"Why did you suddenly decide to eat out today?" Shirai Mio asked curiously.
"It's because you work so hard cooking every day. I figured I'd let you relax once in a while~" Sengoku Chihiro said lazily after taking a sip of beer.
"Cooking has basically become a habit for me. If you really want to let me relax, you could just take the initiative and wash the dishes after every meal."
The moment washing dishes came up, Sengoku Chihiro immediately pretended she had not heard anything and started chatting with Hiratsuka Shizuka about mixers.
Of course, she was only pretending. After every meal, she and Rita actually took turns washing the dishes.
But once Rita returned home, Chihiro would probably be the only one left to wash them.
Thinking of that, Sengoku Chihiro asked curiously, "Rita, when are you planning to go back?"
"Probably in another four or five days."
Hearing that Rita was going back, Shiina Mashiro said softly, "Rita, you're going back?"
"Yeah. I'm still a student just like you, you know. Besides, with her here to take care of you, I feel pretty reassured." As Rita spoke, she looked at Shirai Mio.
Feeling Rita's gaze, Shirai Mio nodded lightly and said, "Don't worry. I know how to take care of people better than you do."
"That's good."
While everyone waited for the food to arrive, Shirai Mio kept discreetly watching Kato Megumi at the table not far away.
Just what could she do to make Kato Megumi take the initiative to kiss her?
In a situation like this, there was basically no chance of using some elaborate trick. After thinking it over and over, Shirai Mio felt that her only option was to be direct.
With that in mind, she took out her phone and sent Kato Megumi a message. "Megumi, are you out eating with your family?"
The moment the message went through, Shirai Mio saw Kato Megumi pick up her phone. Before long, a reply arrived. "Mm. What about you?"
"Pretty much the same. Actually, there's something I'd like to ask you for."
"What is it?"
"Could you kiss me?"
Seeing that message, Kato Megumi instinctively looked up in Shirai Mio's direction. What she saw was Shirai Mio staring at her with pitiful, pleading eyes, looking as miserable as anyone possibly could.
Kato Megumi somehow felt that Shirai Mio did not look like someone asking for a kiss. If anything, she looked more like someone begging her for help.
This was not the first time Kato Megumi had felt something strange like that. It happened often when she was with Shirai Mio. For example, back when Mio said she needed Megumi to cooperate for research—had that really been research?
At first, she had thought Shirai Mio was using research as an excuse to flirt with her. But later she realized it did not feel like flirting at all. It felt more like Mio was completing some task she absolutely had to finish.
Kato Megumi hesitated, but eventually replied, "Would a kiss on the cheek be okay?"
"Yes!"
"Are there any requirements about the location? If you want me to do it in front of everyone, I probably can't manage something like that."
"How about we go to the restroom together?"
"Okay."
Kato Megumi put away her phone, said something to her parents, then stood up and headed toward the restroom.
Seeing that, Shirai Mio stood up as well and prepared to follow.
But just then, Rita stood up too and said, "I'll go with you."
Actually, this was exactly the kind of thing Shirai Mio had expected. If nothing unexpected happened, that would be what surprised her. Besides, it was only Rita. Nothing to fear.
When they reached the restroom, Shirai Mio immediately spotted Kato Megumi standing in front of the sinks and looking at herself in the mirror.
After entering the restroom, Rita headed straight for a stall.
Once Rita went into the stall, Shirai Mio moved closer to Kato Megumi and stared at her with sparkling eyes. As long as Kato Megumi kissed her before Rita came out, the mission would be complete.
Feeling Shirai Mio's gaze, Kato Megumi looked around. Only after making sure there was no problem did she lean over and kiss Shirai Mio on the cheek.
As the System's notification sounded, the mission was completed.
Shirai Mio silently breathed a sigh of relief, then said to Kato Megumi, "Thank you."
"What am I supposed to do if I can't get married now?" Kato Megumi said flatly.
Even Shirai Mio had not expected Kato Megumi to suddenly blurt that out. For a moment, Shirai Mio had no idea how to respond.
Just then, Rita came out of the stall. Looking at Shirai Mio, she said, "You finished that quickly?"
"Ah, mm."
Shirai Mio nodded lightly, washed her hands, then left the restroom together with Rita.
Just when Kato Megumi thought Shirai Mio was not going to answer her question, her phone suddenly vibrated. It was a message from Shirai Mio.
"There's no way Megumi won't be able to get married. You can always marry me~"
Looking at the message, the corners of Kato Megumi's mouth curved into a faint smile, and she left the restroom as well.
After returning to her seat, Kato Megumi discovered that her mother seemed to be talking about her romance with Megumi's father back in the day again.
She wisely chose not to say anything.
Unfortunately, making herself less noticeable did not seem to work on her own parents.
She had only eaten a few bites when she heard her mother turn the topic toward her. "Sweetie, have you started dating anyone recently?"
"Not yet. If you're in that much of a hurry for me to date someone, then I guess I'll have no choice but to date a girl," Kato Megumi said flatly.
"A girl is fine too. Better than nobody wanting you."
Hearing her mother, Kato Megumi instinctively glanced at Shirai Mio. At that moment, she found herself wondering how her mother would react if she dragged Shirai Mio over right now and announced that this was her girlfriend.
It would probably be pretty interesting, wouldn't it?
Still, it was only a passing thought. She did not think she could go that far yet.
Even though it had only been a casual glance, Shirai Mio still noticed it. She took out her phone and sent Kato Megumi a message. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. My mom was just worried nobody would want me."
"How could nobody want someone as cute as Megumi? If nobody wants you, I do~"
Shirai Mio's message successfully made the corners of Kato Megumi's mouth lift into a faint smile.
Seeing her daughter's smile, Kato Megumi's mother suddenly narrowed her eyes and said, "You're grinning at your phone, and you still say you aren't dating anyone!"
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