Chapter 21 The Girl Who Practically Lives at My House

The Girl Who Practically Lives at My House

Work, come home, eat, sleep—that was my routine.

It was my normal, a day-to-day life where home, after long hours at work, was nothing more than a pit stop.

My ex-wife wouldn’t even be awake back then.

Sometimes, she wasn’t even there.

The one constant in those situations was the darkness of the room, making it feel as if I lived alone.

It was sad, painful, and miserable.

But now—

“I’ll head in first! Thanks for having me~!”

“H-Hey! You’re not a kid anymore… Wait, at least line up your shoes properly.”

“Hehe~”

Kanade grinned triumphantly and disappeared into the bathroom.

…Seriously, my life has gotten so lively lately.

When I get home, the lights are already on, and my once-lonely, monotonous days have turned into something far more engaging.

From the bathroom, I could faintly hear the sound of running water and Kanade humming happily. I couldn’t help but smile.

“Ariga-cchi~?”

“Hmm?”

“You’re eating dinner, right? Anything specific you feel like having?”

“Hmm, let me think… maybe something that goes with drinks?”

“Got it! I’ll whip up some fried food to fatten you up, Ariga-cchi~!”

“We agreed not to talk about that.”

“Let’s just call it happy weight.”

“Sure, sure.”

I couldn’t deny my stomach… Well, it wasn’t too bad yet, but the trend wasn’t promising.

Was it only a matter of time?

There were days I used to skip meals, but now, ever since life got more enjoyable, I’ve been having drinks almost every night.

If I don’t start cutting back soon, I’m going to be in serious trouble…

Maybe I should join a gym?

Or maybe pick up some fitness games…?

Either way, I need to do something about this.

With a sigh, I looked at Kanade.

She seemed to have caught on to my thoughts, alternating her gaze between my stomach and face, snickering playfully.

“Hey, Kanade, haven’t you been coming here every day lately?”

“A diligent college girl taking care of you—sounds great, doesn’t it~?”

“I mean, it’s not bad, but…”

“Then it’s fine! No problem at all!”

I glanced around my house, stroking my chin in thought.

It was definitely my place.

Sure, Kanade had introduced me to it, but I was the one who rented it—that much was certain.

But still…

“Why does it feel like your stuff keeps multiplying around here?”

“Wow~! Shocking, isn’t it?! Could it be… magic?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Stop pretending already.”

“Ehehe~”

“Don’t try to laugh it off.”

“Ah, you caught me~?”

She laughed mischievously and went into the kitchen, putting on an apron she’d brought with her and spinning around to show it off.

It felt like she was saying, “Cute, right?” So I waved my hand dismissively, muttering, “Cute, cute,” and looked away.

…Beautiful women who know their own charm are so hard to deal with, seriously.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart.

“Ariga-cchi, look! I brought mugs today!”

“Oh? They’re pretty cute… Wait, two of them?”

“What are you pretending to not get? Of course, they’re a pair set!”

“So now it’s a pair of mugs, huh…”

Not just daily necessities anymore—her study materials, clothes, and more were steadily accumulating.

Every day, there seemed to be more stuff.

If it could be paired, Kanade would buy it without hesitation.

The room’s layout had also been adjusted, styled in a calm and tasteful way as if she understood my preferences—though I never asked her to.

What was this?

It’s my house, but… it doesn’t feel like it anymore.

“It’s like we’re a cohabiting couple, right?”

“Pfft—!”

I spat out the tea I was drinking and started coughing violently.

Kanade patted my back, looking concerned, but she didn’t seem to realize she was the cause of my reaction.

“Cohabiting…? Kanade, you just come over every day with some excuse. I mean… okay, maybe it’s kind of like semi-cohabiting.”

“Fufu. Ariga-cchi, your place is just so comfy. I can’t help but stick around. You know, like one of those things—you get stuck and can’t leave?”

“What, is my house a roach trap?”

“It’s just that addictive~!”

“Then maybe I should move again.”

“Ahaha! Then I’ll help you move again~! And I’ll stick around again~!”

Kanade patted my back hard, laughing loudly.

Tears welled up in her eyes from laughing so much.

Was it really that funny?

Well… I didn’t dislike these exchanges, honestly.

But still…

“If you keep staying over so much, won’t you get in trouble? Even if things have calmed down, isn’t it still pretty strict?”

“Hmm, thanks to you, things have gotten way better! Though they still complain about my clothing.”

“Well, you do dress pretty casually.”

“Haha! You sound just like my mom. She keeps telling me to ditch the loose outfits and wear a kimono instead.”

“Kanade in a kimono, huh…”

Hmm.

With her slender figure and graceful demeanor…

Just imagining it, I could tell it’d suit her perfectly.

“Ariga-cchi~ Should I wear one for you?”

“…Maybe if there’s an occasion.”

“Alright, then! Let’s go to a fireworks festival—it’s decided!”

“You’re deciding my plans now?”

“Got a problem with that?”

“No, I’m free anyway.”

“Perfect!”

Kanade pulled out her planner and circled a date in early August.

Apparently, there’s a fireworks festival around then.

…How does she even know about plans that far in advance?

I chuckled wryly, imagining Kanade in a kimono as I glanced at her now.

“If only you could tone it down just a little, Kanade.”

“Why? Isn’t it fine to stay relaxed? I don’t mind.”

“Well, I do.”

“Eh~ But I’m 20 now, so everything I do is perfectly legal. No more high school rules—it’s all fair game!”

“…Is that something a woman should even say?”

“Times are changing! These days, lots of guys aren’t interested in relationships. Girls have to take the lead!”

“If anything, you’re charging ahead at full speed.”

—Full speed ahead.

That hasn’t changed since her entrance exams ended.

Before the divorce, I never let myself be swayed. But now that I’m single, every time she closes the distance between us, I can’t help but feel uneasy.

A sweet scent—not perfume, just her—wafted through the air, stirring something primal inside me.

“But, you know, Ariga-cchi, if you really rejected me completely… I’d…”

“…You’d what?”

Withdraw.

The thought of her pulling away brought back that hollow ache from when my wife left, the deep sense of loss.

—No, I have no lingering feelings for her.

But the pain of losing something I believed in left scars that words could never erase.

As pathetic as it sounds, it’s a trauma I still carry.

“Nope! If that happened, I’d just keep fighting! There’s no way I’d back down!”

She poked my cheek, her carefree smile blowing away the fog in my heart.

I couldn’t help but smile back.

…She saves me, over and over again.

—Day by day, more of Kanade’s belongings and paired items fill the house.

Looking around at all of it, I couldn’t help but laugh.

The once-dull home had transformed, and my daily life felt so much brighter.

Just thinking about it made me smile.