Night time at the Gojo Household,
6:00 PM
The sun had already begun to sink below the horizon.
Golden-orange light stretched across the streets outside Sobu High School, painting the school buildings in warm colors as students slowly made their way home.
The clubs had just finished their activities for the day.
Inside the Service Club room, Yukinoshita Yukino closed the book she had been reading and glanced at the clock on the wall.
Exactly six o'clock.
As always.
She stood up, neatly packed her belongings into her handbag, and locked the door in front of her.
The hallway was much louder now than it had been during the day.
Since, most students were already leaving in groups.
Some members of sports clubs were still chatting noisily as they headed toward the gate.
Others walked together discussing homework, TV programs, or weekend plans.
Compared to them, Yukino's solitary figure seemed somewhat out of place.
But she didn't mind.
She was used to it.
Adjusting her bag over her shoulder, she started walking toward the school gate.
However—
As soon as she stepped outside, her gray-blue eyes widened slightly.
A familiar figure was standing beside a wall near the entrance.
Hands in his pockets and a plastic grocery bag hanging from one arm and a lolipope.
Gojo Satoru.
The moment he noticed her, he waved dramatically.
"Finally! What took you so long, Yukino-san? I've been waiting here for more than ten minutes."
Yukino blinked. "...Waiting for me?"
For a brief moment, something warm stirred in her chest — A strange feeling she quickly buried.
"Hmph." She folded her arms. "As a teacher, shouldn't you know that club activities end at six? Besides, nobody asked you to wait."
Gojo didn't mind her cold tone as he said in a serious manner, "And what if a group of suspicious people kidnapped my adorable student?"
"I practice aikido."
"Right. Right." He nodded repeatedly. "The legendary aikido that lets you defeat everyone."
"...It works."
"Until somebody hits you with a tranquilizer dart."
"..."
"Then it's game over."
Yukino's eye twitched, as said coldly, "Scum Sensei."
"Yes?"
"No one will mistake you for intelligent if you stay quiet."
Gojo grinned.
"No one will mistake you for friendly if you keep talking."
The two immediately entered their usual rhythm.
Back and forth.
Neither willing to surrender.
Neither realizing how natural it had become.
By the time they noticed, they were already walking through a residential neighborhood.
The distance home had passed surprisingly quickly.
....
Gojo Residence,
Click!
The front door opened with a soft click.
"I'm home." Gojo said loudly before he stepped inside.
Behind him, Yukino quietly removed her shoes.
"Excuse me for intruding."
The familiar scent of the house greeted her immediately.
It felt strangely relaxing compare to her hotel room.
Almost instantly, two figures appeared from deeper inside the house.
"Onii-chan, you're back."
"Welcome home."
Umaru Gojo and Benio Adashino emerged from the living room just as they heard his voice.
They quickly noticed Yukino, they greeted her politely too.
"Good evening, Yukinoshita-san."
"Good evening."
Yukino nodded back,"Good evening."
The two of them also knew about Yukinoshita Yukino's arrival, after all Gojo Satoru sent a message to remind them.
Just after the greetings they all walked towards the living room,
"Meow!" A white blur was lazing on the sofa.
Vanilla.
The most popular cat immediately appeared in front of the guest.
Yukino's expression softened at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Without hesitation, she sat down and scooped Vanilla into her arms.
The transformation was incredible.
The cold and dignified Ice Queen of Sobu High School disappeared instantly — Only a devoted cat lover remained in front of the peoples.
"Vanilla...Have you been eating properly?"
Before the cat could even response a certain salted fish spoke first.
"It's living a good life. It eats and sleeps all day long, and the whole cat is almost becoming a fat cat."
"Meow! Meow! Meow!"
Vanilla seemed to understand the word "fat cat", as she raised her pink paw in protest, meowing her complain to her lazy owner.
She is not just eating or sleeping all day long, this cat also move around, okay?
Well, a few minutes of activity....
Yukinoshita Yukino not being able to contain herself from such cuteness she squeezed Vanilla's soft paw, before rubbing her face on Vanilla's fat stomach.
