When I read the heart of the never-smiling princess, for some reason she had already fallen head over heels in love for me. - v1 Chapter 9

Chapter 9: The Princess and my mother.

I paced around my six-mat room moving to and from, trying to calm myself down despite my restless.

The appointed time was 10 AM. In about ten minutes, she—Katsuragi Minami would arrive.

I glanced around my room once again. I had tidied up all the scattered clothes, magazines, and craft kits. Anything that absolutely couldn’t be seen was shoved deep into storage, and I had layered multiple disguises and passwords on the questionable contents in my PC to ensure they couldn’t be discovered.

(I don’t think this should give off a weird impression, hopefully.)

Even so, it was the first time a girl was visiting my home. More so, for someone like Katsuragi Minami. From her always impeccable appearance, where not a single crease or hair was out of place, this room might still look plenty messy in her eyes.

If I saw that beauty frown as soon as she entered my room, I could feel myself die a little inside.

(…I should at least run a lint roller over everything huh.)

I rolled the lint roller over the carpet.

If she finds any stray hairs here and there, it could be a disaster.

At that moment, the doorbell rang.

Reflexively, I checked the clock.

It wasn’t even 10 yet hey.

No, but knowing her, it wasn’t actually strange if she arrived a bit early.

I rushed out into the hallway in panic. Originally, I had planned to wait near the entrance around 10. Otherwise, family members—particularly those I didn’t want her to encounter—would come out.

My bad feeling proved correct. Indeed, that person was opening the front door right before my eyes.

“Gud muorn—Good morning, Mother-sama. Is Saiga Takagi here?”

“Oh? Oh my, oh my, oh my!”

[“Ara~? Ara~ Ara~ Ara~!”]

The ponytailed woman who opened the door—my mother—placed her hand on her cheeks, letting out a surprised voice.

“To think I’d be called ‘Mother-sama’ by such a lovely girl! Should I prepare a red rice today?”

“It’s just a habit of mine, since this is how I normally speak, so please don’t mind. But I do like red rice.”

“Ara~ Then let’s have red rice for lunch. And for you too, um…”

“I’m called Katsuragi Minami. Saiga Takagi has been very kind to me as a member of the student council.”

“Ara~Ara, that’s so delightful. Then Minami-chan, have something to eat together before going home okay~. Once we’re around the dining table, you’re practically a part of our family.”

“It’s a bit much to decline such a generous offer, but still, I can’t also decline the kind offer from Mother-sama as well—…”

“Why is this conversation going that smoothly!?”

I forcefully swapped positions with my mother to handle the visitor.

“Good morning, Saiga-kun.”

Turning to the voice, there stood Katsuragi Minami in casual attire—a checkered dress with a cardigan, her bangs pinned neatly.

With a small shoulder bag on her shoulder, and on the other hand, holding onto a gift box.

Unlike the school uniform, it was a rather fresh look. It suited her remarkably well.

“Mou~ come on, Takagi-kun, wouldn’t you surprise her like that~. Please be kind to Mom too.”

“I agree with that, Saiga-kun.”

“Come, Minami-chan’s say it as well!”

“Stop, don’t bond over something like this!”

I recalled their earlier nonsensical conversation and felt dizzy. Even though there were infinite places to retort, yet to think that an exchange had actually worked out looked absolutely unbelievable.

As for my mother, I had thought only my father could handle interactions in this entire humankind, but to think here was another person that could as well.

While my head spun with taking that incomprehensible shock, and my mother rightly pointed out, “Invite her in, please.” Though she had suddenly returned to normal, I couldn’t refuse, so I gestured, “Please come in.”

“I’m sorry for intruding,” Katsuragi Minami murmured quietly as she entered the house.

Smelling that sweet scent rafting through the air, a sudden sense of reality hit me all at once.

That Katsuragi Minami, had come into my house.

“By the way, is there no apologies for your mom?”

My mother chimed in reproachfully. Could you stabilize your emotions a bit more, Mom?

Reluctantly, when I turned around, my actual mother stood there with hands on her hips, pouting.

Are you some small kid?

“Sorry about that really. But you were about to cause trouble, isn’t it quite normal to stop.”

“Heh~ Saying that it was causing trouble, that’s not true at all. Right, Minami-chan?”

“Yes, I felt very happy.”

“See!”

