Natsuki grabbed a can of green tea and tossed it to Miko.
"Hey, I want some tea too!" Mrs.Kaguya materialized on the sofa and flicked on the TV. "Too bad I can't actually taste anything."
After chatting for a bit, Mrs.Kaguya stayed downstairs to watch TV, while Natsuki and Miko headed upstairs together.
Miko thought to herself, "It's so awkward giving a guy a back massage with my classmate's mom right downstairs."
Once in the room, Natsuki flopped down on the floor. "Alright, work your magic and make me stronger!"
"You can't just get stronger without any effort, you know," Miko grumbled. "There's no such thing as a free lunch. If it seems free, it's probably a trap."
Who said there was no sacrifice? You're paying with your dignity!
"Hey, I remember reading this manga once," Natsuki said, scrolling through his phone. "There was this planet where people got stronger just by complaining. So if complaining works, why not lying around?"
"There are also people who get stronger by making others feel bad."
"See? No problem then."
Miko pressed her foot down a little harder. "There are plenty of problems."
"Come on, the law of conservation of energy is basic science," Natsuki said, pulling up a livestream. "Energy can be transferred. You're giving me kinetic energy with your feet, and that energy is making me stronger. It's totally scientific."
Miko's eyes narrowed as she watched Natsuki tune into some dance stream. "I don't think science wants anything to do with this explanation."
Seeing Natsuki engrossed in the stream, Miko's face hardened and she pressed down even harder.
"Ow! Why are you getting stronger?" Natsuki whined. "Did you put on weight or something?"
Miko crossed her arms and glared down at him in disgust. "You got it."
"Ouch, ouch! My back's gonna break!"
"My feet are killing me," Miko sighed, finally stepping off Natsuki. She wiped some sweat from her brow. "I'm exhausted."
Natsuki sat up. "How? It's basically just walking."
"It's way harder than walking," Miko retorted, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I have to keep my balance so I don't fall, plus I'm worried about hurting you if I step too hard. And there you are, not moving an inch, happily playing on your phone..."
Miko suddenly bit her lip, a blush creeping across her face. She spun around, grabbed her bag, and headed for the door. "I'm heading home."
Natsuki threw his clothes back on and followed Miko downstairs.
Mrs.Kaguya was sprawled on the sofa, looking way more solid than earlier, her eyes glued to her phone.
Hearing them come down, she looked up with a grin. "Thanks for your hard work, Miko!"
It really was hard work. Thanks to Miko's efforts upstairs, Mrs.Kaguya could lounge around worry-free!
"I didn't do anything," Miko muttered, averting her eyes. "Anyway, I'm off."
Since they lived next door, there was no need for goodbyes.
As Miko stepped outside, she ran into her little brother, still in elementary school.
"Hey sis, are you and Natsuki officially dating now?"
Both Miko and her brother Kyousuke shared the same deadpan expression.
"Don't be ridiculous," Miko snapped. "We were just studying for exams. We're not dating."
She definitely didn't want to admit to giving a guy a back massage. How embarrassing.
Her little brother looked her up and down, his face blank. "Come on, sis. I'm not a little kid anymore. Don't lie to me."
"I'm not lying," Miko said, avoiding eye contact.
The kid sighed. "Then explain why your stockings disappeared while you were 'just studying'?"
Miko glanced down and quickly covered her skirt, her face turning bright red. She'd forgotten to put her stockings back on! This is what happens when you don't get enough sleep.
"It's not what you think," she said, trying to sound authoritative. "Just go home and do your homework."
............…
Meanwhile, at Natsuki's house...
Natsuki grabbed a leash and collar, eyeing Mrs.Kaguya. "Stop playing on your phone. Let's go walk the dog, and I'll get you a phone plan."
Mrs.Kaguya's eyes lit up, a sweet smile spreading across her face. "Thanks, Natsuki!"
Natsuki's heart skipped a beat. He had to admit, this ghost was gorgeous - even prettier than that ice sculpture lady. Too bad she wasn't solid.
As they left the house, Natsuki holding the dog's leash in one hand and Mrs.Kaguya floating beside him, he couldn't help thinking how unfair it was. At least Ning Caichen could touch Nie Xiaoqian when he was undead. But Kaguya was completely untouchable.
They spent the afternoon at the park, then stopped by a convenience store to get Mrs.Kaguya's phone set up. After grabbing dinner out, they finally headed home around 8 PM, Natsuki carrying some drinks.
...............
At the same time, across town...
"Why hasn't he messaged me yet?" Kaguya Shinomiya muttered, sitting on her bed in pajamas, glancing at her new phone.
It had been nearly five hours since school let out. What could that guy be doing?
"The tenth rule of the Loyal Boyfriend Training Manual is to give before you take," Ai Hayasaka said from her chair. "Miss, you could message Natsuki first."
"Me? Message first?" Kaguya exclaimed. "That's like waving a white flag! I'd be admitting defeat!"
Suddenly, her phone buzzed. Kaguya's eyes lit up as she snatched it, trying to act casual.
A new message from Natsuki: "Sorry, just got back."
Just got back? From where? Hayasaka's intel didn't mention any part-time job. What was he up to?
As if reading her mind, another message popped up: "I was out shopping with your mom."
Kaguya stared at her phone, baffled. "Shopping with my mom? What the heck does that mean?"
Ai resisted the urge to snap a photo of Kaguya's adorably pouty face. It was rare to see the young lady look so flustered.
What was it about this boy that caught Kaguya's attention? Looks and grades alone wouldn't do it. The dark circles under her eyes, her loss of appetite, switching cars yesterday... What was going on with her?
Seeing Kaguya had read but not replied, Natsuki sent another message:
"Here's your mom's number. She's not a stranger. Add her and you can chat."
Kaguya awkwardly poked at the screen with her slender finger, still getting used to the smartphone. She finally managed to send a reply:
"...I see."
She turned to Ai, trying to sound casual. "Hayasaka, you can go. I'm going to sleep."
Ai knew that was code for "I want to chat in private." She stretched and headed for the door. "Finally, I can take a bath. Goodnight, Miss."
Meanwhile, Natsuki told Mrs. Kaguya, "All set. You can chat now." After adding Kaguya and seeing her accept, he stood up. "I'm gonna shower."
When he came out, Mrs. Kaguya waved him over. "Natsuki, quick! Your phone's broken!"
"Huh?" Natsuki raised an eyebrow. "Is the screen black?"
"No, I was video calling Kaguya, but I couldn't see anyone."
Natsuki peered at the phone. He could clearly see Kaguya, makeup-free with her hair down, fiddling with the phone in confusion.
His eyes wandered downward. Below her delicate collarbone, her pajama top was slightly open.
So... peaceful, he thought, catching himself.
The ice queen in her silk pajamas was unintentionally alluring.
"Natsuki, why are you blushing?" Mrs. Kaguya asked.
"Just the hot shower," he said coolly, handing back the phone. "I think I know what's going on."
"Oh? What is it?"
"Come with me," Natsuki said, leading her away from the compromising situation.