Yo!
---
Throwing off the blanket and getting out of bed, Ichin stretched a little and said to Yukino:
"I really didn't expect you to join in with Nene's little prank."
A faint smile flickered in Yukino's eyes as she replied:
"Actually, it was Godmother who told me to wake you. Nene just tagged along on her own, saying she wanted to get back at you for what you did at the airport earlier."
"I figured as much."
Picking up the phone from the desk, Ichin noticed it was already five o'clock.
"Guess I really did sleep for quite a while." Slipping the phone into his pocket, he walked out of the bedroom with Yukino.
In the living room, Sakura Nene and Haruno were watching TV.
Ichin walked over, grabbed a cherry tomato from the fruit plate on the coffee table, and popped it into his mouth. The sweet-and-sour taste woke him up a little.
He shot a look at Nene, who was half-hiding behind Haruno, then turned to Haruno and asked:
"Where's Umiko? Don't tell me she's in the kitchen too?"
Haruno smiled and nodded.
"Yep, she's helping out in the kitchen. Ichin, Godmother said that once you're up, you should go give a hand too."
"Alright, let me wash my face first."
After rinsing his face in the bathroom, Ichin headed into the kitchen.
Inside, his mom, Utaha, and Umiko were busy preparing dinner.
When his mother saw him come in, she gave him a glare, then told Umiko to hand over the kitchen knife she was holding to Ichin.
"Alright, Umiko, you go rest. Let Ichin handle things here."
Of course Umiko happily agreed. Passing the knife to Ichin, she even untied her apron and handed that to him as well.
"I've chopped most of the vegetables already. The rest is all yours."
"Got it, Umiko. Go rest. You're the guest today."
Once Umiko left, Ichin took over her work, finishing up the chopping.
"Mom, why don't you rest too? I can handle the stir-frying."
Seeing her son so eager, Ichin's mother smiled and nodded.
"Alright then, I'll enjoy a little break. Come on, Utaha, let's go to the living room."
"Huh?"
Utaha was dragged off with her, leaving Ichin staring blankly for three seconds before he finally snapped out of it.
"As expected of my real mom…"
Picking up the spatula, he looked at the neatly prepared ingredients in front of him and got to work.
Half an hour later, the kitchen door opened. Yukino peeked inside at the busy Ichin and asked:
"Need me to help?"
Ichin, checking on the soup simmering in the pot, shook his head.
"No need, Yukino. Just stay in the living room. If Mom finds out you came to help me, she'll nag again. It's my first day back—let me handle the cooking."
Yukino didn't go back immediately. Instead, she stepped inside.
Glancing at the pot, she asked curiously:
"Is that… loofah?"
"Yeah, loofah. You don't see it often in Tokyo, but Mom bought some today to make soup. Loofah egg-drop soup—it's really good!"
Yukino leaned closer, surprised at the light, savory fragrance rising from the pot. It really did smell nice.
Pouring oil into the wok to heat it up, Ichin said:
"Alright, time for me to stir-fry. Yukino, you should head out. Even with the exhaust fan on, the smell still gets strong."
She nodded lightly, then finally stepped out of the kitchen.
When dinner was ready, Ichin's father happened to return home as well, so everyone gathered at the table.
Seeing the feast laid out, his father smiled, fetched a bottle of red wine from his study collection, and said to Ichin:
"Come on, Ichin, drink a little with me. Haruno, Umiko, you two should have some as well."
Naturally, no one objected. They ate and drank happily together.
It was only after the meal, when Umiko glanced at the two empty wine bottles on the table, that she suddenly remembered she had planned to drive home.
"Ah, that's bad…"
Ichin realized it at the same time—Umiko couldn't drive anymore.
But it wasn't a big problem. Even though he and his father couldn't drive her themselves, they could always call for a designated driver.
"Umiko, just call a driver service."
"Driver? Oh, right! I drank too much and forgot."
She tapped her forehead, then pulled out her phone and booked one. Since it was the two of them going back, she specifically chose a female driver, just to avoid any possible complications.
Of course, they could have stayed in the apartment downstairs where Haruno and Yukino were, but Ichin didn't bring it up. After all, today was their first day here; better to let Nene and Umiko spend time alone. If they stayed over, Nene would probably feel too restrained.
Ichin was honestly looking forward to their reactions when he saw them tomorrow.
Before long, the driver arrived, and Umiko and Nene said their goodbyes and left.
Haruno and Yukino didn't stay much longer either. During dinner Yukino had tried a little red wine, and it was starting to hit her. Combined with the fatigue of a day of flying, it was definitely better for them to rest early. With enough energy, they could enjoy themselves properly tomorrow.
Back home after half a year, Ichin slept especially well that night—so well that he didn't wake up until nine the next morning, when someone pinched his face awake.
Opening his eyes, he found Utaha wasn't beside him. Instead, leaning over his bed, one hand pinching his cheek, was Haruno.
A beautiful day, starting with being pinched awake.
Meeting Ichin's gaze, Haruno laughed cheerfully:
"Good morning, Ichin! Time to get up! Or… do you want your big sister's good-morning kiss instead?"
"…"
Expressionless, Ichin swatted her hand away. Sitting up and ruffling his hair, he muttered:
"Why are you so free anyway? With all this energy, can't you go for a jog or something?"
"No need. I already train regularly. I've never skipped my Aikido practice—my skills are pretty good, you know!"
She proudly flexed her fist, then stood up.
"Alright, mission accomplished. Now hurry up and wash up, Ichin, breakfast is already bought."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm getting up."
Ichin yawned and was about to throw off the blanket when he noticed Haruno was still standing there, staring at him without leaving.
"…"
After staring at each other for a good five seconds, Ichin finally said:
"Haruno, I think you've really been single too long. How about letting Mom set you up with a blind date in the next couple of days?"
That finally sent Haruno obediently out of the bedroom.
After changing clothes and washing up, Ichin went to the dining room.
Utaha and Yukino had almost finished their breakfast. When Utaha saw him come in, she poured him a cup of freshly brewed coffee.
"Come on, Ichin, have breakfast. Finally, I get to eat these pan-fried buns again!"
Sitting down, Ichin took a sip of coffee, then pulled a napkin to wipe a bit of broth from the corner of Utaha's lips before picking up a bun himself.
Utaha, smiling as she enjoyed his attention, picked up a piece of fried dough stick and placed it into his porridge.
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