That's right. Today's been confusing since morning, so I never gave Youko-chan a call.
I check the time again. Not much time until the date changes.
Uuu, what to do, what to do---
Youko-chan goes early to bed, so it's just in time, and going without contact all that time, I feel I'd be told off with "Hato-chan, you're so cold!" or the like.
But Youko-chan is also the type to say, "For emergencies, call the home line!" hang up, and sleep, so it seems we'll at least avoid sleep disturbance this way.
Come now, if I know that much, no more hesitation.
Punching the buttons *puchi puchi* I bring up Youko-chan's cell and start ringing.
Youko: Heeello, it's the deep of night and about to turn midnight. Time for good kids to go to bed, you know...
Kei: Are you a good girl, Youko-chan?
Youko: Ouch--- you jab where it hurts. Did you do combat training in those mountains, or what?
Kei: Well, I pulled myself from the brink of death a few times, and gained some experience points to match, I bet.
Youko: Ahaha, you mean like when you just join a party, do nothing and get an equal share?
Kei: Uuu, I guess it
is more like that......
I don't play them myself, but Youko-chan has a taste for video games and I often just sit and watch while we talk.
I sometimes get recommendations, but just watching is fun in itself and, to be honest, I don't do well with games that require reflexes.
Youko: And so, how is it?
Kei: There've been a lot of mishaps, but...
Even in this summer heat, my body freezes, shivering.
---*chirin*
The faraway sound of a chime.
Youko: Hato-chan?
Kei: Ah, maybe I set the A/C too low...
Youko: Just because you don't pay electricity doesn't mean you can abuse it, or you'll get chewed out, yon. The set summer temp is 28 C - but kinda hot, huh? (TN: 28C=82.4F)
Kei: And your room?
Youko: 24 Degrees. (TN: 75.2F)
Kei: Wah, that's not saving anything.
Youko: It's all good. Papa and mama are away and the only room with A/C turned on is mine, so I wind up using a lot less than the norm, here.
Kei: If you put it that way, my house's empty.
---: That's right. And now nobody's going back.
Kei: ---!?
The lights descend softly into darkness.
Grasped abruptly with cold hands, my phone is taken away.
Youko: Hey, Hato-chan? Hato-chan?
---: Fufufufufu.
A suppressed giggle tickles my ears, and the edges of my vision flicker with red light.
Youko: Hato---
As if the waves were cut, the phone is thrust into silence.
However, that's not the first time it was cut like that, so it's doubtful Youko-chan thought much of it.
Continue...