Volume 5 Chapter 3

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Chapter edited by: Kashima

♥

My mind still couldn’t catch up to the situation at hand, but I also couldn’t keep being flustered forever.

Because starting today, from this very moment, our cohabitation begins.

We’re going to live together.

We must share all our daily necessities.

Still flustered, we started to organize our luggage.

I put my change of clothes in the closet and the tableware on the shelves.

I thought I was going to be living alone, so I only brought enough household items for one. There were a lot of things I needed to buy now.

While I was organizing this and that, night quickly fell.

We had to stop preparing our ‘clothes’ and our ‘home’ and I started preparing the ‘food.’

There was a refrigerator in the apartment, but of course, it was empty.

Takkun and I went out to buy ingredients for dinner.

“…Heh. So you’re going to spend your internship with LiliSTART.”

While we were chatting, we walked together down an unknown street.

Our destination, the closest supermarket.

I quickly searched for one on the phone and the closest one was ten minutes away walking. Of course, it was the first time that we were going, but the road there wasn’t too complex, and we wouldn’t get lost while we chatted.

“Do you know about them, Ayako-san?”

“Yes, we have a very good relationship with them.”

LiliSTART Co., Ltd.

An up and coming company that mainly focuses on web services and applications. In the last few years, they’ve launched some manga applications too, and have a close relationship with LightShip.

By the way, I heard that this company was founded by an acquaintance of Oinomori-san.

“Takkun, were you looking for work in that field?”

“I still haven’t fully decided, but I like the thought of working on the web development industry.”

“But is it alright to take some months off from university?”

“It’s fine. Internships also count for credits, and I already got most of my third year’s credits during the first semester. I just need to go back a couple of times to do some tests.”

Oh, that’s right.

Some universities accept internships as credits.

In the first place, it looks like Takkun was attending university diligently since his first year and has already gotten all the credits he needed, so I guess it shouldn’t be an issue if he misses some classes due to his internship.

“You’re amazing, Takkun.”

“No, I’m not, this is all pretty normal.”

Chatting like this, we arrived at the supermarket.

Takkun took out a cart and I grabbed a basket.

If I were going to the usual supermarket, I could use my housekeeper skills to finish my shopping in a very efficient manner, but since this was a place I was visiting for the first time, I didn’t have a predetermined route nor did I know where things were.

The two of us wandered throughout the store, taking our time to look around.

“We have to buy something for breakfast tomorrow too. Takkun, do you have any preference? Do you prefer bread or rice?”

“Either one is fine.”

“…I see. Hmm.”

“Oh, sorry. It will be troublesome for you if either one is fine. Then… I prefer bread.”

“Okay. I also like bread in the morning, so let’s grab a few loaves. Now we only need something to put inside the bread. There’s a toaster in the apartment and I also brought my favorite pan…”

“Do we have detergent?”

“Ah, no we don’t. We should grab some after this.”

We talked about a few things and proceeded with our shopping little by little.

It was a weird sensation.

I couldn’t believe I was discussing what to buy for our meals tomorrow with Takkun.

We’ve already gone shopping together a few times before, but this is totally different.

This time we were buying all our daily needs for our new cohabitation life.

It was almost as if we were…

“…We look like a newlywed couple,” said Takkun with a bashful look and my heart jumped.

I thought he had seen right through me.

“G-Geez, what are you saying now, Takkun?”

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t help but think about it.”

“It’s still too soon! We barely just started going out… Ah, n-no! When I said it’s too soon… I didn’t mean it as if I had made up my mind to get married in the future… But… I-It’s not like I’m against it either, that’s why, uhm…”

“I-It’s fine, I know what you want to say.”

Our faces turned a bright red.

After clearing my throat and calming down, I said, “…Whether we look like newlyweds or not, it’s nice to be able to go out together like this. If we were at home, I don’t think we could go out to the neighborhood supermarket together.”

“Because we’d have to be careful when we’re there,” Takkun nodded with a bitter smile.

We can’t be so open about our relationship. It’s not as if we’re trying to hide it, but I’m still worried about our neighbors looks.

Of course, Takkun is already an adult, so it’s not illegal to go out with him.

But that doesn’t mean we should go around making our relationship public either.

I don’t think it’s normal for a single mother over 30 to date a university student of 20.

I think people will look at me with gossipy looks no matter what.

Of course, I know it’s not something I can keep hidden forever.

