The small world inside the television seemed to gently draw Shoko in, like a soft whirlpool that didn't feel forceful at all. Without realizing it, she sank into the simple yet colorful story, following its flow with complete attention.
As time passed, the atmosphere in the room gradually changed. The tension that had lingered earlier slowly faded away, replaced by a calm that spread quietly, making the air feel warmer and more peaceful.
The dialogue between the anime characters sounded vivid, filled with natural rises and falls in intonation. Every word seemed to carry emotion, as if the characters themselves were truly there, speaking and moving within the same space.
The background music flowed lightly, filling every gap without ever feeling excessive. The cheerful tones accompanied each scene gently, blending with small sounds like footsteps, doors opening, or the clinking of simple objects.
Things that might have seemed ordinary to others felt different to Shoko. Every small detail seemed to carry its own meaning, becoming something new that captured her attention in a way that couldn't be easily explained.
All of it became an experience she had never truly felt before, something that appeared simple on the surface, yet was capable of adding a different kind of color to her perspective.
I simply sat beside Shoko, keeping a distance that wasn't too close but close enough to observe. My gaze rested on her as I watched every small change in her expression without disturbing her focus.
Shoko's eyes sparkled, reflecting the ever-moving light from the television screen. A small smile appeared without her realizing it, so natural that it felt impossible to fake.
Occasionally, she leaned forward slightly, her body following the flow of the story as if she didn't want to miss even a single second. That simple movement showed just how immersed she was in what she was watching—everything she did felt genuine.
There was a certain satisfaction in seeing a reaction like that. Nothing was forced, nothing was artificial—just a pure response that came naturally from within her.
However, from the direction of the kitchen, the faint sound of conversation began to be heard. Though muffled by distance and overlapped by the ongoing sound of the television, it was still clear enough for my ears to catch, blending into a subtle background that remained distinct to my hearing.
"So… do you like that child?" Ito's voice sounded soft, as if carefully choosing her words, yet still clear enough to reach my ears without difficulty.
Hearing that, I immediately fell silent. My body tensed slightly without me realizing it, a reaction that came before I could control it. A hint of surprise surfaced—faint, but noticeable.
I hadn't expected them to talk about me in a situation like this. Moreover, the distance between us wasn't that far—only separated by a wall and a space that wasn't all that significant.
On the other hand, it seemed they still didn't fully understand the world of Jujutsu, something that had already become part of my daily life—something I barely even thought about anymore.
For a Jujutsu Sorcerer like me, a quiet whisper within a distance of less than ten meters was not difficult to hear. With just a little focus, my senses could pick up even the faintest sound, as if distance was no longer a meaningful barrier.
Because of that, even though I had no intention of eavesdropping, their conversation still reached my ears. The voices flowed in naturally, like something that couldn't truly be stopped.
"…Do you think that's wrong?" Yaeko's voice followed after a brief pause. Her tone wasn't loud, but it felt deeper, as if something was hidden behind every word she spoke. "Or bad… like what you used to say about my relationship with my husband?"
"No," Ito replied gently, without the slightest hesitation, her voice steady and full of conviction. "From what I feel through the closeness you share, it makes me believe that the two of you are well matched."
Hearing that, I frowned slightly, my brows lifting just a little, not entirely sure how I was supposed to respond to that statement, even within my own thoughts.
There was a part of me that wanted to ignore their conversation, to simply let it pass without giving it any attention, yet there was also something about it that I couldn't completely brush aside.
"Besides… that child also seems to have feelings for you," Ito added lightly, as if she were stating something she had believed from the very beginning, without a trace of doubt.
I nearly choked on my own breath, a small reflex that, fortunately, didn't make any sound. Feelings? Yes… of course, there were.
But if I had to be honest, those feelings leaned more toward admiration… and perhaps, a slight pull of desire that was difficult to completely ignore.
It couldn't be denied—Yaeko was simply too attractive to be overlooked. The curves of her body were well-balanced and captivating, moving with a natural grace that wasn't forced, while her face carried a gentle yet distinct beauty, something that naturally drew attention, even in the simplest of situations.
"Is that so…" Yaeko's voice was heard again, this time softer, almost like a restrained whisper, as if she were thinking more deeply about something, considering every possibility that came to mind.
After that, their conversation came to a stop. No more words followed. The silence was soon replaced by the sounds of cooking—utensils lightly clinking against one another, soft friction, and occasionally the faint crackle of fire, creating a calm and steady rhythm.
Once I realized that their conversation had truly ended, I shifted my focus entirely back to the television.
My eyes followed the movements on the screen, trying to ignore what I had just heard, even though the remnants of that conversation still lingered in my mind, like a faint echo that hadn't completely faded.
...
...
...
Time passed rather quickly, and before I realized it, several dozen minutes had gone by. Gradually, the aroma of food began to fill the room—warm, gentle, and appetizing.
The scent spread from the kitchen, slowly drifting into the living room where we were, as if flowing along with the air, making the atmosphere feel more comfortable, more alive, and slightly soothing after what had previously felt like a long stretch of time.
Not long after, the call to eat was heard. Ito's voice came from the kitchen, warm in tone as she called us to gather.
It wasn't loud, but it was clear and steady, carrying a natural friendliness, as if it were something she had done countless times without needing to think about it.
I immediately turned off the television. The screen, which had been filled with colors and movement, slowly dimmed, the remaining light shrinking little by little until it finally went completely dark, leaving behind a faint reflection of the now quiet room on its surface.
I stood up from my seat, then turned toward Shoko, giving a simple signal with a slight movement of my head for her to follow me to the dining room.
"Come on, Shoko, it's time for lunch," I said briefly, my tone calm, without pressure, yet still clear enough to be understood.
Shoko then stood up slowly. Her movements weren't rushed; even though her steps remained calm, there was a slight reluctance visible in the way she glanced briefly at the television, now turned off, as if she still wanted to enjoy the show a little longer, or simply wasn't entirely ready to leave her spot.
However, without saying anything, Shoko still followed me toward the dining room. Her steps were small and light, yet steady, as if she had accepted the decision, even if there was a hint of unspoken reluctance within her.
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[Note: This novel is updated on every even-numbered date]
[Note: This is my other novel: As the White Spider-Man in Earth-76 with the Spider-Man System]
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