Summer quietly arrived on a lazy morning.
When Katou Megumi opened her eyes, the curtains were still drawn, leaving the room dim and cozy. Thinking it was still early, she reached for her phone, only to discover it was already past 9 a.m.
The spot beside her on the bed was empty.
Slowly, she sat up and pulled back the covers. Her smooth, fair skin, soft and radiant like fine jade, was exposed to the air.
On the bedside table lay her neatly folded underwear. Katou glanced toward the door, which was slightly ajar, wondering where he had gone.
She took her time putting on her underwear—this part was quickly done—and then began slipping into her black thermal stockings. Though summer was approaching, early spring mornings could still be a little chilly. But just as she was halfway through pulling them on, the door suddenly opened.
Leaning against the doorway, Natsukawa Kanade smiled warmly. "You're awake."
"Mm…" Katou nodded, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.
She didn't mind him seeing her waking up—it wasn't the first time—but the way his gaze lingered on her so intently, even after so many times, still made her feel self-conscious.
Her hands continued moving as she covered her soft, fair skin inch by inch with the black stockings. Kanade, meanwhile, stood in the doorway, watching with unabashed interest, his posture relaxed and amused.
"Don't just keep staring," Katou said with a hint of exasperation.
"I want to," he replied with a grin.
Katou pouted slightly, her small, delicate nose twitching a little as her eyes turned toward him with a touch of playful grievance.
Since they'd started dating, her expressions had grown more vivid, and she occasionally let her emotions show. To Kanade, her every reaction was endlessly endearing. He could never get enough of it.
He only stopped staring when she finished dressing and came over to stand beside him.
"I made some longan and purple rice porridge," Kanade said softly, the dish prepared especially for her.
"Hmm… there's nothing else, right?" Katou asked, pursing her lips as if slightly dissatisfied.
"There's nothing else," Kanade confirmed firmly.
"Good." Only then did Katou nod in satisfaction. "I'll go wash up first, so wait for me for a bit."
"Not so fast. A kiss first," Kanade said, stopping her before she could leave the room.
"I haven't brushed my teeth yet…" Katou protested, slightly reluctant.
"It doesn't matter. I don't mind," Kanade replied, utterly unconcerned. After a brief pause, he added confidently, "Besides, I've been good and let you take over cooking duties—I think I deserve a reward."
"..." Katou pressed her lips together, sighed lightly, and muttered, "Honestly, who asks for a reward for something like that?"
But he wasn't wrong—it was her idea for him to relinquish cooking duties. So, she supposed his request wasn't unreasonable.
Resigned, she tilted her small face upward obediently. Kanade lowered his head, placing a light kiss on her lips. Finding it unsatisfying, he leaned in to deepen the kiss, but she gently stopped him with her palm.
"No more than that," she said firmly, her tone serious. Still, she took the initiative to give him a quick peck on the cheek. "That's all for now. Be patient, okay?"
"..." Kanade's expression grew slightly conflicted, as if he were enduring a deliberate tease. But ultimately, he respected her wishes.
He had woken up a bit earlier than usual and had exercised as part of his morning routine. Now, feeling a little tired, he yawned several times and stretched before settling on the couch to rest.
A short while later, Katou emerged from the bathroom. Kanade had hoped for some "progress," but she headed straight to the kitchen instead. Her actions left him feeling slightly jealous.
The thought of "punishing" her crossed his mind, but before that, he decided he should take a shower.
After freshening up and dressing, Kanade returned to the living room, where the sight of his girlfriend greeted him.
She was busy in the kitchen, wearing an apron and moving gracefully as she worked. The scene was strikingly similar to how he imagined a newlywed wife.
And honestly, it wasn't far from the truth.
Ever since they'd decided to live together, the two of them had moved into this apartment, and it had been nearly two weeks since then. They'd been enjoying a sweet and affectionate life together. Calling them "newlyweds" wouldn't be much of a stretch, considering how excessively lovey-dovey they were.
"What kind of bento should I make today?"
As Katou Megumi asked the question, Natsukawa Kanade's arms naturally slid around her waist. He leaned in closer, resting his head against her hair and inhaling the sweet fragrance that always lingered on her.
