"Well, that's not bad."

Ryuto could only respond with a wry smile.

"It's good that you know. If it wasn't for me, who else would bother taking care of you, my idiot brother? You might have starved to death on the streets by now."

"Yes, yes, yes, Miss Asuka is absolutely right. I am very grateful."

"Now that you know, cherish it well. Don't try to deceive me again with your silliness. Quickly, who is that woman? No excuses."

How did she remember that? She really has a good memory. Is this a situation for me to kneel down twice in a row?

"Well, she's just a normal friend."

"A normal friend? Putting aside other things, I believe you two just met yesterday, right? It hasn't even been a day, and you're already friends. Brother, your social skills don't seem to be that strong, and, not to mention, she’s a woman, a woman..."

The speed of gathering this information...

It's hitting the mark indeed. Why did she emphasize on that last part?

"Well, it's about the same."

"If she's just a normal friend, then how did you two meet? Don't tell me you just met on the street. If it wasn't for you actively striking up a conversation, a stranger woman would never approach you, my idiot brother. Stop joking around."

"...”

That was rather harsh to hear, though true. At least say it a bit more tactfully.

"Although you're right, it’s neither of those."

"Neither? I suppose so. You don't have the courage to approach women, do you, my idiot brother?"

"Well, it's almost like that."

"Since it's neither of those, then how did you two meet?"

"Well... let's just say it was a coincidence."

"A coincidence?"

"Yes, in short, last night she happened to have an accident, and I happened to save her at the time."

"An accident?"

Asuka’s voice carried a hint of surprise.

"Yes, a car accident."

"A car accident? So it happened on the road?"

"Yes."

"By the way, why were you outside last night, my idiot brother? What were you doing?"

"...”

This is not good.

Ryuto inwardly cursed.

"Well, just taking a walk."

"Taking a walk?"

"Yes, that’s right, taking a walk."

"You, my idiot brother, taking a walk? Really? Aren't you always cooped up at home and never go out?"

"That’s only at home. If we're traveling, you can't just stay in the hotel all the time, can you? And even if I wanted to, I couldn’t bring along... well, whether it’s manga or game consoles, Miss Asuka wouldn't allow me to."

Upon hearing this, Asuka’s voice suddenly softened.

"Well, of course. Are we coming out together just for you to hide alone in the hotel and play with those things? What am I supposed to do?"

"Huh? Miss Asuka, what did you just say? Your voice was too low, I didn't hear it."

"Uh... nothing at all, let’s not dwell on that. Where exactly are you right now, my idiot brother? And why is that woman there? Weren't you out for a walk? Didn't you just meet her last night? How did you end up bumping into her while out for a walk?"

"Well, we're at her place..."

"Huh? Why are you at her place? Weren't you taking a walk? How did you end up at her place?"

Her voice raised again, seemingly louder than before.

"Well, this is a bit complicated."

"Complicated or not, explain it to me."

"Okay, well... it's not my fault, someone else came to me on their own."

"Came to you on their own? What dirty things did you do, my idiot brother? Why would someone come to you on their own?"

Is there a connection between this and something inappropriate? Although Ryuto really wanted to ask that, he cleverly stopped himself.

"It's just as I said. I saved her life last night, and she's just thanking me."

"Is that really all?"

"Yes, she just treated me to a meal."

"Are you still eating now?"

"No, we finished long ago. Right now, we are in her room."

"Huh? In her room? What are you doing in her room?"

Asuka seemed inexplicably agitated upon hearing this, her tone shifting.