「Hehehe. This makes me
feel at ease」
It is a feeling similar
to that of dealing with an animal, although it may not be the same as dealing
with an equal partner, even if it is supposed to be a saffle. Just as Suzu said
that Chihiro "accepts her", Suzu also willing to be unconditionally
sweet to Chihiro.
To have such a partner
makes Chihiro feel relieved.
It is really comforting
to know that they don't have to worry about each other.
「How is your work?」
「Umm. Well, it's a
hassle. But I'm used to it」
Suzu had recently
returned to work at the school.
She had talked to the
principal himself, Principal Ootori, and had received permission to return to
work.
Though she was given
permission, it seems that the discussion went in Suzu's favor.
**a
『Let's see... First of
all, I apologized to him for abandoning my work on my own』
Principal Ootori, who
did not expect that he might get the upper hand, lost control of the
conversation because of Suzu's words.
To begin with, Suzu's
insistence that she would work hard and be allowed to work again was not a bad
thing. In fact, it is what Principal Ootori wanted, so there is nothing to
complain about.
However, the question
is why.
『I said to him that
Chihiro-kun persuaded me』
Suzu then said,
"It is not good to cause trouble about work".
This point was
unexpected for Principal Ootori.
And because of this, he
was puzzled and yet pleased with the situation that had started to turn out the
way he wanted, and when he was about to start a sermon on Suzu's behavior—
『I told him that don't
say anything about my private life』
Principal Ootori was
unable to continue to speak because of the change in Suzu.
Following this, the
rest of the details of the meeting proceeded smoothly.
It seems that Suzu's
resignation had not been processed in the first place, and it was more like a
vacation than a reinstatement.
However, she has been
pressed with a lot of work, and it seems to be a bit difficult.
Still, she will not
return to the log house, but only to her job. The result is what Suzu and
Chihiro had hoped for.
These actions of Suzu
were decided after discussion with Chihiro and Yotsuba.
The main objective was
to reduce Chihiro's disadvantage against Principal Ootori. It is simple, but it
makes it difficult for Principal Ootori to say anything about Suzu.
After all, they are
just childhood friends.
He can't force her to
do anything about her love life or personal life, let alone her work life.
Especially if Suzu is serious about her work.
And, in a sense, Suzu
has been rehabilitated（?）. Then, Chihiro also
gets a little better reputation.
「By the way, what
happened to your address?」
「It's exactly what we
talked about. I'm going to sign the contract soon」
Chihiro asked her while
he feels her breasts through her clothes, and Suzu answered in a cheerful
voice.
Yes, in order to do her
job, she has to tell the school where she live.
But if it is not a log
house, where will she live?
Of course, she can stay
in this apartment with Chihiro and the others.
However, it is not a
good idea to put this address on the paperwork. On the other hand, it is even
worse to write the address of Chihiro's dormitory.
Because of this, they
all had a hard time.
But then, Maria's
unexpected comment was the key to solve the problem.
『I think there is a room
available on the top floor of this apartment』
Due to its location in
the Tama district of Tokyo, it is a little difficult to find a place to live.
It is said that there are not many tenants because of the high price.
Yes, in fact, not many
people would move to this area, and not many students of the school would buy
an apartment because of that reason.
It is a sad story, but
it is convenient for Chihiro and the other.
So, with this in mind,
they checked it out and there were two rooms available on the top floor,
adjacent to each other.
『Okay, since we're here,
let's rent the room』
The young lady Yotsuba
then declared, "This is very convenient".
『You know, I originally
planned to live on my own when I went to college』
At that time, Suzu
hadn't decided where to live, but now she wanted to be near Chihiro. In that
case, it would be best to move near Maria's apartment.
Besides, since the
current apartment is in Maria's name, there is little danger of her parents
finding out about it.
『But if I decide to move
in with my sister, it would be more persuasive』
A daughter is still a
daughter, even if she has been disowned.
So, if the second
daughter is the strong one to take care of the first daughter who is a
prodigal, the parents will have no objection.
In addition, this
apartment is close to the station and also close to Suzu's office, which is a
perfect location.
The Kurohane family
will pay the loan from March when Yotsuba graduates, so Suzu's pocketbook can
afford to postpone the payment for a few months.
With this, they decided
to sign a contract for "two rooms" in Suzu's name.
The reason why they
occupy two rooms is because Maria joined in the conversation.
Besides, as the number
of people has increased, it has become a little cramped. So, it would be more
convenient to have one more room.
**b
『Especially the number
of beds. There is an option to put a single bed in the room that is currently
used as a storage room, but even so, I think there is a limit to that』
『But I like to sleep in
a big bed with everyone else』
『I don't mind, but
didn't we have Chihiro-sama take a nap on the floor the other night?』
Plus, Suzu wants a more
formal training room.
Hearing none of these
reasons, Chihiro discussed the cost of the project. As a result, they decided
that they could make it work if they all pooled their resources together.
The government's
subsidy for the [Lost Item] would be quite large for seven people.
Even so, they have to
depend on Suzu's income and Yotsuba's savings, if they include furniture and
interior decoration.
As for the mortgage and
living expenses for one room, it is quite manageable.
Moreover, they can save
money by doing the meals and laundry together as much as possible, and they can
also try to work part-time during the long vacations as much as possible, or
buy lottery tickets with Yotsuba's [Luck].
Therefore, Suzu and
Yotsuba will live in one of the two rooms.
The other room will be
renovated based on everyone's requests and opinions, and then some of them will
make a short move.
「It's going to be fun,
isn't it, our new place?」
「Yes」
Standing near the front
door in the hallway, Chihiro hug Suzu and think about her.
But then, a girl named
Nishizaki Riko with dyed blonde hair and a choker around her neck, who wondered
why Chihiro didn't come to the living room, came over to them in a fit of
anger.
「Hey Chihiro, how long
are you doing this?」
「Riko-chan, your tone,
your tone」
「...ah」
Riko, who was dressed
in a "maid's outfit", was so moved by Suzu's remark that she
corrected her manner and her tone of voice.
「Master, since you are
back, please relax in your room, not in the hallway」
Chihiro
thought the slightly awkward dialogue was conversely cute.
