The late afternoon painted the sky in shades of peach and lilac, a soft contrast to the glow of the sun slowly hiding behind the buildings. The air had that lazy freshness that always came after a hot day, the kind of weather that made people want to walk slowly, with no hurry at all.
After leaving Ichinan Academy, Isagi and Marin walked side by side along the sidewalk, backpacks slung over their shoulders. The sound of their footsteps mingled with the distant noise of traffic and the singing of birds that hadn't yet given up on the day.
"I swear, Morita-sensei has a special talent for putting even math lovers to sleep," Marin said, with an exaggerated grimace. "I'd look at the board and it seemed like he was writing in alien code."
Isagi chuckled softly. "You didn't take any notes, did you?"
"Of course I did!" She paused dramatically. "I mean, I tried. Then I realized I had no idea what he was talking about and started drawing the cosplay outfit I want to make."
"That explains why you looked so focused..." he commented, recalling her expression in the classroom...
Marin smiled, completely unashamed. "Yeah, that's just how I am. Once I start thinking about a new cosplay, I can't stop. It's like a fever. I'm only satisfied when I see everything finished."
"It's like when I'm training," Isagi said, with a half-smile. "If I don't keep going until it works, I get restless."
She turned her face toward him, observing him for a moment. Her golden hair swayed gently in the wind, reflecting the sunset light. "I think I get it. When you really love something, there's no way to pretend it's just a hobby, right?"
"Exactly."
For a moment, they walked in silence.
Marin gazed absentmindedly at the sky, while the tips of her blonde hair fluttered in the breeze.
"Besides soccer and all the things you've told me you like..." she began, thoughtfully, "what else do you enjoy doing, Isagi?"
He blinked, surprised by the question. "Hm... good question. I think I like cooking."
Well, that wasn't exactly a lie. In his previous life, when he lived alone, cooking was one of the few pleasures he truly enjoyed, a small ritual of tranquility amid the solitary routine of a soccer player. Preparing a meal with his own hands made him feel alive. However, in this new life, he hadn't even had time for it. The circumstances, the relentless pace he'd set for himself to get stronger, and the weight of responsibilities left no room for something as simple as cooking just for pleasure...
Besides, his mother wouldn't let him cook, since she was a dedicated housewife, proud of handling every detail, and for her, the kitchen was sacred territory, something he could only observe from afar...
"Cooking?" Marin widened her eyes, genuinely surprised. "Really? Like, for real?!"
Isagi pondered for a moment before coming up with an excuse: "Yeah. When I was younger, my mom always asked me to help in the kitchen. At first, I just did the basics, but I ended up liking it. Now I enjoy trying new recipes when I have time."
Marin let out an excited little laugh. "That's amazing! I... well, I like eating. Does that count?"
Isagi smiled, shaking his head.
"It counts. It's the most important part of the process, actually."
"Oh, then we make a good team," she said, crossing her arms with a smug smile. "You cook, I eat. Perfect partnership."
He glanced at her sideways, amused. "As long as you don't run away when it's time to wash the dishes."
Marin made an indignant sound. "Huh?! I can wash them! Just... I don't guarantee the plates will survive."
Isagi's laughter echoed softly, blending with the sound of the wind. Marin laughed too, feeling her heart lighten, as if the conversation flowed effortlessly, naturally, as if they'd known each other for much longer than they actually had.
"And you?" he asked after a moment. "Besides cosplay?"
"Hm..." Marin put a finger to her chin, thoughtful. "I really love horror movies. Like, the really bad ones, with cheesy monsters and cardboard effects. Those are the best!"
"Bad horror movies?"
"Yes! The cheesier, the better," she said, excited. "The ones with generic soundtracks and actors screaming the whole time. I love laughing at them."
"I thought you were the type who likes romance movies."
"I do too!" she replied without hesitation. "Especially the kind of romance that squeezes your heart, you know? The kind that leaves you feeling silly, thinking about the story for days."
She looked ahead, her gaze dreamy. "I think that's why I love cosplaying characters I adore so much. It's like I get to live a little bit in their world."
Isagi glanced at her. There was something in the way she spoke, that mix of sincerity and sparkle in her eyes that made it hard not to smile.
"You're really passionate about the things you love, aren't you?"
Marin looked at him, surprised, and laughed softly. "Maybe. I think it's because I always want to feel everything intensely. Like... if you're going to love something, love it for real, you know?"
"I get what you mean."
"I doubt it..." she teased, playfully. "You seem calmer, like the guy who thinks a lot before feeling anything."
"Maybe I am..." he replied, with a slight smile. "But I think that's why I like talking to you. You feel first and think later."
