“Apologies for this… right before dinner.”
Having finished her bath, Arisa bowed repeatedly.
Everyone—including Yuzuru—was already gathered in the living room, and the table was filled with food.
“No, it’s quite alright. Everything’s just been finished anyway… more importantly, I’m sorry about our dogs.”
Yuzuru’s mother, Ayu, apologised as well.
Arisa’s dirtied clothes had already been taken to be washed.
“No, it was my fault for letting my guard down…”
Arisa bowed once more, then took the empty seat beside Yuzuru.
At that moment, a housemaid brought out the final main dish—sashimi.
“Well then, shall we begin?”
With Sougen’s words, dinner started.
After confirming Yuzuru had begun eating, Arisa also picked up her chopsticks.
She gently separated a piece of simmered fish and brought it to her mouth.
“Delicious… is this kinki?” Kinki is a high-quality rockfish often served simmered
She asked Ayu.
Ayu looked slightly flustered.
“Eh? Ah… um…”
“…It is kinki, ma’am”
A nearby housemaid whispered quietly.
Ayu then nodded as if that had been her answer all along.
“Yes, it’s kinki.”
“I see… thank you.”
Remembering that meals here were usually prepared by the staff, Arisa gave a small, knowing smile.
“Arisa, want me to grab you some sashimi?”
Yuzuru asked.
The large platter in the centre was a bit hard to reach from her seat.
And even as a guest, it was hard not to hesitate when reaching for shared dishes.
“Then I’ll take you up on that.”
“How many slices?”
“One of each, please.”
Yuzuru served them onto her plate—
One slice of each type, five in total.
An amount she could comfortably finish.
“…It’s not always this luxurious, is it?”
Arisa asked.
Yuzuru smiled wryly and nodded.
“It’s your first day here. Special treatment. Want this every day?”
“I’d feel a bit overwhelmed if that were the case…”
She laughed softly at his teasing.
“Ah… by the way, Arisa-san. What kind of food do you like?”
As if waiting for a gap in their conversation, Sougen leaned in, asking politely—
Though his expression clearly showed he’d been eager to talk.
“Well…”
Arisa smiled.
This was a good opportunity to build a relationship with her fiancé’s grandfather.
And so she began chatting with him.
About an hour later—
“And then, those fellows from GHQ…” GHQ is the General Headquarters of the Allied occupation forces in Japan after World War II
“…I-I see…”
This is getting a bit long…
Just as Arisa started to think that—
“Arisa, shouldn’t we get ready for tomorrow soon?”
Yuzuru cut in.
Sougen looked puzzled.
“…Tomorrow?”
“We’ve got spring classes, remember? …Or did you forget?”
Yuzuru said with a wry smile.
Sougen nodded dramatically.
“Of course I remember! I’m not senile yet. …Ah, yes, that’s right. Early morning, then. Let’s end things here for today. You two should get some rest.”
He cleared his throat, as if covering something up.
After dinner.
Once they were alone in Yuzuru’s room, he bowed his head apologetically.
“Sorry that went on so long. …I did tell him not to drag things out.”
“No, it was very interesting.”
Arisa replied gently.
In truth, stories from someone who knew the inner workings of politics and business were full of fascinating anecdotes.
“I’m glad you think so—but don’t tell him that.”
“…Why is that?”
“Unless you want to hear stories three times as long next time.”
“…Thank you for the warning.”
Arisa nodded seriously.
After that, the two spent some time being affectionate while preparing for the spring classes starting the next morning.
When it passed 11 PM, they decided to call it a night.
“Alright, Arisa. The bathroom’s just outside.”
“Thank you.”
“If you get scared, call me. I’ll come right away.”
“…I’ll be fine this time.”
Arisa replied with a slightly annoyed look.
Yuzuru chuckled.
“By the way… Arisa.”
“Yes?”
“In three days… my parents are going on a trip.”
“Yes, I’ve heard.”
Though Yuzuru himself wasn’t going—
The rest of his family would be travelling abroad as usual.
That had already been explained.
“What about it?”
She tilted her head.
Yuzuru leaned closer, bringing his lips near her ear—
“…Which means we’ll be able to sleep together.”
He whispered.
Arisa felt her face grow warm.
“…Yes. I’m looking forward to it.”
She answered, her cheeks flushed.
