Fluffshelf - Curious Reads

✫ 𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐍 𝐁𝐎𝐘𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 𝐕𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔 ✫ — [part 1]

𝐟𝐭.;; albedo, childe, diluc, xiao, and scaramouche

[part two is here]

𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐄𝐃𝐎;; “Hm…? You wish to know more about [Name]? Well, I suppose I might be of assistance. [Name] is an intriguing individual, I’ll give them that. Just when I think I’ve finally got them pinned down, they manage to evade me yet again. But surprisingly, I think I actually find that to be…enjoyable? How odd…Ah, my apologies. Where were we again?”

𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐄;; “Oh-? You’re asking me about [Name]? Why? Are you interested in them, Traveller? Haha, there’s no shame if you are, no need to be shy comrade! Oh…you aren’t? That’s a relief…hm? I didn’t say anything. It must be your imagination!”

𝐃𝐈𝐋𝐔𝐂;; “[Name]…? They’re okay, i suppose. As far as customers go, they don’t really frequent the tavern, but when they do, they always manage to pay without issue. In my books, that would make them a relatively decent person. And…I find that I quite enjoy the time spent between us, regardless of how short it is…huh? My face looks…red? You’re probably imagining it, traveller.”

𝐗𝐈𝐀𝐎;; “You want to know about [Name]? Tch, stupid mortal. You shouldn’t call out my name for tedious things like this…ugh…I suppose I could indulge you. [Name] is…strange, to put it bluntly. I tell them time and time again to not make me Almond Tofu, and yet, it seems like their hearing has failed them. I also think they’re adding too much sugar to it, because whenever I eat it, there’s this weird, tingly feeling in my chest, and my face gets embarrassingly warm. They should really cut down on the sugar..”

𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐔𝐂𝐇𝐄;; “Hah? [Name]? Tsk, you’ve got a lot of nerve, don’t you Traveller? I can see that look in your eye, and quite frankly, it’s pissing me off. Let’s get one thing straight. [Name] is mine, so back off, got it? They’d never look twice at someone like you, so get that delusion out of your head. I’m the only one who [Name] likes, not you.”

𝐌𝐇𝐀 𝐁𝐎𝐘𝐒 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐌 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐘

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: dabi, keigo takami, bakugou katsuki, kirishima eijirou, kaminari denki

𝐚/𝐧: repost from my old blog

✿ 𝐃𝐀𝐁𝐈 has his hands on your hips, keeping you in place as he kisses you, grip occasionally tightening as he pulls you closer. Gently, you pull away, cupping his cheeks while he looks at you expectantly. “Why’d you pull away?” You laugh, pecking his nose before pressing your forehead to his. “Just wanted to let you know really quickly that you’re really pretty,” you whisper. His eyes widen, staring at you in shock for a few moments before his face hardens and he looks to the side, rolling his eyes as his jaw clenches. “Yeah, okay, doll.” You force him to look at you once more, gently tracing the edge of his scar with your thumb, pecking his lips softly. “I mean it Dabi, you’re so pretty.” He sighs, eyes not meeting yours as he slowly pulls your closer, kissing you much softer than usual.

✿ 𝐇𝐀𝐖𝐊𝐒 smiles wide when he pulls you by your wrist back into his arms, gripping you tightly and pulling your closer to his chest, kissing the crown of your head softly as his hand rubs up and down your back. “Got a few more minutes before I gotta get up birdie, don’t go yet,” he insists. His face softens when your hand brushes hair out of his face, eyes bright and happy as they stare at him, scanning over his every feature. He’s not used to such a soft gaze directed at him, looking down bashfully while you stare. “You’re really pretty, Kei. You know that?” He gives you a small laugh, cheeks dusted red as he buries his face into your neck. “You’re just saying that.” Running your fingers through his hair, you kiss his head, making him melt and his hands grip your shirt. “I’m not, baby. You’re perfect.”

