Chapter 8: Volume 1 - CH 8

I made a suggestion to Himekawa, who had a puzzled look on her face.

It’s okay if she refuses, or it’s okay if she accepts. It doesn’t make much difference to me.

“If Himekawa is okay with it, I’ll offer you a room. It’s the same room where you left your luggage earlier. And I’ll provide breakfast and dinner. I’ll also introduce you to a decent part-time job”

Himekawa’s expression, which had been dark earlier, changed and became brighter.

After all, he knew it was a reckless plan.

“What do you want? You’re not going to tell me that you’re going to do that for free, are you?”

That’s right. I don’t like the idea of having to do anything for free either. I’m not that good-natured.

I want you to be a part of my experiment. You’ll be a good sample for me.

“I have two goals. One, I don’t want my classmates to end up on the street. Two, I want the rent to be paid in exchange for providing it”

“Rent?”

“Yes, the rent. Even here, we have to pay for utilities and communication lines. Then there’s the cost of food. No matter how little you eat, you’ll still eat a certain amount, right?”

“What’s the part-time job? Is it a shady part-time job?”

“It’s just a coffee shop. It’s not a maid cafe or anything. It’s just a regular coffee shop. There are also snacks, and the school is close by. But the work is done in shifts, and I think you’ll be working on weekends”

Himekawa was silent for a while. She seemed to be thinking about something, and her eyes kept wandering from side to side.

I guess it’s a choice she’s never experienced before. Of course, if she could find another place to live, that would be great. I’m just going to live my life as I always have.

“You don’t have to stay here forever, if you find another place, you can go there. Just think of this as a temporary solution until then.

Himekawa sat upright in front of me as if she had made up her mind.

“I know I’m going to be a nuisance, but I’ll be in your care for a while”

The smell of soap struck me from Himekawa as she lowered her head.

It’s so close, it smells so good, and it kind of embarrasses me in so many ways.

“Keep your head up. It’s not something I worry about. Please stop”

Raising her head, Himekawa looked straight at me and opened her mouth.

“I have a condition”

“Conditions?”

“We’ll have to take turns preparing the meals. I don’t feel comfortable just leaving you in charge”

“Hmm? That’s the condition? You don’t have to worry about it. I’ll just make more when I cook for myself”

“No,! I’ll cook too. That’s non-negotiable!”

“Oh… Well, if you insist…”

This is how Himekawa and I came to live together under the same roof.

Well, we have separate rooms, so there won’t be any problems.

“I’ll tell you about the details tomorrow. So, I thought I’d come with you tomorrow to get your stuff, is that a problem?”

“You’re coming?”

“It’s not easy being on your own, is it? I’ll help you out a little at least in the beginning”

She was still cute as she smiled with a big smile and said, “Yes, please”.

Even though she is a daughter, she is still a girl. She is still in her youth as a member of society.

I’m also still inexperienced and I’m still looking up to my parents, but I need to experience a lot of things for my future.

There will come a time when I will have to be on my own.

“You’re tired today, aren’t you? Why don’t you go back to your room and get some sleep? When you wake up tomorrow, let me know”

While having this conversation, Himekawa left the living room.

Her waist-length hair swayed in the back of her head, a true Yamato Nadeshiko.

But she’s also one weak girl.

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was at least one person who could look out for her?

With these thoughts in mind, I got under the covers and fell into a deep sleep.

TLN: Double release to make up for yesterday