Ever since that cleanup, it seemed the wall between Amane and Mahiru had eroded a little, but the distance between them did not close .

Even at school, they were strangers, and even after school, they would merely exchange a few words while sharing dinner .

A few days ago, Amane was reminded to maintain the cleanliness of his house . She was harsh, but he understood very well how she loved to care for others .

And it was due to the timely reminder and cleaning advice she gave that Amane’s house remained clean ever since then .

“Ooh, it looks a lot better . ”

Once he heard the apartment was looking better, Itsuki came running over on the weekend . Once he saw this completely renewed house, all he could do was marvel in amazement .

“Never thought it would become so clean, especially when it was so messy . I did help you clean up the last time, and it got dirty days later . ”

“Shut up . ”

“No, I don’t want to nag at you, but think about how long it has been since you last threw something all over the place . ”

“Don’t worry, it’s a new record . Two straight weeks . ”

“Can you please be ashamed that your new record is only two weeks?”

You don’t usually throw your stuff onto the floor . As Itsuki nagged on, Amane frowned, but the latter could not reject the goodwill of honesty and common sense .

In fact, before Mahiru helped out, he had caused Itsuki trouble, so he was unable to retort harshly .

Grrr, as Amane clamped up, Itsuki chirped happily .

“But well, since it’s so clean, I want to bring Chii along . ”

“Don’t . Why do I have to see you two flirt with each other in my house?”

“You don’t have to be so courteous . ”

“Don’t take my house as a dating spot . ”

How tragic was he for him to see his friend flirt around with his girlfriend?

Having seen what others called the idiot couple being all lovey-dovey, he hoped that they could show some consideration for him .

While he knew Itsuki was joking, he could not laugh given that he had been seeing them every day .

“Well, enough with the jokes . I guess it won’t be dirty now that it’s so clean, right?”

“I’ve been dealing with it . ”

“So I say…whatever . It’s good to have the habit of putting back the things you took out though”

“Are you my mom…?”

“Seriously, Amannneee, you have to start cleaning your house often, you know~?”

“That sounds disgusting, and sounds disgustingly similar to mom . You’re scary . ”

Amane felt a chill up his spine when Itsuki made a falsetto impression of his mother .

While Itsuki had never seen Amane’s mother, it was scary how similar he resembled .

Furthermore, a boy faking a woman’s voice was really disgusting, and Amane really had the urge to stop Itsuki there and then .

He stuck his tongue out in a pretentiously repulsed gesture, and Itsuki kept laughing away .

“So your mom’s like this, Amane? My mom’s pretty hands off . ”

“Guess I’ll say that I envy you . My mom’s the type to keep talking . ”

“Just a good mother worried for her son, no?”

“But the kid won’t become independent . …”

“No, you’re being so terrible that your mom can’t leave you be . ”

“Shut up . She’s still being too much of a busybody to her son . ”

It might be because he was an only child, but Amane’s mother really cared for him .

She did not dote on him, but rather, she was the type to interfere with everything, and worry about everything . While Amane himself did not hate it, it was a ha.s.sle dealing with her .

She said lots of things when he chose to stay alone near his high school, often dropping by to check on him . She was quite the ha.s.sle .

“Well, that at least means that she really finds you important, right?”

“This love is too heavy . ”

“Just give up . One day you’ll understand how precious that is . ”

“You’re the standard rebellious kid, and now you’re sounding like you’re experienced . ”

“Hahaha . Can’t do anything when it comes to Chii . ”

Itsuki had quite a few disputes against his father because of his girlfriend, so these words really sounded unconvincing, but what he said did make some sense, so he listened to her . .

He has his own problems to deal with after all, so Amane thought as he let out a long sigh . Itsuki himself remained optimistic, not looking weary in the slightest . “Those who dare get between Chii and me can get kicked by horses . ” though he did say such scary stuff before .

“Anyway, I’ll do something about my dad . You need to spend your days well, Amane?”

While Itsuki grinned away, “I know that without you telling me that . ” Amane frowned with some frustration . He then realized Itsuki’s words were exactly the same as a certain person, and made a wry smile .

But Itsuki came to visit Amane’s house…not because he wanted to check on the latter’s living habits, but just to play games . The topic of the house soon ended, and they started playing .