✿ 𝐁𝐀𝐊𝐔𝐆𝐎𝐔 buttons up his shirt, grumbling under his breath, unhappy that he has to wear formal attire for the evening. His eyes meet yours when you walk in, scanning over him really quickly before grinning widely. “Damn, Katsuki, you’re looking pretty,” you tease. He growls, swatting your hand away as you go to pinch his cheek, glaring at you harshly. “Shut up, you dumbass. Now get out,” he grumbles. With a giggle, you wrap your arms around his neck, and he lets you, glaring to the side. His arms gently wrap around your torso, hugging you close to him. “I’m serious,” you whisper much gentler this time, “you’re pretty, you know.” He scowls, face darkening to a shade of crimson, flicking your forehead as he rolls his eyes. “I told you to shut up, you idiot.” But he kisses you softly, arms tightening around you and bringing you as close as he could, not ready to let go.

✿ 𝐊𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐌𝐀 smiles giddily as you walk through the door, rushing over to wrap you in a hug for the first time all day, excited to see you again. With a laugh, you hug him back, squeezing him tightly against you. “Hey, pretty boy, I missed you,” you chuckle. Pulling away slowly, he stares at you with wide eyes before looking down at his feet, rubbing his neck as his ears turn red. “Pretty boy?” Nodding, you squish his cheeks together, making his lips pucker as you press small kisses to them, moving up and pressing more onto his warm cheeks. “Yes, pretty boy. The prettiest boy ever,” you smile, making his heart soar in this chest, eyes brightening just a tad bit more. With a shy grin, he kisses your lips softly, lingering on them as he pulls away, whispering “you’re really pretty too” before pecking your forehead.

✿ 𝐊𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐑𝐈 looks at you, eyes wide when he feels your hands suddenly hold each side of his face, pulling it closer to you as you lean in. Your thumb runs over his eyebrow, making its way to his cheek bone as it traces over it, gentle, as though he was delicate and fragile. “You’re so pretty, Denki. My pretty boy,” you whisper. His eyes widen before they gloss over just a bit, smile slowly widening as he leans into you more, seeking more affection. “Yeah, you think so?” You hum, carding a hand through his hair as he buries his face into your neck, your other hand rubbing his back soothingly. “Yeah. I love you,” you smile, holding him as he lets himself feel your warmth. His voice is quiet, barely audible as he whispers out a muffled “love you too, so much,” into the skin of your neck before kissing it.

𝐤𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 — 𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐢

Pairing: Dabi x genderneutral!reader

Warnings: Fluff, this is so domestic and sweet, you might need some tissues in case you start crying.

Summary: After staying over at your place and waking up earlier than you, Dabi decides to make you breakfast.

A/N: This started as a short drabble and evolved into a whole fic because I couldn’t contain myself. Domestic!Dabi just hits different and I just really liked the idea with Dabi attempting to cook for you as a sign of his love. I’m still not really satisfied with it, but I didn’t want to keep this in my drafts any longer.

Word count: 1.584 words

MASTERLIST

Dabi doesn’t remember the last time he stood in a clean kitchen and made breakfast for someone. It leaves him with a strange sense of domesticity as he rummages through endless cabinets and drawers to find a frying pan for some stupid eggs, pushing pots and other kitchen utensils aside with loud clanging to reach what he needs for his experimental cooking.

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todoroki touya isn’t a despicable man.

at least, you don’t think he is.

not as he gently holds your hand in his, applying rubbing alcohol with a cotton ball to make sure your cut doesn’t get infected — wrapping it in a bandage, making sure it isn’t too incredibly tight.

“ya gotta be more careful,” he starts, looks up at you with such tenderness you want to be drowned in all of his love. “or what will ya do when i’m not ‘round?”

“it was an accident, i’m always careful.”

“obviously not careful enough.”

you rest your head against his chest, sigh. the sound of his beating heart blends with the sound of rain and you look down at the way touya still holds onto your hand — softly, lovingly.

todoroki touya is a good lover, you think.

and not only because he bandages your hand, but because he makes you feel safe in the wee hours of the night — when there’s thunder, when you have a nightmare. because he feeds you cantaloupe on hot summer days out on your balcony, because you feel him pour his love into your heart and soul as he holds you by the waist as you shower.

you stare up at him, sheepish smile on your face. “then you’ll have to stay with me forever, huh?” you lean back again, wrap your arms around his neck.

