Ch. 22 Morning Call
by AfuhfuihgsChapter 22 – Morning Call
Warm sunlight streamed through the window, gently enveloping the bed.
Half-asleep, I hugged the warm blanket tightly, feeling like I could easily drift back into sleep.
As I was nodding off, enjoying the pleasant drowsiness, the door suddenly swung open, and someone walked in with heavy footsteps.
“Huh…?”
“Mari! Good morning!”
At the sound of the footsteps, I squirmed and turned over, only to see Yuika smiling brightly as she greeted me.
What’s going on? Am I dreaming? Why is Yuika here?
I stared blankly at her for a moment, then nodded and returned the greeting.
“Ah… Good morning, Yuika…”
“Really, how long are you going to sleep? You need to get up—”
Poke poke. Poke poke poke.
She prodded my cheek with her finger, urging me to wake up. I groaned and turned my head away.
But there’s no escape from this relentless assault. Her fingers mercilessly chased after my squishy cheek, continuing to poke it.
I let out a pitiful sound and begged Yuika.
“J-Just five more minutes…”
“If you say ‘five more minutes’, you’ll be late for school in no time. I’ve been there before.”
Late for school? I haven’t gone to school since long before I became an adult. What is she talking about?
But regardless of my confusion, Yuika’s efforts to wake me up continued unabated.
“I-I’ll get up, so please stop…”
In the end, I was the one who surrendered first. Whining and pleading, Yuika finally smiled and continued.
“I’ll prepare breakfast, so you need to wake up properly. Got it?”
“Okay…”
I responded faintly, and the sound of Yuika’s footsteps faded toward the kitchen.
However, contrary to my promise, I didn’t get up. Instead, I pulled the cozy blanket even tighter around me.
I felt bad for lying to Yuika, but I really wanted to sleep a little longer.
Thinking that, I closed my eyes, but not long after, I felt a rhythmic hand shaking my shoulder.
“Really, I came back just in case, and you’re already asleep again?”
“Ugh…”
“If you don’t get up this time, I’ll help you wash up too. Is that okay?”
“Wash up…?”
Even in my drowsy state, I could sense the playfulness in Yuika’s voice. I nodded blankly.
“I-I don’t mind…”
“…Huh? Really? I was just joking…”
But honestly, showering has become such a hassle since I got this body. My hair is long, so it takes forever to wash and dry, and it’s not an easy task.
Plus, even though I’ve gotten somewhat used to it, looking at my body in the mirror still gives me an inexplicable sense of guilt.
So, I’ve often thought it would be nice if someone could wash me instead. Since Yuika offered, I had no reason to refuse.
At my bombshell statement, Yuika fell silent. As I nodded off again, I heard her voice, now resolute.
“…Then, Mari, you’re okay with this?”
“Huh…?”
A soft hand slipped behind my neck and gently but firmly lifted me up.
I still wanted to stay in bed… As Yuika sat me up, I tried to slump forward, but her hands under my armpits lifted me straight up.
It was like lifting a cat. Blinking my unfocused eyes, I heard Yuika’s voice from behind.
“M-Mari? Do you always sleep like this…?”
“Huh? Yeah…”
“…Just in your underwear?”
“It’s comfortable…”
I heard what sounded like a pained groan.
But isn’t it common sense to sleep in a comfortable state? It’s not like I have much to cover up anyway.
Of course, I wear underwear when I go out, but I usually take it off before bed. It feels too constricting.
“Let’s… deal with this later. Let’s head to the bathroom, okay?”
“Okay…”
“Really? You’re not going to take it back later, are you?”
Instead of answering, I let out a long yawn. Whatever, I just wanted to get this over with and go back to sleep.
Seeing my reaction, Yuika seemed determined not to back down. She carried me to the bathroom.
–
By the time I was stripped of my remaining underwear and seated on the shower chair, I finally started to feel something was off.
Actually, it’s strange to say I only realized it now. Things had been weird since the moment Yuika entered my house.
It’s more accurate to say that I started to become aware of the weirdness as I woke up.
With a belated sense of awkwardness, I covered myself with my arms and curled up, watching Yuika check the shower temperature.
“Um, Miss Yuika…? Why am I in the bathroom…? And with you…?”
“Because you wanted it, right? And why are you calling me ‘Miss Yuika’ again? Weren’t we past that?”
Well, it’s not like I look like someone who’d drop formalities.
Heat slowly rose to my face, turning it red.
I let out a pitiful sound and pleaded with Yuika.
“C-Can you leave the bathroom now…? Please, I’m begging you…”
“Nope. You asked for this, so I can’t leave until I’ve washed you.”
“Ugh…”
What on earth did I say in my sleep? I felt like biting my tongue at the thought of my past self’s actions. Meanwhile, Yuika, having adjusted the temperature, continued.
“Let me know if it’s too hot. I’ll adjust it right away.”
“O-Okay?”
“Let’s start with your hair, okay?”
“W-Wait…!”
