As I stepped out of the train station, I imdiately spotted Yayoi-san’s car at the other side of the road, waiting for .
Actually, she offered to pick up at the mall as soon as I ssaged her that I was going to visit today. She should still be in her hair salon at that ti, managing the place or maybe attending to one of her custors, but she insisted on coming to get herself.
Mina was probably at ho, since it was the weekend and the girl had no classes.
I crossed the street and approached the familiar car. The window rolled down smoothly, revealing Yayoi-san’s stunning face frad by her perfectly styled hair.
As always, she had that mature, elegant smile that could make any man weak in the knees. Her eyes sparkled with that mix of affection and longing that I had grown accustod to.
After all, I couldn’t always see her. Despite that, she’d always find the ti to prepare a lunchbox for .
“Mhm. It’s good to see you again, Yayoi-san.” I said after I slid into the passenger seat. “But really, you don’t have to.”
“What are you saying, Ruki-dear? Give this chance to , alright? Mii-chan always gets to see you at school. Rember, I’m one of your... won as well.”
With a hint of her bashfulness hidden by her maturity, Yayoi-san reached over and cupped my cheek, her thumb brushing the corner of my mouth like she was checking if I was real. Then, she checked my hair as though inspecting if she should cut it again the sa way she did before.
Well, it hasn’t grown that much yet and the charm that I had hidden before by my unkempt hair was still visible.
Still, as soone who’s running a hair salon, nothing could escape her notice.
“Un. You’ll have to get another haircut next week. The sumr is approaching. It won’t be comfortable to have long hair in the heat.”
“Mhm. I’ll leave it to you, Yayoi-san. You’re the expert, after all.”
She let out a soft giggle before cupping my cheek again.
“Good. I’ll be bringing out more of your charm.”
Her voice was soft, almost a whisper, but it carried that familiar warmth that got my heart beating for her.
She stared into my eyes as we communicated without any exchange of words, the distance between us gradually closing.
Slowly, her eyes closed, and then, I traversed the remaining distance between our lips and kissed her properly. Slow and deep, the kind that said everything we hadn’t had ti to say over phone calls.
Yayoi-san sighed into my mouth, fingers sliding into my hair to hold there a second longer. When we finally pulled apart, her eyes had that hazy, satisfied look that made her look ten years younger.
“Mhm. That’s better,” She murmured. “Now buckle up. Mii-chan’s probably going to get grumpy again. Her tea-making skills have already improved so much thanks to you.”
“Well, without you as her adversary, I doubt she’d find it much more aningful to strive to be better.”
“You’re right. We’re a team when it cos to helping her get better, huh? Too bad, if I got to you first, I wouldn’t mind her calling you father.”
This woman... She’s also relentless when it cos to teasing her daughter. But then again, if not for Mina bringing ho to be the judge for the tea-making competition between mother and daughter, I wouldn’t have t her and wriggle my way into her heart. I also wouldn’t be there to save her from that kidnapping sche of her rejected suitor. Good for him, he’s already locked in prison.
“Alright, Yayoi-san. Mina would be mad at if I had her call that. Besides, no matter how complicated our relationships are... I love both of you.”
“Geez... Sweet-talking again, Ruki? You’re lucky it always works.” Yayoi-san smilingly shook her head before pinching my cheek. “Alright, let’s not stay here any longer.”
With that, she checked on my seatbelt and then drove away from the bustling street.
Five minutes later, we arrived at their quiet neighborhood. She parked her car inside their yard, just next to their small garden. The house, even from outside, was filled with a cluster of activity. Most likely, Mina was working hard in the kitchen.
Knowing how she’s the type who’s only fixated with tea-making, what happened last ti I visited them for lunch was probably going to happen again. She’s gonna ask her mother for help.
“That girl, I told her to wait for so we could prepare our lunch together. She’s so eager to impress you.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at that. The way she said ‘our lunch’ with that mix of exasperation and fondness was sothing else.
Our relationship was already solidified, and she was content despite sharing with her daughter.
“Mina’s always eager when it cos to impressing . But Yayoi-san, you know I’m already impressed by both of you. Even without lunch or tea.”
Yayoi-san’s cheeks tinted a faint pink as she playfully swatted my arm.
“Smooth talker. Save so of that for Mii-chan. She’ll pout if you only complint . You know her.”
Right. My tea girl was going to grumble if I only paid attention to her mother. But then again, she’ll also understand it, considering her mother doesn’t have that many chances to be with like this.
We stepped out of the car and walked toward the front door. The mont it opened, the rich aroma of simring broth and freshly chopped herbs wafted out, wrapping around us like a warm hug.
From inside, Mina’s voice rang out, slightly panicked but determined. “Mom? Is that you? I... I started without you! Don’t be mad! Also, Ruki. Don’t ever step into the kitchen. Leave this to us!”
Yayoi-san sighed dramatically, but the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her amusent. “See what I an? That girl is so eager...”
We slipped off our shoes in the genkan, switched to house slippers and headed toward the kitchen.
Well, even if Mina told not to go to the kitchen, it wasn’t in a separate room from their living room. I could sit down on the sofa and watch her back from above the dividing counter.
And sure enough, just a few steps in, I could already see Mina busily going back and forth between the stove and the counter. Her apron was tied a little crookedly around her waist, sleeves rolled up to her elbows as she furiously stirred sothing in a pot. Her hair was pulled back in a ssy ponytail, a few strands sticking to her flushed cheeks from the steam.
The mont she turned her head to glance at us, she narrowed her eyes and pouted.
“What are you looking at? I know you miss already but wait for a bit, okay?”
“Sure, if that’s what my tea girl wants. But I have to say, you always look good in that.”
“Y-you never know when to stop teasing!”
Mina’s cheeks puffed out in that adorable way they always did when she was trying to look annoyed. The wooden spoon in her hand paused mid-stir as she glanced in my direction.
Yayoi-san sighed dramatically from beside , but her eyes were soft as she watched her daughter flail. “Mii-chan, you’re going to burn sothing if you keep getting distracted. Focus. Rember, cooking is similar to tea-making.”
“I am focused!” Mina protested with a higher-pitched voice. “It’s just... it’s hard not to get distracted with that guy over there. Can I run and get a quick kiss first?”
Look at her, she’s now not embarrassed to show her affection to even in front of her mother. But then again, after the day we made love on that couch, all three of us, the inhibitions she put on herself had already loosened.
Little by little, she’s returning to that energetic girl from years past before her father ruined everything.
Haruko and the other girls also noticed it. She’s becoming brighter every day. Still, when it cos to dealing with , she’d try to act annoyed just to get more of my attention. And whenever possible, she would drown with her tea.
“Why settle for a quick kiss? I’ll co over there, so don’t get distracted now.”
“Idiot Ruki. I told you–”
“Alright, I heard you. I’m just going to greet you with a kiss, then I’ll wait on the couch. Is that fine?” I cut her off.
Beside , Yayoi-san was shaking her head as she stared at her daughter.
“Really, Ruki-dear, you’ve got my Mii-chan under your spell.”
Mina’s cheeks went from pink to full-blown crimson as she shot her mother a betrayed glare.
“M-Mom! Don’t say it like that! It’s embarrassing!”
Yayoi-san just laughed softly, slipping past to don her apron. “It’s true, though. One look from him and you’re all flustered.”
I followed after her, helping her tie it behind before stepping closer to Mina, careful not to crowd her at the stove.
She turned her head just enough to peek at but the mont my arms wrapped around her waist, she almost lted in my embrace. Her lips parted like she was caught between scolding and begging for that promised kiss.
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