“yeah,” he caresses your cheek with his thumb and you feel that tender love again. “i guess so.”

it’s quiet — todoroki touya doesn’t think he deserves your sweet loving, thinks he doesn’t deserve to wake up next to you every morning.

and as if you feel his silent doubts and worries, you smile, kiss him. “i love you.”

because todoroki touya deserves the universe, not the cruel world. he deserves the moon and the stars and every flower plucked by your hands (because, you think, you’d like to give every single one to him).

his breath catches in his throat. “i love you, too.”

todoroki touya isn’t a despicable man.

at least, you don’t think he is.

not when he’s handed you his heart on a silver platter and not when he treats you with such gentleness.

thanks for reading ⋆ ˚｡⋆˚⸜(♡ ॑ᗜ ॑♡)⸝ ˚⋆｡˚ ⋆ reblogs are appreciated !

nicknames — genshin impact

summary: if any at all, what are the different nicknames genshin impact men would call you??

characters: ayato, zhongli (i love these two, geo gramps came home so <3), diluc and childe.

warnings: fluff, fluff, wholesome and nice fluff, some hints of possessiveness here and there, nicknames duh. also this was written before ayato’s release so beware of the ooc-ness!

author’s note: y'all drop nothing in my inbox for requests so here’s this. you’re welcome.

AYATO would definitely and absolutely go with a nickname that lowkey gets on your nerves. he somehow gets a kick out of the exasperated sigh that leaves your mouth whenever the irritating endearment is caught by your ears. things like “squirrel” and “sweetcakes” are definitely his favourites because whenever he’s stressed out from all his works as a clan head and the yashiro commisioner, he calls you out in these cringey af names as loud as he can, so loud that all the seven nations and celestia might hear. when you asked him how in the name of the archons did he come up with it, he just said that your cheeks looked like a squirrel’s when you were stuffing them with the cake he bought for you and boy when i say that you get the worst case of cringey secondhand embarrasment upon yourself whenever he says it, but you can’t blame him, your reaction is too adorable! other times, however, when you’re not in the best of moods or had had a very exhausting day or when the tiredness gets the very best of him, he’d put his own mischief aside and engulf you in a very soothing embrace, whispering all sorts of comfort to you in the most gentle possible voice whilst calling you “my darling” and never once did you leave his embrace with any spot of negativity in you.

“how do you do today, my fair squirrel? WAIT COME BACK I’LL STOP CALLING YOU THAT!!”

“hm…? ah… it’s you, darling. come, the night is still young… would you care for some tea? it seems that you have much to tell… pardon? a hug? you know that you never need ask, right?”

CHILDE would go ahead and use something that lets every person in a 5000 mile radius know that you’re taken. give or take, he’d be lowkey possessive and being honestly, it either ends up with you getting a stomach spasm with how you laughed or your cheeks feeling like every pyro vision had been pressed against them. say you’re out shopping with him (and you confirm that this happens more times than is legal) and some person looks at you any way that would be classified as “funny” or “inappropriate” in his mindest, or archons forbid, if they try and to get touchy feely with you and you yourself don’t like it, he would be behind or beside you faster than you’d seen paimon dashing for food. then, he’d casually wrap an arm around your waist or across your shoulders and look in the other direction while saying in the clearest possible voice, “doesn’t that shop make weapons? i was thinking of getting my arrows sharpened. c'mon, sweetheart, let’s check it out. and you were thinking of getting a sword, weren’t you? i think that shop has a good variety, babe.” or something like that. he’d always make sure to get at least three or five nicknames in. hey, don’t blame him. he knows you’re perfect, and he doesn’t want to be sharing that with anyone. he also likes to call you “partner” when you both are sparring (you cannot tell me that you don’t spar when being with this man right here istg). it makes him feel satisfied and complete. and besides, it’s most fitting for someone who is you! you’ve been with him and beside him through the hardest possible things, agreeing to do basically everything he pleads you to (not that you didn’t enjoy the shenanigans he got up to with you), that makes you both partners-in-crime and partners-for-life, doesn’t it?

“come on, partner, that all you got?! you’re making this too easy, wanna lose the bet and kiss me that bad, huh? oh yeah? put your money where your mouth is, let’s how long you’ll last, sweetie.”