But for now, I’ve reached the conclusion that I must avoid standing out.

Even the week before coming to Tokyo, we didn’t flirt much outside.

We went out once to see Love Kaiser’s summer movie, but that was at the local movie theater. Since I didn’t know who could be watching, the date ended up being a little distant.

…Well, for starters, a woman over 30 flirting with her boyfriend in public would be pretty cringy to see.

“Ah, look at that Takkun. Eggs are on sale today! It’s limited to one package per person. Yay, we got lucky.”

“…Yes.”

I was about to happily head to the eggs section when… my hand was suddenly grabbed.

Takkun used his empty hand that wasn’t pushing the cart to grab mine.

“Huh?”

When I looked back in shock, he looked away, feigning ignorance.

But he grabbed my hand strongly, refusing to let it go.

“Wait… Takkun, not in a place like this.”

“…But I don’t want you to get lost.”

“No, it’s impossible to get lost here… It’s not that packed…”

“Come on, what’s so bad about it? Besides, we don’t know anyone here.”

He said something similar to the proverb ‘a man away from home does not need to feel shame.’

We certainly don’t know anyone here, but…

“…But why here, in the supermarket?”

In a supermarket?

It would be fine if we were on a date, but holding hands in a place that gives off such a strong everyday life feeling?!

“Holding hands while we shop at the supermarket… it’s as if we were a happy couple that just moved in!”

“Well, it’s not ‘as if,’ it’s exactly like that,” Takkun replied calmly.

T-That’s true!

We’re a couple that just moved in!

We’re right in the middle of our happiness!

“If you really dislike it, I’ll stop.”

“I-It’s not that I dislike it, but…”

“Then let’s stay like this.”

Takkun smiled a little proudly, pulled my hand and started walking.

I felt a little frustrated because I felt as if I was being dragged at his pace. That was unfair. Really unfair. It’s unfair to say ‘If you dislike it, I’ll stop.’

Because… there’s no way I’d dislike it.

“…Takkun, you’re unexpectedly smooth.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that?”

“Nothing.”

And so, we kept shopping for ingredients and household items.

Sometimes our hands separated, but every time we had the chance, we would put them back together.

We went back to the apartment after our shopping, holding hands throughout the entire way.

…I was so embarrassed by how excited I was.

I thought of making a tasty dinner for our first cohabitation night, but… We ended up buying a ton of household items plus the ingredients, so it had already gotten pretty late.

Therefore, we ate a pre-cooked meal from the supermarket.

After that, I called Miu while Takkun took a bath.

I wanted to check the situation over there and inform her about what was happening here.

“…No way! Mom, are you going to live with Taku-nii?”

When I explained the situation, I received a shocked voice in response.

I thought that Miu could perhaps be another one of Oinomori-san’s accomplices and already knew everything, but didn’t say anything… but apparently, Miu actually didn’t know anything.

“…Hehe, what’s with that? Sounds interesting. As expected of Oinomori-san. She always goes above and beyond what’s normal.”

Her surprised voice gradually turned into one of admiration.

“Taku-nii also did a great job. I was a little worried about you, after all, you finally started dating and it suddenly became a long-distance relationship. I thought things would be hard and that it was my duty as your daughter to do everything possible to keep you both together and connected. I was even thinking about what I could do for you… Ahaha. Looks like it was an unnecessary worry,” said Miu happily. “What a relief. Living with your boyfriend sounds incredibly fun.”

“…Don’t say such nonsense.”

“Why? Aren’t you happy?”

“I-It’s not that I’m not happy, but… it’s so sudden that I’m not mentally prepared.”

“You keep being the same problematic adult as always, mom. You should simply feel happy that you started living a newlywed’s life before the real thing.”

“N-Newlyweds…?!”

Geez!

Both Takkun and Miu bring that topic out immediately!

“You’re getting ahead of yourself. We’ve just started going out.”

“…No, no. I’d understand if it was a couple of university students that started living together, but… how old are you now, mom?”

“Ugh.”

“You’re 3X, right?”

“U-Uuh.”

“Your birthday is next month and you’re going to be 3X, right?”

“…Uuh, aaah…”

“Rather than getting ahead, I think you’re at a good age to be thinking about getting married soon, don’t you think?”

“…Geez! Enough with that already! Let’s forget about me!”

I couldn’t bear the extremely realistic words from my daughter, and did the pitiful action of ending the topic.

