Chapter 499: Because It’s Likeable
Chapter 499: Because It’s Likeable
“This might be a bit rude, but… may I ask, what is your relationship with this young lady?”
Before Himekoji could reply, Mashiro spoke first again.
“A very close relationship.”
That’s what Mashiro said.
“Close? Right…”
Himekoji nodded along, feeling a bit relieved inside. He was glad Mashiro had shown some sense this time and hadn’t said anything even more likely to cause misunderstandings in this situation.
However, Himekoji obviously let his guard down too soon—
“He’s the one who changed me from a girl to a woman. He’s also the one who taught me what it means to be loved.”
Mashiro’s follow-up words stayed true to her usual style!
“Hey, hey! Don’t say things like that!”
I just praised you in my thoughts!
“Making love?! Mr. Himekoji!!!”
The Lady of the Wicked Lord’s Eye was instantly startled by the adult-rated word. Covering her mouth with her small hand, she looked flustered and disbelieving.
“No! Not making love! ‘To be loved’! ‘What it means to be loved’!”
Himekoji was frustrated! How on earth was he supposed to explain this?
“What… what’s the difference?”
The Lady of the Wicked Lord’s Eye didn’t understand the wordplay. Himekoji was desperate to explain, but Mashiro, unconcerned about making things messy, just kept adding fuel to the fire.
“Me and Akito, we can’t live without each other.”
“Have… has it already reached that level?!”
As if struck by an arrow through her heart, the Lady of the Wicked Lord’s Eye stumbled back a step. Her face turned ashen, seeming like she already felt defeated.
“No matter what, it surely hasn’t gone that far?!”
Himekoji felt Mashiro was being way too exaggerated!
“Weren’t you living just fine alone in that hotel during these days apart?”
“Not me. I mean Akito.”
“Huh?”
“If we separated, Akito couldn’t survive.”
“N-No… I could! I definitely still could!”
His male pride wouldn’t let Himekoji admit to something like that.
But he clearly underestimated Mashiro’s determination—
“I won’t let Akito live.”
Mashiro actually said this with a completely serious face!
Instantly, cold chills ran down Himekoji’s spine! It wasn’t an illusion!
Why was the mood suddenly switching from a romance novel to horror?!
“Plan C.”
Mashiro held up a “C” gesture towards Himekoji. Her clear, certain eyes left no room for doubt in his mind.
If it were Mashiro…
It really felt like she would do it!
Since when did she get this… dangerously devoted personality?
Strangely, that thought was kind of thrilling…
The fact that this notion popped into his mind made Himekoji feel like he might already be beyond hope.
“Alright, Akito.”
“…Yeah.”
Still under the threat of “Plan C,” Himekoji answered quietly, not daring to breathe too loudly. He lowered his gaze, obedient and meek.
“Our relationship is explained.”
“Y-Yes it is.”
“Now it’s your turn.”
“To say what?”
“Your relationship with this wild kid who popped up out of nowhere, uninvited.”
Mashiro said it expressionlessly, her voice flat and toneless.
Although the girl was always like this, bad at showing emotion, to the unaware Lady of the Wicked Lord’s Eye, this version of Mashiro obviously felt much more intimidating.
She just talked so casually about not letting people live? Even a Brave wouldn’t do that!
So, when Mashiro looked at her, the Lady of the Wicked Lord’s Eye shrank away fearfully, hiding behind Himekoji.
Himekoji was scared too. He’d brought another girl home without Mashiro’s permission…
Wait, why did he need Mashiro’s permission to bring a girl home?
He and Mashiro weren’t even officially a couple!
Thinking these chaotic thoughts, Himekoji steeled himself and carefully explained to Lady Mashiro how the Lady of the Wicked Lord’s Eye had nowhere to stay, and how he was just letting her stay for one night, choosing his words cautiously.
“Oh.”
Wondering what Mashiro’s reaction might be, Himekoji certainly didn’t expect her to just reply flatly like that, nodding simply to show she understood.
“Stay in this room first.”
Mashiro seemed to act as the lady of the house, leading the Lady of the Wicked Lord’s Eye into the guest bedroom, the room Nanami used to have.
“Th-Thank you…”
The Lady of the Wicked Lord’s Eye was a polite girl. Though still confused by the situation, thanking them seemed like the right thing to do.
Mashiro didn’t seem to register the thanks. She looked up at the Lady of the Wicked Lord’s Eye the next second and suddenly said,
“Rest well.”
Then, ! She closed the door, leaving the Lady of the Wicked Lord’s Eye all alone inside the bedroom.
“Hey…”
Himekoji felt this was rude. This was not how guests were treated in the Himekoji household!
He went forward and reopened the bedroom door, intending to explain things about dinner and using the bath. But once the door was open, he found the Lady of the Wicked Lord’s Eye had indeed taken Mashiro’s words to heart. She was already lying on the bed, eyes closed, trying to rest…
But thinking about it, although she had rested a little in the car earlier, that might only have been for Rikka’s sake. After everything that happened, the Lady of the Wicked Lord’s Eye really did need a good sleep to relax.
Considering that, Himekoji gently closed the door again, careful not to disturb her.
Now only Himekoji and Mashiro were left in the living room.
Without the Lady of the Wicked Lord’s Eye there, an awkward atmosphere instantly grew.
Suddenly unsure what to say, his drifting gaze caught sight of the pile of Mashiro’s clothes scattered on the floor. That finally gave him something to talk about—
“I’ll go wash these clothes first.”
He was about to take action, but Mashiro stopped him.
“Akito.”
“Hm?”
“I don’t want to stay at the Hotel.”
“Huh?”
“I want to come back and live here.”
Mashiro said it quietly.
Himekoji’s heart skipped a beat.
“Because no one would do your laundry?”
He said it like a joke.
“Because there was no Akito.”
But her reply was serious.
“I want to live back here.”
She repeated it.
“You thought it through?”
“Yes.”
“We might still argue.”
Just like that day in the Hotel Chapel, under the stares of dozens of strangers—messy and shameful.
“Yeah.”
Mashiro seemed to remember that scene too. She placed her hands on her chest, clenching them tight.
“The feeling of dislike might come back.”
Himekoji went on.
He’d never forget how it felt when Mashiro said she disliked him—like a big hole was torn open in his chest.
“Yeah.”
Mashiro didn’t deny that possibility.
Being together wasn’t always happy times. Frictions, troubles, and arguments were part of it too.
“We might get hurt again.”
“…Y-yes.”
With every word Himekoji spoke, Mashiro’s eyes dimmed a little more.
Inside, she wrestled with doubt and uncertainty.
But Himekoji was different. After listing every possible issue, he only felt more determined.
“Come back, Mashiro.”
Himekoji spoke from his heart.
“Huh?”
Mashiro was confused.
“But… didn’t you say it yourself, Akito? We might argue again… or dislike each other… or get hurt…”
“Yeah.”
Himekoji gave a soft laugh. This time, hope filled him. Joy bloomed inside like a flower—bright and bold.
“But that’s how it is… because we like each other.”
“If we really like each other… then we can work hard together. Overcome it together.”
“We’ll do it… together.”