How to raise a random guy's wife

Eriri is now biting the end of her chopsticks.

Isn't this just indirect kissing?

Kasumigaoka Utaha leaned closer, "Are you thinking this is an indirect kiss?"

"I...I didn't! I'm not! Don't talk nonsense!"

“You’re actually thinking about that?” Kasumigaoka Utaha chuckled. “We’ve already kissed so many times.”

Eriri huffed, "Then feed me!"

"Okay," Kasumigaoka Utaha picked up a piece of meat, used her hand to hold it, and brought it to Eriri's lips. "Ah~"

"..." Eriri hesitated for a moment, then opened her mouth and bit down fiercely, "Ouch!"

"Let go... let go..." Kasumigaoka Utaha struggled to pull the chopsticks out. "You're such a big person, why are you still so protective of your cutlery?"

After uttering those words, both of them were somewhat dazed.

The last time Kasumigaoka Utaha said that was at Christmas, at Eriri's villa.

At that time, Eriri was in seclusion drawing, and as a result, she fell ill with a fever. Kasumigaoka Utaha and the Kobayashi couple went to take care of her.

When Kasumigaoka Utaha fed Eriri porridge in the morning, Eriri bit the spoon.

That was nine years ago.

A jumble of memories travels through time through similar scenes, carrying a distant echo and an indescribable stirring.

And when you discover that the other person's eyes have a similar expression to your own, this complex feeling is further enhanced by a wonderful sense of unspoken understanding.

So much time has passed, and I'm an adult now.

Eriri pursed her cherry lips slightly.

She used to sleep with Kasumigaoka Utaha... and they still sleep together now.

Time flies by, and with the accumulation of every second and the passage of every year and month, many things that were once valued have changed.

It is precisely because there are so many changes that the things that remain unchanged seem so precious.

Eriri couldn't bear Kasumigaoka Utaha's gaze any longer; her face was about to get hot again. "Why are you looking at me?"

"Don't move," Kasumigaoka Utaha lowered her head and kissed Eriri's lips.

"Hmm~" Eriri's cherry lips parted slightly.

“There are rice grains here,” Kasumigaoka Utaha stopped speaking, “Hmm, I ate them.”

Eriri lightly licked her lips. "Couldn't you have just told me directly about this?"

It's not like she can't wipe it herself.

“No.” Kasumigaoka Utaha explained the necessity earnestly, “If I tell you directly, then I won’t be able to find a reason to kiss you, will I?”

"You!" Eriri wanted to accuse Kasumigaoka Utaha of using any means necessary to get a kiss, but her voice was soft and harmless, sounding more like she was being coquettish than accusing her.

“Oh, right.” Kasumigaoka Utaha’s eyes lit up. “I suddenly realized that some people might already be finished.”

"Your way of changing the subject is really abrupt," Eriri pressed angrily. "Who?"

“Akane Akasaka,” Kasumigaoka Utaha replied, “At her speed, she can clear the game in a short time.”

Akane Kousaka plays games differently from others. She memorizes the background music after listening to it once, and then calculates the game time required for each scene based on the length of the music and the total amount of text in the plot scene. She mentally reassembles the timeline to match the normal gameplay speed, making the game process as close to the original as possible in the shortest possible time, so as to quickly receive the performance effect that the creators want to express.

Eriri also knew about Akane Kousaka's unique method, "But doesn't she not use that method anymore?"

"Then she can also get the game ahead of time through the Sky Blue. There are many ways. Even if she played normally, she should have finished it by now." Kasumigaoka Utaha was quite expectant. "I wonder what her expression will be after she finishes playing. It's a real pity that I didn't get to see it with my own eyes."

“I don’t know what kind of expression you’re expecting,” Eriri imagined Akane Kousaka’s expression after finishing the game, “but I feel like you probably won’t see it.”

Chapter 985 A Startling Success

“You should really let Eriri and Shi see what you look like now,” Machida Sonoko said, sipping her ginger ale and admiring Akane Kousaka’s complicated expression with a happy smile. “If they saw you, they would probably be even happier than I am now.”

Just as Eriri had predicted, Akane Kousaka did not speedrun through the final chapter.

After playing the first chapter, Akane Akasaka felt a long-lost sense of nostalgia, just like when she played games in her early years, so she has been looking forward to the release of the final chapter.

Avoid related information as much as possible during this period to ensure the best gaming experience.

After the game was completed, Akane Akasaka, who received the game in advance, did not start playing it immediately. Instead, she carefully reviewed the first chapter before starting the final chapter.

With Akane Akasaka's extensive experience, she recognized the malice hidden within the game right after it started.

Kasumigaoka Utaha's manipulative and cunning nature and superb skills are vividly displayed in the game. Combined with the powerful appeal of Liella!'s music and Eriri's artwork, the entire game is like a calm swamp, gradually dragging the player into the abyss of a love triangle.

A year later, Kasumigaoka Utaha's strength has improved considerably.

In the first chapter, to ensure the development of the plot, the number of options is pitifully small, so that players can fully experience the pain of a love triangle.

In the final chapter, the number of game characters and choices increases, but the pain is no less intense. At the same time, the increased choices give players a unique feeling of reaping what they sow. Compared to the first chapter, the experience of pain is incomplete, but more profound.

If you repeatedly play through different routes, the painful experience will gradually piece together and become unforgettable.

The excessive pursuit of a happy ending for everyone will inevitably lead to unhappiness for everyone.

