When Aimi returned to the table, the sukiyaki pot had just been served. The beef and vegetables simring in the broth filled the air with a rich aroma, making it instantly mouth-watering.
"Aimi, where were you all this ti? Are you feeling okay?" Kotomi asked with concern when she saw Aimi return.
If this had been before, after seeing Kotomi's "couple's photo" with Iroha Isshiki, Aimi probably would have sulked like a child, huffing that she didn't need anyone's concern. That bad mood would have lingered for quite a while.
At least a few days, sotis even half a month.
But after her conversation with gumi Kato, Aimi had taken so ti on her way back to reflect. Maybe it was this very behavior that made Kotomi still see her as a child who hadn't grown up?
Realizing this, Aimi decided to start controlling her impulsive reactions. Seeing her sister with another woman was definitely infuriating, but clearly, constant outbursts and tantrums wouldn't improve her relationship with Kotomi.
If things kept going the way they were, they might always stay the sa!
For Aimi, who wanted their relationship to move forward, she couldn't accept that. And if she couldn't accept it, she'd have to change and grow.
Thinking back on how gumi had handled her emotions after seeing the "couple's photo"—even though her emotions were clearly shaken, she quickly composed herself, as if she was already planning to "settle the score" with Kotomi later.
Rembering this small detail, Aimi had to admit, despite her dislike for gumi and her current status as Aimi's most formidable rival, the gap in their abilities was almost despair-inducing!
If she didn't reflect, adapt, and improve, Kotomi would inevitably be taken away by gumi! She'd inevitably end up as the little sister-in-law!
And that, she absolutely couldn't allow!
"Yeah, it's probably because I drank an iced cola after school that my stomach felt a little off. But I'm fine now," Aimi replied with a soft smile, masking her emotions as she spoke to Kotomi.
It was as if she hadn't just seen that "couple's photo" of Kotomi and Iroha Isshiki.
Ugh—though she hated to admit it, gumi had a lot she could learn from. Hmph, just wait. Not only would she learn, she'd surpass her! She'd make sure Kotomi's heart fully belonged to her!
Aimi mused, humming softly to herself, already imagining her small victory. Her smug little expression even made her look a bit like Kotomi.
Before she could finish basking in her own pride, her mother's hand ca down karate-chop style on her head.
"Ouch!" Aimi yelped, quickly clutching her head.
"Honestly, stomachaches from sneaking cola—is that really sothing to brag about?" Izumi Akina scolded.
"Sorry..."
"Alright, alright, Aimi, here, try this piece of beef." Kotomi laughed as she diverted Aimi's attention, lifting a juicy piece of beef with her chopsticks and placing it into Aimi's bowl.
Aimi picked up her chopsticks, but after seeing that photo of Kotomi and Iroha, her mood had turned a bit somber, and her appetite had halved. Even if the sukiyaki was delicious, she didn't feel like eating much.
Oh well… she'd eat a little at least. Thinking this, Aimi picked up a piece and lifted her rice bowl.
After a while—
Kotomi set her bowl down, placing it on top of a stack of twelve empty rice bowls.
Aimi's stack beside her had reached eight empty bowls.
"Phew—even though the key to sukiyaki is the beef, the grilled tofu in the pot is way too good," Kotomi said as she looked over at a waitress and ordered her thirteenth bowl of rice.
"Sis, you eat way too much. Can't you control your portions a bit, like ?"
After eight bowls of rice, which had only just filled her up, Aimi sipped on her barley tea and spoke with a tone that was nothing short of serious.
"I think neither of you has the right to talk about portions," Akina Izumi interjected with a sigh.
Just looking at her two daughters, who would imagine their true appetite?
People could really be envious. Even she, as their mother, wished she had her daughters' super tabolism.
Aimi simply couldn't gain weight.
Kotomi not only didn't gain weight but if she did, it would go to all the right places, accentuating her curves. In moderation, this was the beauty of fullness.
You could say that Kotomi's figure was the kind that most won would admire. Maybe even envy.
It was a good thing Kotomi knew how to cook. Otherwise, with her appetite, who could afford to feed her? Watching Kotomi, now in her first year of high school, Akina was already a little worried.
