Facing Off?

At the dining table, Suzuran Mari and Akimoto Yoichi chatted happily.

Though it felt a little like putting the cart before the horse, the more Suzuran Mari learned about Akimoto Yoichi, the more impressed she became.

Fukayama Natsuki, meanwhile, had been shut out. All she could do was watch, occasionally looking suspicious.

"Does Akimoto-kun live with only his father?"

"Yeah. My mother disappeared when I was very little."

"That must have been hard. Your father raised you all by himself—that's really admirable. Is that why you learned to cook?"

"No, I taught myself. It had nothing to do with that old geezer at home."

"Hahahaha, you call your own father an old geezer? Sounds like you two are pretty close."

"Can't be helped. We're father and son."

"So, Akimoto-kun, what are your plans for the future? Ayano said you want to get into Todai?"

"Yes. We're all old enough to get married and have children now, so it's time to think about the future."

"I see. You don't look it at all, Akimoto-kun, but you're actually quite mature."

"Not at all. I still have a lot to learn. I can only understand a tenth of what's covered in class, so Ayano still has to tutor me every day."

"No wonder Ayano's been getting home so late lately. She's been helping you study."

"Actually, that's not it. She's been helping out with the Student Council election campaign for Nishida and me. Sorry for making you worry, Mari."

"Student Council election? You're running in the election too, Akimoto-kun? Are you running for president?"

"I'm not running for president. I'm running for Vice President."

"That's wonderful too. But when you grow up, Akimoto-kun, don't push yourself too hard and neglect your family for work."

"Mom, what are you saying to Akimoto-kun?"

"What? Am I wrong? Oh, right. Akimoto-kun's so good at cooking, he clearly isn't the kind of workaholic who'd do that."

"..."

The whole living room was filled with a cheerful, harmonious atmosphere: one Blondie, three beautiful JK girls, and one gorgeous married woman.

As Suzuran Mari chatted, her body gradually leaned toward Akimoto Yoichi.

Her shapely legs in black thigh-high stockings occasionally brushed against Akimoto Yoichi's thigh. Mrs. Suzuran would quickly pull away as if shocked, only to lightly bump against him again a little later.

The snow-white skin revealed by her sweater's off-the-shoulder neckline, her delicate collarbones, and her swanlike, slender neck gave her a mature sensuality completely different from Ayano, Nishida Yuki, Kuroo Maya, and Fukayama Natsuki.

A slight turn of his head was enough to catch a glimpse of her ample chest.

After drinking a little red wine, Suzuran Mari's breath was sweet as an orchid's. Whenever her shoulder touched Akimoto Yoichi's, she would lean against him ever so slightly.

No matter how you looked at it, Suzuran Mari seemed like a young girl in love, acting coy.

But with her daughter there, Mrs. Suzuran didn't go too far.

Fukayama Natsuki kept her eyes wide open the whole time, staring at Akimoto Yoichi.

The moment Akimoto Yoichi made the slightest move to touch Suzuran Mari's stocking-clad thigh or chest, she'd start shouting.

Natsuki was determined to protect Mrs. Suzuran's chastity to the death.

Strangely enough, perhaps because Natsuki was there, Akimoto Yoichi didn't deliberately drop his chopsticks and crawl under the table to pull any tricks.

It had been the liveliest and happiest lunch at the Suzuran home in a long time.

"Oh no, I forgot to save some of the food from earlier. I already threw it in the trash."

Only after clearing the dishes did Ayano remember Fukayama Midori.

Akimoto Yoichi was a great cook. Though he'd made seven dishes and a soup, only a little food was left over.

The girls were all stuffed. Mrs. Suzuran, a little tipsy, still wanted to chat with Akimoto Yoichi, but Ayano sent her back to her room to rest.

Ayano's remark made Akimoto Yoichi ask curiously, "What? Do you have a dog at home?"

"Not a dog. Fukayama Midori," Ayano replied with a smile.

She hadn't invited Fukayama Midori over for a meal, but she did send the Fukayama family whatever food they couldn't finish.

