Among all the girls Shizuka had ever met, Utaha was the one who left the deepest impression on her in terms of both figure and beauty.

Of course, there were other well-developed girls at school. But none had Utaha's balance of height and curves. Those who were tall lacked her shape, and those with curves lacked her elegance and stature.

And when it came to "curves," it wasn't just about her chest—it was her hips as well.

If Utaha wore a fitted pencil skirt, she would become the kind of woman capable of delivering a fatal blow to any man's heart.

As a mature woman herself, and more than familiar with her own allure, Hiratsuka still had confidence in her waist-to-hip ratio. Yet, compared to Utaha, the sheer youth, charm, and freshness radiating from her made Hiratsuka feel utterly defeated.

Youth. Seduction. Grace. Sensuality.

Before meeting Utaha, Shizuka had never imagined that all these qualities could exist in a single girl.

If Yukino was the most flawless beauty she had ever seen, then Utaha was without question the most dangerous—the one with the greatest power over men.

What was that saying again?

Cute was nothing when faced with sexy.

Another phrase floated into Hiratsuka's mind, this time in Chinese:

A woman dresses up for the one who admires her.

Today, Utaha embodied that perfectly.

Having known her for some time, Shizuka understood that Utaha wasn't the type to suddenly blossom for no reason. Which left only one question—

If Utaha was dressed so strikingly today, was it really just because of a birthday?

Hesitation flickered across Shizuka's face. With others still around, she held back the probing question on the tip of her tongue.

But the moment she left the kitchen, Utaha leaned close and whispered, "Yukino, did you notice?"

Yukino gave a small nod.

She had seen Shizuka's subtle change in expression as clearly as day.

"Do you think she's figured something out?"

Utaha's gaze flickered toward the kitchen, where Haru was busy cooking. For the first time, a trace of nervousness showed on her face.

If her secret were discovered by a peer, she wouldn't panic too much. But Shizuka was different. She wasn't just an upperclassman—she was a teacher. The thought of being found out by her… Utaha didn't even want to imagine it.

"From what I know of Hiratsuka-sensei, she's only in the early stages of suspicion," Yukino said calmly.

That calmness was something Utaha had always admired in her. Feeling slightly reassured, she asked, "So, I don't need to worry yet?"

Yukino's beautiful eyes swept over Utaha's figure. "If you keep showing up here dressed like a butterfly, she'll definitely catch on."

"...A butterfly?" Utaha's expression twitched.

Yukino let out her habitual, quiet laugh. "Ah, I misspoke. I should say a showy bunny-senpai. That idiom fits your style today even better."

Utaha was about to fire back when Haru's voice cut through from the kitchen.

"If you two want to bicker, take it outside."

Both girls turned their heads.

Haru, wearing an apron, carried a dish over with unhurried ease. "For a chef, the biggest taboo is being distracted while cooking."

Utaha and Yukino both opened their mouths, ready to argue, but Haru spoke first—

"By the way, the eggplant and tofu hotpot is ready. Do you two want to try it?"

Haru handed over two pairs of chopsticks, placing them neatly in front of the two girls.

Both beauties froze for a moment, lowered their eyes at the chopsticks, then exchanged a glance.

The same thought flashed through their minds: What a smooth combo move of control!

First, he had stolen their attention, leaving them no chance to retaliate. Then, with the simple excuse of tasting his cooking, he disarmed their fighting spirit completely.

And the worst part? It worked—because they really were hooked on his food. Otherwise, such tricks would never have been effective.

After a pause, Yukino was the first to pick up her chopsticks. "I'll try it."

Utaha followed suit, giving Haru a playful smile. "You've gotten more and more skilled, Haru. Should I praise you for that?"

"You two calling a ceasefire just to turn against me together—that's also getting more and more natural, isn't it?" Haru shot back.

Both girls stiffened.

They glanced at each other again—this time, their expressions awkward before they quickly turned away.

It was true that they'd fought side by side, and even fought against Haru on more than one battlefield. But the word "teamwork"? They had never considered it seriously.

