"Guru-guru…"
Eriri's stomach growled pitifully.
Her delicate face flushed red, and for a moment, she was too flustered to even think of a comeback. In the end, she gave up and slumped to the ground, clutching her stomach in embarrassment.
"Come on," Yukima Azuma said calmly, waving his hand. "Let's get something to eat."
He didn't tease her—because he knew that if he pushed even a little more, this twin-tailed tsundere would probably explode.
"I…"
Eriri hesitated. It didn't sit right with her to give in so easily—especially after he'd just called her Sawamura-san. But if she refused…
The memory of him standing protectively in front of her flashed through her mind—his words, his actions… that cool back view.
She didn't really have a good reason to say no.
Plus, her stomach had just exposed her weakness.
While she was still debating, Azuma pulled out his phone.
"Oh, right," he muttered casually. "I should let Sayuri-obasan know first."
"Huh!?"
Eriri's eyes widened in disbelief.
She could only watch, dumbfounded, as he dialed her mother's number—her mother!—with practiced ease.
And the worst part? The call connected almost instantly.
Sayuri's familiar voice drifted from the phone.
Eriri gritted her teeth.
This guy! He'd blocked her from contacting him in every possible way, and yet he still had her mom's number saved?
How outrageous!
While she fumed in silence, Azuma wrapped up the call and looked back at her.
"Let's go. Sayuri-obasan's already back home," he said. "She's not planning to cook for you tonight, apparently."
Eriri deflated even further.
"…What did you say to my mom, anyway?"
She turned her face away, trying to sound casual but clearly sulking.
Azuma's expression grew a little strange, but Eriri didn't notice.
"I told her I found you," he replied. "She said she already knew and told me to make sure you got home safely."
"…Tch."
Eriri let out a small, frustrated huff.
Seriously, Mom? Handing your daughter off to some random high school guy like it's nothing? Can you not be so chill for once?
But deep down, she knew that "random" wasn't the right word.
Sayuri trusted Azuma—completely. She always had.
When Eriri and Azuma had broken up, Sayuri had been disappointed for weeks. And now, she seemed all too eager to rekindle their connection.
Like just now—
"Sayuri-obasan also said…" Azuma began, voice turning oddly stiff. "That it's fine if you don't come home tonight. As long as you're safe."
"…Excuse me?"
Eriri blinked rapidly.
"And," Azuma continued, "she said she left some 'gear' for you. In the inner pocket of your sports jacket."
"…Gear?"
Eriri's brain short-circuited.
What do you mean it's okay if I don't come home!?
And what the heck is gear!?
Grumbling under her breath, Eriri unzipped her sports jacket.
Sayuri did have a weird sense of humor. But what could she have possibly left in there?
Curiosity got the better of her. She reached into the inner pocket.
'Maybe it's a credit card? Or… a travel-size contact lens case?'
But just as her hand brushed against something inside, Azuma suddenly stopped her.
"What are you doing?" Eriri glared, her expression caught between suspicion and irritation.
Azuma looked dead serious.
"Young lady, ahead lies nothing but the abyss."
Eriri froze.
That ominous tone made her hesitate.
Instead of pulling the item out, she cautiously peeked into the pocket to see what was inside.
And then—
Pop.
A giant imaginary question mark appeared over her head.
Followed by imaginary steam erupting from her blonde hair like a pressure cooker.
In her hand was a small, very distinct box.
Condoms.
System error.
Otaku brain has crashed.
Eriri's entire worldview short-circuited on the spot.
Azuma sighed, clearly having predicted this exact outcome.
Thankfully, he'd stopped her in time. If she'd actually pulled the box out into the open, she might've melted into a puddle of embarrassment—or rage—right there.
He gently pried her hand away and zipped up her jacket.
Without another word, he took her wrist and began guiding her toward the nearby family restaurant.
Eriri, still deep in system crash mode, followed like a doll being dragged along.
It wasn't until they reached the restaurant entrance that her senses finally rebooted.
Wait, where am I? What just happened? How did I get here!?
She blinked a few times, only to realize Azuma had let go of her hand.
The warmth on her wrist faded immediately.
A small pang of disappointment hit her before she could stop it.
She almost wanted to reach out and take his hand again.
"What are you zoning out for?" Azuma asked, holding the restaurant door open for her. "Come on in."
That melted her completely.
The chill she felt earlier when he kept calling her "Sawamura-san" disappeared in an instant.
They chose a quiet table in the corner—Eriri always felt a little shy eating in public.
Azuma casually pulled out her chair and waited for her to sit before pushing it in, maintaining just the right distance like a proper gentleman.
He called over the server and ordered for her—scrambled eggs on rice with extra tomato sauce, just the way she liked it.
As he spoke, Eriri's eyes began to sparkle.
He remembers…
He clearly still cared.
If they were alone right now, she'd probably be standing proudly with her hands on her hips, grinning like an idiot.
But then—
"Sawamura-san, aren't you going to eat?"
That name again.
Eriri glared at him like he'd just committed a federal crime.
This guy!
He was so obviously head over heels for her—so why did he keep calling her Sawamura!?
He was the tsundere here!
Still, she couldn't help the smile forming in the corners of her mouth.
Eriri: I'm starting to understand everything now!