Several minutes later, Ryouko-san and I finally slipped back downstairs, her hand tucked discreetly in mine until we reached the bottom step.
I could tell. If not for everyone being here, she’d probably want to stay with longer. Or maybe stay the night?
She let go with a quick squeeze, smoothing her blouse like nothing had happened, but the faint flush on her cheeks and the way her eyes remained dreamy told a different story.
The living room had quieted down a notch. They stopped being rowdy. Probably because they were already drunk or knocked out. The wine bottles were nearly empty. Glasses were scattered across the table like casualties of a very enjoyable battle.
Miwa-nee was leaning back in her chair. Her cheeks pink and eyes bright as she laughed at sothing Shio had just said.
Orimura-sensei had her head propped on one hand, staring into her glass with a half-lidded look that said she was one sip away from either falling asleep or starting a philosophical rant about the ‘shaless brat’ she couldn’t admit to having already occupied her heart.
Kagura-san, surprisingly, was still upright, but her usual sharp posture had softened. Her cheeks were flushed, eyes a little glassy as she listened to Aunt Akemi, who had apparently co back for ‘one more glass’, recount so story about their old days. When she’s still following my mother in their high school like total delinquents.
Kagura-san’s lips kept twitching as if she were fighting a smile, and every ti Miwa-nee refilled her glass, she didn’t protest.
Ichihara-san sat gracefully among them. She’s already sipping the sa drink with that refined smile. Yet she probably hasn’t drunk enough yet to look flushed.
Koharu-chan had fallen asleep on the couch, curled up with a couch pillow and Minoru tucked against her side like they’d beco best friends in the span of an hour.
Akane spotted us first. Her golden eyes lit up as she stood, smoothing her apron. "Welco back, husband. Have you pampered Ryouko-nee well?"
Nao followed her gaze, that quiet smile curving her lips. Hanabi perked up from her spot on the floor, where she’d been playing so racing ga with Azusa, and imdiately bounced over.
"Babe! You abandoned for forever!" She whined dramatically, latching onto my arm like a koala. Azusa rolled her eyes but didn’t protest when I reached over to lightly pinch her ear.
.
"Sorry, sorry," I chuckled, letting Hanabi drag toward the living room. "Got caught up."
Miwa-nee raised an eyebrow, clearly reading between the lines, but she just smirked and raised her glass. "Well, you’re just in ti. We’re wrapping up. Kagura-san here was just telling us about her life overseas. It’s such an adventure."
Kagura-san’s head snapped up at the ntion of her na, eyes narrowing slightly as they landed on .
The wine had loosened her tongue enough that she didn’t snap imdiately, but the glare was still there.
"Speaking of Marika," She said, voice only slightly slurred, "it’s ti we go ho. It’s getting late."
Marika, who’d been quietly creeping up to , shuddered like she’d been struck by lightning.
“Aunt... It’s still early. And it’s Sunday tomorrow, is it not?” She tried to reason with her aunt. “Can’t I stay just a little longer? Everyone’s having such a nice ti...”
Kagura-san’s eyes narrowed further, the wine making her movents a touch slower but not dulling that sharp edge one bit. She set her glass down and said, “Marika. I let you go and canceled that dinner set by the Ichiharas. We’ve long overstayed. Do not create more trouble.”
I felt Marika tense beside as her fingers tightened around my arm as if she were channeling courage from .
I could see the conflict flickering across her face. She wanted to stay, of course. But at the sa ti, she didn’t want to cause trouble. Her being here could already be counted as one since her engagent with Ichihara was still in place.
As much as we’d like to just ignore it, it wasn’t possible yet. Her grandfather had yet to answer the eccentric old man’s offer. And most likely, the head of the Ichihara Family must’ve been making it difficult for the Kujou Patriarch to just back out.
Sohow, Kagura-san being here also beca another layer of protection for her, whether we liked it or not. Because if not, she might be dragged to that dinner without by her side.
Across the table, Miwa-nee leaned forward and put on a tipsy smile. She had long read the tension like a pro.
“Kagura,” She smoothly said, refilling the woman’s glass without asking, “One more drink. The night’s young, and Marika is safe here. No one’s going anywhere in a rush.”
