In a cozy Western-style restaurant, Haruto sat in the dining hall, sipping his lemonade. Across from him was Mari, unusually dressed without her usual professional attire, and beside her, a woman he didn't recognize.
"So, Miss Sonoko Machida from Fujikawa Fantastic Bunko—what brings you to meet me? I don't think we've had any prior interactions," Haruto asked.
"Oh, come on~ Even if we weren't at the same publishing house before, you never know—we might have opportunities to work together in the future," Machida replied with a playful smile.
Mari, who usually exuded an air of authority, now pinched the bridge of her nose, looking slightly exasperated. She turned to Sonoko with a warning tone.
"Haruto-kun is a valued new author for our publishing house. At least try to keep it in check when speaking in front of me, Sonoko."
"But Miyamizu-kun hasn't signed any long-term contract with your company yet, right? So there's no guarantee the next book will be published by Sakura Publishing. Fujikawa Fantastic Bunko could handle it just as well."
"Are you serious?"
"Well… it depends on Miyamizu-kun's choice. If our terms appeal to him, we could prioritize considering him at Fujikawa Fantastic Bunko."
It sounded like an attempt to tempt him. Haruto's gaze settled on Sonoko, noting that she seemed genuine rather than joking, and he nodded lightly.
"If it's suitable, I'll consider it."
"Discussing it this frankly in front of me… isn't that a bit much? Consider my position as well," Mari said, blinking in surprise at his straightforward reply.
Haruto looked down at his lemonade. He knew such topics were usually avoided, but because he had a good relationship with Mari, he chose to be open.
He appreciated her support in his career so far, and that gratitude made him willing to speak honestly.
"Settling down in Tokyo? When I was your age, I spent all my time worrying about romance at school. Miyamizu-kun's thinking seems unusually mature for his age," he said.
Machida nodded at his response, her gaze fixed on him for a moment. A small, mischievous smile appeared at the corner of her lips.
"You know, once Miyamizu-kun buys a place in Tokyo, he'll need someone to look after it. Living alone in a big house can be lonely. Maybe we should consider the matter of a lady of the house. I like young, talented men like you~"
"Sonoko!"
"Don't worry, Mari. Miyamizu-kun hasn't said yes yet, right? If I become the lady of the house, you can be the second lady. The three of us could live together."
Mari glared at her, blushing in frustration, but Sonoko winked slyly at Haruto.
Yet Haruto remained unshaken, sipping his lemonade with an indifferent expression.
"Not tempted?"
"Rather than thinking about settling down, I'm more curious—Miss Machida, is that why you came to see me today?"
"Something like that. Actually, I heard from one of our young authors at the office about a student writer named Miyamizu at your school. Considering Mari's author roster, I got curious—it seemed like it might be the same person."
"School? Toyogasaki?"
"Yes, Toyogasaki. But she's a second-year student, so not the same grade as Miymizu-kun. They probably don't interact much."
Haruto thought carefully, recalling the only other young female writer at his school. A vague image formed in his mind. Slowly, he raised his head to look at the editor before him.
"Kasumigaoka?"
"You know her?"
Sonoko seemed surprised that Haruto recognized the author she was responsible for.
"I've met her before, just once."
"Already met?"
"Just a chance encounter, nothing more."
A sly smile crept across Sonoko's face, her mind clearly plotting something that gave Haruto a faint sense of unease. Mari sipped her coffee, giving her a wary glance.
"You're not planning to use the old 'beauty trap,' are you? Just so you know, he already has a girlfriend—don't cause him trouble," Mari warned.
"Having a girlfriend? So what? We live in an era of free love. Even if he's dating, there's still plenty of time before marriage. He's only in high school, after all."
"Not yet," Haruto replied casually, finishing his lemonade and setting the empty glass down. He looked at the two women before him.
"Well, since I don't have any plans today, Miss Machida… it's vacation time, right? Want to go somewhere together?"
"Are you asking me out?"
"I just want to see if you're fit to be a lady of the house."
"Oh? Interesting."
Sonoko's smile widened, sensing the situation turning in an intriguing direction. Mari, observing her roommate's excitement, covered her face with her hand, muttering in exasperation.
Opening her mouth to say something, Mari quickly realized they were ignoring her, exchanging knowing smiles as if sharing a secret, and then stood up.
"Mari, I'm going out for a bit with Miyamizu-kun. Don't wait for me tonight."
"..."
That evening, Mari stayed home alone. She pulled ingredients from the fridge. Normally, she and Sonoko split meal preparation duties, but tonight, with Sonoko out, she had to manage on her own.
