Click-click~
Click~
Suddenly, his ears twitched slightly, and Sasaki moved the snack bag that had been between the girls on his lap, and said:
"I'm going to turn on the light."
"Eh? Why turn on the light all of a sudden?"
"It's too dark. We're supposed to be watching a horror movie, but Sister Koharu doesn't seem scared at all, and we've been talking the whole time anyway."
Since Sasaki's return, both had been paying little attention to the movie, so Tachibana Yuuka didn't say much more.
"Then go ahead."
Standing up and walking to the switch near the entrance, Sasaki 'clicked' on the light.
Then, as if inadvertently, he glanced in the direction of the downstairs bathroom.
Underneath the stairs, a tall yet plump silhouette stood there.
From the white towel wrapped around her, it was clear she had just come out of the shower.
Her face, moisturized and gleaming with a thin layer of vapor, flushed a translucent red from the warm steam, making her skin look as delicate and vibrant as that of a young girl.
The juicy, ripe appearance of her, like a freshly picked peach, was lush and enticing.
Kyouka, who had just out of the bath, stood at the bathroom door, her wet, slightly disheveled chestnut hair naturally falling over, covering her astonished eyes.
Compared to her usual conservative uniforms, this appearance of her, because of the un-dried water droplets on her body, fully revealed her graceful figure.
Thanks to his sharp eyesight, even with Kyouka standing in the dim area under the stairs, Sasaki could clearly see the tiny droplets glistening on her exquisite collarbone.
Perhaps startled by the boy suddenly turning on the light,
Her sudden straightening caused the water droplets, barely clinging to her smooth skin, to plunge into the fluffy towel.
The trails of water droplets, clear for Sasaki to see, made his throat dry.
But what truly captivated hus gaze was her tall, impeccable figure.
The plunpness, though not directly exposed, created curves in the towel that no small hand pressing against her chest could calm.
Aware of Sasaki's intense gaze, Tachibana Kyouka kept one hand over her heart steady, while the other subtly pulled down the short towel.
This revealed her full, straight legs and the rounded curves at her waist, outlined more temptingly by the tight towel.
Although Sasaki was mentally prepared before he turned on the light,
Her breathtaking, newly-bathed beauty still made it difficult for him to look away.
Feeling the boy's burning gaze, her heart pounded intensely.
Having never thought that such a situation would happen, Tachibana Kyoka somewhat awkwardly adjusted a strand of hair by her ear, revealing her earlobes flushed red from the steam.
However, seeing that he didn't start talking right away, the mature beauty acted nonchalantly and greeted Sasaki:
"Did you have a good time out with your classmates?"
Suppressing his thoughts of rebellion, Sasaki also acted as if nothing had happened and smiled at her:
"I did, but I'd rather eat the food made by Aunt Kyouka and Sister Koharu."
Before Tachibana Kyouka could respond, Tachibana Yuuka, sitting cross-legged on the sofa, hearing her name not mentioned, complained discontentedly:
"Hey! What do you mean by that? Are you treating us differently? What about me? Don't you want to eat what I cook?"
Pulling on Yuuka's hand, sitting beside her, Koharu chimed in:
"Yuuka... no one really eats what you cook."
Unashamed and unfazed by her sister's critique of her cooking skills,
Tachibana Yuuka, focused on something else, called out loudly:
"Does that really matter? Am I asking him to eat my cooking? I'm talking about his attitude!"
Arguing with her was futile, so Sasaki quickly admitted his mistake.
"I was wrong, Sister Yuuka. I shouldn't have said that."
"But I had my reasons."
Settling back on the sofa and gently pulling her soft hand, he bowed his head and softly kissed her fingertips, whispering:
"Though the meals prepared by Aunt Kyouka and Sister Koharu are delicious, they can't compare to you."
Tachibana Yuuka slightly struggled against the gentle kiss on her palm, and although her dissatisfaction had faded, she still pouted and said:
"Me? What do you mean? I'm not good at cooking."
"What I mean is, Sister Yuuka, you are a feast for the eyes."
Hearing his words, her eyes widened suddenly; feeling a surge of joy being pricked open in her heart, almost spilling out,
Tachibana Yuuka tightly pressed her lips, trying to suppress a smile, and lightly slapped him:
"What are you saying? That's so cheesy."
Rubbing her shoulders as if she couldn't stand it any longer, she stood up and said:
"I'm going upstairs to sleep, you should go take a bath and sleep too."
With that, she quickly went up the stairs in her fluffy slippers.
Tachibana Koharu, reminded by her, realized that Fuyumi hadn't taken a bath since he got back.
He wasn't like the two of them.
They didn't have classes in the morning and could enjoy their evening, but Fuyumi had classes the next day and couldn't keep chatting like this.
With this in mind, she put on her slippers and waved:
"You should go to bed early after your bath, Fuyumi. You have class tomorrow."
"Okay."
"Goodnight, mom."
"Goodnight, Koharu."
Waving back at her daughter.
Tachibana Kyouka, already by the stairs, looked at Sasaki sitting on the sofa and felt that it was a good opportunity to inquire about his views on Yuuka and Koharu.
Under normal circumstances, she wouldn't be so eager.
After all, there was no rush; such questions could be asked any time.
But thinking about his intimacy with her this morning...she felt that she should ask about this matter as soon as possible.
If Fuyumi had romantic feelings for Yuuka or Koharu, she could be reassured.
Because that would mean his affection towards her was purely out of familial attachment.
All these thoughts, they were just overreactions on her part.
The inappropriate ideas that had crept into her mind would, she hoped, dissipate with time.
Wanting to know the outcome,
Tachibana Kyouka pursed her lips, about to voice her questions, but then realized this was the living room.
Discussing this matter here could work, but there was no guarantee that Yuuka or Koharu wouldn't suddenly come downstairs.
If they overheard the conversation…
If Fuyumi liked them, then naturally, there would be no issue.
But if he didn't, it would undoubtedly be a heartbreaking revelation for them.
So, asking here seemed inappropriate.
But inviting him into her room might give him the wrong impression, perhaps thinking she wanted him to give her a massage...
Especially since she had intended to decline just that morning...
She hesitated for a moment.
Feeling that even if she didn't bring it up, Fuyumi might ask about it, Tachibana Kyouka suppressed the embarrassment bubbling inside her and asked aloud:
"After your bath, are you going straight to bed?"
Unaware of the turmoil within her mind,
Sasaki assumed she was either asking about his studies or hinting at wanting a massage and responded with a smile:
"Didn't I promise you this morning, Aunt Kyouka, that I'd give you a massage every night? I'll go to sleep after I've fulfilled that promise."
Although she knew that would be his response,
But hearing that, a blush like that of intoxication still crept over Kyouka's maturely charming face as she replied, embarrassed:
"You have school tomorrow... I shouldn't trouble you this much."
"Young people have plenty of energy; staying up a little late is no big deal."
"Aunt Kyouka has a hard time out there. It's not a big deal if I massage her waist and shoulders."
Waving a hand, Sasaki got up from the sofa and walked over to her, touching her soft, damp shoulders, helping her turn around:
"Just wait a bit, Aunt Kyouka~ I'll be quick with my shower and then I'll help you."
"You can take your time, I don't have much work tomorrow…"
"Then, have a good rest tomorrow morning. Think about it, when was the last time you really had a good night's sleep?"
She didn't respond to his remark.
After all, Kyouka truly couldn't remember the last time she had a proper rest.
Just as she didn't know when was the last time she was genuinely cared for by a man.
Turning her head slightly, glancing at the broad hand resting on her shoulder, suddenly, she wasn't sure she wanted to hear Fuyumi's answer anymore.
...