After getting off the train, Eriri didn't go straight to the door but instead decided to call first after adjusting her mood.
"It's Chisato... Have you eaten dinner... Since I'm heading over, I thought I'd ask if you hadn't eaten yet... Alright, you've eaten, then I'll come over now... See you soon."
After hanging up, Eriri walked into a convenience store by the street and casually picked out some snacks from the shelves.
When she received the phone call from Utaha before leaving, she had been so focused on the drawing work she had been doing that she hadn't immediately processed what was happening.
Instead, she was swept up in Utaha's anxious tone and rushed out of the house without thinking much.
However, as she walked to this side, she began to reflect on what Utaha had said and gradually calmed down.
A wife going to catch a cheating husband is a situation that is usually dealt with by a newly married woman.
Although she, too, had such a right to do the same with Chisato, what Utaha had said on the phone could only be considered as worrying about something that hadn't happened yet, and couldn't be seen as an actual fact.
Since it hadn't become a set fact, if she had charged over with the same aggressive attitude as when she left, only to find nothing had happened, it would have been embarrassing for her.
Embarrassment for herself didn't matter much, but dragging Chisato down with her would have been very foolish.
Therefore, it was better to use a more indirect approach, leaving room for flexibility. She called ahead, pretending everything was normal, and then arrived.
It was best if things hadn't developed into the worst-case scenario, and if the situation was reversed, she could still give Chisato some time to react and save face.
She casually wandered around the convenience store again and remembered that the weather had started to cool, and it seemed Chisato didn't yet have winter pajamas.
So, after leaving the convenience store, she entered a large mall.
Sometimes, Eriri wondered if she had been too indulgent and too willing to give in to Chisato.
Shouldn't she occasionally show a more dominant side?
But these thoughts were quickly suppressed in her mind.
After all, how could she not, when she liked him so much?
If not for still being in high school, with obstacles from her age and family, she might even have considered moving in with him, and starting to regulate her schedule properly to take care of her body and prepare for pregnancy.
The two lives in her dreams had unknowingly amplified her maternal instincts.
For example, most young girls are attracted to beautiful clothes or makeup stores when they go shopping.
But now, Eriri found herself entering a maternity store, gently squeezing little baby socks and clothes, standing out among the mothers and expectant mothers.
She had a dreamy, healing expression on her face.
She wanted to be a mother…
After taking that step with Chisato, after they had deepened their relationship, this thought had gradually become stronger, though she had hidden it well.
She didn't want to pressure him unnecessarily.
To make that day come sooner, she was also working hard, taking on a pressure-filled drawing job to earn money, hoping to speed up her career without letting financial issues get in the way of her plan to become a mother.
Finally, after coming back to her senses, Eriri hurriedly left the maternity store. After buying some comfortable and warm pajamas, she thought it was about time.
She grabbed her things and took the elevator to the apartment, unlocking the door.
"Eriri."
Chisato, hearing the door open, came out from the living room.
"Why did you bring so much stuff?"
Eriri, smiling, was about to respond when her gaze caught sight of Iroha, who had also leaned out behind Chisato.
Her smile faltered for a moment before quickly recovering to a natural expression.
"It's not much. I thought we were missing some things at home, so I brought them back."
As she spoke, she subtly turned her head to look at Iroha, showing a surprised expression.
"There's a guest at home?"
"Ah, sorry I didn't mention it on the phone. This is Isshiki Iroha. This is Eriri. You've met before, right?"
"Yes, we met at your house before, in the living room."
The word "home" came out of Eriri's mouth for the second time.
Iroha seemed to have not noticed Eriri's subtle hint. As usual, she was polite, standing with her hands clasped in front of her, slightly bowing, and greeting them.
After Chisato took the things from Eriri's hands, she lightly waved and returned a bright smile.
The atmosphere seemed fine, at least on the surface.
"Chisato, look, there was a sale at the mall, so I bought you some pajamas. They feel really comfortable.
You should try them on later. If they don't fit, I'll exchange them for you."
"Mm, they do feel comfortable. Didn't you get something for yourself?"
"This is a gift. I want you to help me pick something out next time we go shopping."
Once they were in the living room, Eriri took out the clothes she had just bought and showed them to Chisato, like a dutiful wife presenting them.
The atmosphere made Iroha, who was smiling awkwardly at the side, seem out of place.
But Eriri was aware of the situation and made sure not to make her actions too obvious.
She quickly put the clothes away, then, like a good hostess who returned late to make up for it, placed the things she bought in their proper places.
She also refilled the half-drunk tea and brought out some snacks and dried fruits she had bought, all while maintaining a graceful demeanor.
It was a bit awkward for the crow, though, as it was meant for it, but it would have to wait for a later time.
Since Eriri usually acted like this, there was no sense of anything odd in Chisato's eyes.
However, in Iroha's eyes, Eriri's actions from the moment she entered were quite thought-provoking.
Although, so far, she hadn't said anything aggressively, Iroha felt that it would have been more comfortable if Eriri had just directly thrown some sarcastic remarks at her.
That way, though it would have been uncomfortable for her, it would at least lower the evaluation of her in Chisato's eyes, and that wouldn't have been too bad.
Unfortunately, Eriri wasn't that foolish.
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A highschool girl vs A mother for two lifetime lmao
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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta
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