What's Wrong With Interfering With My Childhood Friend's Love?

What's Wrong With Interfering With My Childhood Friend's Love? - Chapter 14 : Insurance

Chapter 14 : Insurance

For the time being, I tried contacting Amagishi, and as expected, she took the bait when I mentioned Chiya’s name.

She also responded positively to my request to invite a few more people. If everything goes smoothly, things will turn out exactly as Akito intends, and the thought of that makes my heart race.

During dinner, as I was secretly smirking to myself, Miumi had a hesitant look on her face, as if she was struggling to say something. Did my expression look creepy or something?

“Riku-kun.”

“Hmm? What’s up?”

“My luggage… I haven’t been able to organize it very well.”

“Well, you just moved in, so that’s understandable.”

“That’s true, but… I’m really bad at handling things efficiently.”

“Is there anything I can help with?”

I suddenly recalled that Miumi’s room was still filled with cardboard boxes as of yesterday.

The large furniture and other items delivered on the first day were still left as they were. Even with a 16-tatami-mat-sized space, leaving them there would make it difficult to get anything done. There was no way it could be cleaned up in just a few hours.

So that was why she was making that bitter face earlier. Even though I had told her to rely on me, Miumi probably still felt some resistance to doing so.

“Yes. I was able to assemble things like my desk by myself, but…”

“But…?”

“I think my new closet is supposed to arrive around Sunday, so I’d like your help carrying it in.”

“Got it. Hopefully, we can get things sorted out soon.”

“Yes. Also… once that’s done, is there anything I can do for you?”

“…Could I ask you to clean my room?”

“I’m surprised you’re actually asking for something, Riku-kun.”

“Well, yeah. It’s probably going to be a hassle, but I’d really appreciate it.”

To be honest, I hadn’t really planned on asking. Like anyone else, I had at least one or two things I didn’t want others to see. Naturally, I had things I wanted to keep hidden as well.

But if Miumi was willing to clean, I’d love for her to do it.

Looking around the living room where we were eating and recalling how it looked a few days ago, I reaffirmed my thoughts.

It’s obvious that a clean space is better than a messy one.

“Okay. I’ll make it so clean you’ll be shocked, Riku-kun.”

“That would really help. Oh, right. There was actually something I wanted to talk to you about too. Since you moved in, you’ve been making me lunch in the mornings, right?”

“Yes. Auntie asked me to do it as well, so you can’t say no.”

“…I haven’t even said anything yet. Why did you assume I was going to refuse?”

“I heard that you prefer junk food and instant meals.”

“That came from my mom, didn’t it? That’s completely wrong.”

“Huh? R-Really?”

“Yeah. I just eat instant food because it’s convenient, and I only have junk food occasionally. I like your cooking better, and it tastes great.”

“Oh, um… thank you.”

Miumi looked a little taken aback by my words. Even Suisei had praised her cooking, so I assumed she was aware of her own skills. But from the way she reacted, it was almost as if it was the first time she’d ever been complimented.

“That being said, I don’t know what time you wake up, but I feel bad making you wake up early every day to cook.”

“That’s not—”

“No, I mean it. I’m actually worried about your health. So, from now on, I’d like you to make something a little lighter.”

“…Understood. I’ll do my best!”

Wait, what does she mean by “do my best”?

Does she mean she’s going to make some amazing dish in a short time?

That would actually be a problem. But telling her that directly felt kind of mean.

“Miumi… actually, there’s someone at school who knows me pretty well. An old childhood friend.”

“A childhood friend…?”

“They know that I live alone, but I want to keep it a secret that you’re living with me.”

“Is it because that person would get suspicious if I make your lunch?”

“Not exactly. Your cooking is delicious, so I still want you to make lunch for me.”

“Huh? Then how should I…?”

“I just mean I’d like you to make something that a regular high schooler could reasonably prepare.”

Miumi looked troubled.

Did I say something too complicated? If she suddenly stopped making my lunch, that would be even more suspicious, so I just wanted her to understand that.

Well, I didn’t intend to force her or anything, so I decided not to press the issue.

“Also, even though we’re cousins, we’re still high school students.”

“Yes.”

“People might get the wrong idea about two teenagers of the opposite sex living together.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah, really. So, I’d like you to keep the fact that we’re living together a secret as well.”

“I see. Understood. I’ll make sure your lunch doesn’t raise any suspicions. And I won’t tell anyone about us living together.”

She responded so smoothly that I furrowed my brows.

Of course, I had my reasons for asking this of her. That’s why I wanted her to understand.

But… Why didn’t she even ask for a reason? Normally, someone would at least be curious after hearing something like that.

And yet, Miumi was being almost too obedient. I had a hunch before, but she seemed to trust people too easily.

I wanted her to understand my request and agree of her own will.

Was I asking too much of her?

“In the worst-case scenario, one of your worried friends might report me to the authorities.”

“Huh…?”

“Your parents are overseas, right?”

“Oh, yes.”

“I don’t know what your legal status is, but there’s always a chance it could become an issue.”

That probably wouldn’t happen… but it was a bit of a scare tactic.

For example, if a rumor started that “a guy has been barging into the house Miumi lives in alone,” someone could report it under some random pretext, and things could escalate quickly.

If that happened, Akito or Suisei would definitely find out, which would be a huge problem for me.

At the very least, the well-informed Sahara family would definitely catch wind of it.

If I ended up owing Chiya a favor because of that, I wouldn’t hear the end of it.

“…That’s something I absolutely need to avoid! I’ll be careful.”

Miumi’s face paled as she broke into a cold sweat. She even seemed to shiver for a moment—did I scare her too much?

But this was a real possibility. She needed to be careful, and it was ultimately for her own good. Even friends shouldn’t be trusted too blindly.

Especially in Miumi’s case—her looks alone made her a prime target for jealousy.

Knowing how jealousy ran rampant around Akito, I couldn’t help but worry.

Seeing Miumi nod in understanding, I let out a relieved sigh.

If things went as planned and she stuck close to Amagishi, we would have to pretend we were meeting for the first time.

With this, the groundwork for that was complete.

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