Tadano: "However, your siblings are still around, so I'll wait for you, hehe..." I said as I gave her a playful slap on the butt.
She jumped and let out a strange yelp.
Then she looked at me with an annoyed expression while hitting my chest.
I laughed at her reaction.
Before we could do anything else, the kids returned.
Seeing them, I said,
Tadano: "Alright, kids, who wants to watch a movie?"
All three raised their hands.
I then put on a family movie in the player, and we sat down to watch it together.
I sat next to Nene with both twins in front of us.
Nana had decided to sit on my lap before anyone else could.
After the movie ended, both kids were starting to fall asleep, and little Nana was already asleep, clutching her plush toy.
I helped Nene put them to bed, and then we returned to the living room.
When I sat down and started looking for something to watch on TV, Nene looked at me with some conflict on her face.
I looked at her and said.
Tadano: "Do you want to sit on my lap too?" I said, mostly joking, but I was a little surprised when she nodded.
Then I smiled and pulled her towards me.
Wrapping my arms around her, we watched TV for a while longer.
I don't know when, but we both fell asleep.
Before I could say anything, the sound of the door opening alerted me.
Before I could react, a middle-aged woman entered the room.
She looked very much like Nene and stared at us in surprise.
Nene, still half-asleep on my lap.
Nene: "Uhmm? What's happening? Did one of the kids wake up?" mumbled, in a sleepy tone while rubbing her eyes.
Then she saw her mother, and her eyes widened.
Her mother looked at us for a moment and then gave her daughter a playful smile.
Nene's Mother: "Hehe, so Nene... who is this handsome young man here?" her mother asked playfully.
Nene: "Ehm... Well... I... He..." entered a panic and couldn't form words.
Seeing her chaotic state, I stood up and looked at the woman.
Tadano: "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Onemine... I'm Hitohito Tadano, your daughter's boyfriend and future husband," I said while giving a bow.
The woman froze in surprise and then asked, still somewhat incredulous.
Nene's Mother: "H-Husband... Eh?! Are you serious?"
Tadano: "Of course, ma'am..." I said firmly.
Nene's mother looked me up and down and then took my face in her hands.
Nene's Mother: "Hmmm... well... you're handsome and have a good build, good material. As expected from my daughter, she has a good eye for men like her mother," the woman said with a proud smile.
Nene: "Mama!" shouted, very embarrassed by her mother's comments.
Nene's Mother: "Oh, come on, dear... there's nothing to be embarrassed about if you like handsome guys. On the contrary, mama is happy that you could find such a good catch and even willing to marry you. Mama is very moved, you know?" said the woman with some tears welling up in her eyes.
"Mom!!!" Nene yelled.
Nene's Mother: "Well, leaving the jokes aside... it's a pleasure to meet you, Tadano-Kun. My name is May Onemine. I'm grateful to you for taking care of my daughter. I've heard mentions of you from my daughter... Aww, just remembering her dreamy face and love-struck eyes makes mama very moved," said the woman.
Nene: "Mom!!! You're embarrassing me!!!" said, her face completely red, only God knows how much was anger and how much was embarrassment.
May: "Alright... Alright... I'm leaving now... my, how fast kids grow these days," said the woman as she left the room.
Nene covered her face with her hands, a big cloud of steam coming out of her head.
I laughed at the scene.
She turned and looked at me with an annoyed expression.
I raised my hands in the air in surrender.
She pouted and then hugged me.
Nene: "That was so embarrassing..."
Tadano: "I think your mother loves you a lot..." I said while rubbing her back.
Before she could respond, May's head popped back through the doorway.
May: "Just in case, remember I don't want grandchildren until you graduate..." she said in a teasing tone before quickly retreating, dodging a cushion aimed in her direction.
We could hear May's laughter as she walked away.
Nene's face looked defenseless.
I just laughed while ruffling her hair.
*Some time later*
I found myself hugging Nene at the door.
Nene: "Do you really have to go? You can stay the night, you know?" she said, tightening her grip and deepening our embrace.
Tadano: "Come on, darling, don't be like that. I'll see you at school, you know?" I responded in a consoling tone.
Nene: "I know, but... I want to spend more time together..." she said, pulling back a little to press our lips together.