Initially, they were supposed to be revising for the exams that were to be held the following week, but before they knew it, they were playing video games .

“Hey, stop wasting healing items man . We might not have enough later . ”

“We’ll figure it out . ”

“No, not that, you haven’t increased your level . It’ll get troublesome later…”

While Amane was wondering how he should retort at the thrill seeker Itsuki, the doorbell rang, causing him a different problem .

“Hm? A visitor?”

Itsuki paused the game, showing the menu as he lifted his face .

He knew Amane hardly informed others of his address, and thus there were practically none who would visit . Even if there was, they would be stopped by the apartment block gates, and would press the speakers instead .

“I don’t know . The neighbor maybe? Probably got some news on the notice board . ”

“I see . ”

“I’ll go check for a moment . ”

He restrained his facial muscles from twitching as he tried to pull a fast one over Itsuki, before hurrying towards the door .

It was fortunate that she did not call out after ringing the bell .

He opened the door without checking, opening a little slit just in case he was seen, snuck out, and closed the door .

As expected, Mahiru was inside, and she blinked away upon seeing how Amane was being out of character . “Shhh . ” he made this gesture with his index finger .

“…Please be quiet . Itsuki’s in my house . ”

“Itsuki?”

“My friend . He’s here to play . ”

“Ahh, I see . ”

Once she understood why he was being so stealthy, she nodded and did not pursue the matter further . Like usual, he handed the tupperware over to Amane .

It appeared she had been preparing this since morning . Inside it was udon, and it was the perfect dish for the season that was starting to turn chilly .

Mahiru handed the tupperware without any further question, Amane accepted it graciously, letting out a sigh .

“Ehe, well, thanks for the care you showed me, but I never was able to express it . Sorry . ”

“I am not doing so to be thanked by you…but thank goodness your place is presentable enough to invite your friend . ”

“Do I have to prostrate and express my thanks?”

“Not at all . Please do not . ”

Stop making me look like a bad girl, she gave such a dumbfounded look, and Amane could only give a wry smile .

After all, he really could not lift his head towards her, so he was somewhat serious with what he said . After being in her care for so long, a dogeza itself might be insufficient . .

She brought quite the ample portion of dinner, and he was sorry about being a freeloader . He intended to find a chance to talk about dinner money .

“Since your friend is here, I shall not disturb you for long . Please excuse me . ”

“…Thanks for all the help . I won’t tell Itsuki about you . ”

“Please do so . ”

“Well, even if I do, he’s not going to believe me . ”

“I guess . ”

Amane felt conflicted that she affirmed his statement so readily, yet looking from Itsuki’s perspective, he would have wondered if Amane was delirious if he said, s.h.i.+na is is actually cooking for me .

After all, the Angel herself was a flower at a tall place .

It would be one thing if he was a talented, handsome guy, but it would have been impossible to a.s.sume a lazy, useless boy like him could have her cooking for him .

“…May I ask you something . ?”

“What is it”

“Since you cook for me every day, are you planning anything?”

Labor too costs money, and such free meals typically would be impossible . Amane himself would not have done so if he was in her shoes, and while he had no expectation of a once in a million chance that she liked him, his curiosity got the better of him .

Mahiru lifted her head a little as she pondered, “Just for self-satisfaction” and she said without changing expression .

“It is not difficult at all . It is easier for me to cook two persons’ share instead of one, and I simply like to serve others . ”

“So you just like to cook?”

“That may be one reason . I too feel relieved that you do not have any strange misunderstandings, just expressing what you think . I worry whenever I see what you eat, so I am doing so for self-satisfaction . ”

“…Is that so?”

“Of course . You do not have to worry about it . Do think of it as fortune falling from above . ”

“Fine fine . ”

It appeared Mahiru had no intention to talk further, “Please excuse me . ” so she bowed courteously, and returned to her house .

（…Is that really the case?）

Amane did not think it would be enough reason for free dinner, so he muttered as he too returned to his house .

“Who was that?”

“Just a neighboring sharing some food . I’ll put it in the fridge . Don’t continue without me . ”

“Ah sorry, I finished off the boss . ”

“d.a.m.n you . ”

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