I was finishing up cleaning and about to cover the wall with a cloth.
But Room 202 kept staring at me.
Why’s she being so intense?
“Why do you keep looking at my face?”
“I don’t know. Just… you seem kinda nice.”
“Let’s stop staring at each other. I might fall for you.”
I’m going easy on her for breaking the wall because of some rational goodwill.
That’s the attitude I’m sticking with.
But after saying I’m like an older brother, Room 202 keeps leaning against the wall, staring at me without stopping.
“If I fall for you, I’d be happy if you got nicer.”
What does she mean by “got nicer”? It feels like her underlying assumption is, “That guy was one of those people the Catholics ban, but now he’s normalized, so that’s a relief.”
Uh…
Does she have no intention of changing that perception?
I’d like to think so, but cognitive dissonance is scary.
It’s amusing to think the situation’s all wrong rather than admit I’m the one with the wrong perception.
“Ugh, take a break.”
I tried to pull down the cloth over the wall, but she put her hand on the hole and leaned her face in.
The hole’s big enough for a head to fit through now.
She’s already seen my room, so telling her not to look feels pointless.
If a monster shows up, I’ll just use bewitch to put it to sleep.
“You don’t have a roommate. I heard you did.”
“Why do you keep eavesdropping on my calls?”
“Uh, if it’s not because you’re interested… what if I said I was checking if you have a boyfriend?”
Why’s this girl suddenly so bold?
I’m not even using bewitch, so why’s she acting like this?
Oh, is it because of that?
I recently pumped my Charm stat to 130, and there was a change.
It said my appearance improved, but maybe there’s more to it?
Or is the Succubus’s Necklace from the Succubus Queen doing something?
I thought you had to wear it, but maybe it works as a totem just sitting in my room.
Having a girlfriend would be nice.
Better if she’s a homebody, since I don’t even have a car yet.
But…
This girl feels a bit too far from normal, and that’s kinda scary.
“Oppa, wanna see me die? I’ll show you.”
Thud, thud, thud.
A girlfriend who might headbutt a wall during a fight is way too much pressure.
Instead of saying, “Babe, you’ll get hurt,” I’d have to say, “Babe, you’ll hurt the wall.”
Should I use bewitch to turn this around?
She’s shown all sorts of embarrassing behavior, and maybe because the communication channel’s open now?
Come to think of it, she’s reacted to my stories, but I haven’t heard much about hers.
“Don’t you have anything to do besides listening to me?”
“Nope.”
Guess that’s true.
“No friends?”
“Nope.”
That seems true too.
“Alright, then act like a friend.”
“Why do you have a rice cooker out?”
“I put effort into making rice drink.”
I’m a bit worried something might pop out, but.
RiceCookerMan is blocking the gate, thankfully.
“What’s that toy?”
“Manmover.”
“What’s that thumbtack board?”
“Every time I recall my mistakes, I step on it to reflect on my wrongs and strive to be a gentleman.”
“…”
“You’re not normal.”
Normally, I’d agree, but after today, she’s the one who’s less sane.
“I talk to a rice cooker, a flowerpot, and a cat, and my hobby’s muttering to myself. Of course I’m not normal.”
“I talk to ghosts.”
“Oh, right. That’s why you were so wary, but you’re not today.”
“Today, we’re practically sharing a house. Plus, my image is already ruined, so haha, let’s get along well, haha.”
With all her embarrassing antics, she must’ve hit rock bottom after breaking the wall.
“Where are you going? I’m fixing the hole tomorrow.”
“You know my room’s passcode now.”
“You should change it.”
“I don’t know how.”
She’s not saying she doesn’t know—she’s too lazy to change it and doesn’t want to learn how.
“You’re just leaving it like that? What, really trying to seduce me?”
“If you’re up for it?”
I’m kinda feeling the temptation, but.
It’s probably a joke, so I went for it.
Back in college, I had girls visit my place, and this feels similar.
“If you use sexier words, I might take it seriously.”
She’s a bit overwhelming, but.
If she’s blatantly seductive, I’m not entirely against it.
There’s something to prove, too.
Plus, getting along with the neighbor’s not bad, right?
“Oh…”
“You’re teasing me.”
I pretended to get mad and tried to cover the hole with the cloth, but she stopped me.
“W-Wait.”
“What?”
“I wasn’t really teasing. I don’t know.”
“Don’t know what?”
“I’ve been so embarrassing and caused trouble, who’d forgive or accept me? I was anxious, but thinking of you as family… uh.”
I’m obviously the one who should fix it, but.
“Why are you tearing up?”
