"What's wrong?"
Miyajima Sakura looked back in confusion.
Her own mother usually has a gentle temperament, and rarely speaks loudly, let alone yells so loudly. Seeing her mother's eyes wide open, and even her small mouth forming an "O" shape, Miyajima Sakura asked strangely:
"Mom, do you know Xiao Lin?"
"This Xiao Lin you're talking about... what's his name?" Miyajima Tsubaki was still praying.
Hopefully, he's Kobayashi Ayaka's younger brother or something... But Ayaka is as close to them as a biological child.
She's never heard of her having a younger brother.
A cousin, it must be a cousin, a distant relative or something... Yes, it must be so. Then Miyajima Sakura's words completely shattered Miyajima Tsubaki's hopeful fantasy:
"Hayato..."
"I don't know him, I've never seen him, never heard of him." Miyajima Tsubaki denied it quickly, her lips moving so fast it was like she was rapping.
Is it... really him?
Miyajima Tsubaki was dumbfounded.
"That guy" was actually Hayato?
She almost wanted to bury her face in her hands and wail.
She was so foolish, truly.
She only thought about her daughter having a new male friend... and also thought that Hayato was a member of the Kendo Club, but she didn't connect the "male friend" with the latter at all. After learning the truth, Miyajima Tsubaki finally had a sudden realization, like the clouds parting to reveal the sun, or a sudden enlightenment.
Yes.
Hayato is a member of the Kendo Club, he is also male, and a very charming male. Even I, as his mother, was... ahem, no.
Isn't it only natural that Sakura would also be attracted to him... Hmm? Why did she say "also"?
Seeing Miyajima Tsubaki's expression begin to twist, even showing some pain, Miyajima Kiichiro couldn't help but frown,
"Tsubaki, how is it?"
"No, nothing..."
Miyajima Tsubaki said, her face ashen.
How, how will she face that young man later? She'll definitely be recognized, right? After all, when she disguised herself as Sawamura Airiri, she only wore a wig, and her makeup wasn't even carefully done... Oh no, I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm dead.
Thinking of this, Miyajima Tsubaki's pale face turned crimson again.
She's already this old, still going out alone to play with her daughter's friend... No, that wasn't just ordinary "playing," it could even be considered a date. And it wasn't just a simple "daughter's friend."
That was her daughter's,
male acquaintance brought home.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him her "object of affection," would it?
She, was she competing with Sakura for a man?
Miyajima Tsubaki's jelly-like delicate lips began to tremble slightly, her face was completely red, and even her knees started to shake as if they were incredibly weak.
Thinking that the young man would soon be in this house, standing in front of Sakura, and meeting her, Miyajima Tsubaki's legs felt like they couldn't stand.
"Then I'll go get Xiao Lin and let him in," Miyajima Sakura said.
"Wait..." Miyajima Tsubaki raised her hand, wanting to stop her.
But he was already at the door, and it was too late for her to cancel the plan.
It was a situation where "the arrow is on the string, and it must be shot."
The only way to hide it was to pretend she wasn't home and escape this encounter... But how would she explain it to Sakura and her father?
...She had clearly made a very complete and perfect plan, just waiting for "that guy" to take the bait so she could properly test his character.
This, in turn, stumped Miyajima Tsubaki.
Her mind was like a pot of boiling paste, and just thinking about it made her brain hurt as if it were scorched.
"Hm?" Miyajima Sakura was puzzled.
"...No, nothing."
"Oh..."
Miyajima Sakura walked to the door with light steps and opened it.
The young man in front of her wore a snow-white shirt, his tall and slender body standing upright, positioned at the entrance.
The young man's expression was calm; the moment he saw Miyajima Sakura, he curled his lips slightly, revealing a hint of a smile:
"Miyajima Senior, I'm here. Sorry to have kept you waiting."
"No, not at all," Miyajima Sakura said with a smile, her cheeks rosy, her face radiant. She had already changed out of her school uniform into a more casual T-shirt and loose capri shorts, but even the oversized clothes couldn't hide her voluptuous figure. "Please come in," she said.
Then she knelt down and found a pair of suitable slippers from the shoe cabinet, placing them at Hayato's feet. She then looked up at Hayato's face again, her eyes like playful crescent moons, quite adorable, but her charming face looked a bit more mature than her peers.
Both innocence and allure, two beautiful qualities, were concentrated in this young girl.
Miyajima Sakura was genuinely happy.
She felt very honored that Xiao Lin was willing to come to her house.
She was already starting to consider how long Xiao Lin would stay at her house and whether he would visit her room—but it didn't matter, her room was already spotless. The door could be opened for Xiao Lin at any time... "Please help me with these." Hayato handed the two plastic bags in his hand to Miyajima Sakura.
"These are...? Oh?" Miyajima Sakura looked at them and was surprised.
One bag contained two cups of milk tea, and the other contained half a watermelon.
"It feels a bit rude to come empty-handed," Hayato said with a smile as he took off his shoes.
Milk tea was easy to understand, but watermelon was considered a valuable item in Japan; ordinary families couldn't often eat it, and the price was quite high... Was this thanks to his 'black brother's' legacy again?
It wasn't like that.
In fact, his 'black brother's' legacy was almost used up.
