Bonus Side Stories
Side - Shizuka
Shizuka’s most remarkable qualities were her talents as a martial artist and a chef, but that wasn’t all there was to her. As a landlord, she was an exceptional caretaker. And while she may not have been a match for the other girls in terms of overall ability, she was in a league of her own when it came to housework.
“Satomi-kun, could you put that stand over there?”
“Got it, Landlord-san.”
Shizuka was presently wearing an apron and holding a duster, which she used to give directions via pointing. Koutarou would then move whatever piece of furniture she’d indicated. It was all part of a spring cleaning ritual Shizuka had implemented today specifically while Maki was out for a cosclub event.
“It’s pretty dusty back here, so I’ll clean it up while I’m at it.”
“Use this, Satomi-kun.”
“Thanks.”
“Meanwhile, I’ll... Ah, yes, here we are.”
It was major cleanups like this that allowed Shizuka to put her talents to full use. She was no professional, but her experience as a landlord and the skills she’d developed living on her own meant she was a cut above. She made sure to scrub every corner clean.
“Hmm, hmm, hmm!”
Shizuka continued cleaned away while humming. Whether she was using her duster, the vacuum, or a polishing cloth, Koutarou couldn’t help admiring the delicate choreography she made of simple cleaning.
“Hmm, hmm... hmm? What is it?”
But eventually, Shizuka noticed Koutarou staring at her and stopped what she was doing. Silence fell over the room for a moment.
“Oh, nothing. I was just thinking that you look like you’re having fun, Landlord-san.”
“Fun? Huh... Yeah, I guess maybe I am.”
Realizing that Koutarou was right, Shizuka nodded.
“Is it because you treasure your parents’ keepsake so much?”
“The same as you do.”
Corona House was left to Shizuka by her late parents, and Koutarou bringing it up so casually was somewhat thoughtless. But Shizuka knew that Koutarou also had a treasured keepsake from his late mother—a half-knit sweater she’d left behind—so she didn’t get angry. Instead, she looked at him sympathetically.
“But that’s not the only reason, you know?”
“Really?”
“This is where we all live.”
“Yeah... I get that.”
“Teehee.”
In the past, Shizuka had only thought of Corona House as a memento of her parents, but that wasn’t all it was to her anymore. It was her home. It was where her friends all lived too. It was their home. And that was why Corona House was more important to her now than it had ever been.
“But there’s something you don’t get.”
There, the sweet smile on Shizuka’s lips took a mischievous curl. It was a special, playful expression she didn’t show to just anyone.
“And what’s that?”
Koutarou couldn’t imagine why she was smiling like that now. All he could think was that she was having fun.
“Think about it a little.”
“Did you pick up a new cleaning technique?”
“Well, I can’t say that I haven’t. But that’s not what I meant.”
“Is it that you just love cleaning?”
“You’re getting warmer.”
There, Shizuka took a step closer to Koutarou. She still had a mischievous grin on her face, but there was no ill intention behind it. Rather than just having fun, she looked like she was having the time of her life.
“The right answer is...”
Taking another step, Shizuka leaned in close so that her face was practically touching Koutarou’s. He could feel her breath tickling his cheek.
“I’m alone with the boy I love.”
And that’s where he finally realized the true meaning behind her smile.
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