Chapter 55: Yume Minami, Let's Become Each Other's Family.
...
"So I got picked up by a rich guy… kinda surreal, honestly."
Yume Minami sprawled across the soft sofa like a lazy cat, watching Kihara walk in and out of the bedroom as he tidied things up.
"This rich guy even does housework… incredible."
"I'm not some rich second-gen, okay? I earned all this money myself."
If it weren't for the fact that Stardew Valley gold could be exchanged at a 1:10,000 rate, there was no way Kihara could afford a villa like this.
Hearing that, Yume suddenly sat upright, eyes sparkling.
"Poor people rely on mutation, rich people rely on technology. That armor you wore earlier—that's high-tech, right? Like the S-Class hero Drive Knight."
"He's a cyborg. I'm different—I just wear armor."
Kihara shrugged.
"My body's completely natural. Never even touched any weird enhancement drugs."
"…Natural, huh? But you don't look like someone like Superalloy Darkshine either—his muscles are insane."
"Since when does bigger mean stronger?"
Kihara smirked.
"Even Super Saiyans get weaker if their bulk slows them down."
"You mean during the Cell fight, right?"
Kihara turned, surprised.
"…You've watched Dragon Ball?"
"Why wouldn't I? Girls can watch anime too."
She stretched lazily.
"So… what about dinner?"
"We go buy groceries and cook. I don't know any restaurants around here."
"Okay."
Like normal friends.
They went shopping.
Came back.
Cooked.
Ate.
Everything felt… oddly ordinary.
Just as Yume finished eating and was about to collapse onto the sofa with her phone—
Kihara called out:
"Miss Minami, your turn. Dishes."
"Ehh~"
She made a reluctant face.
"You do it this time, I'll do it next time?"
"Nope."
Kihara crossed his arms.
"I picked you up, not adopted a princess."
"I handle cooking and cleaning already. Washing dishes is your job."
"…Fine. You win."
Even though she complained.
She still washed everything properly.
Not half-heartedly.
Every plate and chopstick cleaned and placed neatly to dry.
When she finally came out.
"Aaah… I'm dead. I don't want to move anymore."
Kihara patted the spot beside him on the couch.
"Come sit. Rest."
"…Uh…"
Yume instinctively took a step back.
Then forced herself to act casual and sat down.
About three fists away from him.
"Just so you know," she said,
"I'm not some shrine maiden girl or anything. I only came with you because you saved me… not to satisfy your weird tastes."
"…Do I look that desperate?"
Yume blinked, thinking seriously.
Then shook her head.
"Not really. You're rich—so you probably don't lack women."
"That's slander."
Kihara sighed.
"I already have someone important to me. I'm not interested in random girls."
"Then why isn't she here?"
"She's in another world. I can't bring her here."
Yume's gaze flickered.
"…Sorry."
"…Wait, why are you apologizing?"
"…Nothing."
She looked away.
"Let's talk about the past. I'll go first."
And just like that.
She told him everything.
Her sister's death.
Years of cold silence with her parents.
Her tone was calm.
Almost detached.
But Kihara noticed it.
The way her fists tightened.
When she finished—
Her eyes turned to him.
His turn.
"My past isn't that interesting."
He took a sip of cola.
"When my parents were divorcing, my mom grabbed my neck and said—"
'I should've never given birth to you. I should just strangle you now.'
"After that, I cut all contact."
"I've been on my own ever since."
His tone was completely flat.
No emotion.
Yume stared at him, expression heavy.
Kihara chuckled.
"Hey, don't make that face."
"You've got a pretty face—don't waste it. Smile more."
"…You're right."
For some reason—
Yume felt like they were… similar.
She lost her sister.
He lost something just as important.
Both had broken families.
Maybe that's why.
She felt a faint sense of closeness.
She scooted a little closer.
Now only two fists apart.
"Kihara… I want to know the truth about my sister's death."
"Will you help me?"
"That happened six or seven years ago. Not exactly easy to investigate."
Kihara glanced at her.
"And aside from picking you up… I don't really have a reason to help you."
"I know."
Yume hesitated.
"If you help me… I…"
Her lips parted—
But she couldn't say it.
"I'll become your woman."
No.
That felt wrong.
"I'll give you my body."
Even worse.
That would only insult both of them.
After thinking for a moment.
She said something else.
"…We can become family."
Kihara paused—
Then smiled slightly.
"…That's a good answer."
"Deal."
He stood up.
"…It's getting late. Go to your room."
"…Huh?! That fast?!"
Yume instantly retreated to the other end of the sofa like a startled rabbit.
Then awkwardly brushed her hair.
"…Well… I guess this counts as practice for becoming family…"
Knock.
Kihara tapped her head twice.
"What are you even thinking?"
He rolled his eyes.
"Your room isn't even cleaned yet. Go clean it."
"Or you're sleeping on the couch."
"…No way!!"
She looked at him pitifully.
"You didn't clean my room earlier?!"
Kihara smirked coldly.
"No work, no reward."
"If you want a proper bed, earn it."
"I believe in gender equality."
"…Did you treat your girlfriend like this too?"
Kihara frowned.
"…What makes you think ordinary girls can be compared to her?"
"…I know that means you really care about her."
Yume crossed her arms.
"But why does that still annoy me?"
"Less talking, more cleaning."
"My bedroom is not available."
"Yes, yes…"
With drooping shoulders, Yume dragged herself into the guest room.
After confirming she started cleaning.
Kihara pulled out his phone.
He searched recent monster incidents.
No reports of people being drained by
mosquitoes.
But—
There was news about City B being destroyed by a giant.
"…So the main plot hasn't fully started yet."
He put his phone down.
"…Then I'll help Yume first."
...
Thank you for reading.