Although Takahashi Mio wore a bright, sparkling smile that would make any rom-com heroine jealous, the sarcasm dripping from her words was sharper than a dull-as-a-rock Slowpoke from Pokémon—even that would've understood what she meant.
The moment the word "substitute" left her lips, Hojo Shione bit down hard on her lower lip, her eyes darkening like a yandere about to snap.
If looks could kill, Takahashi Mio would've been diced into a thousand tiny pieces—sashimi style, extra thin.
Wait a second... if we're talking about timing, weren't you the one who showed up later, you homewrecker? Shione's inner tsundere voice was screaming. Why are you acting all high-and-mighty like the protagonist who's been here since episode one?
Suppressing the fiery rage burning in her chest like a Dragon Ball Z power-up, Hojo Shione paused, took a quiet breath, and responded in a tone as calm as a seasoned kuudere:
"Is that so? So Hasegawa has been the one accompanying Seiya on his morning runs all along. I'd assumed it was Takahashi-san."
Takahashi Mio let out a soft, airy laugh, completely unbothered by the subtle jab—or at least, pretending to be. She tilted her head like a curious anime cat and glanced at Shiratori Seiya, saying:
"How could it be me? A girlfriend, no matter how you look at it, can't compete with a fiancée, right? Besides... Seiya would never have the heart to drag me out into the cold so early in the morning. Would you, darling?"
The gunpowder between the two girls was so thick you could smell it. Shiratori Seiya frowned, feeling like the dense harem protagonist who accidentally walked into the wrong route.
"What's with all this comparing?" he said flatly. "I asked you to come for morning runs too, didn't I? Weren't you the one who whined about sleeping in and refused to get up?"
Hearing his blunt response, Takahashi Mio pouted dramatically and let out an exaggerated "Ehhhh~" She looped her arm through his, pressing close like a clingy rom-com heroine who refuses to lose.
"I was already a night owl before I started dating Seiya," she whined. "Suddenly waking up at the crack of dawn—nobody could handle that, right? Besides, every day is so exhausting..."
She gave him a sideways glance full of theatrical affection, shifting her weight to physically nudge Hojo Shione out of the way.
"And come on... if Seiya really insisted, it's not like I wouldn't come. You know I can't say no to you... Look at you, always so tsundere. I know you actually care about me and don't want me to be tired."
"..."
What a snake.
Watching their intimate display, Hojo Shione's gaze grew colder than a winter arc episode.
Mio's acting was way too obvious. Shiratori Seiya gave her a meaningful look, one that clearly said: Enough. Do you want your allowance deducted?
Whether genuinely scared or just playing along, Mio's eyes sparkled as she released his arm. She turned to Shione and said:
"But speaking of which, Hojo-san... why did you come looking for Seiya specifically for a morning run today? What's a big star like you suddenly doing with so much free time?"
Seeing Mio's increasingly direct attacks, Shiratori Seiya—worried that Shione might actually flip the table and go full yandere—stepped in to explain:
"Shione moved in yesterday. She's here to rest and recover for a while because of what happened last time."
['Takahashi Mio' Affection -1]
Hearing Seiya explain on Shione's behalf, Takahashi Mio's eyebrows twitched.
Then the meaning of his words fully registered. Her eyes narrowed like a detective solving the mystery in episode eleven.
"Moved in... yesterday?"
Her gaze dropped slightly. When she'd visited Seiya yesterday, there hadn't been any moving boxes anywhere. And Shiratori Seiya had gone out drinking with the director last night... After a brief moment of thought, she pieced it together and couldn't help but sneer internally.
Heh. A surprise night raid, huh? This girl's clearly more sick than she lets on.
"Oh, oh, I almost forgot about what happened last time..." Mio's voice dripped with false concern as she looked at Shione. "How have you been feeling lately, Hojo-san? But... are you even used to living here? For recovery... I didn't know Seiya had medical training?"
If you're sick, go see a doctor, you crazy woman. And you're sharing a room with Hasegawa? Seriously?
