Miss Heir wasn't very kind to me.

Chapter 283 Bonus: "The Ideal Way to Spend Winter"

The ideal way to spend winter.

It means staying in a room with a heated table every day.

Ms. Asami asserted this.

Aside from skipping breakfast and making up for it with a late-night snack, taking showers, and using the toilet, I spend the whole day holed up at the kotatsu table in my room playing video games, reading comics, and light novels.

Is there anything happier than this?!
"...I wish I could live like this every day..."

Asami sighed sincerely.

“You’re already doing that.”

At the kotatsu table, Masumi glanced at Mami, who was utterly beyond redemption as a human being:
Her unkempt hair was messy and frizzy.

Even without acne, no matter how naturally beautiful someone is, dark circles can still appear under their eyes.

And she was wearing a loose-fitting tank top, but her chest was stretched so tight that there was no space left, as if the fat that had nowhere to be burned due to lack of exercise was properly accumulating there.

"If possible, I hope that from now on I can live such a relaxed life, not only on regular days off and holidays."

Asami wore an expression that resembled that of a 20th-century California gold prospector yearning for a new life.

But Masumi ruthlessly shattered her illusions.

"There are no holidays for comic book deadlines."

"Ugh!"

"You took care of all the artwork for the new song, right? How's the progress?"

"Guuuuu!"

After being hit hard one after another, Mami suddenly covered her ears, shook her head and shouted.

"Don't say such mood-ruining things when I'm lazily enjoying winter! Masumi-kun, your past life must have been a mischievous shower!"

Huh? So my past life was a rain shower? That life must have been far too short.

Masumi sighed and then held up the purple lace fabric in her hand.

"I'm here to tell you, please don't leave your underwear lying around."

"I can do whatever I want! Masumi-kun, you're not allowed to have any objections!"

This guy……

It was absolutely outrageous and incredibly domineering.

"You stay at home all day, you smell like you're going to get moldy."

"That's not true! I shower every day, and I smell great!"

Mami raised her eyebrows and glared, as if she suddenly realized something.

"Masumi-kun wouldn't have smelled my... would he...?"

"No."

"Hehe, Masumi-kun is still the same as ever, not honest at all."

Asami said with a hint of teasing, her luscious lips emitting a soft giggle.

"Just admit it, Masumi-kun, you're a perverted Niffler who likes to collect women's underwear..."

"...I don't think I've ever said anything like that."

"Didn't I say that? 'I'm here to tell you not to leave your underwear lying around... Hehehe, it should be put in my closet... Sniff sniff,' didn't Masumi-kun just say something so sexually suggestive?"

"Where did all that embellishment and exaggeration in the second half come from?"

"I'm just trying to speak up for Masumi-kun, this repressed guy who can't honestly express his true feelings. After all, Mami-sama is an understanding, intelligent, and mature woman."

Would an understanding, intelligent, and mature woman leave her underwear lying around, stay at home looking sloppy, and frequently get drunk?

Masumi knew all along that this girl had a tendency to take advantage of her and a positive influence on how she interpreted her statements to her advantage, but now that it had been amplified to the point of "embellishing her statements," it was really troublesome.

It seems I really have been too gentle with her lately.

"That's not true at all. I've been growing a lot lately... Since we have this rare opportunity, how about I show Masumi-kun my skills now?"

Mami puffed out her chest confidently at him.

Although Masumi had no idea what Mami was planning to show her, she retreated as usual when she saw Mami trying so hard to get closer.

"No need, just remember what I just said."

Masumi thanked Fumin.

As soon as he showed his rejection, Mami immediately puffed out her cheeks in a huff.

"Masumi-kun, just admit it! You like me, don't you?"

"I don't deny that."

"Ah~ So, Masumi-kun is hopelessly infatuated with me? He even wants to collect my underwear?"

"No way! Why would you come to that conclusion!"

"Huh? It's not?"

Mami looked dumbfounded.

"Haven't Masumi-kun and I already been in a relationship that could be described as boyfriend and girlfriend... no, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that we're even in a master-servant relationship?"

"Don't push your luck! Where do you get this confidence from... Seriously, who's the master and who's the servant?!"

"Hmph~ Of course it's Lady Mami. When it comes to pleasing Masumi-kun, I'm sure no one can compare to Lady Mami."

"That's impossible, quite the opposite."

When it comes to making Masumi angry, no one in the coffee shop can compare to Mami.

"Masumi-kun...do you not like being with me?"

"If we're just talking about the current situation, I'd nod my head in agreement."

"...Hehe, Masumi-kun, why hide your embarrassment like this? You, you're lying. Right, right? Masumi-kun."

She suddenly couldn't even speak properly. Is that alright?
Masumi closed her eyes helplessly.

"It's a lie...that's right."

Yes, I was indeed lying.

"Ha~ I knew it!"

As if quite satisfied with her answer, Mami smiled sweetly.

