Chapter 437

"Why is the house such a pigsty? I was only gone for a few days..."

That was Miyuki's reaction upon seeing the snack bags, clothes, and empty water bottles scattered all over the living room.

I scratched my cheek awkwardly at her horror and replied.

"Pigsty is a bit harsh."

"You were never the type to make a mess. You used to be so neat, so why is it like this?"

"I just got lazy. I'll clean it up now, so go sit down."

"Why would I just sit? We can clean it together. Is the bathroom like this too?"

"It's not quite this dirty. But there's probably stuff lying around in there."

"What's with the unsure tone?"

"I don't know."

"I swear... I'll clean the living room, so Matsuda-kun, you clean the bathroom."

"We're just going to use it again anyway. What's the big deal if I don't clean it?"

"Do it."

"Got it."

Miyuki pushed my back as I gave a sullen nod.

It was her way of telling me to hurry up and get in there. I braced my legs to resist her shove and asked.

"Why are you trying to kick me out?"

"Because I want to change clothes."

"Then just change."

"Ah, just go in already...!"

I loved that our Miyuki always retained her innocent charm.

Leaving the blushing girl behind, I stepped into the washroom instead of the shower and spotted a single strand of hair about two hand-spans long near the sink.

I picked it up and examined it. It was pink. A trace of Chinami.

This couldn't be the only one...

Miyuki was bound to find something while cleaning.

Should I think of an excuse? Or should I just be honest?

I decided on the latter.

As I'd thought before, it was time Miyuki learned of my goal.

Resolving myself, I started cleaning. But after quite some time passed with zero reaction from Miyuki in the living room, I grew puzzled.

I'd been certain she would call me out and tell me to come over for a second. So why was she so quiet?

Was she only dealing with the big trash, meaning she hadn't yet noticed the hair or the distinct scents of Hiyori and Chinami?

Thinking that was impossible, I stepped out and found the living room completely spotless.

Even the mattress and blankets had been neatly folded.

"Are you done cleaning?"

Miyuki's expression as she asked was just as innocent as before.

Knowing her personality, she wouldn't just pretend not to notice if she found traces of other women...

It was a genuine mystery. Did most of the evidence blow away when I left the windows open?

"Not yet. I still have to scrub the tiles."

"Really? You didn't throw out that old mop last time, did you?"

"I still have it, but do I really have to mop too?"

"How else are you going to clean the tiles? You said you were going to scrub them."

"I was just about to say I'd do it later."

"No way, you idiot... Ah!?"

A startled gasp escaped Miyuki's lips right as she tried to give me her usual affectionate scolding.

I had ducked low, wrapped my arms around her waist, and tackled her right onto the folded mattress.

The hem of her fresh T-shirt rode up slightly, revealing her pale stomach.

Resting my hands on her slender waist, I gave her a light kiss on the lips as she swallowed hard, then spoke.

"Let's stop cleaning for now."

"T-Then...? What are we going to do...?"

"Who knows. What should we do?"

Press, press.

Testing the waters, I applied pressure with my thumbs, gently pressing into Miyuki's waist and making her body twitch.

Her face quickly flushed red. She was definitely expecting something naughty.

"Should we go on a trip?"

"A trip...?"

Doubt filled Miyuki's eyes at the sudden suggestion.

I gently caressed her soft cheek and nodded.

"Yeah. A two-day, one-night trip."

"Just the two of us...?"

What did she mean by that?

Normally, I would have assumed she was asking out of embarrassment, or simply to confirm, but hearing it right after she cleaned made it feel incredibly loaded.

Did she know something?

It certainly felt like it.

Suddenly feeling like the genre had shifted to a thriller, a chill ran down my spine as I answered.

"Of course just the two of us."

"I... I don't mind... but I have plans with my friends for the next few days..."

"I'm not saying we should go right now. We can take our time deciding."

"Then... okay. I want to go."

She slowly nodded in embarrassment. Reaching out, I laced my fingers through hers, squeezing her tiny hand tight as I leaned my face in.

I needed to show Miyuki even more affection from now on.

I really had to. My instincts were never wrong.

"Are you sleeping over tonight?"

I asked, having just explored the moist, warm inside of Miyuki's mouth.

She instinctively licked her lips and turned her head slightly to the side, suddenly shy.

"Yeah..."

"Is there anywhere you want to go?"

"Where...? For the trip...?"

"No. I mean right now. Do you want to head downtown?"

"Not really..."

"Then we're resting here?"

Miyuki knew the true meaning behind the word "resting."

That was why she gave a meek murmur of agreement and shifted her body so I could unfold the mattress again.

Watching her, I couldn't help but think I was an incredibly lucky guy.

Because all the heroines were so lovely.

Balancing them perfectly was my biggest concern, but for now at least, I decided to forget about that and focus entirely on my deep connection with Miyuki.

[Matsu-Matsu.]

The next morning. I woke up to a message from Hiyori.

It was sent around 6 a.m. Hiyori must have woken up early and messaged me the moment she opened her eyes.

[What.]

Groping for my phone half-asleep, I sent a reply and glanced down to see a lump under the covers.

