My dear wife, I still love you more.

"Of course. I don't know much about this, so it would be great if you could help me, Editor Machida."

And so it was settled. Hasegawa had originally planned to publish the book, but now he'd directly entered it into the Naoki Prize. He was a little excited and a little nervous, but Hasegawa genuinely hoped to win. The Naoki Prize is one of Japan's two most prestigious literary awards, but Hasegawa hadn't expected it to be held only twice a year. It seemed like its credibility wasn't that high, yet it was undeniably one of Japan's two most prestigious awards.

After leaving the Shinazugawa Library, Kasumigaoka Utaha followed Hasegawa.

"I'm really envious, Hasegawa-kun. Not only can you write excellent light novels, but you can also write such amazing traditional novels. You're even going to be nominated for the Naoki Prize." Kasumigaoka Utaha's tone couldn't hide her slight envy.

"Kasumigaoka-senpai, your writing is actually quite impressive. Perhaps you could try writing a traditional novel? Maybe you'd even have a chance to win an award."

"Come on, I know my own limitations. Writing traditional novels isn't just about writing style; it also requires sufficient life experience, which I lack. Perhaps I'll be able to handle it when I'm over thirty," Kasumigaoka Utaha shrugged, speaking with great self-awareness.

Hasegawa smiled but didn't say anything more. After all, Kasumigaoka Utaha was right. If Hasegawa hadn't had a system and wasn't a transmigrator who had experienced many things, he might not have been able to write these things. Kasumigaoka Utaha was indeed quite talented, but it would be better for her to take some time to mature.

"Hasegawa-kun, has anyone ever told you that you, well, are a bit like the straight men you write in your novels? At this moment, as a guy, shouldn't you be here comforting me?" Kasumigaoka Utaha said to Hasegawa with a smile.

"Um, straight man? Maybe, I am straight. But it's okay. After all, we're just ordinary friends, and there's no need to go that far. In fact, if we did, it would be even worse if we were misunderstood." Hasegawa smiled and said very directly.

Although Kasumigaoka Utaha said she wanted to be just friends with him, and indeed, she wasn't as aggressive after that, it's still best to remain cautious and take precautions. Especially now that Hasegawa has already confessed his feelings to Mrs. Yuigahama and even started pursuing her, it's definitely best to keep your distance from any other girls, no matter who they are.

"Okay, I understand. But, Hasegawa-kun, I'm still a little curious. What kind of girl does Hasegawa-kun like?" Kasumigaoka Utaha asked with great curiosity, in a particularly gossipy manner, as if she were trying to pry into someone else's secrets, rather than seeming to want to pursue Hasegawa.

"What kind of girl do I like? Well, actually, I prefer girls who are kind, gentle, caring, good at laundry and cooking, and know how to take care of others." Hasegawa said, the image of Mrs. Yui flashing through his mind. Of course, Hasegawa couldn't go into too much detail.

Kasumigaoka Utaha listened to Hasegawa's words and compared the conditions to herself. It seemed that she met the criteria. Well, she should meet the criteria. Although she was a bit sharp-tongued, she was actually quite gentle to the people she liked.

"And lastly, the girl I like can't be sarcastic! Because I can't stand sarcastic people." Hasegawa added one last thing, whether it's useful or not, it's good to be on the safe side.

Kasumigaoka Utaha had originally intended to pin Hasegawa's conditions on herself, but after hearing Hasegawa's words, she couldn't help but raise an eyebrow: "Hasegawa-kun, why do I feel like you're deliberately targeting me?"

"Well, just kidding. But I really can't accept someone who's sharp-tongued. After all, it's easy to get hurt when you're around someone with a sharp tongue." Hasegawa laughed nonchalantly and shrugged.

"Tch, don't worry. Since I've already said I'm giving up, I naturally won't pursue you anymore, Hasegawa-senpai. After all, I'm a pretty outstanding girl, and I have a lot of suitors at school. Even now, I still receive love letters quite often." Kasumigaoka Utaha pouted.