Her precious older daughter, with her flawless complexion, sparkling eyes, elegance, charm, and voluptuous yet alluring figure, had a beauty that could truly be called breathtaking.
Only her appetite...
It was a little frightening. Worried that Kotomi might have trouble marrying in the future, Akina was already considering providing a dowry in the millions when Kotomi eventually married.
Luckily, Aimi didn't know about this plan.
If she did, she'd definitely rush over to Akina with the following conversation:
"Mom, I've got a great way to make millions!"
"What way?"
"I'll marry Kotomi, and you can still give the dowry!"
"Get lost!"
After Kotomi finished her fifteenth bowl of rice, the Izumi family paid the bill and prepared to leave.
They had barely stepped out of the Tako-nee's Sukiyaki restaurant when a voice called out from a short distance away.
"Kotomi!"
Hearing the voice, Kotomi, who was feeling a bit drowsy after the al, imdiately perked up and turned towards the sound.
There, just stepping out of the neighboring Salmon Madam Sushi, was gumi Kato with her parents.
gumi waved at Kotomi, then hurried over, grabbing Kotomi's hand with a delighted, surprised expression.
"Kotomi! I can't believe I ran into you here! I only knew you'd be eating out today—I didn't think we'd be dining practically next door!"
Ugh, I'm skipping the Oscars this year if she's not nominated. She knew the whole ti and still put on this whole surprised act? What an actress! Wicked woman! Don't touch my sister's hand!
Standing nearby, Aimi watched, jealousy swirling inside her.
"Yeah, so close. The sukiyaki place and sushi place share the sa manager, so you could say they're almost one restaurant," Kotomi said with a laugh.
"One restaurant… one family, you could say~" gumi said, a curious little smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.
"Huh? What's that supposed to an?" Kotomi asked, still confused.
"Oh, nothing~"
gumi gave Kotomi a sweet smile, then reluctantly released her hand. Turning towards Akina and Kaneyoshi, she bowed respectfully and greeted them.
"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Izumi."
"Oh my, it's little gumi! Long ti no see, what a coincidence. Did you all just finish dinner as well?"
"Yes, Auntie, we just finished," gumi Kato replied with a gentle smile, a look that instantly chard Akina, who, as an elder, couldn't help but feel a sense of fondness.
"Ever since you visited last ti, your aunt and I have been wanting Kotomi to invite you over for a al. If you're ever free, please co by; Kotomi and Aimi would be thrilled to have you," Kaneyoshi said warmly.
"If I have the chance, I'll definitely visit. I'd be grateful to bother you, Uncle and Auntie," gumi replied.
"Haha, not at all. Don't be a stranger."
Noticing her daughter running over to greet soone nearby, Ikemi Kato looked over curiously and saw Akina Izumi. They had t once before while grocery shopping and had even had a long conversation, so Ikemi had a strong impression of Akina.
"Dear, who are those folks over there?"
Naoki Kato had just co out of the sushi restaurant after paying the bill. Seeing his daughter chatting with a girl about her age with short white hair, he couldn't help but be curious.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you; that girl with the short white hair is Izumi Kotomi , gumi's classmate. Not only was she the top student in her grade at Sobu High School in the latest exams, but she also ranked first in all of Tokyo! And she even scored four digits on so of the tougher questions! I'd heard that the Izumi family's daughters were supposed to be exceptionally pretty, but seeing them in person, it's clear they're truly beautiful! Mr. and Mrs. Izumi are certainly blessed."
Ikemi's admiration for Izumi Kotomi was clear, and Naoki Kato was astonished to hear about her achievents.
"First in Tokyo? My word, that's amazing! Since she's a friend of our daughter's, we should go over and say hello."
"I knew you'd say that! That's why I waited for you here! Why did paying the bill take so long? Co on, hurry up so we can greet Mr. and Mrs. Izumi!"
With that, Ikemi Kato led Naoki over to introduce themselves.
"It's such a coincidence running into you here, Mrs. Izumi. We were just eating at the sushi place next door," Ikemi greeted warmly.
"Yes! It's Friday, after all. The kids have been at school all week and just finished a big exam, so we thought we'd treat them to dinner to help them unwind," Akina replied cheerfully.
