42 - Which Suits Her Better?

RAW

"Oh wow, Otsuki-kun's homemade dishes are always top-notch!"

Shuichi praised while eating the nanbanzuke Haruto had prepared.

"The seasoning is great, but the texture of these vegetables is also amazing," added Ikue, savoring Haruto's cooking.

After finishing his housework job, Haruto was having dinner with Shuichi, Ikue, Ayaka, and Ryota, who had just returned from work.

"Thank you very much. I might have overcooked the chicken breast a little this time, making it a bit tough," Haruto replied humbly.

"No, no, it doesn't bother me at all. But this little kick of spice makes me want a drink. This would go well with beer... no, perhaps some chilled sake?"

As Shuichi said this, he glanced at Ikue.

"Hehe, just don't drink too much, okay?"

"Of course not! I happen to have a nice bottle given to me by a client."

Excitedly, Shuichi headed to get the sake. Meanwhile, Ryota, with a curious look, stared at Ayaka's nanbanzuke.

"Is it spicy, sis?"

Seeing Ryota tilt his head in confusion, Haruto explained, "Ryota-kun, yours is seasoned separately so it’s not spicy."

"But I want to eat the spicy one too!" Ryota protested, seemingly upset that his dish was different from everyone else's.

"It's still too early for you," Ayaka tried to dissuade him gently, but Ryota shook his head.

"I can handle spicy food!"

"Really? Then do you want to try some?"

"Yeah!"

Nodding eagerly, Ryota received a small portion of Ayaka's nanbanzuke on his plate. His eyes lit up as he brought it to his mouth, but his expression quickly clouded. As expected, it was too spicy for him, but he chewed determinedly, refusing to give in. Ayaka couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.

"How is it, Ryota? Is it good?"

"... Yeah. It's goo—"

"Want more?"

Before Ayaka could finish, Ryota vigorously shook his head, declining.

While everyone was enjoying this playful exchange between Ayaka and her younger brother, Shuichi returned with a sake bottle, grinning from ear to ear.

"This is something you can't easily find in stores."

He happily set the bottle on the table and prepared to pour himself a cup.

"Oh, Shuichi-san, let me pour for you," Haruto offered.

"No, no! You don’t need to go to that trouble."

"At least let me pour your first cup," Haruto insisted, reaching out to take the bottle from Shuichi.

"Well, if you insist, just the first one then."

Shuichi handed over the bottle and picked up his cup.

"Here you go," Haruto said, pouring the sake.

"Thanks, thanks... oh, watch it, there! Thank you."

Shuichi, now with a cup of sake, tilted it back and took a drink.

"Ahh! Delicious."

"You look so happy being served by Otsuki-kun," Ikue said with a smile.

"Of course! Once Otsuki-kun becomes an adult, I definitely want to share a drink with him."

"I’ll look forward to it," Haruto replied, bowing his head.

Ikue then looked over at Ayaka.

"That means when Otsuki-kun can drink, so can Ayaka."

"That’s right. Haruto and I are the same age, after all," Ayaka replied.

Upon hearing this, Ikue made a curious face. "Oh?"

"What is it, Mom?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I just... see," Ikue said, casting a playful glance at her daughter. "Ayaka, things seem to be going well with Otsuki-kun."

Blushing slightly, Ayaka nodded without denying her mother’s comment.

Seeing her daughter’s reaction, Ikue chuckled softly. "Wouldn't it be nice if Otsuki-kun stayed with you until you're both adults?"

In a soft voice that only Ayaka could hear, Ikue whispered, "You two seem good together."

"Yeah... I hope so," Ayaka replied, shy but firm.

Just then, Shuichi, who had become slightly tipsy and louder, looked at Haruto and Ayaka.

"So that means if Otsuki-kun can drink, Ayaka can too!" he repeated, echoing Ikue’s earlier statement.

"That’s wonderful!" Shuichi declared, finishing the sake in his cup.

"Shuichi-san, here you go," Haruto offered again.

"Ah, Otsuki-kun, thank you so much. Wow, thank you, thank you!" Shuichi cheerfully held out his cup again, and Haruto filled it.

Shuichi eagerly drank his sake, and then said, "So, Otsuki-kun and Ayaka can drink together... wait, does that mean... San-san-kudo?" Shuichi suddenly veered into a bizarre topic.

"Why is the first time we’re supposed to drink together during a wedding?!" Ayaka protested.

"That’s right, dear. Young people these days prefer chapel weddings over traditional Shinto ceremonies," Ikue added, missing the point.

"No, no! Before a wedding, there’s something called a coming-of-age ceremony!"

Flustered, Ayaka responded not only to her father but also to her mother’s odd remark. However, Ikue ignored Ayaka’s retort and turned to Haruto.

"Otsuki-kun, do you think Ayaka would look better in a wedding dress or traditional bridal wear?"

"Mom! Don’t ask Haruto weird things!"