After composing myself, I asked, “Is everything alright over there? Did you go to school as you should? Did you eat already?”

“Everything is fine, I did go to school and I ate well. You worry too much.”

“I can’t help it, I’m worried.”

“Grandma is here, so everything is fine,” said Miu in an exasperated tone.

Before coming here, I asked Miu’s grandmother, my mother, to go check how things were.

So now, Miu and her grandma are having fun together over there.

“…By the way, my mother isn’t next to you listening, right?”

“Don’t worry, I’m in my bedroom. Grandma is watching a Korean drama on the first floor.”

“I see, thank goodness.” I sighed in relief. “I’ll say this just in case, but… You should under no circumstances tell my mom anything about the fact that I’m living with Takkun, okay?”

“You don’t need to tell me, I know.”

“In that case, everything’s fine.”

“But, how long do you plan to keep it a secret? You’ll eventually have to tell her anyways, so, isn’t it just a matter of time?”

“I-I know. I’ll tell her at the right time someday.”

I know I’m just prolonging the inevitable, but… I can’t do it now.

Just the fact that he’s a university student is enough to cause a scandal, but I also ended up living with him somehow.

Let’s keep quiet about this for now.

I’m sure that there will be a better time to tell her.

“By the way, did you already tell Taku-nii’s parents that you’re going out?”

“…Something like that.”

Three days ago.

I informed Tomomi-san that I was going to date him.

I had been in her care for a long time, so I couldn’t allow myself to hide it from her.

I also wanted to inform Takkun’s dad properly, but…

“Oh, it’s fine, there’s no need to be so formal. It’s not like you came here to tell us you were going to get married,” she said casually.

So I still haven’t properly told him.

Though… I think his father already knows.

And he’s probably not against it.

Looks like Takkun’s family approves of our relationship.

Therefore… I’m pretty much a girlfriend his family acknowledges.

“I see. Well, Taku-nii’s family had accepted you from the start, didn’t they? So, do they know you’re living together…?”

“…Looks like Takkun explained it to them beforehand.”

“Ahaha… That’s Taku-nii alright.”

Miu seemed to be a little shocked, but also showed another emotion besides surprise.

As for this cohabitation, Takkun had explained the situation to his parents properly and it seems like he got permission for it.

I’m sure that there are many parents who would oppose the idea of a couple living together right off the bat, but the Aterazawas seemed to think it would be better to have me around him as opposed to their son living alone in Tokyo.

Their trust in me is amazing!

But… I should give them a call at least once.

I know that it looks like I’m asking for permission after the matter, but… as an adult, as a member of society, I wanted to at least inform their parents that we’re living together.

“And, what’s Taku-nii doing?”

“Takkun is taking a bath right now.”

“Oh, so a bath, huh?” She made a brief pause and then continued with a small, shy voice. “Somehow… that’s quite explicit.”

“W-What do you mean by that?”

“Nothing, I was just thinking… you really are going to live together.”

“…”

“Starting now, the two of you will live together for three months. A couple, under the same roof, all the time, day after day…”

“What do you want to say…?”

“Mom,” said Miu in an extremely serious voice. “Can I pick the name for the child?”

“Aren’t you thinking too far ahead?!”

Asking for the rights to pick the name of the child?!

You’re skipping too many important steps!

“What’s the big deal…? That’s what’s going to happen anyways, isn’t it?”

Unlike me, who had lost her cool, Miu was calm.

It’s like she has this unbreakable serenity.

It feels like she’s already made up her mind on it.

“If the timing is right… Your pregnancy will be noticeable when you return home after three months! I was thinking that could happen.”

“What timing are you talking about?! Geez… That’s not happening. We didn’t come here to have fun.”

“So you say, but you didn’t expect this situation, right? You don’t know what could happen, after all. A young couple living together… Ah, sorry. One of you isn’t young anymore.”

“Don’t just apologize for that! You only make it more painful!” I replied loudly. “A-Anyways… You don’t have to worry about that. We haven’t talked about children… or any of that yet.”

“I see. So for now, you’re just going to flirt around with him.”

“I didn’t say that! Ah, geez, good night!” I said and hung up.

I was supposed to call her because I was worried, but when I noticed, the conversation was almost entirely about me.

Geez, that Miu.

It’s still too soon… to talk about children.

