Romantic Troubles of Duanmu-kun

“Maho-chan, don’t tell me you haven’t checked the weather forecast at all?”

Misao sat up straight and took out her phone to show the class rep beside her.

“Due to the low pressure system, there’s going to be a heavy downpour tonight. And it doesn’t seem like it’ll stop anytime soon. So, you’ll have to stay here.”

…Was this planned from the beginning?

However, Misao quickly seemed to remember something, and her expression became rather complicated.

That’s right, this time it wasn’t just the class rep alone, but also an extra boy thrown into the mix. She was getting a headache thinking about how to handle this situation.

“…Is it possible to call a car around here?”

The Novelist didn’t want to trouble them and actively suggested leaving.

However, based on his observations during the journey here, this place was quite remote, and with the sudden downpour, there was no guarantee that a taxi would come.

“…Hmm.”

Sure enough, Misao’s face showed a troubled expression.

“While it’s good that you’re being considerate, I can’t lie to you either… My suggestion would be that taking a bus might be better.”

But the location of Misao’s house was quite a distance from the nearest bus stop. In such heavy rain, even with an umbrella, one would definitely be soaked through by the time they walked there. Catching a cold would be troublesome, though he didn’t mind such things much… Right, why not ask Yayoi to send someone to pick him up by car?

“But wouldn’t it be a bit dangerous to drive out now…?”

The class rep voiced her concern from the side.

Indeed.

Rather than the issue of getting wet, the slippery roads in the rain and the poor visibility while driving in a downpour were the real potential dangers.

“Sh-should we… perhaps stay over together?”

Itou Maho hesitantly suggested.

“Don’t be so quick to decide. Let’s wait until the rain lightens up a bit,”

Misao replied coldly, sitting on the sofa with her arms crossed.

“Personally, I think it’s more dangerous to have a hormone-driven boy who’s only thinking about mating staying with a group of girls.”

Please use more human terms to describe a teenage high school boy.

“Knock knock.”

Just then, the door was pushed open. Kaori-san walked in leisurely with a western umbrella. Humid air rushed into the living room with her steps.

The corner of her lace-embroidered skirt had damp marks, and her high heels gleamed with a wet luster as if they had been soaked in water.

“I didn’t expect it would suddenly rain so heavily. How annoying…”

Kaori-san sighed a “haah” in frustration.

“Mom! Where did you go?”

Misao anxiously stood up from the sofa.

“I was planning to bring in the potted plants from the garden that wouldn’t survive the wind and rain, but unexpectedly the downpour started midway, forcing me to run back.”

“Ah, as a result, I’m completely soaked~” As she spoke, Kaori-san extended her slender, fair fingers toward the buttons at her collar, which was propped up high against her ample chest—

“Hey! Wait a minute!”

Being her daughter, Misao clearly knew her mother’s personality, so she quickly intervened to prevent her next action.

“Oh right, there’s a boy here.”

Fujishima Kaori had a sudden realization.

“That’s what I’m saying!”

“But wet clothes still need to be changed quickly. Otherwise, I’ll catch a cold…”

“That may be true… And you! Why are your eyes so wide open? Be a gentleman and turn your head away!”

Hmph, how unfortunate, I’m actually a peeping pervert who just saw you completely exposed.

…Despite saying that, at the class rep’s request, the Novelist obediently turned his head away.

From behind came the rustling sounds of clothes being removed and a coat being put on, as well as the mother and daughter whispering to each other in lowered voices.

It felt like ants crawling all over his heart, an itch he couldn’t scratch. Oh my, this must be the so-called “adolescent restlessness.”

After several minutes.

“Mom, are you serious?”

Misao sounded very agitated. Her volume increased considerably.

The class rep quickly pressed down on the Novelist’s head as he instinctively tried to turn around, while she herself wore a curious expression as they both listened intently.

“Liang came all this way for your sake, bringing such heavy goods here. Shouldn’t you show him some consideration?”

Kaori-san also raised her voice.

“But, if things continue like this, how am I supposed to feel? Expressing thanks or compensating for hard work can be done through payment, but what I’ve lost is a maiden’s purity! How is he going to make up for that?”

Hearing phrases like “maiden’s purity,” the class rep’s cheeks turned rosy… What an adorable reaction.

“Alright, alright…”

Kaori-san soothed her daughter in a gentle tone.

…

“You can turn around now.”

Fujishima Kaori clapped her hands.

She smiled at the Novelist,

“At any rate, why don’t you rest here for a while? We can discuss the rest later. If it’s impossible to leave by evening, we also have a room prepared for outside guests.”

“…”

Hearing this, Fujishima Misao let out a soft grunt from the side, clearly quite dissatisfied.

“Well then, I’ll go take a bath first. I’ll prepare dinner for everyone afterward…”

“That’s not necessary!”

“Please don’t trouble yourself, Kaori-san!”

Misao and the class rep said almost in unison.

“Eh~ But it’s so rare to have guests…”

The blonde beauty showed a hurt expression.

“Enough already, Mom, go take a bath quickly! Otherwise, you’ll catch a cold! Leave this to me!”

The ponytailed girl firmly pushed her mother toward the bathroom. Only after Kaori-san’s figure disappeared did she let out a small sigh.

“…Alright, you two, let’s go upstairs.”

“Um… aren’t we waiting here?”

The Novelist was somewhat confused.

“What’s with you? Don’t tell me you want to peep?”

Fujishima Misao glared at him coldly. But soon, as if realizing something, she dropped her shoulders in apparent resignation.

“Whatever, I guess there’s no point in maintaining this attitude anymore. Since Mom already said those things…”

So it was deliberate after all?

“Part of it was intentional acting. But you didn’t expect me to be polite to you after such a foolish accident during our first meeting, did you? …If anything, that would be even more awkward.”

The girl sighed as she answered, as if she had seen through the Novelist’s thoughts.