The Correct Japanese Terms of Homestay Seems to Be Marriage - Chapter 8

Sophia’s Room

“From today, this is Sophia’s room.”

Keitaro and Sophia stepped into a room that sparkled as if it were brand new, without a speck of dust in sight.

The interior, thoroughly cleaned, was furnished with an expensive-looking bed and sofa, making it considerably more comfortable than Keitaro’s room.

“Well, feel free to use it however you like.”

After placing the suitcase down, Keitaro took a moment to catch his breath and turned around.

“This is my room…”

Sophia looked around curiously, her gaze wandering here and there with interest.

Since this would be her sleeping quarters for at least the next two years, Keitaro hoped she would take a liking to it.

“Is there anything you think you’ll need?”

The room was fully equipped with essential furniture like a bed, sofa, and desk for daily life.

However, whether it had everything Sophia needed was another matter.

“…There might be. When I want to go shopping, would you come with me, Keitaro?”

Sophia asked timidly, and Keitaro nodded as if to say there was no need for her to worry.

“That was the plan from the start. I can’t just let you go out alone as soon as you arrive.”

“Keitaro is really, really kind…”

Keitaro thought to himself that he was being too soft. If it were anyone other than Sophia, he would have surely refused.

The saying goes, “What you learn in the cradle lasts till the tomb,” and Keitaro was living proof of that adage.

“I’m not particularly kind.”

“…Muu, Keitaro always thinks too little of himself…”

Sophia puffed her cheeks and glared at Keitaro for belittling himself again, but it was nothing short of adorable. Purely adorable.

“I’m clearly not downplaying it. ‘Kind’ is a word that should be used for people who are kind to everyone, and I’m not some saint who’s kind to just anyone and everyone.”

Keitaro stated matter-of-factly. He didn’t consider himself to be the kind of person typically described as kind.

And his self-assessment was undoubtedly accurate.

“…So, you mean you are kind because it’s me?”

“Hmm… right. Now that I think about it, I can’t think of anyone else I should be kind to. It’s only Sophia.”

Keitaro pondered for a moment before responding frankly to Sophia’s question.

After all, Keitaro didn’t have many friends. The number of people he should be kind to was even smaller. He couldn’t think of anyone other than Sophia he had connections with.

“Fufu, is that so… Fufufu, really… Ehehehe, I see…”

Sophia’s face loosened up so much it seemed like the art style had changed. To put it bluntly, her face was melting.

“Sophia, are you okay? Your face looks weird.”

“…Ha! I’m, I’m fine! …I shouldn’t get carried away… Keitaro is so oblivious…!”

Sophia suddenly lifted her head, trying to force her facial muscles to tighten as she shook her head vigorously. She slapped her cheeks repeatedly, scolding herself for letting them relax so easily.

“If you say so. Then, let’s decide what to do about meals. With the internet these days, you can find countless recipes, and I think I can manage the basics at least. Should we decide on a cooking schedule by day?”

Keitaro brought up the topic they had been discussing on the way to the room. Deciding on who would cook was as important to their cohabitation as choosing rooms.

Although he was anxious about never having cooked before, he knew he couldn’t just leave it all to himself, sighing inwardly as he made the suggestion.

Ideally, he wanted to be in charge for three out of the seven days a week. Four days seemed too much.

“No! I’ll cook! Leave everything to me!”

Sophia’s declaration, her fists clenched with an enthusiasm Keitaro hadn’t dared hope for, made his heart race.

However,

“That’s a generous offer, but I must insist. It’s not right to leave everything to you. Besides, it would be too much of a burden on you alone.”

Keitaro reluctantly refused the offer, swallowing his tears.

Of course, he wanted to leave everything to her, but he was afraid of becoming too dependent.

Keitaro did have a conscience. If the burden was placed on one side, it would inevitably lead to collapse. The burden must be shared equally.

“I’m cooking! Why do you think I studied cooking? It’s to serve you homemade dishes! There’s no other reason! So please, don’t hesitate to leave it to me!”

With a fiery determination in her eyes, Sophia forcefully shut down Keitaro’s objections.

Keitaro wondered if she was that eager to show off her improved culinary skills.

“…Alright, thank you. But let me know immediately if it becomes too much.”

“Yes! Leave it to me! Bring it on!”

In the end, Keitaro was overruled. His resolve had been shaky from the start, so it was an inevitable outcome. Sophia had exploited the weaknesses in Keitaro’s tender heart, securing her victory.

For Keitaro, who wanted to take the easy route, it was essentially a win-win situation.

In other words, it was a victory for both sides. Nobody was at a loss.

“…First, I must win over the stomach…”

Sophia muttered something under her breath and took out a suspicious memo, but Keitaro didn’t notice at all.

Because,

“…What a relief. I can only be grateful to Sophia. The thought of waking up early to prepare breakfast seems impossible for me. Mom is amazing… No, wait, she’s the one who left without saying a word to her only son. I mustn’t forget that.” (tln : literally me, wanted to be better at cooking but lazy to wake up in the morning to prepare for it.)

Keitaro deeply appreciated Sophia’s presence.

He momentarily appreciated his mother as well, but soon remembered she was the cause of it all and quickly corrected his thoughts.