The alarm beside the bed rings. It’s already seven o’clock, so the room isn’t dark anymore.

The person beside me still closed his eyes tight, not bothered by the alarm at all. He indeed said that today is his day off, but he still turned the alarm on because he was going to deep cleans the house today. However, seeing him sleeping this comfortably, I couldn’t bring myself to wake him up. Moreover, I feel so guilty about last night.

Last night … I kissed him.

“S-Sorry, Riku, I—”

“It’s okay, don’t mind it.” He then turned his body. “Good night.” 

I thought he couldn’t sleep, just like me. So it’s only me who overthink it, huh?

When I lied to him that I couldn’t sleep alone, but the fact is that I couldn’t sleep with him instead.

Let’s just forget about it for a while. I’ll do the chores and cook him breakfast, so he can forgive me—even just a little.

I planned to forget it, but I really can’t take it off of my mind. Well, it’s only natural. Indeed, it wasn’t our first kiss together, but the first time we did it, he was unconscious. However, last night was different. Although I covered his eyes so he can’t see it, he can still felt it. How our lips met, how I licked his tongue and played with it, and how I bit his lower lip so he moaned.

It's bad. I get a boner.

Do I really changed into a pervert, just like any other isekai character?

When I think about it, I suddenly remember Yato’s words about the rut. If my behavior these days indeed because of the rut, then should I start to lock myself?

“Well, let’s talk about it with Riku later.”

After I calmed down, I started to prepare the breakfast. While walking towards the kitchen, I don’t see that photo anymore. Did he get it off? Is he finally moved on? No, after hearing his story, I don’t think he’s still in love with him in the first place. Probably, he was just missed the memories, not the person behinds it.

***

Breakfast, laundry, I've done it all. I’m going to wake Riku, so we can eat together.

Knock-knock

“Riku, are you up already?”

No answer.

I opened the door, walking slowly towards the bed. He’s still sleeping.

“Riku, wake up. It’s already past eight.”

He reacted to my gentle rub. “Huh? Why did the alarm not ringing?”

I want to laugh at him out loud, but I should hold it.

“I turned it off. I thought you were so tired, so I didn’t wake you up. I finished the breakfast and laundry, let’s do the rest together. Oh, yeah, the refrigerator is also empty, we should refill it.”

He blinked his eyes several times to get it open completely. It’s cute, seeing him yawning and stretching his body.

“Then, let’s go to the market after we clean the house.”

I nodded. We walk together for breakfast. He complimented the food, said that he liked it. Seeing him eating really makes me happy. He’s a good eater. Whatever he eats make it looks yummy. It just makes me want to feed him more.

After we finished, we do the deep clean together. He said he’s going to clean the upstairs, and that I can clean the downstairs.

“Oh, leave the front side to me. Just do the back side.”

“That’s not fair, you burdened more.”

“No, that’s fine. You’ve already done the breakfast and laundry, so leave it to me, okay?”

That’s what he said.

It’s the first time I go to the back side of this house since I live here. It’s not that dirty. Riku must’ve been cleaned it regularly. He really impressed me in many ways, especially after knowing his past. He’s a strong guy. I hope he meets the right person someday.

“Huh?”

I almost stepped onto it. What is it?

“A tiny box ….”

Its color’s a white. When I opened it, I see a ring inside.

“So this is it, huh.”

Riku’s engagement ring. He might be planned to forget it by dumped it here. I guess he doesn’t need it anymore.

I put it inside my hoodie sack. That’s going to be okay, right? I didn’t mean to steal it.

Cleaning this side isn’t that hard. Riku is really take a good care of this house. Both of us used to live alone, but his house is much more neat than mine.

Suddenly, it crossed my mind. I’ll go to the work Yato gave me tomorrow. I’ll have enough money, so I can buy Riku the ice cream that he wanted. I’ll pay him back all of my debts, buy him foods, pay my debts to Yato, and then look for a house to live. That way, I wouldn’t burden Riku anymore.

That way, we won’t see each other this often anymore.

Our relationship as roommates might be ended, but we can still become good friends.

Yeah, that’s it. I’ll start a new life in this world.

“Iori?”

His voice take me back to my senses.

“Oh, you’re done?”

Riku nodded and smiled. “It feels so much lighter, thank you for helping!”

His smile is really beautiful. I like it.

But … I won’t see this smile every day anymore.

“Iori? What’s wrong?”

“Oh, no, nothing.” I should be careful with my acts since he has a good hunch. “Let’s take a shower, then go to the market.”

I pat his head then walk upstairs to my room. Before I open the door, Riku called me.

“Iori, you can drive, right? Did Yato also give you a license?”

Come to think of it. If I remember, Yato gave me complete files, so there’s might be a driver license too.

“Yeah, I think so. Why?”

“Umm …,” He looks as if he wanted to ask for something. “It’s been too long since I last drove a car, almost two years ago. I feel like I lost my skill of it, so, can you drive us? Ahahaha ….”

I just realized it right now. He always walked by himself or took a taxi. Like yesterday, we took a taxi when we met with Yato, and the first day I met him, he walked by himself.

“I thought you don’t have a car since you like to walk. But losing your driving skill after just two years? What are you? A kid?”

I could guess his punches, so I can dodge it. It makes him pouting even more.

“I’m just kidding.” I giggled, then I pinched his cheek. “Sure, I’ll drive. I can also teach you to drive again, if you want.”

I don’t know why, but he looks so nervous right now. It’s really unlike him.

After we took a shower, we walk together to the parking lot to take his car. He said it’s been two years since the last time he used it. No wonder it looks so dusty.

“God, it’s so bad!”

He’s coughing the moment he blew onto it. I just laughed. It’s funny to see him nagging when he’s the one who did it.

“Let’s just wash it. Instead of the dust, I hope it still works normally.”

He’s sullen. “Sorry, I thought we can use it since the market is quite far. Let’s just take a—”

“Nah, let’s use it. I miss the feeling of driving, too.”

I opened the door for him first. After he’s inside, I walk to the driver side.

 

I feel relieved after making sure that the car is safe. I put the seatbelt onto him, then I did it to myself.

“Ready?” I asked.

He’s not answering. I look at him, but he looks so pale.