Seeing how confident Kotomi Izumi was about teaching Yuka to do her homework, Yui Yuigahama could only nod, thinking that Kotomi truly had the ability to make the task seem simple.
Yui hugged Kotomi in her arms, and the two of them rested quietly with their eyes closed for a while. When Kotomi figured that Tomoka Yuigahama was probably about done preparing lunch, she slowly sat up from the bed, got dressed, and went downstairs to make curry fried eggs for Yuka.
As soon as she stepped out of the room, she saw Tomoka Yuigahama just finishing plating the last dish. Since Kotomi had come over today, Tomoka had prepared extra food—because Kotomi's appetite was quite large.
That made Kotomi feel a bit embarrassed. She thought to herself that the next time she came over, if she planned to stay for a meal, she should bring some ingredients with her. Otherwise, with her appetite, she might end up consuming three days' worth of groceries from the Yuigahama household in one meal.
"Aunt Tomoka, thank you for your hard work. I'll take over the kitchen now," Kotomi said as she walked up to her, helping Tomoka untie her apron from behind, intending to put it on herself.
However, the moment Kotomi's hand brushed against her, Tomoka couldn't help but shrink her shoulders slightly. Though she was already a mother of two daughters, her reaction in that instant was like that of a shy, innocent schoolgirl unfamiliar with such close contact.
Kotomi noticed Tomoka's reaction and couldn't help thinking to herself—how cute.
Ordinarily, she should've apologized politely, but Kotomi felt that mentioning it now would only make things more awkward. So she simply pretended not to notice and continued to untie Tomoka's apron, then deftly tied it around her own waist.
As she adjusted the apron and tied her hair into two short pigtails at the back, Tomoka blushed slightly and said, "Kotomi, Auntie can untie the apron herself…"
"Oh? I'll remember that next time. My sister usually cooks at home, and I've gotten into the habit of helping her take off her apron when she's done," Kotomi replied casually, making up an excuse.
"I see…"
Since Tomoka trusted Kotomi completely, she didn't doubt her explanation in the slightest.
Soon, Tomoka's attention was drawn to Kotomi's new hairstyle. She had always seen Kotomi with her usual short hair, but now, with two small pigtails tied at the ends, she looked refreshingly different.
Although Tomoka loved Kotomi's usual hairstyle, seeing this small change gave her a pleasant surprise. She instinctively began to study the details of Kotomi's new look, already thinking that she might draw it later when she had some free time.
"Kotomi, your new hairstyle looks really nice," Tomoka said sincerely.
"Oh? Really? I wouldn't even call it a new hairstyle—it's just tying up the ends with a couple of hair ties. I usually do this when swimming or cooking, as long as I have some ties handy," Kotomi said with a soft laugh, turning lightly to let Mrs. Yuigahama admire the style from all angles.
"Ah, youth really is wonderful," Tomoka said with a faint smile of nostalgia. "It's been a long time since I've had any interest in trying new hairstyles. I'd rather spend that time drawing or doing housework."
Tomoka chuckled helplessly. She liked her long-maintained hairstyle well enough, but seeing Kotomi's fresh look stirred up unexpected feelings.
It reminded her how young Kotomi was—and how big the age gap between them truly was.
"I really like your hairstyle, Aunt Tomoka. I loved it from the very first time I saw you," Kotomi said with a gentle smile.
Not just your hairstyle… she added silently in her heart.
"Haha, Kotomi, you always know just what to say to make me happy," Tomoka replied, laughing softly.
While Kotomi was preparing the curry fried eggs, Tomoka stayed beside her, watching closely. She wanted to learn how to make the dish so that next time Yuka wanted it, she wouldn't have to trouble Kotomi again.
After watching Kotomi cook, Tomoka Yuigahama found it unexpectedly simple—so simple, in fact, that she learned it after seeing it just once.
That made Tomoka sigh inwardly. If it's this easy, then whenever Yuka wants to eat it, she could've just asked me directly. It's not hard at all. Anyone who can cook could learn it after watching one short video.
"Yuka's just too considerate sometimes," Tomoka murmured softly. "If possible, I wish she could be a little less sensible."
Kotomi only smiled faintly. It wasn't that she thought it inappropriate to discuss another family's affairs—it was just that she knew that if she said what she was thinking aloud, the atmosphere might become awkward.
When Tomoka finished speaking, Kotomi's thoughts were: Yes, I wish Yuka could be less sensible too—so she could rely on me more, just like this time, as if I were part of the family.
Although Kotomi had already come to terms with her feelings for Tomoka—she liked her and wanted to pursue her—she also knew that it wasn't yet the right time to say those words. To confess now wouldn't convey her feelings properly; if anything, it might have the opposite effect.
At the very least, saying it now would only make things between her and Mrs. Yuigahama awkward.
So Kotomi said nothing more and continued cooking at an unhurried pace. Before long, the curry fried eggs were ready, just as the rice that had been cooking in the rice cooker finished.
After plating the meal, Tomoka went upstairs to call Yui and Yuka down for lunch. A moment later, Kotomi could hear the sound of little footsteps—tap-tap, tap-tap—as Yuka ran across the floor.
"Yuka, don't run so fast," came the overlapping voices of Yui and Tomoka, both reminding her to slow down.
Fortunately, Yuka took everything Kotomi said to heart. At least when she came down the stairs, she deliberately slowed her pace, walking carefully until both feet were safely on the first-floor landing—then started tap-tapping again, racing toward the kitchen.
Hearing the change in her footsteps, Kotomi couldn't help curling her lips into a small smile. She wasn't sure whether to call Yuka obedient or not.
In no time, Yuka came spinning into the kitchen like a little top, dashing up to Kotomi with a proud expression, hands on her hips.
