The interior of the house was incredibly clean, perhaps because it had been recently renovated. Despite its traditional Japanese exterior, there were Western-style rooms here and there, and Iori’s room was one of them.

With the cryptic words “Take your time,” Momiji gave me a push on the back and left, leaving me to step into Iori’s room.

“Hey, thanks for coming.”

Iori was sitting on the bed, positioned at the far end of the low table. Study materials were spread out on the table, and two cushions were prepared. The cushions seemed to belong to the house; they had a distinctly high-class Japanese design that stood out in the otherwise ordinary room.

“Good morning, Iori. I was surprised at how big your house is.”

Contrary to my expectations, Iori’s room didn’t have any striking features. Considering it was Iori’s room, I had imagined something a bit unusual. Not that I was expecting a room fit for a prince in a fairytale, but I had assumed there would be something unique about it. But now that I was here, I felt like this ordinary room somehow suited Iori perfectly.

“Apparently, we were a bit better off financially back in the day. By the way, did my mother say anything to you? When I mentioned I was inviting a friend over, she insisted, ‘I must greet them myself!'”

“Huh? Didn’t you tell her you were inviting your boyfriend?”

“I didn’t say that. I haven’t told my family about us yet.”

…My mouth hung open in shock. So Momiji asked me that kind of question right from the start, just for her daughter’s ‘friend’?

“Judging by your reaction, something must have happened… I’d appreciate it if you didn’t worry too much about my mother. She’s a bit… eccentric.”

‘A bit’ seemed like quite the understatement, but I nodded. Dating Iori meant being involved with Momiji too. There was nothing I could do except accept it all.

“By the way, Iori… is that your loungewear?”

I pointed at Iori’s outfit. While her room had seemed normal, her clothing stood out.

“Your mother was wearing a kimono too, wasn’t she?”

“This? It’s a household rule — our loungewear has to be either a kimono or a yukata.”

As she spoke, Iori lightly pinched the fabric near her chest. The movement was a little suggestive, and I quickly averted my eyes.

“I see… Well, I think it suits you really well. You look cute.”

Since we hadn’t been able to go on our summer festival date, this was my first time seeing Iori in a yukata. The light blue kimono complemented her aura perfectly, and even though autumn was already here, it felt like I was surrounded by the scent of summer.

“I’m glad you think so. I actually wore my favorite one just for today.”

Smiling, Iori stood up and spread the two cushions around the table. As I sat down, a soft, plush feeling supported me from below. These cushions had to be expensive. When I asked about them, she said she didn’t know the price, but apparently, a craftsman came every year to repair them. I’d never even heard of a cushion repair service before.