Underneath the Bastardity

Chapter 17 - Moving In

Now that he's alone at his home, Hayaru went on doing his usual routine of doing the house chores and shadowboxing. After which he then watch TV after shadowboxing to pass the time. At around three PM, when school's over for the day, he prepared some iced drinks for the two soon-to-be housemates. He once again wondered of why he even accepted them living here, but remembering how stubborn Mahiru is, he can only hope that she won't try invading his privacy.

An hour has passed, and finally he heard the door bell. Hayaru walked to the door and opens it, revealing Mahiru and Momoi with both their luggage and multiple bags of groceries.

"You two took your sweet time." He huffed. "And what's with the bags? That's way too much for the three of us."

"We are moving in, after all." Mahiru replied, "And consider that our 'payment fee' for letting us stay here."

"That's right! And we both agreed that we'll be the ones cooking for tonight." Momoi then added.

Hayaru then sighed over the two's enthusiasm. "Just go get your drinks by the table and get some rest." He then said.

"Thanks, Aru-kun!" Momoi said as he then rushes towards the table for the drink, much to his annoyance, though it did reminded him of the same thing Momoi did back in their childhood.

"Speaking of which, Hayaru-kun." Mahiru then approaches Hayaru, making him growl in anger. She then presents him the envelope that she gotten earlier. "Sunaya-san wanted me to give this to you. I assure you that it's not something that'll make you upset."

Hayaru then scoffed over Mahiru's 'assurance'. "Like that bitch would care. She could just leave me be." He then grabbed the envelope and subsequently opened it, which he then read the letter inside. After finishing it, he glances at Mahiru with a deadpanned look, thinking that the blonde pulled some strings there.

"I solemnly swear that I did not ask her to do it. Sunaya-san herself personally requested it." Mahiru raised her hand accordingly, making Hayaru groan seeing how serious Mahiru sounded.

"And here I thought I'd be free from that hellhole for much longer." Hayaru gruntled.

"On the bright side, you won't be missing your studies soon." Mahiru giggled. After the talk, the two then joined Momoi, who is feeling refreshed after the drink, as the two housemates went on to take a shower and place their luggage while Hayaru went on to play HGO.

~~ >> ~~

After the subsequent group study, Hayaru watches over the two cooking dinner, as he's not convinced that Mahiru can cook. Even so, the two worked pretty well together, with Mahiru measuring and preparing the ingredients while Momoi do the cutting and frying. It didn't take long until they finished cooking, which is a stir fry salmon with toriyaki for the side.

"We did it!" Momoi exclaimed proudly.

"Indeed. And it looks delicious." Mahiru added, before the two glances toward Hayaru. which he sighs.

"At least you know what you're doing." Hayaru commented. A short yet brief compliment... if that's what Mahiru interpreted it. After everyone prayed for the food, Hayaru took a bite of the stir fry, and to his surprise, it taste good. Not wanting to see Mahiru's satisfaction, he slowed his chewing while making some weird expression, making it looked like he's forcing himself to eat it.

"You don't like it, Aru-kun?" Momoi asked in worry. Realizing this, Hayaru sped up his chewing and turned towards his best friend.

"Not like that. It's good actually." Hayaru said, and the giggle from Mahiru then made him cursed himself. "Fuck!"