My Boss, A Clear And Perfect Beauty Who's An Elite Police Bureaucrat, Turns Out To Be My Sweet And Doting Childhood Friend Who Loves Me Dearly At Home. - Chapter 17

The light novels about childhood friends…!

Anyway, Shinichi decided to stand up and wander around the living room.

He approached the bookshelves that were by the wall to take a look.

It was notable that the detective novels ranged from old to new. Originally, reading detective novels was a common interest shared between Maho and Shinichi.

(We used to borrow them from each other all the time in high school…)

Not only did Shinichi and Maho have family connections, but they also shared a lot of common ground in their thoughts and interests.

If that hadn’t been the case, they probably would have grown apart around middle school.

Also, there was a collection of complicated-looking law books. Maho had graduated from the faculty of law. I heard she passed the national civil service exam in the legal section.

However, neither detective novels nor law books are exactly the kind of reading material suited for killing a little time.

Looking further to the right shelf, there were quite a few manga lined up. If he were to read something, that might be the better choice.

There were classic battle shounen manga, a rather gruesome seinen manga that had a reputation, and even some bittersweet shoujo manga.

Maho was also knowledgeable about manga, and her recommended titles were often quite interesting. From serious discussions to entertainment, it seemed like Maho had no weak areas.

Among them, what stood out were the bunko-sized books. Picking one up, he realized it wasn’t a manga, but a light novel.

The cover was moe-style, with a high school girl in a blazer uniform prominently featured.

Shinichi liked light novels, and he was also a big fan of late-night anime.

But at least in the past, Maho wasn’t really into light novels. Even as manga and games became fairly common hobbies, the light novel readership remained limited.

There were no other light novels on the bookshelf. Shinichi thought perhaps Maho had bought it on a whim, but she had a collection of up to volume six of the series.

Puzzled, Shinichi looked at the spine and read the synopsis. Then, he exclaimed, “Ah.”

It was a childhood friend-themed light novel. The main heroine was a childhood friend, and it was about two high school students who grew up like family and start to develop a romantic relationship…

It was almost like his own situation with Maho, Shinichi fantasized. In reality, he had never had a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship with Maho.

But what was Maho thinking when she bought this light novel, which she doesn’t normally read?

(Did she buy it because it’s about childhood friends…?)

Shinichi imagined and thought maybe he was overthinking it. It could be a bit too self-conscious.

Flipping through the book, he came across an illustration of the childhood friend heroine preparing breakfast for the protagonist after a long time apart.

The heroine was making French toast. “Such a cute illustration,” he thought as he read, and from a distance, Maho’s cheerful voice called out, “It’s ready, Shinichi.”

Shinichi put the book back on the shelf and returned to the dining area. There, laid out, were consommé soup, stir-fried vegetables and bacon, and… a stylish-looking French toast.

It was topped with plentiful, tender sautéed apples.

Maho puffed out her chest with pride.

“How is it? Looks delicious, doesn’t it? Tart Tatin-style French toast!”

“It really looked delicious.”

But as Shinichi remembered the scene he had been reading in the light novel until a moment ago, he felt a sudden jolt.

Could it be that Maho made this with that light novel in mind?

Maho tilted her head adorably.

‘What’s wrong, Shinichi?’

‘No, it’s just that I usually eat Japanese food at the single’s dorm, so this feels fresh,’ Shinichi said, evading the truth, and Maho smiled, ‘I thought so.’

While it’s nice to have meals served at the dorm, the menu tends to be monotonous.

As Shinichi took his seat at Maho’s urging, she sat down opposite him. The first bite was indeed delicious, and Maho watched him eat with a happy look.

‘How is it?’

‘It’s really good. It’s soft and fluffy, and the apples are just right…’

‘I’m glad you like it, Shinichi.’

‘But, didn’t it take a lot of effort?’

‘Not really. Well… I did the egg mixture and other prep work last night,’ Maho laughed softly.

That seemed like a lot of effort for breakfast.

I felt bad about it. But it seemed Maho could see right through him.

‘How many times do I have to say it? You don’t need to feel sorry, Shinichi.’

‘But…’

‘Instead of apologizing…’

Maho glanced fleetingly at Shinichi. He understood what she wanted to say.

‘Thank you, Maho.’

‘You’re welcome, Shinichi.’

‘Besides, you’ve always been good at cooking since we were kids, haven’t you?’

‘That’s right. Though others don’t seem to think so.’

‘Because you’re tomboyish, they think you’re not good at cooking or feminine tasks.’

‘Maybe. In reality, I think I’m quite domestic.’

‘Rather quite, you are very domestic.’

Shinichi nodded. Of course, he didn’t mean to say that women should be domestic, but Maho was surprisingly the so-called ‘feminine’ type.

Maho looked at Shinichi with surprised eyes. What’s wrong?

‘I thought you’d say, “That’s not true.”‘

‘Do others say that?’

‘I wouldn’t. I’ve known Maho for a long time.’

‘I see.’

Maho looked at her tea cup bashfully, then picked up a piece of French toast from her plate.

The two ate in silence for a while. But it wasn’t an awkward silence, it was comfortable.

Noticing Maho’s empty cup, Shinichi poured more tea for her.

‘Thank you. This French toast goes well with tea, doesn’t it?’

‘Yes, it’s perfect.’

‘If you room share with me, you can eat breakfast like this every day. How about it? Isn’t it appealing?’

‘Men would find the prospect of eating your cooking every day appealing, I think.’

‘I’m not talking about other men. Isn’t it appealing to you, Shinichi?’

‘It’s appealing to me, too.’

‘Hmm. You want to eat my cooking?’

Maho teased.

Shinichi shrugged.

‘I do, but if we were really to room share, I couldn’t let you make breakfast every day. I’d do my share.’

‘You will room share with me?’

Maho’s eyes sparkled. Shinichi thought he had made a mistake.

He had only spoken hypothetically, but his words had led Maho to a misunderstanding.

‘So, that’s not decided yet…’

‘You’re indecisive, Shinichi.’

‘Sorry. But…’

As Shinichi tried to make excuses, Maho put her index finger on his lips. The cool touch made Shinichi’s heart skip a beat.

‘I don’t intend to force you. But think about it, okay? I’m sure I’d feel secure and have fun living with you,’

Maho said, her smile blooming like a flower.”