Only I, Her Future Husband, Know How to Make Her Act All Lovey-Dovey - Chapter 3.2

“Future” Encounter with Yuki Arisugawa II

When I returned from the restroom, Arisugawa was gone.

Apparently, he’d already settled the bill and left.

However, Yuki remained. 

She stood near the entrance, looking like a child waiting for her parents.

“Um… Arisugawa-san…”

“Just call me Yuki…”

Her voice was so soft, it sounded like she might disappear at any moment.

“Alright… Yuki-san… Um, you didn’t go home with him?”

“‘Don’t come back until you’ve been embraced,’ he said…”

“……”

I was too stunned to even feel anger. 

As my expression grew more exasperated, Yuki looked apologetic and bowed her head slightly.

“I’m sorry. He’s just that kind of person. He truly believes women are tools meant to support men.”

“Yeah… there are people like that. Occasionally.”

Old relics of another era. 

No, even calling them that is too kind. 

They’re nothing more than trash.

“Why didn’t you refuse him?”

Yuki’s faint voice trembled as she asked.

“You planned to refuse at first, didn’t you? But it seemed like you changed your mind at the last moment.”

She saw right through me. 

Deciding to be honest, I answered her.

“I thought if I refused there, you might end up facing something even worse…”

“……You’re kind…”

Leaning against the wall, Yuki murmured.

“You’re right. If you had refused, I was planning to visit Numakura at Chuo Bank tomorrow to request a loan.”

“That would’ve been… dangerous…”

Numakura from Chuo Bank… I’d heard of him. 

A high-ranking bank official notorious for his appetite for women. 

Rumor has it he enjoys preying on struggling idols in exchange for loans. 

If someone like me in a completely different field knows about it, it must be true.

“For tonight, why don’t you stay at a hotel? I’ll cover the cost.”

Three thousand yen or so should suffice for a taxi and hotel. 

Just as I reached for my wallet, Yuki clung to my back.

The faint scent of sweet perfume wafted around me.

“Y-Yuki…san…?”

“Please… don’t leave me alone…”

She was trembling—not from the cold. 

Her near-tearful whisper tickled my ear.

“If I’m left alone, I feel like I might die…”

“…….”

She’d been pushed to the edge.

I hailed a taxi, letting Yuki in first, then climbed in after her.

At home, there was a spare guest room. 

She could stay there tonight.

With time, she’d probably calm down a little.

“……”

She said nothing during the ride, her eyes fixed on the skyscrapers illuminated outside the window.

“That’ll be 3,240 yen.” 

“Card, please.” 

At my apartment, Yuki followed me a step behind as we entered the elevator.

“There’s a guest room. You can stay there tonight.”

“Mm…”

She nodded faintly.

I unlocked the door and turned on the lights in the hallway. 

Picking up the scattered clothes on the floor, I pointed to the small guest room.

“You can use that room. The bathroom’s over there. Do you want to take a bath?”

“I’ll just use the shower. My body’s cold.”

“Got it. Use any bath towel you find in the changing room.”

“Mm, thanks.”

She disappeared into the changing room.

The sound of clothing being removed, then the spray of the shower echoed shortly after.

I slumped onto the couch, staring blankly at the ceiling.

For some reason, I swallowed the saliva pooling in my mouth.

When was the last time I’d been this nervous?

I’m not inexperienced, but neither am I some kind of Casanova. 

I’ve invited girlfriends to this apartment before.

But someone as stunning as her? This was a first.

And she was right there, showering.

Even if I had no intention of making a move, I couldn’t help but imagine her.

“What am I even thinking?”

To distract myself, I decided to make some tea.

I turned on the heater and electric carpet, then flicked the electric kettle switch.

Surprisingly, her shower was brief—maybe five minutes. I heard the sound of her drying off with a towel.

“Thanks. I feel refreshed.” 

The door to the changing room opened, and Yuki stepped out.

“That’s good. There’s a hairdryer in the washroom if—eh?”

The sight froze me.

I dropped the bag of tea leaves I was holding.

She wasn’t wearing any clothes.