บท 871: True Love

"...I've done everything I needed to do. From now on, it's up to you."

The mask slipped from her face, and Hayasaka punched his shoulder in displeasure.

Shinichi leaned against the door panel, looking up at the sky and sighing.

"Actually, there's no need to do this... Wouldn't it be better to let her think that I'm the kind of guy who can bring girls home and be intimate with them?"

At that moment, Shinichi noticed Kei looking at Hayasaka's shoes but didn't elaborate.

It would be good if they could keep their distance like this and maintain their senior-senior relationship discreetly.

Shinichi's obsession with Kei wasn't too strong; even though she was as beautiful as a fairy and the same age as Rui, he mostly saw her as a little sister. Not a romantic interest like Hayasaka.

Even if he was occasionally moved, it was only his admiration for her as a person. So, he was prepared to be misunderstood by her.

It couldn't be considered a misunderstanding; after all, he did do something, but it was just made light of by Hayasaka's operation.

Shinichi didn't expect it to develop like this in the end, leaving him a little puzzled about how to end it.

"Are you doing this as a reflection?" Hearing what he said, Hayasaka stared at him unfriendly.

Although she led the scene, and he only watched at her request, Hayasaka felt displeased with his helpless attitude.

"I really thought about it." Shinichi spread his hands, "Anyway, maybe she just misses me. The love ratio between men and women shouldn't be excessive. It's not good to take this opportunity to shatter the perfect image she has of me."

"You dare to say that, shameless man." Hayasaka stood on tiptoes and furrowed her brow, this action intimate and amusing.

"Then why don't you pursue her now? If you pursue her, tell her everything clearly, rather than giving people hope with ambiguous attitudes like the male protagonist in light novels."

"Do you think I don't want to?" Shinichi glanced upwards, "If you had said something like this before she calmed down from your temptation, do you think her mood wouldn't be chaotic enough? And besides, Kei is not just my junior, and I want to handle this as gently as possible."

"That's good to say, but it's not good to think about a girl without her permission." Her tone became a little more serious, and Hayasaka said calmly.

"Forget it, it's your business, I don't care about the rest."

"Of course, if you hadn't suddenly wanted to interfere, I would have explained it to her."

"So you blame me?"

"Dare not, dare not..."

After chatting a few words like this, Hayasaka looked at the clock and was about to return to work.

Even though it was a holiday, she still had a little free time, and not many chances to come here to be intimate with him.

It seemed like her busyness would end soon, so Hayasaka didn't hesitate to leave, as long as she had free time, she could come to his house every day to clean and cook.

Her interest was disturbed by the middle school girl, and she had no intention of saying goodbye to her. She was ready to leave immediately.

"Right."

Before she left, Shinichi handed her a key.

"Next time you come to my house, don't go through the window again."

At first, he wasn't sure, but when he saw with his own eyes Hayasaka climbing out the window and walking around the back of the apartment to call Kei, Shinichi was sure she had entered his house through the window.

Was she really a maid and not a professional thief from an organization?

Shinichi didn't mind if others entered his house, but he just thought if it was her, there was no need to be so cunning.

"A spare key? Forget it..."

Hayasaka glanced at the key in her hand, hesitated, and shook her head.

Shinichi forcibly grabbed her hand, placed it in her palm, and let her hold it.

"Although I won't be staying here for long, you also have a share in this 'home'." He looked at her and smiled unashamedly.

"I've kissed you, but I won't let you go, wherever you go."

You are all my "love" – this sentence was too disgusting, and his sense of shame wasn't high enough, so he didn't say it.

"...So be it."

Hayasaka tucked the key into her maid uniform pocket, reached out to hug him, and whispered in his chest.

"You are my 'truth,' which saves me from lies... So, in the same way, I will never let you go even if I die..."

Shinichi clicked his tongue in surprise.

"I can't believe your level of shamelessness is higher than mine..."

"What does that mean?"

"Nothing."

Not satisfied with how he disrupted the atmosphere without telling the whole story, Hayasaka punched his chest and then turned and left.

"See you next time."

"Um, remember to come to my housewarming party."

"Okay... Huh?!" Hayasaka suddenly turned back, her eyes widened, "What kind of housewarming party?"

"How should I put it~" Shinichi scratched his nose and tried to explain the incident, "For some reason or another, all seven of them know that I also like you, and then they suggested allowing me. I'll also invite you to the housewarming party..."

"This..." Hayasaka's mouth moved, her forehead slightly sweating, and she felt confused, "Can I not go? Think about it, it'll be some kind of hell for me..."

"Besides, I still have to introduce you to them, it's only a matter of time." Shinichi looked irresponsible.

Hayasaka didn't say anything, when she realized, a blush appeared on her face, but she didn't intend to retract this statement.

As a maid, she was long accustomed to standing behind others, not beside them.

"It sounds tempting, but I don't want to do it."

Staring at the maid, Shinichi smiled thinly and spoke warmly:

"Whether I hide it from them or hide with you like this, there's a chance it will hurt you... I still want to avoid something like this if I can. If I can't avoid it, I'll do everything I need to do. Overcome and try to find a way to make you feel comfortable."

"After all, I'm a scoundrel with a lot of love interests. Whatever happens, I should at least be a scoundrel who can bring happiness to women. A scoundrel should also be an honest scoundrel."

That's what the scoundrel wanted.

Shinichi spoke confidently and with a sense of narcissism and satisfaction.

After those words were spoken, Hayasaka remained silent for a few moments with a complicated expression and let out a long sigh.

"Okay, send me the time and everything you need to prepare via LINE. I have to hurry back."

"Be careful on the road."

"You too." Hayasaka glanced at him for the last time and said hesitantly, "Also, what if... I become a target along with them?"

"'Sorry, it's all my fault! If you're not happy, just blame me and stop hurting each other!'" Shinichi said, pondering.

"I said this while sitting, do you think it will be useful?"

Hayasaka burst into laughter.

"In that case, you should get rid of the kitchen knife first. I might not be able to beat seven people alone."

Shinichi's lips moved slightly, and his smile turned bitter: "Thank you for reminding me so much."

After watching Hayasaka leave while smiling, Shinichi returned home.

Looking at the clean yet empty room, he sighed and stepped into the living room with a smile.

"You're just talking nonsense. She must be lonely and missing me. That person..."

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Shinichi opened the fridge and took out a bottle of drink. When he looked at the box of potato soup, his eyebrows furrowed slightly.

"Tomorrow, let's go and visit..."

What happened today was the catalyst that made him fully determined.

Kei had a faint affection for him, which Shinichi could vaguely sense, but he didn't know if it was longing for an older man or a developing relationship between a man and a woman.

But anyway, leaving it as it is would only worsen the situation, he knew this very well.

At this point, regardless of whether he liked her or not, he still had to speak nicely to Kei and get results based on this potato soup.

"I just hope Shirogane-senpai doesn't find out about this..."

If not, he might be taught a lesson by him...

Shinichi closed the fridge, pulled his suitcase into his room, and began to tidy up.