Feeling surprised and amused, Sasaki, though tempted to stop her playful antics, decided this wasn't a significant disruption and allowed her to continue enthusiastically pulling off his sock.
Feeling the skin of his instep rubbing against the softness of the stockinged sole,
The warm, silky touch made him briefly imagine how much more comfortable it might be to have those soft feet pressing against his.... well,
With that thought, he maintained his composure and finished his breakfast.
After the dishes were cleared, Sasaki finally tapped Rinka on the head.
Glancing at Otome, who was busy washing dishes and oblivious to their interaction, he whispered a warning, "Don't do this next time. If Otome finds out, see how you explain it."
It was precisely because of the fear of being discovered that she had resorted to such subtle foot play.
Otherwise, she certainly wouldn't have settled for just that.
Thus, faced with Sasakis warning, Rinka seemed indifferent.
Looking at Otome's back turned to them, she pouted her dewy, cherry-petal-like lips and protested with a kick,
"You enjoyed it too, after all, you didn't refuse, but now you're blaming me~"
'I'll remember that!'
Watching her teasing and then putting on a wronged expression, Sasaki's lips curled into a slight cold smile, but he said nothing.
Okino Rinka, who was keenly aware of something bad, rolled his eyes, bared his fangs and threatened: "If you smile like this again, I will be so scared that my legs will weaken, and I would not be able to make it tonight."
Not taking her threat seriously, Sasaki still had a slightly sarcastic sneer on his lips as he responded, "If you don't come over, I'll tell Otome that you snuck into my bed at midnight trying to seduce me."
"The quilt still has the scent of your shower gel on it; ours are different, Otome will smell it immediately."
"You!"
The only real hurdle in Rinka's heart now was Otome.
So hearing Sasaki's words, she bit her little tiger teeth in annoyance.
If she had been caught after an actual affair, that'd be one thing, as getting scolded would be justified since 'the rice is already cooked.'
But being wrongly accused before anything had happened?
That was a loss she couldn't afford.
So, after hearing Sasaki's threat, she clenched her teeth and managed to spit out, "Who said I'm not coming? I'll make you beg for mercy! Hmph!"
"Ha ha~"
Looking at her furrowed eyebrows, bared teeth, and huffy expression, along with her bold declaration, Sasaki couldn't help but burst out laughing.
His laughter also caught the attention of Otome, who was washing dishes.
Turning around, she saw Fuyumi laughing uncontrollably and Rinka grinding her teeth in anger, her face flushed red.
Confused, Otome wiped her hands and walked over to them, taking Rinka's hand, "Is he bullying you? Do you want me to teach him a lesson?"
As she spoke, she even turned her head and glared at the guy who was smiling even more happily.
Without waiting for Rinka to reply, Sasaki wiped the corners of his eyes, smiled and waved his hand: "I didn't bully her, it was she who told me a joke that made me laugh."
Seeing his seemingly honest expression, Otome looked down at Rinka, who was pursing her lips, her cheeks burning red.
Facing Sister Otome's inquiring gaze and fearing she might ask what the joke was, Rinka quickly scratched her head and laughed awkwardly, "Uh... yeah, we were just messing around. Oh, are you done, Sister Otome? I'll go get your bag."
Eager to avoid further questioning, she quickly stood up and ran upstairs.
As she passed Sasaki, she lightly nudged his chair as a sign for him to keep quiet.
Looking at Rinka's retreating figure,
Otome untied her apron and stepped over to Sasaki, giving him a light punch, "Rinka is upset with Kazuki now and doesn't want to go home. Don't make her even more upset."
Though she didn't know the content of their conversation, Otome was well aware of Sasaki's gluttonous nature.
Although she was surprised that even though Rinka had come over last night and nothing had happened between the two.
She originally thought that Fuyumi felt pity for Rinka, and was afraid that she wouldn't be able to bear it, so he didn't take action.
But his laughter and her annoyed, embarrassed state just now made her suspect otherwise.
After all, there were examples as such her and Tsukimi-san.
So it wasn't hard for Sakuragi Otome to think too much about whether Fuyumi liked the type with plump figures.
As for Rinka... although she had a lot of room for growth, given the current situation, she might not be in Fuyumi's liking range?
In his eyes, was she merely a sister figure?
So was all this just Rinka's wishful thinking?
With these thoughts, Otome considered whether she should buy some papaya and milk after school.
After all, she was still young... perhaps it wasn't too late to help her...
Unaware of Otome's brainstorming, Sasaki pulled her into his arms as she softly chided him, "I wasn't upsetting her; we were just playing around. You know how mischievous Rinka can be."
Holding her slightly cold hands from dishwashing, he nestled in her embrace, and grumbled, "You're accusing me wrongly, now I'm upset. What do you think we should do about it?"
Preventing his overstepping hands from causing more mischief, Otome bit her lip, her body going soft as she whispered, "
"Don't~ Not here—It can't be done here. Rinka will be here in a while. You can do whatever you want later~ Stop making trouble~"
"You said it."
Hearing these words his eyes gleamed as Sasaki lifted his head from her embrace and whispered into her blushing ear, "I have a bunny outfit in my cabinet... Take it to your room after you get home, and we can play..."
As the smile at the corner of his mouth became more and more unrestrained, Sakuragi Otome's pretty face, which was already red and hot, became as rosy and attractive as a ripe fruit.
Despite feeling overwhelmingly shy,
Because of Rinka failures, Otome, who was fighting alone, found herself without room to refuse.
So, she just nodded shyly in agreement.
"Mm~"
After hearing the reply that sounded like a mosquito, Sasaki, who was in a good mood, couldn't help but put a stamp on Otome's rosy face.
Although he wanted to stay close a bit longer.
But hearing Rinka's footsteps coming downstairs, Otome quickly got up from his embrace and adjusted her crumpled shirt.
.
.
Once downstairs, handling the trio's backpacks,
Rinka bounced over to hand Sasaki his bag, then, noticing Otome's still-flushed cheeks, couldn't help but cover her mouth and tease:
"You two really are inseparable, huh? Such a honeymoon vibe~"
"Rinka-chan~"
Having just straightened her clothes, Otome, hearing her teasing remark, couldn't help but call out in a shy rebuke.
"Alright, alright, I'll stop talking about it. We should head to school now, let's go~"
Okino Rinka, who knew it was time to call it a day, walked to Sakuragi Otome with a smile, linked arms with her and quickly heading toward the entrance:
"Brother Fuyumi, close the door."
"Got it, got it."
Looking at the backs of the two chatting and laughing, Sasaki responded and followed him with his schoolbag.