As Makoto approached the two women, he heard them mention Ichika, followed by conversation about that film.
It seemed like they'd run into each other by chance, and with the film and Ichika still trending, they naturally struck up a chat.
"Fushimi-kun?"
Eriri noticed him first, sounding pleasantly surprised.
Hiratsuka Shizuka, however, was another story.
Even though Makoto could only see her back, her curvy figure visibly tensed for a second—clear proof she was flustered.
But when she turned around, her smile was just as natural as usual. "Heading out to buy groceries?"
"Yeah, it's almost mealtime, and my fridge is running low…"
Makoto paused deliberately, letting his gaze fall on their beautiful faces.
"You two haven't eaten yet, right? Perfect—let's eat together. I'll also call Matsukaze-sensei over."
To give Hiratsuka no room to refuse, he mentioned "you two" first, then added Mayu.
From her perspective, with Eriri and her close friend Mayu around, Hiratsuka would always have someone to talk to, which would ease her guilt and awkwardness.
"Sure. It's been a while since I tasted your cooking anyway."
Hiratsuka really did agree.
She even smiled at Eriri. "You should join us too, Sawamura-san. Makoto's cooking is really good—easily on par with professional chefs."
"Uh, I already ate…" Eriri replied awkwardly, clearly not used to Hiratsuka's warmth.
Hiratsuka's smile stiffened slightly. Shoot, now Mayu's the only one who can help me stay calm.
"Fushimi-kun, I'll be heading back now," Eriri said, taking her leave.
"Take care," Makoto replied with a smile.
Eriri blinked at his smile, quickly lowered her head, and murmured a reply.
But she didn't walk far before stopping.
She'd rushed off because she remembered that moment—when Utaha had kissed Makoto.
To this day, that scene still haunted her deeply.
So much so that she'd been wrestling with the idea of asking him about it.
But every time she picked up her phone, she chickened out.
"What if I misunderstood everything? That'd be super embarrassing…"
Eriri was torn and annoyed. She honestly did want to try Makoto's cooking.
Also…
She looked back like a sneaky thief, blushing as she mumbled, "Why does he look even better than usual today? Is it too late if I message him now and say I haven't eaten lunch?"
The blonde girl hesitated some more… and chickened out again.
Meanwhile—
Makoto and Hiratsuka Shizuka were shopping while casually chatting.
He never brought up that night, sticking to everyday topics.
Even so, he noticed Hiratsuka sneaking glances at him several times.
Her gaze wasn't guilty—it was more like… hesitant.
Makoto pretended not to notice.
When they reached his front door, he casually asked, "Hiratsuka-sensei, something on your mind?"
"No… well, not exactly. I mean, now that I'm out in the working world, of course I've got some things to deal with—life, work, that sort of stuff," Hiratsuka quickly corrected herself.
Makoto nodded and unlocked the door. "Makes sense. Matsukaze-sensei told me a few things about you too."
What?
What did Mayu tell him!?
Hiratsuka instantly panicked.
Makoto struggled not to laugh.
That got her, huh?
She was nearly thirty, yet sometimes she still had that cute side of a younger woman.
"Matsukaze-sensei often praises you," Makoto said.
"She says you're dependable, super detail-oriented, and more gentle and thoughtful than she is."
Hiratsuka visibly relaxed and smiled. "Mayu's the real gentle one. She's always polite to everyone—that's why she's so popular at school."
"She also said something else."
Hiratsuka's heart tightened again. "Like what?"
"She said you always drag her into drinking, even though she can't handle alcohol, and you end up drinking alone. You really should cut back—it's bad for your health."
The sudden concern made Hiratsuka freeze for two full seconds.
She quickly looked away, feigning composure. "Thanks… I haven't really been drinking lately anyway."
Even as she said that, her mind was swirling. Why is he so attractive today?
Is it because that night left such a deep impression? Or is it just because I'm getting older and lonely?
Hiratsuka seriously began to question herself.
For several nights in a row, she'd dreamed about that man in shameful ways.
And those dreams? The kind that comes with a paywall.
After the two entered the house, Makoto put away the groceries and headed next door to get Mayu.
That gave Hiratsuka a short breather.
She sat in silence for a while, then scratched her head in frustration.
Am I really this starved? If this keeps up, something bad's going to happen…
Once Mayu returned, Hiratsuka was back to her usual self.
Makoto headed to the kitchen to prepare lunch, while the two women chatted in the living room.
But ten minutes later, Mayu's familiar scent wafted into the kitchen.
Makoto turned around—and saw that flushed, seductive face.
"Makoto… I think I've gone bad…" Mayu whispered, visibly frustrated with her own impulses.
Her lashes trembled, and her lips parted slightly, revealing a hint of her teeth.
After hearing that he'd invited her to lunch, she had gone back to her place, changed out of her pants into a skirt, and slipped on high-quality black stockings.
Now she shyly approached him, biting her lip as she said, "When I was talking with Shizuka, I kept wanting to come in and see you."
"Just see me?" Makoto teased.
Mayu's cheeks turned even redder. She couldn't bring herself to reply.
Makoto knew she'd been affected by the buff. And this kind of shy seduction—he'd already seen it on Ichika and Nino.
They had already been intimate before, and now the charm badge's buff had only stoked the fire in their hearts.
And Mayu, being an adult woman, had even stronger desires.
Blushing, she tied her hair back into a neat ponytail with a hair tie from her pocket.
Makoto knew that move all too well—Mayu was skilled with her mouth, after all.
But to be safe, he still said, "Hiratsuka-sensei might come in."
Mayu bent over shyly. "I told her I'd come help you chop vegetables—she won't come in for a while."
Not long after, Mayu discreetly left the kitchen.
Hiratsuka Shizuka remained in the living room, not even noticing her pass by.
Only when she heard the door close did she snap back to reality.
I shouldn't overthink things, she told herself.
He hasn't brought it up either, which means he's trying to help me forget that night. So why am I obsessing over it?
Hiratsuka patted her cheeks, planning to go splash cold water on her face.
But as she reached the door, she noticed it wasn't locked—and it had opened slightly.
She subconsciously peeked inside.
And in that instant, she saw Mayu at the sink… head lowered, spitting something out.
Huh?
Was that toothpaste foam?
Hiratsuka blinked, just about to say something—but then saw Mayu just now picking up her toothbrush and toothpaste.
Her brain froze.
The next second, she spun around and tiptoed back to the sofa in near silence.
The distance from the bathroom to the living room wasn't far, but it felt endlessly long.
She finally made it back to the couch and exhaled like she'd just run a marathon.
Her chest heaved, her heart pounding wildly.
What was that just now?
No… I shouldn't think that way.
But the problem was—she wasn't some naïve kid who'd never seen a movie.
Her brain itched, like it was about to explode.
Hiratsuka grabbed her teacup and chugged three cups of tea before her breathing calmed down.
Yet the more she cooled off, the stronger that suspicion grew.
Mayu wouldn't do something like that… right?
She tried to reassure herself.
But deep down, she couldn't really believe it.
Because… she had made a mistake too.
Then, if Mayu had also made a mistake… could it be chalked up to human nature?
She glanced at the small cream cake on the plate and, as if possessed, picked up a piece and took a bite.
A bit of cream stuck to her lips.
She closed her eyes: That's cream.
She opened her eyes: Like hell it is!
___
Well… sometimes it can be called cream.
___
Read 20 Advanced Chapters on p@ tr eon (.) com/HalflingFics
Also, please point out my mistakes in the comment, thank you!
Don't forget to leave a review too~ Actually, please leave one.
Check out the other translations too
___