Mistaken For a Couple

Chapter 3: Co-habitation Rules

On the clean table.

A piece of paper and a pen were placed.

Rahan and Priscilla sat across from each other, staring at the paper.

Rahan asked.

"So, you want to set some rules?"

"Yes. Until we catch that scammer, we have no choice but to live together, right? It's better to get everything clear now."

Rahan, who liked certainty, nodded.

"Sounds good."

"Rule one: I'll do the dishes, and you'll handle cleaning the bathroom and taking out the trash."

"Why do I have to do two things? I'll take out the trash, but we should alternate cleaning the bathroom once a week."

"...Alright, let's just alternate cleaning the bathroom. And rule two: laundry is to be done by each person."

Rahan shook his head at Priscilla’s words.

"We should conserve resources, after all. Instead of running the washing machine multiple times, wouldn’t it be better to do laundry together to save water?"

"Does the Empire give out citizenship awards or something?"

"It’s just basic common sense."

"Then rule three: let’s agree not to turn our socks inside out when taking them off. We’ll gather laundry on the balcony and wash it once a week."

"Socks should just be taken off normally, right?"

"How would you wash them if you turn them inside out? I can't stand that."

We’re not compatible. Not compatible.

Rahan shook his head, but there was no other way.

His money was tied up here, and he couldn't just leave and sleep somewhere else.

Sigh. Fine. I’ll try to follow through.

"Rule four: you must squeeze toothpaste from the bottom."

Rahan clicked his tongue.

"Are we really going to go over something that trivial?"

"Earlier, you said we need to conserve resources to be patriots, right? Squeezing toothpaste from the bottom makes sure we use it all properly."

"...I see your point. Fine."

"Rule five: you must always sit when you pee."

Rahan was startled by Priscilla’s words.

"Sitting to pee? How rude can you be?!"

"Rude? What’s rude about it? Would you prefer standing up?"

"Men stand to pee. Don’t you know that?"

"Do you think I don’t know? If you stand, you’ll get urine everywhere. Unless you want to turn the bathroom into a public restroom, cooperate."

Rahan shook his head.

"Men have their pride. I can’t accept that."

"Pride, my foot."

"And it’s also bad for your health. Normally, men have longer urethras, so if you sit, pressure builds up…"

"I really don’t need to know about the length of your urethra."

"...Alright, let’s do this. I’ll clean the toilet on even days, so I’ll stand when I pee."

"Separate from the bathroom cleaning?"

"Yes. That way, it won’t be a public restroom, and the toilet will be clean every day. No problem, right?"

Priscilla thought for a moment and then nodded.

"Alright. Well, if you’re cleaning the toilet, I’ll concede on that."

"Concede? It’s just common for men."

"Then rule six…"

"Rule six: split the living expenses evenly. Food will be prepared alternately. What do you think?"

"Can’t we just do our own thing for food?"

"Are you going to eat alone for the rest of your life?"

"Are we living together forever?"

"...Well, no. Then let's just split the living expenses evenly. Food will be handled flexibly."

"Is that alright? You don’t seem to be working."

Rahan saw this as an opportunity to tease her, and Priscilla, visibly annoyed, clenched her fist.

"...Who do you think I am? I’m working as a freelancer. Don’t worry about it."

"I wasn’t worried about you. Splitting the costs sounds fine."

What an annoying man.

Priscilla held back the urge to snap, despite wanting to kill him right then and there.

Rahan looked at the empty half of the paper and narrowed his eyes.

Priscilla did the same.

This is the most important part.

"Rule seven: never enter each other's rooms."

"Rule seven: never enter each other’s rooms."

They spoke at the same time.

"Ah, it works?"

"We seem to be on the same page here?"

"Good. No matter what happens, let’s stick to not snooping in each other’s rooms. I really hope we can keep this rule."

"This is what I want too."

For continuous intelligence work, personal space was necessary.

They needed to conduct reports and hide evidence and items.

Thank goodness. At least she values personal space.

It’s good she values personal time.

Rahan continued.

"Then rule eight: no bringing anyone else into the house."

Guests are a variable.

How could she guarantee the identity of anyone she brings in?

What if they were disguised spies?

That would expose their hideout, making this rule more important than any other.

Priscilla clapped her hands in agreement.

"That’s a good one! No bringing anyone over, ever."

Priscilla shared Rahan’s thoughts.

If one of Rahan’s guests learned of her presence, her intelligence work would be compromised.

"Are you someone with a lot of friends?"

"I don’t have friends."

"Seems that way."

"...What do you mean by that?"

"It’s nothing."

"Then do you have many friends?"

"Oh, I, of course... don’t."

"Seems that way."

"Being petty with revenge..."

I’m glad she doesn’t have friends.

That rigid, old-fashioned man probably has no friends. Thank goodness.

Rahan spoke again.

"Rule nine: I don’t care if you come back late, but if you’re late, let me know in advance."

When working undercover, there were often times when one would return late.

Enemy agents didn’t follow day and night schedules.

If Priscilla ever started to take unnecessary interest in those late returns, it would cause a big problem.

It would be too stressful thinking of excuses each time.

But Priscilla shook her head.

I can’t do intelligence work if I don’t know when he’ll come back. It’s too risky to get caught.

What if Rahan caught her secretly communicating with the Naifel Empire when he wasn’t around?

That would be a disaster.

But she couldn’t just tell him to be back before 7 p.m. every day.

