The delicate, smooth, and tender sea urchin melted on the tongue like rich cream, carrying with it the fresh breath of the ocean and just the faintest trace of sweetness. When paired with the soft, plump grains of perfectly cooked rice, that mellow richness bloomed instantly, wrapping the taste buds in an unforgettable harmony.
The fresh red king crab sashimi, its texture delicate and its flavor naturally sweet, was like tasting the very essence of the sea. The smoked salmon, smooth and tender, carried the subtle aroma of woodfire that lingered pleasantly in the mouth. The fried shrimp tempura crackled with each bite, revealing juicy, springy shrimp that seemed to bounce lightly against the tongue. And the red king crab chawanmushi—plump crab meat hidden within the silken egg custard—created a luxurious contrast that could only be described as perfection.
The flavors danced together, weaving into each other like waves crashing against the shore. Eating them felt as if one had been transported to a seaside cliff, with the salty wind in the air and the taste of the sea lingering at the tip of the tongue.
Kasumigaoka Utaha and Izumi Masamune both wore blissful expressions as they ate, their composure giving way to the undeniable joy of good food. Kani Nayuta, on the other hand, looked as if she had transcended into another dimension—her eyes sparkled, her cheeks flushed, and her entire demeanor screamed, fan filter overload. To her, Touji-sensei's cooking wasn't just food; it was pure devotion served on a plate.
Even Kasumigaoka Touji himself couldn't help but savor every bite. Whether it was the unparalleled freshness of the ingredients, or the fact that he had been in perfect form that day, the result was the same: every mouthful was heavenly. For once, even he could shamelessly praise his own cooking as delicious.
...
"Well then… I'll head back first."
After the feast ended and the dishes were neatly washed and dried, Izumi Masamune wiped his hands and announced his departure. His tone carried the lingering satisfaction of a man whose stomach was full and his soul at peace.
"Mm." Touji responded softly, then glanced at the sky outside. Turning to the silver-haired girl beside him, he said with a gentle smile: "Come on, I'll walk you to the station."
"Eh?" Kani Nayuta blinked in surprise, her pale lashes fluttering. She hadn't expected him to volunteer.
Utaha, who had been reclining elegantly on the sofa, caught the exchange. Her lips curved ever so slightly upward, a mischievous glint flashing through her wine-red eyes. Outsiders had to leave eventually—
Her precious Younger brother's night still belonged to her alone. Fufufu~ what a relief.
"So early?" Nayuta asked, a trace of reluctance creeping into her voice. Pulling out her phone, she peeked at the time. "It's not even seven yet."
She still wanted to linger—at least until Touji's next live stream. After all, listening to him live, right in front of her… that was a dream she had secretly longed for.
"This is actually the best time to leave," Touji explained gently, his voice full of calm reasoning. "Any later and the trains will be too crowded. There'll be drunks… and worse, perverts. I'd rather not let you deal with that."
"…Ah." Nayuta's eyes softened. Every word carried his thoughtfulness, and her heart gave a little thump. No one could resist being cared for so sincerely. With no choice, she nodded. "Alright."
Touji turned to Utaha, who still sat elegantly on the sofa, the TV flickering before her. "Then… Utaha, I'll send her off first."
"Go and come back quickly," Utaha replied. Her gaze locked firmly on him, wine-red irises gleaming like polished jewels.
Touji hummed in acknowledgment, then walked to the entrance with Nayuta trailing behind. There, she lowered herself onto the floor, picked up her khaki boots, and began slipping her small feet—wrapped snugly in white cotton socks—into them. The motion was so natural, yet Touji found himself oddly captivated. Something about the way her slender ankles bent and her delicate toes wriggled was strangely pleasing to the eye.
"Hmph hmph~," Nayuta's lips curled mischievously as she noticed his gaze. "Winter-sensei… are you secretly enjoying watching me put on boots?"
