Stroking her head
It’s been nearly three months since I started hiding Hayashi Megumi in this room, and now it’s a certain day in November.
During a break from cleaning, I was taking the laundry out of the washing machine and carrying it to the balcony.
When I first started hiding Hayashi in this room, she offered to take care of all the household chores except cleaning, but lately, I’ve been handling almost all the chores except cooking.
Recently, Hayashi has been diligently studying for the bookkeeping exam she’s set her sights on. To lighten her load, I, a university student with no particular busyness, decided to step up.
Well, I say “step up,” but this was originally my responsibility, so it’s kind of ridiculous to act all proud about it.
“Yamamoto, Yamamoto.”
Lately, with the increased burden of housework, there’s one thing that’s been weighing on my mind.
Of course, it’s not that housework is a hassle. To begin with, I don’t mind doing tedious tasks like chores.
“Hm?”
So, what exactly is weighing on me?
“Oh… You’re doing really well.”
The answer lies in the bookkeeping textbook Hayashi held out to me. You might figure it out by looking at the ○ and ☓ marks on the practice test.
It stems from Hayashi’s bookkeeping studies, which hadn’t been going so well until recently.
The abundance of ○ marks on the practice test.
What on earth happened to boost her motivation so much? The progress Hayashi has been making with her bookkeeping studies lately is nothing short of remarkable.
“At this rate, you might just achieve your goal at the next bookkeeping exam.”
“Yeah.”
“That’s pretty impressive.”
“Hey, Yamamoto.”
Hayashi’s voice is a little cold.
I narrowed my eyes and turned my gaze toward the girl who’s been making such astonishing progress.
Hayashi was pointing at her head with a little tap-tap.
Letting out a sigh, I gently stroked Hayashi’s head.
Hayashi smiled happily.
The progress she’s been making with her bookkeeping studies lately is truly remarkable.
That means I have to fulfill the promise I made with her—to stroke her head as a reward.
But, well…
When she’s this delighted just from having her head stroked, it makes me feel a bit embarrassed too.
Honestly, why is she smiling so happily right now, as if she’s thrilled to have me stroke her head?
It’s almost like this act is a reward for her.
…Well, she did ask for this because it’s a reward for her, didn’t she?
No, hold on, this whole thing is weird to begin with.
Getting a roommate of the opposite sex to check your bookkeeping studies and then asking to have your head stroked as a reward when you make progress—and being happy about it.
If she’s happy about it, it’s almost like…
It’s almost like she likes me or something.
…
Nah, no way (calmly).
No way (definitely).
Back in high school, just how much did she hate me?
How much, you ask? Well, she’d click her tongue if our eyes met, she’d click her tongue if I got too close, and if I was assigned to lead homeroom as the daily class rep, she’d click her tongue…
Okay, that’s way too much tongue-clicking.
Just how much did she hate me?
Anyway, see? There you go.
Me, liked by her?
Ha.
No way in hell, absolutely not.
“Hey, Yamamoto?”
“What?”
“I might like it a bit rougher.”
Without a word, I put a little more strength into the hand stroking Hayashi’s head. I nearly went all out to hide my embarrassment but managed to adjust the pressure just right.
“…How’s that?”
No response.
Don’t ignore me, this is embarrassing!
“Yamamoto.”
“Hm?”
“You, um, you can keep going for a bit longer, okay?”
Finally, she speaks, and she says something weird…
“Won’t this start interfering with your studies?”
“It won’t…”
“No, no.”
“It won’t, I said!”
“…Alright, fine.”
Since she went that far, I had no choice but to keep stroking her head in silence.
Hayashi let herself be petted with a satisfied look.
Bet you thought the author dropped this, huh!
I get it!
I thought the author dropped it too!
My deepest apologies!
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