"Hey, what's wrong?"
Erina, who was crouched down helping Sui take off his shoes, looked up with a curious expression.
"Nothing," Sui replied, shaking his head.
Erina quickly finished removing his shoes, slipping a pair of comfortable slippers onto his feet. Gently guiding him to the sofa, she smiled brightly. "Would you like some tea? I just brewed a fresh pot."
Without waiting for an answer, she poured him a cup of fragrant green tea.
Sui lifted the teacup, taking a sip. The tea was delicate and smooth, its taste comforting.
"Do you have any laundry?" Erina asked as she opened Sui's suitcase and started rummaging through it.
"Oh, I forgot to unpack," Sui said, standing up, only to be gently pushed back onto the sofa by Erina.
"You just got back. Relax and drink your tea. I'll take care of the unpacking," she insisted, her tone both firm and sweet.
"All right," Sui said, settling back down, watching as Erina busied herself with his luggage. She moved with such efficiency and care that Sui couldn't help but smile to himself. 'She really does seem like a housewife now,' he thought.
After finishing her chores, Erina turned to him, her eyes bright with enthusiasm. "By the way, are you hungry? Should I make something for you?"
"No need, I had lunch on the train," Sui replied, recalling the delicious bento he had enjoyed earlier.
"Is that so?" Erina nodded. Then, as if remembering something, she suddenly beamed, "How about a hot bath? I've already drawn the water."
"...No, that's not necessary," Sui said, still trying to adjust to this shift in Erina's behavior. It was strange to see the once-proud and haughty heiress acting like a devoted housewife.
Erina's expression faltered, her lips pouting slightly in disappointment. "Did I do something wrong?" she asked, her voice tinged with hurt.
"No, no! You've been amazing," Sui quickly reassured her. "But... why the sudden change? You've become so... domestic."
At his words, Erina's face flushed a deep red. She hesitated for a moment before softly admitting, "Because... last time, Grandpa mentioned... marriage."
Sui chuckled. "So, you've started practicing housewife duties in preparation?"
"That's not it!" Erina protested, her cheeks burning. "It's just... if Grandpa really pushes for us to marry next year, as the Nakiri heir, I can't exactly refuse, can I?" Her voice grew quieter, a touch of uncertainty slipping in.
Sui studied her, amused but also touched. "Do you really want to get married?" he asked gently.
"No… No! We're too young, aren't we?" Erina stammered, her blush deepening. "If we were to get married, it should be after a few more years… right?" She glanced at him shyly, a hidden thought lingering behind her eyes. 'Besides, you haven't even proposed yet...' she thought to herself.
"Your grandpa's probably just talking for now. He wouldn't push for it until after we graduate," Sui said reassuringly.
Erina considered this for a moment before nodding. "You're right." Suddenly, her eyes lit up again. "Oh! How about I give you a shoulder massage?"
"Wait, you can give massages now?" Sui asked, surprised.
Erina grinned. "I've been practicing! Hisako says I'm quite good at it." She moved behind him, her soft, delicate hands resting on his shoulders before she began to knead gently.
To his surprise, Sui found the massage quite relaxing. 'She's learned a lot while I was gone,' he mused. It seemed Erina had been honing her domestic skills in secret.
Though she claimed not to be eager about marriage, her actions told a different story. Perhaps, he thought, Erina had always yearned for a sense of family, something she hadn't fully experienced growing up. Seeing her like this, so tender and caring, made Sui feel guilty.
'It's not right for me to be involved with so many girls... but if I commit to one, it wouldn't be fair to the others,' he thought, a wave of conflict washing over him.
Breaking from his thoughts, Sui asked casually, "Erina, don't you have work today?"
"I've postponed it for now," she answered while continuing her careful massage.
Sui nodded, reflecting on how quickly things had changed. Not so long ago, Erina had been scowling at the thought of living together. Now, she was serving him tea and massaging his shoulders like a doting wife.
Moved by her affection, Sui gently took her hand and pulled her into his arms. Erina's cheeks flushed as she whispered, "Not during the day... It's inappropriate... Let's wait until tonight."
Sui chuckled, amused by her bashfulness. "There's no one else here. What's there to worry about?"
Erina hesitated for a moment but before she could reply, her lips were softly silenced.
---
Later in the day, Sui returned to his apartment. The moment he opened the bathroom door, a blur of motion darted toward him. Tohru pounced, knocking him to the ground, her tongue darting out to lick his face enthusiastically. Her eyes sparkled with joy, her sharp little fangs visible in her wide grin.
"Sui, you're finally back!" she exclaimed, her tail wagging fiercely.
"Sui, I want fried rice!" Kanna chimed in, running over to him with wide eyes.
"Okay, okay," Sui said, laughing at their eager faces. He hadn't seen them in a while, and their excitement was contagious.
As the afternoon passed, Tohru clung to Sui's arm, practically glued to him, while Kanna snuggled up at his side, munching on snacks and watching TV. It was peaceful and warm, a perfect afternoon.
Toward evening, a familiar voice sounded in Sui's head.
"Congratulations, host! You've passed the semester and earned a reward. Do you want to claim your gift package?"
"Gift package?" Sui paused, intrigued.
"Tohru I'll be back in a bit," he said, standing up.
"Don't take too long," Tohru pouted.
"I won't," Sui promised before heading toward the kitchen. "Alright, let's open it."