"Yes, yes, yes, it's normal for Kasumigaoka-senpai to receive love letters, she's very outstanding."

"Of course, it's only Hasegawa-senpai who would reject me. Since you've rejected me, then so be it. I, Kasumigaoka Utaha, am not the kind of person who is particularly stubborn. If you don't like me, then so be it. I'll just find someone who likes me in the future."

Hasegawa simply smiled to himself. Whatever Kasumigaoka Utaha might do in the future, as long as she didn't like him anymore, that was enough. Besides, although Kasumigaoka Utaha's personality was a bit... well, not so good, and quite sharp-tongued, it was still possible to be just friends.

Chapter Twenty-Eight: If a woman doesn't get drunk, a man has no chance.

"I am back!"

Hasegawa, who was cooking in the kitchen, heard the door open, followed by Mrs. Yuihama's voice. Upon hearing this voice, a smile as bright as a flower bloomed on Hasegawa's face.

"Welcome back. You must be tired from work." Hasegawa put down his kitchen utensils, came to the door, and smiled as he looked at Mrs. Yuihama, who was changing her shoes.

Upon hearing Hasegawa's voice, Mrs. Yuihama subconsciously looked up at Hasegawa. Seeing the bright smile on Hasegawa's face, she blushed and couldn't help but lower her head, saying, "Thank you, thank you."

"Mrs. Yuihama, please rest for a bit. Dinner is almost ready. Please wait a little while." Hasegawa smiled and turned to walk into the kitchen.

Mrs. Yui watched Hasegawa's retreating figure, opening her mouth as if to ask him to cook dinner, but ultimately couldn't bring herself to say it. Watching Hasegawa enter the kitchen wearing an apron, Mrs. Yui genuinely felt that Hasegawa was truly an exceptional man, and even as a husband, he would be an absolutely outstanding and qualified one.

However, Mrs. Yuigahama considered her own status: a woman old enough to be Hasegawa's mother, a woman with a daughter the same age as Hasegawa, a woman who had been married and divorced. Especially since her daughter, Yuigahama Yui, was in love with Hasegawa.

All these circumstances made Mrs. Yuihama want to stay away from Hasegawa, but Hasegawa himself was so outstanding that he seemed to attract her like a ray of light.

If Mrs. Yuigahama had been a little stronger-willed, she could have easily kicked Hasegawa out of the house to sever ties. However, Mrs. Yuigahama wasn't that assertive, and also, when Yui left home, Mrs. Yuigahama promised her daughter that she would keep an eye on Hasegawa. This reason made Mrs. Yuigahama even less likely to kick Hasegawa out of the house.

Of course, this may be just an excuse, but it's a pretty good excuse, isn't it?

Feeling a little dazed, Mrs. Yui sat in the living room, not knowing how much time had passed, when she heard Hasegawa say, "Alright, dinner is ready, Mrs. Yui, come and eat."

"Ah, oh!" Mrs. Yuihama quickly responded.

Sitting across from Hasegawa, looking at his handsome, energetic face with a gentle smile, Mrs. Yuihama quickly lowered her head, feeling her cheeks burning.

Hasegawa could see it clearly: Mrs. Yuihama's cheeks were flushed, like a red apple, very tempting, making one want to take a bite.

"Um, Hasegawa-kun, tonight's dinner...it seems...it seems quite lavish," Mrs. Yuihama asked, somewhat surprised, upon seeing the food laid out on the table.

Hasegawa usually cooks Chinese food and Japanese food, but now, there is a steak on the table.

“Because today is a good day. Wait a moment.” Hasegawa said, taking out a few red candles, lighting them, and even turning off the room lights. A few flames illuminated the slightly dark room, and in the orange candlelight, everything seemed so romantic.

"Hasegawa-kun, you, you—" To be honest, this atmosphere made Mrs. Yuihama's heart race. This kind of romance seemed to have only happened once or twice before her marriage, and it had been a very, very long time since she had encountered such a romantic setting.

