Chapter 419: [419] Do You Like Me Instead of my Daughter?
Chapter 419: Do You Like Me Instead of my Daughter?
Seeing Mrs. Miura suddenly walk into the room, Yumiko's eyes widened in surprise, and she instinctively blurted out, "Huh? Mom... Mom, why are you back?"
Realizing what she and Hachiman were doing, even the usually confident Yumiko couldn't help but blush with embarrassment.
After Yumiko's embarrassment, only Hachiman and Mrs. Miura remained, looking at each other.
None of the expected reactions—shyness, anger, outrage, or even storming into the kitchen with a knife—occurred.
"Well, it seems I came back at an awkward time, but you two don't need to mind me. Carry on," Mrs. Miura said as if she hadn't seen anything, carrying her shopping bag into the kitchen.
Hey, what do you mean "don't mind me, carry on"? We weren't doing anything in the first place.
Clearly, my daughter was in pain, and I was just helping her out.
As for Yumiko, hearing her mother's words almost made her faint.
Is there such an irresponsible mother?
Your own daughter is being helped on the sofa, and you don't even bother to check in?
Glancing at Mrs. Miura, who was unpacking groceries in the kitchen, Hachiman looked back at Yumiko on the sofa.
"Is your stomach still hurting?"
Yumiko shook her head quickly.
Not only is it not hurting now, but I also can't let Hachiman keep rubbing it like this.
Seeing that she was okay, Hachiman nodded and stood up, preparing to explain to Mrs. Miura to salvage his reputation.
But before Hachiman could say anything, Mrs. Miura seemed to take something out of the cupboard and threw it at him.
"Oh, and don't forget to use this," she said.
Looking at the object thrown at him, Hachiman instinctively caught it in his hand and opened his palm to see what it was, only to be met with a face full of confusion.
Because lying in his palm was a packet of mini umbrellas.
"What's this for? We didn't do anything like that," Hachiman protested. "Your daughter is having her period, do you want me to go into battle for her?"
"And why would you keep this in the kitchen cupboard? Are you and Mr. Miura using it when Yumiko goes to school?"
"Hmm, you're the real hidden one, aren't you?"
"But seriously, you're underestimating me. Even if we were going to do that, when has me ever used one of these?"
As Hachiman was mentally ranting, Mrs. Miura spoke up again.
"I understand where you're coming from. Young people can be impulsive and easily lose control. I've been through that phase myself."
"Although Hachiman mentioned he wouldn't mind having kids before, you're still too young. You need to be careful."
"So, please use it properly."
Although Mrs. Miura said to use it properly, she showed no signs of leaving, clearly eager to witness any potential drama firsthand.
Seeing this, Hachiman decided to speak up to salvage his reputation.
"Ahem, um... Auntie, you've got it wrong. Yumiko had period pain earlier, so I was just helping her with a stomach rub."
"We weren't planning to do anything like that."
"So, you should keep this for yourself."
However, after listening to Hachiman's explanation, Mrs. Miura didn't seem to understand at all. Instead, she covered her mouth in surprise.
"Wait, Hachiman, do you actually want to use this on me?"
"Do you prefer someone like me over my daughter?"
"Well... I don't mind, but you need to get my husband's and Yumiko's consent first, okay?"
How should I respond to that? I can't just say something like 'Today I have the honor of meeting Madame,' right?
But at that moment, Yumiko, who had been pretending to be an ostrich, couldn't hold back any longer. She jumped up from the couch and shouted at her mom, who was acting out of character:
"What are you even saying, Mom? You're so old-fashioned, stop overthinking things!"
"Oh dear, old-fashioned? At my age?"
Upon hearing her daughter's words, Mrs. Miura chuckled and squinted her eyes.
"Yumiko, what did you just say? Mommy didn't catch that."
Although Mrs. Miura still wore a smile on her face, the temperature seemed to drop around her. Yumiko shivered, clearly reminded of the fear of being dominated by her mother.
Seeing Mrs. Miura's demeanor, the girl leaned slightly towards Hachiman, seeking some reassurance.
"Well, exactly! We really didn't do anything at all. It's all just your own imagination, Mom."
"Didn't do anything?" Mrs. Miura's smile widened.
"Do you really think, Yumiko, that having someone massage your stomach doesn't count as 'doing anything'?"
"I don't recall raising you to be like this."
Upon hearing this, Yumiko was momentarily speechless.
It's true, a girl's stomach is quite vulnerable.
In the animal kingdom, the abdomen is always a vulnerable spot. Take wolves, for example; they're known for their tough hides and bellies, ensuring they don't expose their weaknesses to enemies.
Of course, there are exceptions. Dogs often expose their bellies to show loyalty and submission to their owners.
But girls are different. You can hold their hands, even kiss their lips, but they won't easily let you touch their stomachs; it's an instinctive defense mechanism.
