Sakayanagi Arisu didn't seem particularly skilled in domestic matters—at least, Kaoru had never seen her bring a homemade lunch to class.
She usually settled for the cafeteria.
Given her health, he didn't dwell on it.
Besides, she was an ojou-sama—it was only natural she wouldn't excel in such things.
Kaoru occasionally ate in the cafeteria too, but dining with Sakayanagi today was unusual.
The surrounding stares grew uncomfortably sharp.
"Didn't Ichinose prepare a loving wife's bento for you?"
Perhaps because of her earlier tone, even this question carried a hint of bitterness.
Kaoru glanced at her face—she was smiling.
"I've been waiting for your loving wife's bento." He answered tactfully.
Another girl might have flustered, but Sakayanagi didn't blush.
Instead, she tilted her head and asked with amusement.
"Fufu, would you like me to feed you in front of everyone in class?"
"Sure. I could feed you too." Kaoru suggested, "Actually, we could try it right now."
Sakayanagi fell silent for a moment before chuckling. "Mitoma-kun, you really are shameless with girls. It's like anything you do is a reward for you."
"That's because Arisu is a beauty. Just being with you is a pleasure in itself."
Standing at the counter, Kaoru asked, "What do you want to eat?"
'It seemed he was treating.'
Sakayanagi promptly picked the most expensive set meal.
Kaoru carried two meal trays and deliberately found an empty seat in a corner.
"I'll start eating."
After all, it was a rare sight to see the young lady dining.
Kaoru couldn't take his eyes off her.
Compared to others her age, Sakayanagi Arisu wasn't particularly short, but her delicate and frail appearance made her seem smaller, evoking a sense of pity in others.
Her silver-white hair fell neatly to her shoulders, meticulously maintained and smooth.
At first glance, she looked like a well-behaved, quiet child—especially with the beret she wore, giving off the vibe of a little girl on an outing, exuding an innocent and adorable charm.
No wonder, in some people's eyes, he and Sakayanagi Arisu were seen as a lolicon and a loli.
But anyone who knew Sakayanagi Arisu even slightly would never mistake her for an innocent little girl—rather, she was a cunning little devil.
"You're being rather rude, Mitoma-kun."
Sakayanagi Arisu looked at him with displeasure. "Please don't think strange things in front of me."
"I was just curious why you haven't thrown away this ring."
Kaoru shifted his focus, his gaze landing on the [Wedding Ring] on her finger.
Though he didn't say anything, Sakayanagi Arisu could easily imagine his inner thoughts—Wasn't she particularly reluctant back then?
Why has she kept wearing it until now? No matter who asks, she never denies it.
Besides, both of them knew what this ring signified—a question Sakayanagi Arisu couldn't avoid confronting.
"As far as I know, there's no identical one."
Sakayanagi Arisu smiled faintly, a glimmer of triumph flashing in her eyes, as if she had caught Kaoru in a trap.
Of course, there was no identical one.
Kaoru knew better than anyone the effect of the [Wedding Ring], but her reasoning was too flimsy.
Had she discovered the secret somewhere else?
"It's a custom-made engagement ring, so of course there's no identical one." Kaoru said, "Can I call you 'wife' now?"
"Sure. Should we get married right away?"
Sakayanagi Arisu replied seriously. "I can give you the marriage registration form right now. Once we're married, you're not allowed to get close to any other stray cats, okay?"
If he agreed, his currently peaceful and harmonious harem would probably explode instantly.
Kaoru cleared his throat. "I remember you have to be an adult to get married. I'm not even 18 yet."
"Is that so?" Sakayanagi Arisu gave him a meaningful look.
After spending so much time together, she knew exactly how to deal with him.
Kaoru took a sip of his drink and changed the subject. "You spend the most time with Masumi. Has she—"
"Haha, I don't know."
Sakayanagi Arisu cut him off. "Did you really think I'd help my fiancé pursue another girl?"
Kaoru was momentarily speechless.
He hadn't expected her to refuse, nor had he expected her to openly acknowledge their engagement.
A strange feeling welled up inside him.
"This is where you fall short, Mitoma-kun. You should treat me like a normal girl sometimes. Even though Masumi is my good friend, I can't just surrender in this regard."
Sakayanagi Arisu continued, "Besides, you should think carefully about what to give her for her birthday. You can't just copy my answer."
It seems I made a misstep.
After all, Sakayanagi Arisu's birthday is next month.
Asking a girl about another girl's birthday gift when her own birthday is approaching feels somewhat disrespectful.
Kaoru pondered for a moment before asking, "Let me rephrase—what does Arisu want?"
Sakayanagi Arisu studied him seriously. "Are you here today to discuss both Masumi's and my birthday?"
"Is that not allowed?"
"It's strange. You're not doing this out of some sense of obligation to repay me, are you?"
"Isn't it normal to prepare a birthday gift for one's fiancée?"
"..."
Sakayanagi Arisu slightly regretted digging her own grave, but she didn't dwell on it too much and quickly changed the subject.
"My birthday is after the final exams. By then, the winner will already be decided, so I don't need your gift. Your defeat will be the best present for me."
What she regretted most was that they were in the same class, which made many things difficult to execute.
If they had been in different classes, Sakayanagi Arisu believed things would have been far more interesting.
Not being able to face him head-on in a fair, direct confrontation was something she couldn't let go of.
Kaoru thought to himself that if he lost, the one who would struggle to move on would probably be her.
"Regardless of the outcome, a birthday is still a birthday. I'd like to spend that day slowly with Arisu."
"Heh, are you asking me out on a date?"
"Consider it a favor to your fiancé."
"I'd like to say yes, but Father told me you're no good."
"There's just a small misunderstanding between Father and me. It'll be resolved soon."
"You adapt your words quickly. Only here do you show such shamelessness."
"I'll have to call him that sooner or later anyway."
"You really have no shame."
The conversation between Kaoru and Sakayanagi Narumori was, of course, known to Sakayanagi Arisu
After all, as her father, Sakayanagi Narumori cherished his daughter deeply.
Hearing that someone had designs on his precious girl inevitably filled him with shock and anger.
What saddened Sakayanagi Narumori even more was that when he cautiously asked his daughter about it, she openly admitted it and even complained that he shouldn't interfere in her affairs.
His heart nearly broke.
Still, this was also the reason Kaoru managed to escape unscathed—otherwise, he wouldn't even have the chance to be sitting here now.
That said, Sakayanagi Arisu hadn't shared her true thoughts with Kaoru.
While she held great interest and curiosity toward him, she wasn't at the point of outright rejecting marriage, nor was she ready to marry him immediately.