"Do you think I'm useless? That I'm insecure?"
Seeing the silence spread, Haizaki spoke in a self-mocking tone.
"This is just my reality. You wouldn't have worries like this, Kasumigaoka-san."
"Just like I said earlier—if you wanted to date, the guys willing to do so would line up all the way to Tokyo Bay."
Haizaki was certain there was no trace of sarcasm in what he said, but he also knew the words could make people uncomfortable.
"With your overall abilities right now, if you took the initiative to pursue a girl, I think some would agree," Utaha said.
What she was referring to was everything Haizaki had shown her so far—his capabilities, and the sense of security he gave others.
Haizaki didn't look bad. As for why he lacked confidence in his appearance, Utaha guessed it was probably because he had never been popular with women growing up.
And as for competence—
Stockpiling survival supplies, planning daily life, flying skills, shooting skills, cooking excellent meals—he was practically the standard definition of a good man.
For a man like this to have no women interested in him—people must be blind.
Thinking this, Utaha suddenly felt her face heat up.
She realized that what she had just said could easily be misinterpreted.
What if Haizaki thought she was implying that if he pursued her, she'd agree to be his girlfriend?
She looked at him nervously.
"Thank you for the encouragement."
And then—nothing more.
Utaha hated him in her heart. This guy deserved to be single. He should stay single for his entire life.
As for the matter of flying aircraft, she decided not to dig deeper.
She would wait for the day when Haizaki chose to tell her himself. That would be better.
...
With the girl lying beside him, Haizaki felt some discomfort getting up, but enduring it was manageable.
After all, he wasn't the one at a disadvantage.
Seeing the swelling around his left ankle, Utaha chose to get up and help.
Wearing her pajamas, completely unconcerned about her image and the unintentional scenery she revealed, she helped Haizaki get dressed.
"How about… I make breakfast?" she suggested.
"Instant noodles?"
Utaha's gentle expression instantly turned sharp, her aura intimidating.
"What did you just say, Yusuke-kun?"
"I meant, what would you like to eat this morning?"
"Braised beef noodles. And you—something light. Clear broth noodles."
She looked back at Haizaki.
Since his ankle was injured, lighter food would be better.
"No problem."
Haizaki calculated the time needed for washing up and breakfast.
"Come down in half an hour."
He had no intention of continuing this topic.
Leaving was the best choice.
Watching Haizaki's departing back, Utaha finally burst into laughter the moment the door closed.
So he could think about running away.
That fleeting look of helplessness just now was really funny.
But—
"You damn man."
Why wouldn't this damn man take the initiative?
"If I don't make you confess to me, then I'm not Utaha."
She silently made up her mind.
This inevitable romance had to begin with Haizaki's confession.
Otherwise, she would have lost this battle of love.
...
"Since you're pitiful and can only eat clear broth noodles, Lady Utaha will show mercy today and give you this piece of braised beef. You should thank me properly, Yusuke-kun."
At the dining table, Utaha sat across from him, smiling faintly as she held up a large piece of braised beef with her chopsticks, waving it in front of him.
"No gratitude, no beef!"
Haizaki quietly ate his own noodles. The woman in front of him had no idea that the bottom of his bowl was full of beef.
Even so, Haizaki had decided that he would be eating instant noodles for the next few days.
Let's see who gives in first.
Utaha was getting smug now.
"Eh? Haizaki, you really don't want it?"
Seeing him ignore her, Utaha took a bite of the beef.
"Mmm, mmm, it tastes really good. Someone doesn't even want to try it."
This time it wasn't just table antics.
The woman across from him lightly brushed his uninjured leg with her long legs wrapped in black stockings.
Smooth, soft, full of elasticity.
She knew he wouldn't dare do anything, so she was provoking him without restraint.
"Kasumigaoka-san, there's something I need to clarify with you."
"Go on…"
She thought Haizaki was finally surrendering to her charm.
"Because I'm injured, I've decided that for the next few days, we'll both eat instant noodles. Once I've fully recovered, we'll go back to normal meals."
Utaha froze completely, chopsticks still holding the beef, her joy instantly extinguished.
She couldn't believe he would actually do this.
"Here…"
She put the piece of beef she had bitten into Haizaki's bowl, then picked up two more pieces and placed them there as well.
"These are all yours…"
All the beef from her bowl had now been transferred into his.
Clearly, she had no desire to experience three straight days of instant noodles.
"You can laugh if you want."
"I wouldn't. I've received professional training."
Unless she couldn't hold it in.
"You? Professional? Don't think I can't tell."
Utaha chuckled, completely unconvinced of his "professionalism."
"Alright, just kidding. These are for you."
She didn't mind that Haizaki used his chopsticks to pass the beef back.
In many ways, they had already stopped caring about such things—especially Utaha.
"Behave yourself at the table. Don't mess around. Even if no one else is here, that kind of behavior is still inappropriate."
"Inappropriate? Aren't men supposed to like that kind of thing? Or are you saying you're not a man, Yusuke-kun?"
"Whether I'm a man or not—why don't you try and find out…"
The reflexive retort made Haizaki immediately realize he had misspoken.
"Oh? Try it? Sure. Just not sure whether Yusuke-kun has the courage."
Her words were filled with a seductive temptation that invited trouble.
Only then did Haizaki notice that Utaha was wearing light makeup today.
Already naturally beautiful, with light makeup she was breathtakingly stunning.
"I don't."
Most likely she was just teasing him again.
Utaha was furious.
She had gone this far with her hints, and all he said was "I don't."
Truly.
Deservedly single.
...