Something was wrong, nine-tenths of it was definitely wrong.
Tanaka Masao watched Yukinoshita Yukino's expression soften even more with joy, her cheeks flushing slightly.
If it were just that, it would be fine, but why did it feel like hearts were about to pop out of her eyes?
Come on, Yukinoshita Yukino, be rational! Those hearts should only appear when you're with me...
Ahem, Tanaka Masao declared that he wasn't thinking anything. Please, great God of River Crab, don't stare at him.
Tanaka Masao wanted to say something, but for a moment, he didn't know what to say.
He couldn't possibly say, 'Yukinoshita Yukino, let go of Kashi and let me feed her.'
Or, 'Kashi, get out of here! I'm the one who should be fed.'
Tanaka Masao had already experienced feeding Kashi before, but he hadn't experienced being fed by Yukinoshita Yukino.
Even if he did speak, all he would get was an eye roll.
...
After Yukinoshita Yukino fed Kashi a few more dried fish, Hiratsuka Shizuka, who had gone out to buy things, returned.
She came back carrying a large bag of items.
Besides two packed lunches from the cafeteria, there were also snacks and drinks.
Seeing so many delicious things, Kashi decisively abandoned the dried fish and threw herself into Hiratsuka Shizuka's arms.
Yukinoshita Yukino was visibly disappointed, her whole being exuding an aura of despondency.
Watching Yukinoshita Yukino, who had been abandoned by the scoundrel Kashi, Tanaka Masao couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Yukinoshita Yukino's gaze, like a knife, shot over.
"Tanaka-kin, are you very free?"
"Uh... well, I... I guess so."
Tanaka Masao was a little embarrassed; he should have held back and not made a sound.
"Heh~"
Yukinoshita Yukino sneered, shook her head, and spoke with a hint of helplessness.
"Tanaka-kin, it's like this: Tanaka-kin only needs to follow instructions and work hard to lose weight every day, while I have much more to consider..."
It must be said, formulaic problem-solving is quick.
In just an instant, Yukinoshita Yukino had regained her composure.
After venting her displeasure, Yukinoshita Yukino's mood suddenly improved, and she returned to her normal state.
She put the remaining dried fish into her bento box and continued eating, complementing the food already in the box.
Hiratsuka Shizuka had brought the school's signature pork cutlet rice, which tasted quite good.
Kashi was eating very happily.
While eating, the group chatted.
Hiratsuka Shizuka began to ask Tanaka Masao for information about Kashi.
"Why does Kashi have time to come see you at this hour? Isn't she supposed to be at school?"
Chiba Prefecture places great importance on elementary school students.
Not only are they provided with special alarm devices to seek help when encountering bad people, but they are also required to attend school, and it is illegal for guardians not to comply.
"Kashi's enrollment procedures are currently being processed."
Hearing Tanaka Masao's reply, Hiratsuka Shizuka nodded.
"Hmm, it's good that the enrollment procedures are being handled. If you encounter any difficulties, you can ask me for help. I am a teacher, after all, and quite professional in this area."
Yukinoshita Yukino hesitated but didn't speak.
Her father was a Chiba Prefecture council member, and her family had some influence in Chiba Prefecture.
Even sending Kashi to the best elementary school in Chiba would be possible.
However, Yukinoshita Yukino didn't really want to return to that somewhat oppressive home.
[This isn't a big deal, it's easily solvable, and there's also Hiratsuka-sensei's help.
If it really doesn't work, I...]
If Kashi would let her touch her ears, she might be able to muster the courage to face her mother.
Tanaka Masao thanked Hiratsuka Shizuka for her kindness.
"Thank you, Hiratsuka-sensei, but it's not too big of a deal, and with current policies being supportive, enrollment is quite simple."
"That's true."
Hiratsuka Shizuka said, sighing helplessly.
"Alas, the declining birthrate is becoming more and more serious. I heard that several elementary schools are expected to close this year."
At this moment, if there were a bottle of beer and a plate of peanuts, Hiratsuka Shizuka could chat with them about current international affairs.
However, this momentum was extinguished before it even began.
Only Yukinoshita Yukino's merciless voice was heard.
"Speaking of why the declining birthrate is getting worse, Hiratsuka-sensei should bear some responsibility, too."
Hiratsuka Shizuka: ...
The Hiratsuka-go, just about to express her lofty sentiments, was instantly sunk.
She slammed her fist on the table, feeling a bit dejected.
"How can you blame me? So many blind dates have failed; there are no good men left in this world..."
Hiratsuka Shizuka complained a lot, then concluded.
"Anyway, I'm not having any!"
Listening to Hiratsuka Shizuka's complaints, Tanaka Masao was a bit bewildered.
This wasn't right; weren't they just discussing national affairs, a 'boys' topic?
Why did the conclusion use "Anyway, I'm not having any"?
Did he get something wrong?
He cast his gaze towards Yukinoshita Yukino, implying, "You're the one who made Hiratsuka-sensei like this; you fix it."
Yukinoshita Yukino, for once, guiltily avoided Tanaka Masao's gaze.
She hadn't expected that her casual sharp-tongued remark would cause such great harm.
Perhaps she was still too young to understand the damage words like "marriage" and "having children" could inflict on an older single woman.
At this moment, Kashi, who had finished eating, asked curiously, "Nai~ Nai~, what is the declining birthrate?"
She had just heard them chatting, and this thing called the declining birthrate seemed very important.
Hearing this, Hiratsuka Shizuka, who had been somewhat dejected, began to explain.
"The so-called declining birthrate means that many people nowadays are unwilling to have children, leading to fewer and fewer newborns."
"Oh, I see."
Kashi nodded thoughtfully; it sounded very serious.
But Kashi didn't care.
She wasn't human, and she wasn't concerned with things related to human society.
"Oh well, never mind. This isn't something we can solve anyway. Just live your own lives."
Hiratsuka Shizuka waved her hand, not intending to continue the topic.
To this, Tanaka Masao and Yukinoshita Yukino both nodded in agreement.
It's best not to talk about it, best not to talk about it. If they kept talking, who knows what Hiratsuka Shizuka would turn into.
Hiratsuka Shizuka looked at Kashi and was surprised to see that she had finished a large portion of pork cutlet rice.
That portion was enough for a normal adult man; it was just right for her, but a bit much for a child.
"Little Kashi, that's impressive, you have a great appetite."
Hearing the praise, Kashi was quite proud.
"Naturally, my appetite has always been good. Even another serving would be no problem."
Hiratsuka Shizuka was already a somewhat bold person.
During her time with Kashi, she really liked Kashi's uninhibited, unshy, and very casual personality.
She felt the two of them got along very well.
"Then, if you have time, would you like to go out and explore with me? I know many places that sell delicious food."
"Many delicious foods."
Hearing this, Kashi's eyes lit up.
One thing she had to admit was that the taste of human world Cooking was indeed better than when she was in the Demon Realm.
She swallowed, trying to remain calm.
"Yes, but... you have to treat me."
Kashi didn't want to be caught by the police again for not paying. As for spending her own money, why spend her own when she could spend someone else's? Wouldn't it be better to save it?
Besides, her pocket money was so little; what would she do after she spent it all?