Chapter 120: Cheating on myself?

"Shoulders really are slippery... the ancients weren't wrong."

Amamiya openly admired the pale, snow-white shoulders that Umi, had unknowingly revealed.

After a while, seeing that she still hadn't noticed, Amamiya finally spoke up:

"Pajama straps."

"Hmm?" 

"They're about to fall."

"..."

Umi glanced down, quickly hooking her fingers under the slipping strap and pulling it back up to cover her shoulder. 

"That was close. I almost exposed myself. Amamiya-kun, next time, remind me sooner, please."

You need someone to remind you about this? Learn from experience and pay attention next time! Amamiya thought.

"I slept so well last night," Umi said, stretching her arms happily over her head. "I haven't slept that comfortably since I started seeing spirits."

"Fix the blankets. I'll go make breakfast," Amamiya stood up and added, "Milk bread or omelet rice?"

The blonde girl blinked and quickly made her choice.

"Both!"

"..."

Not long after Amamiya stepped into the kitchen, the doorbell rang.

"Someone this early?" Amamiya muttered as he walked towards the entrance. "It must be Miko."

As expected.

Opening the door, he found his childhood friend, Miko, standing there with dark circles under her eyes and a weary expression. She carried a distinct air of exhaustion, almost like a salted fish.

"Morning, Amamiya," she greeted.

"Morning. What are you doing here so early?"

Miko looked frustrated. "Bathroom."

"Bathroom?"

"Just now, I went to the bathroom and when I looked down... there was an evil spirit's head floating in the toilet!" Miko's face flushed with anger. "It was hiding in the toilet! That spirit must have been a pervert when it was alive!"

She was clearly more annoyed than scared, so she had come straight to Amamiya's place for help.

Amamiya pinched his nose in thought, trying to sound serious. "I remember reading in a manga about a creature called Tokyo Coprophagia..."

"It's 'Tokyo Ghoul,' okay?!" Miko interrupted, exasperated. "There's no such thing as a dung-eating ghost! Even if someone drew it, no one would publish it!"

You never know, Amamiya mused. Even if it's a cockroach girl, people will love her if she's cute.

As they talked, Miko stepped inside, slipping off her shoes. Suddenly, a bright, pleasant voice came from the bathroom.

"Amamiya-kun, I forgot which towel to use to wash my face."

Without thinking, Amamiya responded, "The white one on the left."

Miko froze, her lips pursing as she glanced up at him.

"It's Umi," Amamiya admitted calmly. "Last night..."

Before he could finish, Umi's voice echoed again from the bathroom:

"Phew~ My back is killing me. We should go to bed early tonight. Staying up late is bad for us."

Miko's eyes widened, and her waist-length black hair trembled slightly.

Girl, why are you causing trouble?! Stop saying weird things in there!

Amamiya's expression hardened as he clarified, "What does your backache have to do with me?"

Nothing happened last night! I didn't even touch her—don't ruin my reputation!

From the bathroom, Umi's muffled voice continued, "Of course... Gurgle gurgle... The living room floor's too hard. It's my first time... Sleeping there... Of course my back hurts..."

"First time?" Miko's hair trembled again. "And in the living room?"

"I'm going back." 

Miko took a deep breath, biting her lower lip before turning to leave.

"Don't go."

Amamiya grabbed Miko's hand, holding her back.

If Miko left now, he'd never be able to explain himself, not even if he jumped into the Yellow River!

"Umi, what are you doing in there?" Amamiya called out, still holding Miko tightly by the hand.

"Gululu... brushing my teeth..." came the garbled response from Umi.

Don't talk while brushing your teeth—spit out what's in your mouth first!

"I'm really sorry about your backache," Amamiya continued. "You can sleep in the bedroom tonight. I'll stay in the living room."

"No way, what if the evil spirit comes after us?" Umi protested.

"..." 

"Did you hear that?" Amamiya whispered to Miko. "It's because of the evil spirit that I took Umi in."

Miko frowned slightly. "What evil spirit?"

Amamiya sighed. "It's the Scythe evil spirit we ran into on the tram yesterday."

"What happened?"

"Wait for Umi to finish. She can explain it better."

"..."

