SWNOVELXO Chapter 7
──”Ehehe.”
An insincere laugh echoed from the hallway. Based on the chores she was doing, she was likely rummaging through the pile of laundry.
“Haa…”
I let out a deep sigh. A reaction I could only afford because she wasn’t in the room. But it’s getting harder to choose the right time and place to react.
It’s not that I’m appalled by the stalker’s behavior. By now, I’m far beyond that point. I wouldn’t still be silently tolerating her increasing list of offenses if her bizarre actions still unsettled me.
What troubles me is a much simpler issue: the increasing frequency of her illegal entries.
“I guess it was inevitable…”
After the incident where the stalker came over while I was home, I expected this to happen.
Once you tolerate a crime, it naturally escalates. As if to prove this rule, the frequency of her entries has increased.
Specifically, she started coming openly a week ago. Since then, she’s been showing up almost every day.
Previously, she would only enter when I was away for extended periods, probably to handle the accumulated chores.
But now that she realized she wouldn’t be reprimanded for entering openly, she’s thrown all caution to the wind.
She comes over not just when I’m out, but also when I’m home. Sometimes she shows up just as I’m about to leave or is already here when I return. She’s operating entirely on her own schedule.
Her justification, given without any prompting, was, “Um, well, I thought it’d be more efficient to do the chores regularly rather than letting them pile up.” Naturally, I ignored her.
“……”
Luckily, she doesn’t stay for long periods. This is the only saving grace in this situation.
Even though we’re seeing each other almost every day, the time we spend together is relatively short.
The reason for this is simple: the stalker is a person with her own life.
Judging by her appearance, she’s around my age, likely in her late teens or early twenties. She could be a university student, a vocational student, a junior college student, a working adult, or a part-timer.
None of these roles would allow her to have much free time. She probably has friends and social obligations, and if she’s a student, she might have a part-time job. If she’s a working adult or a part-timer, even more so.
While it’s not impossible for her to adjust her schedule, doing it every day is likely unfeasible. Her previous pattern of only entering when I was out was probably due to both caution and her own time constraints.
“Honestly, she’s becoming like a housekeeper.”
The frequency of her entries has certainly increased. Overall, we’re spending more time together. But the average time she spends here is actually decreasing.
She just comes over to do the chores. She handles them before they pile up and then quickly returns to her own life.
She’s like a modern-day Silky, a household spirit that helps the owner without interfering with their life.
—
“──The laundry’s done.”
“……”
Well, her assertiveness and blunt honesty are far removed from the original concept.
—
“Oh, right. Your underwear was getting worn out, so I replaced them with new ones. Light blue trunks.”
“……”
I sighed inwardly at this unspoken confession of theft. She’s becoming more blatant in her desires.
Previously, she would discreetly swap out items to avoid detection. Now, she doesn’t even try to hide it. Consequently, I keep finding new clothes I don’t remember buying, especially underwear. Not that I mind since my clothes are mostly cheap stuff from discount stores.
But still, it’s quite brazen. She opens the door without hesitation, talks to me cheerfully even though she knows I’ll ignore her, and has started using casual speech. Sometimes, I even find women’s items subtly placed around the apartment.
Her skills as a stalker are steadily improving. She even started referring to herself as my “visiting wife” during her monologues, despite never having an actual conversation with me.
Right now, she’s probably strutting around my apartment like she owns the place. I can’t confirm it because I’m busy working on a report and committed to ignoring her, but it’s easy to imagine.
—
“I’m leaving now. I’d love to stay longer, but I have plans. Sorry, okay?”
“……”
It’s not like her apology makes a difference. And stop talking as if I’m unhappy about her leaving. How can she stay so positive despite being completely ignored?
—
“Alright, I’m off! See you tomorrow!”
With that, she left. She seems to be getting better at playing pretend lovers. …Obviously, I’m being sarcastic.
“Haaa…”
I let out another huge sigh, pushing the sound of her retreating footsteps to the back of my mind as I ponder my next steps.
“──What will happen now?”
I have no idea. Honestly, trying to predict the future with someone I’ve never even had a proper conversation with, whose name I don’t even know, is impossible.
In fact, it would be nice if she’d at least introduce herself. Maybe then I’d actually respond.