Sweet Cohabitation Romcom With My Senior Girlfriend and Alcohol Starts At Twenty - Volume 1 Chapter 8.5

Reflections After a Night

“L-let’s calm down for a moment. I’ll prepare some tea now. Okay, Senpai? Father?”

“You have no right to call me father.”

He’s right. To him, I’m neither a son nor anything else.

I understand that he doesn’t want to be called ‘father’ by me, but I wish he’d at least pretend a little.

Also, I wish he’d stop looking at me like I’m his mortal enemy.

“Then, what should I…?”

Still glaring at me, I face him head-on and ask.

I respond sincerely while ooking him in the eyes, hoping to show that I am a lover worthy of Kureha Senpai, even if just a little.

“Koutarou… it’s Ootani Koutarou.”

Perhaps my feelings have reached him, even if just a bit.

Koutarou-san lets out a small sigh, and the sharpness in his eyes softens. As expected of Senpai’s father, he could change his expression quickly.

With just a little nudge, he becomes calm in an instant.

“Then, Koutarou-san, let’s sit down in the living room and talk calmly. I’ll prepare some tea, so please go ahead and make yourself comfortable.”

“I guess I’ll do that.”

“We don’t have much to offer, so please forgive us for that.”

“No, thank you for inviting me in.”

From the beginning, Koutarou-san presented himself with the composed demeanor of an adult.

Instinctively, I straightened my back in response.

However, as I proceeded with the preparations, Senpai, who was at the center of it all, seemed to be plotting something during a moment of her father’s inattention.

“Hehe, this is the perfect chance while Dad’s off guard…”

“What are you up to, Senpai?”

“Hmm? Just a little cleaning request, maybe?”

In Senpai’s hand was a smartphone, a glimpse of a messaging app visible, and the mention of a cleaning request.

Honestly, I couldn’t quite understand, but I had seen that expression on Senpai’s face many times before.

It was the same one she wore when she teased me.

“Don’t worry, Takashi-kun. There’s absolutely nothing for you to be concerned about.”

Senpai reassured me with her words, but I couldn’t shake off my unease.

It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Senpai. I just didn’t trust myself. I wasn’t sure I could endure the anxiety that maybe it wasn’t just me she was teasing.

“Once we’ve dealt with your father’s situation, we can cuddle as much as you want.”

Senpai, seemingly oblivious to my worries, floated with light steps toward the living room where Koutarou-san awaited.

***

“Still, even as I sit here, my mind is unchanged. I will take Kureha back with me. That’s all there is to it.”

Koutarou-san crossed his arms as soon as he sat at the table, signaling his unwavering intent.

However, Kureha Senpai had her own determination—to continue living with me.

“You say you’ll take me back, but I have no intention of going back home! I want to live with Takashi-kun!”

“Live together? Who gave you permission for that?”

“Mom did.”

“Your mother is always doing things on her own…”

From Koutarou-san’s tone, it was clear that this was not the first time there had been a misunderstanding within the family.

Moreover, I was strongly convinced that Senpai’s free-spirited nature was inherited from her mother.

I had sensed it during the birthday phone call, but now I truly realized just how excessively carefree the mother and daughter were.

Of course, I couldn’t afford to dwell on my realizations and feelings, as the person before me was not the gentle Kureha Senpai, but her father, whom I had heard was quite strict.

“Don’t stay silent. Why don’t you say something? From what I saw at the entrance, it seems Kureha has been causing you trouble, hasn’t she?”

“Me?”

“Yes, you. What do you think?”

“Well, yes, I am often caught up in Senpai’s whims, that’s true…”

“I thought so-I thought so.”

“But it’s not like I find it bothersome.”

“…Is that so?”

Koutarou-san’s behavior was hesitant, perhaps because he didn’t receive the response he was expecting.

Indeed, I am constantly being tossed about by her moods.

It’s no exaggeration to say it’s all the time, constantly, around the clock.

She’s moody. One moment she seems mature, the next she’s jealous like a child.

I’m always at the mercy of such a richly emotional Senpai, both mentally and physically.

But that’s not to say I want her to stop, let alone that I’ve ever found it bothersome.

After all, I can’t help but love such a Senpai.

“…Ehehe.”

“…What’s so funny? This is a serious moment.”

“Hmm? But it’s okay if we do it secretly, right?”

“Secretly? What are you planning to do?”

“Don’t worry. I just want to touch Takashi-kun a little bit, that’s all.”

Kureha Senpai’s hand reaches out to mine, secretly yet firmly.

No matter how close our seats are, we won’t get off easily if Koutarou-san notices.

I should let go, I know I shouldn’t continue like this… Yet, I can’t shake her off.

Senpai’s mischievous voice tickles my ear, dulling my senses a bit.

“Nfufu, Takashi-kun’s hand is quite soft and squishy, isn’t it?”

“You’re one to talk, Senpai. Your hand is soft and squishy too.”

“That’s right~? A girl’s body is soft and squishy. You know that well, don’t you?”

“That, well…”

“It’s okay to be honest, you know~?”

“~…”

I couldn’t deny it. I couldn’t deny it because I knew all too well the softness of Senpai.

“Fufu, Takashi-kun is really cute, you know.”

Really, this Senpai is so free-spirited.

This freedom is characteristic of Senpai, and I can’t really say anything since I was drawn to such a Senpai.

“What’s this? What are you two laughing with over there?”

“N-no, it’s nothing!?”

“If you panic like that, even I will feel hurt.”

“I’m sorry, Koutarou-san.”

“Hmm. As long as you understand.”

Called out by Koutarou-san, I was brought back to reality.

My melting reason solidified, and I returned to my normal state of mind.

Koutarou-san frowned slightly with a touch of loneliness.

I sense a similar loneliness in him and can’t help but see my beloved Kureha Senpai in him.

They really are like parent and child.