As the dawn broke, a sliver of sunlight pierced through the curtains and landed on the thick carpet.
The warm glow mingled with the room's intimate aroma, creating a particularly languid and charming atmosphere.
The tall, snow-skinned girl clung to Sasaki like a magnet so closely that not even a sliver of space could be found between them.
In this tranquil embrace, the two slept peacefully.
Suddenly, a jarring ringtone from a phone erupted this peace.
Ring, ring, ring—
"Hmm~"
Amidst the murmurs of the girl in his arms, Sasaki, with eyes still closed, reached for the phone and answered the call.
"Hello?"
His greeting, hoarse and muffled, made the person on the other end question skeptically:
"Hello! Don't tell me you're still not up yet? We're already packing up here."
Hearing this familiar, imperiously charming voice, the boy, the boy's still somewhat groggy eyes instantly widened as he sat up.
"What? No, I'm just brushing my teeth. Isn't it normal to sound a bit muffled?"
"Hmph, you'd better be brushing your teeth."
Not dwelling on this matter, Yuuka continued:
"We should be done packing soon. If there's no traffic, it should take us about half an hour to get there."
"Just stay at home and don't wander off. If I arrive and you're not there..."
Though she didn't finish her sentence, the threat in her tone almost spilled out through the phone.
Not liking to argue with her about this, Sasaki simply agreed reluctantly.
"Yes, yes, I'll definitely be at home."
"Fuyumi~ Hmm~"
"Hug~"
As Yuuka was about to pass the phone to Koharu next to her, a soft yet slightly hoarse voice suddenly came through the phone.
Hearing this, her eyes that were originally filled with joy and laughter, instantly turned sharp as she questioned with a hostile tone:
"What's going on? I thought I heard a girl's voice. You haven't done something behind our backs, have you?"
"What girl? I'm just spitting out toothpaste."
However, the boy's tone was indifferent and carried a hint of resignation, not at all like someone caught in the act.
Thinking she might have misheard, Yuuka's sharp and irritated look gradually faded, but admitting her mistake was still out of the question.
"Once I get there, you better show me spitting that toothpaste again. If it doesn't match, hmm~"
"Okay! I recorded it, and when you get here, I'll tell Auntie you bullied me."
"You!"
Glancing back at her mom, who was still packing things, Yuuka gritted her teeth and said:
"You despicable villain! Delete this recording right now!"
"I won't—I won't—what can you do about it? Nyeh nyeh~"
"You brat, getting cocky, huh! I'll..."
"Stop it~"
Koharu, with a gentle and soothing tone, interrupted her sister.
Her cute face was adorned with a gentle smile as she took the phone from her sister's grasp.
Listening to the laughter from the phone, and looking at the girl whose hair seemed almost to bristle with anger, she said to her sister,
"If you keep scaring Sasaki like this, be careful he might really complain about you~ And then I won't speak up for you."
"Tch~ I..."
Just as she was about to retort with something defiant, Yuuka noticed her mother glancing their way and quickly said:
"I'm sorry, okay? I was wrong, happy now?"
"It's not convincing, can't hear you, is that supposed to be an apology with such a quite voice?"
"You!"
As she glanced at her mother who was no longer looking their way, Yuuka puffed up her white blouse and glared at the name displayed on the call screen, her teeth gritted:
"Don't push me too far! Be careful, or I'll dig out what you hid under your bed when you were a kid..."
"I was wrong, I was wrong, Sister Yuuka, it's my fault, I spoke too loudly just now."
Before she could finish talking about the comic about cars she had found under his bed a long time ago, Tachibana Yuuka heard the hurried apology coming through the phone and couldn't help but smirk:
"Not convincing, I can't hear it, say it again!"
"I'm sorr—"
"I can't hear, I really can't hear you, you..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Koharu, who was momentarily stunned by her sister's earlier remarks, twisted her body, stopping Sasaki from apologizing again and warned her smug sister:
"Don't scare Fuyumi anymore."
"It's always Sister Koharu who's the best~"
Hearing the affection in the phone that was distinctly warmer than hers, Yuuka frowned unhappily and leaned closer to the phone:
"Aren't I nice to you?"
"You are, Sister Yuuka, kiss..."
Although she often bullied him and teased him when they were younger, Sister Yuuka really was good to him.
