7:40 p.m., at Yukino's apartment.
Yukino had already taken a bath and changed into a camisole nightdress. She was tidying up the guest room.
Her mother was spending the night here tonight—something that should have made her happy.
But tonight, Yukino felt somewhat distracted.
She knew she had been making progress. Her mother had seen that progress. Their relationship, once distant, was now gradually stabilizing.
All of that was thanks to a certain someone.
And the reason she felt uneasy tonight was also because of that certain someone.
"With Kasumigaoka-senpai's looks, I don't believe he wouldn't be tempted. But from what little contact I've had with her, I get the feeling she's interested in Fushimi too."
As she fluffed the pillows, Yukino felt her irritation growing stronger.
She even started thinking: If she had just invited him to dinner earlier, she wouldn't be this upset now.
After finally calming herself down, she sat back down in the living room. Her mother, also wearing a nightdress, emerged from the bathroom.
Warm mist spread from the bathroom door, and Yukino's mother—her mature, stunning face slightly flushed from the bath, her voluptuous figure illuminated under the light—radiated a beauty completely different from her daughter.
"You're troubled by something."
The moment Yukino's mother sat down beside her, she pointed it out.
"Yes," Yukino admitted.
She knew lying wouldn't work on her mother.
Besides, she didn't want to lie.
What surprised her, though, was that her mother didn't pursue the topic.
Apparently, in her mother's eyes, she wouldn't interfere in childish matters.
Yukino let out a quiet breath of relief.
She was just about to say the guest room was ready when the doorbell rang.
"Did you invite someone over?" her mother asked while tidying her hair.
"No." Yukino stood up.
Her mother suddenly smiled. "Then it must be Makoto-kun coming to see you."
Yukino paused for a moment—then resumed walking naturally.
She thought so too.
There weren't many people who would come to see her at night—except that guy.
She went to her room to grab a jacket.
Since she was wearing a camisole, too much of her pale skin was exposed—it wasn't proper for greeting guests.
She looked through the peephole and saw Makoto standing outside. That single glance sparked a strange joy in her chest.
If she had to find a reason… Maybe it was that he wasn't spending the whole evening with that peacock.
As Yukino reached for the doorknob, she suddenly remembered—her mother was also wearing a camisole.
If Makoto came in and stayed for a bit, wouldn't that be…
Just then, her mother's voice came from the living room. "If Makoto-kun wants to come in, let him in. I'll go change."
Only then did Yukino relax.
When she opened the door, Makoto waved at her. "Yo, buddy, I came to hang out."
That familiar phrase immediately stirred her memories—bringing back flashes of those time loops when she'd offer her legs to him almost every other day.
Yukino's expression remained calm. "My mother is home tonight. I suggest you refrain from your usual idiocy."
Makoto blinked. "Auntie's staying here tonight?"
"What, are you scared?"
Seeing the surprise on his face, Yukino couldn't help but feel a bit smug.
They knew each other too well. If he came over at night like this, even if she didn't want to spoil him, they'd probably end up hugging and cuddling anyway.
But now… now she had the upper hand.
Maybe, with her mother present, she could actually win this time.
"If I had known your mom was here, I would've brought a gift," Makoto said.
Yukino smiled faintly. "She already has a good impression of you. Even without a gift, she'd be happy."
"Then… can I sit for a bit?" he asked.
"You may."
While he changed his shoes, Yukino asked, "What brings you here at this hour?"
"To apologize," Makoto replied with a chengyu.
Yukino raised an eyebrow. "Did you offend me without my knowledge again?"
Before he could respond, she nodded thoughtfully. "That does sound like something you'd do. So go ahead—apologize."
Makoto laughed. "So direct?"
"What else would I—hm?"
She hadn't even finished when her beautiful eyes landed on Makoto's deliberately sheepish smile.
She stared for a couple of seconds, then turned around and said softly, "Forget it. Let's talk inside."
She walked away first.
Her steps weren't as composed as usual.
Watching her graceful back, Makoto had a realization about the charm badge's activation condition.
The reward description said: according to your words and actions.
So as long as he showed care to a girl… even just friendly interaction… the badge would probably activate.
"If that's the case, then Kasumigaoka's divine power might actually be worse than Nino's…"
Makoto sat on the couch. Yukino immediately poured him some tea.
Their eyes met briefly—then Yukino subtly looked away.
That confirmed it for Makoto.
Kasumigaoka's divine power had definitely exceeded his expectations.
Whether that was a good thing or bad thing, he couldn't say yet.
The good part? He could more easily conduct "academic research."
The bad? He was starting to suspect that, under the badge's influence, he might one day get dragged into a basement by a girl.
Maybe more than one.
Stay calm. Think rationally.
Makoto looked back up at Yukino.
She happened to be looking at him too. Their eyes met again. Yukino asked first, "What exactly do you mean by 'apologize'?"
Makoto lowered his voice. "I was referring to the message I sent earlier… hinting for you to come find me."
Yukino frowned. "You don't like being with Kasumigaoka-senpai?"
"It's not that."
"Oh, I see."
Yukino hugged her jacket in front of her chest and said, "I'm sure you're being an idiot again."
Normally at this point, she would escalate things with a sharp retort.
But this time, she changed to a gentler tone. "So… when will you take me along again?"
Makoto understood she meant the time loops. Since her mother was nearby, she was intentionally lowering her voice.
"You want to make progress again?" he asked teasingly.
Yukino admitted frankly, "After the video's successful release, I realized there are still many areas where I can improve…"
She was talking when her cheeks suddenly turned slightly red. Her elegantly folded legs straightened a bit—on purpose.
The next moment, her gentle voice sounded: "About your request, you leg-fetish pervert… I guess I can accept it."
As expected, this was the power of Kasumigaoka's divine buff.
Makoto thought to himself.
At that moment, in the guest room, Yukino's mother—having changed into her sleepwear—was just about to come out and say hello.
But when she heard her daughter deliberately lowering her voice, she suddenly froze in place.
The sound from the TV helped cover things, and with Yukino deliberately speaking softly, she hadn't caught the full sentence.
But she had clearly heard the word "leg-fetish."
Is there something wrong with my ears?
The beautiful woman showed a look of surprise.
She glanced at the two young people in the living room again and couldn't help falling into thought.
Just then, Makoto noticed the elegant woman standing at the guest room doorway. He stood up with a smile and greeted her, "Good evening, Auntie."
"Good evening."
Yukino's mother replied with a smile, maintaining a composed expression.
But as her gaze passed over Makoto's smiling face, a sudden thought crossed her mind: I don't really like being called "Auntie" by him.
She calmly walked over and sat down in the living room. Smiling, she asked, "What were you two just talking about? Do I need to excuse myself?"
"No need, we were just discussing how to make progress," Makoto shook his head.
"Progress?"
"Yes. Like Yukino, I also want to keep improving. So we were thinking of setting a time."
After speaking, he turned to Yukino. "How about Sunday?"
Yukino's eyes lit up. "That works."
With that settled, the three of them began chatting casually.
Makoto knew tonight wasn't going to offer any more opportunities, so a little after 8:00 p.m., he got ready to leave.
But just as he stood up—before Yukino could say anything—her mother suddenly said, "Why not stay a little longer? It's still early after all."
Makoto: Huh?
Yukino: Huh?
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Fucking knew it lmaoo
What an outrageous power given by Utaha
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