My Ultimate Supreme Roommate (Oumasai)

Chapter 3

The weather was fairly nice for a walk, I thought as I had just finished my course for the day. Everything was going well; once again I managed to leave a good impression. I felt that soon enough, I would finally be able to start my career.

But despite the fact that I tried to think positively for a minute, the universe still loved to throw all kinds of unpleasant encounters at me. The silhouette of the short boy was making its way through the crowd of people, seemingly there to greet me judging by his wide grin when he spotted me. Of course, I couldn't return it so I kept a stoic expression.

"Can't believe I found you, Saihara-chan! This university is so big I thought I'd get lost! I'm so glad I didn't though." Cheerful as always, he recited his entrance line. He had one of those every time he saw me, and he even has days when he feels uncreative and changes only a word or two... Yet they always contain Saihara-chan, no matter the circumstances.

"Why did you come here?"

"To greet you, of course! What, can't I be nice to my detective roommate without being considered suspicious?" Oh, he definitely wanted something, but I decided against speaking my mind.

"...What do you want, Ouma-kun? Is it panta again?"

"Heyyyyy, don't jump to conclusions like this! I like more things than just panta, y'know? And sometimes I wanna be nice too..." He was right; maybe I shouldn't misunderstand him too much... "One of those other things is ice cream, I want ice cream." I take that back.

I sighed, but I should have expected it. Thankfully, I've gotten used to it, having roomed with him for longer than a month. It's actually been getting easier to deal with his antics, and that makes me a bit more confident. Maybe... this wasn't as bad as it seemed.

"Alright, we'll go get some ice cream." I wasn't a very big fan of it, but I didn't dislike it either. Treating him once in a while should be fine; but I hope it's not going over to his head too much...

His smile widened, and for a second there I actually thought it was genuine. Ouma-kun and being truthful.... Two things that don't get along very well, yet it's inevitable he would sometimes drop his facade. Was this moment one of them? I wasn't sure.... but his smile turning quickly into a cheeky grin spoke for itself.

"Neehee, I'm glad you're easy to convince! That way I won't need to use force..." Is he talking about his organization? I doubt it actually exists, but never mind that. It turned out I had an ice cream to buy either way.

Apparently he had a favorite place of his that was quite far away from my college... I thought maybe speaking to him about the disadvantages would change his mind, but I realized soon enough that he was already more than aware of that. He grinned impishly, as if trying to mock my willingness to pamper him.

Why was I doing this again?

"Alright, we'll take the bus... But only because I finished my course for the day."

"Yipee!! Saihara-chan's so nice, rich too!"

"Rich?? I wouldn't really say that..."

"Whaa? But you always have money on you, and even though I sometimes borrow a few bills it's never noticeable!"

We made small talk while waiting at the bus stop. I was actually a bit happy to have some company, especially one as talkative as Ouma-kun. I never realized how quiet waiting alone was up until now... His voice filled my ears, muffling the outer noise while trying to attract my attention. I didn't like to admit that it was actually successful.

"I bet you didn't have any friends before me, Saihara-chan. This makes me a bit glad, you know... Oh, what a shame, the bus is already here... Wish I could've chatted with you more, Sai~ha~ra~-chan~."

"Sure..." his voice tone unnerved me slightly, yet I didn't know what pushed him to say my name twice. It felt like he was stalling for something, but what? Taking a quick glance around, I saw nothing worth analyzing, deepening this little mystery.

I got on, with Ouma-kun following right behind me. He gripped the bars with both of his hands, hesitant, making me wonder if I did something wrong. He hadn't even glanced at me since he entered the bus, what was he trying to accomplish?

Why did this unsettle me? I was more than sure it was just another over thinking session, yet I noticed one crucial detail that changed my perspective: he was holding onto those bars so tightly, as if his life depended on it. I may not be very close to him, but I couldn't bear to see his usual act crumble... I was too used to his cheerfulness. I had to act.

"Ouma-kun, we're getting off at the next stop." I thought he didn't hear me, since his face was covered by his bangs, staring right at the ground. He soon proved me wrong by quickly raising his head to show me this eerie smile he wore, slightly unsettling me in the process. Luckily, his gaze spelt nervousness yet acceptance, and that was more than enough confirmation for me. Soon, we got off, and the change in aura left as quickly as it came.

"Wait... Saihara-chan? This isn't the right bus stop; we're too far away from my ice creaaaaaaam!!" he wailed like a child, but there was nothing else to do. I came to the conclusion that was the only way to rid him of his fear, wherever it may have come from. He babbled some more, until I decided I wouldn't ask about what happened; a real answer was out of my reach anyway...

"We'll just buy it from somewhere else-"

"But it's not the saaaaaaameeee!! Saiha-"

"Would you have preferred to remain creeped out by whatever was in that bus?" He was like a switch, turning his 'serious' side one and off however he liked. It was especially apparent now, when I dared express my curiosity.

"...You should have ignored that."

"I'm sure you're more than aware, you can't exactly ignore someone you're right next to. And that's why you were probably so afraid... But I won't stick my nose in too deep, and I'll let you be this time. If you want ice cream, we're buying it from somewhere else, or we're going home."

"...Geez, Saihara-chan, if you weren't a boy I'd call you mommy for sure. Or maybe, can I call you daddy?"

"No." I was getting tired and the idea of my comfortable desk, patiently waiting for me was tempting me more and more. I could've just gone home and told him off, but I wasn't that insensitive. He needed that ice cream to feel better, most likely. "Regardless, I will treat you to a nearby place I happen to know of."

"...why?"

"Because you asked for it."