“By the way, Amiya-sama. You were in the same room as Kokuryuu earlier… could it be that you’re living together?”

“Eh? Ah, yes. It seems there’s a rule that we have to live together.”

“Eh?”

“Hm?”

Hiiragi reacted with clear surprise.

She looked like she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“Kokuryuu-san…!”

“Wh-what is it? I definitely didn’t do anything wrong, okay?”

“Why have you not informed him that the bodyguard does not need to live together?”

“Wait, hold on just a second.”

Suddenly, Kokuryuu cut Hiiragi off and covered her mouth.

But even with the interruption, the words had already reached my ears.

We don’t have to live together…?

I turned to Haruka.

“Ah, tehe!”

She stuck her tongue out in a cute little gesture to play it off.

Cute.

That gap between her cool side and moments like this is really something.

But I’m not letting that distract me.

Sure, I didn’t read the contract properly, but she could have told me.

I had no idea living together wasn’t required.

Not that I dislike living together, but still.

“Well, if I told you, you wouldn’t have agreed to live with me, right? And besides, you’re the one who didn’t read the contract properly, so it’s your fault.”

Gh… I have no rebuttal to that.

“Mmggh…”

Something muffled came from beside us.

Hiiragi, whose mouth was still covered by Haruka, was tapping her arm to be released.
Her face looked pale.

Uh… she’s hitting pretty hard…

“Puha…! I thought I was going to die!”

“Ah, sorry sorry.”

Haruka apologized lightly.

Which of course was nowhere near enough.

Hiiragi put Haruka in a headlock.

As expected of a trained bodyguard, she was strong.

“Help… me…”

Watching it, I almost laughed.

Two tall women wrestling — the intensity really is something.

“If you learned your lesson, don’t go around covering people’s mouths.”

“…Got it…”

That’s the part you’re angry about?

There were much bigger issues here…

“Amiya-sama, I will state this clearly. Bodyguards do not need to live together. Staying on the same floor is sufficient.”

So they do need to be on the same floor.

“Did you not find it strange that the entire floor is designated for you? The bodyguards each receive separate rooms.”

“But you see, if I live with him, I can protect him more easily. Plus I can support him in daily life. Efficient, right?”

“You may ignore what this person is saying.”

“That’s harsh, isn’t it?”

Their back-and-forth made me laugh a bit, but I continued.

“Honestly, just being alone in a big room gets a bit lonely…”

“See? Amiya-kun thinks so too.”

Haruka leaned toward Hiiragi triumphantly.

“However…”

Hiiragi looked troubled, but remained composed.

“I understand Amiya-sama’s feelings. However, from a professional standpoint, cohabitation can be inappropriate. For example, privacy concerns and maintaining a bodyguard’s objectivity.”

“That may be true, but if he’s lonely, having company could help him emotionally, you know?”

Haruka refused to back down.

“Well… that is also reasonable.”

Hiiragi thought for a moment.

“Then how about this? We respect Amiya-sama’s wishes. For example, I stay here only on certain days of the week. The rest of the time, I return to my own room. That should satisfy both sides.”

“Mmm, that might work. What do you think, Amiya-kun? Though if possible, I’d like to stay every day and watch your sleeping face.”

Haruka asked me.

“Sure, I do want time alone sometimes. That plan sounds good.”

“Fine… I’ll endure that…”

Haruka deflated in disappointment.

“You can come whenever you want. And in emergencies, you’ll need access anyway, so I’ll give you a spare key.”

“A spare key…!”

Haruka’s eyes sparkled back to life.

“A spare key is basically like being newlyweds! I’m so happy, Amiya-kun!”

She spread her arms and practically spun with excitement.

The cool aura from when I first met her… where did it go?

“I am already starting to worry about becoming accustomed to this level of enthusiasm…”

Hiiragi muttered quietly.

“Alright, let’s finalize the contract.”

“Yes.”

Hiiragi handed over a contract.

I made sure to read it carefully this time.

And yes, it said clearly.

A guard only needs to stay on the same floor, not in the same room.

I really should have read it properly from the start.

“Alright, I’ve finished checking. From today onward, please take care of me.”

“I will dedicate myself fully to my duty as your bodyguard. Please take care of me as well.”

After that, Haruka and Hiiragi left to prepare their rooms.

Leaving me alone in the living room.

“Since I have time, I should probably research common sense in this world.”

I took out my phone.

Now then… where to begin…