Chapter 34: She Needs to Wake Up
That evening, inside the Sawamura Family mansion.
Eriri sat on her bed in a cute seiza position (duck sit), looking at the clothes spread out before her, and showed a troubled expression.
Scratching her loose long hair, Eriri said, "Ahhh, this is so annoying. Which one should I wear?"
Then she leaned back, lay down on the bed, and muttered to the ceiling, "Seriously, what am I worrying about? It's just going out, right?"
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
"Eriri, Mommy is coming in!"
The door opened, and Sawamura Sayuri saw her daughter lying face-up on the bed, surrounded by scattered clothes, all of which were new spring outfits purchased earlier this year.
Sawamura Sayuri knew that her daughter had arranged to go out with a classmate tomorrow, and it was the kind of outing where just the two of them would go alone. Having gained some understanding of Kaede, Sawamura Sayuri was quite reassured about Eriri going out alone with a boy tomorrow.
However, seeing her daughter in this state, Sawamura Sayuri sighed internally, realizing her daughter had finally grown up and was experiencing these kinds of troubles.
Sitting down on the edge of the bed, Sawamura Sayuri asked, "What's wrong? Do you not know what clothes to choose for tomorrow?"
Eriri naturally wouldn't admit it and quickly shook her head, saying, "That's not it at all! I can just wear anything!"
Still being stubborn, yet what she saw when she came in didn't suggest that.
Sawamura Sayuri didn't say much more. She picked up a piece of clothing next to Eriri and looked at it, saying, "Eriri, your personality is truly different from mine. When I was in university, I wasn't as much of a tsundere as you are. I kept a tight leash on your father, leaving no opportunity for anyone else. But if you keep acting like this, you won't be able to hold onto an excellent boy!"
Upon hearing this, Eriri immediately sat up, her face flushed, and said, "Don't talk nonsense! It has nothing to do with Asakura!"
"Oh my!"
Sawamura Sayuri covered her mouth and chuckled, looking at her daughter. "I didn't even mention that boy's name, Eriri. Why are you getting so flustered?"
"Ugh!!!"
Having been teased, Eriri, who was always unable to match her mother verbally, could only turn her back and refuse to look at her, expressing her dissatisfaction that way.
She's really childish. That won't do.
Shaking her head, Sawamura Sayuri looked at the clothes covering the bed and said, "Well then, Eriri, do you want Mommy to help you coordinate an outfit?"
Still facing away, Eriri paused for a moment before speaking up, "You're not going to make me wear a kimono like you, are you?"
"Of course not. Although that's my current hobby, I wouldn't let my daughter go on a date in Akihabara wearing a kimono with a boy."
"It's not a date!!!"
"Are you sure it's not?"
Making Eriri turn around and look her in the eyes, Sawamura Sayuri smiled and asked, "Eriri, are you still going to say, like yesterday, that this is just compensation because he hid his identity from you? A boy and a girl going out alone—you say it's not a date. Do you even believe that yourself? Things in this world aren't that simple, you know."
"..."
Eriri fell silent, looking down at her hands, feeling somewhat lost.
"You child, are you truly dense or just unwilling to think in that direction?" Sawamura Sayuri stroked Eriri's beautiful hair. The image of the boy who was close to Eriri when they were children but later had a falling out flashed through her mind, and she felt she absolutely needed to enlighten her daughter properly.
"Eriri, let me ask you a few questions."
After getting her daughter's attention, Sawamura Sayuri began her questioning: "In your Art Club, counting you, there are two girls, right?"
Eriri nodded and replied, "Yes, that's right. There aren't many people, only five in total."
"In that case, how is the relationship between Asakura-kun and the other girl? Do they interact frequently?"
"Huh?"
Eriri froze for a moment and started to recall.
Originally, she thought that since Usami and she got along quite well, Asakura and Usami should also have a good relationship. But upon closer thought, it seemed Kaede did not interact with her very often during club activities. At most, they exchanged ideas about painting. Moreover, most of the time, the three of them discussed things together.
Seeing the change in Eriri's expression, Sawamura Sayuri knew she had guessed correctly and continued, "It looks like you figured it out. That Asakura-kun only has a good relationship with you. I don't think he has much interaction or a good relationship with any other girls."
Eriri nodded unconsciously, but quickly, a figure flashed through her mind, and her expression became one of gritted teeth.
"Wait, there is one person."
"Hmm? Who?"
"Kasumigaoka Utaha!" Eriri said, puffing out her cheeks. "That's Utako Kasumi. She and Asakura are authors for the same Bunko. Although they don't share the same editor, Editor Machida is clearly a junior to Asakura's editor, and the two of them get along quite well."
Utako Kasumi?
Sawamura Sayuri was a little surprised. Although she hadn't met her in person, according to Eriri, Utaha was a famous beauty at school with an excellent figure and many admirers, though she had a somewhat poisonous tongue.
So, this girl must be the only person who could pose a threat to Eriri?
Sawamura Sayuri was very satisfied with Kaede. If her daughter could end up with him, she would wholeheartedly approve. But judging from the current situation, Eriri still had a lot to learn.
After thinking for a moment, Sawamura Sayuri continued, "Let's not talk about Utako Kasumi-sensei for now. Anyway, you'll have many opportunities to interact with her in your future work, so you have plenty of time to get to know her. What I want to ask you now is, knowing that among the people Asakura-kun interacts with, you are the only girl he has a good relationship with, Eriri, what are your thoughts? You should know that with Asakura-kun's appearance, it's impossible for him not to be popular with girls!"
After being told all this, Eriri knew exactly what her mother meant. Blushing, she whispered, "We just share common interests, that's all. You're overthinking it."
"Is it really just because of common interests?"
Leaning closer to Eriri, Sawamura Sayuri also whispered, "I looked into this boy, and he's excellent in every respect. If you end up with him, Mommy won't object!"
"Ah! I told you it's not like that!!!"
As the conversation became more explicit, Eriri really couldn't take it anymore. She pushed and shoved her mother, using all her might to force her out of the room.
"I'm going to rest now!"
Just before the door closed, Sawamura Sayuri still smiled and said, "For going out tomorrow, I think a solid-colored dress would be good. Cuteness is your advantage, Eriri; it will definitely charm him."
"Bang!" The door shut. Eriri leaned against the back of the door, completely unable to think straight.