How to raise a random guy's wife

To reach that bunch of grapes, the fox will keep trying to get closer to them.

The harder you work, the tastier the grapes become.

But... grapes are just grapes.

Even the most delicious grapes still taste like grapes.

Everything became clear only after Kasumigaoka Utaha was extracted.

Aki Tomoya isn't actually slow-witted.

But only if he acts slow enough will someone offer him money to choose.

Or... let yourself be chosen by him.

At the same time, he also had to hang himself up.

Because he knows what kind of person he is.

Only by keeping a distance and hanging the grapes where the fox cannot reach them will the fox ignore the rotten parts and continue to idealize their taste in its mind.

If the grapes are picked, they won't just be chased by foxes; the moment they smell the rotten odor, the foxes will throw them away.

So the key to the problem is quite simple.

Don't treat children like children; recognize that grapes are grapes.

"As for what you're actually doing, my answer is being yourself, a better version of yourself." Kasumigaoka Utaha tilted her head, the blue sky and white clouds behind her. "Just because he rejected you, did your drawing skills disappear? Just because you misjudged his thoughts, did Kashiwagi Eri cease to exist?"

"will not!"

“Of course not.” Kasumigaoka Utaha smiled with relief, suddenly understanding how her mother felt when facing her. “No matter what he says or does, all your hard work and success will not disappear. Repeatedly replaying his words in your mind will only make you sad. The question you should ask is not who you are, but... who he is?”

Kasumigaoka Utaha jumped off the swing and stood in front of Eriri. "No matter the outcome, the feeling of liking someone and the effort to become a better person for the one you like are not wrong. Instead of denying it, it's better to honestly admit it and learn from it."

Eriri bit her lower lip, "But..."

"I know."

This process is familiar to Kasumigaoka Utaha.

Even if you understand a lot of道理 (principles/reasons), you will still feel sad.

Just like when she was chatting with Kato Megumi, she had a nonchalant and carefree expression.

But when I get home, the first thing I do is...

Kasumigaoka Utaha hugged Eriri's head and pressed her against her chest.

Just cry it out.

"Waaaaah..." Eriri sobbed, her little hands patting Kasumigaoka Utaha's back repeatedly.

“Go ahead and hit,” Kasumigaoka Utaha understood. “Just let it all out.”

"Waaaaah!!!"

"I understand. If you're sad, just cry it out. Nobody will see."

"Waaaaaah!!!"

Kasumigaoka Utaha's voice was gentle, "My dear..."

"Waaaaah...!" Eriri finally found a point of leverage and forcefully pushed Kasumigaoka Utaha away. "Kasumigaoka Utaha!" she shouted, her face flushed red, "Are you going to kill me?!"

Kasumigaoka Utaha: "Eh?"

Oh, right.

Kasumigaoka Utaha suddenly remembered.

When your mouth and nose are covered, you can't breathe.

"Ah, sorry..." Kasumigaoka Utaha overlooked the fact that she was able to control the strength when she hugged her mother.

In contrast, Eriri was forced into it.

Her deep blue eyes stared at her, Eriri's lips moved slightly, and then...

She hugged Kasumigaoka Utaha tightly.

howling.

-

"I'm back." Kobayashi Sora pushed open the door and stepped into the somewhat unfamiliar home.

"Welcome back~" a gentle woman's voice rang out, "Did you miss your mother?"

"I've been thinking about it day and night." Kobayashi Sora handed over the fruit while changing into slippers.

Xiaolin's mother, who has short hair, looked Xiaolin Kongqing up and down in the entryway. "You've grown a little taller, and your shoulders are a bit broader. Keep up the exercise routine!"

"I'll do my best."

"Dad is in the study."

"Ok."

Kobayashi Sora walked towards the study and gently knocked on the door.

"Come in," a steady male voice came from inside.

"Father."

Behind the desk sat a man only slightly taller than Eriri—Kobayashi Kawashima.

