"You're here! Ah, you actually brought some fruit; you're so thoughtful."
In the living room, Utaha, dressed in white cotton pajamas, smiled at Eriri, who had unexpectedly come to visit.
She pointed at the coffee table, indicating where to put her things.
"Just put whatever you want there. You really think of this place as your own home, don't you?"
Eriri ignored her and walked directly to the dining table.
It was around nine o'clock on a Saturday morning. Utaha wasn't wearing a hairband, and her hair fell casually over her shoulders, suggesting that she had just woken up.
It was evident she had spent the night here.
Eriri bit her lower lip. She should have known that Utaha, with her lax family rules, would never miss an opportunity to stay by Chisato's side.
The apartment she used to live in was a bit small and inconvenient in many ways, but now that she had moved to a new home, that concern was gone.
"I didn't know you were coming, so I didn't prepare breakfast. But I still have half a pancake on my plate. Do you want it?"
Saying this, Utaha pushed her plate toward Eriri.
"Who wants to eat your leftovers?" Eriri replied, filled with disgust.
"Seriously, Chisato specially cooked it. It took over twenty minutes to prepare, and it's quite delicious. You won't get to enjoy it," Utaha said, pulling the plate back.
"...Could you explain why you're wearing my clothes?"
"Huh? Are these your pajamas?"
Utaha seemed surprised and then tugged at her shirt.
"Let me tell you, I've been feeling a bit stuffy since last night. It turns out it's because my top is too small and is choking me."
"Oh, so it's just that the top is too small? Not necessarily; the pajamas are also one size too small. Look at your elephant legs and big butt; they're stretching my pants like sausages!"
"Hehehehe~ Whatever you say."
Utaha crossed her legs, cut off a small piece of pancake with a knife and fork, and put it in her mouth.
"Anyway, it's enough that I had a great time with Chisato last night."
"..."
After hearing her words, Eriri first glanced at Utaha's neck, then followed the deep Y-shaped mark of her spread collar.
Wherever she looked, she didn't see the familiar dark red sign of intense occupation.
Combined with the other person's energetic demeanor, she quickly concluded that this girl had been intimate with Chisato again.
She felt relieved.
Eriri didn't bother her further; she walked a few steps to the side and peeked into the kitchen.
Not seeing anyone, she turned around and asked,
"Where's Chisato?"
"He woke up this morning sweating after spending so long with me. He's taking a shower now," Utaha replied.
Eriri sneered disapprovingly, poured herself a glass of milk from the refrigerator, and sat at the table.
"I know; morning exercises, right? If nothing unexpected happens during the week, he has this habit. Don't think you can use this to make me think otherwise."
"Really, I can't hide anything from you."
Utaha seemed to be in a pretty good mood today, but Eriri didn't quite understand how she could adjust her mentality to such a point in just two days.
"By the way, you can help me persuade Chisato."
"What should I advise him about?"
"Don't let him work at that exhibition hall. He works so late every day, and it's exhausting for him."
"The most important thing is that he doesn't have time to spend with you, right?"
"This is also good for you. If he doesn't work, you can come over after school for a while before going home. It's better than seeing him every Saturday and Sunday like you do now, right?"
Utaha laid out her points. If she could persuade Chisato not to work part-time, it would benefit both of them.
Especially for Eriri, who had limited time, this proposal was even more appealing.
"However, Chisato isn't someone who is easy to convince. Although he seems easygoing and gentle, he rarely gives up on decisions he's made because of external factors."
Eriri saw this clearly, so she seemed a little hesitant.
Utaha took out a tissue and wiped her mouth, tapping her well-manicured nails lightly on the wooden table.
"That's why I asked for your help. If we both approach him together, the chances of success will be higher. Besides, there's another reason I want your assistance in this matter."
"Is there another reason?"
"Of course! Most customers who frequent night exhibition halls are young people with excess hormones and bold, outgoing personalities. Do you understand what I mean?"
"You mean Chisato will be approached by those hot girls, and then..."
Eriri shook her head vigorously and said seriously,
"No, Chisato isn't that casual. I trust him."
"Oh."
This time, it was Utaha's turn to sneer. She took the untouched glass of milk in front of Eriri and poured half of it into her own empty cup.
"Did you drink so much milk from him the night before that it spread to your brain?"
"Why do you notice some of my private actions but miss such an obvious thing?"
"Listen: all men who are still breathing might have never acted unfaithfully to their partner, but that doesn't mean they've never thought about it."
"...It doesn't matter if they just think about it; a gentleman will judge his deeds, not his thoughts."
"What if there are clear signs, like the dream where the two of us were with Chisato?"
"What happened in that dream?"
"You really didn't notice at all?"
"Can you just tell me what it is? I'm tired of beating around the bush!"
Utaha sighed helplessly, glanced toward the bathroom, and then softened her voice, saying,
"In that dream, when you, the wife apparently married to Chisato, stayed at home taking care of the children all day long, I was on high alert every day, making sure to eliminate any rotten peach blossoms around him."
"...Chisato is good-looking. It's normal for girls to like him; it won't matter even if you don't care."
"If I had thought like you in that dream, then it would have been impossible to have such a happy ending."
"It's just your wishful thinking."
"Then let me tell you something that actually happened."
"When I was about forty years old, Chisato's personal assistant, that seemingly harmless and innocent girl, almost got into your husband's arms, hugged his neck, and kissed him—if I hadn't happened to pass by and ruined her plan."
"..."
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