"It’s not weird at all! His opinion might come in handy one day," Ikue whispered the last part into Ayaka’s ear.

Ayaka, now completely red, fell silent.

"So, Otsuki-kun, what do you think?" Ikue pressed on.

Realizing there was no escape, Haruto awkwardly scratched his cheek before responding, "Um, well, Ayaka-san is very beautiful and cute, so I think both a dress and traditional bridal wear would suit her..."

"Is that so? Then what about a colored dress or a vibrant kimono? What colors do you think would suit her?"

Ikue continued to tease with a playful tone, and Haruto, with a nervous laugh, answered, "Well, the classic pink or red would be lovely, but since Ayaka-san has such fair, beautiful skin, I think blue for a refreshing look, or purple for a regal and elegant feel, would suit her very well."

As Haruto gave his answer, Ikue smiled at Ayaka.

"Did that give you some good ideas?"

"Yeah... maybe," Ayaka mumbled, her face as red as her ears, as she shyly glanced at Haruto. Their eyes met briefly, and both quickly looked away. Ikue, watching them, smirked with satisfaction.

"A wedding dress, colored dress, traditional white kimono, and a vibrant kimono... If you wear all of them, you’ll end up having both a church and Shinto-style ceremony. Plus, there’s the outfit change at the reception... Hmm, maybe I should start saving up for the wedding now," Shuichi muttered to himself, his face flushed from the sake.

"Stop, Dad! It’s way too soon!" Ayaka objected.

"But you know, weddings are expensive! I don’t want your wedding with Otsuki-kun to be shabby!" Shuichi laughed heartily, taking another gulp of sake. Ayaka grabbed the empty cup from his hand.

"Dad, you’ve had enough! You’re drunk!"

"I’m not drunk! Otsuki-kun!"

"Yes?"

Shuichi suddenly straightened up, facing Haruto. Taken aback, Haruto also sat up straight.

"My daughter may be a bit lacking, but I entrust her to you for the rest of your lives," Shuichi said seriously.

"Ah, uh, well... what?" Haruto stammered.

"Dad, stop bothering Haruto!" Ayaka shouted, but Shuichi just laughed, clearly enjoying himself.

"Does Shuichi-san get drunk easily?" Haruto quietly asked Ikue.

"Well, Shuichi gets cheerful after just one sip. Today he’s had three cups, so he’s pretty much done," Ikue replied, smiling. "He can handle a lot of alcohol and never gets hungover, so I wouldn’t say he's weak."

"I see..." Haruto chuckled, watching Shuichi and Ayaka bicker about the "wedding."

Meanwhile, Ryota was eyeing the sake bottle with interest.

"Hey, big brother, is this stuff tasty?"

"Ryota-kun, you’re too young for this. Besides, I don’t think you’d find it tasty."

"Really? Dad seemed to be really enjoying it, though."

"It’s a drink that adults grow to like. It’s a bit of a mystery that way."

"Strange," Ryota said, tilting his head. Then he smiled. "When I grow up, can we drink it together?"

"Sure," Haruto replied, smiling as Ryota returned his focus to his noodles.

Then Shuichi spoke up again, this time addressing Haruto.

"Otsuki-kun, I have a suggestion."

"Yes, what is it?"

"We're having a barbecue in the backyard this weekend. How about joining us?"

"A barbecue? Oh, so that’s why the backyard was being cleaned..."

"How about it? You’ll get to eat some good meat!"

Haruto hesitated for a moment and looked at Ikue, unsure if he should take Shuichi’s sake-induced invitation seriously. However, Ikue smiled and nodded.

"It would be wonderful if you could join us, Otsuki-kun. You’re always welcome here."

"Well then, if it’s not too much trouble, I’d be honored to attend."

"Great! It's settled!" Shuichi declared enthusiastically. Haruto was a little nervous about the sudden invitation, but also happy to have received it.

After dinner, when Haruto is about to leave, Ayaka says to Ikue.

"From now on, I'll study with Haruto, so on the days when he comes to help with the housekeeping, I'll come over in the afternoon and study with him in my room."

"Oh really? That's great, isn't Otsuki-kun an excellent student?"

"You're the best in your grade, right? Haruto-kun."

"Ah, yes."

Haruto nods a little hesitantly.

"That's impressive. I'm looking forward to seeing the results of the test after summer vacation."

"Eh? Ah... I wonder?"

Ayaka looks away with an ambiguous smile at Ikue's words.

Haruto says with a bitter smile, listening to the parent-child conversation.

"I'll do my best to help Ayaka's grades improve."

"Oh! So you're not just helping out with the housework, you're also a tutor. Are you sure you listen to what Otsuki-sensei says, Ayaka?"

Ikue said jokingly, and Ayaka blushed a little and joined in.

"Haruto-sensei, please."

She looked up at him with a slightly targeted, cunning look, but it was enough to have an impact on Haruto.

"I... I'll do my best."

Haruto felt both excitement and anxiety at the prospect of studying alone with Ayaka.