Chapter Ninety-One is just like a newlywed couple.
The sky, tinged red by the sunset, was filled with layers of fiery clouds. Shops around the shopping street began to light up their 'open for business' neon lights, and restaurants preparing dinner resumed their preparations to handle the influx of customers.
Office workers, either off work or socializing, strolled along the streets. A junior high school girl in a sailor uniform, her face flushed, held hands with a boy.
Perhaps noticing the couple-like behavior of the middle school students, a hint of envy flashed in the eyes of the blonde girl wearing a baseball cap.
Misaka Hatsuka glanced at the black-haired boy beside her with the corner of her eye, then timidly withdrew her gaze as if afraid of being discovered; she could walk alone with her beloved on the street at dusk, casually chatting about ordinary topics such as dinner.
They were just like a newlywed couple—
"Chuhua, is there any dish you'd like to eat?"
"Huh? I... I love any dish that Naruto makes, no matter what it is."
Lost in thought, Misaka Hatsuka was quickly brought back to her senses by the question. Completely relaxed, she almost instinctively spoke her mind.
But when those ambiguous words finally came out, she lowered her head in a fluster.
The girl's adorable reaction made Kazami Naruto instinctively look up ahead. Faced with such ambiguous words, his indifferent reaction was quite a blow.
Seeing this love triangle, Chu Hua felt a little frustrated, but fortunately, she was already used to the fact that he didn't like her.
But in reality, Mr. Kazami, who had been expressionless, was almost unable to keep his composure.
It takes a genius to resist something so adorable.
The sudden aggression of the idol girl can be described as forceful. Although the two of them maintained the distance and separation that friends should have, it is really unexpected that the words of the 'normal' Hatsuka girl would be so hurtful.
Kazami Mei knew she couldn't stay silent at this moment, so she calmly continued, "It seems I have to show you my signature dishes. I call them 'Stargazing' and 'Vegetable Deep Sea Turbine,' as well as honey-flavored Mapo Tofu."
"Sorry... I do have some questions."
"But since it's Naruto's cooking, every single one should be delicious."
Misaka Hatsuka pursed her delicate lips, revealing a sweet and gentle smile. Her unreserved trust and approval caused Mr. Kazami's lips to twitch slightly.
Oh no, it seems she really doesn't understand.
Perhaps because she was used to not being able to make Kazami Mei's heart flutter, Mitsumi Hatsuka, who was by his side, gradually opened up her heart as "Hatsuka", wearing a black baseball cap to cover her lovely and delicate face.
Her two little hands were gently placed behind her back, and a gentle smile from the bottom of her heart was on her face.
Kazami Mei could only try her best to keep her gaze calm, otherwise she would be drawn to her crystal-clear, sparkling eyes if she wasn't careful.
In the blink of an eye, we arrived at the supermarket in the Ikebukuro shopping street.
Even though Misaka Hatsuka is an incredibly innocent girl who has never been in a relationship or married, she possesses a level of skill in selecting ingredients that rivals that of a housewife. In particular, when she picks up ingredients and puts them into her shopping basket, she will secretly glance at Kazami Mei beside her with a probing look.
If the other party doesn't react, she will show a gentle smile.
"Naruki, Naruto~ The beef here is on sale!"
The blonde girl, holding a frozen beef, showed it to Kazami Naru with a big smile. However, because her movements were a little too big, her baseball cap slipped slightly. Kazami Naru, realizing what was happening, quickly stepped forward to cover her and reached out to press the brim of the cap back onto her golden hair.
The sudden shortening of the distance between them startled Mitsuka Hatsuka, her pretty face flushing slightly as she tried to maintain a calm tone as she spoke—
"...Thank you, but Naruto-kun, you really don't need to be so wary, do you?"
"Look, I'm even wearing huge sunglasses! As long as I cover myself up properly, no one will recognize me."
Seeing this, Kazami rolled her eyes at him as if he were an idiot, and said in a slightly helpless tone, "You should have some self-awareness as a 'popular idol.' Shopping at the supermarket with someone of the opposite sex your own age and picking out ingredients for dinner is no joke."
"If someone accidentally takes a picture of you, you'll be all over the news and making headlines tomorrow! Not only will your idol career suffer a major blow, but you'll also face a storm sweeping across the internet, and there might even be some extreme fans who endanger your safety."
"...I, I will pay close attention!"
Misaka Hatsuka clenched her little fist and responded in a serious tone.
However, only Mitsuka Hatsuka herself knew that beneath her seemingly calm exterior lay a heart full of turmoil, and the slightly flushed tips of her ears could hardly contain her heartfelt joy.