"Fried chicken cutlets and tamagoyaki," Megumi replied softly, tilting her head slightly to look at him. Her bright brown eyes sparkled like tiny stars. "Aren't you going to rest a bit longer? You were yawning a lot earlier, and you went to bed pretty late last night..."
Instead of replying with words, Kanade's restless hands around her waist began to express his thoughts.
"..."
And as for his mouth—it seemed to be occupied with other mischievous intentions at the moment.
"Stop fooling around! The knife is dangerous," Megumi warned, tilting her head away in a gesture of resistance. But her attempt to put some distance between them only prompted Kanade to adopt a pitiful, almost heartbroken expression.
"You don't love me anymore, Megumi. Last night, you were all over me—"
"Go wash your hands already. Breakfast will be ready soon," Megumi cut him off in her usual calm tone, though her typically composed face now carried a faint blush.
Even though she had grown somewhat accustomed to moments like this over the past few weeks, they still managed to make her feel shy.
"I just came out of the shower," Kanade retorted, giving her a puppy-dog look. "You're starting to dislike me, aren't you?"
Megumi: "..."
For some reason, it felt like Kanade had become much more clingy since they started living together. Not that she minded, though. In fact, no matter what kind of behavior he displayed, she loved every version of him.
Shaking her head slightly in response, she silently reassured him.
"I don't believe you unless you give me another kiss," he said, pushing his luck even further.
"..."
But how could she say no? He was her boyfriend, after all. Even if he was being spoiled, wasn't it her job to indulge him?
Megumi leaned her head toward him, intending to give him a light peck on the lips. However, the moment she drew close, Kanade seized the opportunity. Her attempt at a quick kiss turned into a full-on ambush, as he took control and deepened it without hesitation.
"Mmph..." Megumi's eyes glimmered with mild frustration. She was caught off guard by his sudden advance, as he always had a way of surprising her like this.
"..."
"Ugh... Mmph..."
"What's wrong?" Kanade blinked, his gaze filled with teasing curiosity as he looked at the adorable figure nestled in his arms.
"Your hands..."
"Ohhh, my hands~?" Kanade immediately understood her hint.
She wanted him to actually use his hands, didn't she?
With that realization, Kanade eagerly put into practice the techniques he'd been diligently refining in their time together.
"Mmm..."
After a while, he finally elicited a soft, barely audible sound from Megumi. Her body trembled faintly against his palm, her skin smooth and warm to the touch.
Kanade smirked inwardly. As expected of me, he thought proudly.
He was confident that no one understood Megumi better than he did. He knew exactly what she wanted.
The proof? His girlfriend wasn't mad at all. Instead, she leaned her head against his chest, her voice shy yet filled with sweet affection as she whispered something only lovers would say.
"Kanade..."
"What is it?"
"The bento..."
Following her gaze, Kanade turned to look at the frying pan. What he saw was... alarming.
The once golden-brown fried chicken cutlets were now tinged with deep black edges, and the enticing aroma they once carried had been replaced by a harsh, burnt smell.
"..."
Great. There was a problem. A big one. And panicking wouldn't fix it.
"What kind of bento are we making today?"
As he spoke, Natsukawa Kanade wrapped his arms around his girlfriend's waist, leaning in to bury his face in her hair and take in her sweet scent.
"Fried chicken cutlets and tamagoyaki," Megumi replied softly, tilting her head slightly to glance at him. Her bright, brown eyes shimmered like stars. "Aren't you going to rest a little longer? You've been yawning a lot, and you stayed up so late last night..."
However, Kanade's answer came in the form of his restless hands sliding along her waist.
"..."
Even his mouth, which should've been offering a response, was filled with other mischievous thoughts.
"Stop messing around," Megumi scolded lightly. "I'm using a knife—it's dangerous!"
She turned her head slightly, trying to evade him, but was met with an exaggerated look of wounded innocence from Kanade.
"You don't love me anymore," he pouted. "Last night, you couldn't get enough of me, and now..."
"Go wash your hands; breakfast is almost ready," Megumi interrupted quickly, her usually calm face now flushed with embarrassment.
