Chapter 16 — The Not-So-Serious Talk

Megumi's room was comfortably messy—textbooks half-open on her desk, a gaming console peeking out from beneath a pile of clothes, and posters on the walls that revealed a taste for both shoujo romance and absurd horror. A soft breeze from the window fluttered the curtain.

Shinichi sat on the floor beside the low table, watching as Megumi stretched lazily before plopping down opposite him.

"Feels like forever since you came over," Megumi said casually, tossing her hair over her shoulder.

"Well, school, work and study kept me busy." Shinichi smiled sheepishly. "And… I thought you might be too."

Megumi gave him a look. "You know me better than that. I only study when my life depends on it."

He chuckled. "Still… your grades have been decent lately."

"Because you help me, idiot."

They shared a small laugh, the kind that came easy between old friends.

"So…" Shinichi began, leaning forward slightly. "About what you wanted to talk about…?"

Megumi opened her mouth, hesitated—then frowned, her gaze flicking to the door.

"…Mom?" she called.

Silence.

No footsteps, no reply.

Megumi sighed and leaned back on her hands. "Mom, I know you're standing outside my door."

There was another moment of silence. Then…

Click.

The door creaked open—slowly, almost guiltily.

Minako peeked in, holding a small tray with drinks and a plate of cookies.

"Oh my, how sharp of you, Megumi."

Megumi's eyes narrowed. "Why were you standing outside my door?"

"What do you mean? I just got here. I brought snacks," Minako said, stepping inside with the innocence of a fox caught in a henhouse.

"Bullshit." Megumi folded her arms. "I could tell you were out there."

Minako tilted her head. "Oh? And how could you tell that?"

Megumi smirked. "Secret."

Minako huffed in mock defeat. "Well, now that I think about it… it's been a while since I caught you slacking off reading manga or wasting time on games instead of studying."

"I'm not wasting time anymore." Megumi rolled her eyes.

"Mm-hmm. We'll see. The truth will come out after your next exam." Minako set the tray on the table, her teasing smile lingering.

Seeing an opportunity to rescue Megumi, Shinichi offered a polite, nervous smile. "Minako-san, you really… look amazing today."

Minako's eyes twinkled. "Oh my… aren't you sweet."

She sat down right beside Shinichi, closer than necessary, placing the drinks neatly on the table before picking up a cookie and holding it up to his lips.

"Here, open up. You've been such a gentleman—let me spoil you a little."

Shinichi panicked. "Ah—um—I can—!"

But she was faster.

The cookie was shoved into his mouth with gentle insistence.

He muffled a protest as he awkwardly bit down, trying not to choke on her hospitality.

Across from them, Megumi watched with one brow rising higher and higher.

"…Really, Mom?"

"What? He said I look amazing." Minako smiled, entirely unbothered, leaning her cheek on one hand. "Is it so wrong to be affectionate towards someone who appreciates me?"

Shinichi coughed, trying to chew without dying of embarrassment.

Megumi couldn't help it. She laughed—open, honest laughter at his expense. "Pfft! You look like you're dying over a single cookie!"

He swallowed with difficulty. "I wasn't ready for that level of attack…"

"Oh, don't be dramatic," Minako teased, handing him a glass of tea like nothing had happened. "Eat, drink, relax. No one's here to bite you."

"That's… somehow less reassuring after what just happened." Shinichi managed a nervous smile.

Somehow, the conversation veered off from there—casual talk about school, random gossip, Megumi complaining about homework, Minako teasing them both like a mischievous older sister rather than a mother.

The reason Shinichi had come—the conversation Megumi had meant to start—was quietly forgotten beneath laughter, teasing, and a tray of disappearing cookies.

By the time Minako stood to leave, the sun outside was already starting to set, painting the room in soft orange hues.

"Well then… I'll leave you two to it. Don't keep him too long, Megumi." Minako's smile lingered, playful to the end.

When she finally left, Megumi let out a long, dramatic sigh."That woman is dangerous…"

Shinichi gave a weak chuckle. "In her own way, yeah."

But neither of them could deny… the room felt strangely quieter without Minako's teasing presence lingering over them.