For days, Utaha had been suppressing her emotions.
But the more she suppressed them, the more they grew—like flames feeding on oxygen.
After tasting the forbidden fruit, she should have been able to indulge in the warmth of the person she liked.
Yet, for all sorts of reasons, she had been delayed.
Now that the opportunity was finally here, how could she possibly let it slip away?
From the very beginning, she had always been on the offensive!
Watching as Haru removed his apron and approached her, Utaha instinctively raised her arms—making it easier for him to pick her up.
Even though she usually carried herself with confidence and independence, the right to act spoiled in front of the person she liked… that was something she wanted, too.
When Haru wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her effortlessly, her gaze grew hazy.
"Take me to your room."
"As you wish, Senpai," Haru replied with a grin.
"I called you Sensei, and you're still calling me Senpai? Does that even make sense?" She laughed, her face burning.
"Let's just call each other whatever we want."
The orange cat lounging on the couch lazily lifted its head, staring at them with confusion.
Whatever those two were up to… a cat's brain couldn't quite comprehend.
But as soon as the bedroom door clicked shut, the cat understood—no one was coming to pet it anytime soon.
It promptly rolled onto its back and sprawled out in an ungraceful, yet comfortable, pose for a nap.
Inside the bedroom.
The curtains had already been drawn, blocking out the light from outside. The warm glow of the room's lamps cast soft shadows across the walls.
Emotions surged.
Utaha no longer felt like talking.
The moment Haru set her down, she immediately closed the distance between them—her lips finding his.
Their bodies pressed together.
Her long, shapely legs instinctively parted as she melted into his embrace.
She had a naturally well-proportioned figure—wide hips and a slender waist, an elite among her peers, unmatched by any girl at their school.
Because of her posture, the hem of her skirt lifted ever so slightly, accentuating the exquisite curvature of her body.
Outside, the rain seemed to intensify.
Utaha's eyes fluttered shut, her flushed cheeks glowing under the soft light.
And when she finally opened them, her gaze shimmered with an intoxicating allure.
She was breathtaking—like a flower swaying in the wind, tempting and untamed.
Just as neither of them wanted to think about anything else, an ill-timed ringtone shattered the moment.
Haru's phone vibrated in his pocket.
Utaha's breath hitched, her voice coming out in a whisper. "Are you going to answer that?"
She obviously didn't want him to.
Being interrupted at a time like this was beyond frustrating.
Haru pulled out his phone and glanced at the caller ID.
"…Haruno?"
Utaha's foggy eyes regained a hint of clarity. "You should answer it. If Yukinoshita's sister is calling you out of the blue, it's probably something important."
"Not necessarily. She's a very unpredictable person."
Despite his words, Haru still picked up the call.
"Yo, Haru~ Tomorrow, I'm bringing Shizuka along. Set an extra pair of chopsticks, will you?"
"That's fine, but… how many people are coming in total?"
"Counting me and Yukino? Five."
"…Five?"
Haru instinctively glanced down at the blushing Senpai in his arms.
So that meant… Kato Megumi was coming too?
"Yep! Five adorable girls~" Haruno's voice carried a teasing lilt.
Haru replied honestly, "I don't think adorable is the right word for Hiratsuka-sensei."
Haruno chuckled. "Oh? So you only singled out Shizuka, but didn't deny Kasumigaoka and Kato? Hmm~ Haru, you're not being very honest, are you?"
Utaha blinked.
She could've sworn she just heard her name.
Haru shot her a reassuring glance before responding, "Anything else? I was about to start cooking, and my hands are kinda full."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Utaha locked eyes with him, her gaze saying, You're quite the liar, aren't you?
Haru wisely kept silent.
"I do have something I want to ask you..."
Haruno paused for a second in an oddly deliberate way.
Then, her tone turned teasing. "But I have a feeling you wouldn't tell me the truth."
Haru responded calmly, "Why do you say that?"
"For example, that girl Kasumigaoka—she doesn't look at you like you're just a regular classmate. Hmm... how should I put it? She probably likes you, don't you think? If that's the case, then she's Yukino's rival in love."
At that moment, Utaha was practically draped over Haru like an octopus. Naturally, she heard every word.
Her affectionate gaze instantly turned sharp and alert.
Haru quickly shook his head at her, signaling that Haruno was just testing him.
But Utaha merely smiled seductively, lifted a strand of hair, and slowly leaned down.
Haru froze on the spot.
Come on, girl, can't you see I'm on the phone?
Utaha looked up at him, a playful yet coy expression on her face. She silently mouthed: I am Yukinoshita's love rival.
Haru hurriedly kept his cool and threw a few half-hearted replies at Haruno before ending the call.
If he didn't hang up soon, who knew what kind of sound he might accidentally make?
