That afternoon, since there weren't many custors at the café, Tohru acted as a senpai and began teaching Nishikigi Chisato the ins and outs of what needed to be done in the shop.
Chisato was taking her lessons seriously.
It was surprising how quickly the two of them hit it off. Shichen found it a bit unbelievable—after all, Tohru was so hostile toward Kasumigaoka Utaha, yet she was already getting along with Chisato. Could this be so kind of tactic on Chisato's part?
After all, Chisato was the newcor. Perhaps she was first trying to befriend Tohru, so she could establish herself in the shop before taking a more aggressive stance? Tohru, with her simple nature, would be easy to handle.
But that didn't quite fit. Shichen rembered Chisato not being that calculating. Could her experiences have changed her? Had she picked up a few sneaky tricks during the ten years she spent searching for him?
Shichen hoped she was still the sa cheerful, straightforward girl he rembered, free of such scheming. Maybe he was overthinking it.
Not wanting to hover around the two of them, Shichen instead kept Utaha company. Tohru and Chisato needed ti to build their bond as "sisters," and his presence might just stir up unnecessary conflict.
Utaha was fully in the zone—focused, eyes fixed on the screen, fingers flying across the keyboard. At least she hadn't turned into a full-blown "crazy writer" yet: babbling nonsense while typing, eyes wild, face maniacal, leg twitching. Shichen sincerely hoped she'd stay in this current pure and innocent state.
But he couldn't help worrying. Authors often drift from normal behavior: odd sleep patterns, deadlines, writer's block, over-imrsion in the story... Perhaps it was inevitable she'd beco at least sowhat unhinged.
Unless she quit writing. But it was clear how much Utaha loved it. Shichen wouldn't stop her just because he was afraid she'd beco, well, a little crazy. Besides, a "crazy writer" could be interesting. Who could resist a mature, gorgeous, slightly unhinged girl?
Utaha didn't mind Shichen watching her work, so he sat beside her. He could see she was drafting an outline—she'd already locked down the content for Volu 2, including introducing a new heroine, with the main drama built around a love-rival "battle."
He figured as much. This second volu would revolve around just that scenario—her inspiration from "real life" lined up perfectly with it. Shichen personally enjoyed reading novels featuring love triangles and chaos, as long as it happened to soone else. If it were his own experience, it'd be painful.
Utaha's writing ca easily today—she finished in about twenty minutes.
"Phew—" she exhaled, typing the last word. Then she pushed her laptop away and slumped onto the table.
"When did you get here?" she asked, only now noticing Shichen.
"I've been here a while, watching you outline Volu 2," he said with a smile.
"I don't mind, but doesn't reading my outlines ruin the suspense? You'll already know what's going to happen."
"It's only the outline. I enjoy your descriptive touch and the emotional details, which aren't in the summary."
"Tch," Utaha clicked her tongue but let a small smile slip. "Sweet talker."
"I'm just telling the truth."
"So then, what are you doing over here now?"
"I have so free ti, so I'm keeping you company."
Utaha glanced around the café. Sure enough, there were hardly any custors.
"So why don't you go hang out with those other two? Not like you don't see how well they're getting along. You must be thrilled they're not at each other's throats." She shot him a sharp look, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
"It's not like that. I'm not excited at all," Shichen protested righteously.
"Heh. I almost believed you—unless you're not a normal man."
"…." Shichen had no coback for that.
"Hmph. Hurry up and get sothing to drink," Utaha said, diverting the topic.
"Got it. Want so cookies too?"
"What do you think?"
"Right away."
Shichen dashed off to fetch a drink and cookies. Watching his hasty retreat, Utaha pressed her lips together in a faint smile.
He ca back soon with a glass of iced juice and a plate of cookies.
"Here you go, Utaha—ice-cold."
"Huh… What did you just call ?" She froze, halfway reaching for the juice, eyes wide.
"Utaha," Shichen said matter-of-factly. "Isn't that your na?"
"…You—why are you calling by my given na all of a sudden?" Her voice quivered.
"Is that a problem? I figure we're close enough now, so it's totally normal," Shichen replied with a small grin.
He'd been wanting to call her that anyway. Since he'd already said it, and she'd responded, why not lean in? If he wanted to get closer to a girl, he had to be bold—but not criminally bold.
"Y-you… You sure caught off guard…" Utaha mumbled, cheeks warming. He sounded so natural calling her that, as if he'd practiced in private for ages. That guy…
"What's wrong?" Shichen teased. "Would our brilliant 'Kasumi Utako' sensei really get embarrassed about being called by her first na by a guy?"
"Who's embarrassed?" she retorted imdiately.
"Then I guess there's no problem."
"…" Utaha felt both annoyed and flustered, face heating up. She quickly downed a couple sips of icy juice to cool off.
"Heh heh~" Shichen couldn't resist her embarrassed expression.
"Quit laughing!" she snapped.
"Alright, alright. I'll stop."
"You're still laughing!"
"Can't help it," he said. "It's impossible to hold back."
"You—!" she seethed. "Fine! Then get out of here!"
"Huh? Why?"
"You're distracting from writing!"
"But you said you never get distracted."
"Now I do, okay?"
"…Alright." He reluctantly got up. But after taking a few steps, he turned back and asked, "Wanna have dinner together tonight?"
"…Yes," Utaha muttered, still not looking at him.
"Then I'll cook for you. Sound good?"
"…Mhm."
That evening alti was lively—their very first four-person dinner. The atmosphere, however, felt a bit chilly. Utaha ate quietly, barely talking, and Tohru and Chisato competed over Shichen's cooking. Apart from their occasional over-the-top praise, nobody spoke much.
Shichen wasn't too worried. They had plenty of ti. If they ate together regularly, they'd warm up eventually. He didn't care about "no talking during als"—they were basically family, after all.
After dinner, Utaha headed ho, refusing Shichen's offer to walk her. Clearly, he still had work to do in that departnt.
After tidying up, Shichen led Tohru and Chisato upstairs. Amazingly, Chisato had already settled in, bonding with Tohru, so she felt completely at ease.
"Chen-nii, where am I sleeping tonight? I don't have a blanket or anything yet," Chisato said, sounding unconcerned.
"…." Shichen suddenly realized the biggest problem:
Sleeping arrangents.
If Tohru insisted on sleeping in his room, would Chisato want to join as well? That would be…a bit cramped. Actually, why was he even imagining all three in one bed?
"You can borrow my blanket," Tohru offered generously.
"Huh? Then what about you?"
"I'll sleep with Chen-dono, of course."
"Ah?" Chisato blinked, then realized what Tohru ant. "So…you've already been sharing a bed with Chen-nii?"
"Sure have!" Tohru said proudly, hands on her hips, her green tail swishing.
Chisato stared in fascination, curious about how Tohru's tail worked. "So did you two, um, ever…?"
Tohru's face fell. "No…not yet."
"I see. Then I can sleep with you, too, right?"
"Um?" Tohru faltered in confusion.
"There's no real issue, is there? You and Chen-nii aren't doing anything, so it's not like I'd interrupt. You can sleep on one side of him, and I'll take the other," Chisato suggested.
"Huh?" Tohru cocked her head, sensing so logic in Chisato's words but also feeling sothing was off.
"C'mon, Tohru. Let's keep Chen-nii happy. Don't you want that?"
"…Sure, if Chen-dono doesn't mind."
Shichen: "…"
~~~
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