Chapter 254: The Other Side of Utaha

Sui paid no attention to the discussions happening at school. After his classes ended, he headed back to Erina's residence. 

As usual, after returning to his room, he and Tohru went to open their shop.

When he returned later that evening, the lights in Eriri's room were off, suggesting she had gone home. Considering that Eriri was the daughter of a diplomat, it made sense. Her family likely had strict rules, and staying out overnight was probably out of the question for a girl from her background.

However, the lights in Utaha's room were still on. It seemed like she was deep in her writing.

Sui thought about it for a moment and decided to check in on her. He turned to Tohru and said, "Tohru, you can head back. I'll stop by next door for a bit."

"Hm? Are you having an affair?" Tohru's golden eyes glinted with suspicion.

Sui was speechless. What was this dragon learning at home all day? Had she seriously picked up the term 'affair'?

"I'm just going to check in on her," he said, feeling helpless.

"All right then," Tohru replied reluctantly. Despite her hesitation, she nodded in agreement. As a self-proclaimed housewife, she had learned from TV that she should listen to her "husband."

Unaware of Tohru's inner thoughts, Sui walked over to Utaha's door and knocked.

"Utaha-senpai, are you in?"

There was no response.

He knocked again, this time with a bit more force. Still, no answer.

"Maybe she's not home? Did she forget to turn off the light?" Sui muttered to himself, shaking his head as he turned to leave.

But then, he hesitated. What if something had happened to Utaha? Gas poisoning? An intruder? If that were the case, leaving now could mean missing the critical moment to help her.

After a moment of consideration, Sui reached for the door handle. To his surprise, it wasn't locked. Hesitant but concerned, he decided to enter and check on her. He'd leave as soon as he was sure everything was okay.

Upon stepping inside the living room, Sui was surprised to find Utaha seated at a table, typing away on her computer. She was still in her Toyogasaki Academy uniform, her long legs clad in black stockings, crossed at the ankles, accentuating her elegant figure.

"So, you're here, Utaha-senpai." Sui let out a sigh of exasperation. He'd called her several times, yet she hadn't responded at all.

However, Utaha remained focused on her screen, her slender fingers dancing across the keyboard, completely ignoring Sui's presence.

"Utaha-senpai?" Sui tried again.

Still no response. It was as if she was in her own world, oblivious to everything around her.

Sui felt even more speechless. "In that case, I'll take my leave."

But just as he turned to leave, a soft voice came from behind him: "Omurice."

Sui turned around, puzzled. "Utaha-senpai, did you just say something?"

She continued to type, seemingly unaware of him.

"Omurice," she repeated in a near-whisper.

Now Sui was sure she had spoken. "Do you want omelette rice?" he asked, confused.

Yet again, she ignored him, her eyes glued to the screen.

Sui sighed, "Alright." He figured it was a typical quirk of light novel authors, getting lost in their creative flow. Judging by how focused she was, she probably hadn't eaten in a while. 

He decided to make her some omurice.

Soon after, Sui returned with a plate of freshly cooked omelette rice. He placed it next to her and said, "Utaha-senpai, here's the omurice. Make sure you eat it."

To his surprise, Utaha's lips parted slightly.

Sui was dumbfounded. Was she expecting him to feed her?

Feeling a little awkward, he decided to leave. But as he reached the door and glanced back, she was still sitting there, lips slightly parted, fingers typing away, completely ignoring the plate of food.

Sui couldn't help but wonder—did she really want him to feed her?

After thinking it over, he walked back, picked up a spoonful of the omurice, and held it up to her mouth.

Sure enough, Utaha opened her mouth and took the bite.

Sui: "..."

Did she seriously expect to be fed?

Left with no other choice, Sui continued to feed her. Each time he held out the spoon, she would open her mouth, chew the food a few times, and then swallow before resuming her typing.

It was Sui's first time feeding someone like this, and it felt incredibly strange—especially since Utaha resembled a robot, mechanically opening her mouth for each bite.

Shaking his head, Sui finally placed the now-empty plate aside and prepared to leave.

But just as he turned away, he heard a low, sinister laugh behind him.

Startled, he quickly turned around to see Utaha's face flushed, her expression twisted with a menacing grin.

"You think I'll let you leave just like that?" she said in an eerie tone.

Sui was speechless. Had she become possessed?

"You abandoned me, your one true love, and ran off with another woman. Did you really think I'd let you go, Sui-kun?" Utaha sneered, her voice dripping with malice.

Sui: "..."

Her bizarre state didn't last long. After about five minutes, she returned to normal, closed her laptop, and sighed in relief. "Finally finished."

Then she noticed Sui standing there. Startled, she asked, "Sui, why are you here?"

Sui was left speechless. 'She's just now noticing me?'

"I've been here for quite a while," he replied.

"Really? You've been here all this time?" Utaha looked surprised. After a moment, her cheeks turned a faint shade of pink as she hesitated and then asked, "Did... did anything strange happen while you were here?"

Sui nodded. "Yeah, I noticed a few things."

"Like what?" she asked, her expression curious.