...The entryway, and then...
A pair of patent leather high heels and a pair of very small sneakers were placed haphazardly, crossing one another.
"Mom's already back?"
"Why is there a pair of kid's shoes, too?"
Ran raised an eyebrow, looking at the high heels and small sneakers arranged haphazardly in the entryway. This was the first time she had seen her mother's entryway look messy.
Feeling puzzled, Ran greeted Sonoko and called out while changing her shoes. "Mom, I'm home!"
Her voice rang out, but there was no immediate answer. Ran's confusion deepened. She walked into the living room. They both immediately saw the remaining takeout containers on the table.
"It looks like she just finished eating..."
"Why didn't Mom clean it up... and the sofa is all wrinkled."
"Maybe Auntie went out?" Sonoko suggested, collapsing onto the sofa with a sigh of relief.
As Ran's high school best friend, she had never met Eri Kisaki before. However, she had heard about her reputation as the Queen of the Courtroom within her own family. With her naturally carefree personality, she was worst at dealing with stern, serious people.
"Ran, do you smell something?" Sonoko frowned, sniffing the air, and asked in surprise.
"Do I? Maybe it's just the smell of the food..." Ran cleared the dishes from the table and called out again. "Mom, are you home?"
This time, there was a response, coming from the bathroom.
"Ran, I'm taking a bath ngh..." The calm, mature voice carried a sense of sophisticated, seasoned charm. It was exactly what Sonoko had imagined a mature career woman would sound like.
Though, why did the tail-end of the sentence sound a bit sticky? Sonoko thought to herself.
Since Eri Kisaki was home, Sonoko felt she shouldn't be too unrestrained. She adopted the refined demeanor she had learned since childhood and watched television with Ran in the living room.
Half an hour later...
"Ran, does your mom really bathe for this long?" Sonoko shifted uncomfortably on the sofa, crossing her legs. She really needed to use the restroom.
Ran's expression also showed a hint of confusion. Eri Kisaki had a habit of being decisive and efficient in both work and life. Taking a bath for over thirty minutes was something she hadn't encountered before.
"Mom, are you almost done?" Ran looked toward the bathroom door and asked.
Click!
No sooner had the words left her mouth than the bathroom door opened. Eri Kisaki, wrapped in a bath towel, emerged, followed by a rush of steam.
"Mom..." Ran looked at Eri Kisaki, surprised to see her exquisite face flushed, her eyes slightly hazy, and her red lips slightly parted.
"The water was a little too hot today..."
"Mom... go put some clothes on first!"
Eri Kisaki took a light breath, her delicate hand subtly clenching. Though no one else could see it, she was keenly aware of the small hand that was metaphorically clasped with hers. Her slender waist swayed as she walked toward the bedroom with a graceful, alluring stride. She left the two girls with an infinitely charming silhouette.
Both girls were stunned.
"Ran, why is Auntie's image a bit different from what I imagined?" Sonoko was dumbfounded. Where was the promised Queen of the Courtroom, the sophisticated professional? What Eri Kisaki had just displayed was more like an alluring, utterly captivating mature woman!
Ran wasn't sure how to explain it. This was the first time she had seen her mother in such a state, too. "Maybe she was just really tired..." she said dismissively.
Soon, Eri Kisaki emerged from the room, dressed in casual indoor clothes. Ran was about to speak, but her attention was immediately drawn to the little shota hiding behind Eri Kisaki, with only half of his small head peeking out.
Ran's beautiful eyes widened. She asked in surprise, "Mom, whose child is this?"
Eri Kisaki gently pulled Asa out and introduced him. "This is Shiraishi Asa, Mrs. Yukinoshita's adopted son..."
"Mrs. Yukinoshita needed me to take him home for her, so I came back to shower first and had him wait in the room." Eri Kisaki's beautiful eyes shone with a gentle light, and her tone was calm and composed.
She then introduced her daughter softly to Asa. "This is my daughter, Mouri Ran."
Then, she noticed Sonoko on the side. The latter immediately stood up, looking at Eri Kisaki. With her long chestnut hair draped over her shoulders and a bath towel wrapping her curvaceous figure into beautiful arcs, her slightly flushed face, likely from the heat, made her look incredibly gorgeous, a true beauty! If she hadn't known she was her best friend's mother, Sonoko would have thought she was only a few years older than her.
"Auntie Kisaki, sorry to intrude. I'm Ran's classmate, Suzuki Sonoko." The girl gave a proper, conventional self-introduction.
"Good evening," Eri Kisaki nodded.
Asa looked up at the two tall, beautiful girls in hot pants that showed off their long legs and spoke sweetly and obediently.
"Good evening, Ran-neesan!"
"Good evening, Sonoko-neesan!"
With his timid gaze, obedient voice, and handsome, adorable face, Ran and Sonoko were instantly smitten.
"What a handsome and cute little shota!" Sonoko immediately crouched down and hugged Asa. If she weren't in front of Eri Kisaki, she would have been screaming and fangirling. As it was, there wasn't much difference—she immediately pressed her face against the little shota's cheek, rubbing him repeatedly.
"Ngh, Sonoko-nee, that tickles! I did a lot of exercise today and I'm all sweaty. I haven't showered yet," Asa struggled to say. He wasn't lying. He had just been doing exercises a moment ago. He was about to shower, but Ran interrupted him.
"It's okay, onee-san doesn't mind!"
"And, let onee-san help you take a bath!" Sonoko lifted Asa into a chest-level hug and then looked at Ran beside her.
"Ran, you come along too!"
"Huh?"
"You can scrub my back for me; my body has been really sore lately..."
"O-okay..."
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