Chapter 304: A Little Bit of Progress
Eriri rushed back into the room without turning on the light. Following her memory, she dove straight under the covers, took off her glasses, and immediately rushed into Kaede's embrace, startling him awake.
"Oof!"
Feeling the force of Eriri's hug, Kaede was about to reach out and turn on the light when she stopped him.
Having no choice, Kaede simply held the girl and gently patted her back, saying, "Eriri, what's wrong?"
After a pause, Eriri finally said, "I ran into Utaha, who was still typing away in the living room, and we chatted for a bit."
Then, Eriri told Kaede the contents of their conversation.
After speaking, Eriri's small head rubbed continuously against Kaede's chest.
"Kaede-kun, when... when are we going to have a baby?"
"Uh..."
Kaede hadn't expected Eriri to suddenly ask this question, and he was stumped.
After thinking for a while, he finally said, "Well, I don't think we need to rush, do we? But I think after graduating from university would be a good time. However, what Senpai said also makes some sense; after all, you're going to be a professional manga artist, and if you get pregnant, it will definitely affect the serialization progress of your manga."
"Ugh... it's so hard to decide."
Looking up, Eriri gazed at Kaede, who was close in the darkness, reached out and poked Kaede's cheek, saying, "Forget it, let's not think about this. Let's just let nature take its course. It's still early anyway, at least five or six more years."
"That's right, it's still early," Kaede grabbed Eriri's small hand, kissed her palm, and then said, "Instead of thinking about that, why don't we think about how we're going to have fun in the next few days? You haven't forgotten, have you? Tomorrow we're going to Otaru!"
"Hehe, of course I remember. It's getting late now, let's go to sleep quickly."
"En, good night, Eriri."
"Good night, Kaede-kun~~"
...In the following days, everyone relaxed their minds and happily toured various places in Hokkaido, looking for delicious food and fun activities, playing until two days before the end of the year, when they finally flew back to Tokyo.
Stepping out of the airport and feeling the cold wind in Tokyo, Eriri waved her arms and said, "Hehe, although it's still quite cold, after going around Hokkaido, the temperature here in Tokyo doesn't feel like anything anymore!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Kaede patted Eriri's head and said seriously, "Even so, don't reduce the clothes you're wearing, understand? You'll easily catch a cold!"
"I know~~~"
Now that they were back, everyone had to go home.
After saying goodbye, Kaede looked at Uchimaki Subaru, who could have gone back the same way but went in a different direction with Usami to take the bus, and asked doubtfully, "Eriri, do you know what happened between Uchimaki and Usami these past few days? I didn't see anything specific, but I feel like something's a bit strange, especially Uchimaki's reaction."
Although Eriri didn't know the exact situation, she generally had an idea. She smiled and said, "Hehe, the past two nights, after bathing, didn't the three of us girls often gather together? When we were in the room, Utaha and I gave Mizuki quite a few ideas for her offensive. Then, in some places you couldn't see, Kaede-kun, Usami launched a fierce offensive!"
"Eh? Really?"
Kaede looked at Eriri in surprise and said, "Did I have too much fun these past few days that I didn't even notice these things?"
"Kaede-kun, have you forgotten? During our trip, there were several times when we split up!"
"Oh~~~ So it was during those times."
Kaede understood. He guessed that Eriri and Utaha arranged some separate activities during the trip, such as when they went to the zoo and when they watched the sea lions, probably because they were afraid Usami would be nervous in front of others.
"Then... Uchimaki, in his current state, has he realized Usami's feelings?"
"Hmph hmph, of course!"
Eriri proudly tilted her head, holding hands with Kaede as they set off to take the train. She said, "Uchimaki's reaction was too slow, so after discussing it, the three of us decided that we shouldn't aim for a direct confession. First, we should subtly make Uchimaki realize Mizuki's feelings, to properly stimulate this otaku who only cares about his 2d waifu, and then proceed to the next step."
Kaede nodded knowingly, largely agreeing with Eriri's statement.
If Usami had confessed directly these past few days, Kaede knew without a doubt it would have failed. Given Uchimaki's personality, he would definitely not be able to process such a thing all at once and would surely try to brush it off. If he did that, then subsequent steps would be difficult.
Slowly, softening Uchimaki Subaru little by little, that was the most suitable method.
And now it was clear, although Kaede didn't know exactly what Usami did, her actions were very effective. Uchimaki Subaru, who previously never cared about going home the same way with Usami, now seemed to be uncomfortable being alone with Usami.
After thinking for a moment, Kaede said, "It looks like Usami plans to give Uchimaki a few days to buffer, doesn't she?"
"Exactly!"
Eriri smiled and said, "Once Uchimaki reviews his Hokkaido trip these past few days, he should be able to figure out some things. The specific outcome will be revealed when we go for New Year's blessings."
Kaede nodded, exhaled, and a smile gradually appeared on his face.
If all went well, something good might happen within a month.
"Alright, let's go home quickly. Uncle Spencer and Sayuri Auntie should be waiting at home, and we need to bring them the gifts we bought."
"That's right, that's right, let's go home! I miss the Cats at home!"
"Don't worry, Mom definitely took good care of them. You'll see them soon; Golza and Melba must have grown quite a bit again."
"That's right, that's right. I just wonder if Camearra ate too much and got fat; she's already gained quite a bit of weight recently."
When the two mentioned the Cats at home, the passers-by who walked past them clearly paused, apparently startled by the names of their Cats.
To be able to name Cats like that, one has to admit they are truly talented... After taking the train and walking for a while, Kaede and Eriri finally stood in front of their long-unseen apartment building, smiling as they dragged their suitcases inside.
They took the elevator to their front door, and before Kaede could even put his hand on the doorknob, the door opened.
Asakura Reiko's figure appeared at the doorway, saying with a big smile, "Welcome back!"
Kaede and Eriri exchanged glances, then smiled and said, "We're home!"