She had grown somewhat used to his antics over the past few days, but it still flustered her at times.
"I just came out of the shower, though," Kanade countered, feigning indignation. Then, with a pitiful look, he added, "You're starting to dislike me, aren't you?"
"..."
Megumi sighed inwardly. Ever since they started living together, Kanade had become increasingly fond of acting spoiled. She didn't mind, though. In fact, she found every side of him to be her favorite.
She shook her head lightly in response, acknowledging his playful accusation.
"I don't believe you," Kanade teased. "Unless you give me another kiss to prove it."
"..."
Well, how could she refuse her boyfriend's childish demand? Giving in, Megumi leaned her head toward him, intending to plant a quick peck on his lips. But the moment she did, Kanade seized the opportunity, turning the brief kiss into something far deeper, effectively breaching her defenses.
"Mmph..." Megumi's eyes filled with a hint of reproach, clearly frustrated by how he always caught her off guard with his sudden advances.
"..."
"Hnnng..."
"What's wrong?" Kanade blinked at her, silently asking what she meant.
"Your hands..."
"Oh, my hands~," Kanade grinned as he immediately understood.
Her silent suggestion seemed to say, Your hands should be working too, right? Taking the cue, Kanade began demonstrating the "skills" he'd been diligently refining over the past few days.
"Mmm..."
After a while, he finally elicited a soft, delicate sound from her lips—a sound accompanied by a faint tremor beneath his touch and a silky, smooth sensation against his palm.
As expected, Kanade thought smugly.
Of course, he was the one who understood Megumi best. He knew exactly what she wanted.
The proof? His girlfriend didn't seem the least bit upset. Instead, she leaned her head against his chest, murmuring tender, sweet words meant only for lovers.
"Kanade..."
"Yeah?"
"Today's bento..."
Kanade followed the direction of her finger, only to notice the frying pan on the stove. The edges of the once golden-brown fried chicken cutlets had turned a deep, charcoal black, and the enticing aroma of cooked food had been replaced by the sharp smell of burning.
"..."
Well, this was a problem. A big one. But panicking wouldn't help.
Kanade shifted his gaze back to Megumi, who seemed to have calmed down for the most part. Her cheeks still held a rosy blush that made it impossible for him to look away.
Well... since breakfast is ruined, might as well enjoy another "feast," right?
With that thought, he leaned in once again and gently bit her.
The taste, as always, was impossibly sweet.
He enjoyed himself thoroughly, so much so that their planned departure time was delayed by quite a while.
After finishing his errands for the day, Kanade rushed home.
It was Saturday, and he and Megumi had agreed earlier in the week to spend the day tidying up the apartment. On his way back, he stopped by a local store to grab some of her favorite snacks.
"I'm home," he called out as he entered.
"Welcome back."
As if they shared a telepathic connection, Megumi appeared by the entrance the moment he opened the door, standing there with a warm, welcoming smile.
"You weren't standing here the whole time waiting for me, were you?" Kanade asked, pretending to scold her with a stern expression.
"I just happened to hear the sound of the lock turning," Megumi replied with a playful blink before stepping forward to greet him.
Kanade didn't entirely believe her, but her gentle approach disarmed him, making it impossible to maintain his feigned anger.
"Maybe I should send you a message next time, so you'll know when I'm coming home," Kanade sighed, pulling her into a light embrace before taking her hand and leading her inside.
"People are going to say you've got no authority at home," Megumi teased lightly.
"Who cares about that?" Kanade replied, dismissing the notion with a wave of his hand. In fact, he seemed almost proud. "If anything, they're just jealous. After all, I have the sweetest, kindest, and most perfect girlfriend in the world!"
"That's a bit much," Megumi retorted, though in her heart, she felt the opposite.
If anything, the reverse was true—she was the lucky one for having such a handsome, perfect boyfriend.
"It's hot outside. Have some water first."
As she handed him a glass of water, she gently dabbed the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief. "You should rest a little longer. I can handle the housework myself."
"No way," Kanade said firmly, shaking his head. "We agreed to do it together. I'm part of this household too, you know."
