My Rental Boyfriend Is My Boss?! - Chapter 42

Chapter 42. He Likes Me

“’Haha, even… Minoru can do that.”

This time, Kamijemori raised his eyebrows in surprise at Michiru’s words.

“Yes, I do. I’m probably a lot younger than you think.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, and I’ve transferred you to prove it.”

“… What?”

“You didn’t think it was strange?”

“I did, but I thought… Editor Igarashi would find me more useful.”

“Did you believe her?”

“Well, about 30 percent of it was true.”

Chief Editor Igarashi said that she was more useful than Michiru was at her place. She knew she didn’t really mean it and that was not the reason why Kamijemori had recommended Michiru’s transfer. She had always wondered why Michiru hadn’t achieved much. And the people around her thought so too. Thanks to this, there was a rumor in her former editorial department that she was an emotionally unstable and dangerous woman who had been crushed by Kamijemori.

But that didn’t mean that Michiru could casually ask her the real reason. She felt like she was being avoided, and Michiru didn’t want to dig into the details and pretend that the transfer never happened. Whatever the reason, whatever the circumstances, Michiru had gotten what she wanted. From now on, she will make every effort to stay there.

As Michiru nodded her head, Kamijemori nodded his head.

“It is true, of course, that I thought you would be able to show off your abilities better at Puka than my office. But… yes, I did mix my public and private life.”

He smiled in annoyance, as if he were a child who had been caught in the act.

“Is that…?”

“Yeah.”

“Did you want to get rid of me?”

“What?”

“I mean, you wanted to keep your distance?”

“No, it’s not. Why would I do that? I just wanted to give you… what you wanted.”

When Michiru looked at him, Kamijemori’s gaze drifted over and he looked at Michiru for the last time.

“Was there something wrong with that?”

“No, there wasn’t. I’m not complaining…”

Maybe if people at work found out about this, they would be surprised. Michiru was sure they’d complain, and if they find out, it’s definitely a problem.

But for Michiru, when she saw Kamijemori reopening his mouth like a sulking child, a tickle slowly spread from deep inside her chest. She couldn’t help but open her mouth.

“That’s a bit like liking me…”

Michiru giggled, but Kamijemori frowned in wonder.

“That’s what they say.”

“Huh?”

“I told you that when you came in here earlier.”

“Huh?”

Michiru wondered if she missed some important words. She desperately tried to remember the conversation she had with Kamijemori today, but all she could remember was the warmth of Kamijemori’s body when they were in close contact, the feel of his body, and the fun they had while dancing.

When Michiru looked at him, puzzled, desperately turning over her memory and tilting her head, Kamijemori sighed grandly and nodded, as if remembering.

“Oh, you were a beginner in love, weren’t you?”

“Oh, no…”

Michiru hurriedly opened her mouth to Kamijemori, who looked dumbfounded. His lips closed at the next moment.

When his lips parted, Michiru could count each individual eyelash and see Kamijemori’s narrow eyes. She could feel his breath on her lips.

“I like you.”

The quiet, sweet low voice echoed clearly in Michiru’s ears. The music that she had heard behind her was strangely not in her ears now.

Kamijemori tilted his head slightly and rested his forehead against hers. He cupped Michiru’s soft cheeks in his hands and gave her a small, troubled smile.

“How else can I say it? How can I get through to you? I like you, Michiru. I like you, you know. I love you too much to let another man touch you. I love you so much I want to give you everything you want. And I want to be the only man who can accept your weaknesses. I want to be someone you can trust… I don’t want to be ‘just another boss’ for you anymore.”

That’s what Michiru said to the old lady sitting next to her on the bullet train on the way back from a business trip.

‘He was awake at that time.’

Michiru thought Kamijemori was asleep next to her. When Michiru was startled, Kamijemori rubbed his nose against hers like a kitten.

“What’s your answer?”

“Oh… ah… gladly…?”

What’s the right way to reply in a situation like this?

Michiru hurriedly answered in confusion. She was in a hurry because she saw Kamijemori’s eyes shake slightly and anxiously, begging for an answer.

‘You don’t have to look like that.’

Because Michiru had already announced it on the fire escape. It was a declaration of war, but it didn’t change her feelings. So Michiru couldn’t help but smile at the worried look on his face.

“Is it that funny?”

“Because Minoru seems to be a beginner in love.”

At Michiru’s words, Kamijemori’s eyes narrowed.

“I guess so. We can learn together. Not practice this time.”

When Michiru nodded slightly and replied in a small voice, “Yes,” his lips gently covered Michiru’s mouth again.