Published: September 10, 2025
“…Um? Oh, right, I stayed over at Hayato’s house.”
As usual, I woke up at dawn.
Though I was momentarily confused by the unfamiliar room, I soon recalled the situation.
“Unyuu~ Hayato-nii~”
The one sleeping with me as a body pillow was Aika, Hayato’s little sister.
I carefully slipped out so as not to wake her and enjoyed gazing at Hayato’s sleeping face on the futon laid out on the floor.
I rarely saw Hayato’s face so defenseless and peaceful like this when he was still the hero.
“This is where you truly belong, isn’t it?”
I smoothed Hayato’s sweat-dampened hair with my hand and lightly kissed his cheek with affection.
I almost used life magic to tidy myself up out of habit, but just in time, I remembered Satou’s warning, “On Earth, magic power doesn’t recover, so don’t use too much magic.”
“It’s inconvenient not being able to use what I usually do.”
I sighed softly and headed toward the washroom.
Though I now took the form of a child favored by Hayato, I couldn’t stand before my beloved without grooming myself properly as a lady.
“Even though this world has no mana, it’s quite convenient in many ways.”
Just lifting the faucet lever brought out water—how convenient.
And hot water at just the right temperature, too.
“With this, there’s no problem even without maids or servants at home.”
Muttering that, I brushed my hair and applied a light coat of lipstick.
“…Doesn’t suit me.”
I look nothing but like a child trying to act grown-up.
I wiped the lipstick away roughly and washed my face once more.
“Oh, Lean-chan? Up early this morning.”
“Good morning, Mother-in-law.”
I sensed her presence and wasn’t surprised, but seeing her reaction, maybe I should’ve acted a little more surprised.
“Lean-chan, don’t you wash your hair in the morning?”
“Wash my hair?”
I didn’t understand at first.
“You don’t take a shower and wash your head?”
“…My head?”
Touching it, I noticed it was a bit rough.
Satou had warned me to be careful here because the humidity was high.
Hayato said his family was commoners, but is it really okay to indulge in such luxuries first thing in the morning?
“Well then, I’ll take a shower.”
I want to always be the best version of myself when I’m with Hayato.
“Use my shampoo, not that cheap one meant for Hayato, okay?”
“Thank you, Mother-in-law.”
Leaving the washroom where she watched me with a smile, I stepped into the bathroom.
Though I used it yesterday, it was very clean and easy to use.
I carefully washed my hair with Mother-in-law’s damage care shampoo, then finished with a wonderful rose-scented treatment. For the body, I was told to use a different kind of liquid soap called body wash.
Beauty care is extremely developed in this world. I’ll have the merchants bring some for me, too.
Just as I wiped off the excess moisture and was about to leave the bathroom, the door suddenly swung open.
“Whoa, Lean!”
“Good morning, Hayato.”
Hayato hastily turned his face away.
Still such a gentleman.
“Sorry, Lean. I didn’t realize you were in.”
“More importantly, shouldn’t you get dressed? You’re completely exposed.”
His body was younger than the one I knew.
His once toned and steel-like physique had returned to a soft, age-appropriate form.
He said it was by the work of God Parion, that he’d returned to the form and time when he was summoned.
“Ah! I’ll get dressed right away!”
In such a fluster, Hayato left without even closing the door properly.
“No need to be so panicked…”
I looked down at my own body.
Soft and with few curves.
“Last time you saw me naked, you just said ‘Sorry’ and quickly let go.”
That somehow made me feel a bit annoyed, so I threw a towel at the washroom door to vent my frustration.
◇
“Delicious!”
Mother-in-law’s Japanese-style breakfast was simple but very tasty.
The saltiness of the grilled salmon highlighted the sweetness of the tamagoyaki I ate next. I’m not a big fan of miso soup because of its grainy texture, but since Satou and Lulu often made it, I’m used to it. Mother-in-law’s miso soup also had vegetables like eggplant, along with thin fried tofu and regular tofu, making it quite filling.