Minamoto Senya didn't know what was going through Toka's mind.
But he had gotten the answer he wanted from her anyway.
"No matter what, thanks for the help, Toka."
With a few more bites, he finished the small remainder of his breakfast and headed straight upstairs to change.
Five minutes later, Rikka, noticing how rushed he was, asked,
"Senya, where are you going?"
She knew his work schedule today didn't start until the afternoon. There was nothing planned in the morning.
So if he was going out just for fun, she wanted to come along too.
"Pet the cat."
Senya tossed out that cryptic phrase and walked straight through the living room toward the entrance.
"Pet the cat? Who even has a cat? Or are you going to a cat café? Then I want to come too!"
Rikka perked up immediately, eager to follow.
But as she passed the dining table, Toka grabbed the back of her collar. "You're not going anywhere. Have you finished your homework? Don't run off yet."
"But it's the weekend!" Rikka protested.
"Even on weekends, no. You're about to enter high school. If you keep being lazy like this, how could you possibly get into Soubu High? Don't you want to be in the same school as Yukino and Eriri? Do you want to be all alone, left out?"
Those words hit Rikka like a death sentence. She stopped struggling and simply resigned herself, showing a meek expression.
"I'll stay inside."
From the entrance, Senya's voice called out, then came the sound of the front door closing.
Toka released Rikka, letting the younger girl deal with her own breakfast mess while she turned to look out the window, feeling like she had fulfilled the rare role of the caring older sister.
A little thrill of satisfaction ran through her.
Her phone vibrated suddenly. She picked it up—it was a message from Senya. Just four simple words:
"Love you, Toka."
"Unnecessary…"
She muttered it softly, but her face still lit up with a gentle, warm smile, like spring sunlight breaking through the clouds.
Senya thought Toka was right.
The key to admitting wrongdoing was attitude.
The weak hide their mistakes; the strong correct them.
That was exactly how he thought. Toka's answer matched his inner truth perfectly, so there was no need for hesitation.
On the way, he considered that it might be better to visit Utaha alone this time, without Saeko.
Saeko had already been honest with her once. If Senya brought her along now, Utaha might perceive it as a provocation.
To avoid that, it was better he went alone.
Saeko would have confessed, and he could talk to Utaha himself afterward. If things went well, it might smooth over Utaha's discomfort and they could meet again later to repair their relationship.
If it didn't go smoothly, there was no forcing it. They couldn't go back in time or push them together—time had to do its work.
After getting off the train, Senya called Saeko to let her know his plan.
He wandered slowly toward Utaha's house, carrying a box of daifuku sweets from a nearby shopping street.
Something modest yet thoughtful—too fancy would be over the top.
He rang the doorbell. Utaha's mother, Kasumigaoka-san, opened the door and was pleasantly surprised.
"Oh, Senya-kun! Come in, it's been so long! I see you on TV from time to time now—you're famous!"
From a neutral point of view, Kasumigaoka-san was still stunning, and her face and figure hinted at what Utaha might look like at this age.
She welcomed him warmly, led him to the sofa, offered tea, and even served homemade milk-flavored cookies.
From her demeanor, Senya concluded that Utaha hadn't told her family about his visit.
After some small talk, she said, "Senya-kun, you're here to see Utaha, right? She's probably still sleeping, so just go upstairs to her room."
Senya glanced in the direction she indicated. "If she's still asleep, would it be inappropriate for me to just go upstairs?"
"Oh, it's fine. You two are close, right? You can't just make a friend wait until she naturally wakes up. She's not some mythical recluse."
Kasumigaoka-san watched him head upstairs, offering tips.
"Knock normally. If she doesn't respond, knock a little harder—maybe she's a heavy sleeper."
Senya acknowledged her and headed up.
Kasumigaoka-san smiled, squinting at him. Though she was past that age, she still thought about what it would be like to hold a grandson like Senya someday.
Following her instructions, Senya knocked on Utaha's door.
As expected, the first two light knocks got no response.
He knocked harder the third time.
"Ugh… what? I'm not eating breakfast."
A muffled, somewhat irritated voice. Utaha had woken up with a heavy case of morning grumpiness, clearly mistaking him for her mother.
"Utaha, it's me," Senya said simply.
Silence. A long silence.
He waited tens of seconds, half-wondering if she had fallen back asleep.
Suddenly, there was a dull thump and the sound of rapid footsteps.
"Utaha?" he knocked again.
"Wait… give me a second!"
"Okay."
He guessed she was tidying up—girls often did after waking, and Utaha was particular about her appearance.
"Take your time," he added.
Instead of calming her, that seemed to make her flustered. Utaha hurriedly made her bed, picked out clean clothes, hid the folded pajamas and socks, opened the curtains fully, and fanned the air in her room with a large folder, ensuring the room felt fresh.
