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

Appearance is an important factor in life. As people often say, “Eighty percent of a first impression is based on looks,” a good appearance can create a positive impression by itself.

“……”

“Haruto-kuuun, are you listening?”

Depending on the person, this might be considered favoritism. However, the sad reality is that these things exist as undeniable truths.

Someone once said, “But only if they’re good-looking.” It’s the harsh truth that how a person is treated changes based on appearance, whether it’s a man or a woman.

“Hey, can you at least respond already?”

“……”

But even so, there should still be limits. I couldn’t help but think that as I watched the beautiful girl in front of me making her presence felt.

“Was it really that bad to line up the same toothbrushes?”

“More like, why did you think that was okay?”

Honestly, Chiaki’s actions this time are beyond what could be excused by her looks. It all started last night. When I went to brush my teeth before bed, I found it.

In the cup where my toothbrush was, another toothbrush identical to mine had been added.

“Even if I generously let it slide that you have your own toothbrush here, isn’t it bad to have the exact same one? That’s just one step shy of being harassment.”

I’ll overlook the personal items for now. After all, Chiaki’s personal belongings have slowly but steadily been increasing, beyond just the toothbrush. Like filling in the gaps, my living space has been gradually encroached upon. But since I’m letting Chiaki, a former stalker, do the housework, I guess it’s the collateral damage I have to accept. Or maybe it’s more like I’ve given up.

However, matching toothbrushes are crossing a line. If it had been a different color of the same product, I might’ve just thought, “Oh, now it’s toothbrushes, huh?” and let it pass. But an exact duplicate? That’s just a flat-out no.

“What if I accidentally used it? Seriously…”

“Then it’s an indirect kiss, right?”

“That’s gross on a level that can’t even be excused by calling it yandere or menhera.”

“I was just kidding!?”

No, it’s gross on a level where joking doesn’t cut it.

Seriously though, the idea of ‘indirect kissing’ because of using the wrong toothbrush? That’s on the same level as putting bodily fluids in food — it’s a complete no-go.

It’s not like I’m a germaphobe or that I particularly care about indirect kissing. Of course, only with someone I know and who’s hygienic. But toothbrushes are different. They’re just straight-up gross. They’re tools to clean the filth from your mouth. And you use them repeatedly.

It’s not like sharing a spoon when someone feeds you or drinking from the same glass, or finishing someone else’s leftovers. Toothbrushes are on a whole other level, both from a hygiene standpoint and psychologically. Both the one doing it and the one on the receiving end would absolutely hate it. To purposely try and cause that? That’s an unforgivable sin.

“This is basically a new form of terrorism.”

“Terrorism? One of the toothbrushes is brand new, so there’s no way you’d mix them up that easily, right?”

“I definitely would!”

Why should I have to be on such high alert about the state of my own toothbrush at home? If I accidentally grab the wrong one while not paying attention, that proves it’s a problem, doesn’t it?

In fact, just this morning, I almost made that mistake while groggy. Even though I had carefully placed my own toothbrush on a tissue to avoid confusion, I instinctively reached for the one in the cup. I was about to squeeze toothpaste onto it when I noticed mine on the tissue and stopped myself just in time.

It wasn’t a joke or an exaggeration — I came this close to sticking someone else’s toothbrush into my mouth. The realization jolted me awake instantly.

“Look, it’s fine, okay? It’s a brand new toothbrush. Even if you mix them up, it’s not like it’d be dirty or anything.”

“The fact that only the person who opened it would know it’s brand new kind of kills the whole ‘it’s fine’ idea, don’t you think?”

“Well, I wouldn’t mind if it was Haruto-kun’s.”

“Then what’s with the hesitation earlier?”

I clearly saw her inner conflict — she was thinking “Ugh…” but said it out loud because she didn’t want to back down. She must have had at least some resistance to it.

“That’s rude! I could accept everything about Haruto-kun!”

“You saying there’s nothing you can’t accept actually makes you less likable.”

“I was being cocky! There are some things I can’t handle! The toothbrush thing is a little…iffy!”

“While I appreciate your honesty, I kind of wish you’d just said no straight away…”

I mean, the fact that you’re even ‘iffy’ about this is an automatic out by most people’s standards. Chiaki, do you realize that? Then again, if she did, she wouldn’t have been a stalker.

“…I guess I’ll just put some kind of mark on it so we don’t mix them up.”

“No need, I already replaced mine with a new one.”

“Why?! I went through all the trouble of finding the exact same one at the drugstore!”

“Because it’s confusing, that’s why.”

Obviously, I’m going to pull out a new toothbrush when the old one becomes too confusing. How is she still shocked after the entire conversation we just had?

Also, I’ve said this many times already — stop trying to make our *toothbrushes* match!

“I-I worked so hard to find the exact same one…”

“The mistake was in your choice from the start.”

Why a toothbrush, of all things? Normally, you’d match clothes or accessories, right? Or at the very least, dishware.

“Well, I mean, it’s not like I had a choice. You don’t wear accessories, and your dishware is all plain and simple…”

“What about clothes? Matching outfits are classic.”

“Too basic. It wouldn’t feel like we were really matching.”

“Fair enough.”

I’m the kind of guy who defaults to plain T-shirts and long pants, with maybe a hoodie thrown in occasionally. I’ve got no individuality, so I can’t argue with being dismissed.

“And besides, matching daily necessities feels more romantic…”

“You’re so focused on the toothbrush thing, but you’re already crossing the line by adding more of your personal belongings.”

“I heard somewhere that if you hesitate, you lose!”

“In real life, pushing too hard means you lose legally.”

In reality, Chiaki, you would’ve lost based on my decision alone. Do you even remember that? It was pretty recent. Then again, if you were the type to reflect on your actions, you wouldn’t have been a stalker. I knew that.

“…So, we really can’t match toothbrushes? I’ll make sure to put a mark on mine…”

“No, we can’t.”

That pleading look isn’t going to work on me. Like I’ve said repeatedly, there are limits to what you can get away with just because you’re good-looking. Now that I think about it, what is this ridiculous back-and-forth in my daily life?