Looking at Hasegawa across from her, Mrs. Yuigahama found him increasingly charming and attractive. However, due to their respective positions, she suppressed her true feelings, even wanting to turn and leave. Turning away now seemed the most correct and appropriate course of action. Unfortunately, Mrs. Yuigahama felt as if she were glued to her chair, unable to move. She wanted to leave, but her body wouldn't allow it.

Hasegawa placed two wine glasses in front of the two of them, and then opened a bottle of red wine.

"Oh? Hasegawa-kun, no, you can't, you can't drink alcohol. Hasegawa-kun isn't old enough to drink yet." Mrs. Yuihama quickly waved her hand, trying to refuse the idea of ​​drinking red wine under these circumstances.

"It's alright, Mrs. Yuihama, this wine has a very low alcohol content. It's almost like a soft drink." Hasegawa smiled, not letting Mrs. Yuihama refuse at all, and poured the dark red wine into the glass.

"..." Mrs. Yuihama wanted to refuse, but seeing that the wine had already been poured, she didn't know what to say. However, she told herself, just one glass, just one glass.

Hasegawa raised his glass and smiled at Mrs. Yuihama.

Seeing this, Mrs. Yuihama, still blushing, picked up her glass and gently clinked it against Hasegawa's, the crisp sound echoing between the two of them.

"Hasegawa-kun, why did you suddenly—" Mrs. Yuihama took a sip, then felt that the atmosphere was ambiguous and a little awkward, so she asked the question to make conversation.

"Because I finished writing my novel and even went to the publishing house; the book has already passed the review," Hasegawa said with a smile.

"Oh? Hasegawa-kun's novel is finally finished?" Mrs. Yuihama was a little happy for Hasegawa: "The publisher approved it, so it will be published soon, right?"

"Publishing will have to wait, because the editor recommended me for the Naoki Prize," Hasegawa said with a happy smile.

"Huh? The Naoki Prize? That's amazing, Hasegawa-kun, that's incredible!" Mrs. Yuihama exclaimed in surprise, then delight. As a Japanese woman, although she had previously been a housewife, she knew a little about awards like the Naoki Prize, though not in great detail, she knew it was a very prestigious award. Therefore, Mrs. Yuihama was genuinely happy for Hasegawa.

"It's alright, after all, it's just participating, and it's still unclear whether we'll win or not."

"Hasegawa-kun is so talented, he'll definitely win an award," Mrs. Yuihama said, seemingly very confident in Hasegawa.

"Really? Well then, I must thank Mrs. Yuihama for thinking so highly of me. Come on, let's toast to winning the Naoki Prize." Hasegawa raised his glass again.

"cheers!"

They talked, ate steak, and drank wine all at the same time.

At first, Mrs. Yuihama warned herself that she would only drink one glass and absolutely not more, but before she knew it, the wine in the bottle was getting less and less, while Hasegawa and Mrs. Yuihama were drinking more and more. Although the wine in this bottle was not very strong, as they drank more and more, Mrs. Yuihama gradually began to let loose as well.

"It's been such a long, long time since I've drunk like this." Mrs. Yuihama's cheeks were flushed, her eyes were a little dazed, and she swirled the wine glass in her hand, watching the red liquid being shaken, and Mrs. Yuihama smiled dreamily.

"Really? If Mrs. Yuihama wants to drink again in the future, she can just come to me and I'll prepare it." Hasegawa smiled, his eyes fixed on Mrs. Yuihama almost without blinking.

Mrs. Yuihama's drunken state is truly captivating; she looks utterly adorable.

"No, no, you think I don't know what you're thinking? Hasegawa-kun, you, you're a bad guy."

"Huh? You scoundrel? How could Mrs. Yuihama say that about me?"

"Isn't that right? I, I know very well that Hasegawa-kun, you, you've always been eyeing me, no, what else could you be but a bad guy?"

"That's because I like you, Mrs. Yuihama."

"Like me? What good is it if you like me? I... I could be your mother already, Yui, that child likes you so much. If only I had known, I wouldn't have let Yui like you." Mrs. Yui pouted, looking unhappy.

"Now, you can make Yui dislike me too. All I need is for you, my wife, to like me."

