"Starting tomorrow, I won't be here for the entire next week. No one will be cooking for you, are you going to be okay?"
At the Suzumiya family dinner table, Utaha suddenly said this.
Chisato paused with his chopsticks in mid-air upon hearing this.
"Why the sudden announcement? Is it because of something with the library?"
He remembered not long ago, Utaha had gone with the editor to several cities for book signings because of a new release.
She had disappeared for a while as part of her promotional work.
Was there another need to leave for work so soon?
Utaha denied it.
"It has nothing to do with work. You see, I'm already in my third year, and I'll be going to university next year. This is my last bit of time in high school."
Chisato seemed to understand.
"Is it a graduation trip?"
Utaha nodded.
"Although I don't have anyone in my class who can be called a close friend, there are a few girls I can talk to.
Besides, this is an experience that may only come once in a lifetime. I don't want to miss out."
She said "may" because she considered other possibilities.
If a third-year student were to repeat the year for some reason, they could have an extra chance to experience a graduation trip.
"Indeed, I understand. Where is your graduation trip going?"
"Fukuoka... but that's not important. While I'm gone, make sure you eat well. Balance your meat and vegetables, and follow the standard I set with the dinners I've made recently.
Every day, I'll call you on video to check in. If you slack off, I'll be very angry and will deal with you when I get back."
Although she tried to sound serious, it was hard for her to maintain that serious tone when her thigh was being touched by the person she loved.
"Chisato!"
"Yes, yes, I understand."
Chisato's casual reply didn't please Utaha. She sighed and put down her chopsticks, picking up her phone.
"Fine, I'll let Eriri know. During this time, she can come over and look after you as much as she can."
"No, don't bother her. She's been busy signing a contract with a famous game company and has to provide high-quality and quantity of concept art within a certain timeframe.
I don't want her to worry about this extra matter.
Besides, don't underestimate me. Before I met you all, I lived alone and didn't see any issues with it."
"That's different. Before, you couldn't manage by yourself, but now that you have us, we can't let you worry about these small things...
Well, at least we should try to help as much as we can."
Chisato looked at Utaha, who was speaking so seriously, and suddenly burst into laughter.
"What's so funny?"
"No, it's just that suddenly, our situation feels like we're already a married couple."
"Oh?"
A smile appeared at the corner of Utaha's mouth. The comparison Chisato made made her happy.
"See? It feels like a wife has to leave for something, and the husband who stays behind is worried and keeps talking... like we're already married."
"Who's talking too much?"
Utaha's face turned dark in an instant. She stretched out her foot and stepped on Chisato's foot.
"Ugh—"
"Sorry for being so nagging, even though I'm not yet an old woman!"
Utaha sneered and gritted her teeth as she said this, her foot pushing harder.
"Ah—I'm not saying that..."
"But that's exactly what you meant, right?"
"..."
Although their relationship had been very "sticky" since they officially started dating, there were still occasional moments like this.
Because of an inappropriate comment, Utaha would get upset and act a little childish.
Chisato, however, had learned the trick to resolve these situations through experience: simply shut her up.
"Ah—"
Utaha cried out as she was suddenly lifted up. When she realized that Chisato was heading toward the bedroom, she lightly punched his chest with a fist.
"Don't mess around. We haven't even finished our dinner."
"We can eat later."
"It'll get cold."
"It'll be fine if we warm it up."
"Ugh..."
Utaha still wanted to say something, but her lips were immediately sealed by Chisato lowering his head.
As he hooked her leg and moved toward the bedroom, the door slammed shut with a slight noise.
The heat from the meal on the dining table faded, but the sounds coming from the master bedroom grew louder and more intense.
She had told Chisato to eat properly, but in the end, she was the one who prevented him from doing so.
——
'In the end, Utaha left temporarily.'
The next day, in class, Chisato propped his chin on his hand and stared at the blackboard, but his mind was elsewhere.
Right now, his situation was as follows—
Kazusa had gone overseas to chase her lost dream.
She wouldn't return until she had achieved results in international competitions and gained recognition from her teachers, which would take about three years according to her mother, Youko.
Utaha would be gone for a while on her graduation trip.
Since Fukuoka had several places of interest to her, she wouldn't return with the school-organized bus but would travel on her own for a while.
So, she would also disappear from his side for the next ten days or so.
As for Eriri, she had signed a contract with a well-established game company to provide concept art.
If the client was satisfied, she might sign a long-term contract with them.
This was a huge opportunity for her artist career, so after apologizing to him, she would likely focus on her work for a long period.
Finally, Hitori was still around at school, but because she was always busy with the band and under Seika's strict supervision, they no longer had private time together.
Thinking about this, Chisato couldn't help but smile.
Despite hesitating when he first invited Seika to be the band's manager, once she accepted, she became more serious and driven than anyone else.
Not only did she buy books on management and improve her knowledge, but she also changed her lazy habits.
She drastically reduced her alcohol intake, and according to her sister, Nijika, Seika now even wakes up early to go jogging.
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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta
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