Hmph, Think You Can Run?

"There's no need to feel pressured. You were already looking forward to your aunt coming to observe, so just handle everything as usual," Fushimi Makoto whispered a reminder.

Yukino paused, her beautiful eyes filled with a strange emotion. "Whenever you have free time, do you analyze my expressions and thoughts?"

"You noticed that? Okay, I'll play the water delivery guy for now, you relax."

After finishing speaking, Fushimi Makoto Yukino's hair when she wasn't paying attention.

The girl with long, straight black hair immediately glared at him.

Fushimi Makoto laughed and walked away, then began serving water to the others.

"How childish."

Yukino muttered a soft curse, but a faint smile appeared at the corner of her eye.

She was actually aware that she quite enjoyed these little interactions between him and her.

This scene was, of course, witnessed by the two beautiful women.

"He and Yukino are really close," Sawamura Sayuri remarked.

Mrs. Yukinoshita remained silent.

Her face was expressionless, making it impossible to know what she was thinking.

When the film crew disbanded in the afternoon, Fushimi Makoto was stopped by Sawamura Sayuri.

"Makoto, thank you for taking care of my Eriri Spencer Sawamura these past few days. Are you free today? Why don't you and Yukino come to my house for dinner?"

"If you don't find it bothersome, I have no objection."

"Of course I won't bother you, but I'd be even happier if you'd like to call me 'sister'."

"I'll definitely do it next time."

In just a few words, Fushimi Makoto decided to go to the Sawamura Family for dinner.

Yukino did not refuse.

She was quite curious to know how her mother would evaluate her performance that day.

Fushimi Makoto and Eriri Spencer Sawamura packed up the equipment, locked the door, and everyone got into the car and left.

Upon arriving at their destination, Fushimi Makoto changed his shoes and followed the two beautiful women into the spacious living room. He had intended to sit down and rest, but as soon as he sat down, he heard Eriri Spencer Sawamura mutter softly beside him, "Mom hasn't cooked in a while. I wonder what she'll make tonight."

Fushimi Makoto quickly stood up.

His sudden action startled Yukino and Eriri Spencer Sawamura.

Before they could ask, Fushimi Makoto told Sawamura Sayuri that he would cook.

He didn't want to work all day only to have to eat a less-than-appetizing dinner.

Only by doing things ourselves can we have enough to eat and wear.

Although Sawamura Sayuri was reluctant to let the guests cook, she ultimately failed to persuade Fushimi Makoto.

"I'll join you too." Yukino stood up as well.

The two entered the kitchen one after the other, Sawamura Sayuri sighed once again, "Their relationship is so good. No wonder so many people online want to ship them. If I were ten years younger, I'd ship them too... um?"

Before she could finish speaking, she caught a glimpse of Eriri Spencer Sawamura pouting and staring intently in the direction of the kitchen, looking rather unhappy.

Seeing her daughter like this, her first thought as a mother was that it was hilarious.

These days, she occasionally talks to her daughter about her Fushimi Makoto.

Therefore, she was also certain that Eriri Spencer Sawamura herself was probably too uncertain whether her feelings for Fushimi Makoto were love or simply admiration.

After all, even Sawamura Sayuri had to admit how outstanding that boy was.

She was about to tease her daughter when she turned her head and suddenly saw Mrs. Yukinoshita also looking towards the kitchen.

Huh?

What's going on with this guy?

For the first time in her life Sawamura Sayuri felt like her brain wasn't working properly.

She felt that her insight must have been flawed.

Otherwise, how could her brain remind her that her best friend's emotional changes seemed to be the same as her daughter's...?

At that moment, Mrs. Yukinoshita's voice rang out. "I've heard many times that Makoto's cooking skills are better than many restaurant chefs. Today I'll have the chance to verify it."

Sawamura Sayuri was taken aback.

So that's what she was thinking about?

I knew it! My judgment must have been wrong.

She's my best friend, she's so mature, how could she possibly have the same feelings as Eriri Spencer Sawamura?

Chapter 259 Hmph, trying to escape?

"Do you need me to create an opportunity for you later?"

Inside the kitchen, Fushimi Makoto glanced at Yukino, who still looked beautiful in her apron, and asked in a low voice.

Yukino paused, seemingly hesitant. "I don't want to seem too deliberate."

She certainly understood Fushimi Makoto meant by "creating opportunities."

The other person wanted to create an opportunity for him to get praise from his mother.

After returning from the film set, Mrs. Yukinoshita did not comment on Yukino's performance that day.

This made the girl somewhat uncomfortable.