Feeling cold from the air conditioner, Miyuki had burrowed completely inside.

Worried whether she could even breathe like that, I lifted the blanket slightly to create an airway.

I could hear her soft breathing coming from around my chest.

I even felt a bit of dampness, making me wonder if she was drooling in her sleep.

[I'm working out today.]

Hiyori's reply came while I was rubbing my eyes, trying not to wake Miyuki.

A clear, purposeful sentence with zero filler.

Seeing it, I tapped the screen with one hand.

[When?]

[Morning, 11 o'clock.]

Miyuki would probably still be here by then...

Just as that worry crossed my mind, something wiggled against my chest.

A slender hand slipped out through the airway and pulled the blanket back...

Then Miyuki poked her messy head out, fixing her hair as she asked.

"What...? Are you awake...?"

"Yeah."

"Since when...?"

"Just now."

"Really...? Why are you holding your Cell Phone?"

"Asahina texted me."

"Asahina...? Why?"

"She says she wants to work out."

"Right now?"

"No, later this morning. You should join us."

"I'm... fine with that. I'll join too."

Her voice was incredibly calm.

It felt like she didn't even consider Hiyori a rival anymore.

She used to be so hyper-aware of her, so why the sudden change in attitude?

Did my sleeping over at her place mean that much?

From yesterday to today, I just couldn't figure out Miyuki's true intentions.

Well, I'd find out once we met up with Hiyori.

Coming to that conclusion, I sent Hiyori a message saying I understood, then stroked Miyuki's head.

"Should we get washed up and eat breakfast?"

"I'll just eat."

"Without washing?"

"Yeah. We're going to exercise anyway... I'll just brush my teeth after I eat."

I couldn't comprehend how a neat freak like Miyuki would refuse to wash.

Even with a workout scheduled, that just wasn't like her.

Moreover, doing this when her rival Hiyori was coming over... meant she definitely had an ulterior motive.

That motive was probably provocation.

It seemed she intended to crush Hiyori's fighting spirit by shoving physical proof of the sleepover in her face rather than just bragging about it.

"Suit yourself. We can just eat the food the housekeeper brought."

"Right now? I want to stay in bed..."

"Let's eat a little later then."

At that, Miyuki rested her head against my chest again.

She pulled the blanket over herself for good measure, acting as if she were cold. I chuckled at her cute behavior. We rested a bit longer, ate together, and spent the rest of the morning lounging around.

A little before 11, the doorbell rang. I walked out and opened the Main Gate.

"Hey, hey."

"You're here? Come in."

"You're not going to grab my butt again, are you?"

What a dangerous thing to say. It was a good thing I came out alone.

Since I hadn't told her, Hiyori currently had no idea Miyuki was at my place.

How would that bright face change the moment she saw her?

Imagining Hiyori's jealousy-filled glare, I shrugged.

"I'll grab it later."

"Why aren't you grabbing it today?"

Because I had my reasons.

Keeping my mouth shut, I pointed at the tightly closed window. Hiyori tilted her head and walked into the house with a bewildered expression.

She took off her shoes, stepped up onto the engawa, and slid the window open.

It didn't take long for a confused gasp to slip from her lips.

"Huh?"

I watched Hiyori's eyebrows twitch as she spotted Miyuki deep inside the living room.

I hadn't realized it because I mostly saw her from the front, but her side profile was pretty too.

Her high nose was especially striking.

"Hi there."

Miyuki, who had been lying down earlier, was now sitting on the mattress with the blanket draped over her, watching TV.

Completely unbothered and utterly relaxed.

"Why are you here, sunbae-nim?"

"Can't I be?"

"No... it's not that... but what's with your hair?"

"What about it?"

"It's a complete mess."

"Because I just slept."

"Excuse me?"

"I slept over. I came yesterday."

"Why?"

"What do you mean, why? I told you we were living together."

Was she dumbfounded by Miyuki mentioning our cohabitation so casually?

Hiyori was momentarily at a loss for words.

There had been a similar situation before.

Back then, Miyuki was the one who panicked, but now the roles were reversed.

As of today, it seemed they had each traded a solid punch.

"We're going to exercise together today, is that okay? If you're hungry afterward, we can all eat here. My mom packed us some side dishes."

She was indirectly rubbing it in that even her parents knew we were dating and living together.

I felt it every time, but Miyuki definitely had a sly, fox-like side when dealing with Hiyori.

Hiyori stared intently at Miyuki's relaxed face.

Her lips twitched as if something severely displeased her, and she strode into the living room on her long legs.

Then, without warning, she flopped down flat on her back right next to Miyuki.

"W-What are you doing?"

When a flustered Miyuki asked that, Hiyori stubbornly retorted in a voice dripping with sheer recklessness.

"I'm going to sleep."

"What?"

"I'm sleeping over today too."

Whether I should call it the atmosphere or the tension, it was all balancing on a razor's edge.

If left alone any longer, Hiyori might just go on a rampage.

Actually, she already had. Either way, I needed to cool this overheated room down, even if just a little.

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