After all, this so-called "love rival" of Yukinoshita's was up to no good.
Thursday.
The Yukinoshita sisters and Hiratsuka Shizuka arrived at five.
When Haru opened the door, they were carrying groceries—clearly bought on purpose.
"Shizuka bought these. She said you treated her to ramen once, and after hearing from Yukino that you're a great cook, she decided to cover the ingredients herself," Haruno explained as they entered and changed shoes.
Haru couldn't help but comment, "Sensei's principle of never freeloading is truly admirable."
"Flattery won't get you anywhere. If you want to impress me, then give tonight's dinner your absolute best effort!"
Hiratsuka Shizuka was in a good mood, her voice lively.
"No problem. I'll give it two hundred percent effort," Haru answered confidently.
Haruno casually asked, "Between you and Yukino, who's the better cook?"
"Haru's cooking skills were taught by me," Yukino replied.
Haruno sighed dramatically. "In that case, tonight's dinner might not be that impressive after all."
Haru smiled. "I hope you can still say that after you've had a taste."
Haruno paused for a moment, intrigued.
As Haru started preparing the ingredients, she curiously turned to Yukino. "Is his cooking actually that good?"
Yukino glanced at Hiratsuka Shizuka, who was looking around, then picked up a chubby orange cat. "Haru's skills are at a professional chef's level. Though, of course, he's still a little behind me."
Haruno scoffed. "Then why was he so confident just now? Here I thought he'd actually surpassed you."
Yukino answered nonchalantly, "You know what he's like, don't you?"
"That's true. He's been that way since he was little."
Neither sister seemed to believe Haru's cooking was anything extraordinary.
A little while later, Utaha and Kato Megumi arrived.
Both had changed out of their school uniforms into their preferred casual outfits.
Since they were both members of the photography club, Hiratsuka Shizuka wasn't surprised. She greeted them warmly and invited them to chat in the living room.
During their conversation, Haruno's attention remained on Utaha.
For some reason, her intuition told her—Something's off about this girl's emotions.
She couldn't pinpoint what it was, though, so she didn't probe further.
In reality, Haruno's intuition was spot on.
On the way over, Utaha kept replaying yesterday's events in her mind.
Once again, she had lost terribly.
And not just that—because she had assumed her physical endurance was better than Yukino's, she ended up going home with trembling legs...
Next time, I can't be so reckless. That guy's body is of a monster!
Utaha was momentarily lost in thought.
Meanwhile, Megumi was chatting with Hiratsuka Shizuka.
"So, your club's project is already in post-production? Young people sure are full of energy," Shizuka commented with a hint of adult-like nostalgia.
Megumi humbly replied, "Actually, Yukinoshita-san did most of the work. She took on a lot by herself."
Shizuka raised a brow. "And what about that Haru kid? Isn't he the club president?"
"He wants this project to be a learning experience for everyone, so he's mostly letting Yukinoshita-san take the lead. He only steps in when mistakes need correcting."
"I see."
Their conversation was loud enough for the others to hear.
Haruno subtly nudged her sister. "That girl is pretty deceiving, isn't she?"
Yukino remained expressionless—she wasn't interested in discussing this topic in front of others.
Utaha also stayed silent, keeping part of her attention on Haruno.
Yesterday's phone call had come at an inconvenient moment, and Utaha had overheard some things. Now, she was on guard.
Did she actually figure something out, or is she just randomly guessing?
Then she heard Haruno say, "I think I'll check out Haru's bedroom. Yukino, go ask him for me."
"Why should I?"
"Because if I ask, he'll probably think I'm up to something and say no."
"Well, sorry, but I think that's exactly what you're doing."
"Fine, I'll ask myself."
The moment Haruno got up and headed for the kitchen, Utaha's body stiffened.
Because—before she went home yesterday, she had deliberately left a certain item in Haru's room.
She had been teasing him at the time, saying, "Since you like my legs so much, you must want my stockings, right?"
Before he could refuse, she had placed them on his bed.
And now, hearing that Haruno wanted to visit Haru's room? How could she not be nervous?
She figured Haru had probably washed them and put them away by now.
But what if Haruno decided to check the closet?
After two seconds of hesitation, Utaha stood up as well.
"I'll go see if he needs help with anything."
It was a natural excuse.
Hiratsuka Shizuka didn't think anything of it.
Megumi and Yukino didn't react immediately either.
Only Haruno, walking in front, paused for the slightest moment.
Heh. Gotcha.
So, my intuition was right after all.
Utaha was worried about her checking the closet.
But Haruno? She just wanted to test her own instincts.
So, as Utaha caught up, Haruno slowed her steps and said lightly, "Kasumigaoka-san, you're being awfully suspicious."
Utaha's heart skipped a beat.