"Aunt Yuki, don't be too sad. Jo-kun was just confused for a moment."
"I've already taught him a lesson, and we should believe that Jo-kun will eventually regret his actions."
He pulled a tissue from the dining table, his fingertips resting on the beautiful woman's face, gently wiping away her tears.
Takayanagi Yuki didn't resist.
His hands continued their work, Hoshino Jun's heart was joyful, but his expression remained sorrowful as he comforted Takayanagi Yuki.
"There's a saying, 'It's never too late for a prodigal son to turn back.' Let's give Jo-kun a little more time."
"There's also a saying, 'It's easier to change rivers and mountains than to change one's nature.'"
Takayanagi Yuki wiped her own eyes and then moved back slightly.
"Alright, Jun, hurry and eat. If you don't eat soon, your food will get cold."
After an enraged Takayanagi Yuki and Hoshino Jun left Takayanagi Jo, they took a bus back to the vicinity of the apartment.
They were too hungry to go home and cook, so they found a small restaurant to sit down and eat.
Nearly an hour had passed since they left until they started eating.
With time, the anger should have subsided.
How could there be enmity between a mother and son? So Hoshino Jun did not badmouth Takayanagi Jo in front of Takayanagi Yuki, but rather sincerely comforted her, urging her to let go of her emotional knots.
But, are emotional knots really that easy to untie?
"Jun, can you tell me, is this how Mei usually teaches you?"
Takayanagi Yuki gazed at Hoshino Jun, whose handsome face was filled with gentleness and kindness.
He not only helps Mei with housework and takes care of her daily life, but he also has a very kind heart. He has been hurt by Jo again and again, yet he always chooses to forgive.
He is too good.
So good that Takayanagi Yuki wished Hoshino Jun was her own son and that she could kick that scoundrel Takayanagi Jo out of the house.
However, such things cannot be changed, so she still had to seek advice from Hoshino Jun.
"How could Aunt Mei teach anyone? She herself is incredibly wild."
Hoshino Jun smiled, scooped a mouthful of rice into his mouth, and chewed. The taste was pretty good.
Listening to him, Takayanagi couldn't help but smile, recalling Asu Mei's usual demeanor.
"Indeed, Mei's personality is lively, more like a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl."
"All this time, it's been Jun taking care of her."
Is personality really something innate?
Thinking this, Takayanagi Yuki's expression became dejected again.
Her changing expressions were all caught by Hoshino Jun, not a single detail missed.
Looking out at the bustling road outside the restaurant, Hoshino Jun vaguely remembered that he and Takayanagi Jo used to walk together on this very road.
At that time, Takayanagi Jo was quite a good person.
Before Takayanagi Jo fell for Yamada Kaoru, he was much like Hoshino Jun, good to his friends, and caring enough towards his family and neighbors.
Before Hoshino Jun rejected Yamada Kaoru, he was still studying hard with Hoshino Jun.
Not highly talented, he compensated with diligence, and by relentlessly doing practice problems, he managed to get into the school run by Yamada Kaoru's family.
As for why he became like this?
Hoshino Jun never expected that simply rejecting Yamada Kaoru that day, and the proud young lady crying, could make the unrelated Takayanagi Jo so frantic.
One can only say that love makes people numb, and a simp is the king of numbness.
"Jo-kun, it's a pity."
These were Hoshino Jun's true feelings. If Takayanagi Jo hadn't pursued Yamada Kaoru, he probably would have had a wonderful life.
Simps don't come to a good end.
Hearing Hoshino Jun's regretful tone, Takayanagi Yuki slowly lowered her head, her already troubled expression becoming even more somber.
"Aunt Yuki, it's getting windy, we should go home."
"Mm."
April weather is unpredictable; half an hour ago it was bright and sunny, but half an hour later, the sky was covered with dark, heavy clouds.
Hoshino Jun stood up, paid the bill first, and then turned his gaze to Takayanagi Yuki, who was still in a daze.
He couldn't do anything about the gloomy clouds in the sky, but he planned to start dispelling the gloom in Aunt Yuki's heart.
Name: Takayanagi Yuki
Stamina: 6
Intelligence: 4
Charm: 9
Occupation: Supermarket Cashier
Affection: She currently owes you six C-grade affection debts and one D-grade debt. Please urge her to complete payment as soon as possible.
Payment method:
Money: Six million five hundred thousand yen.
Food: Six and a half years of loving bento boxes.
Affection: Warm, original-scented lingerie (full set)
"Jun, why did you pay? Auntie should be treating you."
