Aunt Xiangzi, how did you manage to live?

"Lixi, your stomach is growling."

Mu remained expressionless, simply tilting his head as he stated the fact.

"Haha, since even your belly is giving its opinion, Lixi, why don't you stay?"

Xiao smiled and waved his hand, completely ignoring Li Xi's harsh words—after all, who would really mind a kitten deliberately keeping its distance from humans out of self-protection?

"Since Lixi and Mu are both here, how about this?"

He rolled up his sleeves, stopped thinking about those troubling matters, and gave the two girls a bright smile.

"I'll cook."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The meal at the Ruoye family's house today wasn't particularly lavish, since Ruoye Mu didn't have the habit of keeping ingredients at home. The only things she haphazardly stuffed into the refrigerator were ice cream, popsicles, potato chips, and sandwiches—snacks that didn't really need to be refrigerated.

Xiao used a limited amount of vegetables and rice to make a light home-cooked meal. Although he was not a five-star Michelin chef, he had been in charge of the Wakaba family's meals since he was old enough to understand things, so he never faltered even when faced with scarce ingredients.

Putting everything else aside, Mu and Lixi's eyes lit up when he simply placed the miso soup and salmon rice on the table.

"Will my future self be able to eat Xiao's cooking every day?"

Mu picked up her chopsticks with a hint of excitement. This was the first time she had ever longed so much to reach the distant future and glimpse her future happy life.

"Hmph... Hmph, I see now, Kazama, you only cooked this meal for Mutsu. I was just kept here to get a pair of chopsticks."

Lixi seemed to still be sulking. Even with delicious food on the table, she pretended to be indifferent and turned her head away—although she would still glance at the food out of the corner of her eye.

However, the overwhelming sense of inferiority and unworthiness emanating from her still made Xiao utter some terrifying words with a smile.

"Okay then, I'll go to Lixi's house to cook every day from now on."

"Ha, ha? No way! I'll never let you into my house under this pretext, you pervert!"

"Oh dear, they're so hard to please..."

Xiao and Lixi started bickering again, just like they always do in their daily interactions, while Mu watched the two bickering lovers silently, and then picked up his bowl and took a sip of miso soup.

This is a taste of home that none of the others, including Minami, have ever given her.

But... is the feeling of home enough?

If Ye Mu remained silent, he would simply drink his miso soup.

At the same time, another greedy voice roaring in her heart was about to take shape.

She wanted more.

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Moments Between Mother and Son

The long-lost feeling of home gradually spread across the dining table in Ruoye's home.

Even though Mu wasn't the closest teammate in CRYCHIC before, Li Xi felt that sitting at the same table with her at this moment calmed down her previously restless mind.

It's probably because of Kazama's existence.

"Phew—it's been so long since I've had a proper family meal like this. Thank you, Ms. Lixi, for your hospitality, and thank you, Mu, for providing the ingredients."

After enjoying a hearty meal, the young man, who was already quite full, happily clasped his hands together and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the two young women present.

"This is probably the most delicious meal I've had since I came to your time. Of course, it's mainly thanks to the two of you."

In a daze, he even had the illusion that he had returned to his original time and space and was having dinner with everyone—if it weren't for the fact that it would be too embarrassing to shed tears at the dinner table because of his emotions, he probably would have choked up and started muttering things like missing home.

"Hmph, you smooth talker. Are you finished eating? If you are, I'll take it inside and wash it."

Li Xi snorted dismissively, but in stark contrast to her cold and indifferent expression, she began clearing away the dishes and even took on the heartwarming act of washing the dishes herself.

With one person washing dishes and another cooking, this cooperative lifestyle of men and women working together without getting tired left Mu somewhat bewildered.

It seems like she's the only one who hasn't done anything.

"Then I'll help too..."

Two y i mixed dance up『、（九）⑥ 鏾栮裙。 Chat "No need, Mu, you can just sit down. Since I ate your food, I should do something to make up for it."

But before Mutsu could get up and lend a hand as he wished, Shiina Tatsuki refused without explanation and forcibly kept him in place.

She was a little unsure of what to do, so she looked towards Kazama for help.

"It's okay, let Lixi continue to worry. If she doesn't do something, she'll probably feel guilty and keep nagging us about it."

Xiao laughed heartily twice as she offered this explanation, but Li Xi, who was already in the kitchen with the bowls and chopsticks, retorted loudly with slight dissatisfaction—

"Ha, Kazama, stop teasing me with that kind of sarcastic tone that only my dad would use."

"Oh dear, I didn't expect I to give off such a strong sense of déjà vu for you, Lixi? Although I'm quite delighted to be able to return to the role of family, the position of Lixi's father still feels a bit too heavy for me—"

"Fuck off!"

This may not have been the most peaceful dinner in the Wakaba family, but it was certainly the most vibrant and energetic banquet.

However, all good things must come to an end. After dinner and cleaning were finished, Lixi stood in front of Ruoye's door once again and changed into his canvas shoes.

"Well, I didn't plan to stay this long. Thank you both for your kind invitation, I'm very satisfied with the meal."

