As Miku's work was gradually handed over to Kobayashi An, she had more free time. Naturally, Naga spent more time with her as well.
In contrast, Naga's opportunities to make advances towards his female companions have decreased to the point where he has no outlet for his desires. However, being busy looking at houses, he doesn't have time to address his urges.
It was impossible for Naga to live in the old house with Miku, and he couldn't expose the secret of Asami's continuous financial support to him. So Naga had no choice but to follow Miku among countless second-hand real estate agents, and after work each day, he would constantly look at houses.
They agreed that once a suitable room was purchased, Miku would cancel her current apartment, quit her job, move in, and be responsible for the entire renovation and decoration process. Naga thought about the natural cohabitation life that would follow, and the tedious selection process was no longer so unbearable.
Although the renovation was primarily for aesthetic purposes, and sufficient space needed to be left for the renovation, Naga, eager to finish as soon as possible and move in together for a few days, and Miku, determined to carefully select a place so she could live there for the rest of her life, finally managed to buy a nearly new apartment on the fourth floor before the scheduled mid-August, after nearly half a month of hard work. The two-bedroom, one-living-room Western-style apartment, though not large, was enough for a family of three or four.
The building's location was only so-so, and the transportation wasn't particularly convenient, so the price was very low. Naga lied to Miku, saying that she had some savings, and Naga readily completed the transaction in one go. To avoid arousing her suspicion, she had to continue, "Ah... after paying for all this, it seems like I'll have to ask my parents for money for the wedding too."
Miku was still immersed in the joy of buying a new house. She looked at Naga tenderly and said, "Since it's our home, I can't just stand aside, can I?" She took Naga's hand and leaned gently on his shoulder. "I also have some savings, so you don't have to work so hard on your own. Let's work hard together."
"Miku…" Naga breathed in the air filled with the scent of her hair and asked in a low voice, "Are you really determined to quit your job and stop working?"
"Uh, are you worried about not being able to support me? I eat very little, and I don't buy expensive clothes. I only need one nice bag a year. I think I'm easy to take care of." She looked up at him with a smile and said lightly.
"You know that's not what I meant." Naga scratched his head in frustration. "Miku, your work ability is so outstanding. Putting aside men's boring pride, I even think you are better than me. You've read so many books and learned so much. To just give it all up like this… don't you feel it's a pity?"
"Why would I feel regret?" Miku still smiled, her arms around his waist, her upper body leaning back slightly as she looked at him earnestly. "Naga, I have indeed learned a lot and worked really hard. But that doesn't mean that's what I like. I used to think that honing my work skills, getting the compensation I deserve, and living my life step by step according to plan was the most perfect thing. But now I think I was wrong."
Her eyes were clear and soft, her dark pupils filled with Naga's reflection. "From the moment I fell in love with you, I realized what kind of life I truly wanted. Now that I've discovered my mistake, I must correct it. Things I didn't know before, I must learn one by one." She turned her head to look at the simple furnishings in the room and said slowly, "I want to turn this place into a warm home. I want to learn to cook all kinds of delicious meals. I want you to know that no matter how many women surround you, you'll always think of me waiting for you at home."
"Miku…" Naga looked at her with guilt, but the words he wanted to say were sealed to his lips by her slender fingers.
She looked at him, a hint of helplessness at having abandoned her principles, but more than anything, she saw Naga's familiar, vibrant smile.
She laughed, tiptoed, cupped his cheeks, and kissed him. "You must have cast a spell on me."
She paused for a few seconds, then smiled. "I really wish I could cast the same spell on you."
Three days after buying the house for the two of them, Miku completed all the resignation procedures and officially said goodbye to the company.
There was no farewell party, nor did she say goodbye to anyone. Naga then realized that even though she had always shown a keen interest in company gossip and maintained good relationships with her female colleagues, Miku actually didn't have a single true friend.
Not only at the company, but also in the four months since they met, he had never met any of her classmates or friends.
Just like how she has lived alone in this bustling city all this time...