"Ding!"
Someone messaged him. On a Saturday no less.
Marin? Another cosplay event? Or maybe a date with Hina?
Still speculating, Nanashi—now freshly showered and lounging in shorts—sat on the sofa with a bath-towel-wrapped Nezuko in his arms. He unlocked his phone.
Surprisingly, the message wasn't from either of them—it was from Yui.
Stupid Dumpling: "Nanashi! Wanna come over for lunch today? My mom bought some Wagyu beef~"
Ever since they made their relationship official, Nanashi had changed Yui's nickname.
"You're actually inviting me over?"
Was this... a parent meeting?
He'd just met Mrs. Yukinoshita not long ago—and now Mrs. Yuigahama?
"What's up, Nanashi?" Tamayo asked, noticing the odd expression on his face.
"It's nothing. I just might not be able to stay long. Looks like I have to go meet someone's mom."
Nanashi felt a tinge of guilt. He wanted to spend more time with the three of them—but he didn't want to disappoint Yui either.
"Go ahead. We're already more than happy," Tamayo said gently, her hand resting on Kie's bulging belly beneath the towel. She grinned playfully. "Right, Kie?"
As she spoke, her fingers danced lightly across Kie's stomach.
"Hnn~!" Kie responded with a bashful nod, like a shy little mole.
After all, she'd been the one to receive the full force of Nanashi's affection.
"Don't worry," Nanashi smiled. "Next time, I'll make it up to you. Tamayo… and you too, Nezuko."
He gently lifted Nezuko's chin. Thinking of how flustered she'd been earlier, he teased:
"Nezuko, you really shouldn't drink that much water."
"Brother Nanashi! Please stop teasing me…" Nezuko had returned to her normal size, curled in his arms like a tiny, embarrassed wife.
She buried her face in his chest, ears burning red.
Honestly, what happened earlier wasn't her fault.
But when she was miniaturized, everything that was once "normal" became... overwhelmingly awkward.
Nanashi understood. He was only trying to lighten the mood.
"Was the ice cream your mom and Tamayo made tasty?" he asked, nibbling gently at her earlobe.
Kie and Tamayo, lazily sprawled on the sofa, ducked their heads in embarrassment.
Nezuko turned beet red, barely able to look up—desperate to disappear into the couch cushions.
There were no words to describe the mix of melted ice cream, teasing, and wooden sticks.
The fun was wrapping up. Nanashi finally replied to Yui.
Nanashi: "Alright. I'll be there."
Stupid Dumpling: "Yay~! Happy JPG!"
And just like that, he left.
It was nearing noon.
After exchanging a few words with Yukino and the others, Nanashi had left for Yui's house just after dawn.
…
Yuigahama Yuen.
Yui's mother.
Like Yukino's mother, if you didn't know her name, this would suffice—Mrs. Yuigahama.
She was currently in the kitchen, preparing the ingredients for lunch.
Pausing her work, she walked to the kitchen doorway and peeked into the living room.
There, she saw Yui lying on the sofa, wearing a simple white dress, happily humming to herself. Her soft, fair legs swung back and forth in the air as she basked in her excitement.
Yuen let out a quiet sigh and stepped back into the kitchen.
"Phew…"
Earlier that morning, Yui had suddenly announced that a classmate would be visiting.
Judging by how cheerful she'd been, Yuen had a strong feeling this wasn't just any classmate—this might be the boy her daughter liked… or maybe even her boyfriend.
"Yui's growing up," she murmured to herself.
Yuen couldn't help imagining the future: Yui falling in love, getting married, starting a family of her own.
There was a sense of pride in that thought… but also a tinge of sorrow.
Yui's father had passed away when she was still very young. Yuen had raised her alone ever since—as a single mother. If Yui were to marry and move out… she'd be the only one left in this home.
That quiet, lonely thought settled heavily in her chest. Her movements slowed as she washed the vegetables, fingers numbed by memory and melancholy.
