I Won't Be a Loser

After hearing Mai's words, Saionji Yoko was momentarily stunned. She looked at her friend in front of her, took a pause, and her gaze wandered slightly.

It's not uncommon to fall for a younger man—Yoko herself liked younger men. Compared to those middle-aged men who would often stare rudely at people while ordering in restaurants, she found the cute, shy young men who looked down in embarrassment much more to her liking.

However, the fact that the boy she had become interested in was her daughter's boyfriend, and that she had called out his name in her sleep—that left Yoko unsure of how to react.

"So, you... uh, your 'friend' called out her daughter's boyfriend's name in her sleep and her daughter heard it, right?"

Mai held her coffee cup with both hands, feeling the warmth, her emotions complex. She nodded silently.

"Right now, my friend... doesn't know how to face her daughter. She's been avoiding going home after work, worrying about what to say to her daughter about this."

Seeing Mai nearly admit it was herself, Yoko sighed, looking down at her brown coffee, her reflection faintly visible. She was silent for a while.

"Why not just tell your daughter that you like that boy?"

"Are you trying to get me to cut ties with Setsuna?"

"Ah, you admitted it."

"..."

Mai let out a long sigh, propping her face up with one hand, her expression troubled as she absentmindedly stirred her coffee.

As for Yoko, she couldn't help but imagine what it would be like if she herself fell for the same boy her friend liked. It would probably be quite a mess.

"So, what's the boy's name?"

Mai looked at Yoko, her eyes suddenly cautious and wary.

"Why are you asking that?"

"I just want to get to know him a little better. You never know when we might meet again. If I end up liking him too... wouldn't that be a problem?"

Mai reluctantly agreed with Yoko's logic. Unlike Mai, who hadn't really thought about these things, Yoko had often mentioned her desire to date a younger man.

If Yoko met Haruto, well...

"Miyamizu Haruto. His name is Miyamizu Haruto. Remember it, and absolutely—absolutely don't make a move on him!"

Yoko nodded, her left hand giving an 'OK' gesture to show she would never steal her friend's man.

"So, back to your 'friend'..."

"Are you still pretending it's not you?"

"...How am I supposed to face Setsuna when I go home?"

Later that evening, Saionji Seikai was getting ready to leave Haruto's house. But as she stood up, she noticed Setsuna was still sitting in Haruto's lap, and couldn't help but twitch her lips.

"Setsuna?"

"Yes, Seikai?"

"You're not serious, are you?"

Seeing Setsuna sitting still in Haruto's lap, not planning to leave with her, Seikai asked.

"What?"

"Staying here overnight..."

Looking down at Setsuna in his arms, Haruto's expression was a little unfocused, his mood complex. He hesitated, not immediately offering his opinion.

As for Setsuna, she sat there in Haruto's warm embrace, looking at Seikai with a completely natural expression.

"Of course."

"....Good night."

What else could Seikai say? They were a couple, and no matter how intimate they were or what they did, it was entirely normal. Plus, Setsuna's mother had already given her approval, so Seikai had no right to stop her.

With complicated emotions, Seikai slowly left the Haruto's house, said goodbye to the couple, and closed the door behind her. The house was now empty except for the two of them.

After about half an hour of silence, Haruto called out softly.

"Setsuna?"

"Mm?"

Lowering his head, Haruto could smell the unique fragrance of Setsuna's hair. His hands were wrapped around her slender waist, feeling her warmth and the fragrance that only someone as petite as Setsuna could give. He had to admit—it was a completely different feeling than holding Sayuri.

"Seikai's been gone for a while now. It's getting late, you should probably head home. If you don't, Mai-San might start to worry about you."

"It's fine."

Leaning against Haruto's chest, Setsuna's face was gently flushed. She snuggled into his arms, breathing in his scent, her mind blissfully free of any thoughts except wanting to stay close to him.

"Mom's already agreed to our relationship. Even if I stay here tonight, she won't mind."

Haruto looked at her, his expression stunned.

The situation was becoming a little complicated. It seemed that Setsuna wasn't just trying to assert her position as Haruto's girlfriend to Seikai; she really intended to spend the night here...

Haruto's purity was in grave danger!

At the same time, when Setsuna decided to stay overnight, Mai had just returned home.

Looking at the dark house, which should have been lit by now, Mai guessed that Setsuna hadn't come back yet. Usually, by this time, she'd be home.

Her eyes glanced at the apartment across the street. Though the curtains blocked her view, she could still see the soft light and, vaguely, a silhouette behind it.

"At Haruto's place?"

Silence.

Mai took out her keys and entered her house, feeling a little conflicted. She hadn't expected that just after they confirmed their relationship, Setsuna would be so clingy to Haruto. She wondered if her daughter would get disliked for being so forward.

Thinking about what Haruto had said to her before, Mai's cheeks couldn't help but turn red, maybe she still had a chance.

That's right!

Once Haruto got tired of being affectionate with Setsuna, that would be her chance!

Though she felt a slight sense of guilt, Mai tried not to think about the troublesome details. She quickly changed out of her work clothes, put on her loungewear, and began preparing dinner.

However, as she finished cooking, Setsuna still hadn't come home. Mai couldn't help but feel puzzled.

"What's going on with Setsuna? Why hasn't she come home yet?"

"Could it be... No, no way! If that's the case, things are moving way too fast... Impossible! Setsuna is not that kind of girl!"