DILUC . thinks that your name is the most beautiful and endearing thing that will ever leave his mouth, even if he’d never let kaeya poke into his opinions on you, who manages to capture the eye and heart of the stoic red haired man. more often than not at all, he’ll call you “love,” but that will be behind closed doors and when you’re both alone with each other. it’s not that he’s embarrased and ashamed is something he will never ever be when he’s with you. quite the opposite, actually. he cherishes you, he loves you, because the feeling of warmth, of home, of gentle and accepting love, he didn’t realise how much he needed it, how much he craved it until you came into his life. that’s exactly the reason why he doesn’t quite like a nickname, he just thinks that your name, the name of the person whom he could show his worst to and not have to have his true emotions sealed away behind that placid mask of gentlemanly indifference with, is the very perfect one for you, there’s no other title, or alias or reference that can match up to that. it’s a very beautiful name, and somehow rolls of his tongue just right. whenever he thinks of it, your bright grinning face over some dessert or your embarrased sputtering when he gifts you something that you’d consider off the charts expensive flashes through his mind, leaving the streets of mondstadt gawking at the sight of the diluc ragnvindr of dawn winery smiling, was the world to end tomorrow?

“hm..? what is it? your hands are cold… well, that’s what you get for not listening to me when i asked you to go bring a pair of gloves because it would be cold tonight, [name]. mine will be too big for you, well… would you like to hold my hand, then?”

ZHONGLI stands on the very pinnacle of being a gentleman and he makes sure to let you know how precious and irreplaceable you are to him, and so the a quite frequent yet heart-touching nickname he calls you is “beloved.” it became a very frequent word to leave his mouth, so much so that it had become instinct for him to refer to you as such. he completely and utterly adores your name, don’t get it wrong, he loves how aesthete it is and how easily it slips off of his tongue, but calling you his “beloved” seems so much more fitting to just show how much you meant to him, who had spent millenia and after millenia alone and constantly loosing dear people. more often than not, though, you might catch him calling you “dearest.” the sheer affection that the name comes laced in never fails to make your heart and brain go haywire. you didn’t know how simple words that meant very little when said by other people would become one of the best things you ever would look forward to hearing when it came from him. one of the particular moments he remembers that relate to his was when he had a purposeful slip of tongue while you both were travelling across the minlin region, just for a getaway from the busy life you both lived. you were just about to fall into slumber’s welcoming arms, when he leant over and unexpectedly whispered into your goddamn ear “sweet dreams to you, my fairest.” and zhongli himself didn’t know what he found more adorable, your aflamed visage or your 2 minute late reaction.

“good afternoon, beloved, should we head to xinyue kiosk for lunch? i’ve heard they’ve come out with a particularly interesting dish that has been inspired from inazuman cuisine. hm? oh… mora… it seems i… forgot to take that factor into account.”

“put those papers away, dearest. your work ethic will show no signs of improvement unless you get adequate rest. shall i brew you some tea?”

hi!! if its ok could i request some HCs for Ayaka whos best friend is the reader n reader is dating Ayato? Maybe some hcs on how the three of them would interact together n also Ayaka setting them up n stuff similar to that? I hope thats ok n that it all made sense (シ. .)シ

Did I read this wrong? Yes. Did I do more to makeup for it? ... Yes. Enjoy <333 you like my garbage title? I do, thank you. I'm a genius, I know.

Bestie's Brother.

Ayaka loves to tease you about dating Ayato. You met her first and the two of you became close extremely quickly. Thoma was pretty much used to having you around the house as was Ayato. Though, he was extremely busy, so you didn’t see much of him.

You asked Ayaka since you wanted to learn a little bit about Ayato. She told you everything she knew, not suspecting anything. Little did she know, you had a huge crush on Ayato. You didn’t want to tell her because how weird would that have been?

Well, somehow, Ayato managed to find time for you (since he had a crush on you too). Slowly, the time spent together became more. You two ended up becoming more.

It originally started out as a secret because you didn't have the heart to admit to Ayaka you were dating her brother.

