"Liv always follows Kamian's lead! Isn't that right, Liv?!"

"But it's because she's influenced by him..."

However, as expected, my words held no importance to either of them.

"Kamian probably doesn't like ordinary brown-haired girls, does he?!"

"Liv's brown-haired too! Even darker and uglier than me!"

My self-esteem was diminishing by the second. The children's conversation showed no signs of ending, and at this rate, it seemed like the sun would set before I reached home. I let out a deep sigh inwardly and intervened between the bickering kids, who were barking and howling at each other.

"Hey, kids, don't fight because of Kamian. When you reach my age, Kamian will be an old fart..."

"Mind your own business, Liv!"

You may not care, but I'm a human too, and I feel hurt. With a firm tone, I suppressed my bitter taste and lifted the tomato basket. The kids, without saying a word of farewell to me, continued their meaningless squabble, fueled by their own enthusiasm.

Struggling with each step, I moved my legs and made my way home. By the time I reached the point of exhaustion, a bustling sound emerged from behind. In no time, the bickering kids, having concluded their argument, passed in front of me, snickering. I stood still for a moment, gazing at their receding figures like a fleeting arrow.

"...I left ten minutes earlier."

That cursed rascal. I couldn't help but let out a hollow laugh before resuming my slow and deliberate pace.

* * *

Upon arriving home, I was drenched in perspiration. Jex, who had been preparing dinner, hastily dropped the ladle he was holding and urgently caught the tomato. "Ten? Why did you go to such lengths?" Jex inquired, but I had no strength left to respond. I collapsed onto the couch and took a sip of water. It was only when my gasping breaths began to calm down that I could finally open my mouth.

"It feels like I've completed a week's worth of exercise."

"Wash up and lie down. I'll call you when dinner is ready."

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

Even though I should have replied, "It's okay," at least to show some courtesy, I was too exhausted to utter a single word.

"Thank you. Oh, is there a pile of laundry? Just leave it. I'll take care of it tomorrow."

"Debra said she would do it after dinner, so you don't have to worry."

Jex gently patted my sweaty back. Such tenderness made me feel smaller. I couldn't help but smile awkwardly, unable to hide my remorse.

After completing my bath and emerging, I was consumed by a sense of exhaustion that made me feel like I could fall asleep the moment my head touched the pillow. I rubbed my tired eyes and emerged with my damp clothes in hand. It felt like a disgrace that Debra had to come all the way to my room because I couldn't even handle household chores.

As I descended the stairs to the first floor, I suddenly caught sight of Kamian's room. It seemed that the scoundrel hadn't done his laundry either.

"Since we're going, why not bring it along?"

As soon as I opened the door, a neatly made bed came into view. An impulse to jump onto that bed immediately surged within me. Control yourself. First, I need to bring the laundry. I stacked his pyjamas, which were hanging on the back of a chair, on top of my clothes.

"I suppose it's ready for washing, right?"

I buried my nose in the clothes and sniffed.Kamian's distinct scent lingered faintly. It was a strangely pleasant smell, even without any cologne. It resembled a refreshing and cool fragrance reminiscent of summer, which tantalized the senses. Is this person trying to captivate others not only with their appearance but also with their scent? I couldn't help but remain transfixed by the clothes, as if I were addicted to it.

"What are you doing here?"

A resonant, low-pitched voice startled me. Kamian was leaning casually against the open door. I turned to face him, maintaining the position with my nose buried in the clothes.

...Damn, how embarrassing.

I shall strive to act as naturally as possible. I nonchalantly removed my face from the clothes.

"Why didn't you even knock before coming in?"

"This is my room."

Silence followed.

I foolishly stuttered, unable to come up with a fitting response. Acting naturally was a load of nonsense... Clearly, I resembled a caught thief in everyone's eyes.

Kamian, who had been silently staring at me, swiftly moved her feet. Unconsciously, I took a step back, but I couldn't retreat much before she grabbed my wrist.

"I wondered where you went, turns out you were engaged in perverse activities in my room."

"Perverse..."

I was shocked by her blatant words. Perverse activities? Isn't that a bit too harsh? Even objectively speaking, it's simply someone sneaking into my room while I'm away and sniffing my clothes... Now that I think about it, it does feel awfully dirty.

I tightly sealed my lips and swallowed my dry saliva. Kamian unbuttoned two buttons on her shirt and slipped two fingers inside.

"Come here. When I asked you to smell it, smell it."