Lonely Me And The Lonely Caring Goddess

TN: I also started an original novel here. Please support me by reading! Just click on the title! Thanks!

I Reincarnated As A Trash Prince

Our Second Beginning.

Night…

After the three left, Sara-san and I focused entirely on our remaining work.

I was mostly in charge of cleaning, but I also decided this was a good chance to sort through my belongings. So, surprisingly, I ended up with much more to handle than expected.

But thanks to that effort, by evening we had not only finished organizing everything, but even managed to do a light rearrangement of the room. Most of the major tasks ended up being handled by Sara-san, but… considering how I usually don’t get to help with housework at all, being able to take part today is already a victory.

Ton-ton-ton-ton…

♪～♪～

And now, in the kitchen, the sound of knives and pans is accompanied by Sara-san’s adorable humming—an unexpected collaboration performance.

Swaying her body to the tune, she worked happily, almost glowing with joy.

Even though she loves cooking, seeing her this cheerful while doing it is rare. She had seemed normal during lunch, so I couldn’t help but wonder what changed.

When I leaned over quietly to peek—being careful not to disturb her—she suddenly turned around, as if she had sensed my presence.

“Hehe… being sneaky is not allowed, you know?”

Because I’d approached so quietly, she assumed I was planning to tease her. She tapped my forehead with her finger and gave me a playful scolding smile.

“N-No, that’s not it! You looked unusually happy, so I was wondering if something good happened…”

“…Did I look that cheerful?”

“Yes.”

“I-I see… I didn’t realize…”

She rubbed her cheek with a shy smile, then glanced at the tools laid out before her, as if to explain the reason.

…Ah. So that’s it.

Spread out before her were the brand-new kitchen tools we purchased the other day along with new dishware.

She had been wanting new utensils for a while, and when we chose them together, she looked genuinely delighted. They were items she’d use every day—selected carefully, with both of our opinions combined. Truly the finest chosen team.

And now, they were all lined up before her.

“These are mine… the utensils you and I chose together. Starting today, I’ll be using them every day to cook. In our life—just the two of us—I’ll be making our meals with the tools we picked out as a pair.”

Her smile was so warm and gentle that just watching her made me feel happy. For someone like her, who pours so much of herself into cooking, these tools must hold special meaning.

“I can’t describe it well, but… it makes me happy. Getting the new furniture today, preparing our home bit by bit… it all made me truly realize that our life together has really begun.”

“I understand. These are all things we bought for living together, after all.”

Even I could understand what she meant.

Unlike daily necessities, furniture shapes the feel of a home. Buying these things wasn’t just shopping—it was building the foundation of our shared life. In a way, it made our cohabitation “real.”

“Yes! And… well, this made me realize something. I finally understand why married couples want to pick out all their furniture together from scratch…”

Marriage still feels vague to me. But after today, I understood the meaning behind preparing a home together.

“Yeah… I get it. Thinking about it now, if we ever get married, doing that makes perfect sense.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that. Then may I… have that promise?”

“Of course. Once I start working, I’ll do my best.”

It probably sounded immature—after all, I haven’t even earned my own living yet. Saying something like that might sound like a child’s daydream.

But seeing my father and Masaomi-san, I knew I would stand in that place someday.

“Well, someone like me probably has no right to say that yet… but I promise.”

“I don’t think that at all. I know you’ll become a wonderful husband, Kazunari-san. I’m certain of it.”

“O-Okay. I’ll do my best—absolutely.”

“Yes. I’ll be looking forward to that day… my dear.”

She gazed at me with straight, unwavering eyes—filled with warmth, trust, and love.

And because she believed in me so sincerely, I wanted to live up to that.

…

The double-sized futon we bought so we could sleep together… actually laying it out made me realize just how big it was. Even when I’d hung it out on the balcony, it seemed large—but seeing it in the room made it feel even bigger. Probably because now it had the room’s scale to compare to.

Sara-san was patting the freshly laid futon with both hands, testing its softness, clearly pleased.

“Kazunari-san, shall we get into bed?”

“H-Huh!?”

It wasn’t like I was thinking anything indecent—but being suddenly invited made my reply crack embarrassingly.

We’d already bathed, but normally we’d watch TV or drink tea around this time. And while we were tired from the day’s work… it still felt early to sleep.

“Hehe… what’s wrong?”

“N-No, nothing. But isn’t it a little early to sleep…?”

“Yes, it is a little early… but how about lying down and talking for a while?”

“Talking?”

“Yes. Since we have this wonderful new futon. And also…”

“Also…?”

“…Please let me hold you in our new bed… as soon as possible…”

“…………”

T-Too direct…! I didn’t know how to respond. Even she seemed a little embarrassed saying it—but her desire to hold me must have outweighed that.

“F-Fine…”

As soon as I agreed, she happily lifted the blanket and slipped under it first.

She always gets into bed before me.

Because—

“Kazunari-san, come here…”

With the blanket lifted and both arms open, she waited to receive me. This was why she always entered first—to prepare this position.