"Then, Masumi-kun, can you be more honest and say that I'm your favorite person?"

"No way, that would just push you further."

"Then I'll run to Masumi-kun's bed later and make a mess of it."

"If you dare do that, I'll make sure your ass gets the same treatment."

Masumi said expressionlessly.

"Eek! Masumi-kun is so stingy! And why are you always so obsessed with my butt? Stop being so horny all the time, can you at least be a little more patient?"

"What you just said is the reason."

"Oh dear~ Masumi-kun is so obsessed with my charm, it's really a headache... After all, my personality is just so charming."

"Your self-perception is truly hopeless."

Masumi sighed and rubbed her forehead in exasperation.

"Huh? Isn't that right? Masumi-kun has always seemed to have a strong desire for my appearance."

"Needless to say? My liking for you comes almost entirely from your deceptively charming appearance."

Thinking back to the day she returned to the coffee shop, Masumi mistakenly thought of her as an older, reliable sister figure and even called her "Mami-nee" or something...

It's a complete stain on my life!

"That's too much! Does Masumi-kun think my meanness and awkward personality are causing you trouble?"

"So you were aware of this yourself."

"But it's easier to flirt this way because it's so obvious."

Asami said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Replacing it with 'hit' and 'scold' would be more accurate."

"stare--"

Mami stared intently at him.

"what?"

"Masumi-kun is really stubborn. Don't you want to do something with me that's more like what couples do?"

Mami lightly patted the table with her palm, pouting her lips in dissatisfaction.

"Like spanking?"

"That's not something a couple would do!"

Mami was furious.

"So what are you going to do?"

"Kneel down and kiss the back of my feet... or something."

A mischievous smile appeared on Asami's lips.

"What you said is exactly the same as what I just said."

"It's all Masumi-kun's fault. I may be an otaku, but I'm not a foot fetishist. It was Masumi-kun's desires that led me to open the door to a new world."

"Okay, okay, it's my fault."

Masumi nodded wearily and conceded.

"However, please keep that door closed properly; I have no interest in that kind of thing."

"Oh? Really not?"

That mischievous smile was utterly irritating, and those long, slender, snow-white legs were propped up high on the table.

"foot."

Masumi emphasized her words slightly.

"So white and tender, want to kiss it?"

"I meant for you to take it off the table; that's very impolite."

"In that case, Masumi-kun, why don't you do it yourself?"

Asami giggled mischievously as she pointed her toes at him.

Her ten toes were soft and adorable, with tiny, bright orange nails that resembled ten small flower petals, making one want to reach out and hold them. "Is that so? Then I shall gladly accept—"

Masumi approached her expressionlessly.

"Huh? Masumi-kun, are you actually going to do this? You're usually so restrained... Wait! No, no! Why did it change from kissing the instep to spanking!? Wait a minute!"

Before Mami could escape, Masumi grabbed her ankle with her hand and slammed her upwards.

Before she knew it, the world was spinning around her, and she was still confused about what was happening when she found herself lying face down on the boy's lap, her buttocks sticking out in utter shame.

"Eh?"

Things happened so fast that Mami was stunned for two or three seconds before she came to her senses after seeing Masumi's raised hand.

"Snapped!"

The loud slapping sounded throughout the room.

The soft and tender flesh that was raised was suddenly beaten like a frightened rabbit, jumping around in panic, creating a series of turbulent waves.

"Eek! Masumi-kun! You actually dared to..."

"Snapped!"

Mami got hit again.

"Eek!! You hit me twice, Masumi-kun! Even my mother has never hit me!"

She released her emotions through gritted teeth.

"Given the current state of affairs, why resort to those outdated tropes?"

Masumi sighed. "By the way, you were piloting the Red Comet before, weren't you?"
"Masumi-kun, you just wait—Eek!"

When threats didn't work, Mami quickly switched to playing the victim.

"Masumi-kun, I was wrong, I will reflect on my mistakes!"

Her tender buttocks burned with pain; Mami felt her buttocks were swollen, hot, numb, and itchy.

"I feel like I've heard this sentence so many times."

Masumi held down Mami's hand, preventing her from comforting the injured area.

However, after saying that, he does indeed behave for a few hours to a day.

"I'm serious this time! Lady Mami would never lie—"

Before she could finish speaking, she was slapped on the buttocks again.

It hurt and itched, and the place where she was hit was extremely shameful. Asami's face turned red all the way to the roots of her neck, but there was nothing she could do.

"Say what you will, if I don't teach you a lesson today, I'm not a Miyazawa."

"Then let's have the same surname, Seno. It sounds nice, doesn't it? And it's quite rare too."

"Thank you for offering such a targeted solution to my question. Let's talk about that after I finish what I'm doing now."

"Huh? Wait, wait a minute... Waaah... Stop, stop right now... Ahhh!"

◇

Ten minutes later, Masumi was wiping the table with a cloth, while Mami, with tears in her eyes, lay on the side looking aggrieved.

