{Our Life Together 2}

After we finished our rooms, we moved on to the kitchen and dining area.

She carefully unwrapped each dish and placed it in the cupboard while I set up the TV channels and connected the speakers. The phone, gas, and water were already set up, but it was unfortunate that the fridge couldn’t be used right away.

Yet, we could see our new home coming together gradually.

“I’m done with the kitchen for the most part,” Miyu called out as I finished installing the lights in every room.

I turned on the lights. Outside, the sun was beginning to set.

“What should we do for dinner?” I asked as I pulled the curtains in the dining area.

Since the fridge was still unusable, we decided not to buy perishable items today. Plus, after a long day of moving, there was no need to force ourselves into the kitchen.

“How about we order delivery?”

“Sounds good! Should we go with soba?”

“We don’t have to stick to soba. We could order moving pizza or sushi.”

Miyu’s eyes sparkled at the phrase “moving pizza,” so we decided to order pizza for our first dinner.

We ordered two types of pizza: bacon potato and basil seafood.

Feeling famished, we also got nuggets, fries, and a Caesar salad. After a day of physical labor, we needed this much to refuel.

We picked up drinks from a nearby convenience store and raised our glasses when the pizza arrived.

“Wow, I feel like we really worked hard today,” Miyu said, munching on a slice of pizza.

“It was just simple physical labor. I might be sore tomorrow,” I replied.

“Yeah me too. I’m sorry if I smell like the pain-relief patches.”

Her apologetic tone before even applying any patches was typical of her flustered self.

But starting today, it was just the two of us living together.

While respecting each other was important, I hoped we could create a lifestyle where we wouldn’t have to worry too much and could lean on each other sometimes.

“Don’t worry about that,” I said, and she made a face that seemed a bit unsure.

“But…”

“Even if you smell like a pain relief patch, I still like you, Miyu.”

I said this in a casual tone.

She looked down, flustered.

“Ah, Atsushi-kun… um, that’s a bit hard to comment on…”

She was clearly troubled by my words.

I thought that being honest would be important as we began our life together.

Since Miyu seemed tired, I let her go first for the bath.

“Atsushi-kun, it’s your turn now.”

“Thank you.”

After she spoke, I headed to our new bathroom.

In this unfamiliar bathroom, both the washing area and the tub were new to me, and I washed away the sweat and fatigue I had accumulated throughout the day. While washing my hair, I noticed an unfamiliar shampoo next to my own and assumed it was Miyu’s.

Come to think of it, her hair always had a feminine, pleasant scent. I had been curious about what shampoo she used, but I held back from asking, thinking it might seem a bit pervy.

It seemed that I would get to know those little details in the future.

Having spent our high school years together and dating for two years since graduation, it was strange yet delightful to realize there were still things I didn’t know about her. The thought of imagining our future days together excited me.

“I’m out… Huh?”

When I returned to the room after drying my hair, I found Miyu sleeping in my bed with the light on.

She was curled up in her pajamas, sound asleep.

In our new apartment, we only had one bed. Although Miyu had always preferred sleeping on a futon, she decided not to bring her old one. So, it was agreed that I would sleep next to her in the bed, acting as a wall so she wouldn’t fall off — a transparent excuse anyone could see through.

Still, I didn’t think it was necessary for her to be sleeping on top of the comforter just because it was unfamiliar.

“Miyu, you’re going to catch a cold.”

“Mm…”

She let out a small sound but showed no sign of waking up.

Maybe she was really tired. Or perhaps she was the type who wouldn’t wake up once she fell asleep.

“…I guess there’s no helping it.”

I gently nudged her body a little and pulled the comforter out from underneath her.

Then, I covered both her and myself with it as I slipped in next to her.

I hugged her from behind. She was warm after her bath, and I could smell that familiar shampoo scent. The thought that I would fall asleep every day surrounded by this scent brought me a quiet yet profound happiness.

Living together as a couple is nice.

Even though we had just begun, I felt completely satisfied and closed my eyes.

How much time had passed?

Just as I was starting to doze off, Miyu suddenly stirred in my arms.

“Ah! I’m sorry, I fell asleep…!”

“It’s fine; you can sleep. You were tired, right?”

After all, we had been busy moving today. I thought that was the case, but it seemed Miyu had different feelings.

“It’s kind of embarrassing to fall asleep on our first day of living together.”

She shook her head as if trying to wake herself up.

“Well, do you want to stay awake a little longer?”

Even though it was this late.

In response to my question, she quietly turned to face me from under the blanket.

Even in the dim light of the room, I could see her shy expression clearly.

I feel like our life together was off to a pretty happy start.

End of Third arc