In the car, the conversation flowed easily.
"Souta-kun, you got a haircut?"
"Yeah. Does Hikari-san approve?"
"It looks good. Very handsome."
"It's kind of embarrassing to hear that from you."
"What's wrong with hearing it from me? What does Kotoha think?"
"Mhmm! I like it too! You look… cool…"
"Hikari-san, is she saying I didn't look cool before?"
"Souta-kun, you've always been dashing. Kotoha is just bad at expressing herself."
"Geez, you two are ganging up on me."
Kotoha puffed her cheeks and pressed her forehead to the window.
Hikari and I laughed softly.
We pulled into the restaurant lot. The lights glowed above the entrance.
"Kotoha, I'll go open the door for Hikari-san first."
"Okay~"
Kotoha patiently waited for her turn with her hands on her lap.
I stepped out, circled the car, and stopped at Hikari's side. The door clicked open, her perfume brushing past me as she looked up with that serene smile.
She smelled amazing today. I almost couldn't take it. I wanted to pin her down and fuck her immediately.
"Souta-kun, always so polite."
"It's basic etiquette."
"Kotoha, you need to hurry up and make your move or someone will steal him away."
"W-what are you saying, Mom!"
"Don't tease her too much, Hikari-san."
"I'm just helping you out, Souta-kun."
Hikari-mama, will you steal me away from Kotoha? Please?
I shut the door behind her, then moved to the passenger side. Kotoha sat patiently.
I pulled the handle. "Your turn."
Her eyes flicked up at me, startled. Her cheeks flared as she scrambled out.
"…Thanks."
"Why are you pouting?"
"Whispering things behind my back with mom again."
"We're just talking about how cute you are."
"I don't believe it!"
Even though she said that, a shy smile was on her face.
I took the lead and opened the door to the restaurant, letting Hikari and Kotoha enter first before I followed.
The waitress guided us to a booth near the back. Hikari slid in first, Kotoha right beside her. I took the opposite seat.
Menus lay open. Hikari scanned hers with calm ease while Kotoha whispered beside her, pointing at the rolls she wanted.
When the waitress returned, Hikari closed her menu.
"We'll have assorted platters, extra salmon, and a bottle of sake."
"Sake?"
Her smile curved. "Yes. You'll drink with me, won't you, Souta-kun?"
"Who would drive us home then?"
"I forgot about that."
"How about Kotoha drinks in my place?"
"I'll have a little bit."
The platters came out one after another, colors bright under the light. Salmon glistened with a thin brush of soy, shrimp curled neatly on rice, and bright pickled ginger.
Kotoha's eyes lit up the moment the tray landed. She picked up her chopsticks, hovering uncertainly as if she couldn't decide where to start.
"The top of the class student gets to go first." I said.
"Don't call me that, it's embarrassing…"
She reached for the salmon first, taking a careful bite. Her cheeks rounded as she chewed, her expression breaking into a wide smile.
"Mm! This is amazing."
Hikari laughed softly and placed a piece of tuna on her daughter's plate.
"Eat more. You're still growing."
"Mom… I'm not a child…"
"But it's true. Right, Souta-kun?"
Hikari looked at me and eyed Kotoha's chest before winking.
"No comment."
"Teasing me again…"
Kotoha pouted, her chopsticks moving again quickly.
I tried the shrimp. The flavor was clean, the rice perfectly balanced.
Our conversation continued to flow.
Kotoha looked at my empty plate.
"Souta-kun, do you want some of my salmon?"
"Are you full?"
"A little bit. Can you help me?"
"I won't refuse then."
"Hehe. Eat lots, Souta-kun."
I could tell Kotoha didn't want to part with her fish, but her urge to take care of me won the fight. There's no way I would refuse her affection.
Hikari sipped her sake, her smile lingering as she watched us. Hikari looked more mature today with how elegantly she's dressed. Her earrings looked expensive and suited her well, enhancing her charms further.
Kotoha set her chopsticks down and stood, smoothing her skirt.
"I'll be back in a minute."
Hikari nodded, her hand resting lightly on her daughter's arm for a second before Kotoha slipped away toward the back of the restaurant.
The hum of voices carried on around us, but the booth felt quieter without her.
Hikari reached for her bag. "I'll pay this time."
"No need. I invited you."
"Still, let me handle it. I'm the adult here, you know?"
Her fingers brushed the clasp of her purse, the light catching the soft folds of her dress, the sash tied neat at her waist.
I watched her for a moment.
"Hikari-san, did you dress up today because of me?"
Her eyes flicked up, meeting mine with calm amusement. A smile touched her lips.
"My my, that's a bold question. Is it because I had a few drinks that you asked?"
I smiled and waited for her to answer. She tilted her head, her earrings catching the light as she leaned on her hand.
"I've been enjoying myself more lately. Choosing my dress, doing my hair. Since we started going out more, I've been having a lot of fun with it."
"Then, for our next date. Let's go somewhere you can dress like this."
"So it's a date?"
"It's a date."
"Then, I'll go all out. But you can't fall behind, Souta-kun. You have to dress handsomely too."
"I'll do my best not to disappoint you, Hikari-san."
"Fufu, okay. I'm excited."
The drive back was quiet. The night air had cooled, the streets lit by scattered lamps. My passenger side was empty. Kotoha moved to sit with Hikari on the ride back.
Kotoha leaned against the window, her breath fogging the glass, while Hikari sat beside her, a faint flush coloring her cheeks. The sake had left her softer than usual, her eyes half-lidded, her smile slow.
When we pulled into the Minase driveway, Kotoha unbuckled quickly.
"Mom, can you walk?"
Hikari laughed gently. "I can, but… it feels troublesome."
I stepped out, circled to her side, and opened the door. She looked up at me, her dress shifting as she tilted her head. I could smell alcohol from Hikari's breath. She drank too much.
"You don't have to…"
"Come on." I said.
I slid my arms under her, lifting her with ease. Her body was light in my hold, the faint scent of her perfume rising with the warmth of her skin.
Kotoha gasped softly from the other side of the car.
"Souta-kun, princess carry..?"
Hikari's hand drifted upward, fingertips brushing against my face. Her palm rested against my cheek, warm from the alcohol. Her eyes narrowed faintly, her smile tender.
"Souta-kun, so strong…"
Her words made my back shiver. Hikari-mama, can you be any more alluring?
"It's because you're so light, Hikari-san."
"You really know how to make a woman feel good."
Kotoha's cheeks burned as she hurried to catch up, clutching her bag tightly.
"S-Souta-kun… why do you treat her like that?"
I adjusted my hold on Hikari, glancing at Kotoha. Is she jealous? Don't be, Kotoha-chan. I belong to both of you.
"Because she's your mother. I have to take care of her well."