Knock, knock, knock—
"Natsumi? Time to get up, Natsumi!"
"Why's this girl got her door locked… Natsumi? Are you awake?"
Natsumi Sakura lay in bed, dressed in loose pajamas, her limbs wrapped tightly around something soft. Normally, she hugged her favorite pillow, but today… compared to her pillow, Muxiao Xiao's tentacle monster body felt even more comfortable to cuddle. She couldn't let go.
Emmm, honestly, this girl's sleeping posture is a mess. Even the drool dripping from her mouth onto Muxiao's head didn't diminish her charm.
"Ugh… Mom?" The knocking woke Natsumi. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she suddenly snapped awake, her drowsiness vanishing. She threw off the covers and sat up, relieved to see the door was still locked.
Good, good. I locked it just in case. If her mother had walked in and seen… Muxiao on the bed, all hell would've broken loose. "I'm up, I'm up! Be right there—"
Glancing at the jellyfish-like tentacle monster still sleeping soundly, undisturbed by the noise, Natsumi reached out to stroke his soft body. Curling her legs, knees to her chin, she tilted her head and murmured, "It wasn't a dream… everything that happened yesterday…"
Turning to open the curtains, letting in the dazzling morning sunlight, Natsumi stretched her arms, arching her back. Even in loose pajamas, her stunning figure was undeniable.
"Muxiao, I'm heading downstairs. Be careful in here, and don't let Mom see you—"
"…"
Watching the motionless tentacle monster, Natsumi shook her head helplessly, changed into fresh clothes, and headed downstairs. Before she could say a word, she froze at the sight of a familiar figure waiting in the living room.
"Houichi?"
It was Houichi Matsubara.
"Natsumi, I came to see you," Houichi said, waving with a polite, gentle smile.
"Why are you…" Natsumi caught herself, shaking her head. The subtle expression on her face vanished, replaced by her usual bright smile. "Never mind. Morning, Houichi."
"Aren't we going to the hospital for a check-up today? Houichi's coming with us," her mother said, setting out breakfast and explaining.
"Yeah, we live so close, so I figured we'd go together. You don't mind, right, Natsumi?" Houichi asked, a hint of nervousness in his voice.
"Of course not. We're childhood friends, aren't we?" Natsumi replied, her smile unchanged, just like always. "But you look a bit pale, Houichi. Didn't sleep well?"
Of course he hadn't. He'd spent the night wrestling with how Natsumi would react to him, and her current attitude—unchanged on the surface—caught him off guard.
"I'm fine, I guess. After what happened yesterday… Natsumi, I'm so sorry. I had no idea Daisuke would—"
"Stop!"
Cutting him off, Natsumi's face showed no trace of anger, to his surprise. She spoke calmly, "I'm not some unreasonable woman. Thinking about it, I can't really blame you for last night. So let's not mention it again. I'm not mad at you."
"Natsumi, you're really… not upset?"
"Not at all. I'm fine, aren't I? Relax, Houichi, we're still friends. I wouldn't get mad over something like that."
"…Friends?"
"What's wrong?" Natsumi tapped her cheek with a finger. "We're childhood friends, so of course we're good friends."
Houichi finally sensed something off. On the surface, Natsumi's attitude hadn't changed, but in reality, it was worlds apart. Her every smile, every word, carried a subtle distance.
A sense of detachment.
"Just friends?"
"…We're childhood friends, nothing more. Isn't that normal?"
Houichi felt a pang, his voice urgent. "You're right, we're childhood friends. But yesterday made me realize, Natsumi, you're incredibly important to me! More than just a childhood friend, I—"
"Houichi," Natsumi interrupted, a faint smile on her lips. "You're not about to say you like me, are you?"
"I…" Houichi gritted his teeth, his heart tightening at the thought of losing her. He blurted out, "Yes, Natsumi! I like you."
He actually said it?
Natsumi covered her mouth in surprise, but there was no trace of being moved—only a hint of helplessness and awkwardness. "I never would've guessed, Houichi. You, being so direct for once, not indecisive… But it's too late."
What… does that mean?
"It's too late. If you'd said this before yesterday, I… I would've been thrilled," Natsumi said, her gaze complex as she looked at him. "But now, it's too late."
"Why? Why is it too late? It's not too late, is it? Natsumi, is it because of that guy?" Houichi's voice grew frantic. "Because of that monster, you—"
"Shut up!"
The cheerful, ponytail-wearing blue-haired girl's expression changed abruptly. She sharply cut him off, glancing nervously at her mother bustling in the kitchen before glaring at Houichi. "Come outside with me!"
"…"
Outside in the small yard, Natsumi relaxed slightly, seeing her mother hadn't noticed. "Muxiao's situation—I don't want you telling my mom or anyone else. You'd better keep your mouth shut."
If Muxiao's existence was exposed, it would bring him a lot of trouble.
"Natsumi," Houichi said, his heart aching so much he could barely breathe. "It's a monster. Is that thing really so important to you? Have you lost your mind? Why are you so obsessed with a monster?!"
"Yes, he's important to me. I like him, I'm drawn to him, and I don't care if he's a monster!" Natsumi's voice was firm, resolute. "No one can tear us apart!"
"Natsumi, you—"
Houichi swayed, grabbing the wall for support. A realization hit him, his eyes widening. "Wait… that monster, it's in your house right now, isn't it? You're living with it?!"
Natsumi didn't answer, but her silence was confirmation. As Houichi's face grew paler, his expression more shocked, she sighed softly, her gaze turning cold. "Even after everything that happened yesterday, I still see you as my childhood friend. We're still friends. But—"
Her voice was icy, her eyes sharp. "If you dare tell my mom about this or spread word of his existence, causing Muxiao pain… we won't just stop being friends. I'll never forgive you!!"
Hearing his childhood friend's merciless warning, Houichi felt a chill from head to toe, his body trembling with cold despair.
Watching Natsumi turn and walk away, his heart bled, his chest wracked with unbearable pain, making it hard to breathe.
"Natsumi… why…"