Chapter 25: Where the Key Goes (2/2)

“Well, you find it a hassle to press the doorbell every time, right?”

“Even if you say so, it feels like you are being too careless.”

“I gave you the key because I trust you.”

Mahiru’s eyes widened once she heard these words, speechless, and then she frowned.

The skepticism on her face was accompanied by a different unknown emotion.

But Amane merely handed the key over to Mahiru, all to save the hassle. If she really did not want to, he was willing to compromise.

Mahiru in turn looked back and forth between the key and Amane…before she sighed.

“…Understood. I shall borrow it for now.”

“Yeah.”

“Amane-kun, I don’t know if you are being magnanimous or careless.”

Goodness, so she said with some spite, and Amane responded with a wry smile.

“That’s my style.”

“This isn’t for you to say about yourself.”

Hmph, so she pointed out coldly, only for Amane to smile brighter than before.

It appeared they were already on sufficiently familiar terms for him to have such useless conversations.

But since she permitted him to use her given name, it would be strange to say they were not on familiar terms.

I really had enough of this person, so her eyes implied, but they were filled with some warmth, rather than looking aloof.

And she knew that Amane was just joking around.

“I shall take it then. I do not care if anything happens to your house.”

“Like?”

“…Like if I pop by to clean up your house.”

“I’ll be grateful for that.”

“What if I stuff the fridge full of food?”

“Then I’ll get to enjoy breakfast, and there’s more things to eat for dinner.”

Mahiru’s little jokes were really peaceful, or even music to his ears, what he wanted. Nevertheless, the muted reactions had her a little unhappy.

The threat did not seem like a threat, it emphasized her kindness, and really was something to smile about.

“I feel that I have been treated as a fool.”

“I didn’t do that.”

It appeared if he continued to tease her, she would kick up a fuss. While he really wanted to see her pout, he sheathed his smile and stared at Mahiru.