Chapter 5: A Penthouse for Two Hearts.
It was just past 9 p.m. The city lights stretched like molten gold across the evening skyline, and I sat in the backseat of a luxury foreign car-a sleek black model that felt as out of place in my hometown as a tuxedo at a beach party.
Next to me sat the source of this surreal change in scenery: Amanika-san. She sat with a posture that could shame royalty, her expression as composed and untouchable as a marble sculpture. Cold and dignified, but undeniably captivating. I found myself stealing glances at her profile, hypnotized by the moonlight brushing against her pale cheeks. I didn't dare let any of those thoughts slip out of my mouth, of course. And for now, I'd stick with calling her Amanika-san, both in speech and in thought-it was a safe distance I could maintain, even if barely.
"...Hey, Amanika-san. Where exactly are we going?"
She turned her head slightly, her glossy hair shimmering with the motion. "Didn't I tell you already?" she said, lips curling into a soft, knowing smile. "To our love nest, of course. My father bought us the best unit in this building. You'll see-it's perfect."
Love nest. My heart nearly launched itself out of the car.
"Hold on-are you saying you just asked for the best apartment and someone gave it to you like it's a vending machine order?!"
She blinked, feigning innocence. "Is that strange? Father told me to be comfortable. I took him at his word."
As the car veered toward the coast, the glowing bay came into view. This wasn't just any date spot-this was the number one destination for couples. Even the hotels had been remodeled to mirror five-star luxury. It was the kind of place people dreamed of staying in for one night.
"...This can't possibly be where we're going to live, Amanika-san," I muttered, trying to hold onto my fraying sanity.
"Isn't it amazing how informed you are?" she said, eyes sparkling. "A future business leader should always stay ahead of the curve. That's my Akeshi-kun."
There it was again. Akeshi-kun. I wanted to ask her why she kept calling me that, but I already knew. She wasn't keeping a polite distance between us-she was deliberately stepping over the line with grace and confidence.
Her praise felt heavier than it should. Was this what it meant to be looked at by someone like her? She spoke as if she genuinely believed in me. That belief reflected in her smile, and as the moonlight hit her face, she looked almost... divine. My breath caught, and I turned away in panic as the heat spread across my cheeks.
"Aww, you're blushing. The shy Akeshi-kun is cute too."
Before I could respond, the car stopped.
"We're here," she said, stepping out.
The building was breathtaking.
Towering above the glittering coast, its modern architecture shimmered under the lights like a monument to wealth and opulence. Marble, glass, and steel all fused into a masterpiece of elegance. It looked less like a place to live and more like a sanctuary crafted for gods.
"Our apartment is on the top floor," she said, slipping her arm around mine with effortless ease. "Come on."
My legs nearly gave out from the soft press of her against me. I did my best to maintain a semblance of dignity as we entered the elevator. Our luggage would be brought up later, the driver had said with a kind smile. I had offered to carry it, but he insisted-almost paternal in his tone-that I let him do his job.
The elevator rose at a speed that made my ears pop. As the numbers climbed, I sneaked a glance at Amanika-san. Her cheeks were tinged with pink. The icy statue was
melting.
When the doors opened, we stepped into the top floor suite.
The moment I entered the penthouse, I felt as though I had stumbled into a dream.
A panoramic view of the entire bay spread out before us through floor-to-ceiling windows. The living room alone could have fit my entire house three times over. The furniture looked like something you'd only see in design magazines-sleek, modern, but warm and welcoming. A huge television dominated one wall, and the plush sectional couch looked like it could swallow a person whole.
"Speechless?" she asked, teasing.
"Are we really staying here? This feels illegal."
She laughed softly. "No going back now, Akeshi-kun. From tonight onward, we live together. Just the two of us. I'll cook for you every day. You'll never have to eat instant noodles again."
"I-I can cook too! We can take turns, right?! Also, living together-aren't we moving too fast?! Impure love is a no-go, just so you know!"
She leaned in, voice playful. "You're such a gentleman. I really like that about you."
Please stop praising me, Amanika-san. Your smile is too dangerous. If I disappoint you even once, I'd die of guilt alone. I'm already struggling to breathe as it is.
"Anyway... it's late. Let's have dinner."
As she said that, the doorbell rang.
On the intercom screen, the driver-Miyamoto-san-stood with my luggage.
But instead of handing over a suitcase, he lifted a warm pizza box.
"Ta-da!" Amanika-san said with childish delight. "Tonight's dinner has arrived!"
"...Did you make him run errands too?"
"Of course not. I ordered while you were packing."
She thanked the driver and invited him in, but he politely declined.
"I wouldn't want to intrude on your first night together," he said with a dignified bow before leaving.
"Miyamoto-san's practically family. He's been with us since my grandfather's days," she said, watching the door close behind him. "Now then, let's eat before it gets cold!"
She had even ordered a Coke. The scene was so absurd-this goddess in an ivory blouse holding a pizza box-that I started to relax for the first time since we left the dorm.
"I'm really happy we get to live together," she said, handing me a can.
I opened it.
*PSSSHHT!*
The sound was followed by the cold spray of Coke exploding all over me. It soaked my shirt, my hair-everything.
"...What the hell?!"
She burst into laughter. "Pfft! Ahahahaha! I didn't think it would actually explode!"
The perfect, refined Amanika had cracked-and in her place stood a mischievous girl with an impish grin and sparkling eyes.
I stared at her, soaked and sticky and seething-but somehow, I couldn't stop smiling either.
So this was Amanika-san. A beautiful contradiction.
And now... I had to live with her.