May was sometimes referred to as the season of lethargy. Perhaps it was due to the warm temperatures, the cheerful weather, and the accumulation of getting used to the new school term starting. Or maybe it could have originated from a superstitious, self-conceived notion that an unfavorable curse hung over the month.
“… I’m so sleepy,” Chiaki said.
“No way. You have to finish your homework first.” Chifuyu said.
“Uuu, but I’m so sleepy.”
“Even so… Natsu-nee, you should stay awake too.”
“Well… it’s just impossible at this point. After a whole day at school, doing homework is just another level of impossible.” Chinatsu said.
In the midst of the schoolwork that just wouldn’t seem to end, Chiaki and Chinatsu struggled. As sixth graders, their studies had taken a step up in difficulty, and the pencils weren’t moving as easily as before. Chiaki and Chinatsu were attempting to transition into their nap time by resting their heads on the desk.
However, the fourth sister, Chifuyu, was having none of it. The eldest sister, Chiharu, readily obliged whenever the two sought answers or explanations for problem-solving methods. Ultimately, due to Chiaki and Chinatsu’s persistent pleas, Chiharu would end up teaching them the entire material. Certainly, that would ensure that their homework was finished quickly.
Yet, that approach didn’t really contribute to the two’s academic growth. That’s precisely why, within Chifuyu, a sense of duty to be responsible for herself arose. With an unwavering determination not to provide the answers, she stood before the two with an attitude akin to a stern demon.
“Uuu, nee-nee can you help me?” Chiaki asked.
“Oh, well, you see…” Chiharu hesitated.
“Nee-nee, please!”
“Alright!”
“Come one, you’re so easily swayed, Haru-nee.”
As Chiaki’s imploring voice, accompanied by her eyes sparkling like precious gems, reached Chiharu’s ears, she thought she might succumb to the pressure and provide the answer.
“We made a promise. We won’t give answers or explanations to Aki-nee and Natsu-nee.” Chifuyu said.
“Don’t worry, I won’t give the answer.”
“Even though you usually end up telling them everything after you say this?”
“…I-I promise!”
“Not enough.”
“Do-don’t say that…. Lately, I haven’t been able to perform well as an Onee-chan, so I’m feeling a bit anxious.”
“Well, I wouldn’t know,” Chifuyu said.
“Haru… I mean, Haru-onee-chan! Help me out!” Chinatsu chimed in.
“Chinatsu! Yeah, got it!”
“Natsu-nee, do your homework on your own!”
――Ding-dong.
Just as Chifuyu was about to say, “Do it yourself,” the doorbell of the house rang. The girls could hardly fathom who it might be. It was too early for Kaito to return, and besides, he was considerate enough to call if he was coming back at an unexpected time. Therefore, they could deduce that the visitor was someone entirely unfamiliar.
The four of them had been taught to play dumb when Kaito wasn’t home. So, while they didn’t answer, curiosity got the better of them. They glanced at the camera placed near the entrance to check.
On the screen, there stood a young girl with black hair cascading down to her eyes. Her eyes were hidden by her hair, but her well-defined nose and delicate features were clear. She was about their height and held a dog in her arms. Her appearance was all too familiar to the four of them. It was Chika.
She was in the same class at school, and they occasionally talked. They discussed their studies and sometimes worried about past incidents. Though, if asked whether they were really close friends, it would be hard to say.
Time hadn’t really passed that much since then. Plus, they had a stronger sense of caution than most due to Kaito’s instructions. There was hesitation.
However, it was the first time a friend had come to their house. Ignoring a friend who came to visit felt bad.
“……welcome”
Chiharu opened the door and welcomed her.
“Am I bothering you by coming so suddenly?”
“No, no, not at all.”
“…Is something up? You seem a bit down.”
“It’s okay, just… it’s nothing.”
“I see…”
“Oh, that dog you’re carrying, is it a family pet?”
“Yeah, that’s right. His name is Wonder.”
“Wonder… quite fitting for a dog… heh.”
“Huh? Is there something funny?”
Chika and Chiharu exchanged smiles. Chiharu couldn’t help but chuckle at the name Wonder. They shared a laugh, and then Chiharu led her into the living room.
“Chiaki mentioned before that she wanted to see a dog.”
“I see, so you came all the way here just for that… Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, but I was curious too.”
As they entered the room, Chiaki, who had seemed drowsy until a moment ago, suddenly opened her eyes wide.
“Chika! That dog!”
“Yeah, I promised to introduce him, so I thought now would be a good time.”
“Wow!! Thanks! It’s so adorable!”
Chika gently lowered Wonder, her Shiba Inu, to the floor while taking a seat. Wonder looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings and people, but due to his friendly nature, he quickly adapted.
Wonder stared back at Chiaki, who was kneeling down and gazing at him.
“Come here, come here,”
Chiaki said, extending both her hands and the tiny Wonder placed his paw on her knee.
“Wow, so cute!”
“Woof.”
“Wow, it’s incredibly adorable.”
“Guh.”
Chiaki was filled with admiration for Wonder. However, knowing that Shiba Inus were a delicate breed, she refrained from touching him herself. Observing Chiaki’s interaction with Wonder, Chiharu raised a question.
“I’ve heard that Shiba Inus aren’t very affectionate.”
“My Wonder is surprisingly friendly. But he’s not a fan of being overly clingy, so moderation is key.”
“Kyaa!!! Isn’t it just incredibly cute?”
“Absolutely! I’m already feeling all excited too!”
Chinatsu, Chiaki, and secretly Chifuyu, who’s actually a big fan of dogs and animals in general and was eager to get involved somehow, were all silently observing from a certain distance.