Before I could even respond, a stream of warm water fell over my head.
I let out a small yelp and tightly shut my eyes.
Let’s skip the detailed description of what followed.
For the sake of my dignity…
–
After the shower, I sat at the dining table with my freshly cleaned body.
Though my body felt refreshed, my mind was still in complete disarray.
“There, your hair’s all done! Want to take a look?”
“Ah, sure…”
While I was distracted, Yuika, who had tied my hair into twin tails, handed me a small hand mirror she had seemingly pulled out of nowhere.
…It’s cute, I guess. Even though I’ve seen this face in the mirror countless times, it still feels completely unfamiliar.
It’s hard to believe that this face, cute enough to rival child actors, is now mine.
I would’ve preferred a handsome face over a cute one, though. As I pouted slightly, Yuika tilted her head and asked.
“What’s wrong? Is there something you don’t like?”
“Ah, no. It’s not that, just… By the way, why are you at my house so early in the morning…?”
It was a question I’d had since I woke up. Why was Yuika in my house? I definitely hadn’t invited her, and we hadn’t made any plans for her to come over.
But Yuika, instead of answering, placed her hands on her hips and said,
“Why am I here? I told you, didn’t I? That I’d come visit.”
“You did, but…”
‘That was four days ago…!’ I swallowed the words that rose to my throat and made a vague expression.
It had already been four days since I finished learning Mana Sensitivity from Hosanna and stopped going to U.P.
During that time, aside from going to the cathedral around noon to have meals with Andreina-nim, I hadn’t stepped a foot outside.
It wasn’t because I was sick or anything.
Simply put, I was taking a break.
I mean, I’ve been working hard for the past few weeks, right? I spent over a week hunting diligently to repair the cores for my dolls, and then I trained hard at U.P. for another week… So, in total, I’ve been living diligently for about two weeks without a single day off.
So, it’s okay to take a week off and do nothing, right? Plus, I still have a lot of the payment Hosanna gave me left, so I can afford to eat well.
When I have the perfect environment to relax, isn’t it a waste not to take advantage of it?
As I was thinking this, Yuika pouted and said,
“By the way, Mari, don’t you think you’re being a bit too much? How could you not visit U.P. even once before I came here?”
“W-Well…”
“You’ve been going to the cathedral to see Andreina-nim every day, though…”
“H-How did you…?!”
I definitely used Stealth (Conceal Presence), so I should’ve avoided people’s eyes…!
I looked at Yuika in surprise, and she gave me a look as if I were being ridiculous.
“How? Well, the U.P. office has a clear view of the cathedral. How could I not notice someone in a hood rushing into the cathedral every day at lunch?”
“But I used Stealth…”
“Stealth?”
“Ah…”
I accidentally blurted out my own term, and Yuika looked puzzled. I quickly shook my head and changed the subject.
“W-Well! Is it really okay for you to be here so early in the morning? I thought you were busy with work…”
“Work? There’s no work.”
“Huh…? But I remember you scolding Hosanna about working…”
“Oh, that? That was just a joke between us. U.P. isn’t some huge organization. It’s more like a charity group. If no one needs help, we’re pretty much free.”
“So… you usually don’t do anything…?”
“Yep. Of course, we’re on standby in case someone comes asking for help, but usually, there’s nothing to do.”
“Wow…”
So when Hosanna said his title of “Director” wasn’t that impressive, he wasn’t just being humble… It was the truth.
I felt a little disappointed. As I was thinking this, Yuika clapped her hands and said,
“Oh, right! Mari, how about becoming a U.P. executive?”
“Huh…? Out of the blue?”
“It’s not like we’re short on hands, but it’s cool, right? Being an executive of an organization. I thought you’d like it. Am I wrong?”
Of course, being an executive sounds cool, but U.P.’s executives are basically helpers.
Having to face strangers every day… I absolutely didn’t want to do that.
I shook my head vehemently, and Yuika laughed.
“Then how about going on a date with me today?”
“Huh…? Why did the conversation take that turn?”
“You have to choose one: becoming a U.P. executive or going on a date with me today. No exceptions.”
“I have to choose…?!”
“Yep. If you don’t, I’ll die. I’ll die of sadness from being rejected by Mari.”
“Out of nowhere?!”
This is tyranny… But even as I thought that, I had already made up my mind.
It’s not like it’s just anyone—it’s Yuika. If she’s going this far, I can’t keep avoiding her…
I guess I have no choice. After convincing myself, I cautiously spoke.
“T-Then, I’ll choose the latter…”
Yuika smiled as if she had expected that.
By the way, the breakfast Yuika prepared was incredibly satisfying.
I kind of wanted to ask her to make miso soup for me every morning.
Of course, if I actually said that, I’d probably get some weird looks, so I kept it to myself.
Even I have that much sense.
Author Note
A/N (Author’s note):
The new cover looks nice!Next chapter will be posted this midnight!
Translator Note
T/N (Translator’s note):
No option to let her die? Noob girlfailure!
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