"Sakiko, is there something wrong?"
Kaito didn't sense anything off, just turned his head toward the doorway and casually asked.
"Ju-just now I heard a bit of noise, so… wait, no!"
Togawa Sakiko choked on the president's calm demeanor. She instinctively tried to explain, but soon realized, her gaze fixed firmly on the hands held between the two, her blushing face said it all.
"Y-y-y-you… what are you two…"
"It's just that I accidentally cut my hand while chopping vegetables earlier, so I had to trouble Kaito-kun to help me deal with it."
The one who spoke was Togawa Mizuho. Having her daughter walk in on such a scene, she was momentarily flustered and embarrassed, like a greedy ragdoll cat that had just leapt onto the counter, not yet able to snatch the dried fish before getting caught red-handed by her owner returning home.
But after all, she was a mature lady who had weathered storms. She quickly calmed her mood and unobtrusively withdrew her hand, even waving it in front of Sakiko.
That reason sounded quite convincing. Given the surrounding environment, having this kind of accident in the kitchen seemed normal?
"S-so that's how it was, desu…", Sakiko let out a sigh of relief and patted her chest.
She had thought that in some unseen corner, her mom and the president had always been secretly in contact, and she was like those oblivious husbands in drama series who thought their family was perfect but had already been dyed black in the shadows, completely unaware.
'As expected… that kind of bizarre plot only happens in fictional works, right?'
Even if she couldn't trust her mom, she should at least trust the president.
'Wait, no!'
Sakiko suddenly grew suspicious, "Since you said you cut your hand… where's the wound?"
Her mom's hands were very beautiful. White and slender, with well-balanced bones and flesh, the nails a healthy pink color, judging by looks alone, they were of the highest quality, enough to make an ordinary salaryman doki-doki.
But there wasn't even a scratch on them. Her skin was more delicate than a child. Where exactly was the wound?
"Of course because the wound has already healed," Togawa Mizuho lightly knocked her idiot daughter's head, "What else did you think it was? You think your mom would lie to you?"
'Not necessarily…'
Sakiko's look of wanting to speak but hesitating, clearly filled with doubt, made Mizuho's mouth twitch involuntarily.
She silently chanted in her heart, 'Don't get mad, don't get mad, if I get sick from anger no one will care for me…'
And only then barely restrained her urge to shark-slap her unfilial daughter. She coldly started to kick her out.
"If there's nothing else, don't stay here and get in the way."
"You make it sound like your cooking skills would improve if I'm not here…", Sakiko muttered under her breath, but seeing her mom's expression grow more hostile, she sensibly greeted the president and made a quick escape.
"Sorry to make Kaito-kun laugh."
Once the girl's figure returned to the living room, Togawa Mizuho gave an apologetic smile, "Sakiko's personality is like that, she can be a little… mischievous sometimes. I'll make sure to educate her properly in the future."
"It's fine."
Kaito thought for a moment and then gave his honest opinion, "This kind of Sakiko, I actually find kind of cute."
"Really?"
Togawa Mizuho patted her chest, looking relieved, "As long as you don't mind her being a bit dumb."
'Dumb?'
Honestly, Kaito found it hard to associate that word with the capable and reliable little secretary, 'Should I say, as expected of a biological mom? Shows no mercy when roasting her daughter.'
He didn't dwell on the topic. After finishing dinner, he called the girls to eat. Of course, he didn't forget to call out to Mortis, who was sulking in the bedroom.
———
[Half an Hour Later]
[Dining Room]
The round table was piled with plates big and small, but it didn't look messy. Because the contents of the plates had been completely devoured. Even the soup had barely any left.
"Thank you very much for the meal."
Togawa Mizuho covered her lips slightly, discreetly letting out a small burp. This was her first time tasting Kaito's cooking, and she couldn't control her appetite for a moment. She could only marvel that the ingredients used in these little shops really were pure and honest, her stomach kept begging its owner to stop or risk bursting, but her mouth kept yelling, "One more bite! Just one more!"
By the time she came back to her senses, her previously flat stomach already had a round arc, fully transformed into someone's shape.
She had thought Kaito was only perfect in appearance, had a strong character, and wielded powers beyond ordinary people. She never imagined he also had amazing culinary skills?
With this level, he could easily serve as the head chef at one of Togawa Group's high-end restaurants. She didn't even dare imagine how happy the person who gets to marry him would be. Not only pleasing to the eye but also pleasing to the stomach, love and appetite both satisfied. That's very pleasant. Truly very enjoyable.
'Meeting someone like you at the peak of youth, just not sure if I can even handle it?'
But these kinds of worries… let her shoulder them alone. No need to drag Sakiko into it. Shielding one's daughter from the wind and rain was a mother's rightful duty.
The only thing Togawa Mizuho regretted was… she couldn't often come here to freeload meals, 'Ahem! That is, to visit. What a pity.'
"Mom, it's already very late. Don't you think it's about time to head back?", At the side, Togawa Sakiko was also full and satisfied. But she had past experience, and being made full in the belly wasn't a rare thing for her. She'd developed a certain level of immunity. Right now, she was more concerned with another matter.
Reuniting with her superior was rare, she had other plans for tonight and couldn't let the light bulb get in the way.
So the girl casually reminded, "If you delay any longer, Grandpa might start to worry, you know?"
"Tch!"
For the first time, Togawa Mizuho found idiot Sakiko so noisy. This was already the third time she'd been shooed away. Small in size, mouthy in speech, this possessive little chihuahua really lacked love.
But what she said was indeed true. Ever since daughter Mizuho turned from danger to safety, Togawa Sadaharu had been especially attentive to her health. Terrified she might meet danger again. Just because someone could save you once didn't mean they could save you twice. He wished he could assign a personal doctor to follow her twenty-four hours a day.
Actually, Togawa Mizuho herself really wanted to find an excuse to stay the night. But thinking about her father's age, suddenly staying out overnight might give him a heart attack when the news reached home. That would make her seem too eager, and that wouldn't be good either.
So after considering it, she still offered her farewell. Before leaving, she gave Sakiko a look but didn't say anything.
The blue-haired girl was a bit guilty under her mother's death stare, but then she thought, a true man born in this world, how can he remain long under others.
For her own happiness, she quickly tossed away her fear, was about to roll up her sleeves and enthusiastically carry out her plan, only to see a little green Mortis beat her to it, jumping into her superior's arms, lifting her amber eyes seriously, and saying, "Onii-chan, it's time to sleep!"
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