“E-Excuse me…”

No matter how many times we do this, the moment I consciously move into her arms is the most nerve-wracking. I never want to keep her waiting, but that doesn’t mean I can boldly dive in.

Taking a breath, forcing down my nerves, I slid into her embrace.

Her arms wrapped gently but firmly around my back, pulling me close.

“S-Sara-san…”

“Let’s stay like this until you settle down.”

She lightly tapped my back in rhythm—pon… pon…—something she always does until my tension melts away.

Eventually, the comfort overcame my nerves. I relaxed more, letting myself sink slightly into her body. Once she sensed that, she wrapped both arms fully around me, hugging me closer, guiding my head to rest against her.

I nuzzled in reflexively.

“Kazunari-san, you can come even closer, you know?”

“Eh!? N-No, I’m fine—”

“No holding back♪”

Guuui…

Her hand gently pushed the back of my head forward, and my face inevitably sank deep into its usual, heavenly resting place.

“Hehe… yes, this position really feels the best. So calming. So natural…”

“I-Is that so…?”

“Yes. You’re quite comfortable to hold, you know? And like this…”

Guuui…

Her full-body embrace tightened. For a second, a spark of male panic hit me—but it vanished immediately, replaced by the soothing sensation of her hand stroking my head.

She loosened her grip just enough to talk while still holding me.

“Now you’re being honest. You really are shy, Kazunari-san.”

She misunderstood my stiffness as embarrassment, but honestly… that wasn’t entirely wrong. I simply needed time to calm my racing heart.

“Still… maybe it’s because of the new futon? You feel different today.”

“Different?”

“Yes. Let me test it a little…”

“Test—?”

Gyuu…

Her embrace tightened again, enveloping my entire body in warmth and softness.

“Yes… it wasn’t my imagination. Switching to the larger futon was the right choice. I can feel you much more.”

“You can really tell the difference?”

“Yes. Inside the futon, it’s a world for just the two of us. Nothing and no one can intrude. Right now, I can only feel you—so every change becomes clear.”

I understood what she meant.

The blanket formed a small, private world—sealed from everything else. And in that world, it was just the two of us.

“Yes. With this larger futon, our little world grows deeper and clearer.”

“I think I get it. And since it’s bigger, we can—mmph!?”

She suddenly pushed me deeper into her chest, cutting me off.

“Even with a wider futon, your place is right here, you know?”

Ah. She misunderstood—I didn’t mean I wanted more distance. I just didn’t want to inconvenience her…

But to her, the “sleeping position” would never change.

My face was, as always, buried in that heavenly place.

Was there ever any escape?

“Haa…”

“Hehe… what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. It’s just… this is too nice. I might fall apart.”

The comfort, the warmth, and… that softness—too much.

She giggled softly.

“If it’s with me… you may fall apart as much as you like. I’ll take responsibility.”

“R-Responsibility?”

“Yes. From now on, and after we’re married as well… I’ll always hold you like this.”

“Haha…”

If she wanted this forever… then I wouldn’t complain. Being this close every night felt like a blessing.

Still, as a man, relying on her too much troubled me a bit.

But I’d make up for it in other ways.

“Though saying I’ll ‘take responsibility’ sounded dramatic… the truth is much simpler.”

“Hm?”

“In the end… I just want to do this for you.”

“O-Oh…”

“So please… let yourself rely on me. If you pull away… I’ll hate it.”

That whisper—sweet, aching, overflowing with affection—made her arms tighten around me again.

I didn’t resist. I let myself melt into her warmth.

Thump… thump…

Her heartbeat sounded close and calm. No panic. No nerves. Just peace.

“Today… our new furniture arrived… and our life together finally gained color. Today is the true beginning of our life as a pair. It’s precious. Because from here… the path to our future—our married life—begins.”

“…Yeah… I understand.”

“To spend such a once-in-a-lifetime day… with you, and no one else… I’m truly happy. Really… happy.”

This moment was the start of everything.
The foundation of our future.

And she was happy it was me.

Nothing could make me happier.

“So I’ll work hard. For our future. For our life together. First I’ll study hard, and fulfill my promise to Masaomi-san! If it’s for you, I can do anything—because together—mmph!?”

Before I could finish, warm lips covered mine.

I didn’t even realize what had happened until I felt the gentle pressure.

Then my world became entirely—undeniably—Sara-san.

When our lips slowly parted, she smiled at me, overflowing with happiness.

There was no embarrassment between us now—only affection.

“…I was so happy hearing your feelings that I… couldn’t help myself.”

“Sara-san…”

“Let’s work hard together. I’ll stay by your side… always supporting you. Always soothing you like this. For you… I can do anything…”

“Thank you. And I… I’ll do anything for you too.”

I think today became the second starting line of our lives.

As she said, sharing this important day with her filled me with indescribable happiness.

I’ll never forget this feeling—and for our future together, I will fulfill the promise I made.