(POV Chiharu)
“Good morning, Kaito.”
“Wait, your tie is crooked…”
Before I realized it, Chinatsu had gradually been growing closer to Onii-san. She would carefully observe his expressions, inquire about his dinner preferences, and even straighten his slightly askew tie. She already embodied the image of a perfect wife… It was almost tempting to blurt out, “Chinatsu, you’re like a housewife…” However, I refrained from uttering those words, fearful that I might slip out and create an awkward situation.
Chiaki glanced at Chinatsu, her expression filled with surprise as she noticed the change in her behavior. On the other hand, Chifuyu gave her a disapproving look, as if to say, “What’s with that sneaky behavior?” While I watched Onii-san with a look of jealousy in my eyes.
Onii-san, as always, put on a wry smile and smoothly shifted his gaze. I had thought about confronting him, asking how he had become so close to Chinatsu, but I decided against it.
Chinatsu was starting to change. However, that seemed to be the extent of it.
There was no need to ask.
Chinatsu’s transformation was not only evident at home but also at school. Lilia-san, the returnee, initially made her the center of attention as the new transfer student. However, Chinatsu also actively approached her, perhaps because she felt a bit left out in class.
“Oh, um, I am, Chinatsu; your name, please.”
“Oh, I am, Lilia; nice to meet you.”
It was all in Japanese, but I found it quite endearing. Chinatsu, who used to be introverted, was becoming more extroverted. Surely, this was a good thing. I couldn’t help but be amazed at the recent whirlwind of changes. Truly, that’s just how Chinatsu is.
Speaking of which, Lilia-san, despite being a returnee, had an impressive command of the Japanese language. It’s amazing to have such diverse qualities.
I heard she can also speak German and other languages… Wow, maybe I should study various things too. If I do, my younger sisters might look up to me with admiration. A diverse, accomplished older sister… That wouldn’t be so bad, would it…
I briefly considered trying my hand at other languages… But then I remembered that I needed to improve my cooking skills first. I mean, when it comes to cracking eggs, if one out of ten turns out neatly, it’s already considered a success.
Chinatsu, Chiaki, and Chifuyu no longer made mistakes. They made sure to crack the eggs neatly before putting them into the basket.
But as for me… Well, it’s not just my fault. Eggs have too much individuality. They can be too hard, harder than expected, or surprisingly soft, leading me to seriously consider secretly saving up my allowance to buy an automatic egg cracker.
“Onii-san, I can’t crack the eggs…”
“Well, it relies… more on intuition… Let’s practice more. There’s no other way.”
“Yes…”
In the middle of the night, despite practicing secretly together, the eggs just wouldn’t crack neatly. The eggs that became precious sacrifices for my practice ended up being cooked by Onii-san and turned into tomorrow’s breakfast.
“Oh, right… Chiharu.”
“Yes?”
“I also asked Chifuyu this, but I mean… How should I put it? It might sound strange all of a sudden, but… Is it okay if we don’t use formal language? Like, more of a casual way of talking?”
“Huh? Why all of a sudden…”
Onii-san said that with an embarrassed expression. I wonder why he suddenly brought this up, but maybe it was because recently Chinatsu started calling him “Kaito” and asked us to address him more casually.
“Well, um, Chinatsu… She told me that she wants to become a real family with me.”
“Chinatsu…”
“And well, I’ve been thinking the same way for a while… What should I do… So Chinatsu said she would find the best way to make it work without causing any problems. That’s why I thought maybe I should search for the best way too.”
“And that’s why you want to talk casually?”
“Yeah, exactly. If you ask me if this is the absolute best way, I’d have a hard time answering… It’s just that using formal language forever, it’s kind of… I don’t think we have that kind of relationship where one side is superior to the other, you know?”
“……Is that so?”
“Yeah… Chiharu, you’re the same as me and everyone else too. It might be hard to believe at first, but… that’s how I see it and how I’ve always seen it. So, please treat me the same way you treat your sisters.”
“…”
I was impressed by how Onii-san could say such embarrassing lines with ease. I felt that Chinatsu had definitely been influenced by him in that regard.
Not just Chinatsu but also Chiaki and Chifuyu. And… even me… unknowingly…
Certainly, I was also being influenced. Mainly in terms of my sense of humor…
“Indeed, Onii-san is right. It might be good to make a change. After all, we’ve been together for a year and a half… It might sound weird, though…”
“Oh, but if you feel uncomfortable using it, you can always go back to how you used to talk.”
