"Late intro—sorry. I'm Miyagi Kyo, Aoba-san's classmate. We sit next to each other," he said.
"Oh, I see. Hope she's not a pain…" Mom replied, her side-eyes screaming why'd you hide this?
Her glare softened to a smile for him. "Then today's a thank-you for helping her—no charge," she said, snagging his receipt with a grin.
"No, I'm the one helped. Can't do that… uh, big sis," he countered, reaching for it—gently grabbing her hand. Stop! Don't touch her—seriously, stop! I screamed internally.
"Oh, sorry—touched you outta nowhere. My bad," he said, all sheepish.
I know that act, Miyagi—you faker! Quit hitting on my mom!
"N-No, this old hag's hand's embarrassing! And 'big sis'? Too obvious a stretch—cut it. Not mad, though," she flustered.
Half-joking, half… into it? Half's too much—hold it together, Mom!
"Really? Not 'big sis'?" he pressed.
"She had me at nineteen. Looks young, but she's pushing forty," I cut in, clamping his shoulder.
One more step, and I'd drag him out. But—
"Mom? Your makeup's… great, huh?" he ventured.
Rude as hell normally, but Mom barely wears any—so it's praise. Her face lit up, cheeks pink. Danger—super danger! Gotta eject him before she's coffee-soaked.
I gripped his shoulder harder, shutting it down. "Food biz—she doesn't wear much."
Time to go—scram! Then—
"You two look alike. Wow, Natsuki-san's gonna get even prettier later," he said.
Even prettier? So… I'm pretty now? My grip slipped—damn, I'm too easy. Focus!
"Point is, she's my mom—got it? I'll cover this. We good?" I said, yanking the receipt.
He finally clocked her as Mom—chat over. His hand's still big, rough—same as always.
"Cool, thanks, Natsuki-san," he said.
"No biggie," I shrugged.
Half a day's pay, gone.
"Heh, I'll repay with my body next time," he quipped.
"B-Wha!?" I choked.
In front of Mom!? A joke—but he's dead serious, banking on her laughing it off. Sick perv.
"Miyagi-kun, joking or not, guys saying that to girls can get misread. Careful," Mom chided.
Thank God—she's not playing along. I'd be screwed. Pull back, Miyagi—go home!
"Not a joke—I've always wanted to get close to Natsuki-san. Can I come again?" he said.
More nonsense! "Miyagi, you—mmph!" I lunged to shut him up, but Mom gagged me.
"Of course! Anytime!" she beamed.
"Then I'll head out. Can I call you… Mom?" he asked.
I broke free, yelling, "Hell no! Who's your mom!?"
"Then what? Natsuki-san's Natsuki-san," he said.
"Y-You… uh…" I stammered.
Just say "auntie"! But Mom's all flattered—can't ruin her mood now.
"Call Natsuki-san 'Aoba-san' and Mom 'Natsuki-san'?" he suggested.
"Idiot, stop—I'll mix it up!" I snapped.
He grinned like it's genius. I mean… first names aren't bad, but in front of Mom? Embarrassing. Save it for a vibe, dude! I glared, willing him to get it.
"Wow, Natsuki-san's so picky," he teased.
"Why's it my fault!?" I barked.
Read my heart, damn it!
Fuming at his cluelessness, his gaze flicked to Mom. "Uh, can I get Mom's name then?"
"Oh, me? I'm Natsuki Suzuka—Suzuka," she said, caught off-guard, dropping her tough tone.
"So, Natsuki-san's Aoba-chan, and Mom's Suzuka-san—perfect, right?" he chirped.
Aoba-chan!? My face flared—yelling to cover it. "Chan!? Quit screwing around—mmph!"
Mom gagged me again—now with a chokehold. "Sounds good! A kid like you calling me by name? Keeps me young," she laughed.
"Suzuka-san's super youthful," he added.
"Heh, thanks," she giggled.
Stop hitting on my mom in front of me!