Chapter 75 : Evening at Komi's House

After this brief interlude, nothing unusual happens during the week. On Friday evening, Ishi arrives at Komi's house with a bag of things. When he rings the doorbell, he hears quick footsteps. Komi is there, but so is her mother. She had informed him that her father and brother had gone away for the weekend.

" Oh, Komi, nice to meet you. And you must be Shûko, Komi's mother. "

Komi opens the door with a polite smile on her lips, her hands trembling slightly.

" Hello, Ishi, please come in. "

She says, stepping aside to let him pass.

" Yes, this is my mother, Shûko. Mom, this is Ishi, a classmate who's come to help me with my studies. "

Komi closed the door behind him, her eyes betraying her barely contained nervousness.

" We're going to work in my room, Mom. If you need us, don't hesitate to knock. "

Shûko nodded, happy that her daughter was inviting friends over.

" All right, be good and don't make too much noise. "

They go into the room.

" I realize now that I call you Komi when I should be saying Shôko. But wow, your room is so girly. Your mom even prepared a mattress on the floor for me ! Didn't she find it strange that you invited another boy besides Tadano ? "

Komi closes her bedroom door, exhaling a sigh of relief.

" No, Mom is used to me inviting friends over now. I usually invite girls. "

She explains, a shy smile on her lips. Komi had been sociable for some time, especially since the end of high school.

" As for my name... Shôko is my official first name, but everyone has called me Komi since high school. "

She shows him the room decorated with posters and stuffed animals.

" This is my sanctuary. A little girly, I know, but it's my space. "

Komi blushes slightly when she sees the mattress prepared.

" Mom is very thoughtful. She doesn't know... that we can sleep next to each other. "

" Haha, I'll slip into your bed when we're sure she won't come in. But I know where you get your beauty from ! Your mother is also a beautiful woman. "

Komi blushed violently at the compliment, her fingers nervously twisting the sheets.

" Thank you... that's very kind of you to say. "

She stammered, unable to hold his suddenly shy gaze in a cute way, as if bringing her here was taboo.

" Mom is indeed very beautiful, but I'm not sure I measure up to her. "

" She's just more mature in her ways. You have youth and passion. "

He stood next to her.

" Shouldn't we put on something looser as planned so we can have a few wandering hands... if you dare ? We'll resume the real lessons in bed tonight. "

She bit her lower lip, weighing the pros and cons.

" You're right, we never know when Mom might come by. "

She admits, a shiver of excitement running through her body.

" But... what if she hears suspicious noises ? "

" Your mother isn't a voyeur, is she ? "

Then Komi puts on a long, looser dress that is easy to slip her hands into. Shûko calls them to eat an hour later. They leave the bedroom. In the living room, Komi's mother is wearing leggings and a sports bra. She seems to have been exercising. Sweat is dripping from her skin.

Komi blushes at the sight of her mother dressed so sportily, her slender, athletic figure accentuated by the tight leggings.

" Mom, have you been working out ? "

She asks, before looking away. Shûko smiles, wiping her hands on a nearby towel.

" Yes, I felt like letting off some steam. So, how's work going ? "

She looks at Ishi, raising an eyebrow.

" Ishi, you look tired. Komi isn't making you work too hard, I hope. "