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

Shihoko scanned the living room, nodding away as though she was marveling.

Of course, it was all neat and tidy because he worked together with Mahiru to clean up the apartment, and maintained this thanks to her advice and reminders. It was all her contribution, but he could not mention it to Shihoko at this point.

“Your skin looks good. Looks like you’ve been taking proper nutrition.”

“…Yeah.”

He averted his eyes, for that too was thanks to Mahiru.

“Looks like you’ve been cooking…huh, two persons’ worth?”

She pointed her manicured finger at the cutlery.

Two people ate lunch, so there were two plates. He was careless not to have noticed it, but Shihoko seemed fine with that.

“A friend visited.”

But that was not a lie.

He was uncertain, but they were already on the level of friends, so his words were not wrong, it seemed. He never said the gender though.

He tried his best not to look rattled as he answered. “Oh~” So Shihoko answered, seemingly unconvinced as she looked over to the living room.

Somehow, he managed to bluff her, but he was dripping cold sweat.

“Well, passable…it does not feel like a boy is living alone.”

Shihoko looked around, asked a few questions, got a few answers, and surmised thusly.

In a certain sense, it was to be expected. Mahiru had her hands in most of these things.

“There’s nothing to worry about now right, mom?”

“Yes. It really shocked me. You couldn’t do anything when you’re at home. Looks like you’ve grown.”

“…Well I can grow.”

From whose mouth do those words come from anyway, so he quietly reproached himself as he answered. “You’ve worked hard there.” so Shihoko beamed.

He did not appreciate the compliments, for it was not him who did so.

But he could not say the truth, and could only endure and beg her to return home.

At the very least, she was done checking on him.

Maybe she’ll go back without asking me to cook for her…but right when Amane had this thought.

“And now I’ll check the bedroom.”

The final bombshell landed, and he widened his eyes.

Check the bedroom. In other words, his room…the bedroom.

Of course, Mahiru was inside it. If she was found, he could easily imagine how his situation would end up much worse than his initial plan for them to meet.

“Hey what. You can’t go in even though you’re my mom.”

“Oh, is there something unsightly in there?”

“Normally, a high school boy would have one or two unsightly things in there, right?”

“You’re admitting to that, huh.”

“Yeah I admit it, so don’t go in.”

He had to stop her here with all he got. Even if his pride was shattered, he had to hide Mahiru’s existence until the very end.

At this point, if Mahiru was spotted in Amane’s room, Shihoko would surely be having happy delusions, and that was something he wanted to avoid no matter what.

He was stubbornly refusing to let Shihoko through, basically shouting no as he stood before the door. Shihoko quickly deduced that there was something hidden inside the room. “You’re hiding something from mom~.” she beamed as she loomed on.

I’m really sorry, but I need to stop you even if I have to be forceful, such was his stance as he faced off against Shihoko.

But there was a thud in his room.

“Amane.”

“Yes?”

“What are you hiding inside?”

“…Nothing to do with you, mom.”

“So you say. I see.”

The smile got wider.

It had a irresistible pressure, and whenever he saw this smile, Amane found himself in much discomfort, his desire to refuse greatly worn down.

It was a force of habit, something he could not change.

Grr, while he groaned, Shihoko seized the opportunity to put her hand on the door.

And it was too late to regret.

Shihoko went around Amane to check on the sound, and opened the door.

And beyond the door………was a pretty girl leaning by the bed, cupping a cushion on her knees.

Her eyes were closed, her breathing steady…basically, Mahiru was asleep.