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 18

Chapter 2: Mahono’s Determination to Room Share vs. Shinichi’s Bashful Resistance

I Won’t Let You Go

After breakfast was over, Shinichi took care of the cleanup and dishwashing.

Maho said, “You’re a guest, Shinichi,” trying to take on the dishwashing herself, but it seemed unfair to let her do everything.

Upon hearing this, Maho thought for a moment and easily backed down. However…

“Even if you’re not in the kitchen, it’s okay for you to sit and rest, Maho.”

“It’s fine. I’m doing this because I want to.”

Maho chuckled softly. While Shinichi stood at the sink washing dishes, she watched him closely from the side.

Shinichi also glanced at Maho. She had a happy expression on her face. The situation might seem dreamlike: a beautiful childhood friend in pajamas and an apron, in the same room.

Come to think of it, Maho had already put on makeup when he woke up in the morning. She was probably conscious of Shinichi seeing her. She might have deliberately stayed in her nightclothes.

For what purpose, he decided not to ponder too deeply. Maho continued to watch Shinichi with amusement.

“Seeing Shinichi washing the dishes… it makes me happy, as if you’ve become a resident of this house.”

“Ah, I see…”

“Every day, I’d cook for you, and you’d clean up in return… If we room shared, that kind of arrangement might be nice.”

“That would be too much for you, Maho. We should take turns.”

“Ah, so you’ll room share?”

Maho’s face lit up. Indeed, he had spoken as if cohabitation was a given.

“No, I mean, that’s not decided yet…”

“There’s a possibility you’ll agree to room share, right?”

“Well, yeah.”

In fact, he had to leave the singles’ dorm, and the apartment he planned to rent fell through. Maho’s suggestion to room share was a godsend.

And, of course… he was attracted to the idea of living with his childhood friend, whom he once had feelings for.

On the other hand, he felt that it was inappropriate for a man and a woman to room share. Both being police officers, it could lead to rumors. If that happened, it wouldn’t positively impact Maho’s standing.

(I’m just a detective, after all…)

If they lived together, they might be suspected of being in a romantic relationship. Perhaps there was someone more suitable for Maho.

As if seeing through Shinichi’s inner thoughts, Maho wore a gentle expression.

“You don’t have to worry about me; you can do as you wish, Shinichi.”

“Thank you. But ‘doing as I wish’ isn’t something I can afford at my age anymore…”

“We’re both adults now, aren’t we? But in front of me, you can still have the heart of the boy you used to be.”

Maho said kindly. Shinichi’s heart pounded.

Her words made him want to indulge himself.

“Then, Maho, you must be brimming with a maiden’s heart too.”

To hide his embarrassment, Shinichi ended up saying those words. Maho also shyly looked away.

“Maiden’s heart… Maybe. I’m 26, so I’m no longer a girl, let alone a young lady.”

“No, Maho is…”

To anyone’s eyes, she looked like a woman in her early twenties or even a teenage college student. Perhaps it was her cool demeanor and somewhat baby-faced appearance.

Speaking of which, Kana boasted that she was younger than Maho. Kana was 18, certainly young and girlish.

But for Shinichi, Maho was far more attractive now than when she was a high school girl.

There was a strange beauty about her, a mix of the delicate aura of a girl and the allure of an adult woman.

“What are you staring at?”

“N-nothing.”

Maho tilted her head inquisitively, a cute gesture.

Shinichi felt his heart drawn to it.

(I definitely can’t live with her…!)

Maho had become an untouchable existence, an elite of a different world from Shinichi.

Yet, if they room shared, his feelings for Maho might become uncontrollable.

Having finished the dishes, Shinichi wiped his hands with a towel.

Suddenly, Maho approached Shinichi and gently took his hands, linking them face-to-face.

“Maho!?”

“I’m sorry. I was wondering if your hands were cold.”

“It’s winter, but I used warm water, so it’s fine…”

“Still, your hands are cold, aren’t they? They feel nice and cool.”

Maho’s cheeks were flushed red, and she wore a shy smile.

“Maybe it’s about time you let go of my hands…?”

“No. I won’t let go. Absolutely not. …And I won’t let go of you, either. After all, I’ll definitely have you accept room sharing in this house.”

Maho’s beautiful black eyes sparkled and captured Shinichi, refusing to let go.