She still really liked the feeling of having breakfast together.
"Hmm..."
Miyahito, who was sipping his miso soup, heard a soft giggle. Looking up, he saw Utaha biting the tip of her chopsticks, her eyes curved in a smile.
"What's up?" Feeling a bit of her happiness rub off on him, Miyahito set down his soup bowl and asked with a smile. "Thinking of something funny?"
"Not telling you~"
Pouting proudly with a slightly tilted chin, Utaha's lips curved upward.
"Eh?"
Playing along perfectly, Miyahito put on a slightly exaggerated expression of disappointment, speaking in a wronged tone. "C'mon, tell me."
"Hmph, if~~" Deliberately dragging out the syllable, Utaha adopted the air of a haughty queen, replying dismissively. "If Miyahito says 'The person I love most is Kasumigaoka Utaha,' I might consider telling you."
"Mhm, and your voice has to be full of energy to qualify, okay?"
"Ah, such high standards." Hearing Utaha's demands, Miyahito instinctively showed a hint of embarrassment.
Saying "The person I love most is Kasumigaoka Utaha" wasn't hard—it wasn't like it was their first day together.
Plus, he was quite used to his girlfriend, who loved jumping his face, "acting up" (Damn it, why does the legal marriage age for guys have to be 18? Otherwise, I'd register right now and see if Utaha dares to act up then...).
The only—well, the hardest part was...
"How exactly do you define 'full of energy,' Utaha?" Suddenly, a barely perceptible mischievous glint flashed across Miyahito's slightly upturned lips. Then, acting perfectly natural, he proposed his own idea. "How about you demonstrate first? Yeah, just saying 'I like Miyahito the most' is enough."
"Mhm. Miyahito, you're not being a good boy." Instantly catching her boyfriend's scheme, Utaha picked up her chopsticks with her right hand, lightly biting the tip. She shot a seductive, alluring glance at her confident-looking boyfriend and continued.
"My dear, I~ most~" As she spoke, Utaha slowly crawled over to Miyahito's side. Her slightly parted cherry-pink lips approached his ear—his face already starting to lose composure—and she whispered softly, her breath warm.
"Love you, Aragaki Miyahito... -sama..."
N-n-n-n-nosebleed! Nosebleed incoming!
Quickly raising a hand to firmly press against his nose, feeling a hint of warmth, Miyahito panicked, turning his face away and speaking in a muffled, flustered voice.
"I g-got it! I know how to say it!"
"Really?" A playful glint added itself to Utaha's smile as she narrowed her wine-red eyes slightly. Then, she leaned in close to his ear again, using the exact same seductive tone as before. "You really don't need me to demonstrate one more time?"
"N-n-no need!" Leaning his upper body back as hard as he could, Miyahito shouted urgently.
"The person I love most is Kasumigaoka Utaha!"
The moment the words left his mouth, Utaha's actions froze.
W-wait! Why is this line even more embarrassing than I imagined?! It shouldn't be like this!!
A faint blush flying to her cheeks, Utaha slowly retreated, sitting upright on the carpet with her back straight. Her right hand unconsciously began toying with a strand of hair falling over her chest.
"O-o-okay..." Realizing her voice sounded slightly hesitant, Utaha unconsciously lowered her head, wrapping that strand of hair around her right pinky finger, over and over.
"You pass."
Finishing, feeling slightly embarrassed, Utaha cleared her throat and awkwardly changed the subject. "Ahem, l-l-let's eat breakfast."
To this, what could Miyahito—who was already struggling to suppress the wicked thoughts rising in his heart—possibly say?
"Mhm."
....
After enjoying a warm, slightly thrilling breakfast together,
"Miyahito."
Washing the dishes, Utaha didn't turn around as she called out to Miyahito, who was sitting cross-legged in the room, looking at his phone.
"Are you still coming with me to the office later?"
"Hmm..." After a few seconds of thought, Miyahito surprisingly declined Utaha's suggestion.
"I won't go to Shinobu today. You and Akane-nee are probably just discussing the anime schedule."
"I have some work to handle at the agency."
Hearing this, Utaha, who had just finished washing the dishes and was placing them on the drying rack, paused. Then, she asked curiously, "What kind of work?"
"Hmm~~ Just very important work." Suddenly acting playful, Miyahito saw Utaha's threatening, slightly raised fist.
His survival instincts kicking in instantly, Miyahito decisively surrendered.
"Today I need to discuss the anime soundtrack work with my manager-san." Smiling ingratiatingly, Miyahito quickly opened his arms and carefully embraced Utaha, who had plopped herself down between his crossed legs.
"Regarding the adaptation of your work, Utaha, I have some ideas I want to discuss with Maki-nee, see if we can make them happen."
"Miyahito." Tilting her face up slightly, Utaha's eyes filled with emotion as she stared intently at Miyahito's face, smiling gently as he looked down.
Then, unable to hold back her feelings, Utaha instinctively raised both hands, gently gripping the sides of Miyahito's face and pulling down slightly.
As for the intention behind Utaha's actions in his arms, Miyahito didn't refuse.
Allowing his girlfriend's emotional whims, he naturally lowered his head.
The next moment.
Lips met, then parted.
Their breathing grew slightly quicker as the two silently gazed into each other's eyes. Then, Miyahito smiled doting-ly and gently bumped his nose against Utaha's, whispering softly.
"Thank you for the reward, Utaha."
"Hmph...." Suddenly feeling a bit shy, Utaha averted her gaze slightly, replying in a coquettish tone. "T-t-t... This counts as Kasumi Utako's down payment."
"If Miyani's new song doesn't satisfy Kasumi Utako, I-I-I... I'll demand breach of contract compensation!"
"What kind of compensation?" Looking at the adorable, shy Utaha in his arms, Miyahito suddenly felt an inexplicable urge to tease her a little.
"Is it kissing you twice? Three times? Or you decide the number?"
"My dear Mr. Miyahito." Seeing her boyfriend fearlessly jump her face again, Utaha—realizing her dignity was being challenged—instantly calmed down. She looked coldly at her grinning boyfriend, enunciating every word.
"It's already morning now. Dreams are where anything is possible."
"Mhm, then I'll dream tonight and see what compensation Utaha really wants."
His courage unexpectedly surging, Miyahito went for a full-on dragon-riding combo: "Actually, I'd rather kiss you many, many times."
"I wonder if Utaha in my dreams can satisfy my request... So exciting..." "Ouch ouch ouch! My face is gonna get pulled off, Utaha!"