Although she wasn't the kind of girl who craved the satisfaction of vanity, this was the first time in her life that she had participated in something "big," and she was in charge of everything.

Regardless, she hoped her mother could offer some comments.

Even criticism.

"I understand, then I'll try not to be so deliberate." Fushimi Makoto's voice interrupted her thoughts.

Yukino was silent for a moment, then sighed softly, "Never mind."

Are you sure?

"Well, even if Mother has her own thoughts, she probably wouldn't say them in front of outsiders."

"There are no outsiders here. Aunt Sawamura is her best friend, Eriri Spencer Sawamura is your friend, and I am your good brother."

"... That last sentence is redundant."

Yukino couldn't help but give him a dangerous look.

She had long understood that Fushimi Makoto kept calling her "brother" just to satisfy his own perverse sense of humor.

For example, that line that always Yukino a headache. "Brother, you smell so good."

"Actually, if we think of a way, I feel we can successfully get information out of them," Fushimi Makoto suggested.

Yukino shook her head, seemingly having truly made up her mind. "No, thank you. With Aunt Sawamura around, she probably won't tell me what's on her mind."

"That's true. Even if Aunt Yukinoshita Sawamura a close friend, her personality means she can't be too straightforward, just like you."

"... You're saying unnecessary things again."

"Oh, I misspoke. It's you who are like her, not the other way around."

"Shut up."

The kitchen became quiet.

As the first dish was served, Fushimi Makoto noticed that Yukino had been stealing glances at him several times. Although she hid it well, she still couldn't escape his superhuman senses.

"Just say what you want to say. There's no need for us to keep things to ourselves," Fushimi Makoto broke the silence.

Yukino pursed her cherry-colored lips, her eyes seemingly shifting away unintentionally to look elsewhere. "What do you think of my performance these past few days?"

Fushimi Makoto out laughing.

Yukino immediately felt her cheeks burning, but forced a cold expression. "Is it funny?"

"It's not funny, it's cute."

"..." Yukino choked on her words.

"Your expression is even cuter now."

I shouldn't have asked you.

"Really, I'm not kidding."

Fushimi Makoto was not lying.

Yukino's subtle way of wanting her own opinion but not wanting to make it too obvious is really adorable.

Her blushing and embarrassed expression after she was exposed was even more adorable.

She's so cute that Fushimi Makoto really wants to torture her.

Thinking of this, Fushimi Makoto secretly glanced back at what was behind him.

After they came in, the kitchen door was closed to prevent cooking fumes from entering the living room.

This means that as long as Fushimi Makoto the inside, this place becomes an ideal locked-room murder... no, an ideal torture location.

"You did very well, even better than I expected," Fushimi Makoto said.

Yukino's lips curled up slightly. "Thank you."

Then, as is her habit, she expressed her desire for improvement. "If you feel there are any areas where I could improve, I hope you will tell me everything."

No matter how confident she was, she knew that there was a long way to go between herself and Fushimi Makoto when it came to filming.

I also have a long way to go.

Without their help, I wouldn't have been able to grow so much in such a short time.

"It seems there really isn't." Fushimi Makoto thought back carefully. "You did a great job with every detail. You prepared the lighting and props in advance, so I didn't have to worry about anything."

Yukino unconsciously tossed her long, black hair aside, her beautiful eyes sparkling. "That's because you taught me all of these things."

"So you wrote all of it down?"

"That's inevitable. If you want to improve, you have to start with the details."

"That's amazing." Fushimi Makoto admiration.

Yukino's smile widened.

Although he always likes to tease or prank me, when we have a genuine conversation, he always manages to say things that resonate deeply with me.

He knows what he wants and what he wants to hear.

"It seems you're determined to keep up with Ichika." Fushimi Makoto suddenly brought up another girl.

Yukino's smile remained unchanged, instead revealing confidence. "I have indeed thought about that."

"With your talent and hard work, you certainly won't fall behind Ichika, but if you want to surpass her, it will probably take a lot of time."

"I've been preparing all along."

"Alright, since we have some time now, I'll teach you something else fun."

"For example?"

Yukino's eyes showed anticipation.

She had always admired Fushimi Makoto's attitude towards serious matters.

That feeling was very appealing to me.

"Come a little closer," Fushimi Makoto.

Yukino had no doubts and took three steps forward, bringing the two of them to within ten centimeters of each other.

The next moment, Yukino felt a tightness around her waist as she was embraced by a pair of warm hands.

Yukino didn't struggle, but said irritably, "Is this what you call fun?"

Fushimi Makoto chuckled softly, "They thought we were cooking, but we were actually doing something else. Isn't that fun?"