Indeed, compared to before, she seem to have gained a lot of weight.
"Meow...~"
It seem like even the cat was admitting that she had become a little fat, as she took the assault of Yukino without any resistance.
Meanwhile, Umaru had already begun searching through the grocery bags.
"Sukiyaki tonight?"
{T/N: I don't understand how it is different from Hotpot}
"Yep." Gojo collapsed dramatically onto the sofa. "I'm tired, I will make it after some break."
Gojo Satoru replied weakly.
Take a break?
Umaru's eyes twitched violently.
She clearly knew what kind lazy person her big brother.
Umaru shake her head, speechless before she walked to the back of the sofa, she pulled on Gojo's right hand, disturbing his rest.
Gojo slowly opened one eye. "What?"
"Onii-chan, you go get it now, hurry up I'm starving."
"Later."
"Now!" Umaru speak with a very serious face.
Gojo sighed. The oppression of the her was truly terrifying. Eventually, he dragged himself off the sofa very reluctantly.
"....Fine."
Putting on a pink apron, he picked up the ingredients and headed toward the kitchen.
The others watched from the living room.
...
Inside the kitchen room,
The sounds of chopping vegetables echoed throughout the kitchen.
Cabbage. Tofu. Enoki mushrooms. Green onions.
Everything was carefully prepared. A large pot sat in the center of the stove.
"Meow~"
Vanilla couldn't help meowing, and kept staring at the kitchen she was clearly hungry even though all she does is eat or sleep.
Even Benio couldn't help glancing toward the kitchen repeatedly.
Umaru was even worse. She was practically orbiting in front of the kitchen.
"Onii-chan."
"..Hmm?"
"How long?"
"Twenty minutes."
Five minutes later.
"..."
Benio laughed softly beside her.
Yukino quietly smiled, patting the sleeping cat on her lap.
....
At long last—Dinner was ready.
Gojo lifted the lid.
As the delicious aroma filling the room, had reached unbearable levels. Even Yukino found herself becoming hungry.
"Meow!!!"
Vanilla finally snapped.
The cat charged forward immediately, jumping out of Yukinoshita Yukino's arms, it ran towards the kitchen or tired too.
And this only made Yukinoshita Yukino, who had no one to pat, look depressed. But still didn't stop the determined cat.
Vanilla's recently acquired weight seem to had become a serious problem.
Gojo laughed so hard he nearly dropped the lid.
"Vanilla, your athletic career is over."
"Meow!"
"You're too heavy."
"MEOW!!"
The protest became even louder.
Yukino couldn't stop herself from smiling her previous depression reduce to warm air.
Benio covered her mouth to hide her laughter.
Even Umaru looked amused.
Gojo eventually picked Vanilla up.
"Okay, okay."
He placed her on the counter.
Then he carefully cut several slices of wagyu beef into tiny pieces.
After cooling them slightly, he placed them into Vanilla's special bowl.
The cat immediately buried her face inside.
"Purr..."
The sound of absolute happiness echoed throughout the room.
"Look at that." Gojo shook his head. "Atleast, she eats better than some people."
"Meow."
"Don't argue."
"Meow!"
"You literally prove my point."
Vanilla ignored him completely as she only focused on eating.
Food was more important.
...
Dinner time,
The table was finally prepared.
Bowls. Chopsticks.
With the steaming sukiyaki pot occuping the center.
Everyone gathered around.
Gojo sat down first.
Umaru immediately claimed her seat.
Benio followed.
Yukino reluctantly placed Vanilla back onto her cushion before taking her own seat. (She had pick her up after she finished eating)
Then—
"Can we eat now?!" Umaru practically shouted, she was starving and can't wait.
Gojo laughed. "Yes."
He picked up his chopsticks.
"Let's eat."
"Itadakimasu."
"Itadakimasu."
"Itadakimasu."
The voices overlapped.
The evening continued with warm food, playful arguments, Vanilla's endless attempts to steal extra food, and the comfortable noise of people enjoying dinner together.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,386