Published at 23rd of September 2024 2:04 pm

Chapter 2101: What am I here for?

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"What are you doing? Didn't I ask you to sit down?"

Finding me standing still where she left me, Kazuha-nee looked at me like I was an idiot upon returning to her room.

I put on a silly smile and walked over to take the tray she was carrying. On top of it were a pitcher half-filled with apple juice and two drinking glasses.

"Nope. You didn't say anything when you left. Won't it be rude if I just sit down wherever I want? Anyway, let me take that from you."

Although my response and action made her roll her eyes, Kazuha-nee didn't reject my offer to take the tray.

She was left standing by the door as I moved over to the kotatsu placed in the middle of the

room.

Yeah. Even though it's already close to summer, she still has a kotatsu setup in her room.

But well, considering the air conditioning that somehow set this room back to a chilling temperature similar to the climate during the 1st month of the year, she's probably using the kotatsu to warm herself up once the cold eventually gets to her.

Let's not shame her for not turning down the AC, alright?

Anyway, while I was waiting for her, I've already taken in the sight of the entirety of this room. It's quite spacious, really.

On the far side opposite from the door, was her bed. It was placed next to a sliding glass door that probably leads to a balcony overlooking their backyard. Upon counting the steps and simulating the exact location of her room, it should be right in the middle of the second floor, and its area extended towards the left side, making it more like a rectangular room than the normal square but only just a bit.

Naturally, given that it's already night, there's a curtain blocking the view of the balcony but there's a small gap to see the darkness outside.

There's a large bookshelf on the wall near the foot side of her bed. Then next to it was a study table. I could only see it from a distance but that's quite a relaxing corner - especially her fluffy-looking bed.

The kotatsu in the middle of the room was only three to four steps from that bedside. Her wardrobe cabinets were on the left. Then there's a living room setup on the right - a long couch and a large TV.

I thought I'd find a game console there but no. She's probably only using it for leisure. Like watching dramas or movies.

After that, there's a separate space surrounded by rolling partition panels. It was currently pushed to the corner, only providing space for her workstation inside it.

She's probably expanding that space whenever she's going to do the online tutorials. The partition was to prevent her from publicly showing the entirety of her room.

All in all, this feels like a single-room apartment space. It only lacked a kitchen and a bathroom.

"Should I put this here, Kazuha-nee?" As I arrived at her kotatsu and squatted down to place the tray there, I glanced at the woman who had yet to make a move apart from securing her door.

From her face, I could see hints of bafflement but more than that, the serious expression she showed earlier was still prevailing.

"I don't get you. You remained standing here when I left you but now you took the initiative to take the tray from me. What are you on, Ruki-kun?"

"Hmm? Being polite?"

"That's not being polite! Ugh. Anyway, yeah. Just put that down there and sit down. Also, give me that bag of yours first. I'll place it here."

Ah. Well, How could I explain that? My body moved on its own when I saw her returning. But I was really trying to be polite. Seriously.

Following her words, I handed her my bag after placing the tray down. Kazuha-nee accepted it and put it on top of a small shoe rack near the door.

After that, the two of us walked back to the kotatsu and took a seat facing each other.

I didn't slip my feet inside since I was still feeling hot from walking outside. On the other hand, Kazuha-nee lifted it up and comfortably stretched her feet in. With how long her limbs were, her feet almost extended out on my side. If I placed my hand down, I'd probably be able to catch her toes.

But well, I wasn't here for that, right?

Shortly after, her feet were retracted as she fixed her posture. She only did that to stretch her legs.

After that, she grabbed the pitcher and poured a glass of apple juice for me.

.

"Drink first."

"Thank you."

I accepted the glass and took a gulp. It was refreshing.

Perhaps seeing me enjoy the taste, I saw a small smile peeking out of her lips. However, when my eyes refocused on her, her expression reverted to neutral.

She also poured a glass for herself and then drank half of it in one gulp.

Once that was done, she finally faced me properly.

"Ruki-kun."

"Yes?"

For her to start by calling my name... are we going to talk about something serious? I don't know. However, rather than feeling the pressure, I'm a little excited to hear what she has to

say.

I mean, Kazuha-nee approached me even after Ogawa told her about our agreement. As for the other things that he said to her, I wasn't worried.

After experiencing that night with us, she couldn't just bring it up.

So, my best guess is... Kazuha-nee will try to build up our conversation to comfortably bring

that up.

"I still hate you... For that night." Although her sentence was fragmented into two, I could sense that it took up her courage to say that to me while staring at my silly face.

I maintained my expression and nodded, "Mhm. I can sense that. An apology won't be enough. Is this the reason you brought me here, Kazuha-nee? Should I make a proper apology

to you?"

Kazuha-nee shook her head and the words she uttered next formed a vague question, "Do you

regret it?"

She's talking about what happened between us, right? I can't be sure. But I could only answer

with that context.

"I don't think so. What about you?"

I threw the question back to her.

Kazuha-nee failed to answer right away. Her eyes shook a bit but it's probably not because she was shaken. She's just not expecting me to answer nonchalantly like that.

A moment later, she let out a sigh.

"I don't regret it." Kazuha-nee's shoulders drooped a little before she continued, "It was also

my own decision to stay."

This confirmed that she was talking about that night, right?

Kazuha-nee... She's really bothered about that night. Bothered enough to bring me here to her

room to talk about it.

Does she not consider me a threat? Or maybe, that question didn't even pass her mind.

"I see. If Kazuha-nee doesn't regret it then... can I ask what I am here for?" "You tell me." Kazuha-nee bit her lips before lowering her gaze. Looks like the devious sister

that I had gotten used to was shelved down. The one in front of me here was the same woman who shared the bed with us.

I watched that from my side and understood that we wouldn't get anywhere if I let her lead

this conversation.

I took another gulp of the apple juice before placing my elbows on the table, my chin dropping on top of my joined fingers.

"Kazuha-nee, I'll be shameless here. But is it because you missed me?"

As shameless and bold as that sounded, that's the surefire way to trigger a reaction from her.

A reaction different from what she had already shown.

And sure enough, it was super effective.

Her back immediately straightened up and both of her hands dropped on the table, causing

the pitcher and glasses to shake. Following that, she leaned forward before delivering one

word, "No!"

No. She said. But I can tell from her face. She's not being honest right there.

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