Episode One Hundred and Eighteen

The days since deciding to go freelance had been dizzyingly hectic.
Handing over my tasks, sorting HR paperwork, studying up on business registration and tax returns, taking out self-employed insurance, preparing to move.
The brief rainy season flew by like an arrow.
I was invited to plenty of after-work drinks too.
　Momono-chan, in particular, tried to persuade me with about five times the enthusiasm of Manager Shindo.
In the end, she was clinging to me at the bar, crying and wailing, “I don’t want you to goooooo!”

“I absolutely refuse to not see Senpai anymore! Noooooo!”

“Look, I’ve explained this before?　I’ve explained it many times, it’s a switch to contract staff. I’ll be working at Forma Design two days a week.”

Momono-chan sniffed loudly, her nose running.
Her make-up was smudged, making her look a little bit like a panda.

“But seeing Senpai only twice a week is so lonely…”

Hmm, Momono-chan really is adorable.
But I’m sorry. I’ve already made a promise.

“You’ll be fine, Momono-chan. Do your best.”

“Waaah, waaah, waaaaah… I’m not letting you go home until morning today!!”

“Eh…?”

No helping it. This time, I’ll just have to grit my teeth.
Resolved, I added an order to the tablet by the table. Well, it was just a large black oolong tea, mind you.

　After persuading the reluctant, tearful Momono-chan, we finally dispersed before the last train. By the time I somehow made it back home, the date had changed.
I opened the metal door as quietly as possible, trying not to make a sound.
The room was pitch dark.
──Huh?
Usually, the lights would still be on, and Ibara would come running the moment I got home.
　Could she already be asleep?
Just as I thought that, the room lights flickered on. A rustling sound.
The door connecting to the living-dining-bedroom area opened, and Ibara’s face peered through the gap.
Ibara, wearing nightwear, had droopy, sleepy eyes.
Had I perhaps woken her just as she was drifting off?

“Welcome hoome-, Shigure-san.”

“Did I wake you?”

“…Hmm, it’s alright. I was just rolling around.”

“I see.”

I took off my pumps and stepped onto the hallway.
Ibara came plodding over.
Even if she hadn’t been asleep, she might have been dozing.

“Sorry I’m late.”

“It’s fine, I was expecting you. Fancy some water or something?”

“I’m alright. You can go to bed first.”

I removed my make-up and took a shower. Ibara seemed to have just showered too, as the bath wasn’t filled.
　It felt like too much trouble to run a bath now, so I gave up on bathing.
After drying my hair and returning to the room, Ibara was sitting cross-legged, fiddling with her phone.

“I said you could go to sleep.”

“I can’t. I can’t sleep unless it’s with you, Shigure-san.”

“I see.”

I sat down beside her.
Almost immediately, I felt her weight on my shoulder.

“Good work today.”

“Thanks.”

“Want me to rub your shoulders or something?”

“Ugh… I suppose I’ll take you up on that…”

I succumbed to temptation and lay face-down on the bed. Instantly, I felt definite weight settle near my hips.

“Hey, hey, Shigure-san. Isn’t it a bit dodgy getting a massage from a schoolgirl? Isn’t that a no-no?”

“…Mmmph.”

“Hehe, just kidding.”

Ibara’s hands touched my shoulder blades through my shirt. Slender fingers traced the contours of the bones.

“Is this the spot?”

“Gyah!”

“Gyah?”

“Please, a little gentler, if you don’t mind…”

“Alrighty.”

With surprising strength, Ibara’s thumbs worked to loosen my muscles.

“Ahhh…”

“Work seems tough for you, huh?”

“The handover and paperwork, it’s just… impossible to avoid…”

“Sorry, it’s all for my sake.”

“I told you, it’s not that. I was going to do it anyway, you know?”

“Yeah.”

Even after I brought her back from her parents’ place, Ibara still occasionally says “because of me”.
I correct her every time, but she doesn’t seem to accept it wholeheartedly.

“Shigure-san, does it feel good?”

“Honestly, I’m about to melt…”

“I’m glad.”

Perhaps that’s why.
Lately, Ibara feels strangely devoted. She’s been unusually diligent with the housework, and come nightfall, she’ll give me massages or stretches like this.
Well, regarding the latter…

“Hey, no sexual harassment.”

“hehe.”

It might be ulterior motives.
Pulling her hand from beneath my chest, Ibara collapses flat onto me.
　Her soft skin and warmth pressed against my waist, spine, and bottom.

“We’re viewing the new place tomorrow, right? What time shall we go?”

“I’ve already got the key, so anytime’s fine.”

“Hmm, I really want to see it soon.”

“Right then, shall we go after breakfast…”

I’d only seen the floor plan myself; this would be my first time seeing the actual place.

“We ought to get to bed soon.”

“Aye.”

I wriggled out from beneath Ibara’s body and pulled the duvet back over me.
I drew Ibara’s head, which was trying to snuggle close, towards me and ran my fingers through her fine hair.
Had she changed her shampoo? It dripped with a sweet, heavy scent of happiness.