Chapter 2 – The Roommate Offer

The cafeteria was buzzing with lunchtime chatter, trays clinking as students swarmed in groups. Haru, however, was glued to her phone, hunched over the corner of the staff lounge like a woman negotiating for her life.“Yes, I understand, but—five months’ deposit?!” Her voice cracked. “That’s… that’s practically highway robbery!”The real estate agent’s monotone response did little to soothe her: ‘That’s standard for the area, ma’am. Tokyo prices, you know.’Haru pinched the bridge of her nose, glancing at her salary slip. A fresh teacher’s paycheck wasn’t exactly the stuff of luxury. “Okay… okay, maybe something cheaper? Like… tiny-cheaper? Closet-sized is fine! I’ll sleep standing up!”A soft pfft of laughter floated above her head. Haru’s spine stiffened. Slowly, she looked up—and nearly dropped her phone.Aya Kurozawa was leaning casually against the vending machine, arms crossed, watching her with an amused smirk that could melt glaciers.“You planning on living in a broom closet, newbie?” Aya teased, one eyebrow arched.“I—uh—” Haru scrambled to mute her call. “I just… the apartments near here are ridiculously expensive. I didn’t expect this.”Aya tilted her head, ponytail swishing. “You didn’t secure a place before starting work?”“I thought I had more time…” Haru mumbled, cheeks burning. “But the school needed me immediately, so—yeah. I’m currently living out of a suitcase in a capsule hotel.”Aya stared at her for a beat, then sighed dramatically. “Unbelievable. You’d forget your head if it wasn’t attached.”“That’s… kinda harsh,” Haru muttered.Aya ignored the protest. Instead, she shoved her hands into her jacket pockets and said the last thing Haru expected to hear:“Just move in with me.”Haru blinked. “W-What?”Aya shrugged, as if offering someone a stick of gum. “I’ve got a spare room. It’s closer to school, no creepy landlords, and you won’t have to eat convenience store food every day.”“That’s—” Haru’s brain short-circuited. Move in? With Aya Kurozawa? The PE goddess who could probably model for sports magazines?“I… I can’t impose on you like that!” Haru flailed, waving her hands. “You’ve already been so helpful, and I’m sure you value your privacy and—”“Relax.” Aya cut her off with a lazy grin. “It’s just temporary. Until you find something. Besides—” she leaned in slightly, her voice dropping into a teasing lilt, “—you look like the type who’d burn down a capsule hotel trying to make tea.”Haru’s mouth opened and closed like a goldfish. “I—That only happened once!”Aya laughed, the sound rich and warm, before pushing off the vending machine. “Come on. I’ll text you my address. Pack your stuff tonight, move in after work.”“But—”“No buts.” Aya shot her a wink. “You’ll thank me later, newbie.”And just like that, the PE teacher strode out, leaving Haru in a whirlpool of panic and… something else she couldn’t quite name.---Several hours later…Haru stood in front of a sleek apartment building, clutching her modest suitcase like a lifeline. Her heart was pounding louder than the cicadas in the evening air.This is insane. This is absolutely insane. She was about to live with Aya Kurozawa. The Aya Kurozawa who exuded cool confidence like second nature. The one who looked like she belonged in a drama series, not a cramped teacher’s apartment with a nervous newbie.“Okay, Haru… deep breaths. It’s just temporary. She’s helping you. Nothing weird. Totally normal colleague thing.”The elevator ride to the fourth floor felt like an eternity. Finally, she stopped in front of Room 402 and raised a trembling hand to knock.The door swung open before she could touch it. Aya stood there in gray sweatpants and an oversized T-shirt, hair damp from a recent shower, droplets glistening on her collarbone.“Yo.” Aya grinned. “You made it.”Haru’s soul left her body.“Y-Y-Yeah! Hi! I—uh—thanks for having me!” Haru squeaked, bowing so fast she nearly toppled forward.Aya stepped aside, motioning her in. “Come on, newbie. Don’t block the hallway like a lost tourist.”Haru shuffled inside—and froze.The apartment was nothing like she’d imagined. It wasn’t the messy bachelor pad she’d feared. Instead, it was… warm. A soft beige couch sat against the wall, a low wooden table in front of it stacked with a few magazines. The faint scent of citrus and something floral lingered in the air—Aya’s perfume, she realized with a jolt.“Shoes off,” Aya reminded her, already padding toward the open kitchen. “Hungry?”“I—I’m fine!” Haru chirped, slipping off her shoes and trying not to gawk at the space. Everything was neat but lived-in—plants by the balcony, a bookshelf lined with sports trophies and random novels, a cozy rug that screamed comfortable home, not “temporary crash pad.”Aya peeked over her shoulder, smirking at Haru’s deer-in-headlights expression. “What, expecting a disaster zone?”“N-No! I just… it’s really nice,” Haru admitted, twisting her fingers nervously.Aya set two mugs on the table and sank onto the couch, patting the spot beside her. “Relax. It’s not a trap. Sit.”Haru obeyed, perching like a stiff mannequin. Aya slid a steaming cup toward her. “Tea. And before you panic, yes, I can boil water without causing property damage.”Haru let out an embarrassed laugh, clutching the cup. “I’ll… work on that skill.”“Good.” Aya stretched, muscles rippling under her loose shirt, and Haru looked away so fast her neck almost cracked.“So…” Aya’s voice was casual, but her eyes held a glint of curiosity. “Any deal-breakers I should know? You snore? Sleepwalk? Summon ghosts at 3 a.m.?”Haru blinked. “I—I don’t think so?”Aya grinned. “Good. Then welcome home, newbie.”Something fluttered in Haru’s chest at those two simple words. Home. When was the last time she felt that?Aya clinked her mug against Haru’s with a playful smirk. “Here’s to surviving Misora High… and not burning down my apartment.”Haru laughed weakly, heat creeping up her cheeks. This… might be more dangerous than I thought.