Chapter 86: Turning the future into reality!

In front of the oden stall, the steaming heat rose in curls under the dim yellow light.

Natsume Chikage was focused on enjoying the food in his bowl.

He carefully used his chopsticks to pick up a piece of fried tofu that had soaked up the broth; the golden tofu trembled slightly at the tip of his chopsticks.

He blew on it gently, and the white, mist-like heat drifted away.

Just as he took a bite, the piping hot broth hidden in the honeycomb structure of the tofu instantly burst forth on the tip of his tongue, and the delicious flavor immediately permeated his entire mouth.

"Natsume-kun, you have some broth on your face..."

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui noticed a small drop of dark broth on his cheek and immediately took a pack of disposable tissues with a puppy pattern printed on it from her pocket.

She carefully pulled one out and handed it to him.

"Thanks." Natsume Chikage took the tissue and wiped his face.

"Not there..." Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui extended her index finger, gesturing to the corresponding spot on her own cheek. "It's over here."

"Is it clean now?"

"You haven't wiped it yet."

"Here?"

"Let me do it..."

A faint blush appeared on Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui's face, like the evening glow reflecting on her wheat-colored skin.

She wiped away the trace with the tissue with gentle movements, her fingertips inadvertently touching his skin, causing her heartbeat to accelerate slightly.

"It's gone now..." she whispered, her voice so light it was almost drowned out by the noise of the street.

After wiping it, she quickly withdrew her hand, as if the tissue had suddenly become hot. She hurriedly lowered her head, pretending to be nonchalant as she continued to deal with the food in her own bowl.

"Thanks." Natsume Chikage didn't think much of it; after thanking her, he continued to taste the piping hot delicious food in his bowl.

However, this intimate scene was seen completely by Matsuo Yuka, the publishing house editor at the next table.

She opened her mouth in astonishment, and a meatball she had just picked up fell back into the bowl with a "plop," the splashed broth landing squarely on her newly bought, expensive new work uniform.

Matsuo Yuka looked down at the oil stain spreading rapidly on her chest, then looked up at the youthful high school students beside her, remembering that they had someone to help them wipe off broth, while she could only eat oden all by herself—

A nameless fire flared up!

Damn it!!!

I worked overtime until late at night, and finally got a break to eat a quiet, hot oden, and I have to be force-fed dog food?

Watching you young lovers being all youthful and sweet here?

I just wanted to enjoy a late-night snack after work, who did I offend?!

She finished the remaining food in her bowl in a few quick bites, took some change from her wallet, and slapped it on the table.

"Check! Keep the change!"

After saying this, she angrily grabbed her bag, muttering complaints, and walked away without looking back.

The old grandfather at the oden stall looked at the money on the table, then at the angry retreating figure, and shook his head helplessly: Keep the change? There's no change to keep!

This mobile oden stall had a completely open design, with almost no cover.

The only shelter was the simple, retractable awning on the small cart.

However, the night was cool and it wasn't raining, so the awning was naturally folded up tightly.

It was precisely because of this that Kondo Miyuki's gaze could capture Natsume Chikage and Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui sitting in front of the stall at a glance without any obstruction.

She watched their intimate appearance sitting together, and the act of helping wipe his face just now, and couldn't help but fall silent again for a long time.

Kondo Miyuki was finding Natsume Chikage more and more pleasing to the eye.

If possible, she truly hoped Natsume Chikage could have a good marriage with her daughter.

Now, watching his intimate interaction with other girls, she inevitably felt a little uncomfortable, as if a treasure she had carefully collected was being snatched away bit by bit...

She couldn't help but walk up.

"Natsume-kun?"

Hearing the familiar voice, Natsume Chikage turned his head.

When he realized it was Kondo Miyuki, he was clearly stunned for a moment.

"Auntie Miyuki, it's so late, why are you here?"

Kondo Miyuki showed a gentle smile on her face and shook the shopping bag with the boutique logo in her hand:

"I just came back from shopping with a friend."

"What about you, why are you still out so late?"

Her gaze glanced at Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui as if intentionally or unintentionally, carrying a kind inquiry.

"And could this... be your girlfriend?"

Hearing the word "girlfriend," Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui's face instantly turned as red as a ripe apple.

But she secretly looked forward to it and didn't deny it immediately, just shyly looking at Natsume Chikage, waiting for his response.

Natsume Chikage shook his head slightly and explained in a calm tone:

"This is my colleague at the cafe."

"We just finished our shift at the cafe, and when we were walking, we felt hungry, so we stopped by to eat something."

"Since you're here, Auntie Miyuki, are you hungry? If you are, let me treat you to something."

Natsume Chikage had always been the type of person who treated others well if they treated him well.

Since Kondo Miyuki had treated him to a meal last time, he should return the favor.

After being denied, Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui felt a bit disappointed.

However, she quickly cheered up, the corners of her mouth rising, still with that energetic expression.

Even if she isn't Natsume-kun's girlfriend now, it doesn't matter; as long as it becomes reality in the future!

"Hello, I'm Natsume-kun's colleague at the cafe."

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui had seen Kondo Miyuki last time, and since they hadn't been formally introduced, she stood up and introduced herself energetically.

Hearing that she was just a colleague and not a girlfriend, Kondo Miyuki instantly beamed:

"So that's how it is."

"Thinking about it, I did indeed see this cute girl at the cafe last time."

Being praised as cute to her face, Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui was still quite happy and shy.

Kondo Miyuki turned to look at Natsume Chikage and smiled:

"But as for eating, forget it. Auntie already ate outside; I just came over to say hello."

"Thank you for your kindness~"

Saying this.

She took out her wallet, pulled out a ten-thousand-yen note, and handed it to the boss:

"Shopkeeper, let me pay for these two."

Natsume Chikage was stunned and hurriedly stood up to hold Kondo Miyuki's hand, blocking her:

"Auntie Miyuki, we've actually already paid."

Saying this, he winked his left eye at the oden grandfather, hinting at something.

Kondo Miyuki's body trembled slightly; looking at Natsume Chikage's action of holding her wrist, there was an imperceptible blush on her face; she clearly hadn't expected him to do this suddenly.

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui also reacted at this time and hurriedly stood up to look at the oden grandfather, her eyes wide as she signaled:

"Mm-hmm, boss, we already paid, right?"