The Handsome Boy I Saved from Getting Beaten on the Train… Turned Out to Be the “Prince” of an All-Girls School - V1 Chapter 15: This Totally Feels Like a Live-In Wife Situation

Chapter 15: This Totally Feels Like a Live-In Wife Situation

“Alright, that should do it for the cleaning.”

“Whoa! Thanks! Seriously, the place looks amazing.”

The floors, which had looked kind of dull before, were now gleaming—probably thanks to the wax.

Even the air in the room felt fresher.

“The ventilation fan and the AC were pretty filthy, you know. You need to clean those regularly.”

“Yeah, yeah… Just finished up over here too.”

“So that’s what that nice smell was—you were cooking dinner.”

“Didn’t go shopping today, so it’s just me throwing together some stuff from the freezer stash. But hey, if you want, you’re welcome to stay and eat.”

“I’d love to. Oh, use these for the rice and chopsticks.”

Rinna, now out of her cleaning track pants, pulled a pair of chopsticks and a rice bowl from the box she brought and handed them to me.

“You brought your own dishware!? You planned to stay and eat from the start!?”

“I figured if I did the cleaning, you’d probably feel guilty and cook dinner.”

“Haha, you really do know how I operate.”

Honestly, while Rinna was scrubbing away,

I’d started cooking without even thinking about it—

Mostly because I couldn’t just sit around doing nothing while she did all the work.

“Exactly. Here, pour the drinks in these cups. I brought one for you too.”

“Got it. Wait—hold on. What’s with this cup!?”

The mug Rinna handed me was a matching set with hers—same design, different color.

And when you put the jagged edges on the sides together, it looked like the two mugs were kissing.

It totally screamed “We just got married and bought these on a couple’s trip!”

“I-It can’t be helped! That was the only extra mug we had at home.”

Wait, isn’t Rinna’s family the type that has actual live-in staff?

You’re telling me that house didn’t have a single plain mug lying around?

“Well, as long as I can drink from it, I guess it’s fine.”

“Make sure to put it somewhere easy to see on your shelf, okay?”

“Why? Wait—are you seriously just leaving this here?”

Honestly…

I don’t even want it.

That weird jagged edge looks like a pain to wash,

And the thing’s going to hog space in my already cramped cupboard.

“I’m going to be visiting a lot from now on, so it’s more convenient this way. I’m leaving my chopsticks and rice bowl too.”

“So what, you can’t relax unless you’ve got your own personal cup and utensils?”

“Not really. It’s just my way of marking territory.”

“Can you not bring up stuff like peeing when we’re about to eat?”

“Saito, you’re so touchy about everything. Alright, let’s dig in!”

After setting the table, she clapped her hands together and started the meal.

“Mmm, this is really good. I don’t usually get to eat simple homemade Japanese food like this.”

As Rinna happily munched on the grilled mackerel and spinach side dish,

I found myself just… quietly watching her, feeling a little strange.

Having someone else at the dinner table—

In a space that was usually just mine—

It felt oddly unfamiliar.

“What are you staring at? Don’t worry, it really is delicious.”

“A-Ah, right… Let’s dig in.”

Realizing I’d been zoning out, I quickly grabbed my chopsticks in a fluster.

“I already knew from your daily bentos, but you’re really good at cooking, Saito.”

“I like cooking. Learned most of it from my grandma.”

“Then how come you’re so bad at cleaning?”

“Well… Cleaning won’t kill you if you skip it now and then.”

Since I lived alone, I’d always figured as long as the place looked clean, it was good enough.

“Meanwhile, I’m the total opposite—Great at cleaning, but completely hopeless when it comes to cooking.”

She glanced sideways at me, a little teasingly.

“Even during my etiquette training, cooking was left to the private chef. I only handled the plating and serving.”

“Huh, makes sense.”

“That’s why… You know, just hypothetically—If we ever ended up together…”

“I see. We’d balance each other out—like the perfect tag team. Might even dominate the local card game tournament.”

“…It’s that part right there, Saito.”

“What part?”

Looks like that wasn’t quite the answer she was hoping for.

“Well… Maybe it’s because you’re like that that I can spend time with you so easily.”

Rinna mumbled that to herself, almost like she was talking herself back into a good mood.

I had no idea what she really meant by it,

But hey—at least she wasn’t mad anymore.

“But you know… Sitting here like this, it kinda feels like you’re a live-in wife or something.”

“Bffft!“

The moment the words left my mouth,

Rinna nearly shot a chunk of miso-soaked wakame out of her nose.

“You okay, Rinna? Here—tissue.”

“You really went for it, huh, Saito? Waiting until I was totally relaxed before dropping that line…”

She grumbled while wiping her mouth with the tissue I handed over.

“I mean—think about it. You come over to my place, don’t even play or hang out, just clean, cook, and eat dinner with me. That’s textbook live-in wife behavior. With Rei, we just lazed around and played games all day.”

“…Wow. You seriously brought up another girl right after saying something that sounded like a confession. That’s a new low, even for you.”

Ah… wait.

Did I mess up again?

Yep.

Rinna’s mood was back on the decline.

“Uh… sorry?”

“It’s fine. I mean, it’s you, Saito.”

That felt weirdly like, “It’s fine because I’ve given up on expecting anything from you.”

Not exactly comforting…

“Oh, right—I wonder if Rei’s doing okay… Huh? My phone’s dead?”

When I got home, I’d left my phone on the dining table…

And now that I thought about it, it had been weirdly quiet.

Turns out the power had completely shut off.

That’s strange.

I was sure the battery still had plenty of charge left.

“Oh, right. I moved your phone earlier while I was cleaning—it was in the way. I might’ve accidentally turned it off while I was at it~”

Just like that, the culprit—Rinna—casually admitted to possibly being the cause.

“Y-You what!? Do you even realize what you’ve done!?”

Well…

Yeah, the power button can be pressed without unlocking the phone.

Which means she probably did it on purpose!

Panicking, I powered the phone back on—

And, as expected… it was a total disaster.

[School’s over. I wanna walk home with you again.]

[I’m in front of your school now.]

[Where are you? Don’t tell me you left without me?]

[Why aren’t you answering me?]

[SaitoSaitoSaitoSaitoSaitoSaitoSaitoSaitoSaitoSaitoSaitoSaitoSaitoSaitoSaito]

Heck no…!

My phone had completely blown up with notifications.

Every single one of them—every last one—was from Rei.

And just as I was frozen in shock—

(Brrrriiing~♪)

My phone started ringing again.

An incoming call.

From Rei.

And yeah… the call history was just as terrifying.

“Well then, I think it’s time for me to head out. Thanks for the meal.”

“Wait—you’re just gonna leave after stirring everything up like that!?”

Do you even have a heart!?

“Must be tough being a popular guy, huh, Saito?”

“Dammit! I’ll get you back for this!”

Completely ignoring my desperate cries,

Rinna waved casually over her shoulder and walked out like nothing happened.

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