“I’m sorry. Thinking of you like a dad or brother, it feels like that’s the only kind of relationship… I wanted to act close and get to know you better.”
She’s confessing like it’s a sacrament.
“So, like a neighbor older brother, you, Room 203. I guess I wanted to see you want me, even a little. I don’t know why I’m like this, but I’m sorry.”
She’s bowing and apologizing so sincerely, I can’t say anything more.
This feels like an accident caused by my Charm stat and the Succubus’s Necklace.
Of course, breaking the wall was her fault.
My construction was nearly perfect.
Room 202’s skull was just too strong.
“Even so, you have standards, and I shouldn’t be thinking or acting like this. I’m out of line… I’m sorry.”
Why’s she wrapping it up like this?
“It’s just talk and actions to win you over. Do what you want.”
Since it’s about gaining favor, I’ll have to deal with her probing.
“Oh, really?”
“I don’t have many people around, so it’s not bad to have someone to talk to.”
“Then, um.”
“Yeah?”
“Can I look at the cat more?”
I don’t raise him for this, but he sure attracts girls’ attention.
[Heh, how’s that? My masculine charm’s so strong, it’s luring human women. Soon she’ll come over and stay the night.]
CatMan raises his front paw while looking at Room 202.
“Wow, it’s like he’s listening to me. Is he a Bombay?”
[My mother had tricolor fur. Other males with similar fur kept coming and fighting. They seemed to ask why I’m so black.]
Man, what a mess your family is.
I didn’t respond to CatMan’s nonsense.
Or maybe it’s not nonsense? Cat nonsense, I guess?
She doesn’t seem to hear it.
CatMan passes me and heads to Room 202, who’s sticking her head through the hole.
“Kyaha, haha, he’s reaching out. That’s his paw, right?”
“Give him money. It’s a gesture.”
Why’s CatMan smirking?
“If I could come over… it’d be fun.”
After all that chaos, she still hasn’t snapped out of it?
Does she think she’s a cat?
“If you get stuck again, I’m reporting you for trespassing.”
“I’m sorry! I messed up!”
I lowered the cloth.
She seems in a better mood, at least.
I don’t know if this counts as trespassing in legal terms.
It’s not a crime if the wall might break, but since it’s already broken, coming through would be, right?
Ugh.
I’d love a homebody girlfriend to lie around with, watch TV, put a laptop on the desk, and game together.
I thought about it, but this room won’t do.
[Is our leader seducing a girl?]
[What’re you saying? Can’t you see that? Anyone can tell she’s flirting. You’re in heat.]
Look at these guys, talking past each other with mismatched signals.
Talking with them, I realize I can use telepathy with them.
But I don’t, in case I end up babbling nonsense like those two.
Room 202 didn’t even know what to buy, so I went with her to the wallpaper shop.
I was like, “What if they recognize me?” but I’d only been there once, so no way they’d know my face.
I got nervous for nothing.
“I’ll handle it.”
“Oh, yes, okay.”
Since the hole’s wide open on both sides, I could do it from my room.
But that wouldn’t be right.
“Anything I can help with…?”
“Rest.”
“Should I order pizza or something?”
She’s like a private sent off while the senior does complicated work.
“It’s fine. I’m about to eat.”
There’s still one more broken wall to deal with.
“Muscles…”
“Huh?”
“Oh, nothing.”
I wasn’t trying to show off my muscles, but it’s summer, so my clothes are light.
Since it’s not a job without some effort, they’re probably noticeable.
I don’t really want to brag about them.
It’s not like I earned them through hard work.
I’d rather be praised for skillfully patching up wall holes with sleight of hand.
My dexterity went up about 10 from random stat increases during level-ups, so my knack for handling these crazy situations has improved.
“That guy.”
“Yesterday you called me oppa.”
“Oh, oppa. Why… are you so kind? I’m the one who broke it.”
“Because this situation’s awkward?”
“Shouldn’t you yell at me to fix it and demand hotel fees?”
Room 202’s right.
That’d be my natural reaction.
If I hadn’t made the hole in the first place.
There’s only one way to avoid suspicion.
“I told you, I’m doing this to win you over while subtly showing off my muscles.”
If Room 202 actually falls for it, I can’t help it.
If it’s not about gaining favor, she wouldn’t find a reason for me to go through this trouble.
Suspicion would naturally sprout.
Plus, she thinks I’m gay. That makes it weirder.
I’m pretending to be straight or “normalized” now, I guess.
“Oh, you’ve got abs?”
They just appeared on their own.
When you pump Strength, your body changes to a physique suited for exertion.
