LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 17: Chapter 17: But I Have Nowhere to Go
Seeing that she couldn't get away with it,
Nao Tomori lowered her head and asked softly:
"Can you... save my brother?"
Nao Tomori's brother was also a Puberty Syndrome patient.
After being subjected to countless cruel experiments in the lab, he had completely lost his sanity.
Even though the lab was now liberated, he was still insane.
Haruto shook his head.
"Sorry, I currently don't have any abilities related to consciousness. If I acquire one in the future, I'll help him."
Hearing this, Nao Tomori lowered her eyes in disappointment.
But as Haruto continued walking, she followed him again.
"Why are you still following me?" Haruto asked without looking back.
"You saved me, and you saved my brother. I want to repay you, so I'm following you."
Nao Tomori said firmly.
Haruto held his forehead in exasperation. "But I'm going home now."
Nao Tomori nodded. "Please take me with you. I can cook, clean, and even warm your bed."
Haruto shook his head. "Not necessary."
Nao Tomori was silent for a moment before saying:
"I have nowhere else to go."
Haruto was momentarily speechless.
Until they reached his apartment, he turned to Nao Tomori with a helpless expression.
"I'm not letting you in."
Nao Tomori nodded.
"I'll stay outside. If anyone passes by, I'll use my ability so I don't cause trouble for you."
The silver-haired girl said.
Haruto sighed.
Opening the apartment door, he casually tossed Nao Tomori inside.
"Eh? I can come in? Big brother is really kind! Thank you so much!"
Nao Tomori, after being thrown in, looked delighted.
Annie, watching from the side, had a complicated expression.
It felt like seeing a reflection of himself.
This person... is really kind.
But soon, the warm atmosphere was interrupted.
"Welcome home, Haru..."
Eriri jumped out from the living room.
But halfway through her greeting, she froze.
She pointed at Annie and Nao Tomori, eyes widening.
"A girl… Two girls… The numbers are increasing!"
Eriri let out a wailing sound of despair.
Haruto only felt a headache coming on.
"Eriri, why are you at my house?"
Eriri took out a key and confidently replied, "Because Yuan always leaves the spare key under the flowerpot by the door."
A fake childhood friend also has its advantages, okay!
Her answer didn't quite match the question.
But she couldn't exactly say that she came rushing over after seeing another woman, as if catching him in the act.
She had no right to say that at all.
Nao Tomori, watching from the side, looked extremely excited.
"Whoa, is this the legendary 'use and discard' scenario? Is this what they call losing interest in the old and chasing the new?"
Eriri instantly exploded.
"It's not like that at all! Haruto and I have been neighbors for three years, we're important friends! Haruto would never abandon me!"
After saying that, Eriri was the first to break her own composure.
Her face turned bright red, and she started stammering. Nao clenched her right fist and lightly struck her palm.
"I see, so this is a battle between the childhood friend and the sudden love interest! Which one does big brother prefer? Usually, it's the sudden love interest, right? Or does big brother want both?"
Gu Zeyuan's mouth twitched.
Then, he naturally turned to Eriri and introduced the others:
"This is Annie Leonhart, and this is Nao Tomori. They are my friends and are temporarily staying at my place."
Eriri: !
Temporarily staying? That sounds way too suspicious!
But before she could react, Haruto continued the introductions:
"This is Eriri Spencer Sawamura, my neighbor for three years. She's a bit dumb, but she's a good person."
Nao was the first to react. She extended a hand toward Eriri.
"Nice to meet you! Please take care of me!"
Eriri: Eh? Eh?!
Out of her well-mannered upbringing, Eriri instinctively shook Nao's hand and gave a polite smile.
It wasn't until after she smiled that she realized—
Why was she shaking hands with a suspected love rival?!
And what did he mean by "a bit dumb"?!
"Sawamura-san, I will cheer for you!"
Nao whispered while shaking Eriri's hand enthusiastically.
Haruto finally couldn't hold back and flicked Nao's forehead.
"Where did this shipper come from?"
Nao clutched her forehead and crouched down, letting out a cute whimper.
Annie didn't say anything, just nodded at Eriri in a friendly manner.
After all, she wasn't great at socializing.
Especially in such a chaotic atmosphere.
"Alright, everyone is getting along well. I'm going to cook now. Eriri, do you want to stay for dinner?"
Haruto clapped his hands, trying to brush past the situation.
If it were Annie or Nao, this trick probably wouldn't work.
But with Eriri, it was incredibly effective.
"Eh? Eh?! Um... since you're inviting me so enthusiastically, I guess I'll stay."
Eriri activated her tsundere mode, raising her head proudly as she spoke.
Haruto smiled and walked toward the kitchen.
Nao stood up, looked at Eriri, and showed a gaze filled with concern.
As expected, just like big brother said, this childhood friend is a bit dumb.
"Even though your chances aren't great, I'll still cheer for you, Sawamura-san!"
Nao said seriously.
Eriri: ???
At the Dinner Table
The atmosphere was incredibly awkward.
Annie wasn't the talkative type.
Nao was a little reserved since it was her first time dining at a strange man's house and even staying over.
As for Eriri, she spent the entire meal glaring at Haruto, puffing out her cheeks, and eating with excessive force.
After the awkward dinner ended, Haruto ruffled Eriri's blonde hair.
"It's getting late. Aren't you going home, Eriri? Mrs. Sawamura will be worried, right?"
(Mrs. Sawamura: No, she won't. Please make sure my daughter stays over.)
Eriri pouted and shook her head.
"I'm staying over too!"
Haruto looked troubled.
Seeing his reaction, Eriri suddenly felt a wave of grievance rise in her heart.
What the heck!
Other girls could stay over without any issue.
But she, after knowing him for three years—more than just friends, but not quite lovers—was somehow a problem?!
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
She lowered her head, preparing to shout, "I'm just joking! I'm leaving now!"
But just as she was about to, she heard Gu Zeyuan say,
(T/N: Gaddamn, author really loves his cliffhangers.)