Chapter- 19

Do you know how to do this, Mamoru?"

　"Ah, see. It says it in the question, so you can use this formula."

　"I see! Is this how I should do it?"

　"Yeah, that's the same answer as mine."

　After I was treated to sushi, I helped Rie with her homework. Of course, I didn't help her or tell her the answers, I just watched her. ...Well, I've already finished my part.

　"Ufufu, it looks like you're doing your best. I'd like to ask you to continue doing this from tomorrow onwards."

　Then Rika-san, who had just finished washing the dishes, joined the conversation. I think it would be fun to do my homework with Rie-san. I still can't get used to calling Rika-san "mother."

Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

　"Come on, Mom! Don't act like I don't do it all the time!"

　"Oh my... By the way, Mamoru? I have a deal with you. Could you help Rie with her studies? Not in return, but I'll treat you to a meal, you know?"

　"...Hey! Don't ignore me!"

　"Well, I don't mind studying with you. But that's just because I want to study with my friends, there's no need for a deal or anything."

　…Because I'm looking forward to it too. Someone I can study with outside of class. It's the first time I've ever had that, and it feels so high school-like! So I want to keep our relationship pure. We're together because we want to be together. …But that's what Rie told me today.

　"...Okay, I understand. If that's the case, I'll prepare some food for my daughter's friends who are coming over, okay? That's okay with you, Mamoru-san, right?"

　"Hey, come on! do not ignore me !"

　"...I can't refuse if you say so. I'd love to treat by you."

　"Ufufu, I'm looking forward to it. I wonder what your favorite food is, Mamoru?"

　…Is it really okay? I've been here every day already, and I'm sure I'm causing a lot of trouble. But I hope I can have dinner with Rie and the others again.

　Half-consciously, I looked towards Rie. She was eating sushi with great gusto and a look of happiness on her face. She looked a little young, but I felt like she had a different kind of charm.

　"...Sushi, I guess."

　"Wow! I see. You're just like Rie! I'm so jealous."

　"Are you jealous?"

　"Yes. Feeling the same things in the same way is a wonderful thing, isn't it?"

　"…That's certainly true."

　…The reason why I chose sushi as my favorite food is very simple. Because I can't get Rie-san's smile out of my head after she ate it. Maybe it was because it was the newest and most beautiful smile?