Marin blinked, a bit surprised by his casualness, and looked away, her face slightly flushed. "That sounded... cuter than you probably realized."
"Did it?"
"It did."
They both laughed, and the conversation continued along light paths about favorite foods, old movies, random school things. Marin spoke with enthusiasm, gesturing a lot, and Isagi listened with genuine attention, sometimes adding short comments, but always with that subtle smile she was starting to recognize as a sign he was having fun.
When they realized it, they were just a few blocks from his house. The sun had completely set, leaving the sky a deep blue, and the streetlights were starting to turn on, casting yellowish glows on the asphalt.
Marin adjusted the straps of her backpack on her shoulders and took a deep breath, trying to contain the twinge of anxiety growing in her chest. She was about to meet his mother, even if it was just for the woman to help with her cosplay, and nothing more, it still made her a bit uneasy. She wasn't sure why. Maybe it was just nerves about finally finding someone who understood and was willing to help with her dream, or maybe it was something else, something she couldn't name. The strangest part was that, in theory, she was totally prepared. So... why was her heart still beating so fast?
The street where Isagi lived was as quiet as always, surrounded by simple, well-kept houses. The lit windows let out the soft glow of yellowish lamps, and the air had a faint smell of home-cooked food, freshly cooked rice, and something fried in hot oil.
Marin felt her stomach growl discreetly, which made her blush.
"It's here..." Isagi said, stopping in front of his house.
They entered, and the soft sound of the wind was replaced by footsteps on the wooden floor.
As soon as they closed the door behind them, Isagi looked at Marin and said:
"You can take off your shoes, I'll get a pair for you..."
"Oh, sure!" She bent down quickly to untie her shoes, balancing with some difficulty. The gesture made her laugh at herself, and Isagi, noticing, went to the entryway cabinet and pulled out a pair of women's slippers that looked new.
"Here, you can use these. They're my mom's, but I think they'll fit."
"Thank you..." she replied, a bit shyly, slipping them on carefully. "They're cute."
While she adjusted her backpack on her shoulder, Isagi turned toward the hallway.
"Mom, I'm home!"
The response came almost immediately, accompanied by an even stronger smell of spices from the kitchen.
"Welcome back, Yoichi!"
The voice was sweet and firm, with that natural tone of someone who always knew where they were and what they were doing. Soon after, a woman with brown hair and warm eyes appeared at the hallway entrance, drying her hands on a dish towel.
"Ah," she began, noticing Marin beside her son. "So this is the friend you said was coming to visit!"
Marin straightened her posture in a nervous reflex, almost blurting out a hurried "good afternoon."
"It's me! Marin Kitagawa!" she said with a big smile, bowing slightly in a polite but energetic reverence.
The woman's expression softened even more, and her eyes seemed to sparkle with sympathy. "Nice to meet you, Marin-chan. I'm Isagi Iyo, Yoichi's mother. He told me about you and your talent with costumes."
"H-he really did?" Marin widened her eyes, genuinely surprised. "Wow, how embarrassing! I hope he didn't say anything weird!"
Iyo let out a amused little laugh, shaking her head. "Nothing like that. He just said you're very dedicated and needed help with some sewing. I'm glad you came."
Marin relaxed a bit, feeling the nervousness turn into a pleasant warmth. "Thank you, Mrs. Isagi! I... I'm really grateful. I admire people who know how to sew. I'm still learning, you know? So being able to count on your help is like—a dream!"
Iyo smiled, genuinely touched by the girl's sincerity. "Oh, how kind of you. Come in, let's talk better in the living room. And you can call me Iyo, okay? 'Mrs. Isagi' makes me sound older than I am."
"Got it!" Marin replied quickly, laughing. "Iyo-san, then!"
Isagi watched the scene with a slight smile on his face. Seeing Marin get along so well with his mother in a matter of seconds was... comforting.
Iyo gestured for them to come in.
"I'll finish dinner in a bit, but first I want to see exactly the design you brought. Yoichi told me you have an ambitious project."
Marin opened her backpack, excited. "Yes! It's for a cosplay of Shizuku-tan! I brought the references and the main fabric, but... I think I got the wrong type of thread."
"Ah, let's see that right away..." Iyo replied, curious. "I love when someone's interested in handmade work. And I don't know if Yoichi told you, but he even learned a few things to help you."
Marin nodded, a faint pink on her cheeks as she looked at Isagi and said: "He told me! I thought that was amazing!"
Isagi scratched the back of his neck, looking away, trying to hide a slight embarrassment. "Ah... well, you're exaggerating... I learned because I thought it might be useful someday too..."
