Chapter 9
"Today's the day when mother comes home late, so I'll be making dinner... What would you like to eat?"
On the way home from school, I asked Lily.
"Sota, can you cook?"
"Well, I can manage decently,"
Even though I said that, I could only make simple dishes like those of a typical guy.
I'm not particularly skilled at cooking.
I wonder if a noble lady like her would be satisfied.
"I want something moderate."
"Alright, I'll do my best."
Then, I asked Lily again what she wanted to eat, and she replied, "Something you're good at among Japanese home-cooked dishes."
Maybe I'll make yakisoba.
It's not Japanese cuisine, but it's a staple of Japanese home cooking.
It can be made with whatever ingredients are on hand, and seasoning can be done with the included powder and salt and pepper.
Around 7:00 PM, after receiving the grim reply from my mother that she would be staying at the company today, I started making dinner.
Although not as efficient as my mother, the cooking was easy, so it was done in about thirty minutes.
"This is delicious. It's my favorite flavor."
Fortunately, Lily seemed to like the taste of the yakisoba.
Come to think of it, she used to enjoy fast food and such even in England.
She seems to like junk food.
"Sota, you're unexpectedly good at this."
"Unexpected" was unnecessary.
...Well, since the seasoning is just the included powder, the amazing thing is not me but the effort of the company.
After dinner, after finishing washing the dishes, I asked Lily,
"Who should take a bath first?"
Lily seemed to ponder my question for a moment.
Before I knew it, her cheeks were faintly blushing.
And she answered shyly,
"Um, then, together..."
"Together?"
Did I mishear?
When I asked again, Lily shook her head in a fluster.
"It's nothing... I don't mind going later."
So, I decided to take a shower first since Lily was waiting.
I quickly washed my body and dried myself with a bath towel, then tried to leave the changing room...
"Ah, be careful."
That's right, Lily is here today.
I can't walk around naked.
I changed properly before leaving the changing room.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Sure."
Lily entered the changing room as I left.
She closed the door.
After a while, I thought I heard the sound of clothes rustling... or so I felt.
It's probably just my imagination.
But thinking that Lily might be undressing here...
...Let's stop.
It's not good to think such things about a roommate.
To avoid thinking about Lily, I sat on the sofa and turned on the TV.
It must have been about ten minutes.
I heard the sound of the changing room door opening from behind.
"I'm done."
"Ah, welcome back..."
When I turned around and saw Lily, I felt like my heart had stopped.
"What are you looking at?"
Lily was wearing something like a white dress.
It's called a negligee.
It's a sleepwear with a cute and elegant design, with beautiful lace layered on soft white fabric.
It's a design that Japanese people could never pull off, but it suited Lily, a silver-haired, blue-eyed beauty.
She looked like a princess who had come out of a fairy tale world.
She wasn't wearing this last night...
"N-nothing, really..."
I hastily looked away.
I couldn't say I was admiring her cuteness.
"...? What are you looking at?"
"Hey..."
She must be really curious. Lily approached me.
Being approached like this, I noticed something.
Despite its elegant and cute design, this negligee's fabric is thin.
It has a slight see-through quality.
Maybe that's why Lily's skin, which had just come out of the bath and was slightly flushed, could be seen through it.
The neckline decorated with lace was a V-neck, revealing a beautiful décolletage line.
In other words, it's a bit sexy.
"Aren't you understanding? What are you looking at?"
Being pressed again in English, I had no choice but to confess.
"I-I thought it was cute."
"...Huh?"
"Lily... um, that outfit. It suits you. It's very cute and beautiful. Like a princess."
I said so while avoiding eye contact.
But even after confessing, Lily didn't say anything.
Did I really upset her?
I cautiously looked back at Lily.
She was frozen.
Her face was much redder than before.
Her cheeks were as red as tomatoes, extending to her ears.
"Are you mocking me?"
"Huh?"
"I'm asking what you're watching! No one told you to compliment me!!"
Lily shouted, pointing at the TV.
Ah, I see!
I thought she was mad at me for staring at her.
"I-I'm sorry! I misunderstood. I thought you were mad at me for staring... um, I didn't mean to mock you. It's... my honest opinion."
"Is that so... Then, it's okay."
With my words, Lily shyly played with her hair.
She doesn't seem to be angry.
"...So, what are you watching?"
"It's a Japanese TV show."
"Oh... When will it end?"
"Huh? Oh, it'll be about thirty minutes more. Is there a show you want to watch?"
Lily shook her head at my question.
"No, not really... When it's over, I have something to do. Can I ask you a favor?"
"No, it's fine for now."
I turned off the TV.
Lily looked puzzled.
"Can you stop watching?"
"I was just watching to pass the time."
"...I see."
With my words, Lily smiled slightly.
She seemed happy.
"So, what do you need?"
I asked Lily in Japanese.
Then Lily replied in Japanese as well.
"Please help me with my studies."