Caught, Touji chuckled softly. "Hmm, how should I put it…" Instead of answering with words, he crouched down, picked up the other boot, and gently lifted her delicate foot into his palm. The moment his fingers brushed against her skin, Nayuta trembled, her five little toes curling shyly like they were trying to hide.
Without teasing her about it, Touji slid her foot into the boot with practiced care, zipped it up, and then rose smoothly to his feet. "I also like helping Utaha put on and take off her clothes," he said matter-of-factly, his voice carrying that calm yet dangerous playfulness unique to him. As he spoke, he extended a hand, pulling Nayuta up from the floor with a gentle tug.
"E-Eh?" Nayuta blinked in surprise, her lips quirking into a teasing grin. "Winter-sensei's hobby… could it be that he used to play with dolls when he was little?"
"I only like playing with real-life dolls," Touji replied, not even blinking as he intertwined his fingers with hers and led her toward the door.
By the time they stepped outside, the sky had already grown dark. A pale moon shone overhead, faintly blurred by the city's glow, while a handful of lonely stars clung stubbornly to the night sky. Though Wako City wasn't even large enough to be called a county, its closeness to Tokyo meant it still suffered from light pollution. The heavens never looked as grand here as they might in the countryside.
Still, Touji found the soft moonlight pleasant. The dim orange glow of the streetlamps cast long, stretched shadows behind him and Nayuta, their conjoined silhouettes swaying gently across the quiet path as they walked hand in hand toward the station.
"It's so quiet here!" Nayuta suddenly blurted out, her clear voice breaking the silence. She glanced around with wide eyes, as though surprised by the calm atmosphere. Indeed, the streets were nearly empty—hardly a pedestrian in sight, and only the occasional car rolling past.
Touji gave a small nod. "That's the charm of a small city. Even in the daytime it isn't noisy, and once night falls, it quiets down very quickly."
"Hmmm, I see." Nayuta tilted her head, pouting in thought. "It's not exactly noisy where I live, but compared to here… it feels busier. Our neighborhood is decent, but it doesn't have this kind of stillness."
Touji glanced at her sidelong, remembering the address she had given him. A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Well, that's Meguro Ward for you. Only families who are pretty well-off can live there. Most ordinary people wouldn't even dare dream of it."
"Ehh? Not at all!" Nayuta waved her free hand quickly, her cheeks puffing slightly as if embarrassed. "My family is just ordinary middle-class, really!" Her clear, watery eyes flicked toward him mischievously. "But… Winter-sensei, would you like to come over sometime? My cat can do a backflip, you know~."
She paused deliberately, lowering her voice with a grin. "And my bed is quite big too."
Touji gave her a look full of dry amusement. "Oh? So is Kani Nayuta-sensei planning to wear a cat costume and do a backflip for me as well? If so, I'll definitely make the time to admire it."
"That works too!" Nayuta shot back without hesitation, puffing her chest out as if she were serious. "Though I don't own a cat-girl costume yet… I guess I'll just have to buy one first."
Touji squeezed her small hand lightly, smirking. "Then be sure to tell me when you buy it. I'll be looking forward to the great 'Cat-sensei's' debut performance."
"…Baka." Nayuta muttered, her face red yet smiling, unable to stop herself from swaying their joined hands back and forth like a child.
Before long, the station came into view. The warm lights spilling out from its entrance cut across the cool night air, breaking the quiet mood between them. Touji stopped just before the steps, releasing her hand reluctantly.
"Send me a message when you get home," he said firmly. "I want to know you arrived safely."
"Mhm~." Nayuta nodded sweetly, slipping past the gates. Yet just before disappearing into the crowd, she suddenly turned back, her eyes meeting his. She gave him a bright smile, waved her hand with almost childlike energy, and only then vanished into the station.
Touji stood there for a moment longer, watching until her figure could no longer be seen. Only then did he turn away, the faint echo of her laughter and words lingering warmly in the night air.