At the Haruno household, after Sasaki left.
Knock, knock.
"Come in~"
After hearing his sister's response, Haruno Ayato carried the prepared meal to her bedside.
"Sister, is your foot feeling better?"
He asked softly as he placed the meal tray on the bedside table.
Seeing the worry on the boy's face, Haruno Kasumi leaned against the headboard, stretched out her hand, and smoothed his frown.
"It's okay. I just sprained my foot. It's not a serious matter. Why are you looking so sad?"
"I was just worried." Understanding that his sister was indeed alright, the boy picked up the rice porridge, stirred it gently, and asked in a calm and natural tone, "Sister, what do you think of the friend I made today?"
Haruno Kasumi, who thought it was Ayato who wanted her to praise him, smiled and nodded.
"Sasaki-kun is very good, Make sure to treasure this friendship, Ayato ~."
"I will."
After hearing his sister's answer, the boy continued to ask: "Sasaki-kun helped my sister today, Shouldn't we thank him somehow?"
Taking the rice porridge from his brother, Haruno Kasumi nodded in agreement, and then asked: "But how should I express my gratitude?"
Facing the girl's inquiry, Haruno Ayato, who had already prepared something in his mind, pretended to think for a while and then said: "I haven't asked Sasaki what he usually likes, so maybe not a gift... How about you make him a bento?"
Haruno Kasumi did not refuse this proposal but was a little worried.
"Isn't that a bit too simple?"
"Then sister, you could make it for a few days. Tomorrow, when we eat together, you can casually ask him what he likes to eat."
"Eh?" Realizing Ayato meant for her to personally deliver it, the girl hesitated slightly.
After all, if a girl gives a boy a bento made by herself, then the meaning of the bento changes...
Love lunch boxes and stuff...it's obviously something lovers should do...
Facing his sister's hesitation, Haruno Ayato, determined to play the supporting role, gently reassured her.
"It's just a gesture of thanks, nothing more. It's just between the three of us. No one will think too much about it."
"Well... okay then." Unable to find a reason to refuse and convinced by Ayato's bizarre reasonable argument, the girl agreed after thinking about it for a while.
And Haruno Ayato, who had put an end to the thought of Kasumi-san and just regarded her as a sister, heard her agree, and said, "I still have homework to review, I'll come back to clean up later," and left the room.
Watching the closed door, he then sighed bitterly.
If possible, he naturally wouldn't want to just hand over the sister who had grown up with him.
But he knew his shortcomings.
He was indecisive, had a weak temper, and had no ability to protect his sister.
And his advantages... He didn't know what advantages he had, and some of them were just his liking for Sister Kasumi.
But because he loves her, he wants her to be happy, just as she has always looked after him, wishing him well.
And Sasaki...was the only person he could currently find capable of protecting Sister Kasumi.
Although he wasn't sure of his fighting ability, judging from the fact that he could face those delinquent girls without any scruples this morning meant he was definitely stronger than himself.
Coupled with his own attitude towards himself, and the fact that his sister didn't seem to dislike him, was why he decided to step aside and even help him.
Of course, if he wants to establish a relationship with his sister, he first needs to deal with the gangsters that often harasses Kasumi-nee.
Otherwise, Haruno Ayato could either assist or dig holes for him.
The person who was unable to protect his sister was just another version of himself.
He would never allow anything bad to happen to his sister.
In his heart, nothing was more important than his sister's happiness.
…...
"Two minutes..."
"It could probably be faster."
Arriving at the doorstep, Sasaki muttered to himself while looking at the time on his phone screen.
Without breaking a sweat or losing breath, he had not dared to run too fast because there were people on the road just now.
Judging from the speed at which he started, he even had the thought of hopping over houses.
But a strong physique also brought with it vigorous energy.
After a day full of excitement, thinking about hugging and kissing Otome without restraint soon, he felt a rush of blood to his head.
"Phew..."
After letting out a breath and patting his face, Sasaki calmed down and took out the key.
Click——
After entering the house, before he could put on his slippers, Otome, who had already noticed the movement at the door, came over wearing an apron and took the schoolbag in his hand.
