Thump, thump.
"Come in."
Accompanied by that steady, indifferent response, Yuko pushed open the dean's office door.
Inside the office, a white-haired man in a lab coat and black-rimmed glasses sat behind his desk. He held chopsticks in his hand, with a lunchbox set before him, apparently about to eat.
On the stool beside him sat a casually dressed woman, a faint smile on her lips as she gazed gently at Ryuken.
Upon seeing who had arrived, both of them froze.
Katagiri Yuehui was the first to react. She hurriedly stood up and bowed somewhat awkwardly toward Yuko. "Lord Yuko..."
"Yo, did I come at a bad time? Did I interrupt the dean enjoying a lovingly prepared lunch?" Yuko leaned against the doorframe, teasing the two of them.
The corner of Ryuken Ishida's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. He set down his chopsticks and asked calmly, "Miss Yuko, you did not come here at this hour solely to make fun of me, did you?"
"Who knows? Teasing an eternal iceberg is pretty fun too." Yuko waved a hand and walked into the office on her own, pulling over a chair and sitting across from Ryuken.
Katagiri Yuehui pressed her lips together and chuckled shyly. "Lord Yuko, please do not tease Lord Ryuken. He really does always forget to eat."
Yuko lifted her eyes with a smile. "Miss Katagiri, being too respectful toward each other is not a good thing for a married couple. Why not try calling him darling?"
Katagiri Yuehui immediately blushed, too embarrassed to speak.
Yuko said, "Of course, the same goes for me."
"? Huh?"
Katagiri Yuehui's expression suddenly stiffened.
"What is it?" Yuko looked confused. "I mean how you address me. Calling me 'Lord' all the time is a little too distant, isn't it?"
"...I-I understand."
Katagiri