Kyouko stood there for a moment, her heart still fluttering.
Haruki really knows how to compliment a girl...
I nearly forgot he was my son.
"Mom? What are you waiting for?" Haruki turned, tilting his head with narrowed eyes.
"Ah... sorry. I was just wondering whether I should wear sneakers or just flip flops." Kyouko smiled faintly.
"Huh? Flip what?" Haruki looked at the shoe rack.
"This…" Kyouko held up a pair of simple sandals. "These are flip-flops. And these…" She lifted a sleek, ankle-high boot. "…are Chelsea boots. And this…" She tucked her hair behind her ear while picking up a casual loafer. "…is a slip-on."
"Yeah yeah... shoes and slippers." Haruki exhaled.
"No~ that's different. This one is called ankle boots, this one has an ankle strap, and this one..." she lifted another pair, "is block heels. Each has a different style and occasion."
"Mom..." Haruki narrowed his eyes.
"Hmm? Yes?" Kyouko glanced up, looking at Haruki who already had both hands in his pockets.
"Are you a saleswoman now?"
"Wha? No! I'm just teaching you about this so you know about women!"
"Not even related! Men don't need to know the names. We just need to know if they look good on the person wearing them. The basics, Mom. That's shoes, that's sandals, and that's heels. Men don't learn about the names. Same with colors too. Now enough of that. Are we going to the supermarket or opening a shoe shop here?"
"Mou!! Haruki!" Kyouko puckered her lips, reaching for a pair of fluffy, cat-print bedroom slippers.
"Ugh. I recall someone giving a whole lecture on fashion, but she doesn't even know what pairs with a blouse and skirt." Haruki pinched the bridge of his nose.
"What? This is cute~" Kyouko smiled, about to wear the plushie cat-print slippers.
"Mom! Those are for house use! And not suitable for your current outfit!"
"But they're adorable~"
"No..." Haruki exhaled and reached for a pair of elegant platform heels in a box, placing them in front of Kyouko. "You wear these. The cartoon cats stay home."
"These are platform heels! It's hard to walk normally with this," Kyouko said while gracefully slipping one foot into a heel.
"Yeah, platform whatever. Wear those or we're not going. I don't want to be seen in public with my mother wearing cartoon cat slippers with a formal outfit."
"Hmmph! You talk about fashion sense with me but look at you." Kyouko side-glared at him.
"Hmm? White t-shirt, black jeans paired with white sneakers. I have better fashion sense than you." Haruki exhaled.
Kyouko glanced at Haruki who wore the simple outfit that perfectly showcased his lean, athletic build, broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist, the fabric hugging his well-defined chest and arms. He looked like a men's fashion model in casual wear.
Kyouko smiled faintly to herself, then looked down at the heels she was now wearing. She gave a light tap of the toe against the floor.
"Mm… these do look good," she murmured.
"Of course. Those light brown heels, white long-sleeve blouse and long skirt are suitable for you."
Kyouko smiled. "But it's hard to drive with these." Kyouko reached into her handbag and took out the car keys. "Since you have your license already, here, you drive."
"Ugh! Why do I need to drive?"
"Because you asked me to wear something that's hard to use for driving~"
"Whatever."
After locking the door and turning on the alarm, Kyouko walked toward the passenger door and waited with a smile, both hands resting gracefully on her handbag in front of her.
Haruki moved toward the driver's door.
"Ahem~" Kyouko glanced at Haruki and smiled, tucking her hair gently behind her ear.
"What?" Haruki glanced at her.
"A gentleman opens the door for his lady~" Kyouko shifted her weight from one foot to the other in a playful, elegant sway, her smile warm and expectant.
Haruki exhaled deeply. "I don't know what's gotten into you today, Mom. Besides, you're not my lady."
"What? I'm just making sure you're ready and know what women want. You should be thankful I'm teaching you something you'll need once you have a girlfriend~" Kyouko smiled while Haruki grumbled, walking back to the passenger side and opening the door for her.
Kyouko gracefully stepped inside, smoothing her skirt as she settled into the seat. Haruki leaned against the doorframe, one arm resting on the door as he narrowed his eyes.
"Yeah. Thank you, Mom. Don't worry...I'll search for a less annoying girl after this."
"Haruki!"
"Yikes!" Haruki rubbed his arm where Kyouko slapped him, chuckling softly as he closed her door.
Haruki got inside the driver's seat and started the engine.
"So, Mom... which supermarket are we going to?"
"Hmm... I think the one near the town." Kyouko tapped her lower lip with one delicate finger.
"Ehh? Why that far? There's a supermarket nearby?" Haruki narrowed his eyes at her.
"What? You expect me to wear an outfit like this just to go to the supermarket nearby?" Kyouko smiled while giving him a playful side-glance.
"Ugh! This is why I don't want a girlfriend for now." Haruki exhaled again. "Next time, you bring Dad with you. So annoying to bring a demanding woman like you."
Kyouko smiled and slapped his arm lightly.
"Mom! I'm driving here." Haruki chuckled.
"You're not even driving yet. Now let's go."
"Heh... I'm going to ask you to treat me to lunch after this."
"Haruki. It's guys who should treat their lady to lunch."
"But you're my mom. Not my girlfriend." Haruki gave her a sideways glance, tilting his head down slightly with a mischievous smirk playing on his lips, his eyes rolling up at her in playful teasing.
Slap!
Kyouko slapped his arm again, her laughter soft and melodic, filling the car with warmth. "You cheeky boy! Just drive already~" She leaned back in her seat, still smiling as she adjusted her skirt.
( End Of Chapter )