Like a rabbit whose paw has been stepped on, with drooping ears, limping back to its burrow to lick its wound.

"...Masumi-kun is just too domineering."

"From an experience standpoint, this is the most effective way to make you behave."

"That's not true!"

Mami's face was flushed, and the blush on her face lingered, whether from anger, embarrassment, or both, it was hard to tell.

"You're much better behaved now than before."

"That's because I know that if I do what I did before, Masumi-kun will definitely scold me like he did before."

"So, this is my purpose."

Masumi shrugged dismissively.

"Ugh! I'm so angry! That wretched Masumi-kun."

Mami clenched her fists in frustration and pounded the ground, but she was completely helpless against Masumi.

"Speaking of which, it's about time you went out for a walk."

"Did Masumi-kun come from the S-Nebula, a place only populated by a bunch of superhumans?"

"Don't say such strange things, and why is it S?"

"Doesn't Masumi-kun know this very well?"

Mami snorted through her nose.

"Besides, I hate the outside world. It's winter, yet there are still so many people in Sannomiya. I don't want to go out and squeeze into crowds. I don't want to see any other humans in my field of vision."

"That's too extreme. Sannomiya is always crowded. Wouldn't it be nice to take a walk in the nearby park?"

"But there's no Surugaya or GiGO in the park, so the otaku concentration is practically zero. If it were Miyashita Park in Shibuya, I might go because there are a lot of high school girls there."

"You guy..."

Unable to bear it any longer, Masumi slapped him again.

"Hey! The punishment time has already ended!"

"I couldn't help myself because you looked so annoying just now, sorry."

"How could you do this! This is too much! Apologize to me."

"Didn't you already apologize?"

"That's not enough! You need to be more sincere!"

Just as Mami was rolling around on the ground like a child, making a huge fuss, a soft murmur suddenly rang out.

"Masumi...I have a way..."

A third party appears in the room, and Mami's eyes widen slightly upon seeing the person standing at the door.

"Little Moon Sea? When?"

"When Masumi... was punishing Asami......"

"Then why didn't you come out and help me?!"

"I can't beat... Masumi..."

"That's true, after all, Masumi-kun is a dark superhero who enjoys torturing criminals."

Mami let out a heavy sigh.

"What's with that ridiculous setting? Oh well."

Masumi turned her face towards the jellyfish girl.

"Haiyue's solution is..."

◇

"Is it really necessary to do this, Masumi-kun?"

"I can't believe it," Mami asked timidly. The fabric covered her eyes, completely depriving her of sight; all she could see was darkness, she couldn't even perceive light.

"Mami said... she doesn't want to see any humans other than herself..."

"In that case...we won't be able to see anything..."

The jellyfish girl seemed quite satisfied, a faint smile playing on her lips as she explained slowly and deliberately.

"Oh no! But I can't even see where I'm going! It's so dangerous."

Because her view was blocked, Mami couldn't help but look uneasy.

"No problem...because...Masumi is here..."

Haiyue handed the rope in her hand to Masumi, making this promise:

"As long as Masumi... leads the way and guides Mami... there won't be any problems..."

Is it really okay?

Masumi looked strange.

"Um, Masumi-kun, you have to protect me, okay?"

Because their vision was deprived, their other senses became unusually acute, and the feeling of being strangled around the neck became increasingly pronounced.

"Okay, I get it now."

Masumi felt like she was taking care of a large dog. As the three of them slowly walked out of the room, they bumped into Rinne and Mio coming upstairs.

"Asami-nee, Masumi, Kaizuki, what are you doing...?"

Seeing this scene, Rinne asked, quite confused and puzzled.

"Mami...it's time to go out..."

After Haiyue answered, she seemed somewhat proud for some reason. But it's not something to be proud of, is it?

"I see. Go out then. After all, Mami-nee has been staying at home all the time, so it's good for her to go out for a walk."

Rinne nodded knowingly, then a strange expression appeared on her face.

"But going out like this just seems really strange, doesn't it?"

"It was Mami... who requested it..."

"certainly not!"

"...Ughhhhh!" After a short silence, Mio suddenly burst out: "What is Masumi doing with Asami-san?!"

She closed the distance between herself and the two men with an angry voice.

"Huh? Why is everyone standing here?"

Chia, who happened to be visiting the coffee shop during the holiday, walked up the stairs and looked at Asami in surprise.

"Asami-nee is... imitating a dog because she lost a game...? Uh, how should I put it, it's actually quite cute, haha, very Harajuku style~"

Qian Ai forced out a comment, finishing her sentence with a troubled smile, perhaps because it was too vague.

"Waaaaah! That's so mean! I never want to go out again!"

Asami, who was at the center of the discussion, shouted in a mix of shame and indignation:

"Staying in a room with a kotatsu every day is the ideal way to spend winter!"

In the end, they still didn't go out.

(End of this chapter)