The sun had risen from its slumber. Birds chirped melodious tunes as if to greet its arrival, and a cool breeze drifted through the morning air.
Tatsumiya-kun stirred awake with a soft yawn. He stretched out his arms as the golden sunlight pierced through the curtains and landed directly on his face, forcing him to squint and shield his eyes.
"Ouch... My joints are aching from yesterday," he muttered groggily, rubbing the back of his neck. "But... it wasn't all in vain. I got to see Shouzui-chan smile."
He slowly got out of bed, dragging his feet to the kitchen. His morning routine started with a simple breakfast: buttered toast and a cup of coffee. The apartment was silent, peaceful—even a little too quiet.
After breakfast, Tatsumiya glanced around and realized the apartment had become messy over the last two weeks.
"What a mess," he muttered. It was time—he had a personal rule to deep-clean his apartment every two weeks, and today was the due date.
As he began tidying, he wondered absentmindedly what Shouzui-chan might be doing.
On the other side of the hallway, Shouzui-chan was still sound asleep, curled up under her blanket like a log, completely unaware it was already 9:45 AM.
A yawn escaped her lips as she stretched her arms. "What time is it...?" she murmured, glancing at her clock.
It was already past 10 AM. She got up, bathed, and made herself a light breakfast—an omelet and some miso soup. Sitting down to eat, her mind drifted back to the previous day.
"Somehow… the food tastes sweeter today," she thought with a soft smile. "I really love this feeling."
Meanwhile, Tatsumiya had already made good progress. He'd finished cleaning the living room, guest room, and kitchen, and was now in the bathroom scrubbing the floor and sorting out laundry. As he walked out to take out a bag of trash, there was a knock at the door.
It was Shouzui.
She had noticed the trash outside and heard the sounds of cleaning coming from his apartment. Curious—and maybe a little eager—she had come to check in.
"You're cleaning today?" she asked, peeking inside.
"Yeah. It's routine," Tatsumiya replied, slightly surprised.
"Can I help?" she offered. "I don't have anything urgent today... and I wanted to repay you too. If you don't mind."
He hesitated, then nodded. "Sure… if you want to."
"Let me go change first!" she said cheerfully, before darting back to her apartment.
When she returned, she was wearing a sleeveless shirt and a pair of shorts, her hair tied up in a messy bun with a ribbon. Tatsumiya's eyes widened slightly before he turned away quickly, his ears turning pink.
Why is she dressed like that…? It's not even that revealing, so why does it… look like that? he thought, mentally scolding himself.
"So, what have you cleaned so far?" Shouzui-chan asked.
"I've done most of the rooms. Only the storage room, the study, and my bedroom are left. You can pick one."
"Wow! You've already cleaned that much?" she said, impressed. "Okay then... I'll take the study room."
"It's just opposite my bedroom," he said.
"Thanks!"
As she dusted near the bookshelf, her fingers brushed against an old photo album.
"Tatsumiya-kun," she called out. "Come here—quick!"
Curious, he arrived quickly—only to find her sitting on a chair, flipping through his childhood pictures.
"You were so cute as a kid!" she laughed.
He peeked over and saw her holding a photo of him at five years old, dressed in a tiny yukata, holding a goldfish bag from a summer festival.
"I wasn't cute," he said, flustered.
"You looked so sweet," she teased. "What happened to that sweet little boy?"
"People grow up," he muttered, eyes on the photo. "A lot changed."
"Yeah, I guess so."
"You know… I wasn't always like this. I used to be shy and quiet."
She tilted her head. "I find that hard to believe... but I guess people experience things that change them."
"What changed?" she asked gently.
He went silent for a moment, then shook his head. "It's not important."
She didn't press. Instead, she smiled. "Well, I'm glad I got to see this side of you."
"What about you?" he asked, shifting the focus. "What was your childhood like?"
She chuckled. "It was fun. I used to get into fights and cause mischief with my friends wherever we went."
"You? A tomboy?" he said in disbelief. "Well, I guess you still are. I mean, who gives a guy a princess carry in a contest?"
Blushing, Shouzui covered her face. "That was only because of the prize!"
They both burst into laughter.
Shouzui stood up. "Let's finish cleaning before it gets too late!"
By the time they were done, it was past 1 PM. Both of them were drenched in sweat—especially Shouzui, whose flushed cheeks and glistening skin made Tatsumiya avert his gaze.
Sweat dripped from her temple, down her neck, and across her collarbone. Tatsumiya cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Do you want ice cream?" he asked. "As a reward for helping."
She grinned. "Yes!"
On their way to the nearby supermarket, about 600 meters away, they chatted casually.
"By the way," Tatsumiya asked, "have you decided on what club to join?"
"Yeah, I want to try the Business or Economics Club."
"What a surprise! I thought you'd go for the Sewing Club."
She rolled her eyes. "What about you?"
"I'm thinking of something in the sports club… or maybe science."
"Oh? That's surprising."
"Why, is it weird?"
"Nope. Just shocking—or is it? Actually, I can kinda see it now."
They arrived at the supermarket and headed straight to the freezer section.
"What are you picking?" Tatsumiya asked.
"Watermelon-mint flavor," she said confidently.
"I never expected that," he blinked. "Thought you were a chocolate or strawberry girl."
"Nope! I'm a hardcore watermelon-mint girl."
Tatsumiya chose a tangerine-flavored popsicle.
"You know, today I'm seeing different sides of you, Shouzui-chan."
"Me too."
Back home, Tatsumiya took a quick shower, then sat down with his schoolwork. After a moment of indecision, he texted Shouzui to ask if she wanted to work together. She was, after all, one of the top students in class.
A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door.
"I got your message," she said, entering with her workbook. "Let's finish this."
They sat side-by-side on the floor. The room was quiet… too quiet. The air began to feel warm.
Tatsumiya glanced sideways—and his gaze landed on her lips. They looked soft. His heart skipped.
Nope. Not going there. He stood up abruptly. "Excuse me. I've gotta go to the bathroom."
The moment he left, Shouzui let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
That was close, she thought. If he stayed a second longer… I might've said something dumb.
She hugged her notebook to her chest and whispered under her breath, "Why do you have to look so attractive with your glasses on, Ryuto…?"
Just as she composed herself, he returned.
"Sorry," he said.
"All good," she smiled, already back to writing as if nothing had happened.
Evening fell. The sky outside had turned a soft violet hue.
"I should go," Shouzui said, standing up.
"Yeah, you should," Tatsumiya replied, glancing at the changing sky.
"Have you had dinner?"
"Not yet. I was thinking of ordering something."
"Then would you like to eat with me?"
"…Sure."
Back in her apartment, Shouzui gestured for him to sit on the couch.
"It might take a while, so feel free to play some games or watch TV. I don't have many, but I have a few you might like."
He picked up a controller and started a simple 2-player RPG while she prepared dinner.
It kinda feels like we're married, he thought. Coming over, helping out, eating together… weird.
After dinner, he helped her with the dishes. She refused at first, but he insisted.
When he finally returned to his apartment, Shouzui sat down on the same couch he had just used, hugging the pillow he left behind.
Her cheeks were warm as she whispered to herself:
"I've finally found you, Tatsumiya-kun."