Iyo watched the exchange with a discreet smile, the kind only mothers know how to give when they notice something their children haven't fully understood yet.
Marin gripped her backpack strap, her heart beating faster. "Even so. That's... really cute of you, Isagi-kun."
"It's no big deal..." he replied, trying to sound casual, but the slight reddish tone on his face gave him away.
Iyo laughed softly.
"You two are adorable. Now come on, before dinner gets cold. We'll talk while looking at the fabric."
Marin smiled, still a bit enchanted, and followed the woman to the living room.
Meanwhile, Isagi sighed softly, but a slight smile lingered on his lips before he followed his mother and Marin inside.
Iyo settled on the sofa, adjusting her glasses on the tip of her nose, the ones she always needed when working with needle and thread. Marin, in turn, carefully opened the folder she'd taken from her backpack, revealing meticulously organized sketches. Every detail was there, planned with care: the dark fabrics chosen thoughtfully, the precise lines, the palette meticulously considered. It was evident that every choice carried affection and dedication, reflecting not just talent, but also the care she put into each project.
"So... this is the character!" Marin said, excited, placing a drawing on the table. "Shizuku-tan! I want to make her uniform as faithful as possible, you know? The fabric needs to have this soft shine, like satin, but it can't be too slippery to sew. And the bow has to be like this, see—"
She made an animated gesture with her hands, completely immersed in the explanation. Iyo and Isagi watched her, the former with genuine curiosity and the latter trying to keep up with her enthusiasm.
"I see..." Iyo commented, examining the drawing carefully. "She's really cute. The design is beautiful, full of details. It looks like from some school romance anime, right?"
Marin immediately gave a nervous smile. "Y-yeah... something like that."
Isagi leaned in a bit to get a better look at the paper.
"Saint... Slippery's Academy for Girls... The Young Ladies of the... Humiliation... Club...?" He read slowly, frowning. "...Debauched Miracle Life 2?"
There was a silence.
Marin froze, her smile faltering for a moment. Iyo blinked, not quite understanding what she'd just heard.
"Ah... that's the... full name of the game..." Marin said finally, her voice a tone higher than usual. "But the focus isn't... well... that!"
"Game?" Iyo repeated, confused. "You mean... it's not an anime?"
"Technically, it's an eroge..." murmured Isagi, more to himself than anyone else. He didn't have much experience with that kind of game, but he remembered one of his soccer teammates was completely addicted to the genre. By association, he had at least a vague idea of what it meant, enough to recognize the term, even without knowing all the details. As for his previous life, that was another story: he'd never heard of such things. Though he enjoyed some anime and manga, most of his time was devoted to training, so there was no room to familiarize himself with concepts like "eroge."
"Ero... what?" Iyo asked, still smiling, but now with the tone of someone trying to process the situation.
Marin, seeing chaos approaching, raised her hands quickly. "I-it's not what it seems! I swear! I like the character for her story! She's super pure and sweet, and the voice actress is amazing! Like, I didn't even play the whole game, just watched some clips on YouTube!"
It was obvious she'd played that game countless times and, honestly, didn't mind showing her passion for Shizuku-tan whenever the topic came up. Still, in that moment, Marin felt a slight knot in her stomach. Being in front of Isagi's mother made her curiously nervous, without knowing exactly why. Maybe it was just insecurity, or maybe something more subtle... Either way, the mere thought that the woman might form a wrong impression of her made her uneasy enough to come up with such an excuse...
Isagi coughed, trying to hide the awkwardness. "Clips... from the game..."
"I'm serious!" Marin insisted, her cheeks burning. "She's a kind, innocent girl who dreams of being a good student and helping her friends! I swear there's nothing... suspicious about my intention!"
Iyo blinked a few times, and then, to their surprise, let out a light, warm laugh.
"Oh, heavens... you young people and your different hobbies." She shook her head, amused. "It's fine, Marin-chan. If you like the character, that's what matters. And the design really is adorable, regardless of the source."
Marin let out such an audible sigh of relief that it made Isagi chuckle softly.
"Thank you, Iyo-san..." she said, still flushed. "I thought you'd find it weird."
"Dear, I raised a son who trained soccer in the rain and came back covered in mud saying he was 'perfecting his dribble.' I think nothing shocks me anymore."
Marin laughed, relaxing completely. "That's... a great point."
Isagi commented under his breath: "I should've guessed it was from a game like that..."
She looked at him, pretending to be offended. "Hey! Shizuku-tan is an iconic character! And the uniform is gorgeous! It's not my fault the game is... kind of... over the top. Besides, don't judge without ever playing or watching a video about it!"
