"R-Really?"
Erina's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She felt a wave of both shame and unease, unsure if something was wrong.
But her devotion to Sui made it difficult for her to refuse his request.
"H-Husband…" she finally whispered, her voice so soft it was barely audible, her face growing even redder.
"Good girl," Sui replied with a satisfied smile. "Say it again?"
"Husband," she repeated quietly, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"You're doing great. Once more?"
"Husband…"
"Wife, say it again."
When Erina heard Sui call her his wife, her face turned an even deeper shade of red. Despite feeling it was improper for them to address each other like that, given they weren't yet married, there was a sweetness in her heart she'd never felt before.
"Husband…"
——
The next day, Sui was busy in the kitchen, preparing fruit sake.
That morning, he had purchased two Sakeyashi Fruit for a million yen—one for his father-in-law and one for himself.
"Here, give this a try," Sui said, stepping out with several glasses of fruit sake for Megumi, Sōma, and the others who had come to visit.
"What a wonderful aroma! What kind of fruit sake is this?" Yoshino asked, surprise lighting up her face. Without waiting for an answer, she took a sip. Her pink tongue peeked out as she tasted it. "Wow, this is delicious!"
"It really is!" Sōma echoed, equally amazed.
Sui smiled slightly. The fruit sake was made with a high proportion of fruit juice, so the alcohol content was quite low. It was more like a refreshing beverage—easy to drink and wouldn't cause intoxication, even in large amounts. Perfect for casual sipping.
"I'm back! And in perfect health!" a loud voice suddenly boomed from the doorway.
Sui and the others turned to see a tall girl with long, blood-red hair and a slender figure striding in, carrying a bag.
"Hey? Rindō-senpai, you're back?" Sōma asked in surprise.
He recalled that after the exams, Rindō had set off on an exploration around the world. He hadn't expected her to return so soon.
"Huh? What's this? Another new ingredient?" Rindō approached, her nose twitching as she eyed the fruit sake in Sui's glass. Her golden eyes shone with curiosity.
Sui felt speechless. It seemed like every time a new dish or drink was made, Rindō would conveniently appear. Perhaps this was a unique trait of gourmet hunters?
After several days of adventuring, Rindō's skin had tanned slightly, giving her a healthy, radiant look. Her vibrant energy was almost contagious.
"Hey, kohai, what's this? Can I have a taste?" she asked, flashing her sharp canine teeth as she looked at Sui's cup with curiosity.
Sui sighed, but handed over his glass. Rindō chuckled, showing no hesitation as she took a sip.
Her golden eyes sparkled in delight. "This fruit sake is delicious! Though it could use a bit more kick."
---
Just then, Erina, dressed in an apron, walked out of the kitchen looking like a housewife. "Everyone, I've made some sashimi," she announced.
There was still plenty of fresh tuna that needed to be consumed. Sui often served it to friends since prolonged freezing would affect its taste.
"Sashimi?" Rindō's eyes lit up in excitement.
"Oh, Rindō-senpai, when did you get back?" Erina asked, surprised.
Rindō gave her a quick once-over. "I haven't seen you in a few days, Erina, but you seem much more... gentle and refined."
Erina blushed at the remark, but Rindō didn't dwell on it. Instead, she eagerly picked up a piece of sashimi with her fingers and popped it into her mouth.
"What kind of fish is this!? Tuna? But it tastes better than regular bluefin tuna!" she exclaimed in surprise, turning to Sui and playfully punching him on the arm. "You're so mean, kohai. You've been hiding such delicious food from me!"
Sui sighed. Though Rindō was two years older than him, she sometimes acted more like a little sister.
"By the way, did you bring back any ingredients, senpai?" Sōma asked, already rummaging through Rindō's bag. She always returned with peculiar items, like the time she brought back dried salamanders, which had left Momo in tears.
Inside her bag were bottles and jars, seemingly filled with liquids.
"What is this?" Sōma asked, intrigued.
Megumi, Yoshino, and the others looked on nervously, fearing something bizarre might be lurking inside.
"Huh? Is it alcohol?" Soma opened one of the bottles, inhaling its scent with surprise.
"Mhm," Rindō smiled, flashing her sharp teeth. "I've been collecting rare wines from all over the world, but I didn't expect the best to be here, with my kohai here!" Her tone carried a note of playful irritation.
"What kind of wine is this? Rice wine?" Soma asked, examining a white bottle. The liquid inside smelled faintly of rice.
"That's kuchikamizake," Rindō explained.
[A-N: Read the caption. And yes, you read it right.]
"Kuchi... what?" Soma asked, confused.
"You don't know? It's made by chewing steamed rice and letting it ferment with saliva," Erina interjected.
"That's disgusting!" Yoshino grimaced in revulsion.
"You don't understand," Erina said, slipping back into her tsundere demeanor. "It's one of the oldest forms of winemaking. Traditionally, shrine maidens would make this wine to offer to the gods, and only virgins were allowed to prepare it."
"Wait, are you saying this is Rindō-senpai's kuchikamizake?" Soma's eyes widened as he took a sip.
"Wait, no!" Rindō blushed, trying to stop him, but it was too late.
Soma smacked his lips. "It's sour and sweet, with a bit of alcohol. But, senpai, have you not brushed your teeth in a while? It's a little... fragrant."