Life In The Limelight : I Married A Gamer Girl-Chapter 67: Parental Nightmare Part 2

During the visit, Kazuma decided to cook a special meal for Masako. He had always loved cooking for her, seeing how her golden eyes lit up with every bite, the way she happily hummed while eating, and how she would always lean on him afterward, full and content.

As he finished plating the dishes, Masako, sitting at the dining table, smiled at him. "Dear, can you make some for my parents too?"

Kazuma paused mid-step.

The thought alone made his stomach twist. After how they had treated him earlier, why would he want to put in the effort for them? He had no problem spoiling Masako—she was his world—but Keiko and Hideo?

He let out a small sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. He didn't want to, especially with the way Hideo belittled him and how Keiko constantly flirted with him in front of everyone.

But then Masako gave him that look—the soft, pleading one, the one that made it impossible to say no.

Kazuma exhaled in defeat. "Fine. But only because you asked."

Masako beamed. "Thank you, dear."

Grumbling to himself, Kazuma doubled the portions and set up extra plates for Keiko and Hideo. He carried them to the table, setting them down in front of all three of them—Masako, her mother, and her father.

Masako was the first to take a bite. The moment the food hit her tongue, she let out a delighted sigh. "Mmm! Dear, this is amazing!"

Keiko, being overly dramatic as usual, took a bite and moaned exaggeratedly. "Oh my~! Kazuma, this is delicious. If only my husband cooked like this~"

Kazuma ignored her completely.

Hideo, however, sat silently for a moment, chewing. Kazuma noticed the small twitch of his eyebrow—the kind that suggested he liked it.

But, of course, Hideo would never admit that.

Instead, he snorted loudly and leaned back in his chair. "Hmph. This is unseasoned trash."

Masako rolled her eyes. "Dad, stop. It's delicious, and you know it."

Kazuma stayed silent, deciding to let Masako handle him.

But then, Hideo glanced at him, his gaze filled with cold amusement.

"What's the matter, boy? Did your parents never teach you how to cook?" He smirked, then chuckled darkly. "Oh, that's right. You don't have any."

The room fell into silence.

Masako's entire body stiffened.

Kazuma gripped the edge of the table, his knuckles turning white.

That one... hurt.

He was used to Hideo's insults—they were expected at this point—but bringing up the fact that Kazuma was an orphan? That was a new low.

Masako's voice cut through the silence.

"Dad." Her voice was dangerously quiet.

Hideo didn't stop. "What? It's not my fault he came from nothing. And yet, somehow, my daughter still thinks he's worth something." He scoffed. "I'll never understand it."

Kazuma slowly released his grip on the table. He wouldn't let this man get to him.

But Masako?

She was shaking with anger.

Her golden eyes burned as she turned to her father. "You're disgusting," she spat.

Hideo looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Masako, don't be so dramatic—"

"I said," she hissed, "you're disgusting."

Hideo blinked, caught off guard by the sheer rage in her tone.

Masako reached for Kazuma's hand, intertwining her fingers with his. "Kazuma is a better man than you'll ever be. He didn't need parents to teach him how to be a good person. He did that on his own."

Kazuma squeezed her hand in return, grateful beyond words.

Keiko, watching the exchange, let out an amused hum. "Ooooh, Hideo, looks like your daughter's completely wrapped around this boy's finger~"

Hideo scoffed but said nothing else.

Kazuma took a slow breath, then forced himself to relax. He wasn't going to let this bastard get in his head.

Instead, he focused on Masako.

She looked at him, eyes still blazing with anger on his behalf, her grip on his hand tight. She was always on his side. That was all that mattered.

After dinner, Kazuma went to the bathroom to wash his hands.

He let the warm water run over his fingers, exhaling softly. The visit had been just as draining as he expected. The only reason he was even tolerating it was Masako.

But just as he reached for the hand towel, he felt something soft press against his back.

A voice purred in his ear.

"Mmm... Kazuma, dear, you really are a fine young man, aren't you?"

Kazuma's entire body tensed. It was Keiko. Before he could turn around, her hands ran along his chest, and she rubbed her massive boobs against his back.

"You don't need to be so loyal, you know," she whispered, pressing closer. "A woman like me can show you things my daughter can't~"

Then, she tried to kiss his neck.

Smack!

Without thinking, Kazuma's muscle memory kicked in—his body reacted before his brain even fully processed it.

He slapped Keiko across the face. The bathroom went dead silent. Keiko stood there, blinking in shock.

Kazuma turned around, his blue eyes dark with anger. His hands shook with how disgusted he was.

"My body belongs to Masako and Masako alone," Kazuma said, his voice firm and unyielding. "If you ever touch me like that again, I will call the police on you."

Keiko, still holding her cheek, suddenly giggled.

"Oh, Kazuma, you're so cute," she said, her tone mocking. "You think a woman like me would actually get in trouble for something like this? Please, dear. Society isn't built that way."

Kazuma clenched his jaw. "Try me."

Keiko smirked, running a hand through her hair. "You really are devoted, aren't you?"

Kazuma didn't answer. He simply pushed past her, stepping out of the bathroom before she could try anything else.

The moment he walked back into the living room, he locked eyes with Masako.

She immediately saw the anger in his face.

She stood up instantly, walking over. "Dear? What happened?"

Kazuma exhaled, running a hand through his hair. He didn't want to ruin the night for Masako, but he also couldn't just stay silent about this.

"...Your mother just tried to kiss me," he muttered, his voice low but filled with anger. "She—she pressed up against me, Masako. I slapped her."

Masako's entire body stiffened.

For a moment, the entire room went silent.

Then, Masako turned toward the bathroom just as Keiko stepped out, smirking.

Masako's golden eyes blazed with fury.

"Mom." Her voice was ice cold. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

Keiko let out a fake sigh. "Oh, darling, don't overreact—"

"Get out."

Keiko blinked. "What?"

"I said get out." Masako's hands shook with anger. "I put up with your disgusting behavior for years, but you crossed the line today."

"Oh, honey, it was just a joke—"

Masako stepped forward, eyes burning. "A joke? You're saying sexually harassing my husband was a joke?"

Keiko's smirk wavered.

Masako's voice dropped to a deadly whisper. "You are never welcome in my home again."

Keiko, realizing that Masako was serious, let out an annoyed huff. "Fine, fine. You're overreacting, but whatever. I'll go."

Masako crossed her arms. "Good."

Keiko turned toward Hideo, who had been watching silently from the couch. "Are you coming?"

Hideo simply grunted. "I told you this would happen."

Keiko rolled her eyes and grabbed her bag. "Well, Kazuma, it was fun seeing you again~"

Kazuma didn't respond. He just stood beside Masako, his hand gripping hers tightly.

As Keiko finally walked out the door, Masako let out a shaky breath before turning to Kazuma.

"Dear," she whispered, stepping closer. "I'm so sorry."

Kazuma immediately wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug. "It's not your fault, sweetie."

She buried her face into his chest, breathing in his familiar scent. "I should have cut her off sooner..."

Kazuma stroked her hair gently. "You did what you had to do. And now? She's gone. That's what matters."

Masako nodded against him. "I love you, dear. More than anything."

Kazuma pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I love you too, sweetie."

As the night settled, Masako and Kazuma held onto each other, knowing that no matter what happened, they always had each other.