The Carnivorous Maidens Living with Me - Chapter 10 & 11

Chapter 10: Early Mornings, Ambushes, Demons, and Angels

Going to bed early and waking up early.

It’s a phrase you often hear when it comes to building a healthy lifestyle.

Those who pull it off have their routines locked down, and you’ve got to respect that.

But not everyone fits that mold.

Everyone’s got their own habits.

Morning people, afternoon people, night owls—it’s all fine to be like that.

Flip on a talk show or search online, and you’ll find a galaxy’s worth of advice screaming, “Do this, do that!”

Here’s my take: don’t sweat it.

No matter what anyone says, you don’t have to change your routine for the sake of others.

Not one bit.

※

My mornings usually start early.

Unless I’m up late having a solo party(read: masturbating), I’m out of bed by 6 a.m.

There’s a reason for that.

Since starting high school, I’ve been living alone in my grandparents’ old house.

How I ended up here is a long story—more on that later.

My grandparents are already chilling in heaven, probably watching over me from up there.

But living alone isn’t all fun and games.

The house is way too big.

Cleaning never ends.

Laundry’s a pain.

Cooking? I don’t even want to think about it.

It’s all such a hassle.

So I wake up early to knock out some chores before the day starts.

It’s late April now.

The third morning since I started dating Sofia.

Yesterday, I made some excuse to head home alone, so I’m a little nervous about school today.

I’m lost in thought, about to sweep the front porch, when I open the door.

“Ah!”

Standing there is the girl who’s been haunting my mind.

She’s in the morning mist, gazing at me with a shy expression.

Bathed in light from behind, she glows like she’s got a halo.

Her hair, her skin—every detail looks almost translucent.

Seeing her like this, thinking she’s beautiful… maybe it’s proof I’m finally being honest with myself.

Piishan!

I slam the door shut.

Hard.

Because I’m freaked out!

I never told her where I live, let alone gave her my contact info.

My heart’s pounding like crazy as I press my hand to my chest, waiting for it to calm down.

Piin-poon.

Piin-poon.

The devil’s whisper.

“W-Who’s there?”

I once again crack open the door, terrified.

There she is.

But she’s not her usual self—she’s like a completely different person, flipped upside down.

“U-Um, I was thinking… maybe we could walk to school together? So I waited in front of your room.”

Current time: 6:30 a.m.

Homeroom starts: 9:00 a.m.

And school’s a ten-minute walk from my place.

“Dude, isn’t that way too early?”

“Teehee!”

She’s freaking adorable!

It’s April, but still chilly.

I can’t just leave a girl standing outside.

“Wanna come in for a bit?”

She nods eagerly.

I catch a glimpse of her profile, and her smile is like an angel’s—pure and delicate.

Chapter 11: Rumors, Chitchat, and Dreamy Breakfast Toast

Rumors are always at the heart of every conversation.

Who got married.

Who’s hooking up with who.

Who’s cheating.

People’s misery tastes like honey from an observer’s standpoint.

Bad rumors spread like wildfire in today’s world.

Living in this information age, we’re always one step away from the next piece of gossip.

Peek through a sheet of paper or a screen, and you might catch a faceless rumor glaring back at you.

※

She’s perched on the edge of the four-seater sofa in the living room, quiet as a borrowed cat.

She keeps sneaking glances at me, like she’s nervous or something.

Her eyes look fragile but determined.

“So, uh, Sofi-san, how long you been out there?”

“Since five.”

Suuu.

That’s me sucking in a breath.

“Okay, new question. Why are you here?”

“Because I’m your fiancée.”

“Call yourself my girlfriend!”

I keep going.

“How do you even know where I live?”

“Because I’m your love watcher.”

She says it so smoothly.

I’m out of moves, so I switch topics.

“Alright, next question. Have you eaten breakfast yet?”

“Breakfast? Not yet.”

“Cool. Want something to eat?”

I know why she’s acting different.

This is probably the real her.

She seems calm, but her hands and feet tremble slightly, and there’s a spark of resolve in her eyes.

She’s been struggling since she confessed her feelings.

No, probably way before that.

Wrestling with her thoughts, scared to tell the truth but desperate to.

That’s why she’s here at the crack of dawn.

I’m not so dense that I’d miss her pain.

“Anything you’re craving?”

“Um… anything’s fine?”

“If I can make it with what’s here.”

She hesitates, then blushes and speaks up.

“Then… toast with bacon and a sunny-side-up egg.”

“That’s it? I can whip up something fancier, you know. I’m in the cooking club, after all!”

“I know. But… that’s what I want.”

“Got it!”

I start making what she asked for.

This is totally that dish from the angel in the sky, isn’t it?

I sit next to her with fresh toast and café au lait.

“Here you go!”

“Thanks.”

“Let’s dig in.”

“Okay, itadakimasu!”

“Itadakimasu!”

The thick toast smells buttery, soaking up the bacon’s glossy fat.

A golden egg sits on top, like a knight ready to burst free, eager to spill its yolk like a chick breaking its shell.

I take a bite and turn to her.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

She’s munching away, musha musha, her lips shiny with egg yolk.

“This is pretty simple to make at home, right?”

“Yeah, I eat it sometimes. But today’s super special.”

She turns to me, flashing a shy smile, and adds:

“Because I’m eating with the guy I like, it tastes special♪”

Bam, there it is!

Ladies and gentlemen, the dere phase has arrived!

Three days into dating, and we’ve hit peak dere.

Wait, what?

She’s insanely cute.

Is she really my girlfriend?

Score!

“W-Well, that’s cool. Glad to hear it.”

I try to play it cool, but my voice comes out all flustered.

We finish breakfast and sip milk cocoa to chill.

There’s still plenty of time before school, so I wait for her to open up.

Then:

“Sh-Shoma… can you listen?”

Here it comes.

This is the real deal—her pain, her struggles, and the truth behind the rumors.