All Beautiful Girls Want to Stick with Me

”My arms are tired. You’re a bit heavy,” Kotomi admitted.

They soon reached a takoyaki stand, where Kotomi asked the vendor to sprinkle extra bonito flakes and seaweed on Yuka’s takoyaki.

Initially, Kotomi had thought about buying four portions—one for each member of the Yuigahama family—but after considering it, she decided to start with just two.

It wasn’t because she didn’t have enough money, but because showing up with food for the entire family might make Yui’s mom feel awkward. Kotomi wanted to make sure she didn’t come on too strong. A careful balance was the key to building relationships.

It was like playing a strategy game—no one uses their ultimate move right at the start. Instead, they make gradual, calculated progress.

After buying the takoyaki, Kotomi walked with Yuka for a while. When the crowd thinned out a bit, she let go of Yuka’s hand.

While Kotomi would have preferred to hold Yuka’s hand for safety until they reached the cake shop, the little girl had been eyeing the takoyaki box since they left the stand. She looked like she was about to drool.

It wouldn’t be safe to let her walk and eat at the same time—what if she accidentally poked herself with one of the wooden skewers?

So Kotomi led Yuka to a nearby bench, where they sat down to enjoy the takoyaki before heading to the cake shop.

”Is it good?” Kotomi asked, smiling as she watched Yuka’s adorable expression while she munched on the takoyaki. There was something about her chubby cheeks that was just so heartwarming.

”Mm! It’s delicious! And there are so many bonito flakes and seaweed!”

Most people liked takoyaki for the octopus pieces inside, but Yuka was all about the toppings.

”If you’re still hungry, you can have mine too,” Kotomi said, lightly shaking the box of takoyaki in her hand.

Yuka’s eyes showed she was tempted, but she shook her head. ”One portion is enough. You should eat yours too, Izumi-neechan.”

”If you want, you can have both portions,” Kotomi offered again.

”No, thank you,” Yuka said, shaking her head firmly. Her big, beautiful eyes gleamed with determination. ”Mom said I shouldn’t accept too much from others.”

Hearing this, Kotomi was taken aback for a moment. She had many things she wanted to say, but in the end, she simply smiled warmly and gently patted Yuka’s head.

Perhaps due to her family’s situation, Yuka was even more thoughtful and mature than Kotomi had imagined.