You were nervous that Ayaka would hate you for it but it was quite the opposite. She was happy for two reasons. She trusted the person her brother was dating and she trusted the person her best friend was dating. It worked out well.

Ayaka takes any chance she can to tease you or Ayato. Ayato just gets flustered and tells her to mind her own business as he drags you off to who knows where.

She’s sharp. Watch out for her ^w^.

Alternate: Ayaka sets you up!

Ayaka knew you were single, you didn’t exactly try to hide it- you weren’t embarrassed or ashamed. She’s not one to pry into your business but over the course of the few years you two have known each other, she sort of figured out you were the perfect person for her brother.

He needs a partner. You need a partner. Perfect, right? Was that her only requirement? Yeah, kinda.

Anyway, so Ayaka decided to set up a little date between you and Ayato. She claimed that she wanted to have dinner with you at Komore Teahouse and you agreed. She told Ayato she wanted to have dinner with him to celebrate a recent achievement. Both of you were so naive.

Once you both were there, Thoma came to inform you that Ayaka had gotten busy and wouldn’t be showing up. You two genuinely thought she was busy so you just spent the dinner with each other. Of course, Ayaka wasn’t busy, in fact, she was in the room beside yours and she was definitely listening in to your conversation.

Ayaka wasn’t done, though, no she set up multiple dates like this and 9/10 she flaked, claiming she was busy. It took a couple of dates… ok, it took a few dates before you and Ayato realized she wasn’t actually busy.

Eventually, he asked you out on a real date and Ayaka was beyond happy. You, of course, were quite happy too. It was a real date with someone you’d been in love with for a while.

Ayaka takes every chance to tease you and Ayato about your relationship. It’s all in good fun, but she loves to see your face- or his- turn bright red.

It’s adorable.

You’re adorable.

OPEN YOUR EYES

Saying goodbye to my comfort character.

“You need to wake up.” He says caressing my back trying to comfort me.

“I don’t wanna wake up. I’m fine not waking up.”

Green grass and beautiful night sky filled with shining stars. Me laying on his chest, legs between his and huge strong arms caging me. There’s nothing more I could ask for.

“But you need to, I’m not real.”

His words broke my heart. I know what he said was true. I knew it from the start. But my stupid little brain can’t register a simple fact.

“You feel real.” I whispered clenching on the fabric of his shirt. He laughs and it was heavenly. Something I’m proud of to be the only one who could hear it.

“You’re all I could think about. You’re all I need.” Tears started falling from my eyes. He lifted my chin making me look up to him.

His eyes…. I love them so much. His lips and his nose, everything is perfect about him.

I want to stay with him forever because I know he’ll never hurt me. He’ll never break my heart.

And most importantly….

He’ll always choose me over anyone.

“I’m not taking you away from the world you belong to. When you open your eyes…. I will be gone. But know I’ll always be in your heart.”

I don’t wanna open my eyes. I just want to stay with him.

“Please. You need to wake up.”

“Why can’t we be together?” I asked him and he softly chuckled before placing a kiss on my forehead.

“We may not live in the same world now, but maybe we’ll be together in another life.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.” We shared a passionate kiss. And with that kiss we professed our love for each other.

“Now open your eyes.”

I nodded and I slowly buried my head on the crook of his neck. I don’t want to let go but it’s what he wants. And it is what’s right.

“Just a little longer…” I whispered savoring my moments with him. I tried to remember as much as possible. His smell, the way his body feels so warm and so comforting. I tried to remembered it all and not long after I started to feel myself getting pulled out.

“I’ll search for you and we will be together. We’ll be together in a beach, a theater. Anywhere you like. I promise you. I promise.”

Waking up my heart aches as I realized it was his final goodbye. I knew I wouldn’t see him again and I knew I will be only able to imagine his touch throughout this lifetime.

But….

I believe him.

I believe that he’ll keep his words.

I believe that he will search for me in the next life just like I will.

Life is cruel for not letting him be real. But I believe that love always prevail.

For now, I will continue my life knowing my next will be with him.

