Chapter 376: The Uzaki Household
After sleeping soundly while nestled in Haruto's embrace, Hana Uzaki went to school with him the next day, looking radiant.
But just after breakfast, the young girl suddenly said with a troubled expression, "My schoolbag is still at home. Haruto, you go to school first."I'll accompany you home to get it, and by the way, say hello to your family.""
"Ah... that's not necessary. I'm not ready yet."
Haruto was taken aback, then laughed. "Shouldn't I be the one preparing to meet the parents? What are you preparing for?"
"Wah..."
Blushing, Hana Uzaki eventually brought Haruto back to her home.
When they had chosen the house's location, they had specifically picked a place close to Kuoh Academy, so by the time Haruto and Hana Uzaki left home, it was already quite late.
After taking a detour, they arrived at the Uzaki household, where only the beautiful housewife, Uzaki Tsuki, was home alone.
Hana Uzaki had proactively mentioned being able to stay out overnight, but Haruto didn't know whether she had used the excuse of staying at a female classmate's house or if their relationship was already known and approved by her family.
As Uzaki Tsuki opened the front door, the answer to this question was revealed.
"Ah, this must be Hana's boyfriend. You're here to get Hana's schoolbag, right? Please come in."
The beautiful, narrow-eyed housewife lightly covered her small mouth with one delicate hand, her voluptuous and tall mature body slightly turned away, the immense fullness encased in her pure white knitted sweater gently swaying.
Haruto's gaze involuntarily drifted toward it, his heart instantly warming.
This type of seductive housewife brimming with mature charm was one of his favorite archetypes, but Uzaki Tsuki's husband was still well and present, their relationship seemed good, and their family life appeared harmonious.
Haruto felt he shouldn't deliberately disrupt the Uzaki family's happy life, using his strong willpower to forcibly avert his gaze.
However, women, especially mature housewives who had been lonely for some time, were extremely sensitive to the gazes of young men.
From an angle unseen by Haruto and Hana Uzaki, Uzaki Tsuki's lovely face flushed crimson.
Why is Hana's boyfriend looking at me like that? What does he want? Could it be...
As she pondered, images began surfacing in Uzaki Tsuki's mind - visions of herself embracing a naked Haruto.
"Mom, I'm heading out now, I'm going to be late."
Hana Uzaki hurried back carrying her schoolbag, slipping on her shoes as she said: "I'll properly introduce you next time. Haruto, let's go."
Being late was just an excuse - what she truly feared was being asked embarrassing questions by Uzaki Tsuki.
The young girl took Haruto's hand and somewhat hastily left the house.
In all her grown years, this was the first time she had been so enthusiastic about going to school.
The beautiful housewife, lost in her fantasies, was snapped back to reality by her daughter's voice. She nodded somewhat nervously, but was only met with Hana Uzaki's hurried departing back and Haruto's polite nod.
After seeing off Hana Uzaki and Haruto, the mature, stunning silver-haired Mrs. Uzaki pressed a hand to her pounding heart and began her duties as a full-time homemaker.
On the way to school, Hana Uzaki couldn't help but ask Haruto.
"Haruto, why did you want to meet my parents? With all your girlfriends, you couldn't possibly meet all their parents, right? Or... do you want to marry me?"
Bearing her embarrassment, the young girl voiced the question in her heart.
"Marriage?"
Haruto was momentarily stunned, then shook his head with an amused smile.
Unless he could marry everyone, he wouldn't be getting married in this lifetime.
Because marrying anyone would be unfair to all the others.
Now that he thought about it, the Underworld seemed to permit polygamy. In the original story, Hyoudou Issei did hold a wedding ceremony - though it was unclear whether it was merely ceremonial or held legal effect...
Thinking about legal effect, Haruto couldn't help but chuckle again.
For someone of his power level, laws and such seemed long irrelevant.
Whether in the human world, the Underworld, or the divine realm, the strong always enjoyed privileges.
"No, it's just that since we're officially dating and your family approves, I thought it necessary to visit and meet your family."
After dating for nearly half a month, the two had finally consummated their relationship. Since it was the girl's first time, it might seem fast for an ordinary couple, but for Haruto, this pace was actually quite slow.