No definition, but they’re round and perky, a six-pack I got without effort, so I admire them in the shower sometimes.
Well.
If I overinvest in Intelligence, would my brain get huge?
Wait.
If I overinvest in Charm, would charming parts get huge?
“Take a look.”
“Uh, um. Oh.”
She’s acting like she’s untying a groom’s ceremonial knot.
It’s nice that the neighbor girl’s paying attention, less lonely.
I’m not very social or active, so I usually welcome visitors.
Unless they barge in, I don’t like going out, but it’s not like I don’t crave human connection.
A girl coming to my room makes me like her.
Plus, aside from Room 202’s dark circles, she’s got nice skin and a good figure. If she wasn’t such a homebody, she’d probably be super popular.
“Haha. So, you’re resting? What do you do, oppa?”
“I’m a slacker.”
Since executing the imp, I’ve solidified my identity.
Before that, I was going to call myself a professional butcher.
Or an unlicensed food vendor.
Home security guard.
Boss of a cat begging syndicate.
Forest destroyer.
None of them sound good.
Something grand like “Guardian of This World” would be nice.
“If you’re free, we could hang out.”
I declared it’s about gaining favor, and she seems charmed, acting like this.
It’s awkward to respond, so I ignored it.
“Alright, I’m putting up the plywood.”
“Um.”
“Yes, why?”
“Can’t we just live with the hole? It was fun yesterday.”
“No way.”
“Why not?”
What, are we gonna have a biochemical terror attack with our butts?
I almost said that but held back because it’s too gross.
“This isn’t a dorm. I like being alone, so don’t.”
“I want to get closer…”
“If you have something to say, the bathroom wall’s thin. Talk through there.”
“Um!”
“What now?”
“Come over…!”
“What would we do?”
“I don’t know.”
I ignored her, filled in the plaster, added plywood, and did partial wallpapering instead of a full job.
A full job might expose the mosquito-shaped hole, so I’m a bit scared.
Room 202 doesn’t seem to notice, but the wallpaper over the mosquito hole is damp and sagging.
Helping with that too would lack justification.
“Done.”
Since I know what I’m doing, I don’t need to be perfect, so the job finished early.
Room 202 sees the decent wall and bows deeply.
“Thank you so much. Really, thank you. I don’t know how to repay you. Oh…”
“Repay?”
“I said to repay with favor, didn’t I?”
“That, that.”
“Yeah, what’s the payment?”
“You couldn’t help but save someone in trouble, but I know saying I’ll repay you is just talk because it’d burden you.”
That was my intention, but you’re not supposed to say it.
Saying “repay with favor” doesn’t seem to work, so I just scratched my head.
She can’t possibly imagine I broke the wall and fixed it like this before.
“It’s a temporary fix, so don’t tell the landlord grandpa. Well, if you’re gonna pay for it, go ahead.”
Landlord grandpa, I’m sorry.
I’ll buy this building someday.
No need for you to stress out now.
“No, please don’t tell him. I’m begging you.”
“Well, I’m an accomplice now, so what can I do?”
It was a solo crime, but sharing a crime does make it lighter.
“No, really, why are you covering for my mistake like this?”
Should’ve laughed it off when I said it was about favor.
I had to explain my actions’ justification, not my major, but with a word from a textbook subject.
“We’re neighbors.”
Room 202’s eyes well up as soon as she hears that.
“Sniff. Sob. Thank you so much. I thought you were crazy… I’m sorry. Wahhh.”
Phew.
That’s enough.
Even if this wall gets found out, Room 202 will take the blame.
I know nothing.
CatMan’s expression is like those internet pics of a neutered cat touching its parts, wondering where they went.
“What, you jealous?”
[Why do you still have yours?]
“It’s decoration. Happy? Wanna hit the operating table together?”
“Meeoow.”
“Shut up and bring me money.”
Since he’s a pet and brings money, I can shut him up.
Telling a cat to shut up doesn’t work since he doesn’t talk with his mouth.
[Heh, you’re clumsy!]
“What’s that now?”
The rice cooker… giving advice?
[Invite her to eat together! How about it? With this rice, wouldn’t she say she wants to eat the rice and meat soup you make forever?]
The rice cooker’s got a power button.
People with ego swords must feel awful.
They can’t turn off the nonsense.
And today, the Sprout Fairy’s flowerpot is especially droopy.
I peek through the slightly open petals, and even though I didn’t give her food, her cheeks are puffed up.
“Hm? Oh, what’s wrong, princess? Something up?”
The Sprout Fairy whips around and points a tiny finger at me (!).
“You said you loved me!”
Huh?