Iyo laughed again, clearly enjoying the situation. "Well, if the goal is the look, we can work on that no problem. I have the perfect fabric for the bow and can teach you a reinforcement technique for the collar. That way the fabric won't deform."
Marin's eyes lit up instantly. "Really?! That would be amazing, Iyo-san!"
"Of course. But first, come eat dinner. I don't let anyone sew on an empty stomach."
Marin put her hands to her face, emotional. "I think I just met my new heroine!"
Isagi sighed, crossing his arms, but with a small smile at the corner of his lips. He never imagined his mother would get along so well with Marin... He followed the two to the kitchen...
Iyo walked to the kitchen, and the aroma of fresh spices and light frying intensified, filling the air with a welcoming feeling. The soft sound of plates being set on the table mixed with the distant sizzle of something still cooking on the stove. Marin followed slowly, her curious eyes taking in the simple yet tidy environment, with details that showed the homeowner's care: small flower vases, freshly washed white curtains, and the low sound of a boiling kettle.
She sat at the table only after Iyo insisted, her hands still fidgety in her lap. As relaxed as she was at school, there was something about being there, in Isagi's house, that made her a bit nervous. It was a strange feeling, not uncomfortable, but too intimate.
"Are you sure it's okay for me to have dinner here?" she asked, in a slightly lower tone than usual. "I mean... I kind of showed up out of the blue, right?"
Iyo, still by the stove, looked over her shoulder and smiled. "Of course it's okay, Marin-chan. The house of someone who cooks is always open for one more plate. Besides, Yoichi told me you were coming, and I love having company at the table."
Marin blinked, surprised, and smiled a bit shyly. "Oh... then okay. Thank you so much, Iyo-san."
Isagi, who was helping set the utensils, commented casually: "My mom always cooks like she's expecting three extra guests anyway. So don't worry about it, Kitagawa-san."
Iyo let out a short laugh. "It's good to be prepared, Yoichi. You never know when someone shows up hungry."
Marin laughed along, relaxing a bit more. The sound of conversation, the smell of food, and Iyo's welcoming manner made the place feel strangely familiar, almost as if she'd been there before.
When everyone sat down, dinner was served: fluffy white rice, grilled fish topped with citrus sauce, and a small bowl of stir-fried vegetables. Marin looked at the plate in front of her with shining eyes.
"This looks incredible..." she murmured, enchanted.
"I'm glad you like it," Iyo replied, sitting down. "Nothing too fancy, but it was made with care."
Marin clasped her hands in a respectful gesture before eating. "Itadakimasu!"
Isagi mimicked her naturally, and for a few minutes, the sound of utensils and the aroma of dinner filled the space. Marin tried the first bite and almost sighed.
"My God... this is wonderful! Iyo-san, you cook so well!"
Iyo gave a light laugh. "Thank you, dear. Come more often, and I'll teach you some tricks...
"Really!? I'd love that, Iyo-san!" Marin grew enthusiastic, since she wasn't very good at cooking!
After a few minutes of relaxed conversation about food and how Marin was terrible at measuring ingredients ("I always go by eye and the eye always gets it wrong," she admitted), Isagi looked at his mother and asked:
"By the way, Mom... where's Dad? He's not coming to dinner today?"
Iyo set down her chopsticks calmly and replied tranquilly: "Oh, he called earlier saying he'd be late at work today. They had an extra meeting at the company. He said not to wait for him."
Isagi nodded, a bit indifferent but understanding. "Got it."
Marin, on the other hand, kept her gaze on the table for a moment, as if reflecting on it.
"Ah... then there's more for us..." she said, trying to lighten the mood, forcing a playful smile.
Iyo laughed. "Exactly! And with someone as lively as you around, I bet nothing will be left."
Marin blushed a little. "Maybe just a tiny bit..."
The conversation continued lightly, with Marin asking about the family's favorite dishes and Iyo telling short stories about when Isagi was little—stories that made him grumble but drew sincere laughs from her.
When they finished eating, Marin offered to help wash the dishes, but Iyo refused firmly with a smile.
"You're a guest, Marin-chan. Guests don't wash dishes. Just come back for dinner another time."
Marin put a hand to her chest, dramatizing.
"Iyo-san, you're spoiling me too much. I'll end up coming every day like this."
"Then come," Iyo replied without hesitation. "It's not every day I see Yoichi with that smile."
Isagi sighed softly; had his mother turned into a matchmaker now? It was impossible not to notice the intent behind her gaze, that playful sparkle that gave everything away. He knew that expression well; it took just a moment to understand what she was thinking, and it made him rub his temple in resignation.
Marin, for her part, fell silent for a brief moment before smiling, genuinely touched.
"Then I guess I'll have to come for real."
_________________
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