"Actually… I'm a student at Higashi Middle school…"
Placing his knife and fork back on the plate, Kyousuke rested both hands on his knees and spoke in a calm, serious voice.
From the very beginning, he knew this bombshell would eventually drop.
The fact that it lasted this long without incident already felt like a small miracle. At first, the age gap between them would've made any kind of relationship difficult—but now, that issue no longer existed.
In fact, if handled properly, maybe it could even become a little… spice for their relationship. Maybe.
Okudera stood up abruptly, staring at the boy across from her in disbelief. So little Shizuka had been right all along.
"…Yeah," Kyousuke nodded and stood up as well.
"This… this can't be real!"
Okudera covered her mouth in shock. What the hell am I doing?!
Her sandaled feet shuffled backward instinctively.
She could barely keep herself steady. All those happy daydreams she'd just played out in her head came crashing down.
The soft amber light that once felt romantic now loomed like a devouring beast.
"Okudera, calm down!" Kyousuke stepped forward and grabbed her arm before she could bolt.
His voice, once so gentle, now trembled slightly.
The bright, cheerful smile he always wore had vanished.
But this was basic math—a top student from Ochanomizu Women's University like Okudera could easily do the calculation.
"Look at me, Okudera." Kyousuke gently but firmly gripped her shoulders, making her face him.
Truthfully, even now, he wasn't panicking.
What they had—what they'd built—wasn't something that could fall apart so easily.
Proof of that lay in the faint aroma of cigar lingering around her—it was still rich and intoxicating, though now it carried a subtle hint of citrus, like lemon.
He had long since realized that his enhanced sense of smell could pick up the unique scent each girl gave off—one that reflected not just who they were, but how their relationship with him evolved.
If the day ever came when he couldn't smell that beautiful fragrance from someone anymore, it would mean the connection between them had truly died.
And with her… that was unthinkable.
Okudera slowly raised her head, gazing at his still-handsome face.
She used to think Kyousuke just looked young for his age… but now she knew—he was actually young.
Yet that smile… it was just as warm as it was when they first met.
She remembered how flustered she'd been back then, caught up in a misunderstanding, but when she saw his smile, all her nerves had melted away.
And now…
'No, no—this is way too much! He's not just younger… he's super younger! This is totally insane!'
Her wide, shimmering eyes darted around in disbelief, her expression flickering between shock and blank confusion like a cat realizing the giant fish it had just defeated was actually a plush toy all along.
Seeing the change in her eyes, Kyousuke's heart settled.
'As long as she's willing to listen, this can still work.'
He took her hand and gently placed it over his chest.
She jolted like someone waking from a dream.
"Okudera, does age really matter that much when it comes to relationships between people?" Kyousuke's voice was calm, sincere.
For someone like him, with access to a system, even the loss of beauty over time wasn't a real concern—it could be fixed.
"The connection we share… the memories we've created… none of that is fake."
"Those things are real. And age shouldn't be what decides whether two people can be together or not."
[TL Note – well tell that to the police -_-]
He held her hand firmly against his chest and used his other hand to gently brush the hair from her forehead, tucking it behind her ear.
His voice grew even softer.
"A person's soul holds far more than what the years alone can measure. And if someone lacks the spirit appropriate for their age, they'll end up suffering the misfortunes that come with that."
"And me…?"
He felt the tension in her hand ease, turning soft and relaxed.
He pulled her gently into his arms. She leaned into his embrace, her body warm and yielding.
"I'm just grateful I got to meet you now, at this moment… so the time we spend together can be miraculously extended."
"So please, please forgive me for hiding the truth from you."
Okudera didn't say a word.
It was the first time she'd ever been held like this by Kyousuke.
His body radiated heat, and she felt as if she was being lit up from the inside.
Surrounded by his familiar scent and soft voice, her thoughts drifted to their shared past.
They had met by chance, through a misunderstanding.
