I woke up and immediately checked outside the curtains. The forecast said it would be cloudy or rainy, but most of the sky was a light blue.

Feeling relieved, I moved to the living room, where Mom was already awake and watching the morning news program.

“Natsuki, it’s nice that it’s sunny today, right? Isn’t this Iori-chan’s big day?”

“I don’t know if it’s a ‘big day’ or not.”

As I wondered if she was making a pun between “sunny” and “big day,” I opened the fridge and grabbed some ice-cold barley tea. Pouring it into a large cup and gulping it down washed away my lingering drowsiness.

“Maybe I should go see her. She might become part of the family in the future, and it would be too late to regret not going later.”

My mom is absolutely smitten with Iori.

Even Iori, who’s usually composed, couldn’t treat my mom with her usual demeanor. She introduced herself rather formally, saying, “Nice to meet you, I’m Tachibana Iori, and I’m dating Natsuki-san.” Despite that, my mom’s eyes were heart-shaped from the very beginning.

Normally, hearing “dating” and “boyish appearance” together would raise questions. I had prepared several ways to explain things, but all my simulations turned out to be pointless. Later, Mom proudly said, “I just trust my son’s judgment,” but it was clear she had fallen for Iori’s looks.

“I think it’s fine. But I still don’t quite understand what Iori’s doing. Apparently, she’s entering some kind of beauty pageant.”

“A beauty pageant? Iori-chan is?”

“Yeah. I heard she didn’t join last year, but they say she’s practically guaranteed to win.”

“Of course! Iori-chan’s absolutely adorable.”

I felt both embarrassed and incredibly proud at the same time. I never realized being praised for my girlfriend could make me so happy. More than anything, I was glad they complimented her cuteness rather than her coolness.

“Well then, I’d better get ready. Are you having breakfast here, Natsuki?”

“Mm, I think I’ll eat over there. I’m sure there’ll be a lot going on.”

“Alright.”

Mom walked into the kitchen. When I turned to the TV, it was just showing the horoscope corner. I don’t really believe in horoscopes, but just for today, I hoped Leo would be ranked first. Denebola, one of the stars in the Spring Triangle, is Iori’s zodiac sign.

‘Today’s number one is… Leo! Whatever you do will go smoothly today. It might be a good day to take a courageous step forward.’