Extra Chapter | Rinka Mizuki’s Heartfelt Endeavors
“Vooo… No, that’s not it. This ghost role is tougher than I thought.”
Practicing in front of the mirror, I brush aside the bangs falling over my face and tilt my head. It still doesn’t feel quite right. I’m trying to channel the raw emotion of a woman betrayed by her boyfriend, but… maybe this role is too much for someone like me, who’s never even had a boyfriend.
“I won’t give up. I’ll nail this ghost role perfectly… Vooo!”
I’ve tackled tough challenges before, and every time, I’ve overcome them by pouring in every ounce of effort I could muster. This time will be no different. Staring at my reflection, I steel my resolve.
But practicing alone has its limits, so I decide to enlist my family’s help. Announcing, “I’m going to be a ghost now, so watch,” would only make them brace themselves. No, this kind of performance needs the element of surprise.
“It’s about time for Dad to come home.”
Checking the time on my phone, I position myself by the front door. Soon, faint footsteps echo from the other side, followed by the jingle of keys and the slow twist of the doorknob. The door begins to creak open. Now—!
“I’m ho—”
“Pyaaaa!!”
The moment Dad’s face appears, I unleash a bizarre, bird-like screech. Perfect timing.
“…”
“Dad?”
Something’s wrong. His face is frozen, as if carved from stone. Those dark eyes of his, always so expressionless, now stare blankly into space, not even twitching. Dad’s never been one for smiles, but this… he’s practically a statue.
“Yay! Papa, welcome home!”
Nonoa’s cheerful voice breaks the silence as she dashes down the hallway, her smile radiant. She slips past me and clings to Dad’s legs, but even then, he doesn’t budge, not sparing her a glance.
“Hmm? Papa?”
An idea hits me, and I wave my hand in front of his face. No reaction, just as I suspected.
The realization dawns on me.
“Dad’s fainted while standing…!”
☆
“The ghost role might actually work out.”
Buoyed by newfound confidence, I return to my room and shift gears to the next challenge: the butler. Slipping into the outfit a classmate prepared for me, I stand before the mirror and try out my line. “Welcome home, my lord.” The words roll off my tongue surprisingly naturally. It’s… perfect, isn’t it?
For practice, I set my Kazuto-kun doll on a chair and face it. Those big, round black eyes gaze up at me, utterly adorable. My heart skips a beat.
“…”
Staring into the Kazuto-kun doll’s eyes, I swallow hard. Before I know it, my body moves on its own, and I’m arranging all my Kazuto-kun dolls in a neat row on my bed. Butler practice fades from my mind as an overwhelming wave of affection takes over, leaving no room for anything else. Every cell in my body feels like it’s singing with joy.
My love for my husband grows with each passing day, expanding faster than the universe itself. Lately, my biggest struggle has been reining in these impulsive urges driven by that love. If I don’t, I risk causing trouble for him and the others. Balancing the pendulum between reason and emotion is exhausting.
“Too cute… so precious.”
Enchanted, I collapse onto the bed beside the enshrined Kazuto-kun dolls. Lying on my side, I gently stroke each one’s head, pouring all my affection into the gesture. Then, sitting up, I pick up one doll and gaze into its eyes.
“That’s right, this is… pledging loyalty as a butler. No other reason… No, it’s practice. Practice. Important practice to avoid failing at the cultural festival…”
My heart races as I lean closer, on the verge of kissing the Kazuto-kun doll. Just then, the door swings open, and Dad’s voice cuts through. “Rinka. About earlier—”
I leap to my feet, spinning toward the entrance. There stands Dad, his face as serious as ever.
“…Rinka, keep it in moderation. For his sake.”
“This isn’t— No… it’s not like that…”
Caught in the act, I can’t muster a defense. I have no choice but to admit it. Dad gives a heavy nod, then carefully closes the door and leaves.
“W-What have I done…!”
First Nonoa, then Onee-chan, and now even Dad… To avoid these embarrassing mishaps, there’s only one solution: I need to live alone with my husband.
With that resolve burning in my chest, still dressed in my butler outfit, I begin planning our future life together.
