When My Younger Brother Stole My Girlfriend, I Began Living Together with My Beautiful Childhood Friend Almost As If We Were Married

Chapter 3: Preparing for Cohabitation

After getting permission from Reina to use the adjacent room freely, I decided to take advantage of her offer and immediately started bringing my belongings downstairs.

Honestly, my first impression was that it’s quite a big house. It’s a bit envy-inducing for a university student to have such a place. Plus, it didn’t sound like it was a family home, and Reina didn’t talk about it like it was a rented place either.

Thinking about these things, I reached the living room on the first floor and grabbed my carry-on bag, intending to take it upstairs.

At that moment, I noticed a bag placed next to the desk.

“Huh, this character…”

“This? It’s our university’s mascot character…”

“Mana-kun, right? It’s taking over one corner of the campus convenience store with its merchandise.”

As I responded, Reina blinked in surprise.

“Wait, could it be… Hayato, you’re…”

“Most likely, yes. We go to the same university, don’t we?”

Exchanging glances, we then quickly showed each other our student IDs.

Indeed, there was the emblem of the same university drawn on both.

It’s quite surprising that we attend the same university and yet never crossed paths before, but when I think about it, my department and Reina’s department rarely intersect in classes, and even the general subjects were mostly large lecture hall courses, so it’s understandable if we didn’t notice each other even if we were in the same class. Besides, places like the cafeteria, convenience store, and cooperative store are always crowded.

Feeling somewhat amused, I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Well, from now on, we might see each other at school more often.”

“Yeah. Though it might be difficult to go to school together depending on our schedules.”

There are days when I only have afternoon classes, so it’s not feasible for me to go to school together in the morning.

Discovering this unexpected fact, we joked as I put my carry-on bag in the room I’d be using.

I quickly unpacked my things and asked Reina to bring over any unused furniture or items from the other room. We’ll buy whatever else we need later.

“We’ll have to go to the furniture store later. We’ll need things like a bed and various other necessities.”

“Definitely. Plus, I’d like to get a sense of the surrounding area, so going out is necessary.”

“When that time comes, leave it to me. I’ll show you around. I’m confident that this area is pretty nice.”

“Oh really?”

“Indeed! There’s a Pengi within walking distance!”

“Awesome!”

Penguin Hote, aka Pengi, is a fantastic place to have nearby, with its affordable prices and wide range of items.

Curious about what else is in the area, I found Reina scratching her cheek looking troubled, so I felt like sitting down too, placing the carry-on bag next to me.

“Hey, Hayato. Um, it’s a bit awkward to bring up, but can we talk about living expenses and stuff?”

Asked that, I immediately nodded.

If we’re going to live together, discussions about living expenses and money are absolutely necessary. If our values don’t align here, the relationship won’t last long.

And honestly, I feel bad if Reina has to bear the majority of the expenses. Even though we’re now in a relationship, I’m just staying at Reina’s house out of goodwill.

Tapping away, probably using a note-taking app, Reina stopped her finger movements and showed me the screen with a slightly apologetic expression.

“Sorry? It’s about living expenses, but… is this, okay?”

Looking at the screen she showed me, I replied with a smile.

“Yeah, no good.”

“Uh, is it still not good…? But if I go any further…”

“You probably don’t need me to tell you, but Reina, it’s not right for you to bear over ninety percent of the expenses or try to prioritize my rules, right!?”

“Well… but considering my income, it’s a bit difficult to cover everything…”

“I’m saying it should be the other way around! Please, let’s compromise, like maybe split it fifty-fifty, or even sixty-forty, with me covering the larger share!”

I might end up becoming a complete freeloader.

Reina kept insisting that since she brought me here and offered me shelter, it’s only natural for her to cover most of the expenses. But after some effort, I managed to get her to compromise, settling on Reina covering sixty percent and me covering forty percent of the living expenses. Honestly, I would have preferred an equal split or even the opposite arrangement. I still don’t know where my sense of guilt will reach its limit.

At least, I’ll try to make up for it by covering significant expenses like big purchases or dates.

Once the money talk was over, we moved on to discussing chores and rules…

“Seriously!”

“Huh, did I say something strange again?”

“It’s strange! Why do you keep suggesting that you cover over ninety percent of the expenses, or that the rules should prioritize me!?”

Left unattended, I might end up becoming an extremely dangerous guy who makes his girlfriend pay for everything, do all the housework, and even order her to obey unconditionally.

I managed to negotiate with her here as well, eventually settling on equal rules where I’ll handle the chores on my days off while Reina does them on other days. But to be honest, since my days off from both work and school are few and far between, I think I’ll end up contributing about as much as when Reina was covering over ninety percent of the expenses. I kind of feel like Reina got the better of me in the end.

I wonder if this is how the government felt when they were forced into unequal treaties with foreign countries in the past?

I’m not in the government’s position, but I couldn’t help but think about it.