It Seems Like a Girl I Don’t Know Is Doing Housework at My Place. But She’s Cute, So I’m Watching Her.

“Fwaa…”

I woke up. I checked the clock. It was just before noon. And… someone else was here.

“… Oh, that’s right, it’s a holiday today.”

For a moment, I panicked, thinking I’d slept through my alarm for the second day in a row. But when I opened my phone to the university website, I remembered it was the school’s founding anniversary.

Phew, that was close. I had checked earlier, but completely forgot. College life is flexible, but you can’t let your guard down about things like this.

Unlike high school, where reminders are everywhere, in university, you have to check for these things yourself. If you slack off on gathering information, it’s entirely possible to show up at school only to find out it’s a holiday.

School-specific holidays like the founding anniversary aren’t marked on regular calendars, so they’re easy to miss.

“Oh, you’re finally up! Good morning, Haruto-kun. You really love sleeping, don’t you?”

—Well, setting that aside for now. How should I respond to this stalker—err, I mean, Chiaki-san, who snuck into my house while I was sleeping?

“……”

I should probably ask, “Why are you here?” But it feels too late for that now, so I’ll just let it slide.

Honestly, her being here isn’t that weird anymore. Granted, she’s never barged in while I was asleep before, but she’s always made herself at home in my room.

Besides, Chiaki-san has already transitioned from being a stalker breaking and entering to a quasi-official housekeeper.

It’s reasonable to think I have no grounds to complain. I mean, she even does household chores while I’m sleeping, so I really don’t have any reason to.

“Hey? Are you still a bit sleepy? I’d at least like you to say good morning.”

“……”

That being said, dealing with someone this energetic right after waking up is a pain.

I’m not the most sociable person to begin with, so conversations drain my energy more than usual.

Here’s a question: If a person who doesn’t like talking unless necessary has to deal with someone they barely know first thing in the morning—someone they can get away with treating poorly—what would they do?

“I’m going to wash my face, so can you pour me some tea from the fridge?”

“You’re treating me like a servant!”

The answer is to issue practical instructions without engaging in any unnecessary conversation.

And so, I get out of bed and head to the bathroom. I splash cold water on my face, especially around my eyes, to shake off the sleepiness. Then I rinse my mouth and finish by shaving quickly. All done.

“I poured your tea and left it on the table.”

“Thanks. Gulp… ahh…”

I down the tea in one go and let out a satisfied breath. Ah, nothing beats the taste of tea first thing after waking up.

I can feel the cold sensation going down my throat and filling my empty stomach. That first glass really hits the spot.

“… You’re like an old man.”

That was unexpectedly rude. I’m a university student in my prime, and she’s calling me an old man? Wait, is “prime” a dated expression?

Actually, never mind that. At least call me middle-aged or something. “Old man” is a bit much, especially since we’re probably around the same age.

“How old are you, Chiaki-san?”

“Out of nowhere!? I’m, um, nineteen.”

“I see.”

“That’s it? You ask me and that’s all you have to say!?”

I was just curious. I don’t have enough interest to keep the conversation going.

So, she’s nineteen, huh? That makes her two years younger than me. If she’s already this eccentric at nineteen, I can’t imagine what her future holds.

“……”

“……?”

“……”

“…… Uh, hello?”

“……”

“Hey!”

What is it? I’m a little busy right now collecting daily login bonuses on my mobile game.

“Don’t look at me like I’m a nuisance! Can’t we just have a conversation?”

“You’ve become more assertive since I stopped ignoring you.”

“I was trying my best to talk to you even when you were ignoring me!”

“Now that you mention it…”

Chiaki-san was indeed a suspicious person who’d talk to herself endlessly. It’s not surprising now that I think about it.

So, the fact that she’s louder now is because I started responding to her. Maybe treating her like she doesn’t exist was the best approach after all.

“I don’t feel like talking.”

“Why!? Did I do something to make you hate me!?”

“By normal social standards, yeah, you kinda did.”

“I know, but still…”

Breaking into someone’s house is pretty inexcusable by any normal measure. The fact that I tolerate it is a huge anomaly.

“But you forgave me, right, Haruto-kun?”

“Honestly, it’s just that talking is tiring.”

“Wait, are you making fun of me?”

“Nope, just being honest.”

“Wow, you’re saying that with such clear eyes…”

Even if you look at me like that, some people just find social interactions exhausting regardless of whether they like the other person.

I’ll talk when necessary, but when it’s not, I’d rather avoid it. That’s how I see communication.

“Haruto-kun, that attitude is going to make things tough for you in the future.”

“I handle things just fine outside. It’s only because I’m at home that I want to relax. Are we good?”

“Wait, are you saying I’m not considered ‘other people’ who you need to be polite with?”

“If you were a guest, I’d be hospitable. If you were a friend, I’d hang out with you. So, Chiaki-san, what exactly are you to me?”

“… Your wife?”

“That’s a huge leap!”

Even if you’re exaggerating, at least say you’re my girlfriend. Don’t skip straight to marriage.

Realistically, Chiaki-san’s role is more like a housekeeper—albeit one in a very unconventional situation.

“Chiaki-san, you’re working to atone for your past illegal actions, while also indulging your hobbies by helping out around the house. In return, I overlook everything and receive your services. That’s our relationship, right?”

So, does this arrangement really require personal conversation? No, it doesn’t. I’m not completely opposed to it, but there’s no need for one of us to force it.

“I’ll talk when there’s something important to discuss, but idle chit-chat? Nah.”

“Come on… isn’t that awkward? I mean, I find it lonely and kind of unpleasant.”

“Are you seriously asking the guy who ignored you for so long?”

“Now that you mention it…!”

I’m the kind of person who successfully ignored her for quite a while. It was tough pretending she didn’t exist, but maintaining silence is easy.

“Why, though? Since I’m here, we should at least chat!”

“Well, if you bring up something that interests me, I might respond. But if I don’t care, I won’t say anything.”

“That’s so high-handed!”

“You’re free to leave if you get tired of it.”

“And that’s part of what I find so charming about you, Haruto-kun.”

“Those eyes are way too clear…”

Even after all the cold treatment, her gaze remains completely unclouded… What is going on in this girl’s head?

“Anyway, I don’t mind if you talk to yourself, but keep the volume down. It’s basic manners. Even though the neighbors aren’t around right now, it’s still polite.”

“Oh, okay. Sorry about that.”

Good. That’s settled.