Romantic Troubles of Duanmu-kun

“BOOM—”

A deafening roar.

From within the cracked metal shell, an intense, dazzling fireball erupted, rapidly expanding to engulf the entire car. Black columns of smoke, accompanied by crackling explosions, drifted lazily upward.

The broken-down SUV seemed to be near a shopping mall. Pedestrians ran about in panic.

This wasn’t something the Novelist witnessed firsthand, but rather a video playing on the laptop placed on the low table atop the tatami. By the way, at the moment of the explosion, comments streaming across the webpage suddenly increased. From the page’s layout, it wasn’t any video site he recognized. Probably one of Miyagi-san’s personal favorites.

“So cool! It’s just like an action movie!”

Miyagi-san was shouting excitedly.

A half-empty cola bottle and hamburger wrapper sat on the table. The college student seemed to be enjoying a lazy afternoon at home. It was amazing she could eat such junk food without it affecting her figure.

…

This afternoon, the Novelist had decisively skipped class when no one was paying attention. Though he’d likely face complaints from the Class Rep tomorrow, there was something worth investigating, so he’d returned early to Amazu Manor. He could only say “sorry” in his heart.

“Uh… what’s that about? Did the car spontaneously combust?”

Having just pushed open the door, unsurprisingly finding a certain female tenant making herself at home, he casually asked while watching the repeatedly playing video.

“Of course not!”

Hearing his question, Miyagi-san immediately shook her head.

“Listen carefully, there’s gunfire in the background. They were definitely ambushed. It’s hitmen! Killing people in broad daylight on the street, how rare. Though it seems these guys were still cautious, they disappeared without a trace afterward.”

“I see.”

The Novelist had intended to pass behind her, but his gaze was involuntarily drawn in. After staring at the vehicle on screen and confirming it several times, he couldn’t help but press his fingers to his forehead, feeling a headache coming on.

The vehicle being scorched in the flames was the same one used by the hitman who had previously chased him and Yayoi. Come to think of it, hadn’t he been seeing this thing too often lately?

The Novelist’s troubled expression caught Miyagi-san’s attention.

“Landlord-san, do you know what’s going on?”

The girl’s pupils sparkled with curiosity. Originally sitting cross-legged on the tatami drinking cola while watching videos, she crawled on all fours to his front.

“Well…”

Perhaps because she was alone in the room, Miyagi-san’s attire was overly casual. She wore a light purple camisole top, bare arms, neck and collarbone exposed, with a short skirt below, her long legs crossed under the low table. Her sockless toes curled cutely—even in this lazy stay-at-home pose, her charm hadn’t diminished at all, unconsciously stirring one’s heart.

From his downward viewing angle, the curves of the girl’s chest rising like spring hills beneath her clothes were completely visible, leaving him at a loss where to look.

“You better explain everything when I get back!”

Without waiting for the Novelist’s answer, she stood up and cleaned the garbage from the table. Then she ran to the washroom to freshen up.

…

Five minutes later, placing his handbag aside, the Novelist sat down in front of Miyagi-san, looking directly into the girl’s eyes, waiting for her questioning.

“Landlord-san’s reaction is so honest… you totally look guilty! Could it be you’re planning something fun with Yayoi-chan behind my back?”

Miyagi-san puffed up her cheeks.

“How sneaky! Too sneaky! Why didn’t you include me before? Is it because I’m a has-been protagonist?”

Like playing whack-a-mole, she forcefully pounded “bang bang” on the Novelist’s head.

“What do you mean ‘has-been protagonist.’ Besides, it’s not something fun…”

Halfway through speaking, the Novelist, who was covering his head with both hands, suddenly remembered this woman’s unusual interests, and had to change his words.

“Besides, I only realized certain things yesterday. That Yayoi, she really knows how to give me difficult problems…”

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but sigh.

“That’s because Landlord-san is a good person. Once someone asks for help, it’s hard to refuse.”

Miyagi-san said, tilting her head.

“Is that so?”

This was the first time he’d heard such an assessment. In the past, he had mostly received affirmations about his bad personality traits, like “weirdo” or “mean-spirited.”

“If you weren’t a good person, I wouldn’t like you. Personality compatibility is very important, you know!”

“Umm…”

Even without looking in a mirror, he knew he must have been blushing. Even though it wasn’t the first time, being told such things directly by a girl still made him feel embarrassed.

“If Landlord-san encounters anything interesting, please make sure to tell me. These days have been too peaceful lately, I’m so bored I could fall asleep.”

Miyagi-san suddenly smiled and brought her pretty face closer. She invaded his personal space with an irresistible presence.

“I… and the people online, we’re all looking forward to it. Hoping something interesting happens soon.”

Unexpectedly, the girl intimately hugged his arm. The surprisingly soft sensation and sweet fragrance dragged the young man’s reason into a sweet trap.

“—Landlord-san, I’ve noticed recently that you seem to easily get involved in strange incidents. Could it be… some kind of natural disposition?”

Miyagi-san brought her lips close to his ear, speaking in a lowered voice. From extremely close range, the airflow created by her moving lips gently brushed his ear canal. It felt like someone tickling with hair. So itchy.

“…I-is that so?”

No, thinking carefully, it was indeed true.

Hey hey, this isn’t good.

This really isn’t good at all—

“Don’t worry, I’ll protect you. Just stay by my side like this.”

“Mmm…”

As his body temperature rose, the Novelist’s head became dizzy, his body softly losing its resistance.

“You know the saying, right? ‘The most dangerous place is the safest place,’ so please relax.”

“Is that so.”

That’s right.

However.

…But, isn’t there something strange about that statement? Is it the premise that’s wrong?

“Well, Landlord-san, have you thought of anything?”

Miyagi-san chuckled softly by his ear.

“…I have a good suggestion.”

The Novelist’s remaining rationality slightly roused itself. He remembered why he had come back early from school.

—Right, this might be an opportunity.