Kicked Out of the Bottom Soccer Team, I Found My Strength Thanks to My Beautiful Junior Manager. What Began as a Simple Act of Kindness Turned into Her Coming Over Every Day. - Chapter 4: Inviting the Beautiful Junior Manager Into His Home.

Chapter 4: Inviting the Beautiful Junior Manager Into His Home.

“could I come into your home for just a little while?”

Takumi was taken aback by Kana’s sudden request.

But he quickly realized what she was aiming for.

“Ah, don’t worry, I’ll definitely take a proper bath.”

“No, it’s not that I want to monitor you that closely… Actually, I overslept this morning and forgot my key. My parents won’t be back until tonight, so I’m in a pretty tight spot.”

Kana scratched her cheek with an embarrassed smile.

“I see, so that’s what it was… I don’t mind, but is it really okay for you, Shirayuki? I live alone.”

“Eh? You do?”

Just as Kana looked surprised, the elevator reached the second floor. She stepped out with him.

“Yeah, my dad has a single-person posting. So inviting myself into a guy’s house when he’s not even my boyfriend—”

“I don’t mind at all. You’re not the kind of person who would do anything indecent, senpai.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“…Did I make things awkward for you after all?”

Kana’s expression clouded over with disappointment. She seemed to have interpreted his hesitation as a roundabout refusal.

“I’m sorry for being so selfish. I’ll just wait somewhere else—”

“No, it’s not awkward at all.”

Takumi hurriedly cut her off.

It was pouring rain outside. Whether she waited in front of the building or killed time at some shop, neither option would be comfortable for her.

Besides, although she wasn’t as drenched as he was, parts of Kana’s hair and clothes were still clinging to her skin.

If she was fine with it, Takumi had no reason to refuse.

(If anything, it would be rude not to let her in.)

Once he thought it through, the decision felt obvious. After all, Kana was soaked because of him.

“I just wanted to make sure. If you’re okay with it, then come on in.”

“Really?! Thank you so much!”

Her face instantly brightened like a blooming flower. Her steps beside him became noticeably lighter.

“I really don’t mind at all, but—”

Takumi prefaced his words, then asked something that had been bothering him.

“Why do you trust me so much, Shirayuki?”

“Hmm… From the very first day, when you kindly showed me the way to the soccer club, you were nice to me. And ever since then, you’ve always treated me warmly. Plus, I can tell that you actually listen to what I say.”

“Isn’t that just normal?”

Kana lowered her gaze slightly and gave a troubled, bitter smile.

“Actually… it’s not normal at all. Most people are only interested in my appearance or my chest, not what’s inside.”

Though her tone was playful, the exhaustion behind her expression was unmistakable.

(Being popular comes with its own hardships, huh…)

Takumi let out a soft sigh. Perhaps that was part of the reason Kana had grown so attached to him.

His apartment was the fourth door after exiting the elevator—Room 204. He unlocked the door and pulled it open.

“Go ahead.”

“Pardon the intrusion~! …Eh?”

Kana stepped inside with an excited look, but her cheeks immediately twitched.

“What’s wrong— Ah.”

Peeking in from behind, Takumi grimaced. He had completely forgotten.

(Right… my place is a total mess right now…)

“Sorry about that. Just wait a second.”

Takumi quickly removed his soaked shoes and socks, then grabbed a towel and some newspaper before returning to the entrance.

“Here. Dry your hair first. Stuff this into your shoes too. They’re probably wet inside.”

“Eh… Ah, thank you.”

Kana accepted the towel and newspaper with a slightly surprised expression, then let out a small laugh.

“You’re surprisingly thoughtful in these kinds of situations, senpai.”

“My room’s still a mess, though.”

“Fufu, true. But somehow… it feels very you.”

“That’s not really a compliment, is it?”

“No, no, it’s the highest form of praise.”

Kana lightly patted her red hair with the towel, giggling softly. As she carefully placed her wet shoes on the newspaper spread at the entrance, Takumi asked:

“Need anything else?”

