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Chapter 30: Secrets in the Apartment
Not long after the door clicked shut, the bathroom door swung open. Hachishaku emerged, wrapped in a large bath towel. Despite its size, the towel looked remarkably small on her towering frame, barely managing to cover her.
Neither Yukino Mifuyu nor Sadako paid attention to her lack of clothing. Instead, their gazes were fixed on the white sun hat still perched on Hachishaku's head. The damaged, frayed areas on the brim had visibly increased since the night before.
The next morning, Ryusei Kiryu woke up before his alarm. Thanks to the Eye Protection Exercises he performed before bed, his eyes felt refreshed, and his sleep quality had been excellent. He decided to make it a nightly habit.
He completed his morning run and stopped by the market. After catching his breath, he browsed the stalls and picked up the groceries Hachishaku had requested, along with his own.
Back at the apartment, he noticed the neighbor's door was still closed. Instead of knocking, he sent a message on Line.
Ryusei: Are you awake, Hachishaku-san? I have the groceries. Hachishaku: I'm already up!
He heard hurried footsteps behind the door before it swung open. Hachishaku stood there in her signature white dress—thin straps over delicate collarbones and a high slit that revealed her pale, long legs. The dress smelled of fresh soap mixed with a mature, alluring fruity fragrance.
"Ryusei-kun, you've gone to so much trouble," she said with a gentle smile.
"It's no trouble. I was buying my own anyway, and buying in bulk helps me haggle with the vendors." He handed over the bags.
[Ding—] +10 copper coins.
After they settled the logistics of the payment via Line, Ryusei headed back to his room. In the kitchen next door, Hachishaku began preparing a simple but exquisite breakfast.
"Popopopo..." she hummed happily.
She tapped on the VCR screen to wake Sadako, who used her black hair to retrieve her toothbrush and water cup from the bathroom. Then, Hachishaku knocked on Mifuyu's door. A wave of cold air drifted out as the silver-haired woman emerged in white pajamas.
"You two aren't working today?" Hachishaku asked during breakfast.
"Not during the day," Sadako replied lazily. "I'll go out tonight. I'm looking forward to that fried fish for lunch. It's a shame Mifuyu is too shy to freeload off the neighbors."
Mifuyu remained expressionless.
Later, Hachishaku knocked on Ryusei's door to give him a generous advance for future groceries. She also invited him over for the fried fish lunch.
"Thank you, but I won't be home at noon," Ryusei explained. "It's a holiday, so I'm heading out to buy a computer. I won't be back until evening."
"I see... Please be careful, Ryusei-kun. Do not go to overly secluded places alone."
Ryusei took the warning to heart. Tokyo clearly had dangers lurking in the shadows. He decided he would stick to the main districts and large department stores today.
Meanwhile, in the Sawamura household, Eriri was grumbling as she prepared for the day.
"I finally get a day off, and I have to run around with that guy," she muttered while brushing her teeth.
Her mother, Sawamura Sayuri, noticed the unusual early activity. When she checked on Eriri, she found her daughter staring indecisively at her wardrobe.
"Eriri, are you going to Akihabara? I'll go with you," Sayuri offered.
"No! I don't need you today!" Eriri snapped, her eyes flustered.
Sayuri narrowed her eyes playfully. "Did you make plans with a girl? Or an online friend?"
"No!"
"That junior, Ryusei Kiryu?"
"No!"
"So it is him," Sayuri sighed, a knowing smile on her face. "I didn't expect you two to be dating already. Take him to an oriental restaurant; I'll send you some good locations. You'll be back tonight, right?"
"Yes! Just... go away, Mom!" Eriri pushed her mother out, feeling like she wanted to crawl into a hole. "I have no relationship with him! He's just so annoying!"
At the subway station, Ryusei met Eriri. She was so thoroughly disguised with a hat, glasses, and a mask that he almost didn't recognize her.
"Senpai, what is this?"
"As an honor student, I can't be seen or photographed in Akihabara," she hissed.
"But don't you go there all the time for merchandise?"