Ding-dong!
The doorbell rang, snapping her out of her reverie.
"Coming!" Yui's cheerful voice echoed through the house, followed by the patter of light footsteps rushing to the door.
Yuen quickly wiped her hands on a towel, adjusted her hair and clothes, and took a deep breath to compose herself.
"Ah Nanashi, hello!" Yui beamed as she opened the door.
"That's how you greet people in your house?" Nanashi asked with a small smile.
"Of course!" she replied proudly.
"Hello, Yui."
"Hey, come in!"
Their playful exchange reached the kitchen, giving Mrs. Yuigahama her first impression of the boy: polite, gentle with Yui, and easygoing.
When she finally stepped out of the kitchen and saw him with her own eyes, her impression deepened.
He was tall—around 1.8 meters—with a lean, well-proportioned build. His clothes were neat, his posture relaxed, and his face was strikingly handsome.
"You must be Mrs. Yuigahama. Sorry for the intrusion," Nanashi greeted immediately upon seeing her.
"Yes, this is my mom," Yui said, nodding enthusiastically.
"Hello, Mrs. Yuigahama. I'm Nanashi, Yui's classmate."
Polite and well-spoken. Not a hint of awkwardness in his tone.
Yuen's smile widened. Her heart, which had been tense with worry just moments ago, began to ease.
"I'm Yuigahama Yuen, Yui's mother. You can call me Madam, or Auntie if you'd like, Nanashi-kun."
"Understood, Auntie," Nanashi replied with a respectful nod.
"You two sit down on the sofa for now—I'll head back to the kitchen and finish up."
Nanashi offered right away, "Would you like some help?"
"Mom, me too! I wanna help!" Yui chimed in immediately, bouncing after him.
Yuen blinked in surprise.
Her daughter had never shown much interest—or talent—in the kitchen. Why the sudden enthusiasm?
But when she glanced at Yui's eyes, she understood. Yui's gaze was fixed entirely on Nanashi, sparkling with joy and nervous excitement.
As I thought… he really is the one Yui likes.
"Thank you, Nanashi-kun. And you too, Yui," Yuen said warmly, her heart softening even further.
…
In the Kitchen
Nanashi rolled up his sleeves and began helping with the preparations. Surprisingly, his movements were practiced—skilled even.
Yuen watched him for a moment, mildly astonished.
He's got more kitchen sense than most adults…
In truth, Nanashi didn't actually know how to cook. But thanks to the Archon, he could instantly acquire any skill by transferring the necessary information from others into his own mind.
Compared to him, Yui was… clumsy.
She fumbled with the knife, splashed water while washing vegetables, and moved like she was in a cooking-themed obstacle course.
Yuen let out a soft, internal sigh.
My little girl still has a long way to go…
After finishing the last of the vegetable prep, Yui proudly pulled a large cut of Wagyu beef from behind her back, grinning from ear to ear.
"Ta-dah! Nanashi, look! This is the Wagyu beef Mom bought. Doesn't it look amazing?"
Nanashi chuckled. "Looks like I'm in for a luxurious meal today."
"My mom's cooking is awesome!"
"I'll be looking forward to it."
…
Yuen stood off to the side, watching the two of them chat and laugh together.
Nanashi was warm and attentive, always smiling at Yui's antics, always gentle with his words.
Her heart grew warm as well.
Then—
"Ah!"
Yui turned too fast while holding the beef. Her arm brushed against the pot of boiling water on the stove. With a cry, she dropped the beef reflexively, pain flashing across her face.
But Nanashi moved in an instant.
With one hand, he caught the falling beef and tossed it into a nearby container. With the other, he grabbed Yui's scalded arm, gently lifting her sleeve.
A faint golden glow shimmered from his palm as it hovered over her burn.
"Does it still hurt?" he asked softly.
Yui blinked. "Huh?! It really hurt just now, but now… it doesn't at all!"
