Jin finally stepped into his so-called new residence.
And immediately felt cheated.
The room was simple, worse than a run-down business hotel. If it weren't for the fact that it was across the street from Kiyoko's place, he would've ditched it instantly.
He rummaged around. No food. No fridge worth mentioning. His stomach growled.
"Damn system… not even a mission that gives me cash?!" He ruffled his silver hair. 'Forget about a big harem, I can't even afford dinner.'
With a heavy sigh, he trudged outside, just as Kiyoko stepped out from across the street.
She wore simple home clothes, her calm aura shining even in the dim evening light.
"Kiyoko-senpai!" Jin lit up as if salvation itself had appeared.
She blinked, clearly surprised. "…You live here?"
Jin put on his best "shocked" face. "Eh? I just rented this place today! I didn't think we'd be neighbors, Senpai."
"I see… I live alone too."
Those words almost made Jin faint. 'Alone? Perfect!'
He eyed the bag in her hand. Groceries. Which meant.
"Senpai, you haven't eaten yet, right? How about we eat together?"
"I'm not used to eating out," Kiyoko replied politely.
"Then let's go to your house. I'll cook!" Jin declared without hesitation, already nudging her toward the street.
Kiyoko hesitated, but Jin's shameless persistence left no room to refuse. Soon enough, they were walking through the market together, buying vegetables and meat for two.
---
It was Jin's first time stepping into Kiyoko's home. And he is the first male student from Karasuno to ever do so.
The place was small but cozy, warm wallpaper, a neat shelf lined with small trinkets, and a simple chandelier. It radiated her personality, quiet, tidy, elegant.
Jin's eyes wandered… and then froze.
Outside the window, on the laundry pole, hung a neat row of white undergarments.
His eyes widened. "Whoa-!"
*Shh!*
Kiyoko's cheeks burned as she yanked the curtains shut. She flicked on the light, avoiding his gaze. "Um… aren't you going to cook? The kitchen's that way. Wash your hands first."
Jin nodded quickly, though his grin betrayed him. 'The pure white set… totally suits a saint like Kiyoko-senpai…'
As he ducked into the kitchen, Kiyoko dashed to the balcony, hastily gathering up the laundry she'd forgotten to put away.
"Senpai, where are the vegetables?" Jin called, poking his head out.
Kiyoko spun, clutching an armful of clothes. She'd left the groceries on the desk in her panic.
"On the desk! Just… grab them yourself!" She fumbled backward, trying to shove the laundry into a drawer.
"What are you doing?" Jin asked innocently, though his grin was threatening to break his face.
"Nothing!" she blurted, tugging the drawer too hard.
*Bang!*
The whole drawer spilled, scattering neatly folded underwear across the floor.
Both froze.
Jin blinked, staring wide-eyed. Then, in mock seriousness, he muttered, "Enough for… at least two months' rotation…"
"AHHH!" Kiyoko shrieked, her composure shattering. She shoved him out of the room in a frenzy.
"Senpai, wait! I didn't mean anything!" Jin protested through the door.
Her voice was muffled, frantic. "Jin, let's… let's forget about dinner today. Thank you for the thought!"
Inside, she scrambled to gather everything with her face burning scarlet.
Outside, Jin slumped against the door, clutching his empty stomach. "Great… now I've gone and starved myself 'and' gotten hated. Smooth move, Jin…"