B-But it’s not like I don’t want to have a kid… I’m sure that Takkun’s baby would be cute. And taking into account my age, it would be better to give birth soon. They say it’s harder for women over thirty to give birth… Ah wait.

It’s still too soon!

We still haven’t talked about marriage and here I am thinking about children.

For starters.

We’ve never done anything that could give us a child…

“…Ayako-san.”

“Hyaa?!”

While I was pondering, Takkun called out to me and I jumped from shock.

“W-What’s wrong…?”

“Takkun… I-It’s nothing!”

I turned around while excusing myself, and then was left breathless.

The moment I saw him, my heart skipped a beat.

“Sorry, I took a bath first.”

“D-Don’t worry, it’s fine. I did ask you to go in first so I could make a call…”

I couldn’t look at his face.

After coming out of the bath, he obviously had the freshly bathed look.

His hair was still a little wet and his cheeks were red from the vapor.

He was dressed in informal pajamas.

It’s not as if he had come out naked, but for some reason, I was really conscious of him.

Of his presence, of his body…

“…!”

Ah, geez!

This is all because Miu said something weird!

Pregnancy and children… She only spoke about weird things… That’s why my mind went into the gutter when I saw him that way… Uuu~~!

T-Then, I’ll go take a bath!”

After preparing a change of clothes and a bath towel as fast as I could, I left the living room as if trying to run away and headed to the bath.

But.

Even if I were to run away to the bathroom… After that, there was no escape.

After listening to everything today, I kept thinking about it in the bottom of my mind.

Cohabitation.

Living together.

A couple eating and sleeping under the same roof.

Tonight, I’ll sleep under the same roof as Takkun.

I’m old enough to understand what that means.

Because I’m old enough to have a child or two already.

After the flirting week before coming to Tokyo.

We spent a lot of intimate time together to compensate for the time we wouldn’t see each other, but we never crossed that last line.

It’s not like there was a particular reason for it.

It’s just that, for some reason, we never had that kind of mood.

Because… most of our flirting was during the day. Takkun came home and we simply spent out time there.

Doing that kind of thing in broad daylight is… you already know, right?

We went out on a date once, but that was just to see the Love Kaiser summer movie and then returned home. It was like a middle schooler’s date, going out in the morning and returning before dinner.

That’s why.

We still had a pure relationship…

“S-Sorry for the wait…”

After taking a bath and drying my hair, I returned to the living room.

Takkun was sitting in the sofa and blushed a little when he saw me.

“What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s just that… you look really good in pajamas.”

“…”

As usual, even when he’s embarrassed, Takkun still shocked me with his honesty.

“D-Don’t make fun of me, geez.”

“I’m not, you simply look charming and beautiful.”

“~~~~”

It’s hard to say something when they praise you so much.

Ah… Uuh…

I wonder if I actually look beautiful in pajamas.

This is a pretty old pair of pajamas that I’ve been using at home. Had I known Takkun and I would be living together, I would have bought newer and cuter pajamas!

And not just pajamas.

Had I known beforehand… I could have prepared a decent set of underwear.

Ah~, what should I do… I thought I was going to live alone, so I only brought the simple underwear I tend to use.

I even have a good one at home! I bought it in secret after starting to get conscious of my relationship with Takkun. The underwear for when the time came…!

“Uhm… What do we do? Do we watch TV for a bit?” Said Takkun, somewhat uneasy while I suffered in my internal agony.

“Y-Yes, let’s watch TV for a bit,” I nodded and sat on the sofa.

I left enough distance between us so a person could sit between us.

We had a lot of physical contact during the flirting week, but I couldn’t today. I couldn’t get any closer.

Because… we were both in our pajamas.

The only thing left was to sleep.

In this state, it was impossible to not be conscious about it…!

The TV screen was broadcasting the 10 pm drama, but the content didn’t register in my mind. My head was full of fantasies about this and that.

B-But it’s fine.

If the moment comes, I think I can handle it…!

I prepared myself well in the bathroom just in case.

My underwear… Shouldn’t be visible if the room is dark. And about that… I didn’t bring any, but I’m sure that the honest Takkun did.

Mhm, yes, that’s right.

There’s no need to overthink it.

It’s not weird nor wrong.

Everyone does it.

That’s how I came into this world.

Besides… If even high schoolers do it, then why would an adult woman over 30 refuse in such a perfect mood?

“…ko-san, Ayako-san.”

“…Huh? What? What is it…?!”