Haruto didn't fully understand why he suddenly wanted to meet her parents. He suspected it might be the demonic influence, making him worry about being cuckolded. But deep down, he sensed that wasn't the complete reason.
"Hmph..." Hana Uzaki puffed out her cheeks, somewhat displeased, but quickly let it go.
After all, she had been the last to arrive in his life.
Although Haruto seemed rather special to her (they hadn't immediately engaged in dual cultivation but had instead started dating), after meeting Rias and the other women, she didn't feel she possessed the capability to outshine them all.
"If we're not getting married, you probably shouldn't come to my house."
Hana Uzaki muttered quietly: "Who meets the parents when they've just started dating?"
Except for certain family friendships or childhood sweethearts, it's rare for couples to meet each other's parents before their relationship is firmly established.
This was similar in both Haruto's previous life and this world.
"Hmm..."
Haruto hesitated for a moment. He knew Hana Uzaki was right, but another voice in his heart urged him to go.
Once again, he followed the principle of going with the flow - he would go if the opportunity arose, and let it be if not, without forcing it.
Yet as if destined by fate, on Tuesday, the third day after Haruto and Hana Uzaki became intimate, she brought him home with her.
Because after returning from school yesterday, the girl had been asked by her family to bring Haruto over.
Not only was her younger sister Yanagi Uzaki curious about the "future brother-in-law," but Mr. and Mrs. Uzaki also wanted to meet Haruto.
Kiri Uzaki, currently in his chuunibyou phase and constantly wishing for a girlfriend, didn't particularly care, but under his parents' intense gazes, he joined the unified front.
Faced with her entire family's request, Hana Uzaki could only reluctantly agree.
While Japanese high school students generally enjoy dating freedom without parental interference - sometimes even facing ridicule if they don't date - some families maintain stricter control, and the Uzaki household was one such family.
To be precise, Fujio Uzaki, as the father, wanted to meet Haruto.
Though somewhat reluctant to see his daughter taken so soon, he wouldn't interfere with Hana's relationship.
After all, he himself had won over Tsuki Uzaki early on, eventually having three children together.
However, he needed to observe his daughter's partner to ensure Hana wasn't being deceived.
For Haruto, this formal meeting with the parents was his first, yet he felt no anxiety, instead harboring some hidden anticipation.
He actually knew what he was anticipating, but every time the thought surfaced, he subconsciously avoided it.
Yanagi Uzaki probably didn't have a boyfriend - the idea of having both sisters seemed normal to him, as long as they could hide it from Fujio Uzaki, Kiri Uzaki... and Tsuki Uzaki.
Haruto instinctively excluded Tsuki Uzaki from consideration, but whenever he remembered she had a husband and a happy family, he subconsciously felt such thoughts were inappropriate.
November days were short, and by 6 PM, the sky had already darkened.
After finishing swimming club activities, Haruto returned home with Hana Uzaki.
At the Uzaki residence.
Mr. and Mrs. Uzaki, along with Yanagi and Kiri, were already formally seated and prepared. To meet the "future brother-in-law" sooner, the student siblings Yanagi and Kiri had even skipped their club activities.
"I'm home."
"Welcome back."
After the classic Japanese family exchange, Hana Uzaki placed brand new slippers she had prepared in advance before Haruto.
She had considered helping him change, but felt too embarrassed with her family watching.
Haruto changed into the pure black indoor slippers and politely greeted everyone in turn.
"Uncle Uzaki, Aunt Uzaki, sorry to intrude. I came in a hurry and could only bring some simple gifts."
Souvenirs are a form of etiquette in Japan. Since this was Haruto's first visit and he had been invited for a meal, even if he wasn't Hana Uzaki's boyfriend, he should still bring something.
Though he claimed he would just buy something casually, given his financial situation, he naturally wouldn't actually do so.
He first handed two exquisitely packaged boxes to the Uzaki couple, and amid their polite refusals of "No need, no need," he then gave two slightly smaller gifts to Uzaki Yanagi and Uzaki Kiri.
"You must be Yanagi and Kiri. These are for you."