After Picking up a Runaway Girl From the Same University on My Way Home From Work, We Started Living Together in Secret - Chapter 5

“…Maybe my will is too weak?”

After promising to let Kototori stay at my place for a while, I reluctantly parted ways with her when she went back home to get her things. I headed home alone. I had already exchanged contact information with her at the café, so there shouldn’t be any issues. As long as she’s not so directionally challenged that she’d get lost, I thought she’d be fine.

Since it was a bit early, I figured I’d prepare dinner while Kototori wasn’t around. I was frying ground meat for the meat sauce when I ended up muttering aloud.

“I’m really weak when someone asks me for something… Especially when they push even though I say it’s impossible, I can never refuse. It was definitely a good idea to put up the ‘no sales’ sign at the front door.”

If I hadn’t, I might have ended up buying some weird vase or something. I don’t have the money for that kind of thing.

The only reason I agreed to Kototori’s request was that the only person who’d be inconvenienced was me.

Her living expenses would be covered by Kototori, and I was only providing her a place to sleep.

If I lived in a one-room apartment, I’d be in big trouble, but fortunately, the apartment I rent is a 1DK. There’s room for one more person to stay.

But in exchange, I lose my peace of mind.

“I’ll need to buy a futon for Kototori to sleep on.”

I muttered to myself occasionally as I kept cooking. As the meat started changing color, I added a can of tomatoes, consommé, and other seasonings, stirring them together. The smell rising from the frying pan made me even hungrier.

I’d made this so many times by now that there was no way I’d mess it up.

That aside…

Even just sharing a room with Kototori was stressful on my heart, and the idea of sharing a bed with her was impossible. Especially since she was so cute and had said something so bold as using her body however she liked.

The self-control of a young college guy in his prime… I couldn’t trust it, even if it was about myself.

…But, was Kototori really planning to stay at my place?

It might feel safer than staying at a stranger’s house, but if she were going to stay anywhere, it’d make more sense for her to stay with a friend of the same gender. I’d never seen her interact with anyone like that at university, though.

“So, does that mean my house is safe?” I wondered.

I didn’t have any intention of doing anything with Kototori… I didn’t think I did, at least. If anything, I’d rather keep my distance. Even though it was heading in the opposite direction, I wanted to believe that it wasn’t my fault.

…I get it. I’m just escaping reality.

*Sigh*… Why didn’t I just refuse back then? I’m too easy to persuade. Kototori is really pushy, after all.

As I sighed, I adjusted the seasoning in the meat sauce with ketchup, sauce, and sugar. After tasting it, I thought, “Yeah, that’s about right.”

From here, I just needed to watch it and keep stirring until it simmered.

I could wait to cook the noodles until Kototori arrived. After all, it wouldn’t take long, and it was still a little early for dinner.

“Well, I decided to let her stay, so I need to brace myself. But how long is she planning to stay? …Could it be indefinite?”

It was possible.

If she didn’t want to go home, she’d probably stay as long as she was allowed.

If that happened, it’d be over for me.

Unless there was some urgent reason, I felt like I couldn’t possibly kick her out.

As I thought about the pitiful future, the doorbell rang.

At the same time, I got a message on my phone.

*“I’m here.”*

I saw Kototori’s simple message and decided to check through the peephole just in case.

I saw her with a large suitcase and a paper bag in her right hand. Feeling a bit nervous, I opened the door and let her in.

“…”

“Why are you staring at me so much? Is something wrong?”

“No, I was just thinking, you really came.”

“Because that’s what we promised. And here, this.”

She handed me the paper bag.

“What’s this?”

“Cake. I thought we’d have it after dinner.”

“…Didn’t you just eat earlier?”

“Yeah, but that’s different. I got some for you too. Strawberry shortcake with bright red strawberries.”

“I’m happy to get it, but… was this just you being considerate?”

“Well, that’s part of it, but mostly, I just wanted to eat it with you.”

Why would she want to eat cake with me? I couldn’t really figure that out, so I decided to just accept it.

“…It smells nice.”

Kototori sniffed the air, and for a moment, I wondered if something smelled bad, but she added, “It’s probably the meat sauce simmering. I’ve just been getting dinner ready. Is it okay to eat?”

“It’s fine. Thank you.”

Her gratitude made me feel a little embarrassed.

I was relieved that the smell was from the meat sauce. I clean often, but I’d be embarrassed if it turned out to be some unpleasant odor like body odor or something in the room.

“You can put your things over there.”

I pointed to the open space I’d cleared and guided Kototori into the room. She headed toward the space to drop off her suitcase.

I wondered what all was inside. I figured it was mostly clothes, but since she was a girl, there might be cosmetics, a hair iron, and stuff like that.

…I’d need to buy something to store her clothes later.

It was one thing to store regular clothes, but I didn’t want to see her underwear.

“I was thinking of waiting a bit before dinner. Is that okay?”

“It’s fine, whenever you’re ready.”

“Okay. Once the meat sauce is done, I just need to cook the noodles.”

I decided to let the sauce simmer on low heat and headed back to the living room, turning on the TV.

Being alone with Kototori in silence was a bit tough.

I sat on the sofa I bought from a second-hand furniture store, and Kototori came back holding her tablet, placing her suitcase on the floor.

“Can I sit here?”

She asked shyly, looking at the empty space beside me.

“Do whatever you want.”

“Thanks.”

Trying not to focus on it, I said. Kototori sat about a fist’s distance away.

The sofa wasn’t that big, but still… it was close. I could count the individual lashes on her eyes from where I sat.

Her long hair hung down and partially covered her face, like a curtain.

She was focused on her tablet, tapping and swiping busily. I couldn’t tell what she was doing, but she didn’t seem to be paying attention to me at all.

Seeing Kototori acting like this, I started thinking that maybe staying at a guy’s house was a normal thing for her.

Me? Having someone of the opposite sex stay at my house was my first time… well, maybe the second.

And so far, I didn’t feel like I could get used to it.

“Ah.”

Suddenly, Kototori muttered, as if remembering something.

“I forgot my panties and bra.”

“…”

I turned my eyes away from Kototori, who had said something shocking, and sighed deeply.

How am I supposed to handle this?