The Passive Income System

I finished shopping and made my way back home around 5 p.m. Groceries in hand, I unlocked the door and noticed something that irked me. Mom brought her home, didn't she…

Sawako's shoes weren't where she had left them, and my mom's were gone too. That could only mean mom either brought her home or the two of them were out. I doubted mom brought her anywhere, so the most likely scenario was that she brought Sawako home to meet her parents.

Damn, am I a genius? All that thinking actually made me quite hungry, but I didn't know how to cook anything fancy, so I could only go simple. The groceries I had were for dinner, but I could probably use them to make breakfast food instead!

Ding~!

I put the groceries down on the counter and grabbed my phone from my pocket.

[Mom: I brought Sawako-chan home >o<]

What the...

[Me: You're a grown woman doing that... And thank you! I wish you'd told me before I bought groceries, though.]

[Mom: Oh yeah, I forgot I told you to do that! I didn't think you would O-O]

[Me: Sorry for trying to be a good son, though I really only wanted to eat Sawako's cooking.]

[Mom: How mean! I'm not sending you money back for the groceries then.]

[Me: That's fine. You and dad pay for the apartment already.]

[Mom: W-Where is my Amane, who used to be a tsundere and always talked back?!]

[Me: I love you, mom. Goodnight.]

I put my phone down and completely ignored the rest of the messages. I made some food, relaxed, took a shower, and went to bed. I did make sure to send Sawako a goodnight message, though!

{Next Day; Sunday}

I woke up like usual, but it was a little later than normal. I looked at my phone; the time showed 7:00 a.m.

Sawako's going to be busy? Pain. She had texted me last night saying she was going to be busy with her mom because her dad had to go into work. I got up from bed and did my normal routine—jog and all.

When I got back home, I had an unexpected visitor. A blonde-haired visitor whose whole demeanor at school was that of an angel!

"Hey, Shiina-san!"

She turned slowly, with bags under her eyes. She didn't look good at all.

"Are you alright?" I approached her until we were within arm's length, but she still didn't say anything.

"Hmph!"

"Ouch! W-What was that for?"

Why did she stomp on my foot?!

"Don't say that when you know very well what you did!"

"I-I really don't know what I did!"

"The walls are thin, you know! Next time, please choose somewhere else or let me know before you do something s-s-so lewd!"

Ah. I forgot about that. She totally heard everything between me and Sawako.

I bowed slightly, offering her an apology. "Look, how about you come in, and we can talk about how I can make it up to you?"

"Will your girlfriend be happy that you're so easily letting another girl inside your home?"

"Huh? It's nothing to just text her and let her know."

"You're foolish if you think that's enough for a girl."

"Yeah, well, she's quite different from normal girls. Probably because she was bullied."

Mahiru's (Shiina's first name) face turned a little pink, and her voice became faint.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring that up."

I waved her off. "No, no, she's way over it, so don't apologize. But seriously, let's stop bothering others. Come in!"

We walked inside my apartment and took off our shoes, but she just had to remember something.

"It's much cleaner than I thought! Good boy."

I kept my face as neutral as possible, but my mind was in agony. W-Why does she still remember that? So what if Amane (the original) slipped on a magazine? As one dude to another, stuff just happens!

Not seeing a reaction from me, she giggled. This woman is way different than in the novels! Sure, unlike the original Amane, she and I already shared a connection through others, but this doesn't warrant this mischievous behavior.

I led Mahiru to the couch and grabbed a chair from the table, bringing it closer. Mahiru was very attractive, and I didn't want to risk anything awakening. I had feelings for Sawako! Now, if Sawako wanted to do any harem activities, that's up to her. Knowing her, she'd probably let me, but I'm getting distracted! That's something that will come naturally if it does, I'm completely fine with my adorable Sawako!

"I can't really do tea, so sorry about that."

She looked around, not focusing on me at all. "It's okay; I don't plan on being here too long!"

"Okay! So, what can I do to make it up to you? Before you say to do that somewhere else, I can't."

"I want to meet her!"

"Really? That's it?" I looked at her, confused. What would meeting Sawako do for her? But if that's what she wanted, I'd give it to her.

She nodded with the best angelic smile she could muster, but the bags under her eyes weren't helping. I felt bad seeing this, so I went to my room, telling her to wait there. I grabbed the blanket off my bed—which my mom had cleaned yesterday at some point—and handed it to her.

"Why the blanket?" She fiddled with it and even wrapped her body in it. The whole scene was cute. If Sawako was like a black cat, then Mahiru would be a white one. The two side by side would definitely be a destructive combo!

Sitting back down, I answered her, "You look tired. Go ahead and rest here. I'll even have food ready when you wake up. Don't look at me like that!"

She glared at me when I mentioned the food part.

"Fujimiya-san, I know you can't cook just by looking at you!"

"I-I was going to order pizza or something... No need to be so harsh!" I wiped away fake tears, being extra dramatic.

"Hehehe~, you're a horrible actor... Haaa hmmm..."

She fell asleep that quickly? I feel really bad now. I adjusted the blanket to make her more comfortable, then went about the rest of my day. I shot Sawako a text telling her about everything, and she replied positively, so I at least didn't have to deal with any misconceptions or misunderstandings!

"The power of communication..." I mumbled under my breath as I went to grab Mahiru a pillow. As a man, sleeping on the couch was whatever, but for such a delicate person like Miss Angel (Mahiru), I could only imagine the stiffness she'd feel.

As I grabbed the pillow and glanced at her sleeping form, I couldn't help but think: it's not like I could have offered my bed when that place was the cause of this! If she wakes up and starts accusing me of being a pervert, I'm ordering pizza and hiding in the bathroom.

My plan was flawless. There's no way she'd barge in while I'm showering! A masterstroke of genius, if I did say so myself.