Chapter Twelve: Secrecy

The night passed uneventfully.

At dawn the next day, before the sky had brightened, Anhe awoke from his dreams.

He stared at the ceiling in a daze for a moment before turning his head to look at the girl lying on her side next to him.

She was still asleep, her long black hair spilling across the pillow, eyes gently closed, lashes as long as butterfly wings fluttering ever so slightly with the soft movement of her rosy lips. Lower down, through the gap in the quilt, he could glimpse her delicate, snowy collarbones and most of her alluring, fair curves.

He swallowed hard, remembering everything that had happened since last night.

After Sagiri Amamiya had entered the bathtub yesterday evening, Anhe had even considered simply surrendering himself.

But, to his surprise, Sagiri had only hugged him from behind and made no further move.

Worried that any motion on his part would startle her like that morning, Anhe dared not move. So the two of them clung together in silence for nearly two hours, only stopping when the bathwater had grown cold.

After that, before he knew it, Sagiri had pulled him onto the bed—without even letting him put his clothes back on—and then… nothing else happened. They simply slept until now.

Recalling all this, Anhe fell into a brief silence, then suddenly slapped his own forehead in deep regret.

Damn it! How could I let such a golden opportunity slip by?

Even if nothing serious happened, I should've at least taken some advantage!

The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became. He even considered slapping himself.

But soon, he stopped.

Because with that movement, he realized that Sagiri Amamiya was already awake, her sleepy eyes gazing at him.

They looked at each other for a moment. Then Anhe put on a gentle smile and said softly, "Good morning, Sagiri-chan."

At his words, Sagiri's face froze for a second; her dazed eyes immediately cleared.

Awake now?

Just as Anhe was thinking that, Sagiri's face suddenly loomed large in his vision.

Before he could react, her soft, warm lips were pressed against his.

The contact made Anhe's body go rigid.

Holy—!

Startled, he quickly responded, meeting her kiss eagerly.

Having fought this battle once before, both of them were much less awkward than the first time. Anhe sensed Sagiri trying to use the same trick as yesterday and, learning from experience, seized the initiative, flipping her beneath him.

Losing her advantage, Sagiri's attacks grew weaker.

Seeing this, Anhe pressed his advantage; Sagiri grew flustered, and he seized the opportunity.

A faint fragrance filled the air.

After a short while and a soft, plaintive sound, the "enemy" finally surrendered.

When their lips parted, Anhe grinned down at Sagiri Amamiya, whose eyes were hazy and cheeks flushed, and played the villain.

"What are you doing so early in the morning?"

Hearing this, Sagiri's gaze flickered, the haze in her eyes receding a little. She met his gaze, and after her breathing calmed, she finally spoke.

"This is the price you mentioned."

"The price?"

Anhe was taken aback, then remembered what he'd said to her the previous morning and broke into laughter.

He'd only tossed out that line as a random excuse, but to think Sagiri had actually remembered it.

With that, his eyes drifted to her rosy, inviting lips, and he kissed her again.

Sagiri was caught off guard by his sudden move, but soon recovered, not resisting at all. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

That kiss lasted nearly half an hour.

At last, they parted.

Anhe smiled and said to Sagiri, now somehow lying on top of him, "This is your rent for the next week."

She met his gaze for a moment but said nothing. Instead, she rested her head on his chest, greedily inhaling the fresh morning air.

Seeing this, Anhe rested his chin on her head and wrapped his arms around her slender waist, his hand gently caressing the smooth skin of her back.

[Name: Sagiri Amamiya]
[Current status: A naive girl tasting first love. (She doesn't dislike kissing you.)]
[Favorability: 61 (A budding affection). Note: She's not sure if what she feels for you is truly love.]

Already at 61?

Anhe was surprised at the information the screen provided; he’d thought it would take at least half a month to reach 70.

Of course, it might have something to do with what Sagiri went through yesterday.

After all, her condition yesterday afternoon was truly awful.

Thinking this, Anhe hugged the girl in his arms even tighter.

But soon, she began to squirm.

Seeing this, Anhe let go.

Sagiri quickly sat up, wrapped herself in the quilt, and hurried out of the bedroom without a backward glance.

What was that about?

Anhe was puzzled. He looked down at himself, and suddenly understood.

A few minutes later.

After getting dressed, Anhe left the bedroom. He glanced around the living room but didn’t see Sagiri, so he headed for the kitchen.

At the kitchen door, he saw Sagiri, now dressed in the same t-shirt and shorts as yesterday, busy at the stove.

Since she wasn't holding anything dangerous, Anhe called out with a smile, "Sagiri-chan, you really look like a perfect housewife right now."

At his words, Sagiri paused as she reached for a bowl, then continued without replying. But from behind, Anhe could clearly see her pink ears and neck turning red at a visible rate.

Seeing this, Anhe was about to press his luck and tease her some more, when suddenly there was a knock at the front door.

Someone was here.

Anhe raised an eyebrow, glanced at Sagiri still busy at the stove, then turned and walked to the entryway.

Click.

The door opened, and there stood Shiko Kurorai, cheeks slightly flushed.

Today, she wore a white low-neck t-shirt with a black women's blazer, and the same pencil skirt as before. But today, there were no black stockings—her pale thighs were bare.

At her feet stood a little girl with twin ponytails, dressed in a pink dress.

When the girl saw Anhe, she broke into a huge grin and called out, "Good morning, big brother! I'm Sakuri Kurorai. Do you remember me?"

Anhe smiled in return, bent down, and ruffled her hair.

"Of course, Sakuri-chan! How could I forget someone as cute as you?"

"Hehe~"

Complimented, Sakuri blushed shyly, but didn't deny it—clearly, she thought she was adorable, too.

Watching this warm scene, Shiko Kurorai couldn’t help but smile. Then, as if remembering something, her expression changed and she quickly handed Anhe a bag.

"Anhe-kun, these are your clothes. I’ve already dried them for you."

"Ah, thank you—sorry to trouble you to bring them over."

Anhe took the bag, bowed slightly, and said, "Thank you so much for your help yesterday, Mrs. Kurorai."

He set the bag on the shoe cabinet and told Shiko to wait a moment, then returned to the living room.

Shortly, he came back carrying two freshly laundered garments—the ones Shiko had lent Sagiri the day before.

"These are your clothes, Mrs. Kurorai. I’ve washed them already."

"I could've washed them myself. No need for all this trouble," Shiko replied, accepting the clothes, but she didn’t leave. After a moment’s hesitation, she stammered, "Anhe-kun, about yesterday... could you keep it a secret for me?"

Her cheeks burned red as she spoke.

Anhe’s first reaction was to ask, "Keep what secret?" But he quickly caught himself, scratched his head, and asked in confusion, "Did something happen yesterday, Mrs. Kurorai?"

"Huh?"

Shiko was plainly startled, but when she saw Anhe wink at her, she instantly understood, her face flushing deeper as she hurried to thank him.