through.

"Aww, going already? We just got here," Tsubaki whines.

"It's sad that we don't get to see you as often," Azusa comments. He pushes his glasses up his nose and starts consoling Tsubaki. "If it's that time of the night already then we should head back as well. We only came to say hello and take Ema and the others back, anyway."

Ema turns to me, unsure of whether she should opt to stay longer. She must notice my exhaustion, for she quickly agrees.

"Right. We should let Mai-chan settle in. Midterms are soon, so she has a lot on her plate already. Come on, Wataru-chan. Let's go home with Tsubaki-san and Azusa-san. You have homework to do too, right?"

A shadow falls over Wataru's eyes as he remembers. "Yeah. I'm coming..."

The Asahinas quickly make for the door. Natsume lets his younger siblings go first, since Wataru is in middle school and should get some much needed rest. It's kind of sweet that he's prioritizing his younger siblings with even the smallest of gestures. 

"Thank you all for helping me out." I express my gratitude again at the genkan with a low bow. The twins have exited first and are waiting in the hallway. 

"Bye bye, Tsukiyo Mai-chan!" Tsubaki waves and calls loudly. 

"Thank you for having us," Azusa says. 

Didn't I just tell Tsubaki-san to keep it down???

I promptly address Tsubaki and Azusa's farewell with a silently brief nod. No need to engage in any more conversation with them this late in the evening.

Ema understands my apparent coldness and smiles. "It was fun to help out. Please call me again at any time if you need help, Mai-chan. I'll see in you in school, ne?"

"Yeah," Yusuke echoes with a grin. "See you in school."

"Mn." I nod. "See you guys in school. Bye, Wataru-kun. Good luck in your studies."

Wataru pats my arm in encouragement. "You too, Mai-chan! Come over again if you want to game again. Next time I'll beat you and Onee-chan for sure."

There's no need for me to squash his enthusiasm, either. I have no plans for defeat next time, but I smile and tell him that I look forward to our next zombie battle. I'll have to practice in my free time to avoid my skills dulling over time.

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