"Auntie's wedding ring?"
Miura was startled and quickly stepped forward.
"Let me help you look for it."
"Ehh? Yumiko-chan, it's okay, Auntie can—oof!" Hiding behind a tree with just her head peeking out, Sayuri's expression twitched briefly before she quickly composed herself. "It's just a small matter, Auntie can handle it."
"But that won't do! It's pitch dark on the grass, let me help. I'll turn on my phone's flashlight," Miura offered proactively.
"Ah?"
Looking slightly nervous, Sayuri quickly shook her head.
"No need, no need. I already... found it! Yep, I've got the wedding ring right here~"
"Really? You found it?"
Miura, who had been about to take out her phone, paused and put it back into her pocket.
"Sorry for the trouble."
Sayuri gave a slightly embarrassed smile.
"But thank you anyway, Yumiko-chan."
"No need to thank me."
Miura shook her head, her eyes instinctively drifting to the ring in Sayuri's hand. A hint of envy flashed across her face as she asked curiously:
"Auntie, do you always wear your wedding ring even after getting married?"
"Well… I did before the wedding, yes. But... ahem, after he passed away, I actually stopped wearing it. Today was just... a little careless moment that led to a mishap," Sayuri explained, glancing subtly behind her.
"Huh?"
Miura's eyes widened, and she quickly apologized:
"I'm so sorry, Auntie Sawamura. I didn't know your husband had... I'm really sorry."
"It's alright."
Sayuri smiled gently and shook her head.
"He's been gone for many years now. I've moved on long ago, Yumiko-chan, so there's no need to apologize."
"Auntie Sawamura, I..." Miura hesitated, lips parting as if to speak but holding back.
"By the way, Yumiko-chan," Sayuri said with a teasing smile, "you've been staring at Auntie's ring for a while. Do you want one too?"
"Eh? W-Wait, no, no!"
Blushing instantly, Miura waved her hands and stammered,
"I-I don't even have a boyfriend right now. A wedding ring is still far off for me."
"Hehe, no boyfriend? Well... surely there's someone you've got your eye on?"
"Someone I like...? Hmm... not at the moment," Miura replied after thinking for a bit.
"What about Hikigaya-kun?"
Sayuri asked abruptly.
"Huh? Ah!!"
Miura's composed expression instantly went up in flames.
"H-Hikigaya?? N-No way! He's got a girlfriend already, and I—I mean, how could I possibly—"
"Yumiko-chan, Auntie could totally help match you two up," Sayuri said with a sly grin. "So what if he has a girlfriend? Who says you can't pursue someone just because they're taken?"
"Technically, you're right..."
Miura looked troubled. After all, her best friend, Yui, also liked Hikigaya. It felt wrong to get in between them.
"So there's no need to hesitate. Let Auntie help you win over Hikigaya-kun. How about it?"
"N-No no!"
Flustered, Miura shook her hands again.
"Auntie Sawamura, I... I really don't like Hikigaya that way! I mean—I don't dislike him, I just don't think of him like that, romantically speaking."
"Yumiko-chan~"
"A-Auntie, let's change the subject! I'm going for a jog now. How about you?" Miura said quickly, cheeks still flushed.
"Hmm, I think I'll rest here a bit," Sayuri replied, then added with concern, "Are you sure you're okay? If you're on your period, it's best not to overdo it with exercise."
"Don't worry, Auntie, I won't do anything too strenuous."
With that, Miura politely took her leave.
Once she was gone...
Sayuri's expression immediately changed, and she ducked back behind the tree.
---
Twenty minutes later.
"Yumiko-chan seems to have a little crush on you~" Sayuri said playfully, brushing her hair as she lounged beside the boy on the grass.
"That's impossible."
Without even glancing her way, Hikigaya replied:
"Miura has someone else she likes."
"Hikigaya-kun, you still don't get how girls think," Sayuri said with a teasing laugh. "Auntie can tell you with absolute confidence—Yumiko-chan totally likes you. And... judging by her expression, if you made a move, you might just end up in her bed~"
"Huh? N-No thanks."
"Hehe, you say that, but I think you're more curious than you let on. Be honest now, Hikigaya-kun~" Sayuri giggled, gently tapping his chest with her bare foot.
"Just like earlier. You were all hesitant at first, but in the end, didn't you—"
"Sayuri-san, please move your foot. I need to get up," Hikigaya said, glancing briefly at her leg before turning his face away.
"Get up? Hehe, Hikigaya-kun, why don't you lie back down? Auntie's not done with you yet~"
"Wha—Wait, not again?!"
Hikigaya's expression shifted dramatically.
"Mm-hmm, we're just getting started. How could it end so quickly?" Sayuri whispered, half-crouching as she leaned against him, her voice soft and coaxing:
"Auntie's lesson... has only just begun~"
"Wait, Sayuri-san, we really shouldn't keep doing this—"
"Hikigaya-kun, you were so rough just now... hehe, now it's Auntie's turn to tease you back~"
"Just now...? Ugh, sorry." Hikigaya's face flushed as the memory resurfaced.
"An apology's no good if it's only words~ You've got to make it up with your actions," Sayuri whispered, gently nuzzling close. "Auntie loves you, Hikigaya-kun. Loves you, loves you... Auntie wants to have your child! If you let Auntie have a baby, I'll forgive you~"
"No! Sayuri-san, we have to contraception!"
"It's fine~ I don't like contraception~"
How could someone be this dangerous?!
This woman... was far too good at this.