"Rumble, rumble, rumble…"
Utaha lay groggily in bed, enjoying the comfort of sleeping in, when the sound of a car engine reached her ears from outside.
It should be seven o'clock by now.
For nearly a week, Haizaki had been leaving around seven every morning. She no longer needed to check her phone to guess the time.
Today was April 20th.
It was the eighth day since the two of them had moved into the villa district. After settling their basic daily needs, she had even helped Haizaki clean Villas No. 4 and No. 6 next door.
According to Haizaki, those two villas were prepared for material storage, just in case.
She still felt that Haizaki was being overly cautious, but she didn't say anything. After all, they would be living here for decades. Preparing now would only make life easier in the future.
"Mm…"
Once she was fully awake, she drooped slightly, realizing she couldn't fall back asleep. She pulled a pillow over and sat up, leaning against it.
The blanket slid down along her soft curves. Utaha casually pulled it back up, covering her snow-white skin and alluring fullness.
Counting from the day they moved into Villa No. 13, the first five days had been the busiest.
After that—
She had very little to do, to the point that she gradually returned to her old routine.
The morning before yesterday, on the 18th, Haizaki had tried to wake her up as usual. She had successfully convinced him to give up by saying, "There's nothing important to do. I'm sleeping in."
Since then, her schedule had begun to resemble her former one.
However, compared to before—
She now had things she needed to do.
For example, watering plants and pulling weeds.
The tomatoes, leafy greens, and coriander they had planted in the villa district were all under Utaha's care.
"Breakfast, breakfast…"
For her, meals were rare moments of enjoyment.
"Fried rice the day before yesterday, fried rice yesterday—don't tell me today is fried rice again!"
Unable to hold back any longer, Utaha threw off the blanket, slipped on her slippers, and ran downstairs with a tap-tap-tap.
As for putting on a jacket?
No need.
There was no one else around.
No one would see her anyway.
She quickly reached the kitchen and opened the insulated pot lid with curiosity.
"It's not fried rice, but…"
Golden noodles lay inside, appetizing and glossy. Chopped scallions and greens added a fresh splash of color, while onions brought a hint of lightness that reduced the greasy smell.
But—
Why was it still fried food?!
"Doesn't he know fried noodles are greasy? Is he trying to fatten me up?"
"Uh—then I'll pay more attention next time."
The startled voice of a man coming from the front door made Utaha freeze.
Haizaki hadn't left.
Realizing this, she immediately covered her chest and bent slightly, but then realized it was already too late. She forcibly relaxed and put on an indifferent expression.
Just treat underwear as a swimsuit.
That'll do.
"Yusuke the Peeping Tom—you did this on purpose, didn't you?!"
She didn't give up on questioning or holding him accountable.
"I just came back to tell you I won't be home for lunch today."
That was the truth. He really had forgotten to tell her earlier.
But faced with this scene—
Haizaki knew that even jumping into the Yellow River wouldn't clear his name.
"Does it look good?"
The low, quiet words were like a requiem echoing from hell. Haizaki tensed up completely. He knew that if he answered wrong, he would be condemned.
He swallowed lightly, his mind racing as he searched for the most appropriate response.
"I'm asking you… does it look good?"
Her calm, lake-like tone concealed a surging undercurrent, as if it would erupt and swallow everything the next moment.
"It looks very good…"
Haizaki didn't avert his gaze. He stood straight, facing Utaha directly.
In that brief moment after entering, her body had fully entered his view. Compared to the girl he had seen hugging a pillow in the Nagoya hotel, Utaha now—wearing almost nothing—was far more tempting.
Black lace bra, black lace-trimmed panties, and snow-white skin formed a stark black-and-white contrast that heightened the impact. Her curvy figure radiated feminine charm.
Her delicate face, wearing a cold expression, added yet another layer of intensity.
"Are you tempted?"
Why this question again?
"I am tempted, but this was an accident," Haizaki spoke sincerely, his tone firm.
The atmosphere fell into silence once more.
"This was an accident?"
"Yes, it was an accident."
"Alright. I understand."
That was it?
Her unexpected response caught Haizaki completely off guard.
He had been prepared to endure her sharp tongue and meet some demands, but now, he felt strangely uneasy.
"What, haven't you seen enough?"
"No, that's enough. More than enough. I'll leave immediately. Oh—there are many hard drives in my room with movies, TV series, anime, and games. If you're bored, you can take them and use them to pass the time."
"There's still internet in many areas of Wuhua City. If you're not used to the Eastern Union sites, contact me. If there's a lot you want, make a list and I'll download them as soon as possible."
This was Haizaki's form of compensation.
"I understand. If there's anything, I'll contact you."
"Then I'm leaving," Haizaki spoke.
"Of course. You may leave now. Please remember to close the door on your way out," Utaha said slowly.
Haizaki turned and left without hesitation.
Staying any longer would only make things more awkward.
Once Haizaki's back completely disappeared from sight and the car outside roared away, her face flushed red in an instant, her cheeks blooming with a vivid blush.
She had almost failed to maintain her cool image.
No matter how bold she acted, she was still a shy girl with a strong sense of embarrassment.
…