And yet… with all the time they'd been spending together—on the battlefield and in much more private places—that bond between them had indeed been growing.

Remembering those embarrassing, shameful moments, neither of them dared to continue the topic. After all, both had been defeated by Haru.

If there was any difference… Utaha's "defeat" had been all sultry allure, while Yukino's was shy and irresistibly cute.

One after another, they tasted the eggplant and tofu hotpot and immediately praised it.

"I want another piece," Utaha admitted, unsatisfied.

Haru gestured with a light wave of his hand. "Help yourself. Just remember to put the lid back when you're done."

Satisfied, Utaha stood to serve herself, then asked casually, "When Hiratsuka-sensei wanted seconds just now, why didn't you agree?"

"You two aren't the same as her," Haru replied.

That simple answer warmed them both.

Even Yukino, who had intended to stop eating, leaned forward again with interest.

But then Haru added lightly, "She's older. She has to watch her weight more strictly. Otherwise, blood pressure, blood sugar, gout—those problems are bound to follow."

Utaha froze mid-motion, her expression turning odd. "…So what you really meant was her weight?"

Yukino's eyes sharpened. "If you're trying to compliment us, Haru, don't do it in such a baiting way."

"Baiting?" Utaha blinked at her.

Yukino's tone was cool. "He loves this kind of 'fake-out' move. First, he throws out the bait. Then, just when you're about to bite, he reels it back in."

"I didn't," Haru protested. "In my eyes, you'll always be the most beautiful Bunny-senpai and Miss Meow."

Utaha deliberately put on a stern face. "I feel like kicking him. Yukino, what do you think?"

Yukino raised her long leg and gave Haru a swift kick.

Her answer was action.

Utaha followed suit, stretching out one black-stockinged leg to aim a playful kick at him. But before it landed, Haru caught her slender calf with lightning speed.

The next instant, he pulled, yanking her off balance.

Utaha stumbled forward, too startled to even gasp before Haru's left hand released the ladle, slipped down, and scooped her up by the thigh. In one smooth motion, he lifted her into his arms.

"Ah!"

Utaha's voice finally burst out, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck.

And at that moment, Yukino's eyes went wide. "Do you two have any idea how shameless you look right now?"

Especially since that position—she and Haru had used it too…

Utaha's face flushed, but she said helplessly, "Yukino, you've got it wrong. I'm the victim here."

"Then why don't you let go?" Yukino shot back coldly.

Instead, Utaha tightened her hold on Haru's neck, chuckling softly. "Because it feels nice like this."

"...???"

Yukino almost lost control then and there, her leg twitching with the urge to kick them both straight out of the kitchen.

What sort of wicked words were these?!

She could tell with absolute certainty—knowing Utaha's shameless personality—that she had said it on purpose.

"Didn't I already warn you? Don't distract a chef while he's working, or the consequences will be serious." Haru, of course, had caught the suggestive undertone in Utaha's voice.

But he kept his composure, calmly setting her back down.

"Serious, huh?"

Utaha tilted her head, a sly smile curving her lips. "By 'serious,' you mean… do?"

Haru froze. "…You even know that term?"

Yukino frowned. "What does 'do' mean?"

Utaha's cheeks turned pink, but her smile only widened. "Why don't you ask him? He clearly knows."

"Forget it," Haru muttered, shaking his head. "I'll explain later. For now, let me finish cooking."

Yukino didn't press further.

From their reactions alone, she could already guess what it meant.

And she couldn't help but wonder—if it had just been the two of them in the house today, would Haru have ended up "cooking" something entirely different right here in the kitchen?

_ _ _ _

Dinner ended on a warm note, everyone enjoying themselves thoroughly.

The "sage-time" buff left the group lounging in that ultimate lazy comfort, the kind where no one wanted to move a muscle.

Haru had even prepared a birthday cake. Once the haze of satisfaction lifted, Shizuka led everyone in singing the birthday song. Afterward came the gift exchange.

