Chapter 64 People Are Not What They Seem
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
A few days after Haruto met the apartment residents, the moment finally arrived.
Creak. Creak. Creak. Creak.
The bed next door squeaked loudly. Haruto pressed a cup to the wall, trying to hide his curiosity as he listened.
Creak. Creak. Creak. Creak.
(All I hear is the bed squeaking, huh?)
Even in a new apartment, soundproofing isn’t perfect. The rhythmic creaking was clear as day. He couldn’t make out words, but he could tell it was a man and a woman in the room.
(Oh, is it over?)
Ten minutes later, the creaking stopped. Then, he heard muffled laughter and soft conversation.
(I knew I’d hear something. But it wasn’t… what I expected, was it?)
Maybe it wasn’t *that*, but with all that creaking, what else could it be? He felt a mix of curiosity and disappointment, but what could he do?
* * *
Three days later.
Creak. Creak. Creak. Creak.
(This time, for sure!)
He pressed the cup to the wall again, listening intently. But all he heard was the same rhythmic creaking.
(What’s going on?)
He focused, trying to catch any other clue.
…Ugh!
(That sound—it was definitely… something intense.)
If that’s true, the creaking must be from… *that*.
(Why no… reaction from her? Could she be… uninterested!?)
Uninterested.
A situation where someone feels little or no enthusiasm in the moment.
(Alright, let’s confirm!)
The next day, Haruto shopped at the nearby supermarket. He’d thought of a way to find out.
(Onions, potatoes, eggplants, cucumbers—is this enough?)
Back at the apartment, Haruto dumped the veggies into a moving box.
Ding dong♪
’…Yes.’
”Ichijou next door here. My parents sent too many veggies. Want some?”
’Is it okay? Hold on.’
Gacha
”Eh! So much is fine?”
”Too much for me. Please take it.”
He handed over the box, their hands brushing slightly. That was all Haruto needed to observe her reaction.
(She’s not… uninterested.)
Haruto went back inside, trying to piece things together. But nothing matched what he expected.
(Maybe the creaking wasn’t… *that*—maybe it’s something else entirely.)
Just as Haruto gave up,
Ping-pong♪
The intercom showed a super muscular man.
”Yes.”
’Tsuyuki next door. Came to thank you for the veggies.’
He must be the husband. Haruto rushed to open the door.
Clack
”Thanks for the veggies!”
”No, no! I can’t eat them all! By the way, first time meeting, I’m Ichijou. Nice to meet you.”
”Nice to meet you too!”
”Wow, amazing muscles! Can I see them?”
”Sure, it’s my hobby. Go ahead.”
”Incredible! I want to get fit too, but it’s hard.”
”Oh! Ichijou-san works out too?”
”Honestly, I just want to be healthier.”
”Haha, I was like that too! I’ll teach you next time.”
”Really? Please do!”
They got excited talking about fitness, and Tsuyuki left, agreeing to work out together next time.
(The husband seems nice.)
Both wife and husband seem fine. So why no… *reaction*?
(Is that their kind of dynamic?)
Haruto remembered movies where couples had unique ways of spending time together. People did all sorts of things to keep things interesting.
(If they’re like that, it makes sense they’d stay quiet.)
Haruto was sure there was something unusual going on. Even after 100 years, those kinds of dynamics would exist.
Perfect for a muscular, confident man. Maybe it was judging a book by its cover. Haruto was the type to jump to conclusions on his own.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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