"What does that… mean?"
She didn't understand.
Or maybe she didn't want to understand. Because that kind of thinking was the complete opposite of a lovestruck maiden's mindset.
Only liking one person. Only caring about one person. Only living for one person. Eyes only for him. Shinomiya Shion had been prepared to accept that way of life completely. But Kuroha Akira was denying that very existence.
"It means exactly what it sounds like. It's not just me—everyone living at the Kobayashi residence is temporarily accepting Granny Kobayashi's help because of unavoidable circumstances."
Kuroha Akira rested his hands behind his head, staring up at the bathroom ceiling as he spoke.
"Once they overcome their respective problems, everyone will go their separate ways… Yeah, it feels a little lonely, but just like students eventually graduate from school—that's just how reality works."
Then Kuroha Akira pointed back at Shinomiya.
"You too, Shion."
"Me too…?"
"Yeah. The Kobayashi house is ultimately just a temporary shelter. Once you become independent, Shion, you'll have to go out and find your own new place to belong…"
Kuroha Akira's expression formed something that looked like a smile, but there was no joy or sorrow in his eyes.
"And that 'place' shouldn't be me—the only belonging left for 'the current you'."
"…"
Shinomiya's eyelids drooped slightly, revealing an unspeakable sorrow in her gaze. Her lips trembled, as if she wanted to voice the pain in her heart but didn't know where to begin.
She had actually thought that once she debuted, the time she could spend with Kuroha Akira would naturally decrease… That was unavoidable.
So Akira-kun was right. These beautiful days wouldn't last forever.
Once she got busy with work, these present memories would gradually fade too… Would she still be able to maintain this love then? Even if she did, it would definitely cool down—no longer as fervent as it was now…
But that was just the reality of emotions.
Precisely because it would cool down, lovestruck people constantly self-hypnotize. They add the fuel of "self-sacrifice" to the fire of love, giving everything they have without reservation to the other person.
But Kuroha Akira refused to accept that kind of self-destructive love.
"That's why I said I can't give you an answer right now. Because the only reason you're choosing me, Shion, is because right now, I'm your only option. You're afraid of losing the belonging you've finally found, so you're trying every possible way to please me and keep me around…"
The corners of Kuroha Akira's mouth curved into a bitter arc, and he said regretfully,
"Honestly, you don't need to lower yourself like this. I don't want you to choose me for that reason."
"I…!"
I'm not!
She wanted to retort like that, but the words got stuck in Shinomiya's throat.
Because she realized she had no room to argue.
Objectively speaking, she had nothing right now. It was only because of Kuroha Akira's recommendation that she was specially allowed to stay at Kobayashi's. Otherwise, Granny Kobayashi would never have accepted her—an outsider.
And then Shinomiya understood. What was hindering her love wasn't some outside homewrecker, nor was it the difficulty of pursuing Kuroha Akira.
It was the debt of gratitude she owed from the very beginning—from the moment Kuroha Akira took her in.
As long as gratitude was mixed into the equation, her feelings for Kuroha Akira were impure.
Even if Kuroha Akira accepted that impure love, he wouldn't fully open his heart to her. Because he would always think, "This is just her repaying a kindness."
Under the premise that the debt of gratitude hadn't been fully repaid yet—even if she were to forcefully "claim" him here and now—she would only gain his body.
His heart… would still not belong to her!
But Shinomiya did not fall into despair because of this. Under the influence of Kuroha Akira's words, her yandere-esque family love-sickness lost some of its blindness and immaturity, gaining a few points of awakening and maturity instead.
To win both Kuroha Akira's body and heart… the conditions weren't met at this stage.
"In other words… Akira-kun, you think that even if I like you now, my feelings might change later?"
Kuroha Akira shrugged, returning to his usual frivolous self, and spread his hands.
"Who knows? Maybe, maybe not. But I think the more likely scenario is… you'll look back and think that person wasn't such a big deal after all. You might not even remember his name."
This came from experience… Kuroha Akira recalled some bitter memories again.
But Shinomiya firmly retorted.
"No. I will absolutely never forget Akira-kun. Unless I lose my memory, I will never forget you, not until the day I die."
"Haha… should I be happy about that…?"
"In short—once I become independent. Once I can earn a lot of money for Akira-kun. Once I no longer need your help and no longer have you as my only belonging… then I can get your answer, right?"
"Well… if by that time you truly believe that choosing me is the right call, I'll seriously consider it and give you an answer."
"Mm… that's enough for me. Just hearing you say that is enough."
This way, I also know which direction to strive for…
Shinomiya showed a relieved smile. The smile was pure and bright, as if it could dispel all gloom.
"But I still want to thank you, Akira-kun. Thank you for letting me experience the feeling of liking someone."
"Uh… I actually think that was a mistake…"
It proved that his "favorability control" over Shinomiya had been a total failure… Thankfully, it wasn't irreversible. Otherwise, Kuroha Akira felt he might be soaking in a blood bath right now.
"This is absolutely not a mistake. This is also valuable experience for me. A voice actress who has never experienced romantic feelings would lack that certain flavor when voicing a lovestruck female character, wouldn't she?"
"You have a point there… I should say, I'm glad you see it that way. That means all your experiences will turn into experience points—helping you constantly level up until you reach the top."
Kuroha Akira pointed at the ceiling with satisfaction, then scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"So… can I ask you to leave now? I'm going to continue my bath…"
But Shinomiya did not turn to leave. Instead, she stepped one foot into the bathtub.
"Oh, I almost forgot… I came to help Akira-kun scrub your back."
Shinomiya lied without changing her expression.
Since she was already here, how could she leave without getting some benefit out of it? What's more, everything was already out in the open. He already knew her feelings, so there was no need to pretend to be reserved in front of him anymore.
"Uh… if you're going to scrub my back, why are you getting into the bathtub? Shouldn't I be getting out?"
Shinomiya stepped both feet into the bath and sat down.
"I was standing outside for too long. I want to warm up with the hot water too. Just a quick soak—no big deal."
"Then I'll get out first… you can continue washing…"
Kuroha Akira pressed his hands against the edge of the tub, trying to get up and leave. But Shinomiya firmly pushed his hands back down.
"It's fine, Akira-kun. I don't mind sharing bathwater with you."
"I mind…"
"Oh? What do you mind? Akira-kun, you're my Producer, aren't you? What's there to be shy about?"
Miss Shion, with a calm, unwavering smile, posed a soul-searching question to Kuroha Akira.
Now that she had shed her disguise and regained the initiative… she had become bold and fearless.