While enduring Mina’s stealthy retaliation when I suddenly dropped the bomb like that, I waited quietly to how her mother would react to it. She already assumed something about our relationship because it’s painfully obvious through seeing how Mina reacted.

Mina was like an open book when she was being teased. She’s easily flustered contrary to the words she’s blurting out to deny it.

Mina’s mother simply smiled and put on a look of understanding. It’s like even before I arrived here, she already accepted my relationship with Mina.

I looked at the girl beside me and she just shook her head, silently telling me not to ask her. At the moment, her exposed ears were as red as tomatoes. She’s also fidgeting as if she wanted to run away and hide herself from me.

And upon seeing that, I unhesitatingly grabbed her slightly sweaty hand that’s pinching my sides and turned her face to me. “Isn’t it better for me to confess here, right in front of auntie?”

“It’s inappropriate! And you confessed already! You don’t have to repeat it. You’re always this shameless. At least, restrain yourself in front of…”

Mina was doing her best to not blush and remind me that we’re in the presence of her mother. However, she was cut off by her mother. She also picked up the teapot containing what she brewed and refilled my cup. “Oh. But I like his straightforwardness, Mii-chan. As I see it, Onoda-kun here is filled with confidence. He’s looking at me directly without faltering and even voiced his affection for you in front of me. How I wish my suitors are all like him.”

Filled with confidence? I don’t think so. I’m just too shameless and bold. Nonetheless, I’m treating her as politely as possible.

Anyway, I don’t expect her to bring that up. So, she has suitors. Although she’s a divorcee, she’s definitely the type of woman that’s popular with men.

From what I heard from Mina, her mother owned a hair salon and she’s also attending customers as one of the hairstylists. That’s why Mina requested for me to do something about my hair or else, her mother would focus on that instead.

So, her suitors were probably from her customers. Although she got money from the divorce, she used that to open a business. Considering she’s still young and that’s actually her passion aside from tea-making, there’s nothing wrong with that.

“Mom! This isn’t why I brought him here! And how come you’re mentioning your suitors right now? That’s too out of topic!”

“Don’t you want a new dad?”

Mina was easily rebutted and she almost choked with that question. But for them to suddenly switch to this topic… Am I allowed to hear this?

Mina recovered from it and soon came up with an answer to that question. “… When did I say that? I’m fine with only the two of us. But if mom falls in love with someone and wants to enter a new relationship, I’m not going to be a stuck-up and ungrateful child who will stop you. I respect you a lot. I’m grateful for everything you did for me… But mom, can we not talk about this? Ruk—Onoda-kun is here!”

Ah. This girl… The way her grip tightened, she’s definitely not 100% open to the idea of her mother remarrying someone else. But… like she said, her gratitude and respect would prevail if ever that would happen.

Somehow, this turned into a rather serious topic.

I thought of lightening up the mood by saying something. However, Mina’s mother stared straight at me and slightly shook her head.

Did I get read by her? Did she not mind that there’s an outsider hearing this?

“Fall in love, huh? With my age, can I still do that? What do you think, Onoda-kun?”

Although she’s responding to Mina’s words, her gaze remained on me and even pulled me in with their discussion as she asked for my opinion.

Mina tugged at my hand, perhaps trying to tell me not to answer. However, her mother simply picked up the plate in front of me and placed it back, urging me to drink the tea and take a bite of the fruit pie she baked.

And looking at her slight expectant smile, I couldn’t help but shake my head inwardly.

The mother and daughter were similar in a way that they both conveyed what they wanted to say by simple actions.

But who would I follow? Mina who probably didn’t want me to get dragged in this familial topic or her mother who directly asked me about my opinion and even expressed that I could take my time answering?

My gaze alternated between Mina, her mother and the pair of tea and fruit pie in front of me.

And with that, I came up with what path I would tread on.

I released her hand, picked up the plate and sliced a bite-sized pie with the fork. Instead of eating it myself, I pushed it before Mina’s mouth.

Surprised at my sudden action, the girl reflexively pulled away. However, that’s not enough for me to give up, my hand followed her.

“That’s for you! And why are you feeding me, I have my own hands, Ruki!”

Mina failed to notice the slip of her tongue. She finally called me by my name.

Furthermore, since she’s just sitting opposite us, she warmly laughed at what she’s witnessing in front of her.

“I want to try it. Serving my Mina.”

“Who is your Mina? Stop being this shameless!”

Flustered once more, she grabbed the fork from my hand and fed it to me instead.

Well, I could also pull away from that. However, I accepted it while holding onto her hand so that she wouldn’t accidentally stab me with it. As the delicious fruity flavor burst into my tongue, both Mina and her mother watched intently as to what would be my reaction.

If someone else was seeing this, there’s no doubt that this situation was too silly. However, the pie was truly good so I savored chewing and tasting it.

“Yes. It’s delicious.” I then grabbed the fork from Mina's frozen hand and sliced another bite-sized piece.

As that happened in quick succession, Mina failed to pull away this time. As soon as the piece entered her mouth, her lips closed around the fork while I pulled it out for her to chew and savor its taste.

Her eyes sparkled in delight and her lips curved into a lovely smile. However, moments later, the girl’s face turned crimson from the embarrassment. “I-I told you not to! You idiot!”

I dodged her little fist that tried to hit me on my shoulder and laughed. It’s probably a genuine laugh from me considering I truly enjoyed watching her reactions. That smile was also too lovely that if not for her mother, I’d lose all restraint and kiss her.

While I was trying to calm the girl down, we both heard a clap from our side. “That is quite a scene, you two. Mii-chan found her match. Anyway, don’t make me jealous and drink that tea while eating that. You too, Mii-chan.”

She then raised the teapot and also filled Mina’s cup.

As the fragrance of that tea wafted to our noses, the two of us somehow automatically reached for our cup and sipped on it.

“This is…”

“… How can I win from this?”

As one might expect, the pie and the tea complemented each other too well. Before we knew it, Mina and I began feeding each other again, the girl’s embarrassment set aside completely.

The thought of responding to her mother or giving my opinion on the earlier topic was put to the back of my mind.

By the time we regained our senses, we already finished the slice we’re sharing. Furthermore, her mother, who somehow pulled out her phone to record us, satisfyingly giggled. “Mhm… You two. You’re like a bride and groom on your wedding day.”

“M-mom?!”

“I hate to admit it but… Mina, you lost this round.” With the tone of a judge in a competition, I shook my head and patted Mina’s shoulder.

As a rebuttal, the girl pinched my sides again and screamed, “We’re not yet competing, you idiot!”

“Oh! Thank you, Onoda-kun. I’m glad you two liked it. Mii-chan. Are you ready to surrender?”

“T-this isn’t counted!” Mina screamed once more but this time, I laughed along with her mother, resulting in Mina standing up and running away.

As I watched her disappear beyond the curtained part of their house, I heard Mina’s mother talking to me. “Go on, Onoda-kun. I’ll hear your opinion later.”