"Oh, right! My brother!" Fukayama Natsuki suddenly remembered she had a brother.

She'd been so focused on Akimoto Yoichi that she'd forgotten about Fukayama Midori.

"Oh, so he's not a pet dog, but close enough," Nishida Yuki said with a smile.

Her voice wasn't loud, but everyone could hear her.

Ayano glared at Nishida Yuki with her hands on her hips but said nothing.

She wanted to argue back, but when she remembered how Fukayama Midori had treated her and Nishida Yuki at the opening ceremony, she decided against it.

"That guy Fukayama can eat instant noodles by himself. He's already in high school. He won't starve to death." Ayano still hadn't gotten over her anger at Fukayama Midori.

At that, Fukayama Natsuki wanted to defend her brother, Fukayama Midori.

But after thinking about it, she couldn't come up with anything to say.

Her big brother really wouldn't starve to death. There was a pile of instant noodles at home, and he hadn't even been interested in the curry she'd made by hand that morning.

Onii-chan really is hopeless.

"Now, Akimoto-kun, what are you planning to do? When I washed your clothes, I noticed you'd brought your notes and homework. Were you planning to study?"

Setting Fukayama Midori aside, Ayano turned to Akimoto Yoichi.

"Weren't you planning to have a study session? It's the weekend. Aren't you going to work hard and compete with each other?"

Akimoto Yoichi was the one who looked puzzled as he asked.

Wasn't it obvious? With Ayano's "Memory" buff and Nishida Yuki's "Focus" buff right there, if everyone got together and let him borrow their traits, wouldn't his studies improve by leaps and bounds? Wouldn't he get high marks on the exams?

As for Fukayama Natsuki, Akimoto Yoichi didn't want her bothering him.

He didn't know what Fukayama Natsuki had misunderstood, but Akimoto Yoichi had no interest in ingratiating himself with her when she clearly disliked him. He just wanted her to leave him alone while he studied.

"Huh? It's the weekend, and you want to study?" Maya protested, lounging on the sofa. "We finally got out to have some fun, and now we still have to study? Then I'll need to buy some snacks. I won't have the energy to study if I don't eat something."

"That works. We're almost out of drinks at home too. How about we pick up some cake while we're at it?"

Ayano agreed.

"I don't mind. You guys decide," Nishida Yuki said, waving a hand lazily.

"Then it's settled. We'll go to the convenience store and come back for the study session." Ayano clapped her hands.

"Ayano, where are my notes?" Akimoto Yoichi asked.

"I left them in the yard. Your notes were a little damp too, so after drying them, I hung them outside with the clothes."

As she spoke, Ayano glanced at Fukayama Natsuki, who guiltily turned her face away.

Naturally, Akimoto Yoichi's notes had gotten wet because Fukayama Natsuki had splashed curry on them.

"I'll go get them. They should be dry by now." Akimoto Yoichi stood and headed for the yard.

"Then what would you like to drink, Akimoto-kun? We're going to the convenience store first," Ayano asked.

"Anything's fine."

"I want hot red bean soup."

"Who asked you? If you want it, Nishida, go buy it yourself."

"Hm? But someone usually buys it for me."

"That's your problem."

"Okay, okay, stop arguing, you two."

"..."

Watching Akimoto Yoichi walk away, Fukayama Natsuki thought for a few seconds, then made up her mind.

She turned on her phone's recording function and quietly followed Akimoto Yoichi. Only Nishida Yuki noticed Natsuki slipping away, but she naturally kept quiet.

After Akimoto Yoichi entered the yard and walked a little farther, he noticed Fukayama Natsuki following behind him nervously.

"What do you want?" Akimoto Yoichi asked, making no effort to hide his annoyance.

Fukayama Natsuki was a little scared, but she still mustered her courage and asked, "Y-you can't ruin Ayano-nee's family! You've touched Mama Mari, haven't you? I know you touched Aunt Mari, but you're too scared to admit it! You can't fool me!"

Oh?

So that's what this is about.

Akimoto Yoichi looked down at the young girl in front of him, so small he could easily pick her up with one arm.