I Won't Be a Loser

He opened the bento box and looked at the kinpira gobo inside. It seemed slightly different from the one he had seen last time.

The color and aroma carried subtle discrepancies compared to the batch that had accidentally been spilled before. Reflecting on the previous gobo and comparing it to the one before him now, he couldn't pinpoint the exact difference—likely because he hadn't tasted either. Perhaps it was all just a trick of his mind?

Not long after Setsuna Kiyoura had left, Haruto, now alone, didn't dwell on the emotional implications of the young girl's feelings. Instead, he resumed preparing his dinner as if nothing had happened.

With the kinpira gobo she had brought, he decided against making any additional vegetable dishes. A simple pork miso soup and a Japanese-style hamburger steak rounded out his meal. He quietly sat down at the low table, ready to eat.

"Itadakimasu," he murmured as he clasped his hands together.

Ding-dong.

Holding his chopsticks, just about to take the first bite of his meal, he froze at the sudden sound of the doorbell. The abrupt interruption shattered the prospect of enjoying a warm, comforting dinner and filled the room with the low grumble of his still-empty stomach. His gaze shifted toward the door.

 hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should pretend he wasn't home.

With a sigh, he abandoned the thought.

Reluctantly, Haruto stood up, placed his chopsticks across his bowl, and walked to the door. Peering through the peephole, he saw a woman standing outside, someone he didn't recognize.

However, her features bore a striking resemblance to Setsuna Kiyoura, who had just left a short while ago.

As he thought about the sudden confession from the girl earlier in the day, who had boldly expressed her feelings, Haruto opened the door, his expression a mix of complicated emotions. Standing before him was a woman who seemed slightly out of place at his doorstep.

"Good evening. Are you Miyamizu Haruto?"

"I am. May I ask who you are?"

"I'm your neighbor, Setsuna's mother, Kiyoura Mai. I hope I'm not intruding."

Haruto blinked in surprise. Although he had caught a glimpse of her before, seeing her up close now left him momentarily dazed. Her mature elegance and gentle demeanor carried a charm that could instantly win anyone's favor.

Even in her calmness, there was a faint warmth, like the touch of a spring breeze or the gentle caress of sunlight. However, the subtle sadness in her eyes tugged at his heart. At that moment, Haruto realized why her daughter, Setsuna, had fallen for him.

Still, something about Kiyoura Mai's gaze seemed slightly... off.

"Of course. Please, come in," Haruto said, stepping aside.

He could guess why she was here—no doubt to discuss Setsuna's sudden confession. He wouldn't refuse her a chance to clarify things. Fetching a pair of slippers, he invited her inside.

As she walked past him, Haruto couldn't help but notice her graceful figure, her movements carrying a maturity that set her apart. He quickly averted his gaze, silently reprimanding himself.

Mai, however, didn't seem to notice his distraction. Her eyes wandered around the apartment, taking in its clean, neatly organized space. Her gaze lingered briefly on the steaming dishes in the kitchen before she turned back to Haruto.

"Did I interrupt your meal?" she asked apologetically.

"Please don't worry about it," Haruto reassured her. "What brings you here, Kiyoura-san?"

She paused for a moment, carefully choosing her words. Then, her expression turned serious.

"Let me get straight to the point. Do you have any feelings for my daughter?"

"That's... very direct."

Haruto was momentarily taken aback but answered without hesitation.

"Your daughter, Setsuna, is certainly charming, but since we've only just met, I can't say I have any special feelings for her. If you're here, then I assume you're aware of the condition I gave her?"

Mai nodded. "You mean the part about needing her parents' approval?"

"That's correct. While love is a matter between two people, it's also more than just that. If a relationship grows serious, it naturally leads to thoughts of marriage, which often requires family approval. If parents oppose it, it can lead to painful outcomes. To avoid such heartbreak, I believe it's best to establish clear boundaries from the start."

Mai listened thoughtfully before posing another question.

"Even if I were to agree, are you certain your parents would approve?"

Haruto hesitated. The conversation was taking a strange turn. Wasn't she supposed to be against her daughter's early romance?

"Normally, they wouldn't object to a healthy relationship," he replied. "Though my father is rather traditional and strict, my mother tends to be more open-minded. I suspect that even if I were to date someone significantly older than me, she'd accept it."

"Older than you? How much older?"

Mai's heart skipped a beat, and her pulse quickened. His words seemed to strike a chord, filling her mind with thoughts she couldn't suppress.

'Older women? Could he mean someone like... me? No, surely not. But what if...?'