I'm so happy that Ming cares about me!
She might be very happy if she were photographed having a 'scandal' with Ming, but Misaka Hatsuka is also afraid that she might cause him trouble because of her.
If she could actually end up having an 'unrealistic' relationship with him, then she would truly give up on her idol and become an ordinary girl, right?
Seeing Mikasa's pitiful expression of 'realizing her mistake,' Kazami Mei, realizing she had been a bit too serious, sighed inwardly, then feigned a relaxed demeanor and began to speak—
"However, this is only the worst-case scenario in theory, and in general, they won't be recognized."
"Especially Chu Hua, you've recently started trying to grow your hair long. People who don't observe you regularly would find it hard to believe that you're like that."
Misaka Hatsuka blinked, her expression clearly a little dazed.
"Naraka, Naruto-kun actually noticed? I've started growing my hair long..."
"How could you not notice? Don't you know you're an idol?"
Kazami Mei looked at her with amusement, unable to suppress a smile at the girl's adorable expression.
Whenever he passed through economically developed areas like Shimokitazawa or Ikebukuro, he would always see Hatsuka-san's music video on the big screen in shopping malls, not to mention that he would often see the idol in person.
With her already outstanding appearance, she was always attracting attention, so how could Kazami Mei not notice her?
"...Oh, so you noticed it~ Although I didn't leave it for long, it wasn't very obvious."
"But in Ming's opinion, would this be suitable for me?"
The girl stretched out her slender, jade-like fingers and pinched a tuft of golden hair. The delicate, smooth strands of hair cascaded down her fingers like a waterfall.
From Kazami's perspective, at such close range, one can see her worried yet expectant smoky purple eyes behind her sunglasses. Her flawless skin, like white jade and pearls, looks soft and delicate, making one want to reach out and gently hold it in their hands.
Kazami Mei certainly remembered that he had told Misaki Hatsuka about his preferences, but he never expected that this idol girl who relied on her 'image' would choose to make changes for herself without hesitation.
This kind of attack, which is not verbal but invisible, is probably the most difficult for him to defend against.
"nice."
Kazami Mei couldn't go against her conscience, so she had to tell the truth.
"...Thank you! Mingjun's words have given me a lot more confidence."
Chu Hua felt a sweet warmth in her heart and slowly lowered her head. When she tried to look up to see the other person's expression, their eyes met. The instant eye contact made her feel as if she had been electrocuted and she quickly looked away.
Even the 'expression management' that idols are best at is ineffective at this moment, turning them into innocent girls with blushing faces.
She started working hard because she heard those words.
"...Anyway, we've bought most of the meat and vegetable dishes. Is there anything else you want to buy, Chuhua?"
Slightly distracted, Kazami Mei casually turned her head and focused her gaze on the 'Special Discount Wagyu Beef 1280 Yen', trying to divert her attention.
Buhou is somewhat captivated.
As he interacted with Miss Chuhua time and again, he found himself gradually delving deeper into the heart of this aloof girl, increasingly feeling her genuine cuteness and emotions. Now, he was beginning to waver in his decision to 'reject' her confession.
"No, no, Mingjun, you don't need to worry about me so much..."
Misaka Hatsuka subconsciously waved her hand, then responded with a light laugh.
But a barely perceptible hint of disappointment flickered in the girl's hidden heart. From the moment she entered the supermarket until now, she hadn't seen that familiar drink. Sure enough, it was rare to find unpopular drinks like 'Creamy Puff Oolong Tea' in this kind of supermarket, since not many people really liked them.
Since Naruto moved to Ikebukuro, she probably won't go to the small supermarkets in Yokohama anymore.
Kazami Mei gazed at her precocious yet gentle smile, then calmly picked up the shopping basket in his hand.
"Speaking of which, I suddenly feel like having a drink."
"Unfortunately, this supermarket doesn't seem to have the one I like, but I remember there's a small supermarket near my house that sells... cream puff oolong tea. Could you please accompany me on a slightly detour later, Chuhua?"
The girl gradually opened her bright purple eyes, which were as beautiful as butterflies, and unconsciously cupped her hands to her heart, as if she could feel her heart beating faster and faster in her palms.
A surge of indescribable emotions seemed to seep into her burning blood, transforming her entire being through her heart. This warmth emanating from her very core made her involuntarily purse her cherry lips.
Even though the turbulent emotions within her had nearly overwhelmed her, the girl's lips only curved into a slight smile.
"Okay! I'll go with you."
Suddenly, a strange thought came to mind.
No matter where she goes with this black-haired boy, how long they walk together, or even if it's just an endless journey, she wants to stay by his side forever.
