Since Haruno was out with classmates today, she didn't linger long with Haru and the others. But just before leaving, she made a phone gesture at Haru —thumb and pinky extended.
Both Yukino and Utaha noticed, but neither paid it much mind.
Yukino because it was just her sister, and Utaha because she already knew Haru and Haruno were acquainted.
Only Haru felt a flicker of unease.
That little phone gesture could mean anything.
Maybe she was planning to call him soon. Maybe she'd come by later. With Haruno, nothing was certain—her thoughts were like a maze with no exit.
He decided not to overthink it.
The trio skipped the rest of their wandering and headed straight home after shopping.
As soon as they were inside, he swapped his shoes for slippers, put on an apron, and started washing vegetables in the kitchen. The two beautiful girls made themselves comfortable in the living room, playing with the cat.
Utaha wasn't nearly as obsessed with cats as Yukino was. She just thought the fat orange jelly was kind of cute. Especially when it sauntered over, its backside swaying like a lazy drunk.
"If you two keep feeding it like this, it's going to turn into a walking gas tank by next year," Utaha commented, settling into the left side of the couch, eyeing Yukino with interest as the girl gently stroked the cat's fur.
Yukino paused for a beat. "My sister already asked me that."
"Oh? And how did you answer?"
"Do you really want to know?"
"Of course. I mean, I can already guess—half the reason it's getting fat is probably your fault."
"…"
Yukino wanted to argue, she really did. But unfortunately… she had no grounds to deny it.
Most of the cat's snacks were bought by her.
And every time, she chose the ones it liked most—and bought them in generous quantities.
After a few seconds of silence, she mumbled awkwardly, "I've already started paying attention to how often I buy them."
"You'd better," Utaha said with a teasing smirk. "Too fat is bad for a cat…"
She trailed off mid-sentence—and then started giggling.
Yukino, with a hint of mischief in her smile, asked, "What are you laughing at?"
"Nothing, I just suddenly thought that if you used the same enthusiasm for feeding the cat on him, he might end up being fed into a 'gas tank' too." Utaha's smile was playful, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
Yukino gave her a cold glance. "I can finally confirm it—you really have been infected by his stupidity."
Utaha didn't mind being criticized; in fact, she smiled even more happily. This was a rare situation where she was on the winning side.
Dinner was once again prepared by Haru.
And when he cooked, it also meant [Drugging] the food.
As expected, the two beautiful girls were once again caught in the effects, lounging comfortably on the sofa.
"Here it comes!" Yukino suddenly exclaimed, sitting up straight.
Haru pretended not to notice. "Are you going to study?"
"Mm, I'm feeling great now," Yukino said without hesitation, getting up and heading to the bedroom. She looked back at him and added, "I'll borrow your computer."
He couldn't help but feel impressed. Yukino really is something else.
He turned around to see the black-stockings senior unbuttoning her collar and comfortably lying back on the sofa.
Her black-stockinged legs were carelessly positioned in a rather indecent manner, and the movement even pulled up her skirt, revealing her full thighs.
"How are you?" Haru asked, seeing she couldn't resist the effect of the "buff" anymore.
"I'm great, better than I could be. No wonder Yukino stays with you; it's just too comfortable here…" Utaha mumbled lazily, her voice trailing off into muttering.
He didn't say anything else, deciding to let her rest for a while.
But just as he turned down the volume on the TV, he heard a rustling sound from beside him.
Utaha had suddenly shot up from her lazy position and now sat straight, her back rigid.
Haru was confused. "Why aren't you lying down anymore?"
She stared at him intently. "I just realized, I feel really great right now."
You've finally realized? he chuckled inwardly, though he asked with feigned confusion, "What do you mean?"
Utaha wouldn't look away from him. "I think if I study now, I'll probably be way more efficient than usual."
Haru stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Well, Yukino's in the other room researching. Do you want to study with her—wait, wait, what are you doing?"