Both Megumi and Shizuka wanted to see Utaha open her presents right away, but she declined. Her reasoning was simple: Yukino hadn't told her in advance what she'd prepared, which made her suspicious. With Yukino's personality, the gift was bound to be anything but ordinary.If it turned out to be something embarrassing, opening it in front of everyone would be social suicide. She wasn't about to risk one moment of bravery costing her a lifetime of dignity.

By six-thirty, Shizuka suggested they all go out for a stroll—after all, what girl didn't like shopping?

But Utaha refused.

"I'd rather stay here," she said plainly.

Shizuka was caught off guard, but before she could ask, Yukino spoke up:

"Then I'll go with you. Kato-san, let's keep her company."

Shizuka almost thought she'd misheard.

Did Yukino just volunteer to go shopping with me?

Megumi looked just as surprised, glancing between Yukino and the unusually reluctant-to-go-out Utaha. Did these two make some kind of secret agreement?

Haru, of course, stayed behind—he had "serious business" planned for tonight.So in the end, Shizuka left with Yukino and Megumi.

The house grew quiet. Utaha felt both pleased and curious, turning to Haru.

"Why did Yukino go along so easily? Did you persuade her?"

She meant about the private photo shoot. Utaha had wanted Haru to take her pictures, and she very much preferred Yukino not to be there watching.

"To be precise, she brought it up herself," Haru admitted.

Utaha blinked, eyes softening in surprise. A slow, enchanting smile spread across her lips.

"When I mentioned it to her before, she was fiercely against it. I thought for sure she'd try to sabotage it today. But to think she actually… helped me."

She sighed, as though touched.

"My instincts were right. Yukino really is a gentle person."

Haru: Uh-huh, sure…

In truth, Yukino had barely stepped out the door when his phone buzzed with her message:

Yukino: Find a way to distract her. I'm going to hide inside the bedroom wardrobe.

Haru: No way. With your personality, that kind of thing is way too childish.

Yukino: True, it's childish. But my curiosity won out over my rationality. I want to see how you'll take her photos.

Haru: It's just a simple photoshoot. Not worth spying on.

Yukino: Maybe to you it's simple. But can you guarantee she won't try anything strange with you during it?

Then came another:

Yukino: From what I know of her, she enjoys teasing you. The thrill excites her.

Haru set his phone down, torn between exasperation and amusement. He hadn't expected his offhand joke to make Yukino break her own rigid style and pull something this bold.

"Who are you texting?"

Utaha, in high spirits, was cuddling the orange tabby when she asked curiously.

"It's Yukino. She asked if I want her to bring anything back," Haru lied without batting an eye.

Utaha didn't doubt him. After all, Yukino had gone out with Shizuka.

Since no more messages came, Haru realized Yukino was serious about hiding. He casually found an excuse to nudge Utaha toward the bath.

"You're really pushing me to go wash up first… you're not planning anything, are you?" Utaha teased, eyes deliberately flicking downward for effect.

Her meaning was obvious.

"Please trust the professionalism of your photographer," Haru replied, completely straight-faced.

Finding no cracks in his composure, Utaha brushed her hair back, her smile dripping with charm.

"Did I forget to mention? I already showered before coming here."

"Then you can shower again," Haru said smoothly.

Utaha blinked. "Again? Why?"

Sure, she might wash her face after dinner, but a second full bath? That was unnecessary—her body was perfectly clean.

But Haru doubled down, inventing a reason to cover Yukino's scheme.

"Because I want to bathe too."

Utaha froze, then pressed a hand to her forehead with a sigh.

"You're really that impatient?"

"You misunderstand. I only meant… a soak together."

Utaha rolled her eyes, half-amused, half-exasperated.

"I went out of my way to dress up today. Did it never occur to you that I planned on staying over anyway?"

Her words carried an unspoken message: You don't need to rush things.

She genuinely enjoyed playing duo matches with Haru.

Not just enjoyed—she truly liked it.

But that didn't mean she wanted to do it anytime, anywhere.

At least right now, what she longed for was a rare moment of just the two of them together. She wished Haru would talk with her a little more. Even if all they did was play games side by side, she would still feel perfectly happy.

~~~~~~~~~~

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