Illegal Romance

Chapter 3

A woman named Mao had come by in the afternoon while Noze was gone. When I brought up the story, Noze's expression grew clouded.

Noze: I'm not in a relationship.

Jimena: But she has a duplicate key to clean. I figured you guys were incredibly close.

Noze: ...What was Mao saying?

Jimena: That she came to clean the apartment... 

Noze: That so...? Well, thet's not the real reason why.

Jimena: Really...?

Noze: She'll probably come by again. If so, plase try to get along with her for me.

Jimena: Okay...

Noze ends the conversation there and returns to his food. There's something harsh in his attitude that causes anxiety to flare within me.

Noze: Thanks for cooking! It was great!

Jimena: Want another beer?

Noze: No, I think it's time for bed. I feel like I'll sleep well.

We decide to go to bed earley after finishing dinner. Unsurprisingly, Noze tries to sleep on the sofa.

Noze: Alright then, night.

Jimena: U-Umm...

Noze: Hm?

Jimena: If you sleep on the sofa, you won't get very much rest, will you?

Noze: Ahh, it's alright. I sleep on the sofa fairly often normally.

Jimena: But...

Noze: It's fine, really. Besides, you're the one who needs to be sleeping well. So your memory will come back sooner, no?

Jimena: ...

Noze is making me top priority. That makes me glad, yet I find myself feeling very sad about it as well...

Even thought I'm the bed, I finf myself unable to sleep. Mao's sharp expression and Noze's smile are flashing throught my mind.

Jimena: (I wonder if I'm causing a rift between the two by being here...)

Noze just happened to protect me because he's such a kind person. I'm sure there are no feelings beyond that between us. Maybe if I got my memory back quicker, Noze could return to his everyday life. My presence is nothing but a nuisance to those two.

Jimena: (But earlier... Noze said...)

"Noze: This is nice, isn't it? It's almost like we're a couple."

Jimena: (Were those his true feelings...)

After he said that, he flushed red with embarrassment. I feel warm just thinking about it.

Jimena: (If we could continue on like this, with me never remembering anything...)

It's a selfish throught, but I can't help but tu be drawn to the idea. 

Jimena: (Noze...)

I slowly rise up and look over at the couch. Noze seems to be sleeping, not moving in the slightest. I get out of bed and walk close to him.

Jimena: ...

I find myself wondering just what I'm doing when I get there. All I do is quietly sit on the floor on the floor next to the couch. 

Noze: Hnn...

Jimena: Ah...

Noze: Huh...? Jimena, what is it?