Chapter 22: The Peaceful land, and the Enemy’s attack (1/2)

Amane planned to deliver the fruits immediately after receiving them, and that might be a mistake when

“A–mane.” Once he heard the doorbell and the cheeky, high pitched voice, he realized the situation, and clutched his head.

He was grateful that Mahiru would drop to cook lunch on a Saturday, and thought it was a blessing from the heavens.

In fact, the carbonara she made was really delicious. The thick sauce and the black pepper matched perfectly, and it was really delicious.

It was not Mahiru’s fault, actually. Yes, she really was not at fault.

The fault was that he was told to stay at home, and did not notice why…along with this blood-related lady who loved pulling her surprises and the extraordinary.

“…Erm, Fujimiya-san? It’s not the delivery…”

“Nope. Mom took the key and went past the gates…”

In hindsight, he was at fault for taking his mom’s words at face value when she would have wanted to observe him no matter what.

There was no way his mother would not be up to something.

“…Eh, mother??”

“Most likely, mom wants to see if I’m doing well these days…she’s not telling me in advance because I’ll try to slip it past her.”

“Ahh…”

“I feel conflicted by how you look like you agree, but this isn’t important.”

The problem was, how would he deal with Mahiru who was here.

If she was at the gates, he could have Mahiru return home. However, since she was at his door, he could not let Mahiru return.

If he let her in, she would surely meet Mahiru, and there would be a misunderstanding. Mahiru too would not wish for the same.

What shall I do? While he wondered, the intervals between the doorbell rings shortened.

…Ahh goodness.

“……Sorry Shiina, go into my room. Please.”

“Eh, ye-yes?”

“Hold this. I’ll try to get my mom outside, and then you go home. Sorry about this, but please.”

He really had no choice but to hide her.

Lunch was made, but they had cleaned up the place, so that was fine.

The shoes could be hidden inside the shoe cabinet, and he would bring her blanket and other personal belongings into the room.

While she was in his room, he would offer some food once his mom was done inspecting, and she probably would agree to that. He would however refuse her if she demanded to inspect the room.

He would ask to make dishes using ingredients not in the fridge, and they would go shopping together. That would be the moment Mahiru would escape, or so he planned.

I don’t have a choice here, so he told Amane, handed her the extra key and begged her. “Y-yes.” She nodded, despite looking troubled.

They were not using the storeroom, for it would be really cold without the heating during this season.

There was heating and a fluffy cushion in Amane’s room, so she would not be sitting on an empty floor, aching all over in the cold.

“…I shall leave it to you then. I’ll deal with my mom…”

Amane was already mentally tired before he even met his mom. Once he went towards the entrance, Mahiru silently slipped into his room.

Once he was sure she entered, he opened the door unwilling.

“Oh my…Amane, you’re late. I thought you were sleeping, but you look very lively.”

Immediately appearing before him was his mom, whom he had not seen since summer vacation.

She was his mom, but her appearance defied her age, and she was still wearing that usual cheerful look back home. One would say that it was not simply her appearance defying her age, but her actions too.

“Yeah yeah I’m lively so can you go back now?”

“Is that how you treat your mom…? I spent hours to arrive, you know? How about some reward?”

“Thank you very much for taking the long trip here, please go back.”

“Still saying such things now? You really aren’t cute, unlike Shuuto-san”

“I’m a guy, why do i have to be cute?”

Ack, he made a nauseous sound, but his mother Shihoko did not have her mood dampened, as she merely giggled away, accepting it as Amane being in his rebellious phase.

“May I come in?”

“Wait, I haven’t said anything.”

“The rental is paid by Shuuto-san and me, you know?”

He had no room to refuse once she said that, and he could only open the door with a scowl, inviting Shihoko in.

Of course, he walked along the wall where the bedroom was, stopping her from entering as he led her to the living room.

“Say mom, call before you drop by. I’m an adult.”

“Oh my, if I didn’t drop by for a sudden spot check, I would not have seen if my son’s doing well, you know?”

“Grr…you see, it’s fine here. All packed up.”

“Of course. It shocked me. You don’t do this at home, Amane, but you’re pretty capable yourself. I never expected that.”