"Ah, welcome back, Kiyotaka-Kun."

Kei welcomed me like a newly married wife while wearing an apron.

"Kei....... Why are you in my house?"

"Ah Mou don't worry about the details. I made your favorite grilled chicken and it's waiting for you, so why don't we eat it?"

''............''

To be honest, I had a bad feeling when I arrived at the door. It smelled so fragrant as if someone had been using my kitchen. Also, why does she say Ah Mou all the time? She says it like it's a password to an S&M club.

On a more important note, how did this girl get into my house anyway? 

''Do you have a duplicate key to my dorm or something?" I asked.

"Wait.... Your room has a duplicate key? Please give it to me now!!!!''

She pulled my tie bringing me close to her until our noses touched.

Her eyes had this crazy look to them, and she appeared frantic, like a terribly dehydrated dude wandering in the Sahara desert who had suddenly discovered water.

''No, I was just wondering how you got into my house.''

'' Oh, the door was unlocked.'' She released me from her grip.

Huh...that's odd. I clearly remember locking the door. And if Kei didn't open it...then who did?

"I see. ...... No, wait. Just because the door was unlocked doesn't mean you have to go in.''

''But Kiyotaka-Kun what if a bad person comes in? You will be in trouble.''

''The bad guy is already here!'' I pointed at her.

Ignoring my words, Kei skillfully prepared the salad while we continued our conversation. It was a lovely salad, with my favorite tomatoes and cucumbers. I was no longer surprised that she knew exactly what I liked.

I'm sure she already knows my birthday, interests, sexual preferences, and even how many moles I have on my body.

When I think about it calmly, it's super creepy, but that's the kind of girl she is.

Or rather the type of girl she'd become.

"Then let's eat dinner. Before the chicken gets cold." Kei declared happily.

"Yeah... No. Why don't you just take your food and leave?"

''Don't be shy. Think of it as our mini-date"

"Mmm... I'm gonna pass. Not in the mood to eat with you."

Kei looked at me with wide eyes, before- 

''I see, I'm in the way.'' She looked devastatingly dejected. ''...... Please take care of the chicken.'' 

Oh, she's really going to leave. She even left the food behind. Kei hunches over and walks over to the door with a gloomy atmosphere. I don't know if it's just my imagination, but she looks like a homeless Mickey mouse who just got kicked out of Disney World.

Seeing her so......uh, sad, left a bad taste on my mouth.

"Sigh.....On second thought I won't be able to finish all this by myself. How about you help me out?''

''huh?"

As soon as I finished my words, Kei turned around with an uncanny smile on her face, before rushing back to her seat.

She acts so childishly sometimes.

"Are you sure? You're so kind Kiyotaka-Kun? From now on let's eat like this every day, three meals a day. With my boyfriend, hehe."

'' Uh... I wouldn't go that far if I were you."

''AHH!! This is the first time you asked me to eat with you. What should I do? Let's take a picture. I should make today our anniversary. It's the anniversary of the salad ...... Wait no, that doesn't sound nice, so it's the anniversary of the chicken! It's like Christmas all over again.''

"Hey... Are you even listening to me?"

I mumbled to myself and staggered to my seat like a sleepwalker. This sucks. It was a mistake to feel sorry for her. I'm going to have a hard time getting rid of her today. She's already started eating her salad. ......

''Go on Kiyotaka-Kun, try it." 

"Yeah, Yeah."

I sliced a strip of chicken with a fork and knife before placing it in my mouth. The delicate flesh erupted with a wonderful flavor.

"What do you think? It suits your taste, doesn't it?" She asked me with a joyful grin.

"Oh, yeah,.. it's pretty good." I answered honestly in my usual monotone voice.

'' Hehehe...Right!!" Kei giggled.

The look of triumph on her face was annoying. But strangely enough, I couldn't bring myself to kick her out right now. I also realized something about myself-

I enjoy looking at this woman's smile. Perhaps even more than the chicken.

Well, I guess kicking her out can wait ...... for now at least.

[TO BE CONTINUED]