"What's wrong, Hikari-kun?", Seeing Hikari suddenly call again that evening, Ikazuchi Rika sounded puzzled.
["Rika-nee, someone at the apartment I live in got into a conflict with the landlady. Not only has he refused to pay rent, but he also tried to assault her. Judging from all the needle marks on his arms, he's probably a drug addict too. Just arrest him,"] Hikari briefly explained what had happened.
Hearing that Hikari had run into another criminal committing a crime just after getting home, Rika couldn't help sighing. It seemed he really hadn't been exaggerating, he genuinely did run into criminals all the time.
"Sorry, Hikari-kun. I'm exhausted today and I've already gone home after work. I'll have one of my colleagues go arrest him," Rika said.
["Okay,"] Hikari naturally had no objections.
———
Soon, a police car arrived outside the Asou Apartments.
After handing over the barely conscious blond thug and quietly using his psychokinesis to leave behind some lingering injuries that would later cripple his limbs, Hikari headed back upstairs.
As soon as he entered his apartment, he went straight for the bathroom.
First, he took a long, comfortable hot shower.
After all, he'd been busy all day, and just before getting home he'd had to get into another fight. He was covered in sweat and badly needed a shower.
Once the fatigue had been completely washed away, Hikari turned off the shower and put on a bathrobe.
He had just stepped out of the bathroom and was about to open the refrigerator for a cold drink when someone knocked at the door.
Setting his cup back down, he walked over and opened it.
Standing outside was the landlady, Asou Miyuri, with her delicate face.
Hikari noticed that after going back to rest, she'd changed clothes. She'd switched from long sleeves and pants into a cute knee-length skirt. Her calves weren't especially long, but they were fair and straight, and her slim waist was easy to notice.
She had also put on some light makeup, making her look especially refined and adorable.
"Miss Asou, what brings you here? Is it to sign the contract?", Hikari asked.
Asou Miyuri smiled, "Aren't you going to invite your landlady inside first?"
"Please, come in."
As soon as she entered, she took off her shoes and casually made herself at home on Hikari's sofa, swinging her little feet.
Hikari didn't mind. After all, the entire building belonged to her.
He politely poured her a cup of tea and handed it over.
"So, Miss Asou, what did you come here for?", he asked again after she took a sip.
Setting down the teacup, Asou Miyuri looked up at Hikari's handsome face, then her gaze drifted to the bit of chest visible through the slightly open collar of his bathrobe, "Wow! Hikari-kun, you've got such a great body."
Hikari helplessly pulled his robe close, "So the landlady came all this way just to discuss my physique?"
Asou Miyuri hurriedly wiped the corner of her mouth and said, "No, no! I came to thank you for dealing with that blond guy just now. And didn't you say you wanted to rent a room for your friend? I brought the rental contract. Take a look and sign it. If there's anything you don't like, we can discuss it."
Hikari looked through the contract, found nothing wrong with it, and quickly signed his name.
After signing, he handed back both copies along with the cash he'd prepared.
"Miss Landlady, you can count the money."
But instead of taking it, Asou Miyuri waved her hand, "I don't really want the rent in cash."
Hikari raised an eyebrow at her.
"Hm? Didn't you refuse my bank transfer over the phone and specifically ask for cash? Now that I've brought cash, you don't want it either?"
Asou Miyuri quickly waved both hands, "Don't misunderstand, Hikari-kun. I'm not trying to make things difficult for you. I was just thinking... um... you're paying rent for two apartments all by yourself. Isn't that a bit too much?"
"Actually... I can... accept payment in another way."
As she spoke, she gave Hikari a flirtatious wink, and one of her fair little legs reached beneath the coffee table to brush lightly against his calf.
Faced with the tempting proposal, Hikari shook his head, "No thanks. I don't like accepting charity."
Asou Miyuri hurriedly explained, "But it isn't charity! You're contributing too! Besides... one drop of that costs ten drops of blood. It's not like your effort is small."
Hikari still shook his head, "Please have some self-respect, Miss Asou. I don't want to sell myself just to pay rent."
As for what happened at Seika Girls' Academy, Hikari could only say that back then he hadn't had a choice.
Now he wanted to be a man with principles.
It definitely wasn't because the money was too little or her legs were too short and her chest too flat.
Seeing how firmly Hikari rejected the idea, Asou Miyuri could only sigh.
Her cute face scrunched up as she pouted.
"Fine, fine. If you don't want to, then forget it. But I still won't charge you rent. You did help me just now. Otherwise that rude tenant would've been a real headache. Waiving the rent can count as returning the favor, right?"
Hikari nodded, "Sure. Thank you for your generosity, Miss Asou."
The moment Hikari agreed, Asou Miyuri's eyes lit up.
After thinking for a moment, she suddenly sat down beside him, took his hand, and said earnestly, "Actually, waiving a few months of rent doesn't come close to repaying you for saving me."
"After all, I own several apartment buildings. I'm worth far more than that."
"So what are you suggesting?", Hikari asked.