She would also have times when she was late doing intelligence work.

"That’s not possible. If you’re coming back late, let me know in advance. How about that?"

"You want me to inform you?"

"It’s about respect. Would you like it if I woke you up in the morning or late at night?"

Rahan hesitated.

There would definitely be many tense situations.

Could they really contact each other?

"Don’t like it?"

…This might not be a bad idea.

There might be times when she needs to contact the higher-ups from her room.

If she doesn’t inform Rahan and he barges in without a word, there’s a risk of being caught.

But if she gets a heads-up?

The chances of getting caught would drop significantly.

"...Alright. I’ll try my best."

"Yeah, I’ll try too."

Priscilla, as if this were the final rule, wrote the number 10 in large letters.

"Rule ten: Both Priscilla Herchil and Rahan Ortalin must follow all of the above rules, and if they break any of them, they will take full responsibility. If there is something that bothers them or they don’t like, they must speak up immediately to resolve it. How about that?"

"Let’s do that."

Priscilla suddenly extended her hand for a handshake.

Rahan also reached out and shook her hand.

"This contract is valid only until we catch that scammer."

"The Ten Commandments."

"Ten Commandments! I like that."

Priscilla slid the paper under the glass table, and the neatly written "Ten Commandments" was placed in a visible spot.

"Let’s try to get along."

"Let’s try."

And so, their first day of cohabitation was drawing to a close.

***

The next day.

[Agent Papa. Respond.]

Priscilla Herchil woke up early again and stretched.

[Agent Papa. Respond.]

Priscilla couldn’t help but open her eyes at the sound calling her from the earpiece.

A sharp voice from the small radio hidden inside her ear.

Priscilla got up from the single bed, opened the door, and walked into the living room.

Her cohabitant, Rahan, was still inside his room.

"……."

The door was still closed, so it seemed he hadn’t gotten up yet.

[Agent Papa. Respond. If no response, assume failure and discard all relevant information…]

"This is Papa. Still urgent."

The once smooth and pleasant voice was now replaced with a low, cold tone that echoed through the empty kitchen.

[Mission.]

"……."

Priscilla listened to the mission details from the radio, imprinting them into her mind.

[...Prioritize the most urgent mission.]

"Confirmed."

At that moment, the door to Rahan’s room creaked open.

Priscilla quickly turned off the radio and looked at Rahan with a dazed expression as if she had just woken up.

"...Up early?"

"Just woke up."

An awkward atmosphere lingered.

"Go ahead and wash up."

"Yes."

Rahan went into the bathroom, and Priscilla began to prepare breakfast with ingredients she had bought the day before.

In less than 20 minutes, she had set up a reasonable breakfast table.

Most of it was store-bought side dishes, with Priscilla having only made miso stew.

But the table looked very plentiful.

After finishing breakfast preparation, Priscilla went to the front door and retrieved the newspaper and mail from the mailbox.

She carelessly placed the mail on the table while she unfolded the newspaper.

[Bayrn Empire Appoints New Prime Minister]

[The Rungsa Clothing Factory, responsible for the warmth of the Empire's people for 10 years, shut down yesterday...]

Priscilla, reading intently, heard the bathroom door open and elegantly folded the newspaper.

Rahan, his dark hair still damp, stared at the breakfast table Priscilla had set.

"...Want to eat together?"

"I don’t usually eat breakfast."

"Oh, really?"

"But since it’s made with care, I’ll eat today."

Rahan sat down across from Priscilla.

"You’re not being honest."

"Rule eleven. Should we add ‘be honest in everything’?"

"No, it's fine."

Priscilla heated up another rice packet and placed it in front of Rahan.

Rahan pointed at the newspaper next to Priscilla and asked.

"Is there something important in here?"

"I don’t know."

The conversation halted.

Rahan, feeling awkward, opened the newspaper.

Priscilla quietly began to eat the meal in front of her.

A warm breakfast.

After eating, Rahan changed clothes, packed his bag, and got ready to leave.

"Well, I’ll be going."

"Okay."

Priscilla replied as she placed the empty dishes in the sink.

Clink—!

The front door opened and closed.

A cold chill descended on Priscilla’s once bright expression.

She whispered into her ear, holding her finger to her ear.

"Mission, begin."

She hastily finished the dishes, grabbed her coat, and looked at herself in the mirror.

Rahan Ortalin’s cohabitant, Priscilla Herchil, was a beauty with golden hair and blue eyes.

But the reflection in the mirror showed brownish-red hair and pitch-black eyes.

She had become someone completely different.

Priscilla stepped out the door.

***

[E1004 Co-habitation Ten Commandments]

Priscilla does the dishes; Rahan takes out the trash. Bathroom cleaning is done alternately once a week.

Do not take off socks inside-out. Laundry is done once a week.

Squeeze toothpaste from the bottom.

Pee standing, but Rahan cleans the toilet on even-numbered days.

From 18:00 to 24:00, full TV control is granted to Rahan Ortalin.

Living expenses are split evenly. Meals are handled individually by default but may vary flexibly.

Absolutely no entering each other's rooms!!!

Do not invite anyone else into the house!!!

It’s okay to come home late, but notify in advance if you will be late!!!

Priscilla Herchil and Rahan Ortalin must follow all the rules above. If any rule is broken, the responsible party will take appropriate responsibility. If something is upsetting or unpleasant, speak up immediately to resolve the issue.