Game Developer in the World of Anime

Ichin continued selecting ingredients while Kasumigaoka Utaha clung to his arm, shaking it playfully.

"Ichin-kun, what exactly happened? You didn't say anything bad about me to your mom, did you?"

Compared to Ichin's favorable impression of her parents, Utaha suddenly realized she didn't know much about Ichin's family, aside from their comfortable living situation. Now, knowing that Ichin's mother was aware of her napping in his room, she couldn't help but worry about leaving a bad impression.

Hearing her question, Ichin placed a pack of tofu into the cart and turned to her with a smirk. "Finally getting nervous? Weren't you acting all confident and teasing me just a moment ago?"

Utaha puffed up her cheeks in mock anger, a surprisingly cute expression for someone with her usual mature demeanor, leaving Ichin momentarily stunned.

"Ichin-kun, this is serious! I don't want to leave a bad impression on your mom, you know?"

It was clear that Utaha was genuinely concerned, so Ichin decided to stop teasing her. He chuckled and reassured her, "Don't worry, it's fine. My mom didn't think much of it. Once I sent her a picture of you, she just started asking all sorts of questions about you."

Relieved but curious, Utaha tilted her head. "A picture of me? Ichin-kun, did you secretly take a photo of me?"

"Do I need to?" Ichin rolled his eyes. "Even though my phone camera doesn't make any noise, I didn't take the photo myself. I found it on the school forum—one of your pictures from last year's sports festival."

"Oh, I see," Utaha replied, nodding in understanding. She shook his arm again and asked, "So, what did you tell your mom about me?"

Although they weren't dating yet, Utaha had already decided she would win Ichin over. Meeting his parents was just a matter of time.

Utaha had never been good at dealing with elders, let alone the parents of the boy she liked.

"Hmm… what did I say…"

Ichin thought back to the phone call. Suddenly, he realized something—they weren't even officially dating yet! It was almost as if he'd forgotten.

All the moments they'd shared, the conversations in the studio, Utaha's feelings, and his own reflections from the previous night came flooding back to him.

As they walked, Ichin pondered how to bring it up. Could he really be a good boyfriend? He had zero experience in this area.

Seeing him lost in thought, Utaha waved her hand in front of his face. "Ichin-kun, are you okay?"

Pulled out of his thoughts, Ichin looked straight into her eyes.

He didn't say a word, just stared at her, leaving Utaha blushing under his gaze. Even someone as bold as her couldn't stop her heart from racing when the boy she liked looked at her so intensely.

Suddenly, as if reaching a decision, Ichin smiled softly and said, "Utaha, let's date."

His words left Utaha frozen in place.

Her eyes widened, her cheeks growing even redder as she stammered, "Ichin-kun, are you confessing to me?"

Ichin's face turned a bit red as well. He nodded. "Yes, this is a confession. I realized I was overthinking everything. If I like you, then I should just say it. I'm a guy, after all—I should be more proactive, right?"

Before he could finish, Utaha tiptoed and kissed him lightly on the cheek.

"Ichin-kun, I'm so happy. So, so happy!"

The warmth lingering on his cheek and Utaha's radiant smile made Ichin smile as well. "So, what's your answer?"

"Of course, it's a yes!" Utaha tightly hugged Ichin's arm and looked up at him with a playful gleam in her eyes. "But I still want to hear you confess again. Can you?"

"Sure. I like you, Utaha."

"I like you too, Ichin-kun!"

Glancing around, Ichin scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Isn't confessing in a place like this kind of weird?"

"Not at all!"

Utaha shook her head firmly. "Honestly, I thought I'd have to wait a while longer to hear you say that. A romantic setting would have been nice, but I'm just glad I got to hear it sooner! Only one day, and I already won you over. Guess my charm is pretty impressive!"

"Yes, yes, you're the prettiest," Ichin replied with a chuckle.

Now that Utaha was officially his girlfriend, Ichin had no reason to hold back on compliments. Besides, Utaha was genuinely beautiful and aligned perfectly with his tastes.

Buoyed by his praise, Utaha's mood soared. She clung to his arm happily, following him as he selected more vegetables.

After picking out the last of the ingredients, Ichin pushed the cart toward the checkout counter.

With two large bags of groceries in hand as they exited the store, Ichin turned to Utaha. "These bags are pretty heavy, so maybe let go of my arm for now? It's hard to walk like this."

"Then let me carry one of the bags for you," she offered, reaching for one.

But Ichin quickly moved them out of her reach. "No need. They're heavy—I can handle them."

The groceries weren't light snacks; they were substantial ingredients. Ichin knew that even one of the bags would be a struggle for Utaha.

Understanding her own limitations, Utaha didn't insist. She simply walked alongside him, step by step.

"By the way, Ichin-kun, you didn't finish earlier. How exactly did you describe me to your parents?"

"What could I say? Just the truth," Ichin replied with a laugh. "I told them you're my neighbor, my classmate, and that you're really good at school. Plus, since I'm studying abroad now, my mom can't really control what I do. As long as I'm responsible, it's all good."

Utaha exhaled a breath of relief. "That's good to hear. It'd be terrible if your parents didn't like me."

"Relax. As long as you don't show your sharp-tongued side, my parents could never dislike you."

Utaha rolled her eyes at him. "Ichin-kun, I've never been sharp-tongued with you! I only use that side of me on really annoying people. Like Eriri, for instance—though even with her, it's more like playful banter. Honestly, her jabs can be so crude sometimes."

Thinking about Eriri's comments about her weight made Utaha clench her teeth slightly, her fingers twitching as if itching to retaliate.

"I know, I know. Thank you, Lady Utaha, for your kindness. Satisfied?"

Watching her poke his arm repeatedly with her fingers, Ichin burst into laughter.

He never would have guessed that in such a short time, he'd solve his singlehood problem—and with a girl as extraordinary as Kasumigaoka Utaha, no less.

As they chatted, the two finally returned to their apartment building.

Taking the elevator up, Ichin planned to drop off the groceries at his place before heading to the studio.

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