Asou Miyuri smiled sweetly, "It's simple. I want to thank you in a more meaningful way."
As she spoke, she suddenly lifted the hem of her skirt, walked over, and sat on Hikari's lap.
Looking at the landlady in his arms, Hikari suddenly had the feeling that this was heading somewhere very illegal.
He quickly asked, "Miss Asou, what exactly are you trying to do?"
"I want to! Oh, right, speaking of renting, you haven't actually looked at the room yet. Even if you're renting it for a friend, you should still take it seriously. I'll show you the layout."
Asou Miyuri took Hikari's hand with a smile.
"Aren't they all the same floor plan?", Hikari asked, raising an eyebrow.
Asou Miyuri shook her head with a smile, "No... they're different. Hikari-kun, come with me and take a careful look, one step at a time."
The little landlady carefully held his hand, leading him step by step as they "measured" the layout of the apartment.
"Miss Asou, I'm just renting a place, not buying one. Do we really need to inspect it this carefully?", Hikari asked helplessly.
"Of course we do! Even if you're only renting temporarily, you still need a good layout that's comfortable, right?"
"Besides, this is a special benefit just for you, Hikari-kun. Other people don't get to see it."
"So, Hikari-kun, what do you think of this layout?"
Asou Miyuri lifted her skirt slightly and had him look around the room.
Seeing how enthusiastic she was, Hikari examined it seriously.
Then he shook his head, "There's no dirt or stains, but the lighting isn't very good. It's too dark."
"Then look at this one."
She led him to another room.
Hikari shook his head again.
"The lighting here isn't great either. It's too damp. There isn't any mold yet, but I think it's only a matter of time."
Asou Miyuri rolled her eyes at him before taking him to the next room, "What about this one? It gets the best sunlight."
Hikari nodded, "The lighting is definitely better here. But the layout is too small, and it's a long, narrow shape."
"It's too cramped. The entrance is small and crowded. It feels like it'd be difficult for people to get in and out."
Seeing Hikari keep finding fault with everything, Asou Miyuri finally couldn't take it anymore. She rolled her eyes several times, trembling with frustration.
"You're the one with the big face! Bigger than the layout of my apartment! Rent it or don't!"
The furious landlady flopped down flat on the floor with her arms and legs spread out.
Seeing that Asou Miyuri was reaching her limit after all the back-and-forth over "inspecting the layout," Hikari could only comfort her.
"Don't be so impatient, Miss Asou. Things like this are supposed to take time."
Asou Miyuri didn't reply. She only shook her head, still looking depressed.
She was so annoyed that her little belly had puffed up like an inflated balloon.
Although the discussion and "inspection" hadn't gone very smoothly, after Asou Miyuri had done everything she could to entertain him, Hikari finally agreed to move into the "layout" she had been recommending.
Happy, Asou Miyuri also invited Hikari to visit her palace-like family home.
———
The next morning, Hikari was awakened from his sleep by Asou Miyuri.
Looking at the faint morning light outside the window and the few rays of sunshine shining on the raised blanket, Hikari narrowed his eyes slightly, looking quite relaxed.
The landlady, Asou Miyuri, really was good at taking care of people.
Although she was lacking somewhat in the development department, it could even be said that she was completely unremarkable, her appearance was still delicate and adorable.
And she really did know how to take care of others.
She took care of Hikari thoroughly in every respect.
Early that morning, she had even provided an extra wake-up service, making sure he got up on time and wouldn't be late.
It had to be said that Asou Miyuri truly lived up to being a heroine from the 2d Underworld. She really was exceptionally gifted.
Even though she'd only received one night's guidance from Hikari, her oral skills had improved at an astonishing pace.
From awkward and stumbling at first, to becoming smooth and skillful...
"Mmm... Hikari-kun... good morning..."
"Good morning, Miss Asou."
Hikari gently patted her head in return.
"Mmm... let me finish... breakfast first... then we can talk..."
Asou Miyuri lowered her head again, wanting to focus on finishing breakfast without talking.
Seeing how concentrated the landlady was on enjoying her meal, Hikari didn't interrupt her and simply watched quietly.
About seven or eight minutes later, after chewing until her cheeks were sore, Asou Miyuri finally finished all of her breakfast.
"Miss Asou, eat more slowly. Don't choke," Hikari reminded her.
"I-I'm fine."
After finishing, Asou Miyuri shook her head, raised her face, and looked at Hikari with puffed cheeks.
After swallowing the last of her breakfast with some effort, she wiped the corner of her mouth and smiled.
"So, Hikari-kun, what did you think? Having someone wake you up wasn't bad, was it?"
Hikari nodded, "I was pretty satisfied. What about you, Miss Asou?"
Asou Miyuri smiled, walked over, and wrapped her arms around his waist, "I was very satisfied too. Hikari-kun is amazing!"
After praising him, she continued, "Oh, right. That friend of yours, Yoshida Saki, you said she's not doing well financially, right? I think I'll just waive her rent too."
"After all, you and I are good friends, Hikari-kun, and we're so close. It feels too distant to charge you or your friend rent."
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