“Well then, Yuzuru-san… cheers.”
“Cheers.”
They raised their wine glasses and began eating the meal they’d prepared together.
“Your beef stew really is the best.”
“You’re as good as ever at flattery.”
Arisa smiled happily at his words, then took a sip of wine.
“Beef stew really does pair nicely with wine.”
“It does. …By the way, Arisa.”
“Yes?”
“Isn’t your drinking pace a bit fast?”
Before he knew it, her glass was already empty.
Arisa seemed not to have noticed herself, bringing a hand to her mouth in surprise.
“Oh my…”
“…Are you alright?”
“I’m fiiiine.”
She nodded confidently, cheeks flushed.
Her words were already starting to slur.
Arisa had a low tolerance for alcohol.
And yet, she liked drinking.
“Here, Arisa—have some water too.”
Yuzuru poured water from a pitcher into her wine glass.
But Arisa frowned, clearly displeased.
“If I just drink water, I’ll get full on water.”
“That’s better than getting full on alcohol.”
“I’m not going to drink that much.”
She shook her head stubbornly.
Unusually uncooperative.
She was already getting drunk.
“Do you really want me to drink it?”
“Yeah, I do.”
People reacted to alcohol in different ways, but Arisa had quite the range.
Since he never knew what kind of drunk she’d turn into, Yuzuru preferred to keep things from getting out of hand.
Taking care of her could be a lot of work.
“Then… feed it to me.”
“…Alright.”
Yuzuru stood and moved beside her.
Then he took water into his mouth.
“Mm—”
He pressed his lips to hers.
Through the slight parting of her lips, he let the water flow into her mouth.
“That work?”
“Yes. …I’ll return the favour.”
Arisa took a sip of wine.
Then she leaned forward, aiming for his lips.
He had no reason to refuse—and no desire to—
so Yuzuru accepted her kiss.
A faintly bitter red wine flowed into his mouth.
“Well?”
“Yeah… it’s good.”
Yuzuru gently stroked her head.
Arisa narrowed her eyes in contentment.
For now, she seemed satisfied.
They continued eating and drinking together.
And when they’d finished about half the meal—
“…I’m getting a bit warm.”
Arisa said it like that, fanning her face in an exaggerated way.
“Can I take something off?”
Even before he could answer, she started undressing.
She removed her top, leaving herself in just a camisole.
“…I’ll take the rest off too.”
She slipped off her skirt as well, leaving only her shorts.
Then she looped her arm around his.
Deliberately pressing her ample chest against him.
“Now I’m cold after taking them off.”
“Then you should put them back on.”
Yuzuru pointed out the contradiction with a wry smile.
This was more or less how Arisa always got after drinking.
He was used to it by now, so he didn’t panic.
But for Arisa, that reaction didn’t seem very satisfying.
“Don’t be mean…”
She looked up at him with pleading eyes.
You know what I want, don’t you?
What I want you to do—
That’s what her gaze seemed to say.
Yuzuru gently pulled her closer by the shoulder.
“Ah…”
Arisa happily rested her head against his chest.
“I won’t understand unless you say it.”
As he spoke, he ran his fingers through her hair.
When his fingers brushed her ear, her body gave a small shiver.
“Don’t you want dessert?”
“I do… but where is it?”
“…Here.”
She pointed at her chest.
Yuzuru felt the urge to pounce on her right then—but held himself back.
“I don’t really get it.”
He played dumb.
Arisa puffed her lips in annoyance.
“You’re mean…”
“What do you want me to do?”
Instead of answering with words, Arisa kissed him.
“…Hold me.”
