The Takanashi residence was a detached house, much like the Kobayashi household. But unlike Kobayashi's property, there was no courtyard. Behind the low wall at the entrance—where the nameplate hung—was the front door itself.
Asato Hitomi walked up and pressed the doorbell. A response came almost immediately.
"Oh my, is that Hitomi-chan?"
"Yes, it's me, Aunt Akiko. It's been a while."
"That's wonderful. I've been waiting for you two for ages. I'll open the door right now."
Kuroha Akira perked up instantly the moment he heard her voice.
Even though he hadn't met Aunt Takanashi in person yet, Kuroha Akira was already captivated. Her gentle, natural tone carried a sense of warmth and reassurance—mid-to-low range with a slight nasal quality, making it particularly enchanting and oddly addictive.
There was also this strangely suggestive feeling to it… It was very much like those slightly risqué ASMR tracks, specifically the ones featuring married women or motherly voices. If she were to whisper a wet, breathy ear-licking sound right next to his ear, he'd probably feel a shiver go straight to his brain.
He already knew that Takanashi Mirai's mother was a professional voice actress, but wasn't this a bit much? Did she keep this voice-acting level of vocalization even in her everyday life?
Moments later, Takanashi Akiko came out to greet the two people standing at the door.
Asato Hitomi had been watched over by her since childhood—they were already quite familiar. After exchanging warm smiles, Takanashi Akiko turned her head to look at Kuroha-kun.
"This must be Kuroha-kun, right?"
"Uh… yes…"
Kuroha Akira seemed a little dumbfounded, but not because he was entranced by the aunt's beauty. At this stage, the only woman who could make him freeze at first sight was Shinomiya.
Although Takanashi Akiko was indeed very beautiful—her looks were on par with the Class Rep's—she carried an added mature, ripe charm that the Class Rep lacked. They were two different extremes: a seasoned, elegant woman versus a fresh student.
But mainly, this married woman's image was so stereotypical that Kuroha Akira was left momentarily speechless.
Whoa—it's the dangerous hairstyle. The loose, low side ponytail draped over one shoulder.
She was wearing an apron. Underneath, a beige knitted sweater. Below that, a hip-hugging skirt and thick, low-transparency black tights.
She was even holding a long-handled ladle, apparently having rushed out to greet them after hearing the doorbell while in the middle of cooking. Her facial features were very gentle, with soft, slightly squinting eyes. She currently had one hand resting on her cheek, smiling warmly.
The most eye-catching part, as expected, was the super-sized bust. It should be in the same G+ league as Kobayakawa-sensei's. But from a visual perspective, Takanashi Akiko's seemed even larger—its shape was more like a bamboo shoot, appearing longer and firmer than a teardrop shape.
The scent of a married woman—no, a mother—was practically overflowing!
Madam, you are too much!
Takanashi Akiko thought Kuroha Akira was just being a bit awkward because it was his first visit. So she friendly extended her hand and took the initiative to greet him, hoping to ease his tension.
"I'm Takanashi Akiko. Hitomi-chan has mentioned you to me before. I'll be counting on you for this matter, Kuroha-kun."
Kuroha Akira realized he'd been staring a bit rudely. He immediately adjusted his mood, shook her hand, felt its softness, and regained his composure.
"Yes, I'll do my best."
Seeing Kuroha Akira snap back to attention, Takanashi Akiko chuckled softly.
"Hehe, what a wonderful young man—truly Hitomi-chan's friend. Well then, welcome to the Takanashi house. Please come in. I've already prepared slippers for you."
Takanashi Akiko led them inside. At the entryway, two pairs of slippers were neatly laid out—one large, one small.
Kuroha Akira stepped into the Takanashi residence first. As he was changing his shoes, Asato Hitomi, who was right behind him, secretly poked his back. When Kuroha Akira turned around in confusion, she perfectly leaned her mouth close to his ear and whispered,
"So? Isn't Aunt Akiko beautiful? I saw you staring, Akira-kun."
"She is very beautiful, that's true… But I wasn't staring just because she's beautiful. It's more that… uh, how should I put it… her aura was a bit beyond my expectations."
Kuroha Akira didn't know how to explain the abstract feeling of "married woman vibes" to the Class Rep.
*MILF!!!!
The reason he'd been stunned at first sight was also because he'd seen too many similar characters in anime—a certain widowed snow woman, plenty of characters who, while not married, still carried that "married woman" feel, like Sanae's mom from Clannad, and so on…
As he was thinking this, Kuroha Akira heard the Class Rep say something that startled him.
"Doesn't she give off that 'perfect mom' energy?"
Kuroha Akira turned back in surprise, his face clearly reading: How did you know?
The Class Rep walked forward, taking off her shoes as she explained.
"I completely understand what you mean, Akira-kun. When I was little, I especially envied Mirai-chan for having such a wonderful mom. I even wished that Mirai-chan's mom was my mom…"
"Ah… that's…"
This must have been because the Class Rep had a very strained relationship with her own mother. Since her own mother was strict and harsh, being treated gently and considerately by a friend's mother would naturally make her resent that her own mom couldn't be as kind—even just a little.
That often marked the beginning of disappointment in one's own family.
Kuroha Akira couldn't offer any words of comfort. For any person, their birth and family were the only things they couldn't choose—fixed from the moment they were born. He could only pray that the Class Rep would reconcile with her mother someday…
Speaking of which, Shinomiya also ran away from home because of an irreconcilable conflict with her mother.
Is it that daughters often have difficulty getting along with their mothers? Just like how fathers and sons often argued and even came to blows…
Recalling his own experience of brawling with his old man in his past life, Kuroha Akira could only sigh.
But his sigh was cut short. Upon entering the living room, he gasped in shock at the sight before him.
"Th-this is…!"
In the few short minutes since arriving at the Takanashi house, this was already the third time Kuroha Akira had been shocked. And this shock was greater than the previous two combined.
If Takanashi Akiko's voice and appearance had only mildly surprised him, the layout of the Takanashi living room completely exceeded his imagination.
Three sides surrounding the living room sofa were filled with cabinets. The left cabinet was stocked full of anime discs. The right cabinet was entirely manga and light novels. The cabinet behind the sofa was packed with figures and model kits.
Directly opposite the sofa was a massive wall-mounted television. In the cabinet below the TV, various game consoles were lined up—no fewer than ten different types. On either side of the TV were stereo speakers, and next to the speakers sat another cabinet neatly storing all sorts of game cartridges and discs…
Is this an anime and game cafe?! Even specialty shops don't have a collection this complete!
Kuroha Akira's eyes sparkled as he looked around.
They're all treasures!
This is the one and only One Piece!
Takanashi is simply a paradise on earth!