In the narrow space, with the two of them alone and sitting close together, their breathing had unknowingly quickened.
Utaha, dressed in a strappy long dress, was exuding a captivating allure. She slightly lifted her chin, shyly revealing her pale skin and a tantalizing cleavage as she leaned toward Chisato.
She had seamlessly transitioned from a skilled chef to a seemingly naive, defenseless older sister, completely naturally, without any awkwardness.
The atmosphere had turned intimate.
Chisato felt his throat go dry, and the hand he had stretched out now rested on the bed.
Utaha, too, placed her hand on top of his, her eyes half-closed as she leaned in, their upper bodies slowly touching.
Just as the mutual attraction between them was about to lead to something more intimate, Utaha's phone, placed to the side, rudely rang.
The romantic mood shattered instantly. Chisato's desires subsided, and he regained his composure, slowly pulling away.
But Utaha bit her lip in frustration.
Her desire to get closer to him had been bubbling inside her for days, and now she was desperate for intimacy, whether it was through hugging or kissing.
She wasn't about to let this moment slip away.
Without even looking at the screen, she hit the lock button to hang up the call.
Boldly, she leaned back toward Chisato, closing her eyes once more, ready to pick up where they had left off.
Then, the doorbell rang.
Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong!
The sound was urgent, someone pressing the doorbell repeatedly and quickly.
Chisato looked toward the entrance.
Eriri!
Utaha gritted her teeth in frustration. Of all times to show up, why did it have to be now, ruining her moment?
Holding Chisato down as he tried to stand, Utaha spoke up.
"I think I know who's here. I'll get the door."
"Huh?"
Without explaining further to the confused Chisato, Utaha walked to the entrance and opened the door.
As expected, it was Eriri.
Dressed in a fitted skirt and over-the-knee socks, with her signature twin tails tied neatly with ribbons, it was clear she had made an effort before coming over.
"Why didn't you pick up your phone?!"
Seeing Utaha at the door surprised Eriri, but it also gave her a chance to voice her frustration.
"And why are you dressed so… so…"
Eriri's voice wavered as she stared at Utaha, whose exposed shoulders and chest were barely covered by her skimpy outfit.
"You idiot."
With a cold, frustrated expression, Utaha turned and walked back inside.
"Talking at someone's doorstep isn't proper. Come inside."
"You…!"
Eriri swallowed her irritation, closed the door behind her, and followed her inside.
Chisato's eyes immediately fell on the blonde girl. He stood up involuntarily.
It was their first face-to-face meeting in reality.
When Eriri and Chisato's eyes met, the anger she had felt on the way over began to melt away, and her heart raced.
She suddenly had no idea what to say or do in this situation.
"Oh~…"
Standing between them, Utaha let out a playful laugh.
She glanced at Eriri, who was looking down shyly, then turned her gaze back to Chisato.
"Do you two need an introduction?"
Chisato took a deep breath.
"No, that's not necessary."
He stepped forward and called out her name.
"Eriri."
"Mm…"
Eriri blushed, fluttering her big eyes as she stole a glance at Chisato, only to quickly avert her gaze.
Realizing this might seem rude, she forced herself to look at him again, but the result was that her blush deepened, spreading down her neck and behind her ears.
"Hmph!"
The intense eye contact between the two was interrupted by a sharp laugh from Utaha, who had been observing them.
At first, she didn't think anything was wrong. But after a moment's reflection, she realized what was bothering her.
I had to prompt you so many times just to get you to reluctantly call me by my name, and now, on your first meeting with this idiot, you say her name so naturally?
What makes you treat me so disrespectfully?
"Utaha, you're too close... and you're standing on my foot."
"I know. I'm doing it on purpose."
"…"
The small commotion quickly passed.
Chisato invited both girls to sit on the bed while he poured Eriri a glass of milk. He pulled over a chair from the desk and sat in front of them.
Utaha held Chisato's pillow in her arms, still annoyed, staring out the window as she stewed over the earlier incident.
But this gave Chisato and Eriri, meeting in real life for the first time, a chance to talk without interruption.
"…Can I call you Chisato?"
"Mm."
"Sorry for just showing up like this…"
"It's fine."
"About what happened in the dream, we…"
"We were married."
"You… you remember?"
"I don't remember everything, but I know most of it. Eriri was my wife."
Chisato looked at her seriously, adding quietly,
"More than once."
Eriri was stunned by his intense gaze, her mind swirling and her heart fluttering.
"Mm…"
Her brain in a daze, she could only manage the simplest of responses.
Meanwhile, Utaha, listening to their conversation and sensing the growing warmth between them, finally shifted her gaze from the window.
She looked at the expressions on their faces and said coldly,
"Maybe I shouldn't be here right now. Should I leave?"
What infuriated her wasn't that Eriri gave a firm nod of agreement, but that Chisato looked at her with mild surprise.
Just when she thought he understood her bad mood and was about to offer some comforting words, he said something completely unexpected.
"Be careful on your way home. Let me know when you get there safely."
As Eriri turned away, shaking her shoulders in laughter, the mood in the room suddenly became lighter and more cheerful.
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