"I'm back."
He opened the door.
Entering the living room, which wasn't too big but not too small either, soft lights were on, and the TV was surprisingly playing an anti-Japanese drama filmed in neighboring China.
Asu Mei was wearing a white crop top, her hair disheveled, lounging sideways on the sofa.
Her ample bosom was squeezed by the pillow she was hugging.
Below that was just a…
Uh.
How bold.
She was lying in the living room, openly, wearing only a pair of pure black panties.
"Why aren't you wearing anything?"
Putting down his backpack, Hoshino Jun walked over to Asu Mei and gently patted her fair, long legs, signaling her to move further in.
But Asu Mei "hmph-ed," shot Hoshino Jun a sidelong glance, and showed no intention of moving.
He transformed into a voyeur, peeking through the gaps.
Stealing a glance at Asu Mei's black panties, Hoshino Jun, emboldened, sat down by the side of the lady's legs.
The sofa sank, and his lower back, through his shirt, touched a large expanse of smooth, fair skin, and the silky texture of that black fabric.
"Today, Takayanagi from next door secretly took pictures of a girl, and I happened to know that girl, so I went with Yuki to apologize to her family."
Her tense expression somewhat softened, but Asu Mei still stared intently at the TV, showing no intention of answering Hoshino Jun.
So Hoshino Jun sat a bit further in, turning sideways so his thigh just brushed against her firm, smooth, slender waist, and her tempting navel.
"I was wrong. I shouldn't have come home so late, and I shouldn't have ignored your calls."
He placed his hands on Asu Mei's arms, dutifully massaging her.
Asu Mei had probably just showered not long ago; the scent of shower gel wafted from her, drifting into Hoshino Jun's nose.
"This time, my phone was on silent during the apology and I didn't notice. Next time, I promise I'll reply on time."
"Oh!"
The lady finally spoke, and Hoshino Jun knew that most of her anger had dissipated.
Now, she was just putting on airs, deliberately not wanting to give Hoshino Jun a good look too quickly.
Hoshino Jun chuckled, and simply squeezed in further, using both hands to massage Asu Mei's arms and shoulders.
Although he hadn't learned formal techniques and didn't know if it felt good.
But as long as he showed this appeasing posture, that was enough.
Because he was sitting sideways, when Hoshino Jun moved further in, his knee accidentally touched her plump, soft flesh.
Immediately, his bones tingled for a moment, and he almost let out a moan.
"Lady, why are you still watching this kind of show?" To cover his embarrassment, Hoshino Jun quickly asked before Asu Mei could speak.
Just now, the momentary touch on her chest made Asu Mei's pretty face flush slightly.
She had originally intended to make an issue of it, but then she met her Little Piglet's clear, innocent eyes.
He felt nothing when he touched the lady, but instead asked about the TV show?
When Little Piglet wasn't home, Asu Mei had no mood to watch anything, so she just randomly tuned to an overseas movie channel, and it happened to be this one.
"I'm learning to tear apart devils with my bare hands."
As she said this, Asu Mei's eyes were fixed on Hoshino Jun.
Clearly, the 'little devil' she wanted to tear apart was Hoshino Jun.
This was a great insult to Hoshino Jun.
He pouted, muttering softly, "My soul is Chinese, if anyone's getting torn, it's me tearing you, you female devil."
"What did you say?"
"I said my Chinese history is good, so I'm not a devil."
"I heard you say I was."
Asu Mei raised her fair, tender little foot and kicked Hoshino Jun in the waist.
His kidney, plundered by Kato Nana yesterday, then ravaged by the neighbor's wife today, and now receiving a merciless kick from Asu Mei, almost made Hoshino Jun reincarnate again.
"Ugh~~!"
With a pained groan, Hoshino Jun's anger flared. The hand that had been patiently massaging instinctively rose high, then swung down.
"Slap~!"
A crisp slapping sound echoed from her round, full-moon-like buttocks.
Not only Hoshino Jun was stunned, but Asu Mei was also stunned.
Beneath the pure black fabric, a red handprint was faintly visible.
Hoshino Jun…
…actually hit Asu Mei's butt.
In the past, jokes at most involved patting her head or flicking her forehead.
But hitting a private part, this was truly the first time.
And he had hit hard.
"Hoshino Jun, you bastard, I'll tear you apart!"
Asu Mei was both shocked and enraged, cursing loudly as she flipped over and pounced, pinning Hoshino Jun beneath her, grabbing Little Piglet's ears with both claws and twisting them fiercely.
Damn it!
A burning pain shot from his ears, yet Hoshino Jun dared not fight back, feeling indescribable torment for a moment.
But the next instant, Hoshino Jun's face was suddenly struck by something soft.
Hm?
It was like the hot, steaming glutinous rice balls eaten in winter; one could smell a sweet aroma just by sniffing.
Instantly…
…his ears no longer hurt.
Hoshino Jun wished Asu Mei would twist a little longer.
"Hoshino Jun, you're very proud, aren't you!"
"How dare you hit me! I'll tear off your little devil ears!"
Asu Mei had not yet noticed the change in her Little Piglet; she was still immersed in the pleasure of tearing apart the 'devil'.
A mere Jun-chan dared to hit the lady.
He truly didn't want to live.
Hmph!
One should enjoy life to the fullest when things are going well.
It was rare for Little Piglet to be in the wrong and not dare to resist, so Asu Mei naturally wanted to bully him severely. As she twisted his ears, a smile played at the corners of her eyes and brows.
Until…
…she suddenly felt a scorching sensation on her thigh.
"Huh?"
Asu Mei's delicate brows furrowed, her body trembled, and her pretty face instantly flushed crimson.
She silently rolled off the sofa, then put on her slippers, clenched her small fists, and quickly walked into the bedroom.
"It's over."
Hoshino Jun gazed at the ceiling, his eyes filled with bewilderment.
This was the first time he had ever hated a 'stamina +1' notification so much.
He had been enjoying the 'facial cleanser' just fine, but his good brother just wouldn't behave.
Walking into the bathroom, Hoshino Jun turned on the cold water and splashed his face, then headed to Asu Mei's bedroom door.
He gently pressed the doorknob and tried it.
It really was over.
This was the first time Asu Mei had locked her door since Hoshino Jun moved in with her.
"Lady."
"I'm sorry."
After a quiet apology, Hoshino Jun turned off the light and returned to his own bedroom.
"…"
"…"
The next day, when it was bright, the first thing Hoshino Jun did after waking up was to look for Asu Mei.
But…
…she was gone, the place empty.
Only a note was left on the dining table.
"Idiot Jun-chan, I'm working overtime today, eat dinner by yourself, no need to wait for me."
Overtime?
Or hiding?
Hoshino Jun couldn't guess, and he didn't feel like eating breakfast either. He grabbed his backpack and headed to school.
There were still four days left for the A-rank collection mission; it was time to meet Yamada Ran.