After bending down to tie her shoelaces, Shiina Ritsuki, with a swift and decisive movement, tossed her long, glossy black hair and turned to look at the boy standing peacefully beside her at the door.

"I'm going back now, Kazama, do you want to come with me?"

"Ah I--"

Xiao originally intended to leave with Li Xi, but at that moment he felt his sleeve being gently tugged by the person beside him.

"Well……"

Mu didn't speak, but silently used her small efforts to try and keep him there as much as possible.

She could easily break free with a slight swipe of her right hand, but after this brief silence, Kazama chose to remain rooted to the spot by Mutsumi's power.

"You should go back first, Lixi."

He waved to Lixi without changing his expression, and the latter's expression became even more interesting as if he realized something.

"Hmph... Fine, I can't interfere in your business."

After saying that, she turned around angrily and slammed the door of the Ruoye family's house shut for some unknown reason.

"Oh dear... Only the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Li Xi could have just said what was on her mind."

Xiao shook his head, somewhat amused and exasperated. After Li Xi left, he was finally able to calmly and composedly turn around and meet Li Xi's gaze.

"Then, can you just say what Mu wants to do directly?"

"...What do I want to do?"

The girl with light green long hair raised her eyes in a daze, her slow reaction making her all the more endearing.

"Yes. Weren't you trying to get me to stay a little longer? I thought it was because you had something to say to me."

Kazama waved his hand and stated his guess, while Mutsu looked around blankly.

"I just want Xiao to stay by my side a little longer... is that not allowed?"

Mutsu's tone was not at all forceful or veiled, but it was precisely this cautious sincerity, coupled with Mutsu's cute upward gaze, that made Kazama subconsciously cover his nose.

Damn, my mom can't possibly be that cute, right?

"If this will disrupt Xiao's plans, then forget it..."

"No, it's just staying a little longer. It's not like I have any urgent business like Lixi. Mu, I can stay with you as long as you want, okay?"

Kazama walked back to his room with an air of importance, plopped down on the sofa, and looked completely at ease, as if he didn't care if he stayed there.

In principle, he should have gone home and lay down long ago, but principles made it difficult for him to say no to Mu.

And it was Mu who showed that pitiful expression.

"……Um!"

Upon hearing this, Mutsu's face lit up again. Overjoyed, she sat back on the sofa and subconsciously moved closer to Kazama.

"I originally thought that Xiao would leave with Lixi."

Mu rarely used a cheerful and casual motion to shake the indoor slippers off her fluttering feet, but she was saying some negative things.

"Oh? Why?"

"Because I always feel that you are more like a family. I was completely unable to help you just now, Dad."

"Hmm... Does having someone cook and wash dishes mean someone can be considered family?"

"At least they're more like family than Minami."

Perhaps it was the boy who gave her a strong sense of security that allowed Mu to speak her mind without restraint.

"...How about this?"

Xiao smiled slightly upon hearing this.

"How about we do all the things that Mu think family members should do together today?"

His suggestion made Mu's eyes light up again.

"Really? Is that okay?"

"What's not allowed?"

"Well, first of all, I'd like to..."

The girl picked up the remote control and silently rested her head on the boy's shoulder.

"Like this, watch TV with your family."

Just like a small animal that has never been in contact with humans for many years is testing the safe distance between itself and humans, Mu expresses trust in this way.

They watched TV together, cleared the table together, and tidied up their freshly washed clothes together... Mu pulled Xiao along to do many things that only family members do.

So, as evening fell, it was soon time to do the last item on Mu's wish list.

sleep together.

Chapter Forty: Can You Hear It? The Sound of a Heartbeat

In Wakaba Mutsu's mind, there are many rituals that need to be performed to become a true family member.

Being able to watch TV with her in the empty Wakaba house, and patiently helping her clean up the messy dining table after the feast.

Even when they have nothing to talk about, they never feel awkward or uncomfortable being together; the person beside her always makes her feel like she truly belongs.

So, it's perfectly normal for family members to sleep together at night, right?

"No, no, no, this is completely abnormal."

Mu's ideas formed a coherent logic, until Xiao righteously and sternly opposed her views.

"First of all, we're not biological mother and son in the true sense. Secondly, even if we were biological mother and son, we shouldn't share a bed after my son enters puberty. Finally... anyway, it's a bit of a boundary for opposite sexes of similar physical age to sleep in the same bed!"

He made a very clear "prohibition" gesture with both hands, and his face was full of obvious resistance.

No, I can't keep spoiling Mu and giving in to all her demands! What kind of sixteen or seventeen-year-old son still sleeps with his mother? Going any further would be hell!!

"Really...it's not okay...?"

But his firm refusal was quickly swayed by Mu's pitiful and aggrieved expression.

"I just want to spend a little more time with Xiao..."

The girl's secretly dejected appearance was so pitiful that even the slightest hint of disappointment and sadness that slipped through her words easily made Kazama's heart clench—

Damn it, speaking in such a cute tone is practically cheating!

"...I just can't do anything with you."

After much hesitation, Xiao was more reluctant to let Mu show a sad expression than to sleep in the same bed with her teenage mother.

Left with no other choice, he reluctantly agreed to Mu's extremely outrageous proposal.