Shichen was definitely planning to keep Nishikigi Chisato by his side, even without her asking.
Originally, he intended to take her straight back to the café, but he remembered that Kasumigaoka Utaha was still discussing the contract with Editor Machida Sonoko. So, instead, he brought Chisato over to meet them.
Returning to the family restaurant, he saw the two of them still sitting there, apparently finished talking, now eating.
When Shichen entered with Nishikigi Chisato, they naturally drew the women's attention. Their gazes followed him through the window and into the restaurant. Both of them set down their utensils and paused what they were doing.
Shichen, of course, noticed their stares. He didn't really mind Machida Sonoko's reaction, but when it came to Kasumigaoka Utaha, he had to tread carefully. She was frowning, her gaze sharp. She seemed a bit displeased.
Only then did Shichen realize how odd it might look—he had suddenly run off and now returned with a stunningly pretty girl in tow.
But since he'd already brought her over, there was no turning back.
Putting on a calm front, Shichen approached them with Chisato following behind. He asked as though nothing was amiss, "Utaha, have you wrapped things up with Editor Machida?"
Utaha didn't respond to him; instead, she looked at Chisato with a blank expression, sizing her up.
"We're finished," Machida Sonoko answered, though her gaze lingered on both Utaha and Chisato. A faint smile tugged at her lips, as if sensing a good show.
"Hello, I'm Nishikigi Chisato." Faced with Utaha's scrutiny, Chisato was unbothered, smiling and waving in greeting.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Machida Sonoko, an editor." Machida responded with a friendly smile.
"Nishikigi Chisato? What's your relationship with Shichen?" Utaha asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Shichen"… Shichen's mouth twitched. So she'd switched back to calling him by his name again. Maybe their relationship had regressed?
"What's our relationship, Chen-nii?" Chisato asked brightly, turning to Shichen.
She had started calling him "Chen-nii" on the way here—because he told her to. "Oniichan" had felt a bit odd when they looked about the same age.
"Um… a distant cousin?" Shichen ventured.
Utaha retorted with a question of her own: "Why are you asking me?"
"Ahem…"
"Distant cousin?" Chisato didn't sound thrilled.
"What else can I do?" Shichen said resignedly.
"Fine, if that's what you say, Chen-nii…" She pouted.
"That's how it is, Utaha. She's my cousin," Shichen repeated.
"…" Utaha just stared at him as if he were an idiot.
"W-what?" he asked.
Utaha's brow twitched. She took a deep breath, chest rising. "Do you take me for a fool?"
"Of course not."
"Then why act like one yourself? Or is it that you are the fool?"
"Ugh…"
Oh boy…
Shichen realized he might have made a blunder. Then again, it wasn't that big of a deal—if Utaha was reacting like this, at least it showed she cared, which he found rather amusing.
"Hahaha, Shichen, you're so funny," Machida Sonoko laughed out loud, in a very unladylike way.
Shichen: "…"
"Hmph!" Utaha shot him another glare before looking at Chisato. "What's your real relationship with him?"
"What's the problem? Are you Chen-nii's girlfriend?" Chisato asked curiously.
"No," Utaha answered evenly.
"Then that's a relief." Chisato smiled.
"Relief?"
"Chen-nii is my savior, so I'm staying with him!" She quickly wrapped her arms around Shichen's elbow, holding on tight. Then, with a challenging glance at Utaha, she added, "Since you're not his girlfriend, I don't have to worry about you."
"Savior? Are we in some corny old story about repaying kindness with your body?" Utaha sneered.
"It's not that simple," Chisato countered, still smiling. "I've been waiting ten whole years for Chen-nii."
Shichen had rescued her from despair, cured her heart condition, and given her a new life. She'd spent ten years looking for him, always with him in her thoughts. Her feelings were far from ordinary.
Besides, after quitting DA, Chisato had lived as a normal girl; Shichen was the "white knight" in her mind. What girl wouldn't fall for such a figure?
"Ten years?" Utaha couldn't help turning to Shichen. "Childhood friends? But you just got here a short while ago. Weren't you the one who did a quick rescue that day?"
"Uh… Let's just say it's too complicated to explain. We're not exactly childhood friends," Shichen mumbled.
