What a pity.
There was just too much ice cream in the Neapolitan cup. The container wasn't particularly large, but it still held quite a lot. If KFC or McDonald's could be this generous too, that'd be great. When Kie made it, she hadn't considered that only Tatsuki would be eating it—or maybe she hadn't realized she used too much of each flavor.
There was no way he could finish it alone. Almost all three flavors had melted completely. And with the cold-expanding-hot-contracting cup under pressure, things were starting to get messy…
Ding!
A message? On a Saturday?
Marin? Something cosplay-related again? Or a date with Megumi?
As he pondered, Tatsuki, fresh out of the shower and in just his shorts, sat on the couch with Nezuko wrapped in a towel in his lap. He grabbed his phone.
To his surprise, the message was from Yui.
Dumb Dumpling: "Tatsu-kun! Wanna come over to my place for lunch today? My mom bought Wagyu beef!"
Ever since they confirmed their relationship, Tatsuki had updated her nickname.
"She's inviting me over?"
Was this… meeting the parents?
He'd just met Yukino's mother, and now it was going to be Mrs. Yuigahama?
"What's wrong, Tatsuki-kun?" Tamayo noticed a shift in his expression and asked gently.
"It's nothing, I just might not be able to hang out with you all right now. I have to go meet a… certain lady."
He felt a little guilty. He did want to spend more time with the three of them—but he also didn't want to disappoint Yui.
"Go ahead, Tatsuki-kun. We're already more than satisfied," Tamayo smiled as she gently patted the rounded bulge under Kie's towel. She teased, "Isn't that right, Kie?"
As she spoke, her delicate hand pressed down softly.
"Mmmn!" Kie squeaked like a shy hamster, nodding bashfully.
After all, she had taken in all of Tatsuki's affection alone.
"Don't worry, next time I'll take care of you too, Tamayo—and you as well, little Nezuko."
He playfully tickled Nezuko's chin. Recalling how she'd flailed about earlier, he joked, "Nezuko, you really shouldn't drink that much water."
"Tatsuki-nii~ please stop teasing meee…"
Nezuko had returned to her normal size, curled up like a blushing little wife in his arms. Her face was red all the way to her ears.
It really wasn't her fault she reacted that way…
Once she shrank, she basically became a tiny loli.
Things she could usually handle became way too intense.
Tatsuki understood—he was only teasing her for fun.
"So? Whose ice cream is better, your mom's or Tamayo's?" he whispered, biting lightly at her ear.
The question made both Kie and Tamayo, who were lazily lounging on the sofa, avert their eyes in embarrassment.
As for Nezuko, she looked so mortified she wished she could melt into the floor.
With the wooden stick stuck in the melted ice cream mix… the sensation was too hard to describe.
Enough playtime.
Tatsuki replied to Yui.
Tatsuki: "Sure~ wait for me."
Dumb Dumpling: "Yayy! Happy.jpg"
After Tatsuki left, Tamayo and Kie exchanged a glance.
"Madam, huh…"
…
It wasn't far from noon now.
After letting Yukino and the others know, Tatsuki headed off to Yui's house.
Yuigahama Yue. (Like Yukinoshita's mother, her real name isn't revealed—just know this is Yui's mom, Mrs. Yuigahama.)
Yui's mother was in the kitchen, tidying up some ingredients.
She peeked out through the doorway and saw Yui lying belly-down on the living room couch, wearing a white one-piece dress, humming a tune and kicking her pale little legs in the air.
She went back into the kitchen.
"Sigh…"
Mrs. Yuigahama let out a deep sigh.
Yui had suddenly mentioned a classmate was coming over today.
Seeing how excited she was, Mrs. Yuigahama had a pretty good guess—it was likely someone Yui liked. Maybe even… her boyfriend?
"She's all grown up now."
The thought made her happy, but also a little melancholic.
Yui's father had passed away when she was very young.
She had raised Yui on her own as a single mother.
If Yui really got married and started her own family, she would be left all alone.
Just thinking about it stirred a deep loneliness in her chest, slowing even her hands as she washed the vegetables.
Ding-dong!
The doorbell snapped her out of it.
"I'm coming!"
She heard Yui's joyful shout, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps.
Mrs. Yuigahama quickly dried her hands, fixed her hair and clothes, and shifted her expression into something more upbeat.
"Tatsu-kun! Yaa-ha~llo!"
"You greet people like that at home too?"
"Of course!"
"Yaa-ha~llo, Yui."
"Hehehe, come in!"
Their playful conversation gave Mrs. Yuigahama her first impression of Tatsuki: a boy, gentle with Yui, able to go along with her antics.
When she stepped out of the kitchen and saw him in person, that impression deepened.
Roughly 180cm tall, well-proportioned build, neat and tidy appearance, and a handsome face.
"This must be Mrs. Yuigahama, right? Sorry to intrude!" Tatsuki reacted quickly upon seeing her.
"Yep yep! That's my mom!" Yui nodded rapidly.
"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Yuigahama. I'm Tatsuki, Yui's classmate."
Tatsuki showed perfect manners—nothing lacking. Mrs. Yuigahama's impression of him instantly rose.
"I'm Yuigahama Yue, Yui's mother. You can call me 'Ma'am' or 'Auntie,' either's fine."
Tatsuki nodded. "Alright, Mrs. Yuigahama."
"You two go sit on the couch, I'll get lunch started."
Tatsuki offered, "Let me help out in the kitchen too."
"Mom, I want to help too!" Seeing Tatsuki take the initiative, Yui couldn't just sit still.
This left Mrs. Yuigahama a little surprised.
Her daughter had never shown any cooking talent.
Why the sudden enthusiasm?
