For I Am A Side Character - 92: The Inside of the House Changes as well as the Inside of its Owner.

With how the event was going to start tomorrow, most of my classmates were restless of the possibilities happening at the event. With thousands of people watching the event, it was the perfect opportunity to showcase the skills and powers of today’s youth, and at the same time their performance will secure the relief of the people’s expectations.

That afternoon, after our classes ended. Instead of riding on home alone, Jessica decided to ride with me back.

She said that she wanted to spend the night over and that she had a surprise waiting for me at home. So I was a bit curious what she had planned.

When we rode over, I tried asking for some clues about what she had planned.

“You seem pretty excited about this surprise, so what did you have planned?” I asked directly.

“I can’t say that, it’s a surprise. It can’t be a surprise if I just blurted it out.” she said.

“Hmm, since it involves my house, did you bring something over?” I asked.

“You could say that…hehe, and its not just one thing too but a lot of things.” she said.

“Huh…okay, now you’re making me excited for this thing as well.”

Without delaying anything else, I drove even faster to go home. And it didn’t even take fifteen minutes and we finally arrived.

When I got a look outside, nothing seems to have changed, but I can see a few unknown foot tracks in front of my door.

‘Someone else was here.’ I thought.

Being cautious, I readied myself to attack.

But before I could, Jessica went ahead and decided to be a host of showing me the surprise.

“Now I know that this is going to be a bit of a jump in our relationship, but…” as she opened the door, I was surprised by a rather unexpected move by her.

“I decided to move in with you.” she said as she presented to me a lavish refurbishing of every furniture that was inside the house.

“…Oh.” I said as I could not produce a proper reaction other than shock.

As I stepped into my home, I couldn’t help but be in awe of just how gorgeous the interior was. There was even a small chandelier in the living room as well as a grand carpet that had the words, [Young Merchant Guild] placed on the floor. This showcased a sign that this house was under the company of the guild that the young Family has just recently built.

From the looks of things, she wasn’t just moving in…it seems as though she was deciding to live together…all to a point as if we’re a married couple. Because from my own common sense, you don’t go this far just because you’re a couple. You go this far for someone who you want to marry in the future.

“…Um, this is the first time I saw you be this surprised. Are you angry for me doing all of this?” she asked as she looked to me with a rather worried expression.

It seems as though I gave out a bad impression of my reaction to this change.

Its not like that at all…but I am curious.

“W-Why did you go this far?” I asked.

When I asked this question, she looked a bit guilty…being unable to look me in the eye, she said her answer.

“…Its because for the past few days, it seems like you’ve been rather distant lately. I got worried and thought that maybe you were getting a bit fed up with me.” she said.

“What? What gave you that impression?” I asked as I was bit taken aback by her reasons.

“Every weekend it seems as though you’re not around for us to spend time together. And from what I know, we haven’t really been out on a date lately…its been so long since I remembered us spending time together outside of hunting or school.” she said.

“Oh…I’m sorry. I didn’t noticed it. Its true that I’ve been busy, I’m not going to deny that and maybe I just got too distracted with some things…” I said.

“…I did this so that we can spend more time together. More than we already have.” she said.

“So you decided to move in…okay. It’s a lot to take in, but yeah…” I wasn’t mad at her. I couldn’t be. If she did all this for our relationship, I don’t have the right to be mad at her.

“So you’re not mad?” she asked.

“No, not at all. In fact, I’m happy that you went this far for us, and I promise that I’ll do better as your…boyfriend.” I said as I walked up to her and patted her head in a comforting manner.

She smiled and finally showed a rather confident and cheerful smile. The worries she had towards this change were blown away by me accepting her actions.

From then on, we moved on with her introducing me to the changes of the house.

“Follow me, I have to show you the changes Sister Jane did to the place.” she said as she mentioned Jane, the wife of Eric and Jessica’s sister-in-law. Mentioning Jane as an Architect, I wasn’t surprised to hear that she was the one who worked on the changes to the house.

When we walked into the kitchen, I was amazed by its stunning blend of modern and classic elements. The Marble countertop was gleaming under the soft lighting, complemented by navy blue shaker cabinets with gold hardware. The typical sink was replaced by a large farmhouse sink beneath a bright window offers a lovely garden view. And further more, a centerpiece island, topped with marble, features stools for casual dining and a built-in wine cooler, was made to fit in the kitchen. There was A hand-painted blue and white tile backsplash adds a touch of art, while wide-plank oak flooring brings warmth, completing this beautifully refurbished kitchen. From the appliances, they all remained the same, but some were replaced and added. For example was the blender which was replaced by something better.

Moving forth was the bathroom and toilet. The bathroom exudes modern elegance with a touch of classic charm. Under soft, ambient lighting, the marble vanity countertop sparkles, its subtle gray veins adding depth to the pristine white surface. The vanity, a sleek design in deep navy blue with gold fixtures, offers both style and ample storage.

The centerpiece of the bathroom is the luxurious, freestanding bathtub. Its smooth, white curves invite relaxation, positioned perfectly beneath a large window that bathes the space in natural light. Nearby, a glass-enclosed shower with intricate subway tile work and a rainfall showerhead promises a spa-like experience.

