After Picking up a Runaway Girl From the Same University on My Way Home From Work, We Started Living Together in Secret - Chapter 13

“—I’m home.”

It was just past eleven o’clock at night when I got home from my part-time job after university.

I had helped prepare the bar for opening, then switched shifts with the person working that time.

In the entrance, as usual, there was a set of Kototori’s shoes neatly placed.

I wonder if she’s still awake.

After spending a few days together, I realized Kototori leads a surprisingly regular lifestyle.

She wakes up around seven in the morning, eats three small meals despite being a light eater, and goes to sleep before the sun sets.

I had thought her lifestyle would be chaotic, especially since she ran away from home, so I was a little surprised.

“…Minato, welcome back.”

I heard a voice from the living room.

Kototori, who had been fiddling with a tablet on the sofa, looked up and our eyes met.

Even though it’s been several days since Kototori started staying over, I still can’t shake the discomfort of having a girl in my room at this hour.

“Did you eat dinner?”

“I ate the leftovers you made. It was delicious.”

“Glad to hear that. You haven’t taken a bath… yet, I guess?”

“I was thinking about doing it after I finished my work, but then you came back.”

“…Work?”

I wondered if it had something to do with Kototori often fiddling with her tablet.

“I haven’t mentioned it, but I’m doing a bit of fashion design.”

“…Isn’t that pretty impressive?”

I’m not very knowledgeable, but it’s definitely something that can’t be done overnight.

At least, there was no designer I knew around me.

“Do you want to see?”

“Is it okay?”

“…If it’s you, it’s fine.”

It seems my response made Kototori think I was interested.

Since that was true, I sat next to her and she handed me the tablet.

On the screen was a three-view illustration of a Gothic Lolita-style dress, mostly in black, which looked somewhat familiar.

“Isn’t this the dress Kototori wore the other day?”

“You can tell? I thought guys couldn’t tell the difference between women’s clothes.”

“I don’t know much about it, but I recognized it. So that dress was something you designed yourself. That’s amazing.”

When I complimented her honestly, Kototori’s mouth opened slightly, as if caught off guard.

Then the corners of her mouth lifted slightly, and she smiled.

“It was the first dress I ever made after I became a university student.”

“It’s something really important to you, then.”

“…Yeah. It’s something really important.”

“It looked really good on you. But Kototori, you don’t wear clothes like that to university, do you?”

I voiced the question I had been wondering that night, and Kototori furrowed her brows, looking a bit unsure.

“Clothes like that just draw more attention. You don’t see anyone else wearing them, do you?”

“Even so, I don’t think you should have to hold back from wearing what you like.”

“Other people’s opinions are one thing, but how I feel is another.”

It’s true, other people’s opinions don’t matter. No matter what anyone says, my feelings won’t change easily.

“I think it’s a shame, but it’s up to Kototori to decide.”

It seems Kototori has her reasons for not wearing it, and it wouldn’t be good for me to push her.

“Anyway, what about the bath? If you’re going to take one, I’ll eat dinner while you’re in there.”

“…Then I’ll do that. It’s more efficient that way.”

With that, Kototori went to her room to get some clothes and then headed to the changing room.

Soon, I could hear the sound of water from the shower.

“…Humans really get used to things.”

It’s surprising how quickly I got used to having a girl using the bath in my house in less than a week.

…But what’s even more surprising is Kototori’s mental fortitude—she had no problem borrowing the bath even on the first day she stayed over.

Did she not consider the possibility of being watched or someone barging into the bathroom?

It was Kototori who took the risk, and in that vulnerable state, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything even if I wanted to.

Still, she casually took a bath and slept soundly in an unguarded state—her mental strength is extraordinary.

Though I have no intention of doing anything like that, I can’t help but wonder.

What would have happened if Kototori stayed at someone else’s house?

Most likely, no—definitely, she would have been in a terrible situation.

There’s no way just letting a cute girl like her stay over would have ended without something happening.

Kototori probably accepted that as part of the price she paid.

“I don’t want that.”

I’ve already come to know Kototori.

I’m aware I’ve gotten so close to her that I couldn’t possibly talk about it with anyone else.

Even though Kototori pushed me into letting her stay, I was the one who decided it.

If that’s the case, I’d rather have her stay as long as she wants. It’s less stressful for me that way.

In fact, I’ve realized I’ve come to like this living situation.

Of course, there are things to be considerate of.

But when we eat together at the table, or when she says “Welcome home” when I come back… for some reason, my heart feels warm.

It’s the warmth of a person, something I couldn’t get from living alone.

I had taken it for granted when I lived with my family, but now, with Kototori staying here, I’ve come to remember that feeling.

—If I were to call that feeling “a sense of security”…

“…I really can’t just kick Kototori out.”

This life with Kototori, which started by chance, continues.

So far, I don’t have to worry about living expenses, and there haven’t been any big problems.

It might just be a brief moment of peace.

Even so… I don’t want to take that peace away, as much as I can.

That’s probably why people call me a soft touch, but I think it’s fine because no one is getting hurt.

Even if it’s for my own satisfaction, it’s not self-sacrifice.

So, I think this is fine.

“Enough thinking. I should eat dinner. After that, I’ll do the dishes, and when Kototori comes up, we’ll switch for the bath and then I’ll need to sleep to prepare for tomorrow’s lecture.”