Tomoka Yuigahama

When Mrs. Yuigahama answered the phone, Kotomi Izumi hesitated for a moment before speaking:

"Aunt Yuigahama, I hope I'm not disturbing you?"

"Well, you are and you aren't," Yuigahama replied with a chuckle while eating her fried rice. "I'm having dinner right now."

"In that case, why don't I call you back later after you've finished?"

"No need. You can tell me now, Kotomi. After dinner, I'll be taking a bath, and after that, I have to work on my illustrations. Or, are you planning to chat with me while I'm in the bath?" Yuigahama joked playfully.

Normally, Yuigahama didn't make jokes like this, but Kotomi seemed so harmless, innocent, and sweet that it made her instinctively tease her a little.

Not only did Kotomi blush after hearing the joke, but even Yuigahama herself realized how bold her words were!

In an instant, Yuigahama's youthful beauty and mature grace were joined by a faint blush of embarrassment.

'What on earth did I just say to Kotomi?! Will she think I'm some creepy aunt now?' Yuigahama thought, her face growing even redder.

Meanwhile, Kotomi's heart started racing, and she couldn't control the sudden flutter in her chest. She tried to calm down, but her mind kept replaying Yuigahama's words, making her cheeks gradually turn pink.

Mrs. Yuigahama, that joke was too much!

Kotomi quickly gulped down a large glass of ice water, hoping to cool her thoughts and return to normal.

"K-Kotomi...?" Yuigahama awkwardly laughed a little.

Realizing the moment had stretched on, Kotomi quickly said, "Um, Aunt Yuigahama, I called to ask you something."

"You need to ask me something?" Yuigahama replied, surprised. What could Kotomi want to ask?

"Yes, but it's a bit awkward, and I feel a little embarrassed..."

At Kotomi's words, Yuigahama felt a sudden nervousness rise up in her heart.

Embarrassed? Awkward?! What on earth is she going to ask me?!

Yuigahama wanted to stop Kotomi before she could continue, but for some reason, she couldn't find the words to do so. She had no choice but to anxiously wait for Kotomi to finish.

"Mrs. Yuigahama, I know this might be a bit rude, but... what's your full name?" Kotomi asked.

???

Yuigahama felt as though three large question marks had appeared over her head.

My name?

Seeing that Yuigahama hadn't responded yet, Kotomi added:

"When we first met at Dengeki Bunko, I was so focused on the illustrations, and since Yukinoshita Haruno-sensei kept calling you Hanayui-sensei, I never caught your full name. Tonight, it suddenly occurred to me that I didn't know, so even though I feel a little embarrassed, I decided to call and ask."

Kotomi's explanation cleared everything up for Yuigahama. Now she understood why Kotomi had called so late and why she had said it was awkward to ask.

It was a bit awkward to realize you didn't know someone's name after knowing them for a while!

'Ah, I can't believe it! All Kotomi wanted was my name! Ugh, I'm such a fool for overthinking it!' Yuigahama mentally scolded herself, even giving her own head a light knock for good measure.

After calming down, Yuigahama laughed lightly and said, "Haha, so that's what you wanted to know, Kotomi? You should've just asked! You had me all worked up, thinking you had something big to tell me!"

"It's just that it felt embarrassing to know you for so long and not know your name..."

"Haha, I get it. Sometimes things happen that way. Maybe Yukinoshita Haruno thought we already knew each other well, so she didn't bother with introductions. Alright then, I'll tell you my full name—make sure you remember it!"

"Of course!" Kotomi nodded eagerly.

"My full name is Tomoka Yuigahama. Remember it well," Yuigahama said with a light smile.

—Tomoka Yuigahama.

Kotomi repeated the name in her mind, feeling a sense of satisfaction. So that's Yui's mom's name.

Mrs. Yuigahama, your name is so beautiful!

"Don't worry, Aunt Yuigahama, I won't forget it," Kotomi promised after committing the name to memory.

"Glad to hear it. Hardly anyone asks for my name, so I rarely ever say it. You're one of the few who knows it now," Yuigahama teased with a playful tone.

Another mature, yet playful joke.

After chatting a little longer and remembering that Yuigahama was still eating dinner, Kotomi didn't want to intrude any further. She said goodnight and ended the call.

"Tomoka Yuigahama... What a lovely name," Kotomi whispered to herself as she sat back in her chair.

Even though asking the question had made her feel embarrassed at first, she was glad she finally knew Yuigahama's name.

Still, from now on, it seemed more appropriate to continue calling her "Aunt Yuigahama" rather than using her first name directly. Using her first name might be a bit too informal unless their relationship grew closer...

Kotomi quickly shook her head, brushing away that sudden thought that had popped up from some unknown corner of her mind.

"Don't overthink it, don't overthink it. Focus on drawing!" Kotomi muttered to herself, trying to refocus as she turned her attention back to the computer screen.

…

After hanging up the phone, Tomoka Yuigahama gently touched her flushed cheeks. Feeling a little hesitant, she finally opened her phone's camera and switched to selfie mode to check her face.

Sure enough, there was a rare blush tinting her cheeks.

Touching her face, Yuigahama pondered wistfully to herself.

—How many years has it been since I last blushed like this from embarrassment?

"But was I really embarrassed just now? It must have been... nerves. Yes, definitely nerves! I'm so much older than Kotomi—there's no way I'd blush because of her!" Yuigahama muttered to herself, trying to rationalize her feelings as her face remained red.

Just then, Yui Yuigahama came into the kitchen after her bath, spotting her mom eating the fried rice she had made.

"Mom? How's the fried rice I made today?" Yui asked with a smile.

"It's super delicious! I think it won't be long before your cooking skills surpass mine," Tomoka Yuigahama praised her daughter with genuine pride.

"I thought I already had~"

Yuigahama couldn't help but laugh at Yui's slightly smug tone, feeling both amused and exasperated as she replied:

"You cheeky girl, show a little humility!"