“Onii-san, please let me know if my way of speaking feels strange to you.”
“It probably won’t be an issue, but I will, just in case.”
“Well then… let’s start from now on…”
“Yeah…”
When I actually tried speaking casually, it somehow became difficult to find the right words. Maybe it was because of nervousness, but the topics didn’t come to mind easily. In a slight state of confusion, I searched for a topic and abandoned the thought that came to mind in an instant. I blurted it out without thinking.
“N-Nice to meet you…”
It was an abrupt greeting that seemed completely disconnected from our previous conversation. It made me feel restless because I hadn’t spoken to Onii-san like this before.
“If it’s embarrassing, you don’t have to do it right away, you know?”
“No, it’s okay… Chinatsu is doing it too. I’ll do the same…”
Surely, Chifuyu will also stop using honorifics. If that happens, I’ll be the only one left using them. That’s a bit lonely. It might take some time to get used to it, but if my sisters are doing it, I want to do it too…
If Chifuyu were told by Onii-san to stop using honorifics and start talking casually with each other, I wonder if she would be overjoyed and write a poem or something…
The image of the earnest Chifuyu played in my mind. Valentine’s Day was approaching, and Chifuyu had feelings for Onii-san more than anyone else, and I always saw her trying her best, even though it was hard to get closer.
I want to support her… But lately, even Chinatsu has become attached to Onii-san, and I don’t find it amusing to be overshadowed by him anymore… I know that Onii-san doesn’t have any intentions of stealing her away, but I can’t help but raise an eyebrow when I look at him, so I need to be careful.
“Chiharu, you’re raising your eyebrow. Is something wrong?”
“…. Ah, I am very sorry… No, I mean, is that so…?”
Despite only changing my response and speech patterns, the sense of unease couldn’t be erased. However, it was like this in the beginning too. This home was once a place of discomfort.
Perhaps this new discomfort will disappear soon.
Just like before. And become the new normal.
Maybe that’s what we’ve been doing all along. Changing and becoming accustomed to things. That repetition. The true meaning of family… Chinatsu also mentioned it, but… I couldn’t quite grasp what it meant. Yet, I felt like I caught a glimpse of its essence, ever so faintly.
◆◆
(POV Chifuyu)
As the third semester began, the peaceful days continued to pass until that particular day arrived. February 14th. The day when boys would become excited for Valentine’s Day…
Last year, my cooking skills weren’t that great, so I couldn’t give anything extraordinary to Kaito. But this year… Chifuyu was determined to make incredibly delicious chocolate for Kaito-san.
I asked Kaito to step away from the kitchen for a little while, just so I could surprise him. That faint desire to amaze him was present in Chifuyu’s heart.
However, I recalled that Aki-nee was surprisingly skilled at cooking and that Natsu-nee was getting closer to Kaito in an incredible way.
Honestly, there are times when I wonder why I can’t close the distance between myself and others like they do. But Chifuyu is Chifuyu, and Aki-nee is Aki-nee. I have no choice but to act accordingly.
A-also, recently, Kaito-san asked me to stop using honorifics… Aki-nee had been doing so for a long time, and although it took longer for Natsu-nee, she eventually started speaking in a more casual manner with him as well.
Still, happy moments would make you happy.
Moreover, it felt like the distance between us had narrowed… I wanted to bring it even closer, so I made homemade chocolates. I hope he’ll be delighted with them…
“Hey, Fuyu.”
“Yeah?”
“I made cocoa cookies. Could you taste them for me?”
“Sure.”
“I want to try them too!” Aki-nee said.
“Can I have some too?” Haru-nee added.
“Of course!”
Natsu-nee had also prepared gifts for Kaito-san and our classmates. It seemed like she wanted us to taste them, extending the offerings.
The three of us popped the treats into our mouths, and a sweet and blissful flavor spread within. Natsu-nee’s cooking skills had improved significantly. Well, she doesn’t give off that love rival vibe, so it’s still okay to see her as a simple goal.
“I made a chocolate cake too!” Aki-nee said.
“It looks delicious… Can I taste it?” Natsu-nee asked.
“Sure, both Chifuyu and Chiharu, please have some too.”
With a carefree smile, Aki-nee said that, and Chifuyu and the other two used the forks to enjoy a slice of the cake that had been divided.
“…You’re really skilled at cooking. I’m losing confidence…” Natsu-nee said.