I heard that my grandfather named my father this in the hope that he would grow up to be a man as straight and tall as a cypress.

Clearly, this hope has been dashed.

His family was poor when he was young, and malnutrition limited the expression of his genes.

Although his expression was quite dignified, the fact that his feet, which couldn't reach the ground while sitting in the chair, made this father somewhat endearing.

With their own hard work and improved living standards, the father and son could easily be mistaken for brothers if they went out together.

Kobayashi Sora is still the older brother.

The kind that's several years older.

As for parents going out...

"Have a seat." Xiaolin's father took off his rimless glasses and put down the book he was holding. "Not bad."

"Not bad" means...

Kobayashi Sora sat down opposite her father, her gaze falling on the book that had just been put down.

Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai

"It's all thanks to Ms. Xia Shizi's hard work; I was just the editor."

"In her previous work, 'Love Metronome,' the male protagonist was a loser, but in her new work, the male protagonist's personality has changed a lot." Kobayashi's father pinched the bridge of his nose. "Her editor originally wanted her to write a lighthearted campus comedy harem, but later changed her mind—after you became Kasumigaoka Utaha's editor."

"Based solely on this..."

"The book makes great efforts to develop the character of the senior student, and the male protagonist's final confession is a good way of writing from the perspective of the work itself. However, considering the author's own emotional state, there is obviously another purpose."

"It was my suggestion. I discussed it a lot with my senior and other members of the club."

“That Iori Hashima is quite good,” Kobayashi’s father nodded. “If he’s interested in joining my company later, I can recommend him.”

"He prefers jobs related to otaku."

"Then let's wait another two years." Xiao Lin's father casually handed two forms to Xiao Lin Kong Qing, "Have you chosen the diamond ring yet?"

Kobayashi Sora took the form but hadn't even looked at it yet when she heard this, she suddenly looked up, "Huh?"

“I would recommend gold more. Gold will still be gold in a few years, while diamonds are only valuable for the setting once you buy them. But young people nowadays prefer diamond rings. I know a few good stores.” Xiaolin’s father looked at Xiaolin Kongqing. “I will have time until your school starts. She can come anytime she wants.”

Chapter 287 Xiaolin's Mother

Kobayashi Sora looked down at the form.

Marriage Registration Application Form

"that......"

"I'll arrange a separate time for Kato's parents to exchange our thoughts; this is a matter of communication between elders. I have some information about them, and as for the details of the discussion, you know your mother's capabilities."

"I mean..."

"Regarding the wedding, Hiromi Kato's previous wedding was Western-style, and it's highly likely that this one will also be a Western-style wedding. Of course, we'll still need to consider the bride's wishes. I have suitable candidates for the priest and the priest."

"no......"

"As for university, with your current grades, getting into Fushigawa University or Waseda University shouldn't be a problem. If your grades aren't good enough, you can donate money to help. If your savings aren't enough, you can apply for a loan with me. The interest rate will be calculated at the average bank rate of 50%."

"that......"

"Any further questions?"

“What I meant to say,” Kobayashi Sora put away, “is to say, “Thank you.”

“…A friend gave me a set of tools,” Xiaolin’s father pointed to the door, “Go make me a cup of coffee.”

"Ok."

Watching his son leave the study, Xiao Lin's father clenched his fists, swung them twice, opened a drawer to check the prepared manuscripts, made sure nothing was missing, and happily hummed a song while swinging his legs.

dong dong dong.

"I'm done."

The composed Mr. Lin casually picked up a document, put on his glasses, and said, "Come in."

Kobayashi Sora walked in carrying a cup of coffee.

Lin's father glanced at him expressionlessly, then nodded. "Put it there for now."

Kobayashi Sora pushed the coffee cup to Kobayashi's father's side and waited quietly.

After reading two pages, Xiaolin's father put down the document, picked up his coffee, took a sip, and said, "There's still room for improvement."

"I will keep trying."