“It’s not ‘see!’ You don’t have to push yourself to hang out with her as well, President!”

“I’m not pushing myself, though?”

“…Aaah, I see.”

I decided to cease any further inquiry. I had suspected she was different, but it became conclusive the moment my mother understood.

Katsuragi Minami is simply put, an pure-hearted airhead.

Who was the one that labeled her as an intellectual, cool beauty! Only the cool beauty part of it is matching her though!

In any case, it’s crucial not to let these two pure-hearted airheads individuals interact with each other. Left unchecked, things could escalate unexpectedly to unknown heights. As someone who would be involved in between, my mental state wouldn’t hold up.

“For the time being, Mom, I have her come here today just to help with the Student Council work. You don’t need to prepare lunch for her as well, and don’t come to my room until I say it’s okay.”

“Ehhhh… That’s so boring.”

“Did you just say ‘boring’ now?”

“Nope, not at all…~”

My mother pouted and turned away. Just like a child.

‘What’s with you mou. Lately, Saiga become so unfriendly. When you were little, you were so cute. You used to follow me around and even grab and drunk from my breasts at the age of three…’

“Alright, enough reminiscing! Let’s get going!”

I hurriedly nudged my mom forward, eager to avoid hearing her mix of complaints and nostalgic tales. It was like reliving a cringe-worthy audio drama.

Just then, Katsuragi Minami approached us, having taken off her shoes.

Instinctively, I moved away. My body subconsciously moved in reaction.

However, she didn’t seem bothered and extended the box she held towards my mother.

“Mother-sama, if you don’t mind, please take this. I don’t know if it will suit your taste, but I have selected some Western sweets.”

“Eh! A souvenir like this? Is it really okay for me to accept them?”

“It’s a thank-you for all your help and troubles today.”

“~~! Really, she is such a waste for someone like Takagi!”

“As I am saying, it’s different, Mom. President and I are just fellow schoolmates, nothing else.”

‘You don’t have to be so straightforward about it.’

A voice chimed in, and I reflexively glanced at Katsuragi Minami. She wore her usual inscrutable expression, but there’s only one person that could harbor such thoughts. Perhaps my ability got triggered since we were in a narrow corridor withing close proximity to each other.

‘Will he one day. Reintroduce me as his girlfriend one day as well.’

My cheeks flushed hot. I couldn’t help but move away from Katsuragi Minami. If I kept my distance, her voice should no longer reach me. This state of affairs was truly bad for my heart.

Then, with a sly grin, my mother nudged me with her elbow.

“What are you saying, Takaagi? I know, deep down, you’re actually quite pleased aren’t you. It’s the first time he had brought a girl home—see~ Minami-chan.”

“Mom!”

If you said something like that, Katsuragi Minami would start misunderstanding.

As I cautiously checked on her, as she stared at me earnestly.

“So that means, we were already in mutual love with one another?”

See, I knew it!

“Ah, really now! Let’s just go into my room already!”

I couldn’t stand it and walked down the hallway. Katsuragi Minami hurriedly followed.

“Take your time~,” my nonchalant mother who said so, as she retreated to the living room. However, till a minute from now, I could still hear my mother’s true feelings.

‘But to think that Takagi would… Fufu~ I’m so glad you seem to be having fun in high school.’

My irritation quickly diminished.

For a while, especially in junior high, since I was quite lonely, so my parents must have been worried a lot. It had been a long time since I had invited classmates over, so my mother was probably exceptionally happy about this. I felt sorry about that once again.

‘But still, to think he was looking for a bride already… he’s growing up way too fast. If this happens, could I expect grandchildren fast as well? Oh no, they might start calling me a young grandma (Wakai obaachama)!’

Please, Mom, don’t trivialize my sentimentality in an instant.

I was certain that my habit of being quick-witted had been honed by my mother’s quirks.

At that moment, another voice interrupted in.

‘As planned, it’s good that you’ve started to notice me as well.’

I stopped in the hallway and turned around.

Katsuragi Minami tilted her head slightly on return.

“Is something wrong?”

“…Nope, nothing.”

I brushed it off and walked forwards, keeping my distance.

The words from earlier were stuck in my mind.

What does she mean by ‘plan’

There was no need to ponder deeply about it though.

She must be just plotting something to advance our relationship to the next stage.