Though Chisato was clinging to his arm with that soft sensation, he didn't feel any warmth at all—this was definitely a budding battlefield. A small one, but enough to rattle him.
He'd spent most of his life as a homebody, after all. He wasn't used to such scenes. Of course he was panicky.
"Saying you 'can't explain'… you just won't tell me," Utaha murmured, lowering her gaze.
"No, believe me, I really can't," Shichen said urgently. He pulled away from Chisato's grip and clutched Utaha's shoulders, staring into her eyes with sincerity.
Utaha managed only three seconds before she couldn't handle the intensity of his gaze. She turned her face away, muttering, "Okay, fine. I believe you—happy?"
"Thank goodness." He let out a breath of relief.
"Now let go of me…" Utaha said quietly.
"Oh, sorry." Shichen promptly released her.
"Well, if you don't want him, I will." Chisato seemed entirely unbothered by Shichen's momentary closeness with Utaha. She went right back to hugging his arm.
"Chisato…" Shichen sighed, giving her an exasperated look.
"What?" She blinked innocently. "Is that not allowed?"
"…Fine…"
"Hehe~" Chisato flashed a triumphant smirk at Utaha.
Utaha, however, no longer paid attention, ignoring her completely. She turned her focus to Shichen. "So, how about some food before we head back?"
Her form of address was back to "Shichen."
"Yeah, I'm kind of hungry," he agreed.
"Me too!" Chisato chimed in.
"My, you're so shameless," Utaha muttered, rolling her eyes.
"What's the issue? I'm just Chen-nii's cousin, isn't that right?" Chisato replied shamelessly.
"…And now you're a cousin again?" Utaha said with barely concealed disdain.
"Well, we're only cousins, not siblings," Chisato responded nonchalantly.
Utaha: "…"
"All right, enough. What do you want to eat?" Shichen broke in to stop them.
"I'll have whatever Chen-nii's having," Chisato said cheerfully.
"Fine."
Shichen called a server over and ordered two bowls of rice-topped meals. Then came the matter of seating. He wasn't sure whether to sit with Utaha and Machida, or with Chisato, or by himself. Going solo would be ridiculous with three beauties here.
Machida Sonoko noticed his predicament and scooted over, beckoning him. "Shichen, want to sit with me?"
"Uh…" Shichen hesitated, glancing at Utaha.
"Why are you looking at me? I'm not going to throw a fit like somebody," Utaha huffed, sliding over to make room as well.
"You underestimate me," Chisato said, smirking as she sat next to Utaha.
So Shichen ended up next to Machida Sonoko.
The table fell silent for a while until Machida Sonoko suddenly burst into laughter. "Hahaha! You three are so entertaining—so full of youthful energy."
"Editor Machida, please don't tease," Shichen groaned.
"Oh, come on. Handsome boys always cause a stir," she teased, patting his shoulder.
"…I'm really not all that…"
"Shichen, you're not planning to be a playboy, are you?" Machida asked. The moment she said it, Shichen could feel Utaha stiffen. Chisato, on the other hand, didn't seem to react.
"Editor Machida, stop that! I'm not like that," Shichen protested righteously.
"Really? With your good looks, you could string along anyone you wanted. Wouldn't it be a waste not to be a philanderer?"
"…Who in the world advises someone to be a jerk?" Shichen's brow twitched in annoyance.
"Because I think if you did, it might inspire Kasumi Utako Sensei's writing," Machida joked.
"…"
"What's this got to do with me?" Utaha interjected.
"Well," Machida Sonoko winked at Utaha, "Kasumi Utako Sensei has no romantic experience, but she's writing a romance novel."
"So what if I haven't…" Utaha's cheeks reddened slightly, feeling embarrassed.
"Romance novels are best written by someone who's never dated, sure, but it's kind of unrealistic. Some real heartbreak might give it extra spice—and that sells."
"…I'm sorry I haven't dated anyone!" Utaha snapped, flustered.
"Haha, did you hear that, Shichen? Kasumi Utako Sensei's never been in a relationship. She's easy prey," Machida teased.
"Chen-nii, I've never dated, either!" Chisato volunteered gleefully.
"…" Shichen was at a total loss for words.
~~~
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