When I Picked Up A Stunningly Gorgeous Downer-Type Beauty In Front Of The Entrance. - Chapter 71: Two People Who Apologized.

Two People Who Apologized.

I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.

The small note in front of me made it painfully clear that my excuse of meeting her mother by chance was meaningless from the start. That one small piece of paper felt like the blade of a guillotine.

Where did she find it? I couldn’t even remember if I had stashed it somewhere or thrown it away. My unspoken question was answered by Sajou-san, who was twirling the rabbit-eared note between her fingers—though her gaze was far sharper than any rabbit’s.

“If you intend to hide something, do a better job of it. And don’t leave things in your pockets when I do laundry.”

While Sajou-san talked about the trouble of doing laundry, the real trouble was my own head. I felt like crying at my stupidity. Of course she’d notice it, of course she’d find it, it was obvious.

I was ashamed of my own cluelessness, especially knowing she had probably noticed long ago. While I hid my face in shame, Sajou-san’s voice, now with a hint of a thorn, cut through my thoughts. Her tone had dropped a notch, making it even more intimidating.

“…You aren’t in that kind of relationship with her, right?”

“No, I’m not!”

I vigorously shook my head, hands still covering my face.

“No, no, absolutely not! I don’t know if I still have enough trust left to say ‘believe me,’ but I swear it’s not like that! I know I must look like a cheating jerk, but I promise, it’s nothing like that!”

I said this with as much conviction as I could muster. The idea of being misunderstood as having a relationship with the mother of a girl I lived with was too much to bear, both personally and socially.

It’s not that Sajou-san’s mother isn’t attractive. She looks quite similar to Sajou-san, with a generous figure… but physical attraction alone doesn’t define a relationship, at least not for me. Though inexperienced, I felt certain about this.

“It was really just a coincidence at first. She wanted to talk about you, Sajou-san. I knew meeting her secretly wasn’t right, but I was worried you’d be upset if I told you. I felt guilty about letting you move in without saying anything to her…”

My words trailed off. From start to finish, I tried to explain, but I knew this wasn’t just about details.

I bit my trembling lip to steady myself and looked up. Feeling guilty under Sajou-san’s unwavering gaze, I bowed my head.

“I kept it hidden. I’m sorry for acting on my own.”

A heartfelt apology. Rather than using many words, I put my feelings into them.

“…I see.”

Her short response passed over my head. The thought that my feelings had reached her was merely my wishful thinking as the one apologizing. However, there was no anger in her voice. Unsure of when to look up, I cautiously raised my head.

“You’re not…angry?”

I asked, glancing up like a child caught in a prank. Feeling a mix of shame and hope, I sought confirmation. Sajou-san’s eyes narrowed as she clearly stated, “I am angry.”

“I’m sorry.”

I started to lower my head again, but she stopped me with a calm, “It’s fine.”

Leaning on the table with both hands, my posture was halfway between standing and bowing. Did her “fine” mean she accepted my apology, or that I could raise my head? Unsure, I froze until she said, “Stop that pathetic act and sit up straight,” prompting me to quickly straighten my back.

Looking up, I saw Sajou-san covering her mouth with one hand, her black eyes looking to the side. She seemed uneasy as she spoke.

“…I knew that you were considerate like this, Rihito. Even though I knew, I took advantage of it and avoided dealing with my past. It was my responsibility to at least inform my mother about my move. I’m sorry. I understand why it was hard for you to tell me. So, don’t apologize.”

“Sajou-san…”

Her unexpected words touched me deeply, making my heart tremble.

Not long ago, she wouldn’t have had the composure to say such things. Seeing her face reality and try to come to terms with it filled me with both surprise and happiness, along with a hint of sadness. Perhaps this peculiar cohabitation—

“But if you do something like this again… I’ll crush you.”

“What kind of crushing sound is that?!”

Sajou-san clenched her raised hand into a fist.

Does she plan to crush me? My…what exactly does she intend to crush?!

Trembling, I promised emphatically never to do it again. She nodded, “Then, fine.”

That was terrifying. I felt a chill run through me, and I won’t specify where. I wiped the sweat off my forehead as Sajou-san stood up, saying, “I’ll start preparing dinner,” as if nothing had happened.

Apparently, the conversation was over.

As she walked around the table and past me towards the kitchen, I looked up at her and remembered one thing I had forgotten to say.

“Sajou-san…”

She stopped right beside me and looked down. Gazing up into her eyes, which seemed as deep as the night sky, I spoke.

“Your mother is genuinely worried about you. It’s not really my place to say this, but please, at least listen to her.”

Sajou-san muttered, almost spitting the words out, “You’re too kind.”

Maybe I said too much. Was that unnecessary? But her next words dispelled my worries.

“Don’t worry.”

She softened her expression slightly and gave a small smile.

“I’m not the same as the drenched, abandoned kitten curled up on your doorstep before you took me in.”

She assured me that she would talk to her mother.

With that, she finally disappeared into the kitchen.

And so, time passed.

Despite being next-door neighbors, the mother and daughter who hadn’t seen each other in ages finally reunited.

…without me around.