For Ryuichi, this reunion was very unexpected. He hadn't expected to find the beautiful, charming woman with whom he'd once spent a steamy night to be Shizuna's mother. No, there was no way he could have thought that far in the first place.
…I see. I thought I had some sort of déjà vu when I saw Rindo, but it turned out I was remembering Sakie.
Seeing Sakie here now finally affirmed Ryuichi's suspicions when he'd first seen Shizuna. Nevertheless, this situation made Ryuichi's stomach churn in knots.
"Mom?"
"Shizuna… So this is where you were eating out?"
"Yes… You, too, Mom?"
"…Well, I've been here once before."
It was likely that both Shizuna and Sakie were utterly baffled. Setting the matter of Sakie aside, Shizuna must never find out about how Ryuichi had had sexual relations with her own mother. In the worst case scenario—if she does find out—who knows what kind of expression she'd make…? A few moments ago, Ryuichi wouldn't have cared at all, but now that he knew they were mother and daughter, it was an entirely different story.
"…Man, Ryuichi. You're in deep shit right now, aren't ya?"
"…Just shut up."
The manager, who'd been quietly watching the entire time, seemed to be desperately trying to hold in a laugh at the unexpected turn of events.
"Shishido-kun? What's wrong?"
"…Ah, err, it's nothing."
Ryuichi shook his head like never before, and since Shizuna was currently facing him, she couldn't see Sakie's expression. Sakie was intently staring at Ryuichi, seemingly having clearly sensed his panic.
"Shizuna, could you introduce me to the young man beside you?"
Sakie finally opened her mouth, and out came those words. She was trying to make it seem like their very first meeting, which was an act of consideration for Ryuichi and Shizuna. Shizuna's expression of bewilderment changed and she introduced Ryuichi to Sakie.
"This is my classmate, Shishido Ryuichi, and he saved me from a malicious playboy on a previous occasion. After that, he and I became friends… And, well, he's the one whose house I went to to make dinner the other day."
Ryuichi was surprised that she had told her that much, but Sakie on the contrary had a rather understanding expression on her face. Perhaps Shizuna still wanted to talk about Ryuichi, but the words coming out of her mouth didn't stop there.
"I was going to cook dinner at his house again today. Then I heard that he was coming here today… so I followed him to make sure he didn't drink alcohol! Yes, that's right; I came here to supervise him. So there's nothing for you to worry about, Mom."
It seemed that Shizuna really wanted to drive the point home to Sakie that she was here only to supervise Ryuichi. It was also likely that she'd included the fact that she'd come here not by force from Ryuichi, but of her volition to avoid Sakie harboring any negative thoughts towards him.
"I see. So that's how you met him… I totally get it, Shizuna."
"Huh?"
Sakie put her hand over her mouth, giggled, and looked again at Ryuichi.
"It seems you've been of great help for my daughter during her time of need. Thank you, Shishido-kun."
"No… I just happened to be passing by, so I just did what I could."
"Even so, that was very kind of you to help her."
"T-That's right, Mom! Shishido-kun is a very kind person!"
Both Ryuichi and Sakie seemed surprised at Shizuna's sudden outburst. Realizing she'd unintentionally shouted, Shizuna immediately hung her head low in embarrassment, told them had to go to the bathroom, and got up from her seat. With Shizuna gone, only Ryuichi and Sakie remained.
"Now, then… Who would've thought that we'd meet again in this way?"
"You said it… I mean, I guess I was the one who planted the seeds for this situation, but I'd never have guessed that this was how things would turn out."
"Yes, I was quite surprised myself."
Sakie stood up and sat down next to Ryuichi. She was sitting where Shizuna had just been sitting earlier. She leaned in close to Ryuichi and snuggled up to his chest.
"H-Hey…"
"You won't tell me to get off, will you? I did help you smooth things out with her, so surely I deserve this much of a reward?"
"…I can't believe how assertive you are even though it's been so long."
Whatever the circumstances, Ryuichi's body had a habit of hugging back whenever he was hugged by the opposite sex, as he was now. When he hugged Sakie with his thick arms, she let out a sweet breath and mouthed the words, "Hug me tighter."
"So, you and my daughter…aren't dating, yes?"
"Yeah. I'm telling you, she's the most impulsive person I've ever seen. Even if I'm her classmate, I can't believe she actually came to the house of a boy she just met to make him dinner… And now, she's following me to a place like this."
"That just shows how much she likes you… It's honestly unfair."
"What?"