At this, Hojo Shione removed her mask and gave her a gentle, almost saintly smile, speaking softly:
"Thank you for your concern, Takahashi-san. I'm almost fully recovered. And Seiya is also very good at psychological counseling. Whenever I was feeling down or under a lot of pressure before, Seiya was always there for me. Just being by his side helps my mood improve little by little."
A flicker of confusion crossed her eyes as she tilted her head.
"But... Takahashi-san, didn't you know that Seiya is good at psychological counseling?"
Without waiting for an answer, Shione's face shifted into an expression of understanding. She nodded to herself as if solving a puzzle.
"Ah, that makes sense. After all, Takahashi-san and Seiya haven't been dating for very long. It's only natural that there are still many things you don't know about him."
Before Takahashi Mio could fire back, Shione stepped closer to Shiratori Seiya, looking up into his eyes with a soft expression.
"Well then, I just moved in yesterday and there's still plenty to unpack at home. I'll head back first."
She extended her index finger and tapped lightly against Seiya's chest, each touch deliberate.
"Seiya, you really should give Takahashi-san more chances to get to know you. Otherwise, wouldn't that be a little unfair to her?"
"Okay then... see you tonight~"
Hojo Shione turned and walked unhurriedly toward the apartment entrance. Just as she reached the door, she paused, glanced back as if knowing they were both watching, and gave Seiya a bright wave and smile before slipping inside and disappearing from view.
The moment she vanished into the building, Takahashi Mio's face dropped like the curtain at the end of a tragedy. She stomped her foot in pure, unfiltered frustration.
"Bitch."
She didn't hesitate to curse—right in front of Shiratori Seiya. It almost felt like she was cursing at him, punishing him for taking Shione's side earlier.
Shiratori Seiya turned to look at her with an exasperated expression.
"Are you in heat today or something?"
After venting, Mio felt a little better—but the moment she calmed down, the instinctive fear of upsetting Seiya crept back in. She raised a hand to cover a fake yawn, hiding her guilt, and mumbled without meeting his eyes:
"I just don't like her. She's way too fake."
Shiratori Seiya didn't argue with that. Honestly, he kind of agreed.
In just half a year, Shione had changed so much that he could barely recognize her anymore. He couldn't help but wonder what she'd say to him when they had dinner together on Thursday.
Snapping back to the present, he looked at Takahashi Mio and said:
"Alright. She'll probably only be here for a short while. Once this period passes, she likely won't have time to stay—it's pretty far from her company. Even without traffic, the commute takes almost half an hour."
Hearing that, Takahashi Mio smiled at him—a smile full of knowing mockery.
"Is that so? You think she'll move out after a while? I seriously doubt that."
"..."
Her jealousy was so thick it was practically a status effect.
Not wanting to keep arguing in circles, Shiratori Seiya changed the subject.
"Alright, why were you waiting for me out here so early anyway? Normally, you'd still be passed out in bed at this hour."
He studied her face and noticed faint dark circles under her eyes—barely concealed with foundation, but still visible if you looked closely.
"Did you stay up late last night?"
Hearing him ask that, Takahashi Mio's heart sank, but she let out an exaggerated sigh.
"Of course I stayed up late. Who can sleep when they've got things weighing on their mind?"
She held out her palm, spreading her slender fingers like a character asking for a quest reward, and winked at him.
"But actually... I came to talk to you about something today."
Shiratori Seiya had no idea what she was doing.
"What is it?"
The girl blinked her bloodshot eyes—looking more pitiful than a last-place idol in an elimination match—and waved her hand up and down insistently.
"Money."
She said it bluntly.
"It's already been a month. You haven't given me this month's salary yet, have you?"
"I made plans to go out with friends tomorrow, and most of last month's money went to loan repayments. I've already spent the rest..."
Her rosy lips curled into a perfect pout as she leaned closer.
"Seiya... you wouldn't want your girlfriend to get made fun of for being a broke nobody behind her back... would you?"