She could still feel the warmth on her arm—but it was comforting, not painful. Her gaze softened, locking on Nanashi with a slightly dazed expression.
It must've been Nanashi. He used his power to take the pain away…
There had been boiling water in that pot—she knew it should've hurt far more than it did.
"Yui!"
Mrs. Yuigahama, who had been slow to react at first, rushed over to check her daughter's arm, worried it might have been burned.
Nanashi gently released Yui's arm as she lifted it up, flashing a smile and showing her trademark rabbit-like teeth. "Hehe, Mom, I'm fine. All thanks to Nanashi."
Mrs. Yuigahama looked carefully at her daughter's arm, examining it from every angle. Only after confirming that there was no sign of injury did she breathe a sigh of relief.
In that moment, she recalled Nanashi's swift reflexes and gentle demeanor.
She felt deeply reassured.
This boy really does care about Yui.
…
"How is it? Isn't my mom's cooking amazing?" Yui beamed proudly.
"Mhm, it's really delicious," Nanashi replied, nodding with sincere appreciation.
"Haha, as long as you like it! No need to rush—eat slowly and enjoy."
"Nanashi, try this! The Wagyu beef is super good!"
"Yui, don't just feed me. Eat some too. C'mon, open wide… ah—"
"Ah… ahh, thank you, Nanashi!"
…
Lunch ended in a joyful, lighthearted atmosphere.
Mrs. Yuigahama also smiled brightly. It had been a long time since the house had felt this lively.
After the meal, Nanashi and Mrs. Yuigahama sat on the living room sofa for a casual chat.
For the most part, she asked the questions while Nanashi answered politely—though often vaguely. It felt unmistakably like a parental interview.
Yui sat beside them, red-faced and shyly quiet.
Eventually, Mrs. Yuigahama cut to the heart of the matter.
"Nanashi-kun, you and Yui… are the two of you dating?"
Without hesitation, Nanashi nodded. "Yes. I'm Yui's boyfriend."
"Mm!" Yui made a small sound of surprise, her cheeks flushing deeper with embarrassment at the open declaration in front of her mother.
Nanashi had originally planned to confess more, but Yui had warned him over the phone not to mention the others just yet.
So, for the time being, he said nothing about his other girlfriends.
"As I thought," Mrs. Yuigahama said softly. "I won't object. In fact, I'm very happy with Nanashi-kun."
"Thank you for your support," Nanashi replied with a respectful smile.
Mrs. Yuigahama's voice turned gentle, full of care. "But as Yui's mother, I do want to remind you both to focus on your studies. You're still young—don't waste your youth. Unlike me, who's already old and doesn't have much to worry about."
Nanashi shook his head. "Not at all. Mrs. Yuigahama, you don't look old in the slightest. When we first met, if Yui hadn't told me ahead of time, I would've assumed you were her sister."
"From your looks to your aura, you're truly a young and beautiful woman."
"..."
Mrs. Yuigahama chuckled softly, covering her mouth with her hand at the compliment. "My, Nanashi-kun really knows how to flatter someone."
But Nanashi wasn't just saying it to be polite—he genuinely meant it.
Looking closely, Mrs. Yuigahama bore a striking resemblance to Yui. Her face was youthful and free of wrinkles, her bright orange hair highlighted her vibrant charm, and her skin—whether on her cheeks, hands, or neck—was smooth and fair.
Add to that her curvaceous figure and slender waist, which in some ways even surpassed Yui's, and it was no exaggeration to say she could pass as her daughter's older sister.
On top of that youthful appearance, she possessed a calm, composed, and gentle demeanor.
Her mature elegance only added to her allure.
Even Nanashi couldn't help stealing a second glance at her warm, graceful smile.
He unconsciously compared Mrs. Yuigahama to Mrs. Yukinoshita.
They were both beautiful, youthful mothers, but their personalities were as different as Yui and Yukino's.
The aura they gave off… was completely distinct.