SWNOVELXO Chapter 13 - Invitation
Just when I thought what you were going to say…
Look, even Section Chief Matsuura is freezing up.
“Sis, what are you talking about? Please don’t bother Section Chief Matsuura. Even Section Chief Matsuura has plans…”
“I, I’ll go!”
“Huh?”
“N, not good…?”
“N, no… not that it’s not good…”
Please, stop giving me those puppy eyes!
My heart is wavering…!
“I’ll be alone at home… I can’t cook… I, I want to try Mito-kun’s cooking…”
Those eyes… like a abandoned puppy…
Sigh… Can’t be helped… I was worried about the nutritional balance anyway.
And with my sister there, the atmosphere shouldn’t get weird.
“…Understood, it’s okay.”
“R, really…? Yay! I’m so happy!”
This is bad… she’s cute.
My eyes are fixed on Section Chief Matsuura, who is smiling like a blooming flower…
“Okay! It’s settled! Let’s go shopping quickly. Otherwise, we won’t have time to cook.”
“Wait, I’m the one who’s supposed to cook, right?”
“Ehehe, I’m looking forward to it~”
…Well, it’s fine.
If she’s this happy, I don’t feel bad.
After that, we quickly paid and got into the car…
“Hey? Why are you sitting in the back?”
“We bought a lot of stuff, so we need to hold it down.”
“S, sorry! I’ll hold it down!”
“It’s okay, it’s okay~. Go ahead and sit in the front seat.”
“Sigh… Section Chief Matsuura, please get in.”
“Mu… that… I don’t like.”
“Huh?”
“This is private, right? Umm… I want you to call me like last time…”
…Please don’t fidget…
Ah! Whatever! Do what you want!!
“R, Reina-san…?”
“Yes!”
She looks really happy…!
This is bad… There’s been too much happening since last time.
I want to give up thinking… I’m at my limit.
After that, I drove to my house with Reina-san, who seemed to be in a good mood?
“M, Mito-kun, you’re a good driver.”
“Is that so? I’m not sure.”
Why is she looking at my profile?
Is there something on my face?
…I don’t get it.
“That’s right. He’s a capable person, but he has a low self-esteem.”
“That, I understand. Even though he’s competent at work, he seems to think of himself as normal…”
“I am normal. I can only do what I’m told… No, never mind.”
“Hehe, you remembered. That’s right, you’re not a boring person. If you think so, it makes me look stupid for not thinking so.”
“Reina-san, thank you.”
“Hoho, this is… fun.”
We arrived safely at my house after that.
“Hee~, so this is Mito-kun’s… Unlike me, it’s a fine apartment.”
“Huh? You’re Yuma’s boss, right? So, you should have a higher salary… Don’t you live in a luxury apartment?”
…That’s something I’ve been curious about too.
She probably has about 350,000 yen in take-home pay.
Yet, she lives in an apartment that looks cheap no matter how you look at it.
My apartment is 1LDK and the rent is 80,000 yen.
Even though it’s away from the city center, it’s on the cheaper side.
But, her place… Isn’t it like 30,000 or 40,000 yen?
“N, no… I have some circumstances and can’t spend money on myself.”
“I see… I’m sorry, I said something insensitive.”
“No, it’s okay. It’s a natural question.”
Hmm… So, what happened at the cafeteria…?
Was it not because of a diet, but because she didn’t have money?
And… even so, did she treat me to a drink?
I have to return the favor.
Otherwise, I won’t feel satisfied.
“Let’s go. Reina-san, please eat a lot today. I’ve been helped a lot by you, so please let me thank you.”
“M, Mito-kun… Y, yes…”
“…I need to contact my mother…”
We head to the corner room on the fifth floor of the five-story apartment building.
“The top floor corner room… Isn’t this expensive?”
“Ah, it’s a little bit… But it’s quiet and nice. There are no places to hang out or tourist spots around here. So, it’s not popular and I was able to rent it for 80,000 yen. It’s within a third of my income.”
“Wow… that’s still 80,000 yen…”
“…Haha… Strange conversation, isn’t it?”
Our salaries should be about double…
Well, it’s probably better not to pry too much.
“Come on! Let’s go inside.”
“Yes, yes, I get it.”
I unlock the door and enter.
“Here you go.”
“W, we’re intruding… a, a man’s house…”
“Reina-san, here are your slippers.”
“Y, yes, thank you…”
I guide her to the living room.
“Wah…! It’s a clean and stylish room…!”
“Really? I think it’s normal.”
There’s only a TV and sofa on the window side, and a table and chairs on the entrance side…
“No! I think it’s nice because there are few items and it’s not cluttered.”
“…Thank you. Well, I don’t have any particular attachment to this room.”
“Ah–the china cabinet is cute… It has an antique feel…”
“That was sent by my mother. Anyway, please relax on the sofa for now.”
For some reason, Section Chief’s tone is a bit childlike since a while ago.
Her tension is high… I wonder what’s fun?
“Y, yes… Excuse me…”
“Then, shall we chat?”
…Well, it’s fine.
For now, I should start cooking.
Come to think of it, it’s been a while since I cooked for someone else….