"Okay then, I'll prepare the table. Please get freshened up in the meantime," Kaito said, gesturing toward the bathroom.
Chiaka nodded and padded off toward the hallway. As Kaito set the table, his brain was running wild.
What in the world is going on here? And why… why does it have to be Chiaka Hoshino?!
Chiaka Hoshino wasn't just a girl. She was the girl. The Madonna of the university. Beautiful, popular, smart, athletic—and basically walked around with a sparkly glow wherever she went. She was the kind of person you admired from far away, convinced you'd get blinded if you got too close.
And now she was going to be living with him. Under the same roof. Breathing the same air. Probably stealing his snacks.
How am I supposed to handle this?!
A short while later, Chiaka returned looking refreshed, with her long black hair tied in a loose, fluffy ponytail. Kaito tried to act casual.
"Let's have breakfast," he said.
"Yes, thank you for having me," Chiaka replied with a polite, practiced smile.
"No, no! It's my honor," Kaito stammered, voice slightly higher than usual.
Chiaka took a bite and her eyes instantly lit up. "Yum! This is so good!" she said with a sparkle in her eye. "You know what? Marry me."
"Wha—?!" Kaito nearly choked on his food, coughing like a malfunctioning engine. His face turned bright red.
"Hehe~ just kidding," she said, casually sipping her tea. "But look at your face—so red! So cute."
"It's your fault!" Kaito snapped, flustered.
Chiaka leaned back with a grin. "I should unpack my things. Which room is mine? Or... are we sharing the same room?"
"Don't say weird things!" Kaito yelped.
"Hehe~ just kidding… again."
Kaito tried to hide his blush behind his water glass. She's nothing like how she is at university!
"You can use my sister's room," he said stiffly. "And stop joking like that. Guys might take it seriously."
Chiaka blinked. Then smirked. "Oh? Were you imagining something?"
"Pervert alert!" she added, pointing at him dramatically.
"YOU'RE the one saying weird stuff!" Kaito shouted.
"Hehe~ you're fun to tease."
Kaito got up. "I'm gonna play games. Feel free to help yourself to anything in the fridge."
"Yessir~ Thanks again for the food!" she said sweetly.
As she disappeared into the hallway, Kaito collapsed onto the sofa, clutching the controller like it was a stress ball.
She's too much. That smile alone could kill a man.
He booted up his game, hoping to distract himself. He didn't notice when Chiaka returned until—
"Boo!"
"AHH—!" Kaito jumped like someone lit a fire under him. The controller almost flew out of his hands.
Chiaka burst into giggles. "Sorry! You looked way too serious!"
"You can't just sneak up on people like that!" he snapped, heart still pounding.
"What are you playing?" she asked, plopping down beside him without asking.
"An RPG."
"Ooooh! I love RPGs! Can I join?"
"You play games?" Kaito asked, surprised.
"Of course! Didn't Miyuki tell you? I've got a whole collection. I'm basically a part-time final boss."
"…Okay then. Grab the second controller."
They played for a while, side by side. Kaito had expected to feel awkward, but somehow, Chiaka's energy made everything feel oddly… normal. They laughed, teased, and talked trash as if they'd known each other for months instead of hours.
At one point, Chiaka kicked his foot lightly. "Oho? You're pretty good. Not bad, peasant."
"Did you just call me a peasant?"
She grinned. "Level 38 goddess, reporting in."
Eventually, Chiaka excused herself to unpack. Kaito watched her leave, a bit dazed.
She really is different at home... but not in a bad way.
A bit later, he passed by Miyuki's old room and peeked in. Chiaka was folding clothes like a pro.
"Need help?"
"Nah, I'm good!" she said brightly. "Oh, hey, where's the laundry?"
"Left of the main gate."
"Thanks! Just gotta wash a few things."
She gave him a thumbs-up and trotted off. Kaito blinked.
She really doesn't feel like a guest… more like a weird hurricane that moved in.
That evening, after Kaito finished dinner preparations and called out, Chiaka came to the table half-dressed in a hoodie, hair slightly messy, still texting someone.
"Dinner's ready," he said, placing a bowl of rice.
"Yay! I was starving!" she beamed and sat down.
They began eating in a more relaxed silence than the morning.
Kaito glanced at her between bites. "So... are you really always this… casual at home?"
Chiaka tilted her head innocently. "Huh? You mean perfect?"
"No, I mean like you just dropped your rice on the floor and picked it up like it never happened."
"Five-second rule," she mumbled.
Kaito chuckled despite himself.
As the night settled in, they ended up sitting across the living room again. Kaito playing games. Chiaka, curled up on the floor hugging a panda cushion she dug out from Miyuki's shelf.
She looked up at him and grinned. "You know, this might not be so bad. Living here."
Kaito didn't answer at first. Then: "Yeah... just don't break anything."
"No promises," she yawned.
And just like that, a new normal began to form.