When they arrived at the fresh food section, Kyouko paused.
"You wait here while I go check the meat section."
"Alright, Mom. Don't get lost~" Haruki grinned slyly, wiggling his eyebrows.
Kyouko shook her head and exhaled before continuing toward the refrigerated meat aisle, where cuts of beef, pork, and chicken were neatly packed in clear containers.
Hmm... I think tonight I'm going to cook meat for our dinner.
Kyouko selected several cuts of meat and chicken, then noticed a display of king crab.
She smiled. I guess I'll cook crab for tonight~
Kyouko picked up the crab and was about to turn when she noticed several young girls lingering near the beverage coolers, glancing repeatedly in Haruki's direction. She tilted her head, watching the girls whisper to each other while nudging and giggling.
Oh my~ Looks like my son really has that natural appeal that attracts young girls.
She watched as the girls slowly began moving toward Haruki, who stood by the cart looking somewhat tense, shoulders stiff, eyes avoiding contact.
So he really does get shy around girls... just like I thought.
Meanwhile...
Haruki noticed the group of girls approaching him.
Ugh! Not another...
This never stops from high school till college.
Why can't they just leave me alone?
One of the girls approached. Haruki glanced at how she dressed, a tight tank top that showed too much cleavage and midriff, shorts so short they barely covered her thighs, and heavy makeup that looked caked on.
Haruki glanced over her friend group subtly. They all wore similar revealing outfits, with too much skin showing, flashy accessories, and that same overly eager expression he'd seen too many times.
Ugh! They all look high-maintenance, drama-prone, and probably expect me to pay for everything once we get to know each other. The type who'd post every moment on social media, demand constant attention, and throw tantrums if I don't give them attention.
Uwah... if this kind of girl wants to be with me? No way. She'd be an easy target for creeps, and I'd spend all my time worrying about her safety instead of actually enjoying being together.
"Hi handsome~" the girl greeted with a flirty smile.
Haruki forced a polite smile. "Oh, hello." He stood casually, keeping his distance.
The girl smiled. "You know... my friend over there is interested in you, and was hoping... you know..." She gestured toward her giggling friends. "Maybe you could get to know each other?"
Yeah yeah... the usual. She wants to get to know me, then ask for my number... after getting it, non-stop messages asking about my day, what I'm doing, all the usual clingy stuff, and thinking we're already in some heavy relationship. Just like before.
"Oh... okay..." Haruki smiled, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly.
The girl glanced back toward her group, who were giggling and hiding their faces.
"So perhaps you can... you know... give her your contact?"
Now... how should I avoid drama and reject the request without hurting their feelings?
Haruki glanced around and noticed his mother smiling at him from afar.
Alright...
"Ah... sorry... actually..." Haruki casually pointed toward Kyouko over his shoulder. "I was with her."
The girls looked at the beautiful young woman who smiled and waved gracefully, her elegant posture and modest outfit making her stand out. She wore a simple cream colored blouse with delicate buttons, paired with a flowing black skirt that accentuated her natural grace. Her face was fresh and makeup-free, with full pink lips and silky black hair framing her features.
"Ah... so you already have a girlfriend?"
"Yes... kind of... so sorry, girls... I'm truly sorry." Haruki smiled, his expression turning charming and apologetic.
The girls glanced between Haruki and Kyouko, their expressions shifting from hopeful to disappointed. "Oh... sorry to bother you!" the girl mumbled before quickly retreating to her friends, disappearing in awkward silence.
Kyouko noticed the girls leaving.
Ah? Are they shy because Haruki pointed toward me?
Mou! Haruki... he should tell them he's with me.
What kind of man tells girls he's shopping with his mother? Kyouko exhaled and slowly walked toward Haruki.
"Haruki?"
"Yes, Mom?"
"Why did they go?"
"Ah... err... I..."
"You told them you're with me?" Kyouko glanced up at Haruki after putting the meat, chicken, and crab into the cart.
"Ah... yeah... sort of." Haruki rubbed the back of his head.
"Mou! You shouldn't say you're with your mother. How are you going to get a girlfriend if you keep it up like this, hmm?" Kyouko exhaled while pulling the cart again, while Haruki pushed it slowly.
"What? At least I'm being 'honest' with them, Mom. If they can't accept a guy who 'accompanies' his 'mother' shopping, that means that girl isn't good enough for me."
Kyouko tilted her head, glancing at Haruki and wondering about his subtle word choice. "Haruki?"
"Yes, Mom?"
"Hmm... weird." Kyouko exhaled again and shrugged, a faint thoughtful expression crossing her face before she continued down the aisle.
Haruki kept pushing the cart. "Besides, are you sure you want me to go out with a girl like that?"
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
"A girl who wears those kinds of clothes."
"Hush, Haruki. You shouldn't be too fussy about those things."
"Hah? Of course I am. Who in their right mind wants their girlfriend to dress like she's looking for attention from every guy around?"
"Oh... now that you mention it... yeah... it would cause a lot of trouble such as... hmm..."
"Yeah... jealousy, getting into fights over stupid things, and other drama, Mom. You know more about this than I do."
"Right~" Kyouko chuckled softly. "If that happens you'll come running to me crying~ 'Mom~ my girlfriend~'"
"Hah~ No way~" Haruki snickered with a smile, shaking his head while his eyes lingered on Kyouko as she continued picking up items.
He watched how the simple cream blouse hugged her curves perfectly, how the fabric stretched gently across her full breasts when she reached for items on higher shelves. Her slender waist tapered to generous hips that swayed gracefully with each step.
Why would I want some attention-seeking girl when the most beautiful woman I know is right here?
He felt his cock hardening against his jeans, a sudden warmth spreading through him.
Crap... I'm getting turned on by my own mother.
Kyouko straightened up, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Haruki?"
"Yes, Mom?"
"What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing, Mom." Haruki quickly averted his eyes, focusing on pushing the cart while adjusting his stance to hide his growing erection. "Just... making sure you don't get lost in this big supermarket."
( End Of Chapter )