The watermelon was given by Hinata Sae, who said that someone in her family bought a watermelon yesterday and directly gave her half of it. She couldn't bear to eat it all and brought it to Hayato. When she spoke, her mouth was still watering with gluttony.
Hayato smiled slightly and accepted it.
Hinata Sae originally thought that Hayato would share some with her no matter what, but she didn't expect him to be so naive... But what could she do?
She absolutely could not lose this battle against Sanada Minako.
By the way, the milk tea was paid for by Sanada Minako.
"Just come, don't bring anything," Miyajima Sakura said softly, then bowed politely: "Thank you, Xiao Lin. Well, I'll take you to meet my mother and grandfather now. It's just the three of us at home, so please don't be shy, Xiao Lin. If you need anything, please just say so. Treat it like your own home..."
She spoke as she led Hayato down a long, rustic corridor.
Hayato clicked his tongue as he walked.
Miyajima looked quite large from the outside, but he didn't expect it to still be quite large once he entered.
Although the decor looked a bit old, it should be a matter of style; they pursued this Showa style, with an authentic Japanese flavor within. No wonder it could cultivate a traditional beauty like Miyajima Sakura... "Mother and grandfather are in the living room..."
Miyajima Sakura stopped and introduced Hayato, but when she stepped back into the room, before she could introduce herself, she was startled: "...Mom, Mother? What's wrong with you?"
Miyajima Tsubaki was no longer as she was just now; she had covered her face with a mask, and her originally loose hair (Sawamura Airiri's hairstyle was loose hair) was tied into a long braid.
"...I, I caught a bit of a chill," Miyajima Tsubaki said in a hoarse voice, then smiled apologetically: "Sorry, Xiao Lin, for making you laugh... To avoid infecting you, please forgive me for receiving you in this state."
As she spoke, she secretly observed Hayato.
His gaze was calm, he merely glanced at her, and then simply smiled quietly.
He nodded, and opened his mouth.
"How could it be you!?"
Then a loud shout.
Miyajima Tsubaki's heart trembled several times, thinking that it was over, her "illicit affair" with the young man was exposed, and how would she face Sakura after this? In Sakura's heart, would she become a slutty mother who stole her daughter's man... Eh?
But Hayato remained quite calm, not appearing to have made such a shout.
Miyajima Tsubaki blinked and realized—
It was her father, Miyajima Kiichiro, who had slammed his fist on the table, glaring sharply at Hayato with a sidelong glance.
Miyajima Tsubaki breathed a sigh of relief, thankfully, thankfully.
Then she belatedly realized... Eh?
Father and Xiao Lin, they know each other?
Although Hayato's expression didn't show it, he was actually slightly startled by this suddenly loud old man... Is he sick? Hyperthyroidism?
He muttered this to himself, looking at the old but vigorous old man.
Familiar, very familiar.
"Eh, Grandpa, you...?" Miyajima Sakura was curious, you two...?
Hayato looked at Miyajima Sakura again.
Who is Miyajima Sakura? She is a senior, an upperclassman.
With the keyword "upperclassman," Hayato immediately remembered everything; recently, he had discussed the so-called "upperclassman philosophy" with someone.
He just didn't expect him to be Miyajima Sakura's grandfather... So, when reading doujinshi, you really can't remember the male characters' appearances!!
"You brat, you're the 'friend' Sakura brought home...?" Miyajima Kiichiro's eyes gleamed with a hawk-like sharpness.
I'm your old man!
He really wanted to answer that way.
But Hayato still held back.
"Uh, yes," Hayato said, nodding somewhat shyly.
"You scoundrel!!" Miyajima Kiichiro roared: "I should have finished you off in that bookstore that night!!"
He stood up, his hand forming an eagle's claw, and was about to test Hayato.
But before he could strike, Miyajima Sakura asked somewhat strangely:
"That night? Bookstore? Grandpa, what were you doing at the bookstore at night? Buying books?"
"Oh, he went to buy—'Me and My Senior's'..."
Seeing Miyajima Kiichiro suddenly choked and dared not say another word, Hayato answered for him. But as soon as he spoke, he was interrupted by the furious Miyajima Kiichiro: "Shut up! This is not for you to mention—"
"...Okay, hehe." Hayato smiled.
Miyajima Kiichiro frowned displeased; with his vast experience, he immediately detected a hint of cunning in Hayato's "hehe."
When their eyes met, he read in those young eyes,
"Grandpa, you wouldn't want your daughter and granddaughter to know about you secretly buying 'Me and My Senior & Her Boyfriend,' would you?" —this sentence.
Miyajima Kiichiro trembled with humiliation..
Note:
Hello everyone!
First of all, I want to send my warmest wishes to you and your families. May your Lunar New Year be filled with warmth, reunion, and joy. I hope you all stay healthy and have a wonderful year ahead!
I have a small announcement: I will be taking a Lunar New Year holiday starting on February 15th, 2026, and will return on February 23rd, 2026. During this time, I want to rest, spend time with my family, and enjoy the traditional New Year atmosphere.
Don't worry! During this break, I will prepare new chapters so I can post them regularly when I return. So please be patient and wait, the upcoming story will be even better!
Thank you so much for your support. Wishing you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!