When I Picked Up A Stunningly Gorgeous Downer-Type Beauty In Front Of The Entrance. - Chapter 48: The changes in the neighbor who started living together.

The changes in the neighbor who started living together.

Skinship has decreased.

When I say this, it might make you think of couples in a rut, like a boyfriend and girlfriend or a married couple, but Sajou-san and I don’t have that kind of relationship.

We’re just neighbors in the same apartment building, living together for now.

…though calling it “just” feels too close for comfort, but if you were to say it’s a sweet relationship, I’d be lost for words.

Are we friends? Classmates? Or just neighbors after all?

I’ve never found the right words to fit, ever since I met her.

As September draws to a close and the weather becomes milder, pleasant temperatures throughout the day increase, and as you walk down the street, yellowed gingko leaves and dead leaves adorn the rough asphalt, announcing the arrival of autumn.

It’s surprising to see cicadas still overturned on those autumn leaves.

What’s even more surprising is that it’s been over ten days since I started living with Sajou-san.

At first, we were both nervous and awkward around each other, but since we had stayed over before moving in together, getting used to each other happened faster than I thought.

We live together as if nothing has changed.

However, some things have changed.

Skinship.

What used to be there suddenly disappeared as soon as we started living together.

When she used to come to this house, she would often touch me affectionately and come close to me.

Was she longing for warmth?

I didn’t know the exact reason. But I interpreted it as something like a favorite towel or stuffed animal for a baby.

So, I didn’t refuse, and well, what can I say? It was embarrassing, but I accepted it. That’s just how men are.

At the beginning of living together, I thought maybe it was because it had been a while since we were close like that, but after almost two weeks, I started to wonder, “Hmm? Is something wrong here?” even though I’m usually clueless.

But that doesn’t mean I could ask her, “Don’t you hug me like before?” So all I could do was wet my pillow with tears over the loss of my bosom pillow. Sob.

I still don’t know why skinship decreased.

Maybe she got embarrassed all of a sudden, but just imagining the reason without asking her directly leaves me unable to find out.

However, the more skinship decreased, the more she took care of me.

She wakes me up in the morning, of course, but she also does everything from cooking to cleaning and even laundry.

“I’m just a freeloader…”

She says that, but to me, it feels both appreciated and sorry at the same time.

Even when I offer to help, she insists on doing everything herself.

Even then, the only tasks I was allowed to do were things like cleaning the bath or tidying up the dishes we ate from, almost like chores for a child.

Maybe she thinks I can’t do anything?

Or perhaps, because she’s just a lodger, she feels obliged to do things herself?

I once asked her with a preamble of “Please don’t hold back,” but all I got was a denial with her averting her gaze.

I don’t know if those words were genuine or if she was just being considerate of me.

However, if it was indeed true, the question of “Why?” lingers, and even after asking repeatedly, I never got a satisfactory answer.

Despite such lingering mysteries and sad events, there were also moments of joy.

Perhaps to avoid getting her clothes dirty, she started wearing a plain navy blue apron around the house. It suits her incredibly well.

She exudes such a young wife vibe, and watching her fills me with happiness.

I like seeing her from the front, but I particularly enjoy her back view. The way her waist is tied with the apron strings is so charming.

Even though she grumbles, “You’re so annoying…” When I praise her too much, seeing her cheeks flush with embarrassment is a plus. Maybe I praised her too much because in the end, she kicked me out in silence, but overall, I’m satisfied.

There’s a dream tucked away in a girl’s apron attire.

The invasion of my little sister. The changed Sajou-san since we started living together.

While I feel lonely about it, there’s also a part of me wondering if this is the appropriate distance.

Living together as students.

Moreover, living as two without any guardians, whether it’s appropriate or not.

If we think of it as room-sharing, well, maybe it could fit within the norms of society. Probably. If we force it, perhaps? Or is it impossible? No, it might work.

Honestly, it might have been too close for comfort to embrace a guy you’ve just met and aren’t even dating every single day after spending consecutive nights together.

Thinking about it, maybe it’s not such a bad thing after all.

Changes also include school.

Sajou-san goes to school with me, and she stays in the classroom from morning.

Not only that, she opens her textbooks, copies the board notes into her notebook.

She even started attending classes properly.

With her attendance, even the teachers shed tears of joy.

“Thank you…! Thank you so much!”

The teacher grasps my hands with both of hers and repeatedly expresses her gratitude.

It was a bit off-putting due to her earnestness, but judging from her reaction, she must have been subjected to quite a bit of sarcasm or nagging from the other teachers.

I couldn’t help but think, “New teachers have it tough,” and could only muster a strained smile.

In the first place, it’s not like I did anything.

Being thanked so excessively just makes me feel awkward.

Though I kept it to myself since it’s trivial. It’s kind of… well, whatever.

And then, regarding the reaction of my classmates to Sajou-san’s return to school after a long absence.

No particular fuss.

I was honestly disappointed since I expected more questioning or excitement, thinking it might turn into a festival.

They previously said they’d “watch over,” so maybe they’re faithfully keeping their word.

However, they seem curious, exchanging whispers and glances.

It’s annoying in its own way, so it would be easier if they just approached me.

Well, maybe they’re being considerate of Sajou-san who keeps coming and going to school without explanation.

…But judging by the restless reactions, their patience seems to be wearing thin.

Sajou-san’s actions, whether big or small, stir up those around her.

Suddenly not coming to see me, then moving in, and studying.

I wonder if there’s been some change in her feelings, but Sajou-san never tells me about it.

Perhaps my younger sister, who forcefully moved her in, might know something.

Thinking that, I messaged her on the messaging app, but all I got was a stamp of a girl laughing and teasing me, saying “Pervert.”

It irritated me strangely, so I kept sending stamps, and for some reason, Sajou-san scolded me, saying “Stop doing stupid things.” How did she find out?

She showed me her smartphone screen. There, the same messaging app as mine was open, addressed to my sister. The message said, “Brother is bullying me.”

I’m not bullying her. If anything, I’m the one being made fun of.

I wanted to deny it, but I was more shocked by the surprising fact, and I was left speechless.

Huh? What? You guys exchanged contact info? But I don’t have Sajou-san’s contact.

I feel kinda shocked, to be honest. It’s like I lost or something.

As I’m left dumbfounded, a stamp of a defeated and dejected dog is sent over, and in my frustration, I inadvertently growl in frustration. H-hey, I’m not frustrated, okay!?

As I grapple with these feelings, adjusting to the new daily routine amidst the perplexing changes in my roommate, it was around that time.

“Wanna stop by the supermarket?”

“…We already have ingredients.”

After school.

Just as I’m about to head home with Sajou-san, our homeroom teacher, who had remained in the classroom after class, calls out to me, “Hinata-san, can I have a word with you?”

This seems familiar.

Thinking back on it, I tilt my head in puzzlement alongside Sajou-san.