"Oh, it was nothing, Ryuichi-kun."
Perhaps satisfied, Sakie let go of his body. Ryuichi took another look at Sakie's figure. Her long black hair was tied up in the same way as Shizuna's, and her cleavage was slightly visible, as if she was showing off her boldness. Her figure was truly a spectacle to behold, as expected of Shizuna's mother.
Sakie reached her arm out and picked up her glass from the table. She gave the cup filled with wine a shake and poured it down her throat in a sexy motion.
"…My, my. It's as delicious as always, Mr. Manager."
"Why, thank you. You know, I'd be happy to have you as a regular."
"I'll think about it. Normally, I don't come to these places much because of my daughter."
"That's quite unfortunate."
While Sakie was having a friendly conversation with the manager, Ryuichi was busy thinking about something else. Shizuna was the heroine of the manga, but he could only remember glimpses about her mother. He wondered if there might have been a backstory or hidden reason such as this behind Ryuichi's easy access to Shizuna.
"So, Ryuichi-kun."
"What?"
"I'm sure she'll find out about us sooner or later, but let's try to keep this a secret from her as best as we can. But fufu, I don't think I even have to suggest this since I'm sure you'd want it that way as well, wouldn't you?"
"Well, yeah. I don't really care if she ends up hating me, but if she does find out, surely her image of you will change, and it definitely won't be by some small amount."
He even thought that it'd be easier to just have Shizuna hate him, but for some reason he could not imagine such a future. Shizuna was an incredibly impulsive and dynamic person who was willing to go to great lengths to close the gap between them, so she might even accept it, surprisingly enough. Nevertheless, there was no way he'd actually tell her everything.
"Is that how you see it? If you ask me though… I don't think that girl will think the way you said she will."
"Huh?"
"It's just speculation, though. Oh, look, she's coming back."
It seemed Shizuna had returned. She seemed to have regained her composure and her expression was as usual. However, when Sakie saw Shizuna's return, Sakie immediately clung to Ryuichi.
"W-What are you doing?!"
"I guess I'm feeling a little tipsy? His muscles are really something else ♪."
"Get off of him, Mom!"
With a terrifying look on her face, Shizuna pulled Sakie away from Ryuichi. She seemed frantic and desperate, which was a rare sight, and Sakie laughed as if she found it truly amusing. Then, Shizuna, who perhaps felt a sense of rivalry with Sakie, suddenly closed the distance between her and Ryuichi.
"What? Why?"
"…Just wanted to do this."
She left those few words before closing her mouth. Ryuichi and Shizuna had already finished their meal. Having achieved their initial goal of filling their stomachs, they stood from their seats.
"I'll be heading home first, Mom."
"Alright. I'll make sure to get home before it gets too late, too. Ryuichi-kun, please take care of my daughter."
"'Kay."
"…?"
Shizuna tilted her head in confusion at Sakie's words, but when Ryuichi started to walk away, she quickly rushed over and made her way next to him. As for Ryuichi, he found today's reunion chilling, but he was relieved that nothing strange happened. He breathed a sigh of relief, but once they left the bar, it hit him that the crisis wasn't over just yet.
"…Shishido-kun, are you perhaps acquainted with my mother?"
"Why do you think that?"
"You called each other by your first names… Plus, I could sort of tell from the atmosphere between you two."
"..."
She's got me there. Ryuichi scratched his head. It seems that in addition to being a woman of impulse, she's also one of sharpness and intuition…or should I say one of observation in this case?
"Well, we first met each other a while back and went to that bar together. But I didn't know that Sakie… I mean, she, was your mother, y'know?"
"…I see. You did seem very surprised."
It seemed Shizuna was satisfied with that explanation. However, she wasn't done yet. She'd mentioned that Sakie had called Ryuichi by his first name earlier, so in light of that, she said…
"Can I…call you by your first name, too?"
"My first name?"
"Yes. I want you to call me by mine, too… Please?"
Calling each other by their first name. There was no need for Ryuichi to spare the matter a second thought.
"Got it. So… Shizuna?"
"Ah… Yes ♪! Ryuichi-kun!"
Hearing him call her by her first name, Shizuna gave a radiant smile. The two then walked side by side through the brightly lit streets. Although Shizuna was quite close to Ryuichi, Ryuichi was in a relieved state of mind and did not mind at all.
"…So that's why Mom seemed so happy at the time. That must've been―"
Shizuna muttered under her breath and naturally, it wasn't heard by Ryuichi.