It turned out that Utaha was as formidable as ever.
When she said, "Let's play a little game," it meant she wasn't just confident about winning—she had already prepared everything in advance.
By the time she returned from freshening up, her face still slightly flushed, she adjusted her clothes and saw Haru already wearing his coat, clearly ready to head out.
"I won," she said with a bright, satisfied smile.
Haru nodded. "You did."
Seeing how calm he looked, Utaha's smile widened. "Looks like you really didn't expect my 'game' to be that kind of game?"
"Who could have guessed?!"
Haru was struggling to keep a straight face.
Even with all his wit, there was no way he could've predicted what she had in mind—at least not until she casually tied her hair up into a ponytail earlier.
So that was her idea of a "game."
Did she really not know how dangerously charming she was?
Haru stood frozen for a moment, unable to come up with a proper retort.
"Well then, dear bag-carrying servant, please be ready to serve," Utaha said teasingly, arching her back ever so slightly, confidently showing off her exquisite figure.
"Alright, let's get dinner first," Haru replied.
"Huh? You're not cooking tonight?"
"I was planning to. But what if you try another 'game' on the way? Then we won't be eating at all."
"…You really overthink everything."
Utaha blushed and shot him an exasperated glance before grabbing her coat and heading out with him.
One time's enough! Any more and I won't be able to handle it!
Haru didn't bother with the rice cooker anymore. He figured he'd just make something later for a midnight snack.
At the door, as he changed out of his slippers, he turned around casually—just in time to see Utaha bending slowly to pick up a pair of sleek black leather heels.
Gracefully, she lifted her slender leg, sliding her foot out of her slippers. The curve of her arch, partially veiled by black stockings, led up her silky, sculpted calves—all peeking just beneath the hem of her coat. Her every movement was slow and elegant, like she knew exactly how tempting it looked.
Haru stared for a couple seconds before snapping out of it.
She must be doing this on purpose—getting back at him for teasing her earlier.
"Nice view?" she asked sweetly, her face radiating that seductive smile.
Haru gave a dry warning. "You're not afraid of a round two?"
Utaha, having fully regained her composure, responded with a confident smile. "Not unless you want to starve me."
Haru was at a loss for words.
They eventually arrived at a nearby restaurant. As Utaha browsed the menu, Haru received a message from Yukino.
Yukino: I just realized, with me not home, Senpai might try something sneaky. Make sure to tell her not to piss me off.
Haru read the message and could only sigh inwardly.
Too late. I've already been ambushed.
Utaha caught his strange expression and tilted her head. "What's up?"
Before he could answer, she beat him to it. "Yukino texted you, didn't she?"
"Yeah. She warned me to tell you not to try anything funny."
"Hah, I already did."
A second message came in.
Yukino: Oh, and I'll be calling you randomly. Feel free to let Senpai know that too.
Haru relayed the message out loud.
Utaha chuckled, completely unfazed. "Is she trying to monitor you? Too bad she's not here in person. I could just switch your phone to Do Not Disturb when she calls."
Yukino: Oh, I'll be calling her too.
Haru instinctively replied:
Haru: Do you have some kind of tracker planted on me?
Yukino sent back a confused panda emoji.
Utaha leaned in to read the screen and frowned slightly. "It's like she's listening to our conversation in real-time…"
Haru thought for a moment. "She probably just knows you well enough to predict your moves."
Utaha brushed her hair behind her ear, her lips parting into a mischievous smile. "But she didn't expect me to strike before her messages arrived. By the time she tried to stop me… it was already too late."
Haru didn't hesitate to call her out. "Weren't you just complaining about your knees going numb a few minutes ago?"
Her chest rose and fell as she tried to regain composure. She offered a soft, sweet smile. "So what, are you saying you're up for round two?"
Haru saw right through her bluff. "Then let's skip dinner and head home now."
Utaha blushed furiously, quickly darting back to her seat.
She really was afraid he might take her seriously.
If he did drag her home again, her cool-girl act would fall apart.
Even if she suspected he saw through her, as long as no one said it out loud, she could pretend everything was still under control.
Her new novel was selling extremely well. She was now a proper, rich beauty. If Haru had looked at her and jokingly said, "Rich girl. Hungry. Feed me," she'd probably smile sweetly and stomp on him with those black stocking-clad legs of hers.
After dinner, they didn't leave right away. Utaha texted Megumi and told her to meet them there.
When the three met up outside the restaurant, the two girls naturally walked ahead, heading toward the nearby shopping mall.
Haru had a sinking suspicion: was Utaha still holding a grudge from earlier? Would she drag them around store after store, just window shopping without buying anything?
Sure enough, he was right.
Even though this was supposed to be about helping Megumi shop, it was Utaha who dove into skirt racks, browsed scarves, and eventually dragged Haru into a boutique full of women's handbags.
Utaha was happily browsing the displays when Megumi subtly approached Haru.
"You did something to upset Senpai, didn't you?"
"…Probably," Haru sighed. In hindsight, he should've toned it down earlier. He was definitely not on home turf right now.
"I mentioned once that I needed to buy clothes, and she jumped at the chance to come with me," Megumi said calmly.
Haru blinked. "And that means…?"
Megumi stared ahead at Utaha's elegant figure. "I didn't understand at first. But I get it now."
Haru played along. "And the answer is?"
"She's showing off—because Yukino isn't around."
Right as she finished speaking, Utaha turned around and called out sweetly, "Haru~ Can you help me in the fitting room? The zipper on this dress is too short for me to reach."
Ah. So this was the display.
Haru glanced at Megumi.
She seemed calm on the surface, but her small fists had quietly clenched at her sides.
He had a feeling those two girls were going to go to war tonight.
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