"I'm home."
Shuya pushed open the front door and stepped into the genkan, the words slipping out automatically.
Today had been one hell of a day—Saeko Busujima, Rei Miyamoto, Takashi Komuro… but he was finally back.
He shook off the random thoughts, turned around, and called to Saeko, who was still standing politely outside. "Saeko-senpai, come on in."
"Excuse me."
Only then did Saeko step inside.
She didn't start looking around right away. Instead she tilted her head, the corners of her mouth curving into a tiny, surprised smile as she watched him.
She hadn't expected someone like Shuya to say something so ordinary like "I'm home" when he walked in. The contrast was oddly charming. It made him feel… cute.
Shuya had no clue what was going on in her head. He crouched down, opened the shoe cabinet, and spotted Shizuka's slippers right away. That answered that—she wasn't home yet.
Instead of grabbing hers, he pulled out a brand-new pair of spare women's slippers.
"Here, Saeko-senpai. Slip these on."
"You actually keep women's slippers ready? Shuya-kun, don't tell me you've been planning this for—"
Saeko was mid-tease when two white blurs shot out from behind Shuya like fluffy missiles.
"Watch out!" she yelped, instinctively moving to shield him.
But Shuya just sidestepped her protective push, reached out with both hands, and caught the incoming fluffballs like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Meep?" "Meep?"
The two Snowball Beasts nestled in his arms, one on each side, staring at Saeko with huge, confused black eyes.
It was like they were asking: Watch out? For what?
Seeing how affectionately the little guys clung to him, Saeko realized she'd jumped to the wrong conclusion. She dropped her gaze, fiddled with a strand of purple hair, and felt her face burn. Total social death.
"Saeko-senpai, let me introduce you. These two little guys are Snowball Beasts—my Nen Beasts and basically my family."
Shuya noticed her embarrassment and kept his voice light, hoping to ease the awkwardness.
"Nen… Beasts?"
The word "Nen" still had her full attention after today's training. If they were Nen-related, they had to be strong, right?
She lifted her head and studied them curiously.
Round, chubby bodies covered in snowy-white fur. Tiny eyes bright as gemstones. Cute little polar-bear ears on top.
They looked completely harmless—like the kind of plush toy every girl would want to hug.
Saeko couldn't help wondering if these adorable fluffballs actually had any fighting power.
"We can talk about that later. Let's head inside instead of standing around in the genkan like idiots."
Shuya grinned and led the way.
Saeko nodded, picked up her light suitcase, and followed him into the living room.
Shuya thought for a second. "Saeko-senpai, want me to show you your room first? I can put your stuff away while you settle in."
"Sure."
She didn't mind. She was curious about the Nen Beasts, but he'd promised an explanation later.
Besides, after two straight hours of Nen training, she was sticky with sweat and dying for a shower. The whole walk home she'd been quietly worrying he might smell it on her.
Shuya stopped in front of a door and opened it. "This one's yours. Sheets and comforter are in the closet—just swap them out whenever. Or you can jump in the bath first if you want. I'll organize your stuff if you're okay leaving it with me."
He paused, then added with a soft smile, "I noticed you seemed a little self-conscious on the way back. Just so you know… you don't smell weird at all. Actually, you smell really nice."
Saeko's cheeks instantly flushed crimson. She looked away, voice small. "D-Don't say that… I'm still a girl, you know. I get embarrassed too."
Her face was the color of a ripe apple—sweet, tempting, impossible to look away from.
"So Saeko-senpai gets shy too, huh?"
Shuya pulled her into his arms, refusing to let her hide. "One thing though—you got it wrong. I've always seen you as a girl, Saeko-senpai."
"Your eyes are so pretty. It's like there are stars sparkling inside them."
"They're not stars," Saeko whispered, suddenly turning the tables.
Shuya blinked. "Huh?"
"It's you, Shuya-kun."
Her voice was soft, but her eyes were shining.
"Saeko-senpai… can I kiss you?"
This version of her was straight-up unfair.
Saeko lowered her head, cheeks burning, and answered softly, "Don't ask me, you dummy underclassman."
Question: What does Saeko Busujima really mean by that line?
A: Shut up and kiss me.
B: You're not very smart, underclassman.
C: Snow leopard, close your mouth.
The right answer isn't hard to guess, is it?
So Shuya went with option A—without hesitation.