He continued, "Leaving all the chores to you isn't fair. Don't worry—I won't drag you down. I lived on my own before, remember?"
"That's not what I meant..." Megumi sighed.
Though she understood his perspective on creating a harmonious home life, she couldn't help but feel that some things were better handled differently.
But one thing she was certain of—they deeply loved each other, so much so that they often felt their love for the other outweighed what they received in return.
This mutual devotion often led to playful disputes over trivial matters, such as chores. Megumi believed she should handle everything herself since Kanade worked all day, but Kanade saw it as his responsibility to contribute equally.
Such debates, while unnecessary to outsiders, were common for them. Over time, they'd set countless little rules and agreements to ensure their cohabitation remained smooth and happy.
"Alright, I've rested enough. Let's get started," Kanade said, now in his loungewear and feeling refreshed after drinking plenty of water—and soaking in the warmth of Megumi's care.
"Okay." Megumi nodded and handed him a laundry basket filled with clothes.
"I'll be cleaning, so you take these to hang out to dry."
"Eh? That's it? Then shouldn't I be the one cleaning—"
"Nope. If you do it, it won't be thorough enough. Leave it to me," she insisted.
"..."
Kanade pouted, feeling slightly indignant.
My cleaning isn't that bad! Sure, Megumi was more meticulous, catching even the tiniest corners he might overlook. But that didn't mean he was incompetent, right?
In any case, Kanade felt quite annoyed and wanted to teach his bold and cheeky girlfriend a lesson.
Still, he had a task to complete, so before plotting his "punishment," he obediently went to hang the laundry.
Their lifestyle was well-organized, and with summer in full swing, clothes were regularly washed and changed. As a result, there wasn't much laundry to deal with, and Kanade finished his task quickly.
When he returned with the empty basket, he saw Megumi diligently vacuuming the carpet. Her focus on the task, coupled with her posture—bending forward slightly—allowed her elegant figure to be on full display before his eyes.
Kanade took a moment to admire her quietly. Then, an idea struck him. It was the perfect plan: not only could he playfully "punish" this silly girlfriend of his, but he could also leave her completely speechless.
As he slowly approached her, he said casually, "I'm all done with my task. How about you, Megumi?"
"Mm… I've still got a little more to do," she replied without looking up, her voice soft and focused. "Why don't you take a break, or do something else, like watch TV?"
"Anything I want?" Kanade's heart skipped a beat at her words, though he quickly masked his reaction and maintained a calm demeanor.
"..." Megumi turned to glance at him, seemingly curious about his sudden question. However, seeing nothing unusual in his expression, she responded, "Yeah, whatever you want."
Nice.
Without hesitation, Kanade tossed the laundry basket to the side and walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Eh? If you do this, I won't be able to…"
"But you're the one who said I could do anything I wanted, right? No takebacks," Kanade teased.
"..."
Well, technically, she had said that. And if it was just a hug, it wasn't a big deal. It was just her boyfriend being his usual clingy self…
Or so she thought.
It didn't take long for her to realize that Kanade's actions weren't just affectionate—they were mischievous.
"Ugh… Kanade…"
"What's wrong? Don't mind me. You just keep doing your work, okay? No need to pay attention to me," Kanade replied with mock innocence.
"...!"
How could she not pay attention? What kind of person would tease their girlfriend while she's doing housework?
At first, Megumi thought she could endure it, that his antics would eventually settle down. But instead, he only grew bolder, and before she knew it, her clothes were half undone.
"Kanade…"
"Mm?"
"I… love you…"
"Guh… Saying something like that… shouldn't you focus a bit more?!" Megumi retorted, her voice trembling slightly.
"In that case, I'll… Uh, Megumi?"
"Y-you idiot… I never said I didn't trust you…"
"Hehe… Love you, without limits…"
"You idiot… Me too… Forever…"
Closing- The story ends here, another series done~~~~
-Read more fanfics in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X
New series will come soon, way better than this one, harem, mc will bag everyone from the very beginning and will take relationships very seriously and will not be dense...stay tuned...
some spoiler heroines..yukino, erina, shouko nishimiya...and much more i will not say more...