She'd barked orders at him, annoyed by his clumsiness.
He had always smiled and listened, improving little by little.
When she apologized, his only request was to have a meal with her.
After work, he'd insist on walking her home, handing her a coat that always smelled of pleasant detergent.
Looking back… she'd fallen for him from the very start.
When she told him her dream, he didn't react like her classmates, who looked at her strangely—wondering why a top Ochanomizu grad wanted to open a tiny restaurant.
Instead, he had said:
"I think you're amazing, Okudera-senpai. You're actually chasing your dream."
She almost cried right then and there.
He respected people's effort.
He supported their dreams.
'How could someone like that be judged by age alone?'
"Let me invest in your restaurant. I know you'll make it a success."
That's what he had said.
It sounded like sweet talk, something you'd say to trick a naive girl.
But after publishing his hit manga, the first thing he did with the prize money was rush to find her.
"Senpai, it's time to make your dream take off!"
With that kind of money at his age, any normal kid would've gone straight to Ginza, or splurged on a fancy new motorcycle or the latest phone.
But instead, he showed up on that same bike he always rode to bring her home, waiting for her to return from visiting her family.
Even when she told him there was no rush, he smiled and said:
"Honestly, having this much money in my account makes me uncomfortable… so, could you help hold onto it for me, senpai?"
Only someone like him would say something so naive… so adorably childish. Or maybe, so good at tricking girls.
And when he helped her sell her special sauce recipe—he already did enough—but he still felt guilty.
That pouty, sulky Kyousuke had been kind of cute too.
But he really had made her dream come true. And now, here they stood—inside her restaurant, embraced by the man who had made it all possible.
"…Kyousuke, I'm not going to forgive you."
Okudera tilted her lovely face up, lips pursed in a mock pout.
"Ah…"
"From now on, every single week, you have to come here and taste-test my new dishes. That's your punishment."
Seeing the dumbfounded look on his face, she giggled, biting her lip playfully.
Her amber eyes sparkled again, full of affection.
"Haha, you got it!" Kyousuke's arms tightened around her.
As he looked at her enticing lips, a strong urge to kiss her welled up inside him.
'Knock knock—'
"Okudera-senpai! Are you there~~?"
A cheerful, melodic voice rang out from behind the glass door, full of energy even through the barrier.
"Ah!" Okudera, who had been looking up at Kyousuke with a soft smile, quickly let go of his arm—she hadn't even realized she'd grabbed it.
"It's a close junior from my school days," Okudera explained, straightening out the wrinkles on her dress as she glanced toward the entrance, recognizing who had just arrived.
Thanks to Kyousuke's usual habits, the two of them were tucked away in a quiet corner of the first-floor lounge.
From the entrance, no one could see them.
"It's about time. We should greet our guests properly." Kyousuke gave Okudera an encouraging pat on the shoulder and whispered some words of support.
"Right!" she replied with a nod.
Okudera took out a small mirror and some makeup essentials from her clutch to touch up her appearance.
With her usual gentle smile back in place, she headed toward the entrance.
"Huh? I'm the first one here? I thought Shizuka-chan would've shown up earlier than me."
"I mean, other than school stuff, it's not like she has many dates lined up or anything."
The moment the door opened, a girl with short black hair leapt into Okudera's arms, chattering nonstop.
"Wait—I'm not the first?" Finally noticing the person following behind Okudera, the girl blinked in surprise.
"Ah! Did I interrupt something?" Releasing her hug, the girl clapped her hands together in exaggerated apology.
A teasing grin spread across her face as she nudged Okudera lightly with her shoulder.
Okudera's cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Hojou Kyousuke, a friend of Okudera's," Kyousuke introduced himself with a polite nod, keeping a calm, diplomatic smile.
He knew people like this—flamboyant, energetic types and the best way to deal with them was to smile and not take the bait.
