FFD 22

As Eriri walked from the soccer club to the school gate, she couldn't shake off the lingering feeling of nausea. The scene she had witnessed there was beyond anything she had ever imagined!

"Hey, Hayama, seriously, is your club actually a soccer club? Or is it secretly a haunted club?" she asked, her voice tinged with fear that still clung to her.

"I told you not to go in, but you never listen," He replied, shrugging his shoulders. He couldn't help but wonder why Eriri's curiosity was so insatiable.

"It's your fault! You lured me in by asking me to draw a poster for the soccer club! I'd never seen them play before, so naturally, I had to come and observe what the soccer club was all about!"

He was at a loss for words, unsure of how to explain the situation to her. All he could do was respond with a smile.

"Why don't you tell me on why the soccer club is in such a sorry state?" she playfully tapped him on the head, her twin-tailed hairstyle bouncing with the motion.

"The reason is simple, really. The other members of the soccer club just don't have anything better to do!"

She gave him an incredulous look. "Do you think I'm an idiot?"

Just as she was about to launch into her trademark Twin Tails Cyclone again, he swiftly caught hold of her hair.

"Aren't you?"

After bidding Eriri farewell at the train station, he returned to the school for practice.

However, the members of the soccer club appeared slightly demoralized by Eriri's reaction. They let out weary sighs and continued training throughout the afternoon, but progress was minimal.

...

On the morning of April 29th, at 8 a.m., Hayama and Sanae stood in front of Eriri's house, reaching out to press the doorbell. Sawamura Sayuri, Eriri's mother, was the one to answer the door.

"Auntie, sorry to bother you,"

Despite the passing of six years, Sayuri appeared as youthful as ever, showing no signs of aging.

"Good morning, Sayuri Auntie!" Sanae greeted politely, demonstrating her respectful demeanor towards her elders.

"Oh, Sanae-chan, have you brought your boyfriend over for a visit? When are you two planning to tie the knot? Any thoughts on starting a family?" Sayuri's eyes sparkled with a mischievous glimmer as she looked at Hayama and Sanae.

"Auntie, I'm Hayama," He tried to maintain his composure despite being well aware of Sayuri's peculiar personality.

"Mom, what are you saying!" Eriri exclaimed, suddenly appearing from behind Sayuri. "Sanae isn't even thirteen yet and has just started her second year of junior high. Why are you talking about marriage! Mom, your mind has completely gone off track!"

"Oh, Eriri, feeling a bit jealous, are we? How could Mom not recognize little Hayama?" Sayuri turned around and embraced Eriri tightly, pressing her daughter against her not-so-generous bosom. Eriri struggled to catch her breath, blinked her eyes, and subtly displayed a plea for help.

"Hayama, Sanae-chan, please come inside," Sayuri invited, her tone shifting from playful to more hospitable.

Considering Sayuri's usual behavior, she wouldn't easily pass up the chance to tease Eriri. However, with Hayama and Sanae present, she had to restrain herself from going too far.

"Sayuri auntie is quite intimidating, death. Maybe it would be better for Eriri to come to my place to work on her drawings," Sanae whispered to Hayama as she followed behind him.

"If Eriri comes to your house, she might end up getting lost."

He still vividly remembered an incident from their third-grade summer vacation. Hayama, Eriri, and Sanae had visited Dekomori's mansion. While Eriri and Sanae were engrossed in a game of hide-and-seek, Eriri managed to lose her way. It took Hayama and Dekomori two hours to locate Eriri amidst the maze-like expanse of over hundreds rooms.

The three of them settled down in the living room as Sayuri brought over a few cups of black tea. "Hayama, it's been such a long time. If you weren't still so handsome, I might not have recognized you!" Sayuri commented with a playful tone.

He simply shrugged. "Auntie, it's you who hasn't aged a day."

"Oh, I have indeed aged! In the past, Hayama used to call me 'Sayuri-neesan,' and now he calls me 'auntie.' That instantly added thirty years to my age!" she lamented.

He swore to himself that he had never called her "Sayuri-neesan," but his father, that shameless old man, certainly had.

"Auntie, you know, intentionally trying to act cute might give you wrinkles!" Hayama responded, unable to resist a playful jab.

Suddenly, her gaze turned sharp, and sensing the tension, Sanae swiftly retreated to the room with Eriri.

"Hayama, you're still as mischievous as ever!" Sayuri chuckled, taking a seat beside him, occupying the spot Sanae had previously occupied.

"Auntie, let's maintain a social distance of at least forty-five centimeters," he subtly shifted his body, creating a slight physical distance between them.

"How heartless of you, Hayama," she pouted, her lips slightly pursed.

"Eriri has returned to her room. Now, can you secretly tell me how far things have progressed between you and Eriri? Have you held hands, kissed, or had any heartfelt conversations? Just to clarify, if there's an unexpected pregnancy, I won't be helping to raise the child!"

Upon hearing Sayuri's blunt words, even he couldn't help but retorted. "Auntie, I simply asked Eriri to help me with a poster."

Upon hearing his response, the gleam in Sayuri's eyes, which had previously carried a mischievous light, suddenly dimmed. "What a disappointment. After six years without contact, you finally reach out to Eriri, only to ask her for help with a poster? Poor Eriri must be feeling quite sad."

"Cough, cough," He choked a bit, feeling the weight of her words. The implications made him feel like a scumbag, and it seemed Eriri was being regarded as nothing more than a "tool."

"Please have some tea. It might help alleviate your guilty conscience, even if only slightly!"

He picked up the cup of black tea from the table and took a sip. "Auntie's Earl Grey tea is as rich and refined as ever."

"Even with a compliment, Nee-san won't be satisfied!"

...

"Hey, Sanae, be careful! You're going to break Rem's arm! And that's not how Zoro's weapons are supposed to be placed!"

"You foolish Eriri! The mighty Mjölnir has graciously descended to assist in cleaning your room, yet you continue to babble nonstop, death! Why didn't you tidy up yesterday ahead of time?"

"Well, I didn't know you were coming today! And didn't I give you a signal? You dummy!"

"The mighty Mjölnir, the epitome of wisdom, heeded your call for assistance! It's all your own fault for being so foolish. Remember when you got lost when you visited my house? Now the Great Demon Lord forbids you from coming to my place to make sure you don't get lost again!"

"Enough talking! Let's get to cleaning already!"

"Cheeky Eriri! Prepare yourself for my ultimate move! Hammer Hurricane!"

...

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