Nene: "Come on, just stay, okay? I can let you..." she tempted me.
I knew she was trying hard, and I really wanted to stay, especially seeing her like this.
But I couldn't just leave my mom and sister alone.
Who knows what kind of trouble they might get into?
Pushing aside my wandering thoughts, I looked at Nene in front of me.
I gave her a gentle kiss on the lips and said.
Tadano: "Don't get so down... remember the gift?" I asked.
She nodded.
Tadano: "Good... then close your eyes."
She obeyed and closed her eyes. After a moment, she felt something on her ears but kept them closed.
Tadano: "Okay, open them..." I said.
She opened her eyes, and in front of her was a hand mirror.
Tadano: "Look at your ears..."
She did and was surprised by what she saw.
On her ears was a pair of beautiful silver earrings, with a lovely carved rabbit design.
Her eyes welled up with tears, and they threatened to fall.
Seeing this, I quickly took her face in my hands and kissed her to calm her down.
Tadano: "Come on... don't be like that. These are so you won't feel lonely. Now, whenever you miss me, look at these earrings, okay?" I said gently.
She nodded and gave me the strongest hug she could.
After spending a little more time consoling her, I said goodbye to Nene and headed home.
When I arrived, I found my mom and sister lying on the floor with pale expressions.
Panic set in, and I quickly lifted my mom.
Tadano: "What happened? Are you okay?!" I asked, trying to contain my turbulent emotions.
Jeanne: "Ah... Hito-Chan... Mom is happy to see you before going to the other side... Mom will always remember you as a great son..." she said weakly.
Tadano: "Mom, hang on and tell me what's wrong? What's the matter?"
Jeanne: "It's just... you didn't leave any food..." she said in a tone worthy of a Korean drama.
I rolled my eyes at her response and let go of her head.
Jeanne: "That hurt, Hito-Chan!" she complained.
Hitomi: "It's true, Onii-Chan, you're really inconsiderate. We're starving while you play with your girlfriends and do bad boy things in the street," said reproachfully.
Tadano: "You little brat... looks like I need to show you why I'm the big brother here!" I said, approaching my disobedient younger sister.
Seeing me approach, she got up and, as if her previous pitiful state had never existed, fled as fast as Usain Bolt.
I rolled my eyes at the quick change and chased after her.
*Some time later*
"Hito-Chan's cooking is as delicious as always~" my mom said, resting one of her hands on her cheek.
"You didn't have to be so aggressive with me, you know?" Hitomi said, rubbing her red cheeks.
"Who asked you to provoke me? It's your fault for not respecting your older brother," I said, pointing at her with my chopsticks.
Hitomi rolled her eyes at me and stuck out her tongue.
After finishing eating, I took the dishes to the kitchen and washed them. While doing so, my mom approached me.
"Hito-Chan... your father asks if you need any help. He said he can't help you personally to avoid suspicion, but he can have Kaguya help you with the excuse that you're one of her friends..." my mom said while drying the dishes beside me.
I thought for a second.
Shinomiya: "It's not a bad idea... with her help, it would be very easy to find Ai's whereabouts, and it would be easier to recruit Saitou. It would also be possible to conquer her... you can't deny she has her charm," she said with a meaningful look on her face.
"I understand, but..."
Shinomiya: "Think about it a bit. Anyway, we'll be going to Shuchiin tomorrow; it would be a great help."
After thinking it over for a bit, I nodded.
"Okay... I need help with something..." I replied to my mom.
Author's note: "Well, here's the chapter. This would be the last part of that chapter. By the way, regarding what I mentioned about Aqua and Ruby earlier, I definitely plan to bring in the babies. The thing is, I'm not exactly sure how their deaths and subsequent transformation into babies will happen, given that Ai's death and her relationship with Kamiki Hikaru don't exist. Although I'll probably kill them in the most painful way I can think of. I'm seeking advice regarding the introduction of the babies and also suggestions about changes in their appearance. I'm thinking of having them inherit Ai's hair color since Tadano's is just black, or maybe a mix, I'm not sure yet. Feel free to give ideas; we still have time before we reach that point. With that said, remember to drink plenty of water, and know that I care about you all very much. Affectionately, your favorite depressive author."
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