Sweet Cohabitation Romcom With My Senior Girlfriend and Alcohol Starts At Twenty - Volume 1 Chapter 8.6

Reflections After a Night

“I’m going to stretch my legs a bit.”

He’s a serious person. I felt that keenly in just a few minutes. The intimidation I initially felt was no longer there.

—But I soon realized that it was merely being overlooked.

“Y-you guys! What do you think you’re doing during this serious discussion?!”

It must have been when he stretched his legs and stood up that he caught a glimpse under the table.

His expression suddenly turned to one of anger.

“What do you mean what? We’re just flirting, that’s all.”

“It’s not just flirting! How many times do I have to tell you! Be more careful with your relationships!!”

Despite the serious situation, Senpai remained completely unfazed.

Without showing any sign of disturbance, she confronted her father.

In contrast, Koutarou-san, who had just confirmed that our hands were clasped together under the desk, suddenly began to lose his composure and started to get angry, a stark change from his previously calm demeanor.

Amidst this, Senpai was unusually calm.

She managed to maintain her characteristic Senpai-like presence.

“That’s why I’m seriously and carefully considering my relationship with Takashi-kun!”

“Do you have to be so close to each other!? What if something happens!!”

“What do you mean by ‘something’?”

“…”

“If you can’t explain it, then don’t complain about my relationship with Takashi-kun!”

“Ah, wait… Senpai!?”

An emotional clash between parent and child.

Koutarou-san raised his voice to separate us as we publicly displayed our affection.

On the other hand, Kureha Senpai kept getting closer and closer to me.

Watching this, Koutarou-san’s emotions escalated, and in response, Kureha Senpai pressed even closer.

My heart raced as I felt her pressing against me, and then suddenly, she pulled my arm tightly towards her.

“Since it’s come to this, why don’t we show just how much Takashi-kun and I love each other?”

“Show? Koutarou-san will get even angrier at us!”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

I found myself pulled towards Senpai’s stomach, ending up in an embrace around her waist.

A sweet scent tickled my nostrils, a dangerously intoxicating aroma that almost melted my reason away.

I tried to straighten up in a panic, but a gentle stroke from above made me lose my strength.

Gazing down at me with a mischievous sweet smile, my lover made me feel like giving in, thinking this might just be alright.

“Soon—”

“Soon?”

“Soon, I think Dad won’t just be angry anymore.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

What could she mean by ‘not just angry’?

If anything, this situation seemed like it would only make him angrier.

As I was gripped by this anxiety, it happened.

“You’re so bold! Let go! You two are still kids! It’ll be too late if something happens!?”

Ring.

An inopportune ringtone sounded from inside the suit, completely ignoring Koutarou-san’s earnest persuasion.

“What’s this, at a time like this!”

As Koutarou-san checked the caller, his face turned pale.

In contrast, Kureha Senpai smirked, seemingly having anticipated this.

It was clear that Senpai had set something up, but who could make a grown man turn pale?

As I pondered this, Koutarou-san put the smartphone to his ear.

“Y-yes, hello. What’s wrong, Haruka? It’s rare for you to call me. No, it’s not that I don’t want you to call! I would never think like that, Haruka!?”

Stammering and exaggerated, Koutarou-san’s reaction left me unable to hide my surprise.

And so was the person next me.

“This person called Haruka is amazing, isn’t she…”

“Yeah, she is. My mom is pretty incredible, right?”

“…”

My surprise doubled.

I mean, I kind of expected it. I knew that Senpai’s mother―Haruka-san, must hold significant decision-making power in the family.

But who would have thought it was to this extent?

That the strict father of my lover would be so weak against his wife.

“I have to go back now? That’s a little… I’m in the middle of an important conversation with Kureha, okay? Please stop saying things like I’ll have to skip meals! What am I supposed to do if I can’t eat your cooking, Haruka!?”

The atmosphere seemed to be turning ominous. Or rather, it was somewhat pitiful to see Koutarou-san getting teary-eyed.

It’s good to be a loving husband, but at this point, it makes me wonder if it’s a different situation altogether.

“Alright… okay, I get it… I’ll be home soon. So please, cheer up. I don’t know what I’d do if Haruka started to dislike me.”

It’s like witnessing something I shouldn’t see.

Like secretly sneaking a peek into matters that were meant to be hidden, that’s how it feels.

And yet, I couldn’t take my eyes off Koutarou-san, nor could I leave the scene.

“Don’t worry about Dad, just pay attention to me, okay?”

Pay attention to me?

As if to make it clearer, she kept pushing her palm against me.

No, it was more than just her palm, her belly was pressing against my face.

The soft and fluffy sensation was a different dimension of touch from what I usually felt against my arms or chest, and I knew it would be bad to get sucked in.

Normally, I wouldn’t have felt this sense of danger. With Senpai, I might have been swept along until just before crossing the final line.

But now it’s different. This isn’t a space just for Senpai and me.

Senpai’s father, Koutarou-san, is in the room.

If we started our usual flirting now, the now-calm Koutarou-san might explode again with anger.

That’s the last thing I want to happen.

“Alright, alright, I understand. I’ll make time for Kureha on another occasion. So please, wait for me with dinner ready.”

As I endured the temptation of Senpai’s palm, Koutarou-san’s phone call ended.

Phew… I wanted to offer him words of comfort, but before I could, Senpai spoke up.

“I don’t have anything to say to Dad.”

“Kureha, you’re acting like a child again… Don’t you ever think about growing up?”

“Even if Dad doesn’t acknowledge it, I am now a proper adult.”

“Where exactly is the adult in you when you snap back like that?”

“Hey, Senpai… let’s not go any further, okay? Please?”

“Hmm~? Are you worried about me~? That’s sweet~”

“Of course I’m worried…”

While I was soothing Senpai, Koutarou-san noticed a forgotten can of Chuhai.

“Really, drinking Chuhai in the middle of the day is why you’re still a child. You’re an adult now, so grow up already.”

As Koutarou-san picked up the empty can, I couldn’t pull myself away from Kureha Senpai.

It’s at times like these that I realize it.

No matter what, I always prioritize Senpai.

Not that I’ve ever thought it was a bad thing.

“Anyway, I’ll be heading home for today. Haruka told me to let it be, so I won’t insist on taking you back, but we’ll have a proper talk later. Until then, be ready to come home at any time. Got it, Kureha?”

“…Hmph.”

“And you, make sure you don’t do anything weird to Kureha, okay?”

Koutarou-san’s stern gaze fell upon me as I reluctantly replied to Senpai, who was still clinging to my waist.

“Do anything weird?”

“Kureha is still a child, so make sure you maintain a proper relationship with her. Understand?”

“Yes, I understand…”

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

Having said his piece, Koutarou-san turned on his heel and headed for the entrance.

Senpai and I could only watch him leave from the living room.

After Koutarou-san left, the mood for drinking had completely dissipated between Senpai and me.

We silently ate the buri daikon that Senpai had specially made, and then we each busied ourselves with our university tasks until it was suddenly time to go to bed.

“Sorry about my dad showing up so suddenly, okay?”

“No, it’s fine.”

“My mom will handle it, so don’t worry about it, Takashi-kun.”

“Alright.”

It was a day that felt both long and short, and yet it was full of turmoil.

A proper relationship, huh…?

Perhaps it’s a bit late to be telling me that now…

I reminisced about Senpai’s action today, ruminating on my honest feelings along with the enchanting scent.