Before he could finish his sentence, he smelled a sweet fragrance coming from Utaha, who was now moving closer to him, nearly pressing against him.
Their gazes met, and he could clearly see the fiery intensity in her eyes.
Utaha's eyes were already quite beautiful, with a wine-red tint that made them incredibly captivating. The way her eyeliner extended slightly upward at the corners of her eyes added to the allure of her mature and voluptuous figure, giving her eyes a naturally seductive quality.
At that moment, her lashes fluttered slightly, and her gaze exuded an almost instinctive charm. These were the kind of eyes that people in films would call "peach blossom eyes."
"Teach me," she said slowly, her lips parting, revealing her deep, longing gaze.
He thought she wanted to learn something related to scriptwriting or photography, and smiled as he nodded. "Sure, I'll prepare something."
"Prepare?" Utaha blinked innocently, "Why would you need to prepare? Didn't you say you're a professional when it comes to massage?"
"Eh?" he froze for a moment.
She continued, "I want to learn your massage techniques. Since I'm feeling so good right now, why not teach me?"
Haru almost lost his composure.
So she wants to learn my "Tide Caller" technique?
It was a stark contrast—while Yukino and Megumi would use the buff to improve their knowledge, Utaha seemed to want to go down a more... unconventional path.
"Teach me," she repeated, her voice soft but persistent.
Her slippers had long been discarded, and now she was leaning forward, her body moving closer to him. Because she had unbuttoned her collar earlier and was now bending forward, he couldn't help but notice some rather revealing sights.
A front-clasp black bra?
Haru felt slightly embarrassed. How do I know so much about this stuff?
But upon reflection, this type of bra seemed like something only Utaha could pull off. Yukino usually wore pure white or light blue, and Megumi—well, he hadn't seen that.
As for Haruno, when they were younger, he had seen her in rose-red. But that wasn't a front-clasp model.
Of course, who knew what she might prefer now?
Haru, at Utaha's insistence, decided not to hold back and teach her the technique.
To be fair, he was extremely thorough, explaining each step carefully while brushing up on his [Hypnosis] skill.
Utaha quickly got into it.
She was well aware that she still wanted to rest and lie down, but as Haru explained the technique, she found herself astonished by just how quickly she was learning.
"Teaching usually involves two phases: theoretical knowledge and practical application, right? So, doesn't that mean it's time for you to teach me some practical skills?" She even knew how to think ahead.
He chuckled, "Stop joking. If Yukino walks out and sees you like this, you'll just end up fighting again."
"I don't care about her." Utaha said nonchalantly, her words showing the effects of the Sage's Buff.
After saying that, she leaned back slightly and took a relaxed, unguarded sitting posture. She lifted her leg, and the hem of her uniform skirt rose up, stretching along her black stockings to reveal her long, pale leg. The smooth, rounded thigh, covered by the stockings, gave off an almost blinding allure in that moment.
Haru, calm as ever, replied, "If you really want to learn this, we can set up a time next time, and I'll teach both of you together."
Utaha's face turned a little red. "You want me and Yukino to join in together?"
He rolled his eyes. "Senpai, do you have a screw loose or something?"
She bit her lip but didn't answer. Instead, her slender leg stretched forward, resting it over his pants.
Haru glanced down. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"You must teach me," she said, then placed her other leg on top as well.
He remained calm. "I'll teach you, no problem, but now is not the time for practical application."
"Why not?"
"Because you'll lose control."
It wasn't just the effect of the Buff; it was also her overconfidence. His words didn't seem to faze her at all.
In fact, it seemed like she didn't even care. She muttered lightly, "I'm not the same as Yukino."
Haru froze for a moment. "What do you mean?"
The sudden shift in topic threw him off guard.
Utaha pressed her lips together and her eyes gleamed. "I have great self-control."
He blinked. "?"
At that moment, his thoughts aligned with an emoji on his phone.
They were having a normal conversation, and then—suddenly, it was like driving onto the highway. He couldn't keep up.