Although, it could also be because there's more flesh on their stomachs...
Watching Yumiko being defeated by just a few words, Hachiman found it somewhat amusing.
Normally so strong-willed, why is she so vulnerable when it comes to her mom?
But amusing as it was, she was still his girlfriend, so Hachiman decided to help her out.
"Mrs. Miura, you've misunderstood. Yumiko was indeed in pain due to menstrual cramps, and I know some basic medical techniques, so I helped her relieve the pain by massaging her stomach."
"As a woman yourself, Mrs. Miura, I believe you can understand that kind of pain."
Upon hearing Hachiman's explanation, Mrs. Miura nodded in understanding.
But what surprised her was that Hachiman actually knew some medical techniques.
Glancing at Yumiko, whose complexion showed no abnormalities, Mrs. Miura asked, "Yumiko, is your stomach still hurting?"
Seeing her mother finally returning to normal, Yumiko also breathed a sigh of relief and shook her head.
"It's not hurting anymore, thanks to Hachiman."
"That's good, thank you, Hachiman-kun," Mrs. Miura nodded.
In response to her gratitude, Hachiman just smiled. "It's nothing. After all, Yumiko is my girlfriend, and I don't like seeing her in pain."
Hearing this, a hint of sweetness filled Yumiko's heart, while Mrs. Miura covered her mouth and chuckled.
"Oh my, Hachiman-kun is so considerate. I envy Yumiko; who will care for me?"
Seeing her mother starting to act up again, Yumiko couldn't help but roll her eyes and retort, "Don't you have Dad? If you say that, Dad will cry."
"Well, well, your dad won't mind," Mrs. Miura dismissed lightly.
"I'll tell Dad later and see if he minds."
"Tsk, Yumiko, you've been quite talkative lately."
...
Watching the mother and daughter interact, Hachiman found it somewhat amusing.
But after a pause, he spoke up, "Yumiko's stomach ache today was because she drank something cold during her period, so it's best to make her some ginger brown sugar water."
"I see. Then I'll leave it to you, Hachiman-kun," Mrs. Miura nodded, then walked out of the kitchen.
Wait, weren't you just in the kitchen? Why ask me to do it? It's just ginger brown sugar water, not difficult to make.
But since she had already left the kitchen, Hachiman had no choice but to do it himself.
Soon, the ginger brown sugar water was ready, and Hachiman helped Yumiko fill a bowl and handed it to her.
"Here, drink this."
Yumiko nodded and took it, sipping it slowly.
At that moment, Mrs. Miura spoke up again, "Hmm... now that you mention it, I'm also around that time. Should I have some too?"
Upon hearing this, Hachiman smirked inwardly.
So basically, you're asking me to fill another bowl for you too, right? Who can't see through that?
Unable to refuse, Hachiman reluctantly went back into the kitchen to prepare another bowl for her.
"Mrs. Miura, you should have some too."
"Thank you, Hachiman-kun." Mrs. Miura took it with a smile, then spoke again, "By the way, it's been a while since I had one of Hachiman-kun's dishes. I'm starting to miss it."
Hearing this, Hachiman almost crushed the bowl in his hand.
Your sister, am I becoming the maid of your house now?
Nevertheless, since she's your future mother-in-law, I can't just flip out over this. It's just making a meal, so be it.
With that thought in mind, Hachiman sent a text to Komachi, saying he wouldn't be coming home for dinner, then turned back into the kitchen.
...
Time flew by, and dinner quickly came to an end.
Patting her slightly bulging stomach, Mrs. Miura licked her lips and remarked, "Hachiman-kun, you're really talented. You've fed both me and my daughter until we're full."
But this time, Hachiman didn't give her a chance to continue talking. He spoke up directly, "As long as you're satisfied, Mrs. Miura. It's getting late, so I'll be heading home now."
"Huh? Hachiman-kun, aren't you staying a bit longer?" Mrs. Miura insisted.
Shaking his head, Hachiman replied, "That won't be necessary. I have a younger sister at home, and I shouldn't stay out too late."
He didn't want to stick around; who knows, he might end up washing dishes if he did.
"Alright then, I won't keep you." Mrs. Miura nodded, then turned to Yumiko, "Yumiko, why don't you walk Hachiman-kun out?"
Yumiko didn't refuse. "I understand."
The two of them walked out of the living room together.
Standing at the doorway, Yumiko reminded him, "Be careful on your way home."
"Yeah, don't worry."
Hachiman smiled softly and left the house.
Watching Hachiman's departing figure, Yumiko didn't rush to leave. She waited until he disappeared from her sight before turning back into the house.
With a "thud" as the door closed, the street fell silent once more.
Only the faint moonlight and the chirping of cicadas remained.
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