After Picking up a Runaway Girl From the Same University on My Way Home From Work, We Started Living Together in Secret - Chapter 10

Today’s part-time job was until the afternoon. After greeting the person replacing me, I finished work, bought ingredients for dinner at the supermarket, and headed home.

Even though I still felt a bit strange about the shoes of Kototori Risa being left at the entrance, I said “I’m home” and entered. There, I saw Kototori Risa sleeping on the sofa in her loungewear.

Her eyelashes were lowered, and her breathing was calm.

Her messy hair brushed against her cheek, making her look a little ticklish.

She was curled up, holding the tablet she had apparently been using right before she fell asleep.

“…I know you don’t have any ulterior motives.”

I muttered to myself, trying to convince myself.

Given the circumstantial evidence, it was just a case of falling asleep. I didn’t feel any intention to seduce me or anything like that.

But still—she was so defenseless.

“Does this mean she trusts me?”

It could be partly true, but honestly, Kototori Risa’s low level of caution was the real issue here.

I hesitated a little, then decided to leave her asleep. There was no real reason to wake her up, and it felt wrong to disturb her while she was sleeping so peacefully.

Being extra careful with the noise, I put away the ingredients I had bought in the fridge. Then, before starting dinner, I made sure to finish my homework.

As I focused, trying to block out Kototori Risa’s sleeping breaths, I was almost done with my homework when—ding dong—the doorbell rang.

Right, the package I ordered yesterday was supposed to arrive today.

I checked through the peephole to confirm the delivery person was at the door, then received the large box containing bedding and an assembled bookshelf. I was about to carry them to the bedroom when—

“…Welcome home, Minato.”

Kototori Risa, apparently waking up from the sound of the doorbell, rubbed her eyes like a cat and noticed me.

“Did I wake you up?”

“No, it’s fine. Was that the package from yesterday?”

“Yeah. Now I can finally sleep well.”

Since I slept on the sofa last night, I managed to get some rest, but it wasn’t proper sleep. Plus, even if Kototori Risa starts using the new bedding, there’s no guarantee I’ll be able to sleep soundly.

“Do you want help unpacking?”

“Thanks.”

I placed the box with the bedding in the bedroom and used a cutter to open it. I took out the blankets, pillows, fabric dividers, and the assembled bookshelf, then folded the box.

“Can you handle the blankets and pillows?”

“Got it.”

She answered cheerfully. Since taking them out of the bag seemed easy, I left the bedding to her and set up the bookshelf in the space I had already prepared. I then inserted the fabric dividers into the bookshelf.

“How’s it going on your side?”

“I took out the blankets and pillows.”

“Then, please organize the rest of the stuff. I’ll lay out the bedding.”

“I want the blanket next to you.”

“…Is that really necessary?”

“I get lonely sleeping by myself.”

It felt wrong, but I decided not to worry about it and laid the blanket next to the bed. Since I had already cleaned the room after shopping yesterday, it should be fine.

“This should be enough. If you need anything else, just let me know.”

“Okay.”

I was about to head to the kitchen when I paused for a moment to observe her.

Since she had said she wasn’t struggling with money, it seemed like Kototori Risa might have grown up like a sheltered young lady. It wouldn’t be strange if she wasn’t used to organizing her things, especially if she had hired a housekeeper before.

I had thought that, but Kototori Risa was surprisingly adept, folding clothes and putting them away with ease.

It looked like she was managing just fine.

Speaking of which, I remembered I needed to think about laundry too.

It would be better to separate things to avoid any problems.

I’d heard that women’s clothes need to be washed carefully to avoid color bleeding or deformation. Also, she probably wouldn’t like me washing her underwear.

…Although, Kototori Risa might say it’s fine, but I would feel awkward about it.

I also needed to set some rules for living together.

For example, it would be awkward—and even worse—if we ran into each other in the bathroom or toilet without realizing the other was there.

I’d probably die from guilt.

As I was thinking about all of this, I finished preparing dinner, ran some hot water in the bathtub, and then went back to the bedroom to check on Kototori Risa.

“I’m done organizing the stuff.”