After a short while, Umi finished freshening up and emerged from the bathroom.

"Miko?" she said with a grin.

"Good morning, Umi," Miko greeted her. "What's this about an evil spirit?"

Without hesitation, Umi pulled Miko closer and started complaining, "Last night, when I got home and was gathering laundry on the balcony, I looked down and saw that scythe-wielding evil spirit right downstairs, lurking outside my house..."

As she explained, Miko's expression grew more serious.

"You really should stay together. If that spirit is sentient, it's too dangerous for you to live alone."

"Fujiwara-san's on a family trip," Amamiya added. "I asked her yesterday, and she won't be back for another three or four days."

"I see..." Miko nodded in understanding.

Amamiya headed toward the kitchen. "I'll make another serving of omelet rice. We can all eat together."

A little later, Umi clasped her hands together in anticipation.

"I'm starting!" she declared, smiling brightly. "The omelet rice looks delicious."

Complimenting others' cooking is basic manners for Japanese girls. Whether the food is actually good or not, they always say something nice.

"Let's eat," Amamiya said, casually sipping a bowl of soup. He treated the lively girl like she was part of the family. "You're doing the dishes afterward."

Miko looked over, surprised. "How can you make Umi do the dishes?"

"No problem! Leave it to me." Umi gave a playful salute, her voice cheerful. "I'm really good at washing dishes. I even cook for myself sometimes."

Amamiya glanced at her. "You can cook?"

"I learned a little in home economics class, so I know my way around the kitchen," Umi said with a mischievous smile. She twirled a finger in the air and added, "But my dark cuisine is super delicious."

Miko raised an eyebrow. "Dark cuisine?"

"Yep! I'll make it for you at lunch. Look forward to it!"

Dark cuisine doesn't sound appetizing at all...

After finishing breakfast, Umi hummed a little tune as she cleared the table and headed to the kitchen to wash the dishes. True to her word, she worked quickly and efficiently, making it clear she did this kind of chore regularly.

"All done!" Umi exclaimed, placing a hand on her hip and flashing a bright smile. "So, what's next?"

"Time to recharge," Shimizu reminded them, her voice tinged with sadness.

Amamiya turned to Miko. "In the living room or my room?"

"Let's go to the room..." Miko answered absentmindedly, but midway through, she pursed her lips in embarrassment.

Lately, she had gotten used to helping him recharge by stepping on his back. It had become a habit, but doing it in front of someone else felt a bit awkward.

"Recharge?" Umi tilted her head curiously. "Is it that passive skill that makes you stronger while you rest? I can help too!"

Amamiya cut her off quickly. "Miko alone is enough."

Miko turned her face away, murmuring, "...Umi can help too. It's tiring to do it alone."

"You get tired stepping on his back?" Umi asked, puzzled.

"Because I try to keep my balance..." Miko replied softly.

The three of them walked into the room, continuing their conversation.

Amamiya lay down on the floor without hesitation.

"Go ahead and start," Amamiya said, while Umi watched with wide-eyed curiosity.

"..."

Miko's face flushed slightly as she looked at Amamiya's back, her eyes filled with hesitation.

How embarrassing! Stepping on a boy's back in front of someone else!

Miko took a deep breath, then suddenly turned around.

"Umi, come here."

"Huh?" Umi blinked in confusion.

"Try stepping on his back first."

"I'll go first, then!" Umi agreed immediately, showing no sign of shyness.

Umi, wearing her signature black over-the-knee socks, quickly raised her right foot. Her stocking-clad foot lightly pressed onto Amamiya's back.

"Amamiya-kun, is the pressure okay? Does it hurt?"

"It's fine," Amamiya responded.

"Alright then, I'm stepping up. Don't move."

"Oh, by the way, how much do you weigh?"

"That's a girl's secret, Amamiya-kun! Don't ask." Umi pouted playfully.

"I'm more worried about my waist," Amamiya muttered under his breath.

"..."

As Umi awkwardly began, her movements clumsy at first, Miko watched. Gradually, Umi got the hang of it, moving more smoothly and carefully as she stepped on Amamiya's back.

A complicated feeling stirred within Miko. 

Does this count as... cheating on myself? she thought. 

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