Chapter 16: Going Home with Friends
The bell rang, and the moment that Homura had been looking forward to finally arrived.
"Let's go, Kato!" Homura called out, lifting his leg and walking out.
Upon hearing this, Megumi softly replied, "Okay."
"Tomoya! What's going on?" Seeing the hurried pace of Tomoya running outside, Homura asked in confusion, "Aren't you going?"
"I'm not going! I'll be late for work!" Tomoya did not stop his pace and waved his hand as he disappeared from Homura's sight.
Shaking his head, Homura walked with Megumi to the school gate, where Eriri and Utaha were already waiting.
Homura asked in shock, "How did you girls get here so fast? Even though I and Kato immediately went here when the bell rang!"
Upon hearing Homura's words, Eriri and Utaha looked a little guilty and shifted their gaze to look elsewhere, as if something was attracting their attention...
Homura: "..."
'You guys didn't skip school, did you?' Homura didn't ask, calmly skipping over the topic.
"Now that we're all here, let's go!" After speaking, he took the lead and headed toward his home.
The two people behind them breathed a sigh of relief.
Eriri was about to say something when they heard Megumi's voice from behind them, "Um, are we not going to catch up with him?"
Eriri was startled, "Ka- Ka- Ka- Kato, when did you get here!?"
"I've been here the whole time." Knowing that she had been ignored again, Megumi said she was used to it.
"You really can't underestimate her..." Utaha also spoke up at this time, with a hint of caution in her words.
"Oiii~! What are you guys doing?" Homura's shout came from far away.
Immediately, the three of them restrained their various thoughts, looked at each other expressionlessly, and quickened their pace to catch up.
As they walked along the road, passing by the supermarket, Homura suddenly said, "Oh, by the way, can you guys wait for me for a moment? I'm going to buy some ingredients for dinner."
Megumi and Eriri have not expressed their opinion, one due to their personality, not wanting to ask, and the other due to having some understanding of Homura.
Seeing this, Utaha asked, "Ara? Do you still need to buy things yourself, Kohai-kun?"
Homura shrugged and replied, "Haha! I don't consider myself a big shot, nor do I like to boss people around."
Eriri sarcastically said from behind, "Okay enough! You annoying woman, why asked so much?" then she said to Homura, "You go buy things first! We'll wait here for you!"
"...Okay, wait a bit, I'll be back soon." Accepting Eriri's kindness, Homura immediately rushed into the supermarket and began his "battle" with the housewives...
"I shouldn't have asked something I shouldn't have, did I?" Utaha expressed her doubts.
Eriri sneered, "It's nothing! It's because of Minamiya's shy little sister. Didn't I tell you the situation roughly yesterday? Do you think they have servants or something like that at home?"
"Right! I even asked Kohai-kun to notify his sister in advance yesterday. I asked some inconsiderate questions today..." Utaha frowned slightly and muttered to herself, "Should I apologize later?"
"No need! Just be careful next time. Minamiya doesn't care about these things." Eriri felt she was just overthinking.
"...Okay." After speaking, Utaha stared at Eriri, making her feel uncomfortable all over.
"What are you staring at!?" Eriri felt goosebumps all over her body.
Utaha hinted, "I just didn't expect that Sawamura-san knows so much about Kohai-kun's family situation. It's a bit surprising."
Eriri understood immediately and was instantly infuriated, "What!? Do you want to fight me? You sly woman!"
"No! We're civilized people, we don't fight." The Black-bellied-senpai said.
Eriri was angry but there was nothing she could do. She would never be able to win an argument with this woman.
Megumi watched the two of them without speaking, and it was unclear what she was thinking...
===
"Ahh! Sorry for keeping you waiting!" Homura ran over with his arms full of bags and packages.
Megumi quietly stepped forward, wanting to help him carry some things.
Homura smiled and declined, saying, "Thank you, Kato, but it's okay. I can handle these things by myself!"
Meanwhile, Utaha and Eriri, who were a bit slower, raised Megumi's danger level once again.
"But are you sure this is useful?" asked Eriri, quickly trying to interrupt a certain wonderful atmosphere.
Homura replied, "Of course! I bought all of this to celebrate the establishment of our club!"
"Let's go! When it's time for dinner, I'll let you taste my cooking!" he said, motioning for everyone to follow him.
The three girls followed along with different thoughts in their minds.
===
At the entrance of the Minamiya Family Residence gate, Utaha looked at the long walls in amazement and exclaimed, "Kohai-kun, your house is really big! It's like a small estate!"
"It's just a bigger yard," Homura humbly replied.
Yes, so what if the yard is big? There's only him, Sagiri, and Haru, it's not as good as a small house.
When Homura first transmigrated, he didn't know how to face his parents in this life, but now he still hopes to be able to live together with them. Perhaps Sagiri won't become a shut-in for life?
'Living together as a family is what makes a complete family! Long-term separation, perhaps no one feels good about it,' Homura thought with some self-mockery.
Utaha was very sensitive this time and didn't continue to say anything, afraid of stepping on a landmine.
With one hand holding his bags, Homura opened the door.
"Okay, everyone come in!" Homura invited and secretly dialed Sagiri's phone.
"Sagiri! Haru! I'm back!" After speaking, he put his things aside.
"""Excuse me!""" The three women spoke in unison, a little puzzled.
Two people? Who is the other person?
The answer was revealed immediately!
The sound of footsteps came, and the little one ran over. Seeing so many people, she stopped for a moment but still pounced into Homura's arms.
"Haha! I knew you would come over!" He happily hugged Haru, and slowly stroked her fur, helping her smooth it out.
Homura took out slippers and said to the three women behind him, "Come in first, in the living room or my room, whatever you like."
But no one paid attention to him, they were all attracted by the little one.
Eriri couldn't help it first, looking at the little one, and asked, "Minamiya, what's the deal with this cat? Why didn't I know you had a cat at home?"
Homura heard her words and looked at their reaction, feeling some emotion.
Indeed, cute things have a huge attraction to girls!
Homura sighed.
"Well, it's a long story... Let's go inside first, and I'll tell you later!"