Heh, you shouldve answered me, you know? I wouldnt have shouted if you did. Scratching her head while sporting a silly smile, the girl defended herself from my unfriendly gaze when she appeared at the doorway to the living room.

Shes truly carrying a pot and judging from the steam rising from it she even heated it before coming.

Is she a huge idiot beneath that pretty face of hers?

Put it in the kitchen and leave. Without any change in my expression, I coldly said. Next time, use the doorbell.

Perhaps not liking it, she immediately pouted as she took heavy steps to the kitchen.

After dropping the pot on the tabletop, she took off her heavy winter coat, revealing herself in a comfortable red and white cotton blouse and short pants. Her figure was, as always, a sight to behold. However, not for my eyes.

Ignoring my gaze at her, she started busying herself there without even asking for my permission.

Maybe thinking that it already lost some heat, she put the stove on top of the stove and turned it on. And while it was heating up, she made her way to the dish cabinet, taking out bowls, spoons, and plates.

And she didnt stop at that.

After acting like she was contemplating something, she walked to the pantry, taking out eggs and other ingredients inside it. Following that, she also opened the freezer, pulling out a frozen fish and some chopped pork meat that I frugally used in my cooking.

Oi, who said you can rummage in my kitchen? What are you doing?

Ill make breakfast. Stay there and wait for me to call you. Soup wont be enough, no?

Who said you can do that? Go home, Akane.

No. I saw you arriving home last night with a nasty scowl. And today, youre holding that box as if youre going to open Pandora's Box. Relax and wait for a while. Mom taught me how to prepare a simple dish, dont worry. I wont make a mess here. And while we eat, you can talk to me about what was worrying you.

Who are you? My mother? The audacity of this girl is growing.

Ugh And what did she just say? Was I scowling last night? Maybe. Im thoroughly disappointed, after all.

And what about this? Pandoras Box, huh? She might not be wrong.

If I open this, theres a possibility that my resolve will be shaken. Should I just put it back? Less hassle for me.

Anyway, this isnt the issue at hand!

Nothing is worrying me. Do I look like I need someone to talk to? Go and bug someone else.

Ruki. I know you. If its any other day, youd have already left before I woke up. Yet, here you are, without any plans to leave.

Cant I just feel like not going at all?

You? Impossible. You have your bottomless desire. You wont be able to last a day without doing anything about that.

This girl Why does it feel like she knows everything about me? Well, she probably does. She kept on stalking me in school, after all.

If someones privy to my secret of conquering girls who are in a relationship, its her. And for some reason, I dont have any inclination to stop her. I mean, if she has seen enough, wont she be disgusted by me and stop at one point?

I just failed to anticipate that shed be this persistent. She probably inherited that trait from her mother.

Enough. Do whatever you want.

Yes! Oh wait

I heard her cheerfully exclaim when I gave up arguing with her. But a second later, I picked up approaching footsteps coming from her direction.

She was quick on her feet.

Before I knew it, the girl had already lunged at me, wrapping her arms around my back and squeezing her little golden head to my chest.

Im just warming you up! Her muffled voice then reached my ears as her warm breath seeped into the clothes I was wearing. Her body was also warm enough for me to feel. However, as always, it failed to trigger any reaction from me.

Anyway, I get how much of a lousy excuse that is. This girl is simply taking advantage of this situation to embrace me or get close to me which I often deny her.

No matter how cold I treat her, this girl will always act this warmly like I am the center of her world.

That should be flattering enough. Unfortunately, Im just that indifferent.

Maybe if Im a regular guy and not twisted by my desire, Ill probably be as overjoyed as her to receive this kind of treatment.

Thats something that wont ever happen. Everything shes doing is useless. Overcoming this desire is impossible. Ah. No. I never even thought of overcoming this. Im already a slave to it and I relish every moment I spend as one.

Seconds turned to minutes. In the end, I couldnt push her away. I let her get away with this.

Maybe thats why she was so cheerful again when she walked back to the kitchen. She enthusiastically chirped like a joyous bird who got the worm for her hatchlings.

Watching her move about from where I was sitting, I found myself drawn to her for at least a few seconds.

Well, thats all there is to it.

Before long, I lost interest and brought my attention back to the box in my hand.

While that girl was busily going around my kitchen to prepare a meal for me, I worked up my determination to open this Pandoras Box.

Here goes.

Yeah. Its not like its a padlocked gift. Its a simple box so, upon taking the top lid cover off, the identity of the gift lay before my eyes.

Its not an accessory like a ring or a necklace. Nagisa knows that Im not fond of using any. Instead, its a bottle of cologne.

Is it important to me? I dont know.

However, I do remember having a conversation with her about this months ago. Before she graduated or specifically, the day before my birthday.

She asked me if I had a preference for gifts I would like to receive. I said none but if ever I would receive one I told her that a small bottle of cologne was enough. I dont like wearing accessories. Not that I hate it, I just dont feel the need to. Clothes or any article of clothing is also something I dont like receiving. I can buy those, after all. Thats why a cologne or a perfume bottle is enough.

I can use it and its finite. Once its empty, I can throw it away.

I see. So, shes telling me the truth. The present wasnt for her boyfriend. She picked this for me

You opened it. I suddenly heard Akanes voice from the kitchen as I was stuck staring inside the box. Let me guess. Is that from that girl who knocked on your door three days ago?

Yes.

She left crying.

How do you know?

I ran into her. I thought you were the one dashing out of your house

Ah. Right. Of course, shes staking out for my presence that day, after all.

I see.

What? Thats all the reaction you have. You wont ask me why I said shes crying?

You already know the answer, dumbass. I did that to her. I somehow answered snappishly while an uncomfortable sensation spread across my body.

Before long, I placed the box still containing the present on the table and let my body slump in the comfort of this sofa.