Chapter 17


I woke up all alone on the bed, feeling a bit cold even though a single ray of the morning sun was peeking through the exposed part of the window.

I sat up, and noticed that I wasn't wearing my shirt. I tried to recall last night but all I get are flashes of…intimate scenes.

No matter. Today is a Sunday, meaning I have the entire day to think about lots of things.

"Se~n~pai~" then came a sweet voice from beyond the bedroom door. It opened and came her lovely, smiling face.

"Good morning~!" she greeted, as she jumped onto the bed, embracing me. She was wearing a white, long-sleeved shirt.

Oh wait…that's my shirt.

I returned the gesture, albeit my embrace being a tad bit tighter.

"Did you sleep well?" Mash asked, pecking my lips afterwards. As I was about to speak, she placed her finger on my lips. "Actually, before that, how about I help you freshen up?" she offered, and I simply nodded.

She took me by the hand, and the next thing I knew, I was embracing her yet again.


"You're awfully cheery today, Mash. What's the occasion?" I asked her, as both of us were eating breakfast. She simply gave me another smile.

"Well, it's the only day where I have you all to myself, so of course I'm happy!" she told me, and I simply chuckled.

There is truth to what she says, and indeed, I should spend the entire day with her rather than be by my own.

"I noticed you aren't wearing your glasses. You've gotten used to the contacts?" I asked her, and she nodded. "They're much convenient than my glasses!" she exclaimed.

"I'm glad to hear that. This way, I can get lost looking at your eyes for hours." I then told her as I continued eating.

She went silent, and when I looked at her, she was flustered.

"R-Really, Senpai?" she asked, timidly. I smiled at her. "Well, I wouldn't mind if you were wearing glasses, too." I added.

She only got redder.

We then finished eating and she offered to wash the dishes. "But you're the one that cooked breakfast. At least let me help." I told her, and she shook her head.

"Its alright, Senpai. While this day is where I have you all to myself, its also the only day that you'd get proper rest." She told me, as she placed the plates on the sink.

True, Sunday is indeed the only day where I'm not busy. But that doesn't mean I'll let her do everything.

So I decided to be a nuisance.

As she was washing the fairly few dishes, I went and hugged from behind, kissing the top of her head.

"S-Senpai!" she exclaimed. I've always loved how warm she felt.

"Why do you still call me "senpai"? We're already married you know…" I softly asked her, and she stopped what she was doing.

"Old habits die hard, I guess…and I still get embarrassed when I try to say your name…" she admitted.

"You're so cute…" I softly told her. I kissed the top of her head again.

"S-Stop that, geez I can't focus on the task…" she softly whined. I only found her even more adorable.

"Then don't do it…let's just laze away today…" I replied, not wanting to let her go.


"Eh? You don't want to go anywhere today?" she suddenly asked. I thought about it and shook my head. "Yeah, I don't wanna go out today. Sorry, Mash." I apologized, but she shook her head, giggling afterwards.

"I'm by your side, Senpai. I could ask no more than that~" she sweetly replied.

I've always loved how hardworking she is. I can't help but stare at her as she scrubs the floor with a determined look on her face.

I'm…not sure why I even suggested to do a little 'spring cleaning' even though the house is in tip-top shape.

I was mopping our bedroom when I simply stopped and stared at her.

Matching the determination of her face, I could see sweat forming on her face, some trickling down. She stopped for a while to wipe them, gave a motivated smile, and continued.

I've always thought of a life where Mash is not by my side. I am also capable of doing the things she does, but it certainly would be lonely.

That would be sad.

"Senpai? Are you done mopping?" she then asked me, and I instantly went back to doing it. "Ah I'm almost done here!" I told her.

"Alright, then that leaves only the bathroom." She then said, as she sighed out of exhaustion.

"You should take a break, Mash. I'll go clean it, don't worry." I then told her. She looked at me, seemingly surprised as I simply smiled at her.

"You can rest in the kitchen, since it was the first place we cleaned. Go open the freezer for a surprise~" I sweetly told her, and she seemed to have blushed, of her cheeks weren't already flushed from all the cleaning we were doing.

She wiped her sweat with the towel she had on her shoulder.

I could stare at her all day, but I would be slacking off. As I finished mopping our room, I gave her a headpat and went towards the bathroom, taking the mop and bucket with me.


"Senpai, you smell good~" Mash remarked, as she cuddles into me further while we lay on the bed.

It was only 2 in the afternoon, and we haven't even eaten lunch.

"We use the same soap and shampoo, Mash." I then told her, and she gave a cute giggle. "Do we~?" she replied, as she leaned in closer, pecking my lips.

I smiled as she then moved on top of me, still cuddling. I kissed the top of her head.

"You're also…warm, Senpai…" she then softly spoke. She leaned in closer again, pecking my lips.

"Mash…are you okay?" I then asked, and she smiled. "I've never been better, Senpai." She simply replied. Her voice has never sounded the sweetest until now.

I leaned in closer, kissing her softly on the lips as I continued holding her.

"Mmm~" she gently moaned. I then broke away, and I noticed her cheeks going slightly redder. I cupped her cheeks.

"I love you so much, Mash." I told her softly. Before she could reply, I gave her another kiss.


Mash awoke with a jolt, sitting up and feeling hot. She was breathing heavily. "It was...a dream?" she found herself speaking softly.

"Mash? Are you alright? You're all red." Ritsuka then asked, as he approached her and touched her forehead. She noticed that he was wearing his uniform.

"S-Senpai?" she said, and then realized that she wasn't wearing anything underneath the blanket. "S-Senpai?! W-W-What?!" she then asked, flustered and covering herself with the blanket.

Ritsuka blushed a bit and sat on the bed beside her. "S-Sorry I got up without telling you." He then told her. "I immediately got up when another minute Singularity was reported earlier. I didn't want to disturb how peaceful your sleep was, so I just took Arthur with me." He explained. Mash then slowly removed the blanket from her head.

"It was easily resolved though! Nothing the two of couldn't handle!" he added. Mash was still flustered, but she placed her head on his shoulder.

"I'm relieved…" she softly said. She then blushed again. "U-Um, Senpai…did we…do it?" she then timidly asked.

Ritsuka placed her arm around her. "We…did, Mash. Do you not remember?" he asked.

Mash shook her head. "Its hazy, Senpai…but I do remember feeling blissful." She explained.

"I see. How about what—"

Mash then kissed him at the cheek. "I remember, Senpai. I love you too." She softly said.

Ritsuka smiled and held her dearly. "I love you so much, Mash. And I'm so sorry I haven't told you sooner." He told her, kissing her on the top of her head.

Mash then let herself get lost in the warmth of his embrace.


Well then, the Mash chapters are now complete! Happy late New Year!

- The Void Sprinter