[TSSIM] Chapter 400: Herthaka-kun

"You're saying that as if Umi is my employee..." Homura scratched his head. "I don't think our circle operates with that kind of boss-employee dynamic, does it?"

'That's not what we want to hear!' All the girls mentally screamed simultaneously, their faces expressionless.

"But I do like her though... Like her a lot."

As the girls became disappointed by his answer, Homura suddenly added, his lips curled into a smile.

"Heehee, did Umi hear us?" Elf grinned and turned around. "Huh? Where's Umi?"

"Rin didn't see her either, nyaa..." Rin looked around but couldn't spot Umi anywhere.

"Umi-chan was definitely sitting here before..." Kotori looked puzzled.

"Kotori..." Homura spoke up.

"Hmm? What's up, Homura-kun?"

"Turn around, lean against the back of the sofa, and look behind it..." Homura looked helpless.

Kotori: "???"

"Ahh!"

Suddenly enlightened, Kotori leaned against the back of the sofa and peeked down.

"Umi-chan! What are you doing?!"

Umi was crouched behind the sofa, hiding her face.

Unfortunately, Umi didn't reply.

Kotori felt that Umi was muttering something, so she circled around the sofa and leaned closer, listening to the faint muttering.

"Like her a lot... Like her a lot..." Umi kept muttering this sentence like a broken robot.

Kotori's eyes widened instantly. Was she blushing because she was shy? But seriously, wasn't that too quick?! She disappeared in front of everyone in an instant!

"Umi-chan..." Kotori called out.

'Hmm, no response...' Kotori, feeling helpless, raised her voice. "Umi-chan—!!!"

"Kyaaa!" Umi jumped in surprise. "What happened?! Kotori, what are you doing here?"

"I came to get you." Kotori smiled.

"Eh? Why am I here?" Umi looked confused.

Upon hearing her words, Kotori instantly had an 'Are you serious?' expression on her face, staring at Umi, who turned all red.

Kotori was speechless. Was she pretending to have amnesia or something?

"Well, I'm here too." Homura approached with a grin.

Umi looked up and saw the grinning Homura, leaning against the back of the sofa, watching her.

'No! So embarrassing!' Umi screamed inwardly and her face instantly turned red.

Homura didn't mind, he just reached out and ruffled her hair.

"Alright, why are you crouching here? Let's eat!"

However, the moment his hand moved away, Umi's body staggered.

"Huh?" Homura, startled, leaned out of the sofa and grabbed Umi's arm.

"Eh? Huh?!" Kotori was still puzzled, but after seeing Umi's expression, she exclaimed in surprise.

In the end, after the chaotic moment calmed down upon realizing that Umi was also just feeling shy, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and gently laid her down on the sofa.

As for why 'also'? Wasn't there someone else who got shy before?

"She has turned into Rin-chan!" Honoka exclaimed in surprise.

Rin, feeling embarrassed by Honoka's remark, tried to say something but found herself powerless to speak.

"But Umi-chan is really strange..." Nozomi pondered, stroking her chin. "She was perfectly fine after Homura-kun's massage, but got dizzy when he just touched her head?"

"Speaking of which, it might be the combined effect..." Maki shrugged her shoulders. "Homura-kun's words earlier were almost like a confession, which made Umi shy enough to hide behind the sofa, then she tried to play dumb but got caught, and finally, getting her head touched pushed her over the edge."

"So, first, words similar to a confession made her overly shy, then failing at playing dumb was embarrassing, and finally, Homura's head pat became the last straw?" Nico summarized.

"That playing dumb part was well-played though..." Homura commented.

"..."

"Why did I use that term?" Maki mocked herself.

"Probably because you've been hanging out with Homura too long? Saying that kind of thing is completely normal for him." Eriri rolled her eyes.

"Anyway, there's no problem with it, right?" Homura shrugged. "Isn't it cute?"

"Playing dumb is cute?" Utaha asked with interest. "What if it's not cute?"

"Not cute... Hmm..." Homura pondered for a moment. "Anyway, all of you have your own cuteness and charm in my eyes. Is it even necessary to worry about not being cute?"

"Then let's just leave it." Utaha waved her hand dismissively.

Perhaps because she heard something nice, she didn't intend to pursue it further, but her face clearly showed a smile.

Not only her, but everyone else also felt pleased. After all, it was rare to hear Homura praise like this.

Indeed, Homura didn't really want to talk about this kind of topic. After all, humans were visual creatures, so why even discuss matters of appearance? Men and women were the same.

Once this topic got deep, it was easy to lose control, like a devil tempting you to say things you really didn't want to say—a taboo topic that would easily hurt those around you.

Fortunately, it passed just like that.

Perhaps, consciously or unconsciously, everyone avoided causing unnecessary ripples between themselves and Homura.

===

When Umi woke up and everyone had eaten, Homura set out with the snacks he had prepared earlier.

Halfway down the road, Homura received Chika's location.

"Well, looks like this girl beat me here." Homura chuckled, picking up the pace.

===

"Hey, Homura-kun!"

Chika spotted Homura and jogged over to him.

"Took you long enough!"

"Sorry, sorry." Homura patted the large pocket on his hand. "To make up for it, I brought a little extra."

"Mmm, good job!" Chika patted his shoulder with a serious expression. "I forgive you!"

"Alright, let's go." Homura shook his head with a smile.

A few minutes later, they arrived at the entrance door of the Shinomiya residence.

"Formal visit, huh..." Homura muttered, shaking his head slightly. "Feels a bit awkward..."

'Hmm, the old Homura-kun was a bit different...' Chika blinked her eyes as she heard his mutter. 

After thinking that, she pressed the doorbell.

Ding-Dong—

"Hello, Fujiwara-sama and Minamiya-sama, please wait a moment, I'll open the door for you."

Upon hearing the voice that came from the intercom, Homura raised an eyebrow.

That was clearly Ai's voice, but it sounded deliberately deepened.

Homura glanced at Chika and understood that it must be because of her.

If so, was 'Herthaka-kun' going to greet him next?

In fact, as long as he kept it secret, it was fine. After all, Chika wouldn't deliberately ask him anything since she still hadn't suspected this 'Herthaka-kun'.

Before long, the door opened, and sure enough, 'Herthaka-kun' walked out as Homura expected.

"Fujiwara-sama, Minamiya-sama, welcome to the Shinomiya family."

"Hey, Herthaka-kun, Homura-kun and I are here to see Kaguya-san!" 

"Kaguya-sama is eagerly awaiting your arrival. Please follow me."

"No need to lead the way~ I know where Kaguya-san's room is, heehee~"

With that, Chika skipped ahead a couple of steps and took the lead, while Homura and Ai followed behind.

As Homura saw the quiet atmosphere in the Shinomiya residence, he wondered if the other servants were not around.

Was this 'Herthaka-kun' disguise also kept secret from the people of the Shinomiya family? If that was the case, then none of the servants should be here today.

"Here, Ai, this is for you."

Homura suddenly spoke, handing Ai a portion of assorted snacks he had prepared earlier.

"..."

Ai remained silent, feeling speechless.