"Oh, how rude of me! I'm Yukinoshita Haruno, Okudera-senpai's junior from Ochanomizu Women's University."
In a complete shift from her previous playfulness, Yukinoshita Haruno pressed her right hand over her left, both palms resting gently in front of her stomach.
She bowed with impeccable grace, so perfectly poised that even the most discerning royal etiquette instructor would find no fault.
When she straightened up, she kept smiling, clearly waiting for Kyousuke to continue the conversation.
Looking at her, a phrase automatically surfaced in Kyousuke's mind:
「立てば芍薬,座れば牡丹,歩く姿は百合の花」
"Standing, she's a peony; seated, a tree peony; walking, a lily."
She certainly looked the part—elegant and striking like a peony when standing.
The poise in her movements and the grace in her speech reminded him of the dignified charm of a tree peony.
As for the lily... well, not the pure and noble kind the Japanese often reference, but rather a golden lily symbolizing freedom and wild charm.
Also, you didn't really need to introduce yourself. I already know your name.
[My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected – Yukinoshita Haruno (Supporting Character)]
Today, not only had Kyousuke received a new reward, he also got to meet another well-known figure.
Still, whether it was Hiratsuka Shizuka before or now Yukinoshita Haruno, it seemed like their "youth" came fashionably late.
And that Hiratsuka-sensei… she may look like a dependable teacher, but both Okudera and Haruno casually call her "Shizuka-chan" like it's no big deal.
That contrast is… kind of wild.
"Come sit over here, Haruno. I'll bring out some snacks."
Having quickly composed herself, Okudera gestured for Haruno to follow.
Judging from her outfit, she clearly hadn't planned on doing any cooking today—everything was pre-prepared, probably cold dishes, and this was more a casual get-together with friends.
"Yay! I'm so happy. Ever since you retired from the cooking club, I haven't gotten to taste your food at all. I really missed it, you know!"
Grinning brightly, Haruno linked arms with Okudera, completely forgetting the earlier topic.
"Kyousuke, could you keep Haruno company for a bit? I'll go set things up," Okudera said with a natural smile before heading toward the kitchen.
"So, Hojou-san," Haruno began, leaning over the table.
She rested her chin delicately on the back of her interlaced fingers, elbows propped up, her smooth, pale arms showing beneath her white off-shoulder top.
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity, completely unfazed by the fact they'd only just met.
"You and Okudera-senpai—are you two a couple?"
"We're just really close friends," Kyousuke replied, meeting her eyes those lovely irises tinged with red and violet with a composed, professional smile.
"Ehh? That's so cold. Come on, tell me! Okudera-senpai and I are super close. We even joked about holding a joint wedding someday!"
Her lips curled up mischievously, her tone growing more playful and intimate—like the distance between them had instantly shrunk from strangers to close confidants.
"I'm one of the investors in this restaurant," Kyousuke replied coolly.
This kind of person was the hardest for him to deal with—mostly because he was this kind of person.
The woman in front of him might look like a cheerful college student, but she clearly spelled trouble.
Unlike the gentle and sensible Okudera-senpai, Haruno was a whole different beast.
"Eh? An investor?" Haruno gasped dramatically, scooting closer until only one seat separated her from Kyousuke.
"So you're trying to win over Okudera-senpai through her stomach, huh?"
"No," he answered flatly, his smile losing some warmth.
"Ahaha, sorry, sorry! I was just joking. But still, the way you and Okudera-senpai get along—it's kind of heartwarming."
That old proverb about the many graceful forms of a woman? It was meant to describe elegance and poise, but this girl… she was just too unpredictable.
The stuff she said could be a little annoying, sure, but it was all part of her game—testing his relationship with Okudera. What a handful.
"Okudera's prepared some delicious sushi today. Please help yourself."
"Yes sir! I'll make sure to stuff my mouth so I can't talk anymore!"
Haruno zipped her lips with an exaggerated motion, flashing a playful grin as she did so.