After Picking up a Runaway Girl From the Same University on My Way Home From Work, We Started Living Together in Secret - Chapter 24

When I arrived at the studio with Risa, who was so nervous she could barely walk, numerous staff members prepared for the shoot.

There was a green screen, antique-style sofas, and tea sets, along with other furnishings that matched the clothing theme, all neatly arranged.

The atmosphere was buzzing with people adjusting light sources and issuing constant directives, giving a tangible sense of being in a professional environment.

Amongst the organized chaos, Minase-san, overseeing the overall direction, noticed us and approached with a wave.

“You’re here, both of you. And I must say… Risa-chan is just adorable. I’m so glad you accepted the modeling job. This will definitely cause a sensation.”

With a thumbs-up, Minase-san made a statement that was either genuine or tongue-in-cheek—it was hard to tell.

Risa, tilting her head slightly, seemed unsure how to respond. Perhaps being in the studio helped crystallize her image of the task ahead.

“But you seem nervous. It’s your first time, so it’s natural. My advice would be to relax your shoulders, take deep breaths, and think about something fun.”

“Relax my shoulders… deep breaths… something fun,” Risa echoed.

“Will she be alright, though?” I asked hesitantly.

“From a work standpoint, she has to manage, but Risa-chan’s beauty will make up for almost anything. We do want the best photos, though. After all, they’ll affect magazine sales. Talking about it might help her relax too.”

Though Minase-san’s advice seemed casual, it was probably the best approach I had to offer as well. Better than standing around uselessly.

“Risa, is there anything I can do to help?” I asked.

She placed a hand on her chin in thought, then said, “…Then, massage my shoulders.”

“I don’t think that will help you relax your shoulders…” I replied skeptically.

“Then just hold my hand. It calms me down.”

She offered her right hand as a compromise—a small, pale hand unmarked by sun, much smaller than mine, with delicate, slender fingers that seemed as though they might break easily.

There wasn’t any deep meaning behind Risa’s request. On an instinctual level, I could understand her wanting physical contact to ease her nerves.

But doing that here, in such a public setting, would definitely draw attention. Sure enough, Minase-san was already locked onto us, watching with a broad smile as though saying, “Don’t mind me, carry on.” Her unwavering gaze made me cringe slightly.

Her intent to remain a spectator was clear, which only made things more awkward.

“…Is it not okay?” Risa asked softly.

Her earnest request left me unable to refuse, as always. That’s why people called me a pushover.

“Alright, I’ll try to be gentle. Let me know if it hurts.”

“It’s fine. You’re always gentle, Minato,” she said.

Trying not to dwell on her oddly phrased compliment, I gingerly took her hand.

But how exactly do you massage a hand? I decided to press my fingertips gently along the palm, moving from her fingers downward.

The soft, springy texture of her hand was oddly soothing, and I found myself continuing the motion without much thought.

“It tickles a little,” Risa commented.

“Should I stop?” I asked.

“Keep going. It’s more relaxing than I expected.”

Relaxing, huh? Maybe to Risa, this felt like being kneaded by a cat.

Since she didn’t seem to mind, I began massaging her other hand as well, until Risa eventually said, “Thanks, I feel better now.”

“That helped a lot. I’m so relaxed, I might get a bit sleepy,” she added.

“Don’t fall asleep during the shoot,” I warned.

“I won’t. I’ll nap when I get home.”

“Please do.”

“Minato, how about letting me massage your hands when we get back?” she asked.

“…No, thanks,” I replied.

“That’s a shame,” she said, visibly deflated.

Wait, was she really that eager? Her reaction caught me off guard.

…Hand massages should be fine as far as physical boundaries go, right?

“If you really insist, you can massage them all you want,” I said reluctantly.

“Okay. I’ll do my best,” Risa replied.

You really don’t need to try that hard.

As I sighed at the exchange, Minase-san called out to Risa, “Risa-chan, it’s time for the shoot.”

“Got it,” Risa answered.

“Minato, come with me. It’ll keep the others from bothering you unnecessarily.”

“Uh, sure,” I said.

As someone who was just a bystander, sticking close to Minase-san seemed like the safest move. But then—

“So, what was that hand-holding session with Risa-chan earlier? You two looked like you were flirting in plain sight,” Minase-san said with a teasing smirk.

“That wasn’t flirting. It was just to help her relax,” I explained.

“No excuses! If you’re not dating, that’s even weirder. Risa-chan is adorable—you’d better hurry before someone snatches her up,” she retorted.

“It’s really not like that,” I insisted.

“Ohhh, so you’re the modern ‘herbivore man’? More like a fasting monk! Anyone can tell just by looking at you two. No one lets someone do that unless they like them!” Minase-san exclaimed dramatically.

Her theatrics were straight out of a romance manga, and though some of her points made sense, acknowledging them felt like it would disrupt my current relationship with Risa.

We were closer than most friends but not quite best friends, roommates, or romantic partners. Just two people living together and sharing a bond that felt natural but defied labels.

Still, from Minase-san’s perspective, I could see why she found our relationship confusing.

“Risa-chan, do you like Minato?” Minase-san suddenly asked.

“If it’s between like or dislike, then I like him,” Risa answered without hesitation.

“See? There’s hope!” Minase-san declared.

“She probably means as a friend,” I countered.

“Is that so, Risa-chan?” Minase-san pressed.

“Of course, as a friend. But also as a person. Minato is a really good person, though he’s so good it worries me,” Risa said.

“And as a romantic partner?” Minase-san asked.

Is she really asking that right in front of us? Though Risa seemed pensive, her reply was ambiguous.

“I don’t know. But I enjoy being with Minato and hope it stays that way,” she said.

Her response made me feel both relieved and a little happy.

“Well, make sure you don’t regret it later,” Minase-san said. Then, turning to me, she added, “Does this come from some kind of romantic complex of yours?”

“Who are you calling a single, unpopular older woman?” I shot back.

“I didn’t say that!” she replied, mock-offended.

With that, the shoot began, and Risa moved to the set, ready to follow the photographer’s instructions.