"What nonsense are you talking about? This kind of thing isn't something I can just decide. Although Yui seems timid, she's actually very stubborn. She's already fallen for you. How could she just stop liking you like that? And if I, as her mother, tell her not to like you, and then I turn around and get together with you, what will Yui think? Yui is my only daughter, I don't want to lose her. Ugh, this is so frustrating!" Mrs. Yui cried out in distress.

Hearing what Mrs. Yuigahama said, Hasegawa felt a bit of a headache. Yuigahama Yui was indeed a big problem. However, Hasegawa was also a little happy because Mrs. Yuigahama didn't seem to be against him. She seemed to like him too. She was just resisting because of his age and because of Yuigahama Yui.

"It's annoying, then let's not think about it anymore and have a drink." Hasegawa said, pouring another drink for Mrs. Yuihama.

"Yes, let's drink. Let's drink!" Mrs. Yuihama nodded vigorously.

Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh.

The whole bottle of red wine was gone just like that.

Hasegawa felt a little dizzy, as if the world was shaking. Although it was only one bottle, Hasegawa's body had never drunk alcohol before, so his alcohol tolerance was not very good.

Looking at Mrs. Yuihama across the street, she seemed to be about the same.

"Huh? Is it... is it all gone?" Mrs. Yuihama looked at the empty wine bottle.

"There aren't any left, but I'm prepared, I'll go get some more." Hasegawa said, heading to get some.

"No, no need. That's enough. That's enough for today. I can't drink anymore. Hasegawa-kun, do you think I don't know what you're thinking? Hmph, let me tell you, no way! That's enough for today. I can't drink anymore, absolutely not. I can't let Yui down." Although Mrs. Yuihama was drunk, her tone was very firm.

Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Boy Became a Man

"Really, you're not drinking anymore?"

"Really, I'm not drinking anymore." Mrs. Yuihama said, raising her hand. Although she was still a little unsteady, she placed the wine glass upside down on the table, indicating that she would definitely not drink anymore.

"Alright then, I won't drink it then." Hasegawa also turned his glass upside down.

"Look, watch TV, brave, brave Ai-chan!" Mrs. Yuihama shook herself as she tried to watch TV.

"Brave Ai-chan, Mrs. Yuihama, to be honest, I think this drama, this drama, um, is bad? I can't say it's bad, but, but it feels so strange." Speaking his mind after a few drinks, Hasegawa also directly gave his opinion on the drama.

"Strange? What's strange about it? It's clearly, clearly super beautiful."

"No, I think, I think, all the TV dramas these days are the same, and they're not even as good as novels."

"A novel? Yes, by the way, Hasegawa-kun, your novel, how is it? Is it good, good?"

"Of course it's beautiful, absolutely, absolutely beautiful. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been recommended by the editors to participate in the Naoki Prize."

"Yes, yes, the Naoki Prize! Wow, that's amazing. Hasegawa-kun, I want to read, I want to read your novels."

"Want to read my novel? Sure, sure! Actually, I was going to let you read it anyway. Come on, let's go read the novel."

"Okay, let's go read a novel."

The two of them swayed and staggered as they climbed the stairs to Hasegawa's room. Because of the climb, they ended up leaning against each other, one supporting the other.

"Hasegawa-kun, your room is... it's quite clean." Mrs. Yuihama glanced at Hasegawa's bedroom.

"Of course, I tidy up every day."

"Really? I thought Hasegawa-kun's room would be... would be very messy."

"How could it be messy? Such a small room can be cleaned in just a few minutes."

"I, I don't believe it. A boy's room, a boy's room, no, it can't be this clean. By the way, Hasegawa-kun, the notebook you bought, did you, did you put it under the bed?" Mrs. Yuihama said, trying to bend down to see if there was anything under Hasegawa's bed.

Although Hasegawa's body was somewhat out of control, he was still relatively clear-headed. At most, he just had less self-control than usual and was more impulsive.

Seeing Mrs. Yuihama bending over, Hasegawa impulsively hugged her.