I Got Cheated On, so I Thought I’d Cheat Back and Went to a Group Date, I Ran Into a Classmate Who Used to Boss Me Around and Now We’re Living Together - Chapter 9

“Good morning, Shiraki.”

“Good morning, Machida-san.”

Lately, I’ve been sleeping in the living room. Of course, I gave my private room to Machida-san. I just moved the table aside, spread out a futon, and slept there. It works fine. A few days had passed since the baseball game, and that morning was the same. When I woke up, Machida-san was already in the kitchen making breakfast.

And it wasn’t just this morning. Ever since the first day, it’s always been like this. With her black wolf-cut hair tied into a short ponytail, she stood at the IH stove, cooking something. From the smell, it was miso soup. Something was baking in the oven, too. Probably the salmon fillets I saw her buy the other day.

Even though Machida-san is trying to improve her Italian cooking, she actually enjoys cooking in general. So she can make proper Japanese meals, too. For breakfast, she usually serves a classic Japanese set.

After I washed up and came back to the living room, the table was already set with steaming rice, fragrant miso soup, and salmon that sizzled with oil. Machida-san added a pack of natto to the table.

“Yes, it’s ready. We should eat before it gets cold.”

“Thank you.”

I sat down, grabbed my chopsticks, mixed the natto, and poured it over my rice. Then I picked at the flaky salmon and tasted it.

―Yeah, it’s good. The meat was soft and fluffy, even better than the grilled salmon my mom used to make at home. When I added the natto rice, my mouth was already full of flavor.

“This miso soup, I think I made it a little too strong.”

Meanwhile, sitting across from me, Machida-san started sipping her miso soup and grumbling a little. So I took a sip too, just to check.

“Hmm, well… It’s still fine. I don’t mind it.”

“Really? If you’re okay with it, then I’m fine.”

She was clearly thinking of me first, and I appreciated it.

Right now, Machida-san was still in her casual sleepwear. A light blue camisole and gray hot pants. It made it hard to know where to look. Her shoulders were bare, the neckline was loose, and, well… she was pretty well-developed. My eyes kept drifting toward her chest.

But telling her to wear more clothes didn’t feel right. It was already late June, hot enough that someone couldn’t survive without air conditioning. Naturally, Machida-san wanted to wear light clothes indoors. I couldn’t blame her.

“Oh, I’m sorry, but apartment hunting isn’t going well…”

Machida-san looked a little troubled.

“I’ve been checking real estate offices and looking online, but places that are close enough to both school and my part-time job are all really expensive. There are cheaper places, but…”

“…There’s no bathroom or toilet, right?”

“Exactly…”

…Yeah, apartment hunting is tough. From what I heard, Machida-san’s rent budget comes from her parents. The limit is 40,000 yen, and if she wants to live somewhere more expensive, she has to cover the extra herself.

In the city, 40,000 yen doesn’t mean you can only get terrible places, but if you want to live somewhere convenient, like within commuting distance of both school and work, your choices shrink fast.

“By the way… is my place convenient for you? For school and work and all that?”

“Ah… yeah. It’s honestly really perfect.”

Machida-san nodded while flaking the grilled salmon.

“But… I can’t keep bothering you. I’ll move out properly, so don’t worry.”

That’s what she said.

Honestly… I wouldn’t mind if she stayed forever. But maybe Machida-san really does want to move out. Staying at some guy’s place like me is just a temporary thing. Maybe what she really wants is to live alone.

Still… if I don’t say this now, I’ll regret it later.

“Hey, Machida-san… if this place is perfect for you, why not just stay here?”

I said it. Not just for Machida-san, but for me. I want Machida-san to stay because I’ve grown attached to her.

“I don’t mind living with Machida-san. You don’t have to force yourself to move out.”

“But…”

“Of course, if Machida-san hates living with me, then I get it.”

“T-that’s not it… I don’t hate living with you at all. Actually… are you sure you’re not just saying this out of pity? Like, deep down you want me gone, but you’re pretending to be nice?”

Machida-san watched my face closely.

“…You don’t actually want me here, right? You’re just being nice and pretending?”

“That’s absolutely not true.”

I shook my head firmly.

“Honestly, I have more fun spending time with Machida-san than I ever did with my girlfriend.”

“…R-really?”

“Yeah. So I’m fine with you staying.”

When I said that, Machida-san looked away and her face turned a little red. It was kind of embarrassing to say something so cheesy, but it’s fine… Better to say it than keep quiet and regret it later.

“Um…”

At that moment, Machida-san looked back at me. Her cheeks were still red, and she spoke with a nervous tone.

“Are you really… okay with me staying here as a freeloader?”

That had to be her final check.

It meant I’d managed to convince her.

To make her lean toward staying.

So I answered right away.

“Of course.”

I said.

“Then… it would honestly help me a lot. If you say it’s okay, then I’ll stay. Thank you, Shiraki.”

And just like that.

Without a doubt, this felt like a huge victory for me.