My Magical Girl System

Chapter 50: Housework

Andrey walked down the hallway toward the guest room, his footsteps soft on the wooden floor. The door was slightly ajar, and he could hear Sein muttering to herself.

"Stupid zipper... why won’t it... ugh..."

He pushed the door open gently. "You called?"

Sein stood in front of the small mirror on the dresser, her back to him. She had changed into a clean outfit—one of the ones she’d borrowed from Andrey’s closet. A fitted black t-shirt and a pair of dark grey jeans. Her hair was still damp, and she was struggling with the zipper of the jeans, which had gotten stuck halfway up. She was wearing the same underwear as yesterday.

"Don’t just stand there, help me!" she snapped, not turning around.

Andrey stepped closer, keeping his eyes carefully on the zipper. "You need to relax the fabric. If you pull too hard, it’ll just jam more."

"Just fix it, Glasses."

Andrey knelt slightly, gripping the zipper tab with one hand while using the other to flatten the denim around it. He tugged gently, working the teeth apart, then slid the zipper smoothly up to the top, covering Sein’s cute underwear.

"There."

Sein turned around, her cheeks slightly pink. "Thanks."

Andrey straightened, his gaze meeting hers for a moment. Her orange hair was still wet, darker than usual, and a few strands clung to her forehead. Without thinking, he reached out and brushed them aside.

Sein’s eyes widened. "What are you—"

"You had hair in your face."

She slapped his hand away, but there was no real force behind it. "Idiot. Don’t just touch people without permission."

Andrey’s lips twitched. "Sorry."

Sein huffed and turned back to the mirror, fussing with her hair.

Andrey straightened his glasses and turned toward the door. "I’ll be in the living room. Call me if you need anything else."

He started to walk out, but Sein’s voice stopped him.

"Wait."

Andrey paused, glancing back over his shoulder. "What is it?"

Sein hesitated, her gaze dropping to the floor for a moment before meeting his eyes again. "Do you... have any free time today?"

Andrey turned fully to face her, adjusting his glasses thoughtfully. "I’m going to clean the apartment, do the laundry that’s been piling up, and train some more."

Sein’s expression flickered. "You’re... really busy, huh."

"Housework has piled up, so I need to get it done." He tilted his head slightly. "Why do you ask?"

Sein fidgeted, crossing her arms then uncrossing them. Her cheeks were slightly pink. "It’s nothing... Just wanted to ask. And... if possible, I was hoping you could help me move some of my stuff from my apartment..."

Andrey nodded without hesitation. "That’s fine. I can help you. But wait until I finish my work here first."

Sein’s shoulders relaxed slightly. "That’s okay. Do you want me to help with anything?"

Andrey shook his head. "No, you should rest. Your body still needs time to stabilize."

Sein looked like she wanted to argue, but she just let out a small breath. "Fine. But if you get tired, just say so."

Andrey allowed himself a faint smile. "I will."

He turned and walked back toward the living room, leaving Sein standing in the doorway of the guest room.

Andrey began cleaning in earnest. He moved through the apartment with practiced efficiency wiping down counters, sweeping the floors, gathering scattered laundry into a basket. His movements were precise, almost mechanical, as if he had done this a thousand times before.

Sein sat on the sofa, her legs tucked under her, watching him. Her eyes followed his every motion—the way he folded a blanket with sharp corners, the way he scrubbed a spot on the kitchen counter until it gleamed, the way he never seemed to pause or hesitate.

’Does this guy ever get tired?’ she thought, her chin resting on her hand.

Andrey continued working, oblivious to her gaze. He moved to the windows, pulling back the curtains to let in more light, then dusted the blinds with swift, efficient strokes. His focus was absolute.

Sein’s eyelids grew heavy. ’Well... he’ll ask for help if he gets too tired...’

The warmth of the morning sun, the soft sounds of Andrey’s cleaning, the lingering exhaustion from yesterday—all of it pulled at her. Her head nodded once, twice, then she leaned back against the couch cushion, her eyes fluttering closed.

She didn’t even notice when sleep took her.

"...Sein."

A voice, soft but insistent, drifted through her drowsiness.

"...Sein, wake up."

She stirred, her brow furrowing. The voice was too close.

Sein’s eyes snapped open.

Andrey’s face was inches from hers. His glasses reflected the afternoon light, and his brown eyes were calm, patient. He was leaning over the back of the couch, one hand resting on the cushion near her shoulder.

"Gah—!" Sein jerked backward, her back pressing into the couch. Her face flushed bright red. "What the hell, Glasses?! Don’t sneak up on me like that!"

Andrey straightened, unfazed. "I called your name several times. You didn’t wake up."

Sein’s heart was still pounding. She pressed a hand to her chest, trying to calm down. "How long was I asleep?"

Andrey glanced at the clock on the wall. "A few hours. You were more tired than you thought."

Sein’s eyes widened. ’A few hours?! I just woke up this morning... how did I fall asleep again?!’

She looked away, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. ’This is so humiliating...’

Andrey, oblivious to her inner turmoil, walked toward the door and picked up his keys from the hook.

"I’ve finished all my work," he said simply. "Let’s go to your apartment."

Sein blinked, still flustered. "N-now?"

"You wanted help moving your things, didn’t you? Better to do it while the others are still out shopping." He slipped on his shoes and glanced back at her. "Unless you’d rather wait?"

Sein shook her head quickly, pushing herself off the couch. "No. Let’s go."

She walked past him toward the door, her steps still a little unsteady from sleep. As she bent down to put on her own shoes, she could feel Andrey’s gaze on her back.

She didn’t turn around.

’Don’t say anything, Glasses. Just don’t.’

Andrey said nothing. He simply opened the door and held it for her.

They stepped out into the afternoon sunlight, the door clicking shut behind them.