After handling the issues with the chickens, ducks, and geese at Villa No. 4, Haizaki returned to Villa No. 5 to take a shower and change into clean clothes.
The feeling of being soaked through was truly uncomfortable.
Lunch was simple noodle soup, with tomatoes, leafy greens, and cilantro—all vegetables that Utaha had personally tended and grown.
However, after nearly a week of violent wind and rain, the vegetables they had planted around the villa area were basically all ruined.
Seeing the vegetables he had carefully nurtured to the point of harvest destroyed entirely by a stretch of strange weather made Haizaki feel rather distressed.
Ten minutes later, Haizaki fished the cooked noodles out of the pot.
Knowing that Utaha loved sauces, Haizaki specially added beef sauce to her bowl, making the noodles look more vibrant in color.
"Kasumigaoka-san, lunch is ready."
"I know. I'll be right down."
After eating, Haizaki still needed to check the conditions of the other villas, repair broken windows, relocate damaged supplies and food, and record everything. Once the weather passed, he would go out to restock.
Haizaki slurped his noodles as he ate, enjoying the food while thinking about any possible oversights.
After showering, Utaha changed into a comfortable blue dress, with a black women's vest layered over it. Her legs were wrapped in black stockings, adding a touch of allure to her cute yet sharp style.
While eating, Haizaki glanced toward the girl coming downstairs—and froze.
A beautiful girl looked beautiful no matter what she wore. At this moment, Utaha perfectly combined cuteness, sharpness, and sexiness.
She had an angelic, exquisitely beautiful face and a devilishly curvy figure.
On top of her outstanding appearance, she also possessed remarkable talent.
She was truly favored by heaven.
"What is it… are you stunned?"
Standing at the dining table, Utaha slightly raised the corner of her lips, a faint smile appearing on her face.
Today's outfit seemed to be a success.
"Yes. Very beautiful."
The answer completely exceeded Utaha's expectations. She had thought Haizaki would stay silent or respond coldly with something like "Mm, yes," just brushing it off—but instead, he directly praised her.
"So you can compliment people?"
"Of course I can. I just don't usually do it."
"According to you, this is an 'unusual situation' then? I'm quite honored."
She had no intention of eating lunch at all. Her mind was entirely focused on continuing to tease Haizaki. This kind of exchange made her feel amused and satisfied.
"Yes. You should feel honored."
Does this man even know how to talk to girls?!
The joy that had just risen instantly disappeared by more than half. Haizaki really didn't understand the atmosphere or a girl's feelings—or was he doing this on purpose?
Toying with her deliberately.
Men were truly infuriating.
"Then I wonder if Haizaki can let me know something even more honorable?"
Teasing, provocation, and a faint sense of seduction.
Having spent four months together, Haizaki could naturally hear the implication in her words. Since July, he had occasionally received suggestive signals from her.
His response had always been to ignore them, pretending not to understand.
He had thought this would make her back off or even give up.
Instead, the frequency only increased.
Haizaki knew he couldn't let this continue.
He decided to have an open and honest conversation with Utaha—to bring their vague, ambiguous relationship into the open and talk it through properly, so she would understand his stance and stop doing "unnecessary" things.
Then they would spend the remaining eight months together and bring everything to a proper end.
Sitting across from him, Utaha rested her chin on her right hand. Her wine-red eyes, filled with laughter and expectation, gazed at Haizaki as she waited for his direct response.
She believed Haizaki would be moved and take action.
She was Utaha. She wouldn't fail.
"Kasumigaoka-san… let's have a proper talk tonight… okay?"
Joy vanished in an instant, replaced by a sense of dread.
Thinking of that possibility, her body trembled.
Utaha's breathing became uneven, her heartbeat quickened, and fear began to surface, eroding her heart.
She had thought she had gotten closer to him—but… was it all just her illusion?
"No… no…"
Her wine-red eyes overflowed with shimmering tears, her voice choked with sobs.
She didn't want that so-called "proper talk."
Behind the strong exterior of a girl named Utaha was the softness and fragility belonging to a girl.
Faced with her reaction, Haizaki didn't know what to do and could only lower his head and continue eating in silence.
Five minutes later, Haizaki finished his meal.
"I'm heading out. I'll be back before four."
Just as Haizaki thought they would part like this, the girl spoke.
"Is it that… I'm not good enough somewhere?"
Haizaki froze in place as if struck by electricity.
"If there's something I'm not good enough at, I can… change. Whether it's sleeping in, being willful, sharp-tongued, or even—"
"No. You're very good. It's my problem."
A girl was willing to change herself to gain his approval—how could he not be moved?
A girl named Utaha was proud, a favored daughter of heaven. She could have lived surrounded by admiration and affection, yet now, because of him, she chose to change.
"Can you… tell me what 'your problem' is?"
Proud as she was, Utaha was actually asking him for an answer in a pleading tone.
"I can't forget the two of them."
"I want the truth."
She said coldly, pointing out that Haizaki was brushing her off.
"I often wonder—if this is all just a dream, what should I do?"
Utaha looked stunned. She had never imagined Haizaki would think like this.
A dream?
How was that possible?
"Dreams always come to an end. And when the moment of waking arrives, what should I do? If I'm the only one who retains these memories, what then?"
"For the you in reality, I'm just a stranger. Your memories don't contain any trace of me. You'll continue your life—and that life won't include me."
"In reality, I have nothing. In reality, you're far beyond my reach. We… have no future." This way, you'll finally be completely disappointed in me. No girl would like a self-abased, cowardly man.
"Rather than suffering in the future, it's better to keep our distance now and wait for the moment the dream ends. That way, I won't suffer."
"You—"
Utaha erupted in anger.
"A self-abased, weak, cowardly bastard of a man—someone who doesn't even have the courage to pursue a girl. Even if someone like you had power and wealth, you still wouldn't be able to obtain the girl you like." She exploded.
"How can you be so sure this is a dream?!"
Tears shimmered brightly in her eyes.
"I… hate you…"
...