Romantic Troubles of Duanmu-kun

Although he had intended to probe further, especially wanting to see more of the girl’s interesting reactions… after noticing the gazes of others, the Novelist decided to postpone this entertainment for the time being.

The adorable expressions that Asami-senpai unconsciously revealed were treasures that needed to be carefully preserved—how could he let irrelevant people see them? Such a selfish thought arose in his mind.

“By the way, Senpai seems quite confident. Could it be that you already know the answer to the mystery?”

“…Yes, I actually have a theory.”

Asami Yuko’s expression turned serious. Although her tone suggested “I’ve already seen the conclusion!”, her attitude hadn’t relaxed in the slightest.

“Is there a problem?”

The Novelist observed her expression.

“The problem lies elsewhere,” Senpai replied cryptically.

…

Afterward, time in the room flowed like a stream amid the sounds of pages being turned.

Asami-senpai placed her hand over her mouth and stifled a small yawn. She glanced at the digital clock hanging on the wall.

“…It’s already quite late. Thank you for your hard work today, Assistant-kun. You should go home and get some proper rest now.”

She turned to the Novelist.

“I’m sorry to trouble you again tomorrow. We’ll need to go somewhere together, and the timing might be difficult. We’ll need to conserve our energy before then.”

“Eh? I can just leave?”

The Novelist was slightly surprised.

“No problem,” Asami Yuko smiled.

“With me here, it’s fine.”

After receiving Senpai’s assurance, the Novelist was indeed able to leave without any hindrance.

But thinking about it carefully, he really had no reason to stay at the Metropolitan Police Department headquarters. He wasn’t a suspect or an important witness, nor was he a professional. As an idle observer, watching the police officers bustling about would only make him anxious.

…

By the time he returned to his neighborhood, it was already “the next day” on the clock, with the hands pointing to one in the morning. Amazu Manor was shrouded in silent darkness. Like a resting beast, it crouched quietly in the corner of the street, making no sound—

For a moment, this strange impression rose in his mind, causing him to unconsciously scratch his chin, feeling somewhat emotional. If asked why, this was his own residence after all, so why would he have the impression of it being some kind of demon’s lair or tiger’s den?

“…Is everyone asleep?”

Stepping onto the second-floor stairs, there were no lights on in the corridor or hallway. No light spilled from behind the doors of Yayoi and Miyagi Aki either. He quietly unlocked his own door with his key and walked in with gentle steps.

After opening the door, he didn’t turn on the lights. Following the layout from memory, he made his way to the bed. He took off his coat, hung it on the rack, then threw himself onto the bed.

This series of practiced movements was like a husband returning home after a night of carousing, filled with guilt, trying to sneak back into the bedroom without waking his sleeping wife… though since the premise was entirely wrong, it was probably just his imagination.

Right, the Novelist suddenly remembered, since he was going out with Asami-senpai tomorrow, they hadn’t actually set a time yet—

…Well, they had already exchanged numbers. He could just contact her when the time came.

Once back home and completely relaxed, a wave of drowsiness instantly washed over his mind.

The scenes he had witnessed today played quickly through his mind like slides, finally dissolving into nothingness as sleep overtook him.

Whether it was his imagination or not, he twitched his nostrils, feeling that a familiar fragrance lingered at the tip of his nose. It was Miyagi-san’s scent. Probably left behind after she had lain down here to rest during the day.

A dreamless night.

“Assistant-kun, I’ve come to find you!”

A voice faintly sounded by his ear.

His consciousness was still immersed in the land of the god of dreams; his drowsy spirit floating up and down in a warm ocean.

In the hazy state between sleep and wakefulness, the girl’s call seemed to come from far, far away. To him, it sounded muffled, as if coming through a thick pane of glass.

“Assistant-kuuuun?”

What a long dream. It’s not over yet?

“Are you home?”

To even dream of Senpai, I must be quite concerned about her.

“If you don’t get up, I’m coming up to find you!”

…Hm?

“Please wait, this is a private residence. May I ask who you are?”

…Hm?!

“Eh? A girl? Um… I’m here looking for someone. Is this not his home?”

“I see, are you Liang’s acquaintance?”

…???

“Living… living together? Are you living together? To… to be so young and already… You have no self-respect! How shameless!”

Asami Yuko’s voice rarely became so agitated… What kind of reaction is that, Senpai? Are you an overly proper disciplinary committee member from a school manga?

…

…

…Wait, wait a minute?! Now is not the time to be making wisecracks!

The Novelist, lying on the bed, suddenly opened his eyes wide. The usual drowsiness and fatigue that filled his brain when waking up had completely vanished, leaving him wide awake.

The two girls exchanged words in the hallway for a while, but because of the distance, he couldn’t make out the specific content. The Novelist strained his ears to listen and soon noticed footsteps approaching.

I need… need to get up right away!

With his brain working at unprecedented speed, considering the possible conversations that might follow, the Novelist removed the blanket and reached for his coat on the nearby rack and his pants by the bed—

…Then, his body froze like stone, his outstretched hand suspended in midair, his startled gaze falling on the side of the bed.

Dyed vibrant long hair, like tassels, spread across the pure white bedding. Morning sunlight poured in through the window, illuminating it with a flowing golden hue in the dawn light.

Miyagi Aki, wearing thin pajamas, was curled up beside the turned-back blanket. The hem of her clothes barely covered her hips, leaving her snow-white, slender legs almost completely exposed to the air. Due to her position, the loosened neckline of the girl’s top revealed far too much, with her full breasts, deformed by the pressure of the bed, giving the impression they might spill out of the fabric at any moment.

Her long eyelashes trembled slightly. On Miyagi-san’s face was a peaceful sleeping expression that one would be reluctant to disturb.

The footsteps finally stopped at the door. The Novelist was still making a desperate attempt to cover Aki’s body with the blanket, but the corner was firmly held by the sleeping girl and couldn’t be pulled free—

The air seemed to freeze in that instant.