After realizing the story theme that Kasumigaoka Utaha wanted to express, Akane Kousaka decisively chose the route that wanted everyone to be happy.

She knew the ending was destined to be a tragedy, but she was even more aware that this was definitely the route that Kasumigaoka Utaha had poured the most effort into.

It's all about the thrill and the challenge.

During the selection process, Akane Kousaka did not make the choice herself, but instead completely put herself in the protagonist's shoes, analyzed what choices the protagonist would make, and then made the corresponding choice.

Then, unsurprisingly, we witnessed the most poignant and tragic ending.

Akane Akasaka sadly put down the controller. "Shouldn't you be comforting me right now?"

“Oh right~” Machida Sonoko raised an eyebrow. “On this rare Valentine’s Day, my wife didn’t go shopping with me. She stayed home and played games intently. Now she’s feeling down. I shouldn’t be sarcastic. Instead, I should comfort her.”

"Sonoko~" Akane Akasaka snuggled up to Sonoko Machida, "Weren't you enjoying it too?"

“That’s true.” Machida Sonoko placed the ginger ale on the side table to prevent Akane Kousaka from spilling it. “Although I have high hopes for Shi, they are just hopes.”

As an editor, Machida Sonoko has read countless works and read countless authors.

Many people start out unremarkable but later achieve remarkable success.

Many achieve instant fame but ultimately fade into obscurity.

Most of them are full of ambition and try hard to improve themselves, but they can never get the hang of it. They become disheartened and give up in repeated attempts and failures, and just drift along.

Although they were editor and author, Machida Sonoko regarded Kasumigaoka Utaha more as a friend and her own child.

When relationships become complicated, emotions also become entangled.

On one hand, Machida Sonoko hopes that Kasumigaoka Utaha will succeed and become a top author, and expects her talent to be fully utilized.

On the other hand, Machida Sonoko hopes that Kasumigaoka Utaha can be content with what she has and enjoy the creative process without having to work so hard.

Swinging between two different emotions, Machida Sonoko went to great lengths to urge the manuscript forward, while at the same time expressing clear opposition when Akane Akane was exploiting Kasumigaoka Utaha.

Ultimately, Machida Sonoko was unable to help Kasumigaoka Utaha advance further, nor could she allow Kasumigaoka Utaha to enjoy herself in peace.

If you want everything, you'll end up with nothing.

It was precisely because of these feelings that Machida Sonoko became so engrossed in watching Akane Akasaka play games.

The connection between the game and reality gave her a sense of déjà vu, as if she were looking back on the past.

At the end of the game, the tragic ending contrasted sharply with her current reality, making her feel genuinely fortunate.

“Little Shi is already a very talented creator…” Machida Sonoko murmured, turning to look at Akane Kousaka, “Back then you still treated her as Eriri’s appendage, things have changed so much~”

"It's Valentine's Day!" Akane Akasaka scolded, her face stern. "How dare you mention other women in front of me? I was the one who started it... Whether it was being with you or writing light novels... why did it turn out like this?"

"You're using lines from the game here, aren't you?" Machida Sonoko pinched Akane Kousaka's cheek. "Now you remember it's Valentine's Day?"

“I’ve always remembered.” Akane Akasaka reached into the drawer of the side table and took out Valentine’s Day chocolates that she had prepared beforehand. “Here, Happy Valentine’s Day.”

Machida Sonoko took the chocolate, a smile appearing on her face, while complaining, "Since you prepared it so early, you should have given it to me sooner."

"I was thinking that if you threw a tantrum, I'd take out the chocolate and surprise you, but I didn't expect you to just watch me play until the end." Akane Akasaka chuckled. "Konon, you spoil me way too much, don't you?"

“I was thinking that if you paused for a while, I would give you the gift.” Machida Sonoko took out the chocolate she had hidden earlier and stuffed it into Akane Kousaka’s hand. “I didn’t expect you to play until the end… You just take advantage of my feelings and spoil me.”

Upon receiving the gift, Akane Akasaka's smile widened. "Koyo seems like a sulking girlfriend."

"You still dare to say that?" Machida Sonoko glared at her. "Aren't you just like an elementary school student who deliberately tries to make his classmates angry?"

"So we're a match made in heaven?"

"It's clearly you who's bullying me."

"Is this considered bullying?" Akane Kousaka cupped Sonoko Machida's face in her hands. "Then... how about this?"

Machida Sonoko closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around Akane Akasaka's body. "This is... another kind of bullying."

"Honey......"

"Ok?"

Happy Valentine's Day!

"How can I be happy when you bully me like this?"

Akane Kousaka blinked. "So you bullied me?"

"Wait..." Machida Sonoko said softly, "After you've finished bullying him..."

Chapter 986 Daily Gift

The streets were bustling with activity on Valentine's Day. Even though it was late, men and women showed no intention of going home, wandering aimlessly through the streets, trying their best to pass the time before the main event.

The air was thick with the scent of people who were already living a fulfilling life, creating a atmosphere that made single people quite uncomfortable.

In a street-side café, Fumio Sagara fiddled with his hat, turning his gaze away from the window. "So, why am I with you at this time?"

"Today is Valentine's Day." Iori Hashima used her phone as a mirror to fix her hair.

“That’s exactly what I meant.” Fumio Sagara spread his hands towards the window. “This kind of Valentine’s Day, where everyone is in pairs, is what makes it Valentine’s Day, isn’t it?”

"Aren't there two of us too?"