The Correct Japanese Terms of Homestay Seems to Be Marriage - Chapter 26

The Night Grows Late

“So, even though it might be too much, we’re agreeing that the maximum for living expenses is 150,000 yen, right?”

With the direction of the conversation having shifted along the way, without reaching a concrete conclusion, Keitaro asks Akira again for confirmation.

“That’s right. That should be fine.”

“Got it. Thanks, Dad. So, can we call it a night? I’m starting to feel sleepy.”

The discussion that started around 21:00 had, before they knew it, already gone on for nearly thirty minutes.

21:30.

It wasn’t exactly a time when one would be overwhelmed by sleepiness, but today, for some reason, he felt particularly tired. Maybe it was because of all the activities during the day. Fatigue had accumulated all over Keitaro’s body.

“Oh my! Kei-kun, you’re so cold! Mommy is sad~! It’s still noon here! I want to talk more and more~!”

Like a elementary school child, Sae was making a fuss.

Using gestures like a particularly stubborn brat, she vehemently protested, and all Keitaro could do upon seeing his mother’s antics was to be flabbergasted.

“Think about the time difference. It’s almost ten at night over here.”

“Eh~ If it’s only ten, then it’s fine! Ah, but that’s right…! You want to be alone with Sofia-chan, don’t you! Sorry! Mommy wasn’t thinking~!”

“How did you get to that conclusion? You’re reading too much into it.”

“Oh my, oh my~ Don’t be shy~!”

He was being completely teased. If it weren’t through a screen, he’d probably be getting elbowed in the ribs right now.

So, Keitaro decided to ignore it. There was absolutely no need to engage seriously. Doing so would only encourage her.

“Anyway, we’ll talk again later. If something comes up, I’ll contact you, and you do the same.”

“Okay, got it. Both of you, good night.”

Akira, with a gentle smile, waved from the other side of the screen.

“Sofia-chan! Enjoy your time with Kei-kun! I’m rooting for you!”

“Ye-yes! I’ll do my best!”

Sae seemed to be encouraging Sofia, but what exactly did they need to strive against? Keitaro was puzzled.

However, considering his free-spirited mother, pondering too deeply was pointless, and he soon let go of that question.

“Good night.”

As he said this, Keitaro terminated the call with a click. His movement was decisive, without a hint of hesitation.

Following that, he also turned off the power, and the screen went completely dark.

Silence filled the living room.

“Well, let’s go to sleep. I’m even sleepier than usual today after being so active.”

“Good work today, Keitaro.”

Suppressing a yawn that was threatening to escape, Keitaro closed the laptop, having fulfilled its purpose.

Now, it was time to head back to his room to sleep, but before that,

“Ah, right. You’ve been in touch with my parents quite a bit, huh? You seemed much more familiar with them than before.”

Suddenly curious, Keitaro asked Sofia.

Back then, Sofia was severely shy, barely speaking to anyone other than Keitaro.

Even Akira and Sae were not exceptions. Not that their relationship was bad, but compared to Keitaro, she was significantly less close.

“Yes. I met Akira-san a few times in England. And recently, I’ve been talking a lot with Sae-san over the phone.”

“Hmm…”

Keitaro responded with a prickly acknowledgment.

The reality of being the only one out of the loop made Keitaro unbearably irritated, and it showed in his behavior.

“So, I was the only one who didn’t know anything, huh? I see, I see. I was the odd one out.”

He said this in a tone that was deliberately provocative, almost spiteful, like a sulking child.

“No, that’s not it!! I really, really wanted to talk to Keitaro too!! But I thought it would negate the purpose of our promise!! It was agony for me!!”

Sofia was desperately denying it, with all her might.

“Just kidding. Well, I did feel a bit left out, but with that desperate look on your face…”

“I’m sorry…”

Sofia’s brows drooped sadly, and she looked utterly dejected. One could almost hear a “thud” of disappointment.

“It’s okay. Actually, I had completely forgotten about it for the past few years.”

“? The promise?”

“No, about you altogether.”

The words casually uttered by Keitaro were cruel.

“What?! That’s terrible, Keitaro!! How could you say that?! I’ve been thinking about you all this time! That’s why I worked so hard every day, studying Japanese and practicing

communication with others!! And yet! And yet!! That’s just cruel!! What you said is akin to murdering my soul!!”

Sofia charged at Keitaro with a mix of anger and sadness, as if she was about to breathe fire.

“Sorry. Don’t get so mad. I just wanted to make a sarcastic remark.”

Keitaro tried to appease her, but naturally, his attempt failed miserably.

“Far from just a little! That was a terrible insult! It was just awful!! I almost saw everything go dark!! Actually, it did go dark!!!”

“Sorry, I apologize. I was being childish just now, and I regret it.”

Facing the increasingly heated Sofia, Keitaro deeply bowed his head.

He strongly regretted his impulsive, childlike outburst.

“Okay, I forgive you.”

After a brief pause, Sofia let out a small sigh.

“But, that means, in a way, you really wanted to see me that badly, right?”

Slowly, Sofia asked this question, glancing up at him with sidelong glances.

“Well, yeah, I suppose…”

Keitaro nodded slightly.

It was absolutely true. If it were possible, he would have preferred they reunited much earlier. The fact that only he was kept in the dark had greatly frustrated him.

“Ehehe… Really? Then I’ll forgive you, but if you give me a hug, I’ll forgive you even more.”

With a softened expression, Sofia approached, rubbing against him.

His cheek brushed against her hair, tickling him slightly.

“Okay, understood. Please forgive me with this.”

Keitaro quickly embraced Sofia.

“Keitaro, you’re warm…”

“Yeah, I guess.”

For a while, as he held Sofia, the clock nearly struck 22:00.

Sleepiness was rapidly setting in. At this rate, they might fall asleep just like this.

To avoid that, Keitaro, with Sofia still in his arms, asked if his atonement was successful.

“Have you truly forgiven me now?”

“Yes, I forgive you.”

Good, it seemed to have worked.

The answer came back with a full smile.

“Then, let’s go to bed.”

“Right, let’s do that.”

Despite agreeing with Keitaro’s words, Sofia showed no sign of letting go.

Keitaro had released his hands, but Sofia’s arms remained firmly around his neck.

“Sofia, isn’t this exactly the role of a Chimera KameUsa, is it?”

“I know. But just a little longer… is that okay?”

“Uh…”

Those pleading eyes, looking up at him, made it impossible for even Keitaro to refuse.

“…Just five more minutes, then.”

He muttered.

“Yes, just five more minutes…”

And after those five minutes passed, it became another five minutes, and then another…

Repeating this cycle several times, they eventually separated around 23:00, a fact too obvious to warrant mentioning.