Takayanagi Yuki, snapping out of her daze, exclaimed and immediately began fumbling for her wallet, looking for money to give to Hoshino Jun.
But Hoshino Jun's steps were quick; in a few strides, he had already walked out of the restaurant. Takayanagi Yuki, wearing high heels, quickened her pace to follow him.
The substantial assets on her chest bounced continuously, and her pink long dress danced gracefully.
The soft curves of her thighs and the glimpses of fair skin beneath the hem of her skirt exuded an indescribable allure with Takayanagi Yuki's every step.
"Jun, wait a moment, Auntie will give you the money."
The mature beautiful woman chasing the young man in front attracted attention.
When they returned to the fourth floor of the apartment, the young man suddenly turned around, and Takayanagi Yuki, person and 'assets' alike, crashed into his arms.
The softness and elasticity, felt even through clothes, made Hoshino Jun's heart tingle and itch.
"Jun, I'm sorry."
The collision was a bit too forceful, and Takayanagi Yuki felt a squeezing pain in her chest.
Takayanagi Yuki was about to pull away from Hoshino Jun's embrace, but unexpectedly, Hoshino Jun suddenly took the opportunity to wrap his arms around her slender waist.
"Yuki~"
The intimate address made Takayanagi Yuki's heart tremble, and the wallet in her hand almost dropped to the ground.
Jun, why are you calling me that again all of a sudden?
We're already home, isn't it over?
"Yuki, didn't you want to ask me why I'm better than other kids?"
Hoshino Jun leaned close to Takayanagi Yuki's cheek. He could clearly feel that with today's embrace, Takayanagi Yuki no longer resisted as she used to.
It was as if she had subconsciously accepted that Hoshino Jun hugging her was no big deal anymore.
As Hoshino Jun held her tighter and tighter, Takayanagi Yuki's face turned red, especially when Hoshino Jun spoke, and his hot breath sprayed on her cheek, she felt as light as if she had been drugged.
"Uh, Jun, let's not talk about this now, it's time to go home."
"Hmm!"
Somehow, even though Hoshino Jun didn't intend to, his hand involuntarily moved downwards, resting on Takayanagi Yuki's thigh.
He leaned on the beautiful woman's shoulder, his murmuring voice as soft as a dream.
"I've actually always been learning from you."
"Your gentleness, your devotion to family, and your strength and courage—I've always seen it and tried my best to imitate you."
"All these years, I've understood how difficult it has been for you."
"I truly want to take care of you. Can you give me a chance?"
"Yuki."
The afternoon sunlight spilled over the land.
Takayanagi Yuki leaned in the young man's arms, listening to the thumping heartbeat.
The young man's declaration of love was too sudden, leaving her bewildered, confused, and very surprised.
The blush on her face, like peach petals, was exceptionally beautiful.
"Jun."
"Yuki, call me by my name."
He licked his somewhat dry lips.
Hoshino Jun reluctantly released the soft body in his arms, looked into Takayanagi Yuki's eyes, and leaned in, maintaining a suitable distance where they could still feel each other's warmth.
"Come to my place, or open the door to yours."
"No matter what you're thinking, please let me finish saying everything I want to say to you."
"Will you give me a chance to finish my words, okay?"
After speaking, Hoshino Jun slowly approached, stopping just before kissing Takayanagi Yuki, seemingly seeking her consent.
A rare first concession.
His warm, moist breath continuously fanned her pink lips, her delicate nose, and her cheeks. Takayanagi Yuki looked as if she were drunk, her expression slightly flushed, and the blush on her cheeks grew deeper.
Takayanagi Yuki's mind again flashed back to the scene where Hoshino Jun had stood in front of her, protecting her.
And when Hoshino Jun had disciplined Takayanagi Jo for her, then turned around to speak well of Takayanagi Jo to comfort her.
He was so reliable.
If she were eighteen, Takayanagi Yuki would have kissed him without hesitation at that moment.
However, she was already in her thirties.
The age difference was ultimately an insurmountable chasm.
Logic told her to refuse!
"But... Jun, that girl named Yamada Kaoru likes you. You could be with her."
"She pursued me, and I rejected her."
Hoshino Jun moved a tiny bit closer, gently raising his hand to caress her burning cheek.
The moment their skin touched, Takayanagi Yuki's heart trembled. Seeing Hoshino Jun getting closer and closer, her throat also felt dry.
She really wanted to kiss this reliable boy.
But at this moment, Takayanagi Yuki suddenly thought of another question.
"Jun, I found out about what happened between you and that girl named Kato Nana in the restroom."
The book from the reader group, the name suggests it's of the same genre.