Chapter 507: The Couple Caught Red-Handed Again
After an indeterminate amount of time, their lips parted.
Suppressed breaths escaped from the girl's lips.
Yumiko's face was flushed with a captivating crimson, her arms still wrapped around Hachiman's neck, her eyes shimmering with tears.
"Yumiko, I love you."
Looking at the girl in front of him, Hachiman couldn't help but confess.
Upon hearing this, even the usually assertive Yumiko's expression softened.
"Remember what you said today. If you forget, I won't forgive you."
"Don't worry, I'll never let go of you, Yumiko." Hachiman tightened his embrace and spoke softly.
Hearing this, Yumiko nestled herself closely into Hachiman's arms.
"Mhm."
...
After a moment of warmth, they separated, and Hachiman took Yumiko's hand with a smile.
"How about I cook for you at your place today?"
Yumiko blinked in surprise, then returned to her usual haughty demeanor.
"You said it yourself. I didn't force you."
Hachiman laughed at her response.
"Haha, yes, yes, it's my idea. Consider it a way to make it up to you."
Yumiko gave a light humph, playing with her hair, and turned her head slightly away. "Humph, fine. Since you insist, I'll give you a chance."
Despite her words, the corners of her mouth curved into a delighted smile.
She hadn't tasted Hachiman's cooking in quite a while.
"Let's go to the supermarket first to buy some ingredients," Hachiman said, holding Yumiko's hand. "And let's get some pears; I'll make caramelized pear soup for you today."
In the dry winter, caramelized pear soup is a dessert particularly suitable for the season.
Just as they were about to head to the supermarket, Hachiman seemed to notice something.
"Wait a minute."
"Huh? What's up?"
Hachiman released Yumiko's hand and, under her puzzled gaze, knelt down to tie her shoelaces.
A surge of indescribable warmth filled Yumiko's heart, almost overflowing.
In a society like Japan where traditional masculinity prevails, a guy kneeling down to tie a girl's shoelaces is a powerful testament to his genuine love for her.
Soon, the shoelaces were tied, and Hachiman stood up, giving her a gentle smile.
"Alright, we can go now."
Yumiko's tone softened unconsciously as she took his hand willingly.
"Yeah, let's go."
...
At the supermarket, Yumiko picked up a shopping basket and walked with Hachiman towards the produce section.
Looking at the wide variety of ingredients on the shelves, Hachiman turned to the girl beside him and said, "You choose the ingredients today. Whatever you want to eat, I'll make it for you."
"Really?"
Hearing this, Yumiko seemed a bit skeptical.
"Of course it's true. Do you think I would lie to you?"
Seeing her doubtful attitude, Hachiman sighed slightly.
"Alright then, I won't hold back," Yumiko said with a happy smile, beginning to select ingredients for the basket.
Shrimp, ribs, potatoes, tofu...
While choosing ingredients, Yumiko mentioned, "Looks like my mom will have a feast today. Ever since she tasted your cooking last time, she's been nagging me about why you don't come over more often."
Hearing this, Hachiman smiled wryly.
What am I supposed to do at your house, become a full-time chef? Last time I was at your house, I nearly ended up washing dishes too.
Recalling his last visit to Yumiko's house, he couldn't help but shake his head.
Soon, Yumiko finished picking the ingredients. After adding some fruits, they went to the checkout and then left the supermarket.
Approaching Yumiko's neighborhood, they were greeted by an elderly lady in her seventies.
Yumiko politely greeted her, "Hello, Grandma Tanaka."
"Ah, it's little Yumiko," the elderly lady named Tanaka replied kindly, then turned her gaze to Hachiman, giving him a once-over.
"So this is your boyfriend, huh? Your mother mentioned him before, and now I finally get to see him."
Hachiman offered a slight smile, greeting her with equal politeness.
"Hello, Grandma Tanaka. I'm Yumiko's boyfriend, Hikigaya Hachiman."
"Well, well," Grandma Tanaka nodded warmly and praised him. "Such a polite young man."
Hearing this compliment, Yumiko couldn't help but smile.
"Grandma Tanaka, we'll be heading home now."
"Alright, you young lovers go on ahead. I'll continue my walk."
"..."
After exchanging goodbyes, Hachiman and Yumiko continued walking toward her house.
When they reached the door, Yumiko used her key to unlock it.
At the entrance, she bent down and took out the pair of slippers Hachiman wore the last time he visited.
After changing shoes, they entered the living room and found that Mrs. Miura wasn't home.
"Huh, Mom's not here? Maybe she's at some community event," Yumiko guessed, seeing the empty room.
Hachiman nodded in response.
Mrs. Miura is a traditional housewife who doesn't work outside and is fully dedicated to managing the household.
With her mom not home, Yumiko took it upon herself to attend to Hachiman, "Do you want to watch TV? The remote is on the coffee table."
"Would you like some tea or fruit?"
"..."
Seeing her hospitality, Hachiman felt a bit helpless.
"Alright, alright, it's not my first time here; you don't have to be so formal."
"You haven't been here that often, yet you talk like you're a regular visitor," Yumiko retorted. "What should we do now, wait for Mom to come back?"
Hachiman thought for a moment and said, "Let's start making the caramelized pear soup. It'll be ready for when your mom gets back."
"Sounds good." Yumiko nodded.
Entering the kitchen, Yumiko took out an apron and handed it to Hachiman.
Instead of taking it, Hachiman spread his arms, indicating that he wanted her to help him put it on.
Seeing this, Yumiko gave him a look but blushed slightly as she helped him tie the apron.
Apron on, Hachiman took out the pears they had just bought.
"How many should we make?"
"Three, so we each get one," Yumiko suggested.
"No problem."
Hachiman gave a small smile and got to work.
Caramelized pear soup is great for clearing heat, reducing coughs, and nourishing the lungs—an excellent tonic for girls.
The process is fairly simple: first, wash the pears, remove the stems, and hollow out the center, leaving a shell. Core the pear flesh and cut it into small pieces.
Then, place the chopped pear flesh and rock sugar into the hollow pears, add water, and steam them for thirty minutes. Optionally, you can add some dried tangerine peel, Fritillaria, and red dates for enhanced effects.
Of course, if you want an easier method, you can simply peel, core, and chop the pears whole, then boil them with sugar and water.
Hachiman placed the pears in the steamer and stepped out of the kitchen.
Now, all they had to do was wait.
Back in the living room, he found Yumiko sitting on the sofa, reading a fashion magazine.
As the reigning queen of fashion, she needed to stay updated on the latest trends.
Sitting down next to her, Hachiman casually wrapped an arm around her waist.
Being at home, Yumiko had taken off her heavy coat, leaving her in a fitted wool sweater.
Holding her slender waist, he could feel the warmth emanating from her skin, which made him slightly restless.
Noticing his subtle move, a blush crept across Yumiko's face, and she playfully tapped his head with the magazine.
"Behave yourself. No touching."
"Hehe, isn't it natural to hold my girlfriend like this?" Hachiman chuckled, taking advantage of the situation.
Then he remembered he had initially planned to teach Yumiko a lesson today, but had been too wrapped up in the moment to recall.
Just as Hachiman playfully pushed Yumiko onto the sofa and was about to employ his "divine hand" technique, they heard footsteps at the entrance.
Looking up, they saw Mrs. Miura entering the living room in her loungewear.
Their eyes met, leaving them both momentarily speechless.
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