When I looked up, I saw Takkun looking at me worriedly.

“The drama is already over.”

“Uh… Ah, you’re right.”

“Are you okay? You seem a little distracted.”

“I-I’m fine, I’m fine! Ahaha, maybe I’m a little tired. I was busy the entire day.”

“Ah, I guess,” said Takkun with a forced smile and stood up from the sofa. “Well, it’s a little early, but, should we go sleep?”

At that moment, my heart jumped.

It almost went out of my chest.

“Y-Yes, let’s go sleep.”

“Ayako-san, you have work tomorrow. It’s better to not stay awake too long.”

It’s better to not stay awake too long…?!

In other words, start early and finish early to sleep well!

S-Such foresight, Takkun!

“I prepared the bed while you were taking a bath.”

The bed is ready…?!

He’s got everything planned already!

Takkun is really motivated!

While I was about to overheat from excitement and tension, Takkun opened the bedroom door calmly.

There was a single bed in the room.

And a futon.

Right next to the bed, there was a futon.

I knew there was a bed in the bedroom because I had seen it in the morning, when I was arranging my luggage.

But… why is there a futon next to it?

I thought we were going to sleep together in the bed…

Hm?

Uhm… Is it that perhaps?

Is Takkun the type of person that prefers to sleep separately when they’re done?

“…Ayako-san,” said Takkun, addressing me, who had stayed frozen in the door. “You’re being too wary.”

“W-Wary?” I asked.

He continued with a troubled look, “You’re thinking I’m going to make a move on you today, aren’t you?”

“…! T-That’s…”

“…”

“I’m not being wary… It’s just… Well, uhm… Yes, maybe I was being a little wary…”

I tried making up excuses on reflex, but I felt overwhelmed by his face and finally fessed up.

I thought it was useless to make excuses.

He stared at me with a deep and silent look, as if he was trying to look into the depths of my soul.

“I knew it. You’ve been behaving weirdly for a while.”

“I-I’m sorry… But, uhm… It’s not that I don’t want to! It’s just that… I’m nervous.”

“Don’t worry,” said Takkun to my mutter.

His lips curved up, showing a soft smile.

“I have no intentions of doing anything today.”

“Huh…?”

“Of course, I would be lying if I said I didn’t want to, but… I want it to be something mutual.”

“Mutual…?”

“It may be normal for couples to do something like this if they live together… but this cohabitation is a little different from the norm, isn’t it?”

“…”

“We didn’t agree to it after talking it out, but you simply had to accept it after the matter. So… It doesn’t feel right that you need to force yourself into following the flow and the mood.”

“Takkun…”

“I want this to be as good a memory as possible. So I’ll wait, until your heart is ready.”

He stared into my eyes and gently smiled.

The heat of his words and feelings seemed to be embracing my entire body.

I felt my chest full of heat. My heart, that had been panicking for thinking too much about this and that, relaxed.

“…Yes, thank you, Takkun.”

So we prepared to sleep in different beds.

Takkun in the futon and I in the bed.

“Ayako-san, do you prefer sleeping with the lights completely off or dimly lit.”

“Dimly lit.”

“So do I. I’ve heard that it improves sleep quality,” said Takkun and he lowered the light’s intensity.

In the dimly lit room, we went to our respective beds.

“Good night, Ayako-san.”

“Good night, Takkun.”

We bid each other good night and I closed my eyes.

But.

I couldn’t fall asleep that easily.

I’ll start working early tomorrow morning. It’s my first day of work in Tokyo, so I can’t be late. I’ve got an important meeting in the afternoon, so I needed to rest well.

And despite that, I had a hard time falling asleep.

I couldn’t stop thinking about several things.

I was really happy with Takkun’s considerate feelings.

To be honest, I felt relieved hearing that he didn’t have the intention of doing it today.

It’s not that I hate the idea, but… I have no experience, so I can’t help but feel fear and anxiety.

That’s why I was wary, but Takkun was understanding and considerate of my feelings.

He’s really kind.

He cherishes me.

And really values his relationship with me.

Reminiscing about his kindness and honesty again, I fell deeper in love with him.

“…”

However… I wonder what this is.

Despite the feeling of happiness spreading throughout my whole chest, I felt a little, just a tiny bit, of loneliness stinging inside my heart.

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Sorry about no chapters last week. I have chapter 4 translated too, it’s currently being proofread, so it should be out in a couple of days.