Whatever she had, she would give to him first.
Even if the process wasn't smooth, she indeed gave it to him, so Sasaki was not speaking against his will.
"As long as you don't curse me in your heart, it's fine, even a kiss~"
Glancing at her sister who was watching her, Yuuka feigned disgust and rolled her eyes.
But the smile curling up like a crescent moon betrayed her true feelings.
Feeling that Sasaki was closer to her sister, the latter turned slightly and stopped her from talking further, instead she started talking to the boy herself.
"Hey, Fuyumi, have you eaten yet?"
"Not yet, I'm waiting for Sister Koharu to come over and cook for me~"
Even though this made her very happy, Koharu still gently advised:
"Make sure to eat on time, otherwise it's easy to get sick."
"Then, Sister Koharu, you'll have to take good care of me from now on."
"Alright~"
After a brief chat, Sasaki, who was rubbing Momo's cheeks with one hand, heard Aunt Kyouka calling from the other end of the phone.
"Koharu, Yuuka, have you put your things in the car?"
"Just did, just did."
"We'll talk when we get there, remember not to run around."
"See you later, Fuyumi~"
"Mm, bye-bye~"
After hanging up the phone, he tossed the phone aside and then lightly slapped the high, thin blanket that was covering her.
"Bad Momo, you almost got me in trouble."
"If Sister Yuuka finds out I have a girlfriend, who knows how long the fuss will last."
The girl didn't care much about his strengthless slaps.
Sitting up, letting the thin blanket slide off, revealing her dazzling, snow-white skin, she leaned into Sasaki's arms and asked sweetly:
"Why?"
"Because..."
Sasaki briefly explained Yuuka's previous excuse, 'bad girls love your type of looks.'
After give a brief explanation, he sat up.
"Alright, I need to get up quickly. They'll be at my house soon."
.
.
.
.
After saying goodbye to Kashiwabara Momo the first thing Sasaki did after sprinting home was to throw the casual clothes he'd only worn for a day into the washing machine.
With only a little time left, there wasn't enough time for a bath, but a quick shower was still possible.
After the shower, feeling flawless, Sasaki, wearing shorts and a short-sleeved shirt, drank some cold tea and took a deep breath.
But before he could check his room again, the doorbell rang at the entrance.
Ding dong~ Ding dong~
"I'm coming, I'm coming."
Kicking on his sandals, Sasaki quickly walked to the entrance and twisted the doorknob.
But standing at the door wasn't the three beauties from Tachibana Family as he expected.
Although the small person in front of him had the same chestnut hair as Aunt Kyouka, their heights and figures were worlds apart, and their personalities were entirely different, but seeing her still brought joy in his heart.
Her bright amber eyes were lively and beautiful, sparkling with the joy of seeing someone she liked.
Her smooth, chestnut shoulder-length hair was styled in twin tails, shining with a soft and pleasing glow in the morning sunlight.
Looking at the little girl in front of him, dressed in dark blue overalls, showing off her slender, fair legs, Sasaki walked up and ruffled her warm hair:
"Why are you up so early on your day off, instead of sleeping in?"
Not resisting his affectionate head rub, Okino Rinka tilted her head like an obedient little puppy, rubbing against his palm:
"Hehe~ Aunt Kyouka is moving today, so Sister Otome and I came to help."
Knowing she just wanted to see him, while helping was just an excuse, Sasaki didn't foolishly tease her, but instead, smoothed her ponytails and said:
"Then I'll thank Rinka in advance~"
Saying that, he looked up at Otome, who was standing a few steps behind Rinka, her demeanor gentle and virtuous like a housewife.
Perhaps genuinely intending to help, her outfit wasn't too different from Rinka's.
Her smooth, silky hair, likcherry-coloureded satin, was tied into a beautiful high ponytail with a white hairband.
Her outfit, a black work suit, was simple yet stylish.
Since it was already late May, heading into June, wearing all black could be a bit hot.
Of course, it might also be uncomfortable to button up completely.
So Otome's top wasn't buttoned up like Rinka's but was styled as an open cardigan.
Looking at the white, large, and raised white tank top under her black work short-sleeve, Sasaki didn't know if Otome felt hot... but he certainly did.
Well... Tokyo can be a bit warm...