The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten (WN) (Volume 5+)

230 - Choice

"...Pardon my intrusion."

Amane entered Mahiru's house for the first time, and marveled as he saw the living room that was cleaned and devoid of unnecessary items.

The decors of the room were a white and light green base, nary any unnecessary items, and was decorated just as she liked it.

It was the first time he was entering a girl's house, and though he was initially nervous, his anxiety appeared to be eased somewhat once he saw how neat it was.

"Please enter. It may be a little messy though."

"You sure you can say that if we compare to my house a year ago?"

Mahiru led Amane into the house, and the latter gave a wry smile at those remarks. Mahiru recalled the devastation that was his house back then, and shrugged in exaggeration.

"Well, that does not count. Do reflect back on how messy it was."

"Ugh, I can't deny that."

"You are the one who mentioned that first. Given that you are working hard to maintain the current situation, I would say that if there is anything to mention...hmm, you do casually toss your dirty clothes into the basket, and sometimes drop it on the floor. It is best of you to change this."

"Yep, better take note."

"That is good."

Amane usually would not allow Mahiru to wash his clothes, but she did see how he handled his laundry. Amane would flip his socks and clothes appropriately before dropping it into the laundry basket, but it seemed there were other aspects he had to pay attention to.

Amane quietly noted to himself these issues he had to take note of, and as he continued chatting with Mahiru, he was no longer as tense. Once again, he looked towards her house.

Her furniture was arranged neatly, as expected, and that was what he felt on first glance. It seemed so orderly, and so balanced, like a magazine.

And thus, he felt something was amiss.

"Well, your house looks pretty, but..."

"It feels devoid of life?"

"...Sorry?"

Mahiru asked with a wry smile before Amane could say so, and he awkwardly averted his eyes.

Yes, the house was neat, and cleaned thoroughly...but it did not feel as though someone lived there.

Typically put, a house would show a person's interests and living habits, but there was nary of that. A simple word, cleanliness, would suffice.

"It is fine. I too feel the same. And I have been spending more time at your place, excluding sleeping time."

"Ahh..."

"I really have been spending time at your place. Nothing much changed ever since that major cleaning."

Speaking of which, Mahiru hardly spent time at her own place. She had been at Amane's place before they dated, and moreso after.

Since she spent so much time at his place, her presence at this place would seem diluted. She really liked cleanliness, and thus all presence of life would be all the more nonexistent.

Amane felt warm and fuzzy within once he realized once again that Mahiru was next to him. Mahiru then took a step closer, and looked at his face.

"...So, your house is my house too. You have to keep things clean, no?"

"...O-okay."

Amane was flustered to see Mahiru's bubbly smile, and stammered.

She nodded happily, for his reaction seemed to be within expectations, and invited him into her room. It was the toughest test of the day, and would test his endurance.