“Thank you! I’m fine, so please go take your bath first, senpai.”

“No, I already wiped myself down a bit with the towel. You should go first. It’s not good for girls to let their bodies get too cold.”

“I’m okay. You were way more soaked than me, and besides—”

Kana glanced away for a moment and murmured quietly.

“If I go in first… it might make it awkward for you to go after me.”

“…You don’t have to worry about that.”

“But I do!”

A faint blush colored Kana’s cheeks.

“…Alright then. I’ll take you up on that.”

Takumi hesitated for only a second before honestly accepting her kindness.

“I’ll turn the air conditioner up a bit. If it gets too warm, feel free to lower it.”

“Ah… thank you. Also, just in case, please take your valuables into the bathroom with you.”

“Yeah, got it.”

Since he trusted Kana’s character, Takumi didn’t feel the need to be overly cautious. Still, being a little wary would probably make her feel more comfortable.

“Sit wherever you like—the sofa or a chair. Help yourself to drinks or snacks, and feel free to browse any games or books.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

Seeing Kana’s slightly tense expression, a small chuckle escaped him.

Kana puffed out her cheeks in protest.

“Senpai, were you just making fun of me?”

“No way.”

He wasn’t making fun of her, but he did find the sight endearing.

“…Suspicious.”

“It’s true.”

Takumi gave her an ambiguous smile to brush off her narrow-eyed stare, then prepared his change of clothes.

“Oh, right. The toilet is… well, since the layout is the same, you can probably figure it out.”

“Yes. It’s over there, right?”

Kana opened the living room door and pointed to the one near the entrance.

“Yeah. Anything else you need to know?”

“No, I’m good. Thank you.”

“Alright. I’ll head in then.”

“Take your time~”

As Takumi started toward the bathroom, he suddenly turned back.

“Ah, one more thing, Shirayuki.”

“Yes?”

“Thanks. For everything.”

“……!”

After giving her a gentle smile, Takumi quickly disappeared into the bathroom. He felt too embarrassed to say it properly face-to-face.

Because of that, he didn’t notice.

Left alone in the living room, Kana’s cheeks were flushed a deep crimson—one that even the light of the setting sun couldn’t have hidden.

***

“You can’t just surprise me like that…!”

Alone in the living room after Takumi left, Kana buried her face in the sofa and squirmed in embarrassment.

After a while, she remembered she hadn’t washed her hands or rinsed her mouth yet and headed to the sink area.

Since it was connected to the bathroom, she knocked lightly, but there was no response. She could faintly hear the sound of the shower, so he probably hadn’t heard her.

“Senpai, I’m borrowing the sink for a bit~”

“Okay~”

While washing her hands, a cup at the edge of her vision caught her eye.

“……”

Kana hurriedly looked away, cupped water in her palms, and finished rinsing her mouth. The shower noise stopped. Suddenly, a mischievous idea popped into her head.

“Senpai, I’m coming in for a second~”

“Eh?! W-Why?!”

“Fufu, just kidding! Sorry!”

Satisfied by the clear panic in his voice, Kana left the sink area with a grin.

(What am I even doing…?!)

Once some time had passed and she calmed down, a wave of embarrassment washed over her for multiple reasons.

To cool her flushed cheeks and head, Kana picked up one of the manga stacked nearby. It was the popular soccer series Akaashi.

She liked it, but right now she felt hesitant to read it.

(If senpai sees me reading this… it’ll definitely remind him…)

If possible, she wanted to keep his mind off soccer for now.

Kana quietly slipped the Akaashi volumes under a pile of other books and instead picked up a different series—Demon Slayer’s Blade, a popular battle manga that had recently been adapted into an anime.

It was her first time reading it, but its reputation was well-deserved. The fast-paced story quickly drew her in, and before long her hand refused to stop turning the pages.

It wasn’t enough to make her completely lose herself in the story, but it at least succeeded in distracting her from the fact that she was currently inside Takumi’s home.