SWNOVELXO Volume 1 Chapter 63 - I know that I need a magic word to open the lock
I began room-sharing with Kaede-chan. In my mind, it felt like cohabitation, but technically, it’s just room-sharing.
I was a bit disheartened by that fact, but I told myself that these things take time. For the week, I didn’t go on any adventures but instead focused on arranging the room and setting up furniture.
Naturally, Kaede-chan had her job, so I was the one doing all the work.
I received the ordered goods and set them up. When Kaede-chan returned, we ate dinner together and enjoyed a few drinks. This became our daily routine.
That said, I’ve tried entering Kaede-chan’s room every day, but it’s always locked—even when she’s at work. She doesn’t trust me, huh?
For one reason or another, I didn’t go on any adventures this week. Well, it seemed like Nanapon had some errands to run, so it worked out.
On Sunday, exactly one week since Kaede-chan and I started living together, we cooked a meal after she returned from work. To be precise, Kaede-chan transferred food from a package onto plates, while I cooked the rice.
“Senpai, are you free tomorrow?” Kaede-chan asked while eating.
“I don’t have any plans. The room is now set up, so I was thinking of going on an adventure.”
I still haven’t discussed adventure plans with Nanapon, but I was considering going alone if necessary.
“Could you come to the guild tomorrow? Either as Senpai or as Eleanor is fine. Satsuki-san wants to hand over the money from the auction, and she has something to discuss.”
Wow, I can already collect the 2.4 billion yen? That’s fast.
“Hold on, let me ask Nanapon. If we’re going, we might as well go on an adventure too.”
I picked up Eleanor’s smartphone from the table and sent a message to Nanapon: “Satsuki-san wants to discuss something tomorrow. Are you coming? We can collect 200 million yen.”
The reply came almost instantly: “I’ll go! I want that 200 million yen! Oh, are you going on an adventure?”
“I haven’t been on one recently, so I was thinking about it. If you’re busy, I’ll go alone.”
“I’ll go!”
She bit the bait hard. Well, it’s 200 million yen after all.
“Nanapon will come too, so it’ll be Eleanor. After discussing, we’ll go on an adventure.”
“Understood. If it’s Eleanor, you can’t accompany me to the guild, right?”
That’s a bit disappointing. Leaving the house and going to the same workplace together sounds nice.
“I’ll also go as Okita-kun sometimes. Let’s go together then.”
“Can you wake up at 7 AM?”
7 AM… When I was a working adult, I woke up at that time. But recently, I’ve been waking up at 9 or 10 AM.
“No problem, I can manage.”
Kaede-chan chuckled. “Every morning before leaving, I call out to you, and you keep sleeping like a log. Can you really wake up?”
“Eh? Really?”
I hadn’t noticed. My room doesn’t have a lock, and I have no intention of adding one. Kaede-chan might come in with a pillow.
“You’re always sound asleep. Even when you were Eleanor once.”
“Oh, that was when I was on the phone with Nanapon. I tried to discuss our plans, but she cut me off.”
“That girl, really…”
Even Kaede-chan seemed exasperated.
“Anyway, she’s like that.”
“Yes, she is.”
Kaede-chan put her hand on her chin, pondering something.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Will you come in the afternoon?”
I felt like she dodged the question, but it’s about Nanapon, so whatever.
“Yeah, I’ll go in the afternoon, listen to what they have to say, and then go on an adventure.”
“Got it. Oh, why not invite Nanaka-chan for an auction celebration party?”
Nanapon, huh? I’d like to have a party just with Kaede-chan, but that can wait.
“Let’s do that. Eleanor invited Nanapon anyway.”
“Great, let’s order pizza.”
“Sounds good.”
I picked up my smartphone again and sent a message to Nanapon: “Tomorrow, we’ll likely get the money. How about a celebration party? Kaede-chan suggested it.”
“I’ll go!”
The reply came in three seconds.
“Let’s level up until Kaede-chan finishes work. Then come over in the evening.”
“Understood! I’ll be there!”
Her replies are quick. Well, Nanapon is excited about the 200 million yen.
“She said she’s coming.”
I put down my smartphone and looked at Kaede-chan.
“Then let’s do it. Will Nanaka-chan drink?”
“Who knows? She said she’s never drunk before. Maybe buy something light for her.”
If she can’t handle it, soft drinks are fine. Nanapon will probably turn 20 tomorrow.
“Let’s do that. Tomorrow is a party! Go to bed early today.”
“I’ll try.”
Like always, we ate dinner, took baths, and went to bed. I tried entering Kaede-chan’s room as usual, but it was locked. I felt the need for a lock-picking skill or item.
The next day, I woke up and checked my phone. It was 10 AM. At the same time, I saw a message from Kaede-chan.
“I’m off.”
It was sent with a heart emoji. I quickly replied with “Take care,” and got out of bed.
The room felt a bit chilly; it was already November.
I stepped out of my room, checked if Kaede-chan’s room was locked (it was), and headed to the living room. I poured some tea into a cup and ate the rice ball Kaede-chan made for me.
“Kaede-chan’s work is really good, but it’s round.”
Apparently, she can’t shape rice balls well. I can’t complain, especially when she took the time to make them for me during her busy morning.
“What should I do until noon?”
I had nothing to do; the house was in order.
“It’s boring without Kaede-chan…”
The room feels dimmer without the cheerful and cute Kaede-chan around.
What would have happened if I had gone to Shibuya Guild instead of Ikebukuro? Would I still have gotten my Alchemy skill? Would I have been making money on my own? Or would my skill have been exposed, leading to my downfall?
“Stop it, no more what-ifs.”
It’s best not to think about such things. I should focus on holding onto the happiness I have now.
“Alright, let’s take a bath!”
To clear my mind, I took a bath in my new, incredibly clean bathroom. After that, I drank a TS Potion and transformed into Eleanor.
Standing naked in front of the changing room mirror, I thought, “Hmm, I really don’t resemble Okita-kun at all.”
Well, it would be problematic if I did.
I dressed in Eleanor’s black robe, tied my hair, and returned to the living room. I ate some leftover side dishes from last night, drank an invisibility potion, and left the house.
For the first time, I left the house as Eleanor. I walked down a pre-planned, empty back alley, removed my invisibility, and joined the crowded main street. Many people looked at me.
I’ll need to rethink this approach. If I keep this up, people will eventually figure out that Eleanor Ocean lives in Nerima.
With that thought, I hailed a taxi and headed to the Ikebukuro Guild.