He put on a thoughtful expression. "Well then, let's just continue with the theoretical knowledge for now. We can leave the hands-on teaching for next time."
Utaha didn't insist. Though she was resisting the effects of the "Sage Mode" and really wanted to progress, her mind was still clear.
She knew that if they started practicing massage now and Yukino suddenly barged in, things would definitely get awkward.
Still, she didn't change her posture.
Her beautiful black-stocking legs rested on Haru's pants as she sat sideways on the sofa, listening attentively.
When the Sage Mode Buff finally wore off, she didn't move an inch.
At that moment, Yukino emerged from the master bedroom, muttering, "Efficiency has already dropped, this is so troublesome."
She walked toward the door and, without thinking, glanced into the living room. She froze.
From her perspective, Utaha had placed her legs on Haru, which was clearly an extremely suggestive posture.
And she wasn't even trying to hide it—her skirt had been pulled up quite a bit, exposing her full leg curve, nearly revealing everything.
What made Yukino's blood pressure skyrocket was that Utaha looked at Haru with those soft, sparkling eyes, her expression hazy as if in a trance. Her flushed cheeks looked like peach blossoms, giving off a dreamy and alluring aura.
What a seductive little fox!
Yukino walked over with a cold expression.
Haru, of course, noticed her presence and took the initiative to speak up, "Senpai wants to learn massage techniques from me."
Yukino paused, then coldly looked at Utaha, who was exuding seductive charm. "You're really learning, not hoping to be taught?"
The implication behind her words was heavy.
Utaha casually withdrew her legs, adjusting her skirt to avoid Yukino's piercing gaze. "I just feel like I'm in great condition and wanted to take the opportunity to improve…"
She paused, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Isn't that what you did too? I heard you say you felt great earlier and ran off to study in your room."
Yukino still had a cold smile on her face. "Our paths of learning are different."
Utaha gently rested a finger on her soft chin, as if talking to herself. "I heard there's a saying in Chinese: 'A man and a woman working together, and the work becomes easier.'"
Yukino instinctively frowned, about to retort, but Utaha smiled and added, "When you're at your best, you should have him help you with your studies, it'll be more efficient."
"You're using your usual trick to change the subject, that's so despicable, Senpai." Yukino was very sharp.
Utaha neither admitted nor denied it. "Haru just said he could teach both of us at the same time next time."
Yukino blinked, then looked over at Haru, who nodded eagerly, giving off an "I'm happy to generously share my expertise" vibe.
Yukino gave them both an exasperated look. "Are you sure this so-called 'teaching' is legitimate?"
"Absolutely legitimate." Haru grabbed the lifeline Utaha tossed him.
Yukino didn't bother arguing further. She walked over, scooped up the fat cat that had been lounging on the sofa, and sat back down.
Utaha secretly winked at him, as if to say, How's that? I did great, right?
He couldn't help but laugh inwardly. So you were already planning how to explain things to Yukino?
No wonder she insisted on having the hands-on teaching earlier—she was just setting the stage for this moment.
With Yukino's aura still strong, Haru volunteered to wash the dishes and also prepare some tea and snacks for them.
As soon as he left, Yukino coldly spoke up, "Do you want to keep being this despicable, Senpai?"
Utaha smiled faintly. "I don't care what others think, as long as the person I like doesn't reject me."
Yukino slowed her petting of the cat, her tone unchanged. "You've improved a lot."
The tension between the two was palpable, each trying to test the other, probing for weaknesses.
In the past, Utaha had always used this approach, and each time, she was easily defeated by the battle-hardened Yukino.
But this time, her opponent came out with a powerful move right from the start.
The words "As long as the person I like doesn't reject me, that's all that matters" directly revealed her stance—no need for probing, just straight to the point.
Unfortunately, similar tactics and strategies were ones Yukino had already encountered from her sister.
As a result, from the very beginning of their confrontation, it was clear that Utaha could only play an old, predictable game—losing in between.