Ichin and Haruno stayed at the company until closing time, then brought Umiko along and the three of them headed back home.
When they arrived, Ichin's mom was already preparing dinner, and his dad was home too.
Seeing Umiko, his dad laughed heartily.
"Hahaha, Umiko's here too! Want to have a drink tonight? I just got some really good liquor from a friend."
Of course Umiko didn't refuse, nodding with a smile. "Sure, I'll have a little."
Haruno glanced around the living room, but didn't see Yukino. "Huh? Where's Yukino?"
"She's in the kitchen."
Ichin's dad pointed in that direction. "That girl just wouldn't listen, insisted on helping out in the kitchen. She and Utaha are both in there."
Haruno nodded knowingly. That was very much in line with Yukino's personality.
So, together with Ichin, she went into the kitchen, where three people were busily working.
"Yukino~~~"
The sound of chopping paused for a moment. Yukino turned her head toward the door.
"Big sis, you're back?"
"Yup."
Haruno walked in smiling and looked toward Ichin's mom. "Auntie, let me help too!"
"No, no, three people is plenty!" Ichin's mom said while stir-frying. "Normally I can handle it all by myself. With two helpers now, it's even easier. Haruno, you just go sit in the living room."
Yukino chimed in from behind her. "That's right. Sis, don't come in and cause trouble. Your cooking skills aren't exactly the best."
"Ahh~ Yukino really doesn't spare her sister's pride, huh."
Haruno puffed up her cheeks in mock anger, but obediently left the kitchen anyway.
Ichin didn't interrupt either and went back to the living room.
Though Haruno hadn't met Ichin's dad many times, she had been trained since childhood and was used to helping with her own family's company. In just a few minutes, she was already chatting comfortably with him.
Ichin himself didn't join in, lazily sipping tea and flipping through TV channels.
After about ten minutes, dinner was ready—an entire table filled to the brim.
With the future daughter-in-law here, plus Ichin and Utaha's friends, Ichin's mom had really pulled out all the stops. Even Haruno, Yukino, and Umiko were left speechless by the feast.
For after-dinner entertainment, everyone decided on mahjong. Haruno already knew how to play, but Yukino didn't, so she just sat aside to watch.
As for Ichin, he first walked Umiko back to her apartment—since she had work the next day—and then returned.
When he came back, he found that his father's seat had been replaced by Yukino.
Curious, Ichin pulled over a chair to sit next to Utaha and asked, "Why the switch?"
Before Utaha could answer, Ichin's mom spoke up. "What else? Your dad's terrible at mahjong! I couldn't stand to watch anymore, so I suggested someone take his place. But Yukino learned really fast. After watching just two rounds, she could already play—and she's way better than him."
Ichin's dad, sitting beside his wife, scratched his head awkwardly. "Hahaha, just bad luck, today's bad luck…"
Of course Ichin didn't buy that excuse. His dad's "luck" had never been good, and his playing style was laughably bad—but he loved the game anyway.
The perfect example of "weak player, strong addiction."
Ichin didn't play often, but he knew the basic rules. Watching for a bit, he realized Yukino really did have a remarkable learning ability. He had only been gone a short while to walk Umiko home, and in that time she'd gone from total beginner to playing smoothly.
Thinking back, this wasn't surprising. Her learning ability had always been outstanding. Even back when Slay the Spire came out, Yukino had picked it up astonishingly fast.
Since they were just playing for fun and not for money, no one had any reservations. Round after round, with the added boost of beginner's luck, Yukino ended up winning far more than she lost that night.
By a little past ten, the game wrapped up, and everyone took turns bathing and getting ready for bed.
After his shower, Ichin brought out glasses of milk for everyone.
"Here, Yukino."
"Thank you, senpai."
Taking the cup, Yukino drank a sip and let out a relaxed sigh.
Watching her expression, Ichin chuckled. "I never asked after you arrived this afternoon—are you settling in okay? My mom might be a little too enthusiastic."
Yukino shook her head, smiling softly. "Auntie treats me very well. It is a little unfamiliar, since the atmosphere at home has never been like this. But over the past two years, being around senpai, senpai's girlfriend, and even Hazuki-senpai, I've gotten used to it—and I think it's nice."
"That's true. Hazuki is very good at influencing the people around her. Spend enough time with people like that, and even the shyest person becomes bolder. Even Hifumi, who used to be severely shy, is doing much better now. Of course, talking with boys is still a bit of a challenge for her." Ichin smiled.
"Anyway, aside from one reunion, I don't have much else to do these few days. Utaha and I will take you and Haruno around Shanghai. If you don't mind going a little farther, we could even visit Hangzhou or nearby places."
Yukino agreed readily. "Then I'll be in your care, senpai."
The high school reunion was set for the third day of their trip. After attending that, Ichin and Utaha would take the Yukinoshita sisters on a tour of Hangzhou.
Some of their classmates came from well-off families like Ichin, but most were from ordinary households, so the gathering wasn't held anywhere too expensive. They simply chose a modest restaurant and booked a large private room big enough for their whole class.
A few classmates were absent, off traveling with family, but nearly everyone else attended.
And among them, Ichin was the only one who brought his girlfriend.
Although back during New Year's—when he first brought Utaha home—their relationship had already been exposed to a few classmates, seeing the two of them together face-to-face now was still a surprise. Utaha's looks left the whole class stunned.
Not to mention her Chinese, which was now fluent enough to chat comfortably with everyone. Only a faint accent remained, something that practice would smooth out with time.
As they ate happily, listening to everyone talk about events from their second and third years of high school, Ichin shared some amusing stories from his time studying in Japan.
*
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