Kagura-san opened her mouth, probably to protest, but Shio jumped in with that bright, slightly slurred enthusiasm only alcohol could bring out of her.
“That’s right! One more! We haven’t even gotten to the most interesting part of your stories yet. What’s it like over there? Have you gotten infected by those ideologies?”
Then, Orimura-sensei snorted into her glass as she chid in as well. “Don’t you dare.”
The distraction worked for a second. Kagura-san’s shoulders eased for a bit as her gaze shifted between the won like she was trying to figure out how she’d ended up surrounded by this chaotic pack of drunkards.
“I appreciate the hospitality,” She said stiffly, “But it’ll be difficult to delay our return any longer.”
At this point, I stepped forward, putting myself between her line of sight and Marika, “Kagura-san. I understand what you’re saying but where’s the harm in a few minutes? Besides, this is a rare occasion, no? If you want, I can promise to listen to you next ti and not make it difficult again.”
“Ruki-kun...” Marika squeezed my hand, partly worried and partly relieved as she leaned into my side.
Kagura-san’s eyes focused on our joined hands, then back to my face, sharpening like she was about to launch into another lecture.
But before she could do so, Miwa-nee raised her glass again, her voice a little warm and tipsy enough to sound effortlessly persuasive.
"Co on, Kagura. One more story. You were just getting to the good part. Sothing about a client who tried to bribe you with a yacht?"
She winked as she clinked her glass with hers.
Shio tapped the table with exaggerated interest, propping her chin on her hand. "A yacht? Hmm? Details, woman. We need details. A yacht is worth a lot. Did you take it?"
Even Orimura-sensei beca more interested in that, "If it involves shaless n, I’m all ears."
I couldn’t help but wryly smile at her remark there.
Kagura-san opened her mouth, closed it, then let out this long, defeated sigh that seed to co from her soul.
She picked up the glass and stared into the deep red liquid like it held the answers to life’s greatest mysteries.
She took a sip and opened her mouth, “Fine. Just one more. Then we’re leaving.”
Marika’s fingers squeezed mine tighter, her whole body relaxing against my side as the tension drained out of her. She peeked up at with those sparkling eyes as her lips curved into a relieved smile.
“Thank you, Ruki-kun,” She whispered.
I squeezed back, brushing my thumb across her knuckles. “Anything for you. Besides, your aunt’s not as scary as she thinks she is. Look at her. She’s already halfway to joining Miwa-nee’s drunkard club.”
Marika stifled a giggle as she glanced at Kagura-san, who was now reluctantly recounting the yacht story while Miwa-nee and Shio hung on every word like it was the juiciest gossip they’d heard all year.
Across the table, Ichihara-san caught my eye and gave this subtle, approving nod. It’s like she’d seen exactly what I’d done and respected the play. Koharu-chan, half-asleep on the couch with Minoru, mumbled sothing about ‘Sensei’s super cool’ before dozing off again.
The night stretched on just a little longer, warm and easy, with laughter and stories filling the house until even Kagura-san’s sharp edges had softened completely.
By the ti they finally finished the bottles they opened, the clock had crept past ten, and everyone looked pleasantly exhausted.
Ichihara-san stood up first, bringing the still-sleepy Koharu-chan with her. I offered to carry the girl back to their car and she accepted. Thankfully, she didn’t drink too much and she probably had high alcohol tolerance. There’s only a faint flush on her cheek but her eyes are still very clear.
When I returned inside, Kagura-san was pretending to be fine. She was already swaying a little as she smoothed down her skirt.
Marika went to her other side as we both helped her walk out the door.
Halfway through, I reached in to kiss the girl, causing her aunt to click her tongue in protest.
Anyway, the car that would take them ho was already outside. I instructed her guards to drive them safely.
As for the other drunk won... Well, there’s no way I’d let Ayu or Ryouko-san drive tonight. I planned to set up the room we used earlier, after all, there’s only so much space in our bed.
Ah right. I should also check my ssages and say goodnight to the other girls. And lastly... wait for midnight. Tomorrow is also Ria’s birthday.
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