A closer look revealed it all—Yui's eyes never left Tatsuki. That gaze practically had heartstrings attached.
So it's true… he really is the one Yui likes.
"Well then, thank you, Tatsuki-kun… and Yui." Mrs. Yuigahama smiled warmly.
…
In the kitchen, Tatsuki skillfully washed and chopped vegetables.
He moved with the ease of someone well-versed in the kitchen—so much so that
Mrs. Yuigahama couldn't help but be surprised.
Truthfully, he hadn't been much of a cook in the past. But ever since acquiring the Dominator, he could learn anything instantly.
He could transfer knowledge from someone else's brain directly into his own. That was practically cheating.
Compared to him, Yui looked… clumsy.
Sigh. Mrs. Yuigahama sighed in her heart. Her daughter still had a lot of growing up to do.
After finishing up the last bit of vegetable-washing, Yui proudly pulled out a large slab of Wagyu beef from behind her back and raised it high, grinning ear to ear.
"Ta-da! Tatsu-kun, look! This is the Wagyu my mom bought—it's beautiful, isn't it?"
"Mm-hmm, looks like I'm in for a treat today."
"My mom's cooking is really good, you know!"
"I'll be looking forward to it, then."
"…"
Mrs. Yuigahama's eyes glimmered as she watched them chat so happily.
This boy doted on Yui. He was so gentle with her.
"Yah!"
As she turned around to put the Wagyu away, Yui moved too fast and bumped her arm against a pot of boiling water. Reflexively, she let go of the beef.
Tatsuki moved like lightning—he caught the falling meat with one hand and tossed it into the container.
With the other hand, he grabbed Yui's arm.
After tossing the beef, that same hand quickly lifted her sleeve.
He gently pressed over the reddened skin, a faint golden light glowing at his fingertips.
Tatsuki asked softly, "Does it still hurt?"
"Huh?! It hurt so bad just now—but now, it suddenly doesn't hurt at all!"
Yui could feel the warmth seeping into her arm. Her eyes softened even more.
It had to be Tatsu-kun's ability that removed the pain. That pot had been full of boiling water!
"Yui!"
Mrs. Yuigahama, just a bit slow to react, rushed over to check on her daughter's arm.
Tatsuki removed his hand. Yui raised her arm and flashed her bunny teeth with a grin. "Hehe, I'm fine, Mom. Thanks to Tatsu-kun."
Mrs. Yuigahama looked from left to right, examining her carefully before finally relaxing.
She couldn't help but think back on how fast Tatsuki had reacted, how concerned he was.
Mrs. Yuigahama felt deeply reassured.
This boy truly cared about Yui.
…
"How is it? My mom's cooking's great, right?"
"Mmm, it's really delicious!"
"Haha, as long as you're enjoying it—no need to rush, take your time."
"Tatsu-kun, try this! This Wagyu is super tasty!"
"Yui, don't just feed me—eat some too. C'mon, open up, aah…"
"Aah… mm! Thank you, Tatsu-kun!"
Lunch ended in a wonderfully cheerful atmosphere. Even Mrs. Yuigahama had a great time. It had been a long while since the house felt this lively.
After the meal, Tatsuki and Mrs. Yuigahama sat on the couch, chatting casually back and forth.
Most of the conversation consisted of her asking questions and him answering—just like a typical "meet the parents" scenario.
Yui sat beside them, face burning red, too shy to speak.
Eventually, Mrs. Yuigahama got to the point.
"Tatsuki-kun, you and Yui… are in a relationship, right?"
Tatsuki didn't hesitate at all. "Yes. I'm Yui's boyfriend."
"Mm!"
Yui let out a tiny squeak, burying her face. She was even more embarrassed now that he'd said it to her mom directly.
Tatsuki had planned to be honest from the start—but Yui had messaged him earlier asking not to bring up anything about his other girlfriends just yet.
So for now, he kept that to himself.
"Just as I thought," Mrs. Yuigahama said with a gentle smile. "Don't worry, I won't stand in your way."
"If anything, I'm quite pleased with you, Tatsuki-kun."
"Thank you for your support!"
Mrs. Yuigahama offered a warm, motherly reminder. "But as Yui's mom, I still have to say—studies should be your priority right now."
"You're both still young. Don't waste your youth. I'm already old, so I don't really mind how things go for me anymore."
Tatsuki immediately refuted her self-deprecating words. "Not at all. Mrs. Yuigahama, you don't look old in the slightest. Honestly, if Yui hadn't told me ahead of time, I would've thought you were her older sister."
"Your elegance and appearance… you're still a youthful beauty."
Mrs. Yuigahama chuckled behind her hand. "Haha, Tatsuki-kun, you're quite the sweet-talker."
But Tatsuki wasn't just flattering her—he meant every word.
Looking closely at Mrs. Yuigahama, her youthful features were remarkably similar to Yui's. There wasn't a single visible wrinkle or sign of aging on her face.
Her orange hair made her look even younger. And her skin—whether her hands, cheeks, or neck—was snow-white and flawlessly smooth.
Add to that a curvy figure with a narrow waist that outclassed even Yui's. There was no way she looked like someone's mother.
Standing next to Yui, she could absolutely pass as an older sister.
Aside from her youthful face and flawless figure, Mrs. Yuigahama carried herself with a calm, gentle grace. There was a soft maturity to her presence—one that elevated her charm even further. That warm, serene smile of hers… even Tatsuki couldn't help but sneak a second glance.
He found himself comparing her to Mrs. Yukinoshita.
Both were beautiful mothers with youthful appearances. But just like Yui and Yukino, their personalities were vastly different.
The aura they gave off? Completely distinct.
...
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