"Excuse the intrusion! I'll be counting on you today! I'm Hagino Kaede!"
It was Friday after school.
Kaede-san greeted us with a spirited voice, like she uses during volleyball club, as we met her at the entrance.
She wore a cool white off-the-shoulder blouse and a slightly mature-looking black plaid flared miniskirt. The firm, shapely thighs visible above the knee-length skirt exuded both health and sensuality. Combined with her striking features and figure, she carried herself more like a college student than a high school girl. Her dazzling beauty, which made her look older than her years, was almost overwhelming. The glimpse of her white teeth held an aura of cleanliness and subtle pressure.
As the cheerful, spirited Ace of the Volleyball Club, she served as the team's emotional pillar, pulling everyone together. The boundless "positive energy" radiating from this Beautiful Girl left me slightly awestruck.
It might sound exaggerated to say that Kaede lives in a completely different world, but that's just how overwhelming her charm is.
"Oh, you must be Kaede-san! Yosuke-san has told me so much about you. He said you're the most popular and adorable girl at school. And I have to agree with him. I'm so proud that a girl like you would be Yosuke-san's girlfriend... Oh, my apologies! I haven't even introduced myself yet! I'm Hachiya Minori. It's a pleasure to meet you."
My stepmother, on the other hand, is dressed in a plain white T-shirt and denim shorts, giving off an active and youthful vibe. But the tight fit of her clothes only serves to emphasize her massive chest, straining the fabric to the point of tearing, and her conspicuously uncomfortable-looking, pregnancy-friendly hips, wrapped in the shorts.
The sheer volume of mature, feminine pheromones radiating from Minori-san's overly sensual demeanor was enough to make any horny teenager's penis explode at a single glance.
Minori-san deliberately dressed like that to greet Kaede-san, essentially broadcasting with her entire body, "I'm the superior woman here, so what?"
"Calling me cute? That's ridiculous! Your stepmother is stunningly beautiful too! To have such a gorgeous stepmother... I'm so jealous! Really!"
Kaede-san, her smile radiant like a giant flower, clicked her loafers as she confidently invaded Minori-san's territory.
An invisible, glass-like tension filled the space between them, like a palpable force pushing against each other. At least, that's how it felt to me.
Kaede-san already knows about my relationship with my stepmother.
And I've told Minori-san that Kaede-san and I have crossed that line and become more than just friends.
It's a rather twisted love triangle to call us rivals.
The sight of two women with beauty that could make them pass for celebrities or gravure idols, smiling politely on the surface while crackling with tension in the air as they faced off, was downright terrifying.
"Thank you, Kaede-san. Even if it's flattery, it still makes me happy. I work hard every day to be recognized as Yosuke-san's mother. Even though we're not related by blood, I pour my heart and soul into loving him as my own son."
That's what Minori-san says, but the way she shows her "love" is... a little unconventional.
It's not the affection between a parent and child, but the passion between a man and a woman.
"I heard from Yosuke about how close you two are. I hope I can deepen my relationship with Yosuke just as much as you have, Minori-san."
Kaede-san's gaze flickered toward me.
At the same time, my stepmother, standing beside me, shot me a fierce look.
"Uh, well... since we're all here for this meeting anyway, let's... let's have something to drink and talk properly. I'll make coffee."
"Oh, Yosuke-san, you don't need to do that. I'll make it myself, as a mother."
"May I help? Stepmother? I'm quite skilled at all household chores."
"Ah, ah, we couldn't possibly ask a guest to do that. You two just relax together. It's fine."
The way they both smiled so brightly the whole time was actually kind of creepy.
And during our little popularity contest, when she suddenly locked me with that cold, calculating gaze? That was unbearable!
Huh? Is this what it's like to be this nervous about introducing someone to your parents?
*****
A fragrant coffee aroma rose from the ceramic cup, adorned with elegant floral patterns.
I lifted the cup and took a sip. A light acidity and sweetness spread across my tongue, accompanied by a subtle bitterness that vanished smoothly, leaving no lingering aftertaste.
It was a Blue Mountain blend, specifically the signature blend from Minori-san's favorite independently owned coffee shop. The beans were freshly roasted, ensuring their freshness. Even someone like me, who knows nothing about coffee, could tell it was top-quality.
"Ah, it's delicious..."
Kaede-san, sitting across from me, widened her eyes and let out a sigh of admiration.
"Does it suit your taste, Kaede-san?"
Minori-san, seated so close to me that our bodies were practically touching, puffed out her chest as if to say, "Of course it's delicious!" The movement caused her massive melons to sway dramatically, making a boing! sound. She was probably doing it on purpose, trying to show off her breasts.
"It's incredibly refreshing. Despite being so light, it still has a proper coffee flavor."
"Hehe, I actually bought cake too. I thought it would be nice to share with you, Kaede-san. You don't mind tarts, do you?"
"Oh my! Cake too?! You really shouldn't have gone to such trouble!"
"It's fine, it's fine! I'm doing this because I enjoy it. You'll eat some too, Yosuke-san, right?"
"I'll have the chocolate tart, then."
"Alright, that's fine."
Yes, my stepmother is particular about not just coffee and tea, but also pastries.
Not exactly a glutton, more like she enjoys hosting tea parties.
After that, we continued our aimless conversation for a while, savoring the tart with its signature crispy, flaky crust that Minori-san had recommended.
School, Kaede-san's club activities, my completely unknown reputation among the opposite sex at school, and so on...
But those topics were just jabs.
As the tension of our first meeting faded and the atmosphere relaxed, Minori-san took the lead and steered the conversation toward the crucial matter.
"Kaede-san, I'm sorry for asking such a rude question, but..."
Kaede straightened her posture, bracing herself with a resigned thought, Here it comes.
Her stepmother, however, maintained her gentle smile as she asked, "May I ask about your sex with Yosuke-san?"
It was undoubtedly the question she most wanted to ask the "son's girlfriend."