The Case of Me, a Guy With Zero Dating Experience, Getting Mistaken for a Stalker by the Angel I Fell for at First Sight, Only to End Up Living Together With Her in a Harem Share House With a 1:9 Gender Ratio - Chapter 23: The Truth Behind the Unease

Chapter 23: The Truth Behind the Unease

Sunday night, just past 7 p.m.

The living room of the share house “Venus Lounge” was filled with delicious aromas and lively chatter.

On the table were dishes brought by everyone: karaage, french fries, yakitori, and donuts.

Additionally, six servings of sushi and an hors d’oeuvre platter, which Asuna had bought at a discount from the supermarket, were lavishly displayed.

The regular mini-banquet of Venus Lounge was beginning.

“So good~ This is crazy delicious.

Reina-san, where’s this from?”

Akane asked while munching on karaage.

“It’s from a shop called ‘Karaage King’ in the shopping arcade by the station.

Their secret spice blend is supposedly the key to its popularity.”

Reina answered happily.

Kotoha silently ate french fries, occasionally checking her smartphone.

Asuna, holding a can of chu-hai, smiled and nodded along to everyone’s conversation.

Sakura, too, naturally smiled in the warm atmosphere.

Yuuki seemed to still be in the bath.

Then, Miku came down from the second floor.

Her expression suggested the excitement from her outing hadn’t yet faded.

“Wow~ Sushi~ Looks delicious.

Can I eat this?”

“Go ahead and dig in.”

When Asuna said that, Miku eagerly reached for the sushi as if she’d been waiting for permission.

“Asuna-san, itadakimasu~”

Sushi is one of Miku’s favorite foods.

“Miku-chan, how was it?

The movie with Yuuki-kun!”

Reina asked Miku with keen interest.

“Yeah, tell us the details~!”

Akane leaned forward eagerly.

“You’re gonna spill it~?”

Miku played coy but clearly couldn’t wait to share.

“Yup, I wanna hear, I wanna hear.”

Kotoha leaned in, ears perked.

Asuna, equally curious, chimed in, “Miku-chan, tell us, tell us.”

Realizing she was the only one not joining the conversation, Sakura hurriedly added, “Miku-san, I want to hear too.”

“No helping it, I’ll spill then.”

Miku thought now was her chance, with Yuuki absent.

“It was so much fun!

The movie was super moving…!

Plus, the food was delicious, and Yuuki-nii-chan was so kind…”

Miku spoke with sparkling eyes.

“Nice~ I wanna see it too…

How long’s that movie playing?”

Kotoha wanted to check it out.

“Till the end of the month.”

Miku answered gleefully.

“Miku-chan, did you go anywhere after the movie?”

This time, Reina asked.

“Yeah, after, he went shopping with me… Look at this!”

Miku happily pulled out a sports cap.

It had a cute design with a popular character embroidered on it.

“Yuuki-nii-chan got this for me as a present.

I was hesitating, and he said, ‘As thanks for today,’ and bought it…!

I was so happy…! I’ve gotta treasure it!”

Miku hugged the cap to her chest, smiling blissfully.

She looked every bit the girl in love.

“Wow, Yuuki-kun’s got game.”

Asuna was impressed by Yuuki’s smoothness.

“Good for you, Miku-chan~”

Everyone offered warm words.

Sakura forced a smile and said, “That’s great,” but her heart sank deeper in contrast.

Since the morning, the unease in her chest had been growing as she listened to Miku’s story.

…What is this feeling?

It’s a good thing Miku had fun at the movie with Yuuki…

It’s kind of him to give her a present, typical of Yuuki.

So why can’t I be genuinely happy?

Instead, my chest stings, and I don’t want to hear more of Miku’s story.

My head understands, but my heart rejects it.

Miku’s carefree smile was too dazzling, too painful to look at directly.

Sakura forgot to nod along and fell silent.

She didn’t reach for the sushi in front of her, only tracing the water droplets on her glass with her finger.

What’s wrong with me…

This unfamiliar, uncomfortable emotion, the first she’d ever felt, was incomprehensible.

Unable to grasp its true nature, Sakura sat bewildered amidst the lively circle.

※

Monday morning.

After breakfast as usual, Yuuki left the share house with Sakura.

Since yesterday, when he went to the movie with Miku, Yuuki had noticed something off about Sakura.

Even at last night’s mini-banquet, she seemed distracted.

Today, Sakura seemed grumpy from the morning.

Her morning greeting was quiet, lacking her usual smile.

When Yuuki spoke to her, her replies were curt, as if her mind was elsewhere.

They walked side by side from the share house to the station.

The usual casual chatter didn’t happen today.

Sakura walked a step ahead, head down, occasionally letting out small sighs.

Her expression was stiff, avoiding Yuuki’s gaze.

Yuuki couldn’t figure out why she was upset.

The heavy atmosphere was uncomfortable even for him.

Unable to bear it, Yuuki spoke up.

“Sakura-san, did I say something to upset you?”

At his words, Sakura slowly stopped.

Turning to face him, she said with a troubled expression, “I’m sorry… This is my problem.”

Sakura was frustrated by emotions she couldn’t control.

She knew the cause.

Yuuki went to a movie with Miku yesterday, looking close, and she happily shared it with everyone.

Recalling it made her chest burn with a searing sensation.

Miku is a dear share house friend, and it shouldn’t matter who Yuuki goes out with.

Sakura hated herself for feeling this way.

Raised as a sheltered, pure young lady who’d never known love, this first emotion was too troublesome and incomprehensible.

“Yuuki-san… I’m sorry.

I’m really not feeling well today…”

Sakura said, looking down and starting to walk again.

Yuuki couldn’t ask more and silently followed a step behind.

The walk to the station felt much longer than usual.