I Accidentally Said “I Want a S○x Partner” in the Class Group on LINE, and the School Idol Responded - Chapter 18

“Thank you so much, Hashiguchi-kun… I finally got to rest properly last night.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Morning had come.

We were sitting across from each other at the table, eating the French toast Shinozaki had made for breakfast.

Last night, Shinozaki used the private bedroom, and I slept on the living room sofa. She hesitated at first, but after I insisted, she gave in and used the bed. She even suggested we sleep together since we were already close, but I didn’t. I wanted her to rest properly.

As she ate her French toast, she looked a little healthier than before. Maybe living in internet cafes had really worn her down. Seeing her in a better mood was a relief.

“Still, I didn’t know your dad had cancer. I guess we really do have some things in common.”

“Yes. That’s why, when I first heard your story, I felt a kind of sympathy for you.”

“But your situation is even worse in reality.”

Her father was a gambling addict, and her mother had left out of frustration. Because of them, Shinozaki had to live on her own, even as a second-year high school student.

“By the way… aside from him taking your money, did anything else happen?”

“There’s no physical abuse. The main reason I ran away was that my dad kept using the money I earned from part-time jobs without asking.”

“…Seriously?”

“Yeah… I had been working part-time since my first year to save for my future. But my parents had set up an account to receive my pay, and after my mother left, my dad started spending it without my permission… I never expected that. I just got fed up and ran away.”

“Is it okay now? The account situation?”

“It’s fine now. I opened a new online bank account and changed where my pay gets sent.”

“That’s good… Still, you’ve been working nonstop since last year, right? And you’ve managed to keep second in your year? That’s amazing.”

“I want the best chance I can get for college, so I can’t slack off on studying either.”

The best chance… probably means she’s aiming for a scholarship. That’s the most practical way to go to college without spending much money.

“That’s why, Hashiguchi-kun’s always been a big motivation for me.”

“…Me, a motivation?”

“Because you’re always number one, I wanted to surpass you. Even if I couldn’t, I wanted to close the gap. That’s what pushed me to work hard.”

“I’m honored.”

Because I’d always been forced by my parents, I never felt proud of being number one. That title was just a burden, not something that made me happy.

But if my being number one gave Shinozaki motivation, maybe now I could finally feel a little pride in it.

“That aside… Can I really live here?”

Her quiet words showed the conflict she felt inside.

“Your parents demand not just grades, but also good behavior, right? …If they find out about this…”

“If they do, then they do. I’ll deal with it then.”

Whatever happens, happens.

Even so, I had decided to stay by Shinozaki’s side.

“So, don’t worry. Just stay here.”

“Thank you… But at least let me do the housework, okay?”

“If you want to, of course.”

In this way, we made a kind of simple agreement, and it was officially decided that Shinozaki would live in this room.

※

Life with Shinozaki continued without any real problems, and soon, school entered summer break. The calendar switched to August, and I thought everything would keep going smoothly. But just then, my parents unexpectedly found out about Shinozaki living with me.

[Omiya, the electricity usage in your room is way too high for someone living alone. Are you letting someone else stay there?]

When I got this call from my mom, I wanted to smack myself for not thinking about it. …Well, even if I had noticed, I probably couldn’t have done much to avoid it. It was only a matter of time before this happened.

[Come home for a while. I’m the only one who knows so far.]

Her tone wasn’t angry, and that morning, while Shinozaki was out at her part-time job, I went home for the first time in four weeks.

“Omiya, are you honestly letting someone live with you?”

“…Yes, I am.”

Sitting across from my mom in the living room, I admitted it honestly. There was no way to lie about it here.

“I see…”

She still didn’t look angry.

“Who is it?”

“A girl from my class.”

“And why?”

“Her home life is complicated.”

I explained Shinozaki’s family situation to her.

“I see… her father is useless, and her mother left because of him…”

“Yes. And she hated her bad home life and ran away to an internet cafe. I couldn’t just ignore it, so I let her stay in my room.”

“I see…”

My mom murmured that a few times, nodding as if she understood.

“…Maybe you see a bit of yourself in her. You haven’t exactly had a perfect family either.”

“That’s…”

“It’s okay to admit it… Neither I nor Toukichirou-san were perfect parents either.”

“No, Mom, you’re not… You’ve had to endure a lot, too, being Dad’s accessory all those years.”

Right now, I’m the one dragged to parties as my dad’s status symbol, but that role originally belonged to my mom. She’s beautiful and highly educated, so just having her there makes everything look impressive and opens up conversation.

Mom herself is now restricted from going out in private to avoid scandals like affairs, and she can’t even attend reunions. My dad’s selfish control doesn’t just affect me.

“I don’t like Dad, but I see Mom as my ally… Even now, you haven’t told him about this.”

I told her that, thinking she might be treating me like she treats Dad.

Mom wiped at her teary eyes.

“…Thank you, Omiya… Whatever happens, make sure to keep helping that girl, Shinozaki-san, okay?”

“…! Is that okay?”

“Yes. I handle the utility bills and other management for that room. As long as I don’t report it, Toukichirou-san won’t notice.”

“But… are you really sure?”

“Yes. This is… my small revenge on Toukichirou-san.”

Mom said this with a small smile.

“He just left all the family matters to me, tied me down with strict rules, and enjoyed entertaining others and keeping a good public image. He didn’t even act like a proper father to you, and expects things to be fine because he earns money… Honestly, if it weren’t for you, I might have gone back to my own home already.”

“Mom…”

“So, I want to take advantage of your secret to get back at him a little.”

…Her words sounded heartfelt.

And I thought… I had no choice but to join her small revenge.

A small act that wouldn’t destroy the family but would give a tiny taste of payback. Doing that couldn’t be wrong.

“Mom… then I’ll be a bad guy too.”

“Hehe, I see. Then, make sure Omiya protects that classmate, Shinozaki-san. If her parents try anything, don’t handle it yourself. Contact child services or someone reliable. I’ll help if I can.”

“Understood. Thank you.”

“And one more thing.”

“…Yes?”

“Use protection properly, okay?”

“…Y-Yes.”

So many things had already been seen through…

…But having Mom on my side like this was really reassuring.

And keeping Shinozaki safe also became a small way to get back at my dad.

I felt like things were finally going in the right direction.

From then on, our life continued smoothly with Mom’s support.

Along the way, Shinozaki’s father found out we were living together. He also learned that I was from a rich family and tried to break into my house. But I stopped him and had him arrested. After that, time passed and life went on.