Things they do when they're madly in love

a/n; there might be a part 2 later on~

! genre; fluffy heart melting fluff

! characters; Childe, Kaeya, Diluc, Ayato, Venti, Zhongli, Thoma, Kazuha x gn!reader

Reblogs are highly appreciated!! ^-^

CHILDE- likes hugging you from behind, mostly times when you're not paying attention to him. He lives off to see the surprised face your make every time he does it. >.<

KAEYA- gives you the most comforting cuddles in Teyvat. When you're having a bad day, he doesn't hesitate to have you wrapped around his arms. It works every single time like magic. poof! you're back to your usual self

AYATO- loves teasing you, anytime anywhere! He makes you laugh a lot too! The sound of your laugh lights up his day instantly, the picture of your smile makes him smile like an idiot madly in love.

rest utc!

DILUC- sure is a busy man, but he will never forget to make time for his dearest. Having his chin plopped right on your head while he does paperwork, resisting the urge to grab your chin and aggressively make out with you ///-///

VENTI- gives you headpats everytime you guys meet up, ruffling your hair and messing it up is included. He also chuckles when you smack his arm playfully. Hopefully you're not too mad at him :T

ZHONGLI- is a gentleman, he opens doors for you to enter first. And he lets you do his daily hair! Braid it or whatever he doesn't care, as long as it's made by you...he loves it.

THOMA- cooks breakfast in bed for you, he knows all your favorite dishes. If you ever overworked yourself, he'd scold you like a mom does. Don't worry, he's not angry just a little worried, he loves you too much to be mad at you. <33

KAZUHA- is cheesy as hell, he kisses the back of your hands. Showers you with sweet compliments too. By the end of your day together, you'll be as red as a thomato (haha get it?)

MASTERLIST

Thanks for reading! <3

domestic things they do | genshin men

masterlist

characters: diluc, kaeya, itto, albedo, gorou, childe, xiao, and thoma.

a/n: i laid in bed and wrote this after school so yeah. i love domesticity, wanted to write fluff after writing so much angst for thin ice. :)

diluc always has to leave late for night watch, but there’s one thing he’ll do without fail: he kisses you softly on the forehead before he leaves. diluc doesn’t know how to aptly show affection when you’re awake, but pecking you on the forehead before you leave is a step in the right direction to him.

kaeya will always give you his coat when you’re cold. he doesn’t even need for you to say anything; that thick, fluffy, leather jacket gets draped around your shoulders without fail. when you look at him with surprise, he only winks and shrugs his shoulders.

on days where you come home after he does, zhongli always has a cup of tea prepared for you. most days, it’s oolong tea. but the more and more time you spend together, he sorts through your preferences. zhongli won’t skip out on details either; he knows exactly when to stop pouring in the creamer, how many sugar cubes is just right, and how long to set it over the stove so that it’s warm when you come home to him.

albedo will always ask how your day is before you can even say “welcome home!”. he wants to know everything always, and that includes discovering what makes his love happy and sad. he’ll be quiet in listening, staring at you with enamored eyes.

no matter the weather, sick or in good health, itto is always willing to cuddle you. he likes hold your hand while doing so and stuff his head into your neck too. no words need to be exchanged—everything is already expressed in the steady rhythm of his heart.

gorou is always willing to run out and get you whatever you need. if it’s the middle of the night and you want some miso soup? he’s already halfway out the door. sometimes, he’ll even come home with whatever you were thinking about needing. he’ll joyously laugh in delight, chuckling that you both are telepathic.

childe always brings home gifts. whether or not he’s been gone for a few hours or a few months, he’ll return to you with trinkets. when you ask him why he bought it, he’ll bashfully reply that it reminded him of you.

to everyone else, xiao couldn’t care less about reminding them of their well-being. but before you ever go anywhere, xiao will clippedly scold you for not wearing warmer clothes, or forgetting to bring an umbrella. when you tell him thank you, he’s reduced to a flustered, blushing mess.

thoma, somehow, is always one step ahead of you when it comes to chores. when you leave the dinner table to go get your phone? he’s already wiped down the table, put away the leftovers, and is in the middle of washing dishes when you return. when you come home, your room is spotless, the closet is organized, and taroumaru is well-fed. if you try to tell him that you can do some of the work, he’ll laugh and tell you it’s no big deal.