"You're back so late... Are you hungry? Dinner's ready, all your favorites. If you're tired, you can take a bath first; the water is ready..."
Hearing the soft heart-warming words in his ears, Sasaki stopped changing his shoes and looked up at the girl standing in front of him.
The warm light above the entranceway splashed down, reflecting her cherry pink hair, reaching down to her hips, and her face beamed with joy as if welcoming her husband home.
But her eyes, as blue and clear as the sky, contained a slight resentment and complaint for her husband's 'wild outings'.
Even the pink and moist little mouth was slightly pursed, expressing her dissatisfaction.
But the yellow apron she was still wearing, and the water stains on it that looked like they had just been smeared, both expressed her eagerness when she came out.
Looking at the girl's attire and her words just like a housewife, Sasaki's heart seemed to be stirred by something.
Stepping forward with his socks on, he wrapped his arms around Otome in front of him with a smile on his face.
Feeling the real warmth in his arms, he lowered his head nuzzled her soft and fair cheek, then gently kissed her slender, fair neck.
At her slightly trembling movements, Sasaki leaned back, held her soft little face in his hands, and asked with a smile:
"Is that all?"
"Hm?" After hearing Fuyumi's question, Sakuragi Otome, whose small face was held in his hands, blinked and expressed doubts.
Seeing that she really didn't understand, Sasaki, with a smile still on his lips, leaned closer to her soft and cool ear and guided her in a low voice.
"You should say it like this."
"Welcome back, a na ta (honey, darling), Would you like dinner? Would you like to take a bath? Or perhaps... you'd like to 'eat' me first?"
As Sasaki finished speaking, Sakuragi Otome, blushed furiously, her ear's tips stiffening in embarrassment.
She was about to reach out and pinch this shameless guy, but Sasaki, who had long anticipated this possibility, slid his hands down before she could and touched her small, soft hands.
The five fingers intertwined, tightly fitting.
He looked at Otome who was so embarrassed that even her neck was rosy, smiled softly, and slowly leaned his head towards her.
Sensing his intention amidst his burning breath that left her dazed, the girl mustered her last bit of rationality, raised her head, and whispered softly.
"No, we can't, this is the entryway…"
But before he could finish his words, Sasaki took the cherry blossom-flavored gummy candy in his mouth.
Both eyes felt each other's softness and coolness.
The thick and hot breaths intertwined with each other, merged and finally became indistinguishable from each other.
But as they were desperately indulging in each other's taste, a lively and energetic voice from outside the house broke into Sasaki's ears.
"Brother, you just finished dinner and you weren't watching TV at home. Why did you come to see Brother Fuyumi?"
"I asked Otome just now., and seems that Fuyumi hasn't come back yet."
"If he hasn't come back, then he hasn't. Didn't Sister Otome say that Fuyumi-nii is going to the club today and will be home late? Let's go home and watch TV."
"Rinka, stop pulling me, we're already here."
Hearing the familiar voice of conversation, Sasaki tilted his head back, broke the silver cord that connected the passion between the two, and gently squeezed Otome's little hand.
Looking at the girl's hazy and doubtful eyes, Sasaki pursed his lips in displeasure.
"Kazuki and Rinka are here."
"Ah!" After hearing Fuyumi's words, Sakuragi Otome, who was originally in a daze, suddenly widened her eyes.
In a panic and embarrassment, she frantically arranged the apron sandwiched between her breasts and the white shirt that was almost crumpled into a ball.
"Don't worry, don't worry, they'll take a while to get here. You go hide in the bathroom for now."
Seeing the girl stomping her feet like an ant on a hot pot, the boy smiled and comforted her.
Yet, noticing the amusement on his face, Otome, flushed with embarrassment and annoyance, gave him a light punch.
"Still laughing, it's all because of you."
"Alright, alright, it's all my fault. Go on, don't panic." After caressing her flushed, hot face, Sasaki gently nudged her tender waist and pushed her into the bathroom.
After throwing the school bag Otome handed him before entering the bathroom onto the sofa, he had just taken a sip of water when the doorbell rang.
'Thank goodness I locked the door.