The usually cool and elegant Mrs. Kasahara now seemed somewhat charming, and Mrs. Hoshimi felt overjoyed, reaching out to pinch her cheek: "Yako belongs to her big sister, no one can take her away!"
"You—"
"Mrs. Hoshimi let out a small cry, her cheeks as rosy as flames.
"You two take your time; I'm stepping out for a bit." Fujiwara Reya quickly extricated himself to avoid getting caught in the crossfire, and as he reached the door, he turned back to add, "Remember, lotus seed porridge. I'll be back later to eat it."
The sliding door slowly closed.
Listening to his steady, endearing footsteps fade away, the two ladies stopped their playful banter and looked at each other, cheek to cheek. After a moment, they reached a mutual agreement and blossomed into bright smiles.
※※※※※
Walking once more along the ship's corridor, Fujiwara Reya felt somewhat absent-minded.
He bit down hard on the back of his hand, almost leaving teeth marks, as a way to suppress his impulse to turn back.