“Chiaki, you could become a cooking idol like the ones on TV.”
“Aki-nee… You’re amazing.”
Somehow, Aki-nee was on another level. Well, if I consider her as a goal… I don’t feel bitter or anything, really. Not at all… Well, maybe just a little. Aki-nee isn’t really a love rival, right? Or maybe she is?
There are times when Aki-nee seems a bit suspicious… I’m a bit worried.
She has an innocent smile, and she’s always bright and straightforward, but it feels like there’s more to her… If it’s just my imagination, then that’s fine.
◆◆
(POV Kaito)
The sweet scent of chocolate filled the house. Since today was February 14th, it seemed like Chifuyu would be making various chocolates for me.
That’s why she asked me to step away for a little while.
Ah, how delightful. I had been wondering if I would receive something this year, and at this point, it felt like it was almost certain. I could already imagine receiving chocolates and all…
However, indulging in chocolates and such would mean consuming excessive calories. Lately, I had become mindful of my stomach area during my trip to Okinawa. Being a cool guardian whom children could brag about and gain confidence from, I believe I should strive toward that.
In that case, I’ll go for a run. I’ll run so much that even if I consume calories afterward, I’ll end up losing weight. I left the house, put on my jogging clothes, and ran around the neighborhood. The neighbors would comment, “You’re always busy, aren’t you?” or point at me and say, “That’s the parent of those quadruplets!” It felt strangely like becoming a minor celebrity.
I kept running and running, but my stamina… was already depleted. I was panting heavily in no time, and I stumbled into a nearby park before collapsing onto a bench. Gosh, I didn’t realize my stamina had declined this much…
I was in my early twenties, and yet I couldn’t keep running… But recently, Chinatsu kept reminding me that pushing myself too hard was not a good idea…
After I took a moment to catch my breath, I decided it was probably time to head back home. As I walked slowly, contemplating if it was okay to walk the rest of the way…
“Um, excuse me…”
I heard a voice from behind me. It sounded dry but had a clear, mature tone. There was something familiar about it that caught me off guard.
Turning around, I saw a gentle-looking girl with chestnut-colored hair that reached down to her eyes, making it difficult to see her expression. She was about the same height as Chiharu and the others.
Could it be…?
The possibility crossed my mind.
There was something about her appearance that seemed familiar.
“Is there something wrong?”
“Well, I seem to have gotten lost… Um, could you tell me where the nearest police station is?”
“Oh, the police station… Let me see… You go down this road… then turn right, and after that, go left…”
“Turn right and then left…”
“If you’d like, I could show you the way…”
“I’m sorry… but I would appreciate that. Thank you in advance…”
Getting lost… That was a characteristic, wasn’t it…..The protagonist of the yuri game “Resonating Hearts” had that trait. Thinking about that, I walked ahead, guiding the girl, who didn’t seem to have a good grasp of the streets.
There wasn’t much to talk about… Should I say something?
“Um, how did you end up getting lost?”
“I was doing some preliminary exploring since my family is moving here next year, and I accidentally got separated from my parents. Before I knew it, I found myself in an unfamiliar place.”
“I see…”
Moving here next year… Does that mean she’s going to live around here? In the game, that would be for high school, but well, this isn’t a game after all. Besides, I am still not certain if this girl is the protagonist.
“So… 《《I was told》》 to rely on this person…”
“You were told?”
“Oh, sorry. I misspoke. I just made a guess.”
“I see…”
She clearly didn’t misspeak… I heard her say she was told. Told… By whom? I felt like she was the only one there… Could it be that she really misspoke?
While I was lost in thought, we finally arrived at the police station.
“Thank you very much.”
“Oh, don’t mention it. Well then…”
“Wait, please.”
“…”
“I am… Chika Hinobori. Thank you so much.”
It couldn’t be just a coincidence. That was undeniably the name of the yuri game protagonist. Since I had recently confirmed all the friend characters, it wouldn’t be strange if the protagonist also appeared…
“I thought it would be impolite not to introduce myself to the person who helped me, so I wanted to let you know my name.”
“Oh, I see… I’m Kaito. Just Kaito…”
“I understand. Kaito-san, thank you very much.”
She bowed deeply. Her voice was low, and she exuded a calm aura that reminded me a little of Chiharu.
“Don’t worry about it… Well then…”
“Yes. Thank you very much.”
I lightly waved my hand at the protagonist, whose facial expressions had hardly changed, and left the scene.
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