"Penguin Onee-chan! This time, I went down the stairs really slowly!"
Faced with the eager expression of Yuka Yuigahama, who clearly wanted to be praised, Kotomi could only give a helpless but gentle smile. She crouched down and softly patted Yuka's head.
"Good girl, good girl. You've improved—that makes you a very good child~ But if next time, Yuka, you can walk more slowly not just on the stairs but also when you're walking normally, that would be even better."
"Really?"
"Really. When have I ever lied to you?"
"Oh, that's true!" Yuka cheered.
Children could always find joy in the simplest of things, something adults couldn't help but envy. To them, the world was full of happiness so easily found—whether it was a word of praise from family or just an extra piece of their favorite candy.
After her cheerful outburst, Yuka sniffed the air, her small nose twitching instinctively. A moment later, her eyes lit up.
"That's curry! Don't tell me, Penguin Onee-chan, you—!"
"That's right!" Kotomi said, smiling. "The curry omelet rice you've been craving so much—I made it for you~ How's that? Happy?"
"Happy!"
Yuka's eyes sparkled like tiny stars as she skillfully climbed up onto a chair. Seeing the curry omelet rice she'd longed for sitting right on the dining table, she bounced excitedly on the seat cushion, her little feet thumping with joy.
"Thank you, Penguin Onee-chan!"
"Alright, go wash your hands first. I'll get your rice ready. Let me see… hmm? Did you change your bowl, Yuka? I remember your old one had a little bear holding a honey jar on it. How come it's a penguin holding an orange now?"
Kotomi glanced at Yuka's new bowl sitting on the dish rack and couldn't help but chuckle softly. If Aimi saw this, she'd definitely want one just like it. Her little sister had always loved penguins, though Kotomi could never quite figure out why.
"Because this penguin holding an orange looks just like you, Penguin Onee-chan!" Yuka declared earnestly.
"Oh~ so the penguin looks like me, huh? Hehe, for the super cute Yuka to think I'm that adorable—it's truly an honor," Kotomi said with a playful laugh, gently cupping Yuka's cheeks and giving them a soft rub.
Tomoka Yuigahama quietly watched the interaction between Kotomi and Yuka—their conversation, their every small gesture. A strange emotion stirred in her chest, as if, in that moment, Kotomi had truly become part of their family, caring for Yuka like a loving mother would.
A second later, Tomoka quickly shook her head, trying to banish that thought from her mind. What am I even thinking?! she scolded herself. Even if Kotomi really did become part of our family one day, her role here would be as Yui's wife…
During lunch, perhaps because she finally got to eat the curry omelet rice she'd been wanting, Yuka's appetite was unusually strong. She finished five bowls of rice—though they were small bowls, it was still an impressive amount for a child her age.
Of course, curry omelet rice was a dish that paired perfectly with rice.
By the end of the meal, Yuka leaned back in her chair, patting her round little belly with satisfaction, occasionally letting out a small burp.
Kotomi finally understood why Yuka had felt heavier when she carried her before. With this kind of appetite, it would've been strange not to notice the extra weight.
Her appetite was growing—it must mean she was about to hit a growth spurt. The thought filled Kotomi with quiet emotion.
Right now, Yuka was still a tiny little bean. But a few years from now, when she became a young girl, Kotomi might look at her again and marvel at how fast time had passed.
Just like when adults saw a child after a long time and couldn't help but say, "You've grown so tall! Time really flies."
When you're young, you might wonder, Does time really pass that fast?
But once you have younger siblings, cousins, or someday even children of your own, you begin to understand why elders always sigh about the speed of time.
Because time really does move quickly.
And when you suddenly notice how much someone has grown, you realize—it's been a long time already.
After lunch, Yui Yuigahama stood up, gathering the dishes and utensils. She was about to take them to the sink to wash when Tomoka Yuigahama suddenly noticed something strange about Yui's movements.
Tomoka froze. As an experienced woman, she instantly understood what she was seeing. Only after a girl had given away something most precious to her would her movements become slightly awkward and unnatural for a while afterward.
And it was precisely because Tomoka knew the reason behind that subtle awkwardness that she froze, disbelief filling her heart.
Yui… she actually…
Her eyes widened as she instinctively looked toward Kotomi Izumi, who at that very moment got up to fetch herself a glass of water.
As Kotomi walked toward the water dispenser, her own movements, too, carried that same faint, unconscious stiffness.
Tomoka's eyes followed her quietly, and the chopsticks in her hand slipped from her grasp, falling onto the table with a faint clatter.
She wasn't angry.
Nor did she feel joy at the realization that Yui and Kotomi had truly become one.
What filled her instead was a deep, complicated mix of emotions—so tangled and indescribable that she couldn't even put a name to them.
After a long silence, Tomoka finally spoke softly:
"Yui, just leave the dishes there. Go back to your room and rest. Don't you usually take a nap after lunch?"
"Eh? It's fine, Mom. I'll wash the dishes first before resting," Yui replied casually.
"Just leave them. I'll wash them," Tomoka said firmly, her tone unusually sharp. After a pause, she quickly added, "I slept in until noon today, remember? I could use a little activity anyway."
Unable to argue with her mother, Yui reluctantly nodded in agreement.
Kotomi hadn't quite finished eating yet, but Yui took Yuka—who had also finished—and headed upstairs to the second floor.
In an instant, the kitchen was quiet, leaving only Kotomi Izumi and Tomoka Yuigahama alone together.
At that moment, Kotomi set down her chopsticks, having just finished the last bite, and stood up.
"Aunt Tomoka, let me help you wash the dishes," she offered politely.
"The dishes can wait," Tomoka said, her voice low and calm. "Kotomi, before that, could you come to my room for a bit? There's something I'd like to talk to you about."
"Sure," Kotomi replied with a nod.
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