She didn't dare to meet Yusei's gaze, turning her head to the side, her cheeks flushed. After a moment, she spoke in a low, shy voice.
"Then... then how about I give you a kiss?"
Yusei was stunned. He could tell Utaha was genuinely shy right now, and her words were absolutely sincere.
'Did she really take it seriously?'
Yusei blinked a couple of times. Looking at those soft, pink cherry lips, he felt his mouth go dry. In the end, desire won over reason.
He couldn't bring himself to pull away and slowly uttered a single word.
"Okay."
Receiving his reply, Utaha looked at Yusei, and Yusei slowly lowered his head.
The distance between them grew smaller and smaller, on the verge of touching.
But just then, the bedroom door opened, and Kanako walked in.
"Yusei, come and eat..." Before she could finish her sentence, the smile on her face froze.
Because she saw her son pinning a girl down on the bed, and the girl's clothes were disheveled (from their earlier tussle).
As an adult, Kanako naturally knew what was probably about to happen next.
She closed the bedroom door almost faster than lightning.
"My apologies, please continue!"
Thud.
The door closed. Yusei and Utaha looked at each other, seeing the embarrassment in each other's eyes.
Yusei stood up, cleared his throat lightly, and pretended nothing had happened.
"Um, let's go eat first."
"Mhm."
Utaha didn't say anything more, just silently straightened her somewhat messy clothes.
The two went to the living room and found Shiro and Kanna were already seated.
Kanako, seeing them come out, couldn't help but feel a bit awkward, but then a smile appeared on her face as she looked Utaha up and down, occasionally nodding subtly.
Clearly, she had mistaken Utaha for her future daughter-in-law.
'This potential daughter-in-law is good-looking, has a nice figure, clearly will be able to raise children well, and has good genes.'
The Kazami Family's males were all good looking. It wasn't clear about the women, since Akira only had Yusei as a son, and Shiro wasn't biologically related.
The genes from both the male side and the female side were equally important.
For example, right now, Kanako thought Utaha was very beautiful, fitting her ideal template for a daughter-in-law perfectly.
Good figure, can bear children...
Naturally, no one else knew about the twists and turns of Kanako's thoughts. Utaha, having been caught in that embarrassing situation earlier, was now feeling somewhat reserved.
Lunch passed quickly, or rather, it was eaten under tension, at least for Utaha.
After finishing the meal, Utaha, who had been through that embarrassing incident, naturally didn't dare to stay at the Kazami Home any longer.
After confirming that Yusei would accompany her to the book signing next week, she said her goodbyes and left.
As soon as Utaha left, before Yusei could even return to his room, he was called over by Kanako.
Looking at Kanako's smiling face, Yusei naturally knew what she was thinking, so he felt a bit helpless.
"Yusei, let Mom ask you, you and that female classmate... did you use protection?"
Hearing this, Yusei was caught between laughter and tears, "We didn't—"
"You didn't?!" Before Yusei could finish, Kanako was shocked, "That won't do! You're still in high school-"
"No, I mean, none of that happened. Nothing happened between us. Nothing at all happened." Yusei spread his hands helplessly.
Hearing Yusei's words, Kanako's face showed a skeptical expression.
"How could nothing have happened?"
But then, Kanako shook her head.
"Never mind. It's you young people's business now, you have to decide for yourselves. But Mom advises you to handle things properly with the Shinomiya young lady as well."
Yusei finally managed to retreat, feeling helpless. He hadn't expected the conversation to veer towards Kaguya.
"Whatever. I should go draw, it can clear my head."
So, Yusei returned to his room, intending to finish the remaining manuscript pages quickly.
…
February 14th is Valentine's Day.
Countless young girls are at home or in stores, making or buying chocolates to give to their sweethearts.
Asuna was no exception, preparing chocolates with her daughter. On the other hand, the Shinomiya young lady was naturally doing the same.
In the Shinomiya Family's kitchen, another pot of black, burnt-smelling substance was brought out... Kaguya didn't even need to taste it, and just smelling the burnt scent told her it was a failure.
Hayasaka, standing nearby, very tacitly took the pot away and prepared new cooking utensils.
Clearly, this wasn't the first time she had done this.
The first time, Kaguya mistook salt for sugar and added it by accident. She tasted a bit herself and nearly died from the saltiness.
The second, third, and fourth times all failed for various reasons.
This was now the fifth time. Just as everything seemed about to succeed, another accidental coincidence caused it to burn.
Kaguya sighed in disappointment. She asked Hayasaka beside her.
"Hayasaka, am I completely talentless at cooking?"
Hayasaka would, of course, never say, 'Yes, you truly have no talent for cooking'. She was Kaguya's maid, and she had to share her mistress's burdens.
Thinking for a moment, Hayasaka said, "I believe the issue is that you lack a good teacher. Simply reading cookbooks won't teach you much."
She paused, then tentatively asked, "Should I call one of the head chefs over?"
Hearing Hayasaka's words, Kaguya immediately reacted like a bristling lion.
What she wanted to make were chocolates containing her feelings, bentos filled with her heart.
Those chefs were Shinomiya Family's chefs.
What if they found out she had someone she liked? What if it reached her father's, mother's, or grandfather's ears?
Then her secret would be completely exposed!
So, she absolutely could not ask the chefs from her own household.
Hayasaka was sharp and perceptive. Having grown up with Kaguya, she understood her mistress's thoughts very well.
So she thought for a moment and suggested again, "Then... should we find someone unrelated from Totsuki Academy and have them teach you?"
"Totsuki Academy?"
"Correct. What about Nakiri Erina from last time? As Nakiri Senzaemon's granddaughter, her skills should be quite excellent."
Hearing this, Kaguya nodded, "In that case, please contact her for me."
"Yes."