Chapter 454: Chapter 453: Potential Wife? (1)
"This is my place. You can stop here," Utaha said, coming to a halt in front of an elegant building. She brushed her hair aside, turned to Sui, and smiled.
In the soft evening breeze, her long black hair fluttered gently. Wearing Sui's coat, her slender legs wrapped in black stockings, and her serene smile illuminated by the streetlights, she exuded a graceful and ethereal beauty.
Sui stood still, momentarily captivated by her pure and radiant expression.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Utaha asked, her face tinged with a slight blush. She gave him a playful glare, though a hint of embarrassment flickered in her eyes.
"Uh... nothing. I just didn't expect you to look so... goddess-like," Sui muttered awkwardly, scratching his head.
"Oh, so I'm not a goddess on regular days?" Utaha teased, tapping him lightly on the forehead with her finger. Her eyes narrowed in mock anger.
"When you're serious, you are. But when you're not... you're more like a crazy lady who spouts... colorful words," Sui quipped, rolling his eyes.
He then glanced at the house behind her, taking it in. "So, this is your home?"
It was the first time Sui had seen where Utaha lived. The house was a typical standalone unit found in Tokyo, a modest home with a small yard and parking space. Such houses, common in anime, were surprisingly affordable in reality—60 to 64 million yen(*$300-400k) even in Tokyo.
"Yep. Want to come in and sit for a bit?" Utaha's smile softened, her wine-red eyes glinting with warmth.
At that moment, a voice from inside the house called out.
"Utaha, are you back? Who are you talking to? Is it a boy?"
Utaha's cheeks flushed slightly. "That's my mom," she explained, looking embarrassed.
"Your parents are pretty strict, huh?" Sui teased.
Utaha chuckled, the embarrassment fading into amusement. "I'm their perfect little girl. I don't usually hang out with boys."
Sui stared at her in disbelief. 'If only her parents knew what she was really like...' he thought.
"So, want to come inside for dinner?" she asked again, this time more gently.
Sui shook his head, smiling. "I'd better not. Your parents might start thinking I'm your boyfriend."
Utaha's face turned crimson as she recalled the time Sui had joked about meeting her parents as her "future son-in-law." Though she had never brought a boy home before, suddenly showing up with one for dinner would certainly fuel misunderstandings. No matter how she explained, her parents would surely assume they were secretly dating.
"Alright then, take care on your way back," Utaha said, nodding softly.
"You too. Good luck with your tutoring," Sui encouraged, before turning to leave.
"Wait!" Utaha suddenly called after him.
Sui paused and turned back, curious.
"Your coat... here, thanks." Utaha gently took off his coat and walked over, carefully draping it back onto his shoulders.
"Oh, right. I almost forgot about that," Sui chuckled.
As she placed the coat on him, her long hair, carrying a faint fresh fragrance, brushed against his face, causing an unexpected tickle.
He put the coat on again, still warm from Utaha's body heat and lingering with her light, delicate scent. Watching him walk away, Utaha felt her cheeks grow warm once more. She lowered her head slightly and inhaled, still able to catch Sui's scent clinging to her clothes.
She hugged her coat tightly, a blissful smile spreading across her face.
"I'm not washing this just yet," she whispered to herself, her thoughts indulgent.
If Sui had been there to see Utaha's newly revealed infatuated side, he would have been utterly speechless.
---
It was late by the time Sui returned to his own apartment.
Tohru was sitting at the dining table with Kanna, her hands propping up her cheeks, waiting patiently for Sui to return. The food on the table had long since gone cold.
Tohru had made omelette rice, one of the few dishes she could cook well and that Sui had praised. It was her signature dish—provided, of course, she didn't sneak in any of her tail meat.
"Sui, you're back! Why so late?" Tohru exclaimed with relief, running over to him with her usual enthusiasm.
"Sui, I'm hungry..." Kanna murmured, shuffling her short legs as she hugged his waist and looked up at him with pleading eyes.
Sui gently patted Kanna's head, noticing the cold omelette rice on the table. "You haven't eaten yet?"
"We wanted to wait for you," Tohru said firmly.
Sui felt a wave of warmth at their thoughtfulness. He headed into the kitchen and quickly prepared a hearty dinner for the three of them.
After eating with Tohru and Kanna, Sui made his way to another location—the tsundere's house.
Downstairs in the living room, Erina sat at the table, her chin resting on her hand as she waited for him, clearly bored. In front of her was a lavish meal, now cold.
Upon hearing footsteps from upstairs, Erina looked up, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.
"Why are you so late today?" she asked, a hint of disappointment in her voice. Quickly, she stood up and moved toward the food. "The dinner's cold, but I'll reheat it for you. Just wait a second."
Sui felt a pang of guilt. He had already eaten at Tohru's place but couldn't bring himself to refuse. To make her happy, he sat down and ate a little.
After the meal, Erina cleared the table and washed the dishes with quick, efficient movements. Watching her, Sui couldn't help but think to himself, 'She really has the makings of a perfect wife.'
"Who would have thought this tsundere from Totsuki had such hidden talents?" he muttered quietly. 'Looks like I've hit the jackpot.'
As Sui lounged on the sofa, Erina returned from the kitchen, blushing faintly. He smiled, opening his arms toward her.
"Come here," he beckoned playfully.
Her cheeks reddened even more, but Erina shyly walked over and sat on his lap.
"You kept me waiting for so long today," she murmured, sounding a little aggrieved.
"I had something to take care of," Sui explained, before suddenly getting an idea. He grinned mischievously and placed his hand on her stomach.
"H-Hey! What are you doing?" Erina stammered, her face growing redder as she looked at him in surprise.
"I'm just checking... to see if I can make a meat bun," Sui teased, his tone lighthearted.