I Was Cheated on by My Girlfriend but My Devilish Junior Now Yearns for Me - Chapter 8

Chapter 8   Thank You to Santa

On that day when an icy, cold wind was blowing, the prefecture recorded its lowest temperature in several years.

It was late January, and the town, where not only the Christmas spirit but even the New Year’s mood had completely faded, had returned to its usual self.

Over the past month, nothing much had changed. Buying lottery tickets on a whim with friends, attending various New Year’s parties—everything was almost the same as last year.

There was just one thing different from last year.

“Senpai, you’ve made quite a mess while I was gone again, haven’t you?”

That one difference was the presence of Mayu Shinohara, formerly known as “Santa,” who now visits my house three times a week.

“Shut up. A real man doesn’t bother with cleaning.”

“What kind of nonsense logic is that? It’s going to turn into a dust hazard.”

With a relaxed tone, Shinohara began folding the clothes scattered around my one-room apartment.

“Hey, stop it. I’ll fold them myself later.”

“I’ve believed you for a whole week after you said that, but you still haven’t folded them, have you?”

“I’ll start tomorrow.”

“Is that so?”

Though she responded as if she didn’t believe me at all, Shinohara’s hands didn’t stop folding the clothes.

As I watched her, I started wondering when she had begun coming to my place so often.

Since the incident with Motosaka at the Christmas mixer and our phone conversation afterward, the chances to meet Shinohara had increased significantly.

I’m happy to have made a new connection, but I never imagined she would come over to my house this much.

On the first day we met after the new year started, she casually asked, “Can I come over to your place?”—What kind of girl with common sense would say something like that?

I should probably also reflect on myself for agreeing so easily.

It’s fine because it’s me, but isn’t it dangerous to just go over to a guy’s place like that?

Still, I’m someone who values my alone time, and I don’t usually like letting others into my space. Letting Shinohara in that day was simply a whim.

Well, I can’t deny that part of the reason was because she’s incredibly cute.

But since Shinohara started coming over, there’s one thing I’m truly grateful for.

“Senpai, I’ll use the kitchen again today.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

That’s right—cooking.

The life of a male student living alone is rather miserable, and meals are often neglected.

I’d wake up past noon and eat some bread, then go out for dinner in the evening. On days I didn’t meet friends, I’d just grab a convenience store meal.

Since breaking up with my ex, Reina Aisaka, my palate had grown so starved for home-cooked food that the meals Shinohara made for me were like a blessing.

Though, I don’t really remember ever eating much of my ex’s cooking.

“You’re really helping me out. I owe you big time.”

“I live alone too, so it’s just a bonus. I only cook when I have free time to eat with you, Senpai, so you don’t need to worry about it.”

“Really? You’re such a good person, Shinohara. You totally understand my wallet situation.”

I couldn’t help but feel relieved.

This month, I hadn’t worked as many part-time shifts as usual, so my savings were looking pretty precarious. Considering graduation trips and other things, I really didn’t have much leeway.

“Just get me a Louis Vuitton wallet as a thank-you.”

“That’s a pretty expensive thank-you request!”

“It’s your fault for dangling the idea of a reward in front of me. There’s not a single female college student who wouldn’t jump at the sight of a Louis Vuitton wallet.”

“Why has the thank-you gift been decided as a Louis Vuitton wallet…?”

Feeling a bit exasperated, I flopped onto the bed. Well, even though we’re splitting food costs, she’s still going through the trouble of cooking for me.

Maybe I wouldn’t mind buying her something like that later, after some time has passed—perhaps for her birthday or something.

“When’s your birthday?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Huh!?”

I jolted up from the bed, locking eyes with a wide-eyed Shinohara.

She stood still, with an apron wrapped around her waist, tilting her head slightly.

“Something wrong?”

“No, well, I was just surprised… How old are you turning?”

I responded with a safe question and lay back down again.

“You know, I realized something. Asking a woman her age is something you can only get away with while you’re still a student.”

“True. It’s a lot harder once you’re an adult.”

“Right? The fact there’s no upper age limit makes it kind of terrifying.”

Shinohara shivered playfully, then cleared her throat and spoke up.

“To answer your question from earlier, I’ll be nineteen. Just one more year until I can legally drink!”

“Ah, I see.”

That “legally” part caught my attention, but I decided not to press further. As she had mentioned before, that’s just how university students are.

“Hmm, your reaction’s a bit underwhelming. I’ll be legal soon, you know! You must’ve been the same when you turned eighteen—”

“Okay, okay, I get it! Just don’t go saying things like that in public.”

I quickly silenced my junior, who was on the verge of saying something inappropriate.

She seemed a little frustrated that I didn’t let her finish, but she didn’t seem inclined to continue, so she turned her face away and muttered,

“It’s fine. This is your room, after all. There’s only the two of us here.”

“That’s not really the point.”

“It is the point.”

Shinohara firmly stated her point, then pulled her smartphone out of her pocket. The vibrating phone indicated that someone had sent her a message.

“Want to grab something to eat tomorrow?”

I casually suggested it.

It might not be a bad idea to take Shinohara out somewhere as a way to thank her for everything she’s done for me. Besides, I didn’t have any plans for tomorrow anyway. And when it came to giving her a birthday present, I wasn’t too confident in my taste alone.

Shinohara looked up at my invitation but eventually shook her head.

“Sorry, I can’t tomorrow.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Don’t look so surprised. Even I make plans for my birthday in advance, you know. I’m going to celebrate with my friends!”

She flashed a happy peace sign at me. I had noticed she had a wide social circle, but it seemed like she really was blessed with good friends.

“Huh?”

“What is it?”

“Senpai, were you maybe thinking of buying me a wallet for my birthday?”

Her guess hit the mark, so I reluctantly nodded. Shinohara hurriedly waved her hands in denial.

“That was just a joke! I wouldn’t seriously ask a guy living alone to buy me a brand-name wallet!”

“Well, yeah, maybe a brand-name wallet is a bit much, but I was thinking of giving you something for your birthday.”

“R-really? Are you going to spoil me after knowing me for just a month?”

“Don’t be stupid. It’s a thank-you gift for all your help. I want to give it to you, so don’t argue. If you don’t like it, just throw it away—but do it when I’m not around. I’d be pretty hurt if you tossed it right in front of me.”

I shrugged my shoulders, and Shinohara, sounding genuinely surprised, said, “Wait, you’re serious, Senpai?”

Maybe she thought I was joking.

Shinohara seemed to mull it over for a moment, but it didn’t seem like she minded.

“If that’s the case…”

As Shinohara gave her answer, I couldn’t help but smile.

“Anything in particular you want?”

“Hmm… I’ll leave it up to you, Senpai. I know that’s probably the hardest answer to deal with, but that’s why I’m saying it.”

“Oh, you’re going that route, huh? Well, fine. Leave it to me.”

“I’ll look forward to it!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Honestly, I had no idea what kind of design she’d like. One thing was clear, though: if I chose something entirely on my own, it probably wouldn’t match her taste. Getting to know someone’s preferences in just a month is tough, even if it’s a girlfriend.

But since this was just a gift for a junior, not a girlfriend, it’d be better to consult someone reliable.

The first person who came to mind, of course, was her.