Walking Home Together

The rest of the day felt a little weird to Komi.

It started alright. Nothing too out of the ordinary. She completed her school work silently. Everyone cheered her on whenever she was asked to answer a question before Tadano swooped in to save her. There were a few run-ins with her various friends as they all wanted her attention for various reasons and comedic scenes. But other than that? All as usual.

It was at the end of the day when things got particularly strange.

First it was just a small thing. On Thursdays, Tadano usually was in charge of sorting out his family’s dinner. This meant he would get a text from his sister when school was out for him to hurry to the grocery store and get home, meaning it was the one day a week she would walk home without him.

But this time? He got the text but when he did he then took a photo of the writing on his arm. Then sat there, waiting for Komi.

“Everything alright?” She asked through the medium of writing.

He beamed back at her, “Yeah! Everything’s good, thanks for asking!”

Then he sat there, still waiting for Komi.

She was concerned. But, ultimately, Tadano wouldn’t be the kind of man who blew off responsibilities. Maybe that text was to say he wasn’t needed for dinner for whatever reason, meaning she got to enjoy time with him today as well. Not looking a gift horse in the mouth, Komi decided to just walk home as usual.

Their walk was as pleasant as it could be. Both just chatting about their day, the homework assignments, and the various people they’d interacted with that day. As they walked, Tadano offered some friendly advice for Komi’s pursuit of her next friend, just saying how she should approach the girl in knight armour.

It was normal. It was familiar.

And it lasted way longer than it should have.

There’s a part of their journey back home where the two usually separate. Komi paused there, expecting a goodbye wave from Tadano, but none came. There was a good few minutes pause as the two looked at each other, Komi eventually being the one who initiated the wave. It embarrassed her so much that she zoomed off towards her house before even getting a full response.

Not that it mattered because Tadano was walking her home.

Komi was so confused, scared, and flustered. Was Tadano lost? Was there a study session at her house that Najimi had planned without her? Was there a scary dog that had been following them and now Tadano was trying to protect her?

Maybe. Komi was too nervous to even write out a single question. Instead hoping that this strange set of events would end at the door to her house.

“Well, he we are.” said Tadano calmly as they reached her front door, “Will your parents let us in if I knock?”

“?!”

“I guess I should get myself a key soon. That way I can let us in whenever we need to.”

“?!?!?”

The flustered girl was so confused it was hurting her brain. Parts of her even worrying that Tadano and her were dating without the poor girl even realising it, though how someone as amazing as Tadano would want to date a silent mess like her was beyond Komi’s understanding.

Her pad of paper quickly went up, “What are you talking about?!”

“Ah! Sorry,” Tadano scratched the back of his head, “Guess that was a little presumptuous of me. Guess I’m not used to this situation yet.”

Before Komi could ask what the heck the situation WAS, the door to her house opened.

“Ah! Shouko!” Came the voice of a very happy mother, “And Tadano! What a surprise to see you here too! Are you two on a little study date~?”

“Uhm, actually ma’am.” Tadano mumbled, unrolling his sleeve to show off the writing on his arm. “As you can see…”

“Oh my! I had no idea!” Komi Shuuko exclaimed, examining the text, “My my my. I hope you’re ready for this responsibility young lady. Though I couldn’t imagine a better behaved and cuter candidate myself.”

Shouko wanted to cry.

“Do your parents know?”

He nodded, “I texted the group chat. I hope I’ll have a chance to chat with them properly soon, but that’s up to Komi-san now.”

“Good answer. Head upstairs and make yourselves comfortable now. I’m sure there’s lots to discuss, right Shouko?”

For once Komi agreed with something that was said. Hoping to high heavens that someone would explain to her what was going on!