……
"Before I knew it, I bought a lot!"
Stepping forward towards the orange-red sunset on the horizon, the twilight light transformed into a golden veil draped over the girl's snow-white top. With her two small hands carrying a bag of groceries, Chu Hua gently shook her head and slowly and steadily descended the long slope.
A gentle breeze from the slope ruffled her long hair that reached her back, lifting strands of her exquisitely styled hair and causing them to sway in the air.
"Carrying so much must be tiring, right? I guess I'll carry that bag then."
Kazami Naruto, carrying two bags of groceries in each hand, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, but the girl just winked playfully at his question.
"Of course not! How can we let only Naruto bring it up!"
Chu Hua, who is usually gentle, is surprisingly stubborn at times like this.
"As someone who shamelessly came to 'mooch a meal,' this level of help is only natural!"
This is only one reason.
The main reason is that they were carrying 'ingredients' side by side on the road, and they really looked like a newlywed couple who had just gotten married and were going grocery shopping together on their way home!
Although she doesn't dare to dream of a 'lover' life with Ming yet, this little bit of willfulness shouldn't be too much, right?
She enjoyed the brief moment of walking alongside him in the sunset, and the time she was immersed in seemed to vanish in an instant.
In the blink of an eye, Mikasa had arrived at the residential area of Ikebukuro. When she came to the luxurious villa with the name 'Kazami' on the door, even the financially well-off Mikasa couldn't help but widen her eyes and keep peeking her head out to look at the nameplate.
"Kazami..."
The girl muttered to herself, a blush creeping across her cheeks as she thought of something.
Seeing Misaki Hatsuka's stunned expression, Kazami Mei couldn't help but chuckle. He then went to the front door and gently pressed the doorbell. A series of 'tap tap tap' sounds of slippers on the floor were heard, and the tightly closed door was suddenly opened from the inside.
"Ming, welcome back."
The doll-like girl, dressed in loungewear, smiled slightly. Her petite body was clad in a cucumber-patterned apron, and her long, flowing, light green hair was tied back in a ponytail. Like a married woman, Wakaba Mutsu narrowed her eyes to express her joy.
Xiao Mu is wonderful; she makes Binzhou shine.
Kazami Mei suppressed the urge to kiss him directly, and simply responded with a light laugh—
"I am back."
Misaka Hatsuka's expression froze.
Hiding behind Kazami Mei, she seemed somewhat at a loss when she saw this scene. Perhaps because she had just had some bad thoughts that she shouldn't have had, Misaka Hatsuka felt inexplicably guilty at this moment, and she kept her head down, not daring to meet Wakaba Mutsu's gaze.
However, Ye Mu naturally noticed Miss Hatsuka behind Kazami Naruto, and so he smiled and spoke—
"Chuhua, welcome."
"...Sorry to bother you."
Mikasa took a deep breath to keep her composure and spoke to Wakaba Mutsu in a very formal manner.
Xiao Mu noticed her hesitation and awkwardness, so he took the initiative to reach out and gently lead her into the house. However, Miss Chuhua was still a little uncomfortable even after sitting on the sofa in the living room. Her excessive concern caused her to become a little thirsty.
Noticing this, Wakaba Mutsu set the table with bowls and chopsticks, then handed over a cup of warm cocoa; Kazami Mei quickly brought the ingredients into the kitchen and took the apron from Wakaba Mutsu.
The two had a great understanding of each other even without exchanging words.
Misaka Chuka looked at the two people with clearly defined roles not far away, and her eyes gradually revealed undisguised envy and inferiority.
"Please use."
"Ah...thank you!"
Misaka Hatsuka accepted the hot cocoa from Wakaba Muku, feeling somewhat flattered. Her initial sense of security seemed to be completely replaced by nervousness and guilt.
She instinctively thanked the doll-like girl in front of her, but when she took the hot cocoa, she didn't know how to eat it.
Seeing that Wakaba Mutsu sat silently beside her, the increasingly reserved Mitsuka Hatsuka couldn't help but ask—
"Um... Xiao Mu, aren't you going to help Ming?"
"Ming told me I don't need to help today."
If Mutsu's calm and composed demeanor left Misaka Hatsuka at a loss. As Mutsu's 'fiancée,' just sitting there made her feel extremely uncomfortable, since she felt like the 'third party' in the relationship.
Whether in terms of 'emotion' or 'status', she felt guilty and inferior towards Wakaba Mutsu.
Mitsukasa's restless and uneasy demeanor was naturally observed by Mutsuka Wakaba.
"Chu Hua, don't worry about it."
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