After their previous encounter, Akina had found Ikemi Kato a good person at heart, though a bit overly strict with her daughter. They'd hit it off particularly well in their discussions on cooking.
Naoki Kato then stepped forward, extending a hand to Kaneyoshi and introducing himself politely.
"Mr. Izumi, it's a pleasure to et you. I'm gumi Kato's father, Naoki Kato. Here's my card."
"Hello, Mr. Kato. You and Mrs. Kato have raised an outstanding daughter—she's both thoughtful and graceful," Kaneyoshi replied, shaking Naoki's hand and handing him his business card with a refined smile.
"In front of you and Mrs. Izumi, I hardly feel we can call our daughter 'outstanding.' I just heard from my wife that your daughter not only scored in the four-digit range but also ranked first in Tokyo on this last exam. That's impressive by any asure. We're just happy that gumi and Kotomi are such good friends."
"You're too kind; my daughter is simply a little clever."
Kaneyoshi glanced at Naoki's business card, then smiled, "Oh? So Mr. Kato is the Head of Finance at Tokyo Central Bank. My company recently did a few loan transactions with Tokyo Central Bank as well."
"So we're already practically business partners! I've heard that you're soon to be promoted to Section Chief in your company—congratulations."
"Oh, I've just been lucky."
"Mr. Izumi, you're too modest. This isn't just luck—it speaks to your personal abilities. Not only Tokyo Central Bank but many other companies would be eager to recruit you. With such accomplished parents, it's no wonder Kotomi turned out so exceptional."
The two n, both accomplished in their respective fields, instantly clicked and quickly found common ground in their conversation.
anwhile, Akina Izumi and Ikemi Kato were also chatting easily, laughing from ti to ti.
Seeing this scene, Aimi suddenly felt a bit anxious.
Was she overthinking it, or was there sothing more to it?
Why did it feel like they were watching prospective in-laws et each other for the first ti? As though, if the conversation continued just a bit longer, they'd end up finalizing an "engagent" between Kotomi and gumi?
Maybe I'm just overthinking things… Aimi tried to reassure herself.
"I'd heard Kotomi was very pretty, but seeing her in person, I finally understand that so things you really have to see to believe! She's simply adorable—a perfect blend of you and Mr. Izumi's good looks," Ikemi said, giving Kotomi's hand an affectionate squeeze as she praised her.
Kotomi's appearance was undeniably charming, and it was clear Ikemi was quite taken with her. Besides, gumi had casually praised Kotomi in front of her parents on multiple occasions, building up a lot of goodwill toward Kotomi in the Kato family.
If Kotomi could beco her goddaughter, Ikemi would be overjoyed!
"You're too kind, Auntie," Kotomi replied with a slight smile before quickly changing the subject. "Last ti, I tried one of gumi's lunchbox tamagoyaki. I heard you made it. It was amazing!"
Hearing Kotomi complint her cooking, Ikemi was overjoyed—who doesn't like having their cooking praised?
Pleased, she began to chat even more.
"I'm so glad you liked it! When I have free ti, I love to experint with cooking, especially tamagoyaki. gumi used to hate eggs, so I rarely got to make it for her. But recently, after we ca back from Roppongi, she suddenly started liking eggs and even asked to make tamagoyaki! I finally had the chance to showcase my skills."
Once she started talking about cooking, Ikemi Kato just couldn't stop.
gumi… used to dislike eggs?
Surprised by this, Kotomi looked over at gumi, puzzled.
gumi always had egg dishes in her lunch, so Kotomi had assud gumi liked eggs as much as she did.
After Roppongi, she suddenly started liking eggs?
Roppongi?
Wasn't that the ti we went to see a movie and stayed at the hotel overnight? And co to think of it, most of the egg dishes in her lunchboxes always seed to end up with .
Could it be that gumi was pretending to like eggs just because of ? That, in truth, she never liked them, and it wasn't that she'd suddenly started enjoying them like Mrs. Kato said?
Kotomi thought to herself, looking at gumi's profile. She opened her mouth, wanting to ask a few things.
Sensing Kotomi's gaze, gumi leaned closer and murmured softly, in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"Is there sothing you want to ask ?"
"Ah… no, nothing," Kotomi replied with a smile, shaking her head, choosing not to ask her questions just then.
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