As night fell, Makoto arrived alone at the Sawamura Family's Western-style house.
Among the players, the Sawamura Family's financial situation was second only to Makoto's.
It was said that the BL novels written by Mrs. Sawamura Sayuri had sales in the major bookstores of the Land of Fire that were rapidly catching up to Jiraiya's Icha Icha Paradise, and had recently even shown signs of surpassing it.
After all, it was well known that women spent money much more fiercely than men.
Airi had originally wanted to come along, but was stopped by Kayoko.
"If a woman clings too tightly, it makes a man uncomfortable."
Truly the Japanese way!
In his past life, some of the 'fairies' back home were really annoying… they'd complain about everything, even when you just went fishing.
He knocked on the door.
The door was opened by a woman in a kimono, whose face was nearly identical to Eriri's, except her hair was a gentle purple.
She greeted him with a beaming smile: "Oh my, Nishikawa-san is here. Please, come in… ah, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Sawamura Sayuri, Eriri's mother."
'Those on Internet was right… purple really had a charm.'
Makoto chuckled lightly: "Madam Sayuri, you look so young."
"Is that so? Nishikawa-san, you sure know how to flatter." Sayuri covered her mouth with a fan, but her eyes had already curved into crescents.
Although almost everyone who met her said something similar, it definitely felt different coming from different people.
Just like being praised by Goku versus being praised by Momonosuke… were they even on the same level?
Upon entering, the three girls from Saekano were carrying dishes out from the kitchen one by one.
Megumi placed a bowl of soup on the table and looked up: "Makoto-sensei, you're here."
Makoto nodded and took a seat under the warm welcome of Sayuri.
Within two minutes, all the dishes were on the table.
"Please, Sensei, don't be shy. Try my cooking." Sayuri urged attentively.
Makoto looked at the traditional Japanese dishes on the table… sushi, sashimi, and the like, and picked up a piece of sushi to put in his mouth.
After chewing a couple of times, he looked surprised: "Cooked?"
Sayuri explained with a smile: "Yes. I heard from Megumi and Utaha that Nishikawa-san doesn't like raw food, so I made sure to cook all the sushi and sashimi."
Although he had watched quite a few anime in his past life, Makoto couldn't say he was a fan of Japanese cuisine.
It was clear that Sayuri had put thought into this.
Seeing that Makoto was in a good mood, Sayuri pressed her advantage: "Calling you 'Nishikawa-san' feels a bit formal. May I call you 'Makoto-kun' directly?"
Makoto smiled: "Madam can just call me 'Makoto' as well."
Madam Sayuri quickly waved her hands: "No, no, that's going too far—"
She didn't dare go that far.
The meal had a pleasant atmosphere.
Eriri secretly glanced at her mother, who was constantly finding topics to chat and laugh with Makoto, thinking: 'It's a good thing Dad isn't here, or he'd definitely be jealous.'
Knock, knock, knock—
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
Sayuri, who had been so composed a moment ago, instantly panicked: "It's not an editor coming to chase for the manuscript, is it? Eriri, go answer the door. If it is, tell them Mama's not home."
Makoto found this amusing.
In his home country, writing web novels didn't come with this kind of worry. Editors couldn't be bothered with you, and you could drop a story whenever you wanted, unless you were a top-tier Author.
Utaha nodded sympathetically… she had also experienced the days of being chased by an editor for manuscripts.
Speaking of which, it had been a long time since she'd written a book. The previous one, Love Metronome, was probably impossible to continue… over four years after transmigrating here, her inspiration had long since dried up.
When she returned to the real world, she'd have to start a new one.
It would be called... hmm, Naruto.
The protagonist would be named Uzumaki Makoto… yes, based on this perverted teacher right in front of her.
As for why the surname Uzumaki?
The main reason was that during the first exam, Uzumaki Naruto had left a deep impression on her… he was the standard hot-blooded protagonist template.
If she blended him with Makoto, she could create a new character.
'Hmm, just make him less perverted...'
'The heroine... could be Uchiha Utaha!'
Eriri went to open the door reluctantly.
Standing outside wasn't a manuscript-chasing editor, but the entire Yukinoshita Family of four.
Leading them was Mrs. Yukinoshita, holding an elaborately wrapped gift, while her husband and two daughters behind her also carried bags and parcels.
"Uh, um, what are you—"
Before Eriri could finish, Mrs. Yukinoshita spoke: "Is Makoto here?"