Large-format tiles in a soft, neutral tone cover the floor, providing a warm foundation. A heated towel rack, polished in gleaming chrome, stands ready with plush, white towels. Above the vanity, an oversized mirror framed in gold reflects the refined aesthetic, while twin sconces on either side cast a flattering glow.

The overall ambiance is one of serene sophistication, making this refurbished bathroom a haven of relaxation and style.

To my comments, the bathtub was what caught my attention the most.

“Woah, the bathtub is pretty big. Its big enough to even fit two people inside it.” I said.

“Naturally…” said Jessica as she had this playful smile.

Seeing her playful smile, I couldn’t help but imagine us two going in and taking a bath together. Just thinking about it made me blush, but I soon shook my head and she moved on with finally showing me the changes she did to the bedroom, and more to it was the other rooms, especially the master bedroom.

The master bedroom which was original left unused for years now has been refurbished into a serene sanctuary of comfort and elegance. A soft, ambient lighting was casting a warm glow over the space, highlighting the calming neutral palette of creamy whites, soft grays, and gentle blues. The centerpiece was a luxurious king-sized bed with a tufted headboard upholstered in plush velvet, inviting restful slumber.

Sumptuous linens in high-thread-count cotton were layered with a cozy, knitted throw and an array of textured pillows. Flanking the bed, matching nightstands in rich walnut boast sleek, modern lines, each topped with an elegant lamp that provides a gentle, diffused light perfect for evening reading.

Against one wall, a sophisticated dresser with brass accents offers ample storage, while above it, a large mirror framed in distressed wood adds a touch of rustic charm. Opposite the bed, a comfortable seating area features a pair of wingback chairs in soft linen fabric, centered around a small marble-topped table – an ideal spot for morning coffee or quiet reflection.

Floor-to-ceiling drapes in a soft, muted shade frame large windows, which flood the room with natural light during the day and offer a tranquil view of the garden outside. The flooring, a wide-plank oak, grounds the space with its warm, natural tones and subtle grain, enhancing the room’s cozy yet sophisticated feel.

A walk-in closet, expertly organized with custom shelving and drawers, ensures that everything has its place, maintaining the room’s serene atmosphere. The overall design of this refurbished master bedroom harmonizes comfort with elegance, creating a perfect retreat for relaxation and rejuvenation.

With all of this decor refurbished in the bedroom, I wondered to myself what happened to my old room.

When I tried to take a look, it was also redecorated. It had the same aesthetic as the other rooms,  but from the feel of this room, it no longer felt like it was mine, it was more like a guest room.

“So…what does this mean?” I asked, clearly wondering on where I was going to sleep from here on out.

“Obviously it’s the master bedroom.” she said.

“…And my old room?” I asked.

“its going to be a guest room now.” she said.

“…I see.”

“I know it’s a bit uncomfortable for you, but your parents left this house for you. And with me moving in, I thought it would have been best for us to take this chance and make that room ours. Don’t you want that?” she asked.

“…” I said nothing as I felt some sort of guilt build up within me.

“…You’ve been alone for so long Soril. I know it must be strange and it might be hard, but I did this for you…”

”What do you mean by that?” I asked.

“Do you know the saying, ‘The House reflects itself to the owner?’ in this case, to me…every time I see you with the house, I feel like you’re disconnected. Its as if you truly don’t feel at home…and its sad to think about. You being here by yourself is a sad thought for me.” she said.

“…” I could only remain silent as she said her thoughts about my condition of living.

“…I think its time to move on from the past, and accept this change. Make this house yours Soril…make it feel as your true home.” she said.

I know what she means by all this. I’m not stupid to it.

Sometimes I wake up in this house and it feels like I don’t belong here. After all, this was ‘His’ home…not mine. And although God may have said that I belong to this world…that I am ‘Soril’, it just doesn’t feel right. Maybe Jessica is right…It’ll take time to accept change, and I’m glad that she did this for me, so as ‘Soril’…I should gladly accept this change. I should gladly make this my home now. And I hope that ‘he’ doesn’t get mad at me for deciding to do this.

“You’re right Jess…I’ll try to change. I’ll try to make this my home. Because If your with me, maybe I can make that happen.” I said.

Its not easy…

Although I said this today, I could still feel the uncomfortable guilt building inside me.

I don’t know how to throw this guilt away…and maybe I shouldn’t throw it…maybe this is how it goes and maybe time is the only thing that can fix this.

Jessica wanted me to feel welcome to my own home and go past my doubts and worries…and she did just that. I’m thankful for her being by my side…for finding me out of all the people there are in this world.

“…” I embraced her after that. I embraced her for what she did for me…for us…

And I can’t help but fall in love with her even more.

And what followed that night was a soft kiss to her forehead. I showed her that I trusted her…that I’m thankful what she did for me…and I’m thankful for her simply existing in my life…

And return for that kiss, what she gave me in back was her reassuring smile.

I love her…and there was no doubt in those words.