The Carnivorous Maidens Living with Me

Chapter 8: Those Who Control Information Stay One Step Ahead [Sofia Kisaragi, Shoma Kamizuki]

Information can be gathered from countless sources.

It’s like venturing into the vast, uncharted ocean of knowledge, shrouded in darkness.

To reach your desired goal, you’re akin to a fisherman chasing a once-in-a-lifetime haul.

Sometimes, you’re swayed, misled, or toyed with by information, only to seize an entirely different prize.

Sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch… it goes without saying that the knowledge gained through the five human senses is essential for sifting through information.

※

[Sofia Kisaragi]

I was blushing as I recalled what happened today.

“He called me by my name.”

Why do I act like that whenever I’m around Shoma?

When I’m near Shoma, I can’t help but tease him (with sharp words), touch him (with iron fists), and I absolutely adore seeing that slightly troubled look on his face!

Could it be that I’m a bit of an S?

I acted like that, so I have no choice but to keep going down this path, right? Right?

I mumbled to myself while scribbling with a pen at a certain spot in front of the station.

“Well then, shall I write in my Shoma-kun observation diary as usual?”

At the end of my gaze was the sweaty figure of my boyfriend.

I might just be a genuine stalker.

※

[Shoma Kamizuki]

“Haa. I said okay on impulse, but am I really dating that girl? Honestly, it’s nothing but terrifying.”

I was half-resigned as I accepted the shocking truth.

“I have no part-time job today, so maybe I’ll hit the gym to clear my head. I also want to see Bran-san.”

I started going to a training gym when I entered high school.

It was driven by a clear goal to change myself and my parents’ teaching that persistence is power.

To be blunt, it’s because I wanted to be popular with girls.

It’s no exaggeration to say that this desire accounts for 90% of my motivation.

“That said, what did she even fall for in me… even if she said she likes my body, it’s still hard to believe.”

I glanced at my reflection in a shop window, taking a moment to examine my body.

To anyone imagining me as a tall, handsome guy with silky hair!

I’m sorry.

Short height.

Pretty heavy weight.

Long torso, short legs.

Short hair.

My face… well, you get the idea.

That’s my objective assessment of my physical traits.

“Where’s the part she could fall for in me?”

The mystery only deepens.

“Oh well! I’ll just talk to Bran-san about it.”

Bran-san is someone I admire, a trainer at the gym.

My feet carried me confidently through the shopping district, straight to the training gym in front of the station.

Unaware that someone was secretly watching me from the gym’s break area.

Chapter 9: Talking It Out Doesn’t Always Fix Things

A training gym is a place to push yourself, break your limits, and carve open a new you with your own body.

I’m seriously impressed by people who train with that mindset.

Total respect.

Some folks seek adventure in dungeons or other worlds, so why not seek a spark at the gym?

Connections with people are a big part of life.

When a shared hobby brings you closer, that’s just fate doing its thing.

And yeah, I’m one of those guys knocking on the gym’s door, hoping for a spark.

※

“Shoma-kun, great work! That was some intense training. Let’s cool down properly, yeah?”

The one calling out to me is Bran-san, my idol.

He’s Japanese, but from the moment we met, he insisted, “Call me Bran!”

Even his nameplate says Bran.

The guy’s built like a mountain—maybe he is a mountain.

But he’s super kind and chill.

Since I started living alone in high school, he’s been my go-to for advice on life, school, you name it.

“Got it! Oh, Bran-san, can I ask you something?”

“Sure, what’s up? I can listen while we cool down.”

With that, Bran-san and I head to the stretching area by the wall.

“So, uh, do you remember why I joined this gym?”

“’Course I do. Never had someone confess to me with that much passion before.”

“Confess? No way, that’s not it! Also, we’re in public here!”

“Hahaha! You’re so cold, Shoma-kun.”

I’ve always wondered—does Bran-san swing that way!?

I mean, he’s always looked at me kinda funny.

“No, no, my bad. But it was wild. You came in like, ‘I’ve admired you since I first saw you! I wanna be like you! I wanna get ripped and be a chick magnet! Please, make me your disciple!’”

Okay, yeah, it did sound like a confession.

But whatever, that’s not the point.

I lean in close to Bran-san and whisper in his ear.

“So, here’s the thing. I, uh, got a girlfriend.”

“…What!?”

“Thanks to you, Bran-san. It’s a bit of a messy situation, but we’re dating now.”

“…Seriously!?”

I glance at Bran-san’s face.

He’s pale, sweating buckets.

“Bran-san? You okay?”

Does this guy really swing that way?

“Nah, I’m fine, sorry. So, uh, this girl… she from your school?”