"Yes, sorry for sudden disturbance. Is Yui's condition okay?"
Yuu always felt Mama Yuigahama's smile full meanings. Suppressed doubt momentarily, politely nodded response.
"Too polite. That child surely thrilled knowing you came."
While speaking, Mama Yuigahama appraised top to bottom, gaze bold somewhat aggressive.
Yuu, thin-faced self-view, nearly uncomfortable stared thus. But unaccustomed nervous before others—especially girlfriend's parent. Held chest upright, openly returned stare.
Bare face somewhat like Yui, but aura more mature gentle. Skin smooth firm, not look thirties woman. Figure beautiful curves even apron couldn't hide.
Rather housewife, more like slightly older Yuigahama sister. Appearance expressions, little time damage visible.
(...Well-maintained.)
Only impression Yuu had. Preferred sincere foolish girl. No interest in housewife.
Meanwhile, as observed enough, Mama Yuigahama stroked cheek. Full soft lip corner showed childish naughty smile. Kept staring, slowly said:
"Regarding Yui's condition... Can say good, can say not."
"R-really..." Yuu brows twitched hearing.
What cliché answer? Teasing deliberately?
Clearly, yes.
Though first time such prospective mother-in-law test, experienced Yuu smelled it. Knew poor response might spend much time door-front with Mama Yuigahama before enter, meet Yuigahama.
Mind spun fast. Smiled, responded unhurried: "Then, can cook my signature medicinal porridge for her. If sick cures, if not warms stomach. Fits Yui now."
Then eyed interlocutor. Gaze serious, tone gradually sincere earnest.
"Mama Yuigahama, allow entry? Just bit. Won't disturb dinner!"
"..."
Teasing expression slightly froze. Mama Yuigahama blinked startled.
Yuu naturally understood. Want enter after few words indeed impolite—but showed how eager meet Yuigahama.
Before parents, strong statements > sweet words. Lesson from past experience.
Let meet daughter—gaze interlocutor thus. Agree or not, conversation pushed next stage.
Indeed, after eye contact sincere urgent gaze seconds, Mama Yuigahama odd sighed. As convinced, stepped back.
"Originally wanted chat bit, but hurried meet Yui..."
But speaking, somehow oddly sullen. Occasionally sad-eyed glanced.
"Turns out old woman like me no appeal? Even handsome youth unwilling longer look? Sob sob sob~"
(Mama-san, truly energetic...)
Yuu didn't voice complaint. No sweet words seduce opponent. Just awkward laughed response.
Yukino still garden-waiting. Didn't want waste words on this housewife.
Realizing Yuu unresponsive, unamusing Mama Yuigahama stopped. Stepped aside.
Then, right before Yuu enter, thirties woman closed door smiling, blocked warningless.
"Go up, ask Yui if wants meet. Wait here, kid~"
"..."
Yuu eyed front door. Mouth slightly agape, face confused unexpected. Even seemed hear woman behind door humming upstairs.
(Mama-san, could say upfront, why beat around long?)
(Did I offend somewhere, tease thus?)
Questions buried heart. Yuu silently held forehead, took same pose as Yukino.
"Housewives nowadays really know how to joke around..."
Luckily, upstairs question time not long.
After <5 min wait, Mama Yuigahama reopened door, but no longer friendly kind appearance.
Feigned serious, tightened face. Coughed like speech politician. Raised chin chest, firmly before:
"Kid, Yui says doesn't want see handsome face... Cough cough, damn, for now. Told go home soon."
Yuu ignored extras. Directly: "Body condition okay? Not really sick, right?"
Mama Yuigahama satisfied stared. Expression as "Smart kid, not disappoint prospective mother-in-law."
But mouth merciless: "Since guessed fake sick leave, should know reason not want meet... Go home. Yui studied all day home, very tired!"
"Just few words, even through door... Wait... What said just now?"
As heard Caterpie evolve Rayquaza original game, Yuu disbelieving. Couldn't help ask again: "Said, after leave, full-day study?!"
"Yes. Why lie?" Mama Yuigahama arms akimbo waist. Puffed cheeks annoyed childlike: "Poor Yui strives this hard, who for... No more talk. Hope self-aware, don't disturb!"
"..."
Yuu silent again.
Ignoring Mama Yuigahama acting truly poor, showed no expel intent.
(Yui leave, all-day home study?)
Hearing news, Yuu felt life values shattered. But well-thought, not strange. Faint relief heart.
Anyway, growth always witnessed self.
Either all-out side determination, or gradually habituated intensive study toughness. All advantages developed nothing to something, bit by bit—
Precisely because initially nothing, very mediocre, Yuigahama could become everything, most special.
Yuu very convinced.
Whatever great achievements Yuigahama, after shock, surely accept smiling.
Like Yuigahama still resolved together, though Yuu said would cheat.