After Picking up a Runaway Girl From the Same University on My Way Home From Work, We Started Living Together in Secret - Chapter 35

Chapter 35: So, That’s How It Is

Steam softly filled the bathroom.

The warmth of the water soaking into the tub seeped deep into my body.

The sound of water, breathing, and the exhaust fan’s hum surrounded me.

And—my own heartbeat, annoyingly loud, like it was mocking me.

The reason for this disturbance was right in front of my eyes.

White, long hair tied at the top of her head.

A slender nape and delicate shoulders extended from it, barely covered in soft, pinkish skin.

The owner of this figure sighed softly, relaxed and content.

Sitting snugly on my lap in the tub, she stretched.

“…Soaking in the bath makes me sleepy. I feel like I’d sleep so well if I just dozed off like this. Hey, Minato, what do you think?”

Turning slightly as she asked, of course, it was Risa.

Naturally, she was completely naked, enjoying the bath without a shred of hesitation.

…I mean, at this point, I guess it’s like, “Whatever happens, happens,” right?

If something did happen, that would be a massive problem, but there’s still a limit, you know? I’m still a guy, after all.

The reason Risa was here was simple.

She drank, passed out, and then woke up while I was in the bath, ignoring my protests as she barged in.

Basically, it was the typical antics of a drunk person.

And the cause? Alcohol. Risa’s rationality had already taken a hit.

For the record, I tried to stop her. I even suggested she let me leave if she insisted on coming in.

But a tipsy Risa wouldn’t listen, and instead, she guilt-tripped me with, “Do you hate me, Minato?” in a near-tearful voice.

Even though I knew it was just drunken nonsense, it was more than enough to plant guilt in me.

So now, here we were, bathing together. And honestly, I regretted it.

If I could rewind time, I’d go back to before I got in the bath.

Regardless of how we got here, the reality of being in the bath with Risa wasn’t going to change.

The best I could do now was try not to remember anything about Risa from this moment.

“Yeah, maybe. But don’t fall asleep; you’ll drown.”

“I know, but… my head feels so fuzzy,” Risa replied in a soft, lethargic tone, matching my half-hearted response.

Does Risa not see me as a guy?

Does she seriously think nothing will happen while we’re both naked in the bath, or is she okay if something does? Maybe her drunkenness has completely wiped out her rationality.

Whichever it was, this didn’t bode well for the future.

“I always thought baths were supposed to calm your mind. What’s your take on that, Risa-san?”

“The backrest is nice, and having someone to talk to keeps it from being boring.”

“For the record, I’m not a backrest. And honestly, I think it’s pretty dangerous for a guy and a girl who aren’t even dating to bathe together.”

“I’m not dangerous, though.”

“That statement alone shows you’re lacking any sense of danger!”

I mean, if I wanted to, I could do something to Risa.

The difference in strength between us means I could overpower her even if she resisted.

And given that she was sitting on my lap with her back to me, she was practically halfway into danger territory already.

…In this position, if I reacted, it would be obvious right away.

Right now, I was trying hard to block out Risa’s presence and focus on something unrelated, like classwork, to barely keep myself together.

But how long would that last?

“Isn’t there no point in us bathing together, to begin with?”

“I hate waking up feeling gross if I don’t bathe before bed.”

“That’s your reason for bathing, not for us bathing together.”

“I was too sleepy to wait for you to finish.”

“We could’ve taken turns. I could’ve gone in after you.”

“Bathing together saves time and is more efficient.”

“Do you realize my mental state is rapidly deteriorating because of this?”

It feels like my sanity is being drilled into dust.

Both my mental state and my self-control are taking a severe hit.

“Do you hate me or something?”

“If I said this whole ordeal has made me dislike you just a little…?”

“Then I might crawl into your bed at night and cuddle you while reminiscing about the kind Minato you used to be.”

“Wow, that’s oddly specific.”

Still, cuddling would be way better than this.

At least we’d be clothed, and just sleeping wouldn’t harm anyone. Plus, we both have good sleeping habits.

“Minato—thank you. For picking me up when I was lost.”

Her sudden gratitude brought back memories of the night I first let Risa stay over.

“It was nothing. Just self-satisfaction on my part. Don’t worry about it.”

“And also, thank you for helping me on the day of the entrance ceremony. I never properly thanked you for that.”

“That was over a year ago, wasn’t it?”

“Expressing gratitude is my own form of self-satisfaction, so just accept it.”

“Well, if that’s how it is, then sure.”

Since I had forced my own self-satisfaction onto her, I wasn’t about to deny hers.

“But why bring it up now?”

“When I thought about how much you’ve helped me, I felt like I had to say it.”

“…It was just coincidence.”

“Still, I can’t be at peace unless I thank you.”

That’s just how Risa is—so earnest.

The only problem is that she’s likely drunk right now, and she’s pushing the boundaries of our agreement.

“From now on, I’ll be counting on you.”

“…Sure. But let’s avoid drinking outside the house. You could cause a disaster with this kind of behavior.”

“I’m not that reckless. I only act like this because we’re at home, and I let my guard down. This kind of thing is for you only, Minato.”

Could you not do this to me alone?

Wait, does that mean—

“…Don’t tell me you still have your rationality intact?”

“People don’t lose all their rationality that easily. I admit I’m a bit fuzzy, though.”

“Alright, let’s get out now. I’m starting to feel dizzy, and it’ll be bad if you overheat or get more drunk. Can you get out first? I can’t stand until you’re out.”

I lightly tapped her shoulder, pleading.

Risa twisted her body and turned toward me. Then, without a word, her face came close—too close.

It happened so naturally that I didn’t have time to react.

“—”

Her lips touched my cheek.

The soft, springy sensation registered late as her blue eyes pulled away.

Did… did Risa just kiss me?

My mind went blank, and all coherent thought fled.

Risa stood up, leaving me behind.

“That’s how it is.”

With that, she declared it one-sidedly and walked out of the bathroom.

Even seeing her completely bare back didn’t register in my head.

The feeling of my brain overheating wasn’t from the hot water.

“…What the hell just happened?”

If I followed her out now, we’d run into each other in the changing room.

That thought made me thankful for the few moments to organize my thoughts.

…Not that I could calm down in just a few minutes.

Still, I stayed in the bath, trying to relax, and by the time I got out, Risa was already asleep.

The lingering frustration of not being able to get answers was immense.

Could I even sleep after this?

As I picked up the convenience store bag Risa had left behind, a small, square box tumbled out.

“What the…?”

When I picked it up, the words “Ultra-thin, 0.01mm!” were printed on the front.

“…You’ve got to be kidding me.”

At that moment, I knew I’d be spending the rest of the night in turmoil.

Better safe than sorry, I guess? (?)