Kototori Risa proudly announced, showing me the empty suitcase and the neatly organized storage behind her.

Without even checking, it was clear she had done it well.

“I’m glad to see you finished. Is there enough space?”

“For now, it’s fine. I’m good at organizing clothes. Look.”

Kototori Risa, with a hint of confidence, showed me the inside of the storage.

The clothes were neatly arranged in a way that beautifully showed a gradient of colors.

It seemed like they were also sorted by type, showing an unexpected level of tidiness.

Still, there was a strangely colorful section, and I focused my eyes to see more clearly—

“—You don’t even need to show the underwear.”

“I don’t think you need to overreact to things that aren’t being worn.”

I had said this in the shopping mall earlier, but underwear itself is just cloth. I agree with the argument that its true value is shown when it’s being worn by someone, but the underwear here is likely something that Kototori might wear in the future.

…Let’s stop this thought.

It’s a bit perverted to think about it too much.

“If that explanation makes sense, I wouldn’t be struggling. Also, from now on, let’s make sure to separate the laundry properly. You wouldn’t want me seeing all of yours, right?”

“I don’t mind being seen, but washing it is a hassle.”

…Is the hassle more important than being seen in underwear?

I still don’t quite understand Kototori’s way of thinking.

“But… Minato, I thought you might think I can’t even put away my clothes.”

“Well, I considered the possibility that maybe a housekeeper does it.”

“That used to be the case, but now I take care of my own clothes.”

“What about other things?”

“I have endless potential.”

In other words, she doesn’t have confidence in her ability to manage life.

That said, if she can handle the laundry, I’d be very happy.

“I can do it if I try.”

Kototori looked directly at me.

Her expression was like that of a dog.

Could she be waiting for praise?

“…Good job.”

“Mm. You can pat my head too.”

Saying that, Kototori closed her eyes and moved her head forward.

She was completely in a position waiting to be petted.

She tilted her face slightly up, and her soft white hair flowed to the sides. Her plump white cheeks and earlobes were visible, and her skin, untouched by the sun, was dazzlingly pale.

I deliberately avoided looking at her lips and told myself that sometimes praising is important, reaching out to touch her head.

“…”

As soon as I gently touched her hair, I gasped at how soft it was.

I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to touch it, and I felt an urge to pull my hand back. But this was something Kototori had requested as a reward.

Thinking that if I stopped now, she might look sad, there was no way I could pull back.

I focused only on petting her, moving my hand along her hair twice, three times.

Then, Kototori’s eyes softened even more, and her head was pressed further into my hand as if to ask for more.

“I feel like a cat.”

“Am I the owner?”

“Maybe. Want to pet my neck too?”

“Are you okay with being treated like a cat…?”

Even though I thought I wouldn’t, my attention shifted toward her slender neck, which lacked any pronounced curves.

It was probably smooth, warm to the touch, and so fragile that if I applied pressure, it would snap.

It had the delicate beauty that would suit the phrase “like glass.”

I didn’t want to touch that part, so I made up an excuse, “Let’s eat,” to end the moment.

“Is it over already?”

“It’s over.”

“Will you do it again?”

“…If the opportunity comes and I feel like it.”

I purposely avoided giving a definite answer.

If I did this every time, my mind would break.

I don’t think I have any romantic feelings for Kototori yet.

Still, when I do things like this with her, someone as cute as Kototori, some unhealthy desires inevitably stir in me.

I want to possess her, control her, violate her… It’s true that these voices in my heart are something I try to suppress as I go on living with her.

I’m not some saint or virtuous person.

The reason I let Kototori stay with me is because I thought if I ignored her—someone who might offer her body so easily—it could lead to something bad.

Once you’ve helped someone, you can’t stand seeing them being used by others.

So, I think it’s better to maintain some distance.

“Well, never mind. If you’re done putting things away, let’s have dinner.”

“What are we having today?”

“Tofu was cheap, so I made mapo tofu and vegetable namul. The seasoning is from a pre-made mix, so it’s not very spicy. It’s already ready, so help me bring it to the table.”

“If I help carry it, will you pet me?”

“I won’t pet you.”