Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Tempting the Little Loli

"Mom, why are you still standing here?"

Sakura Yamauchi came out in sportswear and saw her mother still standing in the same posture at the door, so she asked curiously.

"Ah, nothing, I'm waiting for you to go down together."

"Then let's go."

As she spoke, Sakura Yamauchi couldn't help but swallow again.

"Sakura, are you ready to go running?"

"No way! I'm just... I want to see what Kyousuke Hojo brought that's delicious before deciding!"

Although she was still a child, Sakura Yamauchi had her own reasoning. For example, at this moment, even though she hadn't seen Kyousuke Hojo yet, she knew he had brought something tasty for her. He wanted her to run with him.

So even if what Kyousuke Hojo brought wasn't tasty, Sakura Yamauchi would still run with him. It wasn't for his gift, but for the thought behind it.

Deep down, she also wanted to play with the boy next door. Even though they had only known each other for a short time, she could already sense that Kyousuke Hojo was different from other kids her age. He seemed like an older brother figure.

Though the morning run had been tiring, she had enjoyed it. When she couldn't keep running and wanted to stop, he would encourage her.

When she couldn't run anymore, he would hold her hand and run together.

After the run, he had even brought out delicious juice and patiently taught her how to stretch to avoid muscle pain.

Ah, perhaps it was because poor Sakura Yamauchi felt sorry for him running alone, that's why she decided to run with him.

Entering the living room, Sakura Yamauchi saw Kyousuke Hojo.

Neatly arranged hair, well-defined features, and eyes that looked at her with an indescribable tenderness. He was wearing sports clothes of a different color but the same style as hers, sitting on the sofa while holding a thermos.

"Yamauchi, you're here."

Seeing the sportswear on the girl, Kyousuke Hojo smiled broadly. Good, the plan was working!

"Why are you here? I already told you I won't run with you!"

Sakura Yamauchi's face turned slightly red at his smile, and she retorted playfully.

"Milk Custard with Papaya, come and try it while it's hot."

Ignoring her playful attitude, Kyousuke Hojo opened the thermos and took out a spoon from the bottom.

Wow, it smelled really good!

When the thermos hadn't been opened yet, Sakura had thought her mom was just making up stories to get her out of bed. But as soon as the thermos was opened, a strong aroma of milk mixed with the fragrance of papaya wafted over, entering her nose.

"Give it to me, give it to me!"

Sakura Yamauchi immediately ran over. She wasn't the type to act spoiled; she was more energetic and straightforward. She had only pretended not to be a glutton earlier so Kyousuke Hojo wouldn't think she was just after the food. But now that she saw something delicious, she dropped the act.

Taking the thermos, she saw spherical yellow papaya pieces floating in milk. They bobbed up and down as if in a gentle wave, releasing steam.

She couldn't resist the temptation; it looked so delicious! Sakura Yamauchi thought as she scooped up a papaya piece with the spoon and put it in her mouth.

Delicious! The papaya had been stewed to a soft texture and absorbed the milk perfectly. The combination of milk fragrance and papaya's unique scent blended together. With just a light chew, the delightful flavor spread in her mouth.

Another spoonful, and another one!

Sakura Yamauchi closed her eyes in happiness, her expression showing how much she was enjoying it.

"Eat a little less, you still have to run. You can eat it later from the thermos, and it'll still be delicious."

"Argh! Can't you wait until I'm done eating?"

Sakura Yamauchi's expression froze for a moment, her displeasure evident, but the spoon in her hand obediently stopped.

"Because if you eat too much, your stomach might hurt while running."

"I got it, I got it! Let's go!"

Closing the thermos tightly, Sakura Yamauchi stood up.

What a challenging morning! Why does a third-grade elementary school girl like me have to go through such hardships?

When Kyousuke Hojo announced the end of their run, Sakura Yamauchi collapsed onto the ground, showing a relieved expression as if she had been rescued.

"Get up, Sakura. You can't sit down right after running; you have to walk a bit."

"I can't, absolutely can't! You might as well just kill me now, I can't walk!"

Sakura Yamauchi weakly protested.

"Let's go, I'll support you."

Kyousuke Hojo smiled, stepped back beside Sakura Yamauchi, squatted down, helped her up, and let the girl lean her small body against his. Together, they started walking slowly.

"Hey, Kyousuke Hojo, don't you know that you can't just touch a girl's body casually?"

Sakura Yamauchi blushed, her face turning red.

"But we're both just third graders."

"Oh, right, I guess that's true. I'll let you off then."

After some stretching and rehydration, the two returned to Sakura's home.

"This tastes really good. Did Aunt Miki make it?"

As she ate the Milk Custard with Papaya, Sakura Yamauchi asked.

"No, I made it myself."

Kyousuke Hojo sat nearby drinking water, watching Sakura Yamauchi eagerly devouring the dish, his face displaying a satisfied smile.

Her pancreas shouldn't have any issues now, right? Kyousuke Hojo thought to himself.

"You made it yourself?!"

Sakura Yamauchi looked up in surprise at the boy her age.

"Kyousuke, did you make this yourself?"

Sakura's mother, Maki Yamauchi, also asked with astonishment.

"Yes, it's not that difficult. Just cut the papaya into balls using a spoon, mix it with milk, and put it in a stew pot."

"Really? You're amazing."

Sakura Yamauchi's excitement was evident in her voice.

"If you like, I can make this for you every morning."

"No, eating it every day would make it lose its deliciousness!"

"Don't worry about that. I can make other desserts too."

"You can make other tasty things?!"

Sakura Yamauchi's eyes sparkled.

"Of course, even this dessert, Milk Custard with Papaya, has many variations. You can add ingredients like silver ear fungus to make Papaya with Snow Fungus. Or add fruits like dragon fruit to make Papaya with Dragon Fruit..."

As Kyousuke Hojo explained, Sakura Yamauchi listened carefully. The boy's words painted a colorful picture in her mind.

"Wow! Kyousuke Hojo, you're like a genius of desserts!"

Sakura Yamauchi looked at Kyousuke Hojo with admiration.

"Hehe, not really."

Kyousuke Hojo smiled modestly.

"But making desserts is a bit troublesome, so I won't do it every day. Only occasionally."

"No problem, occasionally is fine too!"

Sakura Yamauchi nodded vigorously.

"I have a request."

Kyousuke Hojo suddenly said.

"What request?"

Sakura Yamauchi asked curiously.

"Can you run with me again tomorrow morning?"

Kyousuke Hojo looked at Sakura Yamauchi, his eyes sincere.

"I don't want to! Running is so tiring, I almost died today!"

Sakura Yamauchi protested immediately.

"But... I'll bring you something delicious again."

Kyousuke Hojo added with a smile.

"Delicious things again? What kind of delicious things?"

Sakura Yamauchi's eyes brightened.

"Tomorrow, I'll make you Tofu Pudding."

"Tofu Pudding? Is it really tasty?"

Sakura Yamauchi was skeptical.

"It's very delicious, I promise."

Kyousuke Hojo said confidently.

"I don't believe you! How about this, I'll run with you tomorrow, and if the Tofu Pudding is really delicious, I'll run with you the day after tomorrow too!"

Sakura Yamauchi bargained.

"Deal!"

Kyousuke Hojo extended his hand, and Sakura Yamauchi shook it, sealing their agreement.

And so, amidst the aroma of Milk Custard with Papaya, and with the promise of Tofu Pudding, the friendship between Sakura Yamauchi and Kyousuke Hojo deepened. They shared laughter, running, and delicious desserts, forming a connection that would become an important part of their childhood memories.