"Still not home… it can't really be…"
Mari peeled back the plastic wrap from the vegetables, her mind drifting back to that afternoon—the two who had left the restaurant. Haruto's face flashed in her thoughts, followed by Sonoko's sly smile, and she muttered under her breath.
She stripped the onion of its outer layers and picked up the knife, her gaze fixed on the cutting board. Slowly, she sliced it into thin strands and placed them neatly on a plate. After washing her hands, she picked up the red ginger, slicing it the same way and adding it to the plate with the onions.
"Tonight's dinner… scallion and ginger beef, then?"
Mari paused, thinking. She considered calling Sonoko to see if she'd be back tonight. If not, she'd only prepare dinner for herself.
Of course, she hoped Sonoko would come home early. Both being adults, and Haruto still in high school… Mari couldn't shake the thought that if something were to happen between them, it would be morally wrong. Having seen Haruto with his girlfriend, she didn't want Sonoko's influence to taint the boy's innocent first love.
"Yes… I have to do something about this," she muttered to herself.
Mari grabbed her phone and dialed Sonoko's number.
"Hello?"
"Uh… Uhn, Mari?"
"What are you doing?"
The voice on the other end sounded strange, off. Mari froze, her cheeks heating with a mix of embarrassment and irritation. She grit her teeth, her voice sharp over the line.
"Uh—Ummn?"
"…"
The call ended abruptly. Mari stood in the kitchen, staring at the onions and ginger in front of her, unsure how to describe the knot of feelings twisting inside her. She clenched her jaw and resumed washing the beef, preparing dinner—for herself, alone.
Later, she sat in the living room, swirling a glass of red wine. It was a rare chance to relax during a holiday, but she couldn't enjoy it. Her gaze lingered on the TV, yet she couldn't focus on the evening programs.
"Still not back?"
She glanced at the clock. It was 8:37 p.m.—almost nine. If he didn't return by then, she'd let herself go to her room. Sonoko likely wouldn't be back until the next morning.
She sipped her wine again, frustration brewing. Sonoko's voice during their earlier call echoed in her mind, refusing to fade. If it continued, Mari felt as though it would sully her own spirit.
Ding dong—
The sudden chime of the doorbell startled her. Mari jumped up, forgetting her wine glass on the counter, and hurried to the door.
"Uh—"
Haruto was there, holding Sonoko in his arms, covering her mouth, and looking straight at Mari.
"Where's the bathroom?" he asked.
"Just ahead… there," Mari pointed, watching as he carried Sonoko inside. Moments later, she could hear retching sounds from the bathroom—harsh, relentless. Unsure what exactly was happening, Mari paused at the doorway, then went to the bathroom, fetching a clean towel and soaking it in warm water.
Returning, she saw Haruto helping Sonoko out of the bathroom.
"What's wrong with her?"
"She drank a lot at the izakaya," he replied.
Mari said nothing, watching the drunk woman lying on the sofa as Haruto set a cushion under her head and laid the damp towel on her face. He seemed relieved, while Mari's thoughts churned.
"Since I've brought her back, I should go. If I stay any longer, the subway might stop running," he said.
"You're not resting?"
"No need," he declined kindly. With that, he left, and Mari remained in the living room, her feelings tinged with unease.
A silence followed. Sonoko, still slumped on the sofa, slowly sat up.
"Can't you even keep someone here?" she teased.
"You're not drunk?"
"Every time we drink together, it's usually you who ends up wasted," Sonoko replied, pouring herself some water and sipping it carefully, her cheeks flushed.
"I did overdo it today. I don't usually drink that much," she admitted.
Sonoko glanced at Mari in her casual clothes, shook her head, and sighed. Circling her once, she looked disappointed.
"What's wrong?"
"If you'd been in pajamas, maybe he would've stayed longer," Sonoko said with a teasing smirk.
"Huh?"
Mari Fukaoka looked at Sonoko, who seemed to be feigning ignorance, and didn't press the matter. Machida quietly settled onto the sofa and took another sip of water.
"I was feeling pretty awful a moment ago, but I'm a bit better now," she said.
"Then why didn't you just drink a little less? He isn't an adult yet and can't drink. Drinking alone like this—isn't it boring?"
"That's so he would bring me back. It was such a perfect opportunity," Sonoko replied, a sly glint in her eye.
Mari, faced with her roommate's subtle and not-so-subtle hints, felt a twinge of irritation. She frowned as she watched Sonoko on the sofa and asked carefully about their afternoon.
"Where did you two go this afternoon?"
"Curious?" Sonoko smirked.
"No… I just want to know what you and Haruto were doing when I called you."
~~~~~~~~~~
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