When I Was Presumed Dead, They Became Unhinged Unknowingly - Chapter 31

A week had passed since Mika’s shocking confession. She informed me about the days when her father wouldn’t be coming home, and I ended up staying at her place on such days about four times within the week.

I couldn’t help but think that the loneliness in her eyes was somehow related to her family situation. I overheard her murmuring “Mom” in her sleep, and it made me speculate that her mother might no longer be around, likely due to some unfortunate event. With her father often absent, she might not have received enough love and attention, leading her to the loneliness that drove her into compensated dating.

While these were just speculations, I couldn’t be certain of the facts.

During dinner, she asked, “Satoru-san, you’re really good at cooking, aren’t you? It’s so delicious. Do you help your mom with cooking at home?”

“My parents passed away a long time ago.”

“Oh… I’m sorry for bringing it up. That was thoughtless, wasn’t it?”

“It’s okay; it’s all in the past, and I’ve come to terms with it.”

Despite claiming to have come to terms with it, I hadn’t completely. If I had, I wouldn’t be helping girls like her.

In the awkward silence after dinner, I took a shower, brushed my teeth, and it was time to sleep.

She always slept in the living room, not in her room. When I asked her, she said it was because she felt sorry about me sleeping alone, but I suspected she was the one feeling lonely.

“Senpai, should I turn off the lights?”

“Yeah, go ahead.”

In the somewhat awkward atmosphere, we both got into our respective futons. The ticking sound of the clock seemed unusually loud. I stared at the faintly visible ceiling illuminated by the moonlight seeping through the window, lost in my thoughts.

Then, I heard her shuffling around in her futon.

“Oh, you’re awake, Satoru-san.”

“Yeah.”

“Um… Can we sleep together?”

Her face, dimly visible, seemed somewhat anxious. I nodded, thinking that if I declined now, our relationship wouldn’t progress any further.

“Sure, make yourself at home.”

“It’s a bit cramped.”

“No, I prefer it this way. Just for tonight.”

She wriggled into my futon, placing her hand gently on mine.

“Satoru-san.”

“What is it?”

“…It’s nothing. Let’s sleep.”

Despite saying it was nothing, she wrapped her arms around me, and I reciprocated, holding her close.

We fell asleep, still in each other’s arms.