Not because of anything inappropriate—just a thorough cleaning after a night of closed-off air.
Finally, she opened the door. Senya smiled, but before he could speak, Utaha brushed past him, not even giving him a proper look.
"Senya, go sit for a bit. I'll come down right after."
With that, she dashed downstairs with her clothes. Senya, slightly confused, entered her room anyway—it was her space, and he was the guest.
Downstairs, Utaha met her mother's teasing gaze and immediately complained,
"Mom! Why didn't you tell me Senya was coming?"
"You should know better. I can't just let a guest wander upstairs alone. It's your habit of staying up late that's the problem—if you got up on time like me, none of this would happen."
"I'm not arguing with you!"
"Now, I'll make some fruit pudding. What flavor does Senya like?"
"Anything, you decide!"
She dove into the bathroom, water rushing, then emerged quickly wrapped in a towel, grabbed her toothbrush, and washed up in a hurry.
After changing into a clean dress, she checked herself in the mirror, making sure she smelled fresh and was presentable.
No more insecurities—she was ready to face Senya.
Her earlier flustered steps had disappeared; now she ascended the stairs gracefully.
Passing the living room, she noted her mother's laundry hung outside.
She considered wearing stockings for etiquette but decided against it—she was still angry.
Yes. She was still mad. Such an important matter, and they had kept it from her!
With chest raised and eyes sharp, she entered her room.
Senya, leaning by the balcony, looked up as she arrived.
"So… what brings you here today?"
Utaha crossed her arms, sitting on the bed with one leg over the other, trying to exude a confident, unyielding aura.
Senya didn't answer immediately. Instead, he glanced at her feet, slightly raised, and said,
"There's something I've always wanted to tell you."
"?"
"Utaha, not only are your legs beautiful, but your feet are… cute too."
"!!!"
Cute… feet?!
Utaha immediately lost her composure, cheeks turning red.
He wasn't playing by the usual rules!
She was trying to discuss something serious!
Senya wasn't joking—he had a reason. Utaha, though usually cool and composed, showed genuine fluster and cuteness around people she liked.
He had noticed this many times.
Just now was a perfect example: she rushed downstairs to avoid showing him her messy morning self. Now, dressed properly, smelling fresh, she faced him willingly.
Even knowing about Saeko, she remained this careful.
"You… like feet?" she asked, forcing herself to respond.
"No," Senya shook his head. "It's just that yours are particularly beautiful. Small, proportionate, toes fair and delicate. That's all."
Utaha stiffened. She pressed her knees together, curling her toes under, avoiding eye contact.
"…I don't want to hear this."
Senya saw the hint of discomfort and stopped. Any further, and it might have crossed a line.
"Sorry, I couldn't help it," he said sincerely, averting his gaze.
Utaha didn't respond—silence was easier than thinking about it.
Finally, he approached, closing the door she had left open, and spoke gently,
"I came today because of what happened with me and Saeko. I'm sorry for keeping it from you."
Utaha regained a sense of control over the conversation.
"You only came to apologize? That's unnecessary… Dōjima already told me, and from your perspective, you don't need to apologize either."
"It's not that. Even if Saeko made mistakes, it all started with me. I need to take direct responsibility."
"You shouldn't be taking responsibility—that person is someone else," Utaha snapped, struggling to contain her frustration.
Her mind had replayed the scene in the infirmary over and over—Saeko's neck, their intimacy—despite the fact that she and Senya weren't really a couple yet.
"I know what happened with Saeko hurt you. I won't defend myself anymore. I'll take responsibility. If I can do anything to ease your pain, I won't hesitate."
He knelt slightly, speaking softly:
"One thing—I hope you won't distance yourself from me or Saeko. That's my only request."
Utaha avoided his gaze. She smiled bitterly, frustrated.
"Sorry, I can't. I'm petty. I can't forgive this kind of betrayal. The person I like has been with someone I consider a close friend all along, and you expect me to act like nothing happened? That's cruel."
"It's not just being around us. At the beach hotel, everything you said to me was true…"
Senya paused mid-sentence and slowly stood.
Utaha looked up, puzzled, her patience wearing thin.
At that moment, a knock came at the door.
"Utaha, your friend is here."
Her mother's voice, cheerful as ever.
"Come in," Utaha said.
The door opened, and Saeko stepped into view, apologetic:
"Sorry, Utaha. You took two days off, and I was worried, so I came to check on you."
Utaha's pupils narrowed slightly, but she forced a smile.
"Mom, you're making dessert, right? We can talk ourselves."
"Right, I'll bring tea later. You two chat first."
Kasumigaoka-san left, glancing back curiously.
Utaha sat back on her bed, not acknowledging Saeko.
Senya and Saeko exchanged looks. Saeko apologized again, knowing she had disrupted Senya's plan.
But she had her reasons for being here—some things only she could say herself.