Eriri nodded and stepped aside. The Yukinoshita Family filed in.
Everyone at the table was a bit surprised to see this family arrive.
"Makoto, we came to apologize to you—"
Mrs. Yukinoshita's first words left Makoto utterly speechless.
No sooner had she spoken than Mr. Yukinoshita dropped straight into a perfect dogeza bow: "I am truly, deeply sorry!"
"Wh-what's going on?"
Everyone, including Makoto, was baffled.
Mrs. Yukinoshita briefly explained the reason… it turned out she had misunderstood that Makoto was giving Megumi special training to target the Yukinoshita Family.
"Hahahahahaha!"
After hearing this, Makoto let out his most cheerful laugh since acquiring the Mangekyo Sharingan.
"You misunderstood, Madam!"
He laughed so hard tears almost came out, "I'm tutoring Megumi because I found a Ninjutsu that suits her well. It has nothing to do with your daughter."
"R-Really?"
Mrs. Yukinoshita looked unsettled. She was afraid that offending Makoto would lead to retaliation against the Yukinoshita Family, and even more afraid that Makoto would despise her for it.
"Don't worry, Auntie."
Utaha also found it amusing, "Although Sensei-kun is petty, he's not that petty."
Slap!
Makoto slapped her on the butt. Utaha covered her rear, glaring at him with a red face.
Sayuri tried to mediate: "Um... everyone, please have a seat. Let's have dinner together. I'll make a few more dishes."
After confirming that Makoto indeed had no vendetta against the Yukinoshita Family, Mrs. Yukinoshita finally breathed a sigh of relief and followed Sayuri into the kitchen.
"I'm so envious of you, your whole family came over together."
Sayuri sighed wistfully as she chopped vegetables, "My husband is still in the real world, completely unaware."
"I'd rather he hadn't come."
Mrs. Yukinoshita's tone was cool as she rinsed rice.
That way, her husband's image in her heart wouldn't have become so tarnished.
Sayuri's eyes twinkled, and she showed a playful expression that belied her age.
'Wow, there was gossip!'
Unfortunately, Mrs. Yukinoshita didn't say more.
She understood the principle that family shame shouldn't be aired.
Still, the two chatted quite a bit.
Mrs. Yukinoshita mentioned that when they returned to the real world, everything would change.
Once these children returned, the world order would be turned upside down. Whether their conglomerate families could maintain their current status was anyone's guess.
Sayuri nodded in agreement.
But in reality, neither had said everything they were thinking.
They both knew deep down that the one who would truly affect the world order wasn't the young women like Utaha or Eriri, who had only just begun to grasp supernatural powers—
It was Makoto.
Gratitude was just an excuse.
The real purpose of Sayuri's invitation that night was to curry favor with him.
Meanwhile, at the table, Mr. Yukinoshita, like Sayuri earlier, was desperately trying to find topics to talk with Makoto.
But Makoto's attitude was far less enthusiastic than before… it was basically perfunctory responses like "Mm," "Oh," and "Okay."
It was like a goddess dealing with a simp.
Mr. Yukinoshita was visibly embarrassed.
Yukino pressed her lips tightly together, wanting to do something to salvage her father's dignity.
But under the table, her sister kept gripping her hand firmly, signaling her not to act rashly.
At this moment, even Haruno, Oregairu's biggest sis-con, wanted to send her younger sister to an emotional intelligence class for some serious study.
Just then, Utaha spoke up to break the impasse: "Sensei-kun, you arranged extra tutoring for Ran before, and now you're giving Megumi special training. Does that mean you think I'm worthless as a student?"
Clearly, the child was feeling neglected.
Among the three students, both Ran and Megumi had received special treatment, leaving her out.
This made Utaha, who prided herself on being the most attractive of the trio, quite discontent.
Makoto reached out and ruffled her hair, like petting an irritated kitten.
"Utaha, don't fuss. This matter is important."
Everyone at the table froze.
It was rare to see such a serious expression on Makoto's face.
Utaha's bristling instantly smoothed over. She lowered her head and replied softly, "Mm... I'm sorry."
"It's okay. When I find a Ninjutsu that suits you, I'll teach it to you."
Makoto smiled, his hand sliding from her head to her shoulder, and casually pulled her toward him.
The whole motion was smooth and fluid.
Mr. Yukinoshita's eyes nearly popped out.
Watching the flock of young girls around Makoto, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly—
'Truly, this is how a man should live.'