“I want a new family pet too!”
“Me too!! They’re such a source of comfort, after all!”
“Chifuyu too…”
While gazing at the Shiba Inu named Wonder with sparkling eyes, the three of them contemplated the idea of welcoming a new member into their families. Thoughts of cats, dogs, parrots, hamsters, and more swirled around in their minds.
“I’m really glad you all are so happy,” Chika said.
“Wonder is adorable, but my little sisters are cute too, right?” Chiharu said.
“Indeed. I won’t deny that… but hey, isn’t Kaito-san’s house quite spacious?”
“Suddenly changing the topic… well, I heard that Kaito-san’s parents used to live there as well, so it might seem bigger than it is.”
“Oh, I see.”
From there, Chika didn’t press for further details. And with Wonder stealing their attention, the girls’ homework remained untouched.
◆◆
After Chika returned home and some time had passed, it was the usual dusk hour when Kaito would come home.
“I’m back.”
“Welcome home, Onii-san.”
At the entrance, only Chiharu was there to greet him. Time had been consumed by Wonder, and their homework still remained, causing the three others to be scratching their heads while working in the living room. Normally, there would be a welcoming greeting of four, so Kaito felt it was unusual to be greeted solely by Chiharu.
“Are the other three busy with homework?”
“Yeah. Wonder took up all of their time today.”
“…? Wonder?”
“I’ll explain later.”
“I see… So, is something the matter? Your demeanor… seems different from usual.”
“…”
Kaito noticed that Chiharu’s demeanor was unusual. Whenever her younger sisters were involved, Chiharu’s expression would shift, but not to this extent. However, at this moment, the Chiharu before him seemed to be slightly tinged with an undercurrent of unease.
“Um…”
“Don’t hesitate, feel free to say it. Is it something troubling you at school?”
“Well… It’s just that, Onii-san, you said that no one should be allowed into the house when you’re not around because it’s dangerous…”
“Ah, I did say that. We haven’t heard of any incidents around here, but I thought it was better to be cautious.”
“But, you see… Today, Chika came to the house, and I broke the promise and let her in… I’m really sorry.”
“…You don’t have to apologize.”
(No, I see… These kids must have faced terrible treatment if they ever broke or opposed the rules…)
(So, they’ve been faithfully following what I told them not to do… Maybe they were trapped by some kind of compulsion to obey.)
“Don’t worry about it. Not everything has to be decided by what I say. If you thought about it and did it yourself, I won’t deny it or get angry.”
“That’s a relief. I was worried about what would happen if you got angry.”
“It’s alright. I won’t get angry, but it’s just because it’s dangerous. Remember, never open the door when someone you don’t know comes.”
“Yes.”
“Okay, then. I’m going to make dinner now. Would you help me?”
“Of course. Lately, I’ve become an expert at boiling eggs. I can control the yolk’s softness however I want. I couldn’t show my sisters how good I am at cooking, but recently, I’ve found my purpose in the kitchen. Take note of it too, Onii-san.”
“Ah…”
“Is something the matter? Onii-san.”
“Well… Today, when I stopped by a certain store on my way back, I found something like this for sale.”
Kaito reached into his bag and pulled out something resembling a cute egg-shaped plastic container, about the size of an actual egg.
“This is called an Egg Timer. I bought it at a 100-yen shop.” Kaito said.
“No way…”
“Um, well… This thing is meant to be boiled with the eggs. It helps you determine the softness of the yolk quickly… and apparently, it becomes really clear whether an egg is hard or soft, even indicating if it’s runny.”
“After all the effort I’ve put in, finally getting the recognition from my sisters for my work in the kitchen… and now you’re introducing something like this that destroys everything.”
Chiharu gazed at Kaito as if she had lost all hope. The eyes that had been so adept at discerning the versatile eggs she had carefully prepared and stacked were now defeated by a 100-yen item.
And on the day when something like this was allowed to exist, when the day came that this kitchen accepted its introduction, her sense of purpose would vanish. She’d be told to leave the kitchen, deemed a burden to Chiaki, Chinatsu, and Chifuyu, and effectively fired as a chef.
At last, an ideal world had taken shape where all four of them could cook together. However, the turmoil in her heart, crushed by a cute and convenient gadget from the 100-yen shop, would remain unfathomable to anyone.
“It’s not like that… Yeah, let’s just say I didn’t buy this for now.”
“Onii-san…. Good job”
“For now, keep up the good work as the boiled egg specialist.”
“Got it. Leave it to me.”
Kaito put the item back into his bag, pretending he hadn’t bought anything. And thus, Chiharu’s cherished value in boiling eggs was somehow preserved. From that point on, she was allowed to occasionally step into the kitchen and help.
■
After finishing work and having dinner, Kaito found himself unsure of what to do next and stared at his smartphone.
<3 Grandma ☎ 3
[Shiro] How have you been lately?
The same as usual [Me]
[Shiro] Grandpa is thinking of visiting you soon.
Might be a bit difficult… [Me]
[Shiro] Why is that?
“What should I do……”
Kaito hadn’t told his grandparents about taking in Chiharu, Chinatsu, Chifuyu, and Chiaki. There were several reasons for this.
Firstly, he simply didn’t want to cause them unnecessary worry. Kaito’s grandparents were quite old. Considering their physical, financial, and emotional well-being, he didn’t want to burden them with more concerns.
Secondly, he predicted that his grandfather would react harshly to the idea. While not certain, Kaito anticipated that his grandfather would suggest placing the four children in a different foster home.
Why could he foresee such a reaction? It traced back to Kaito’s parents and their circumstances.
Both Kaito’s mother and father suffered from severe health issues, with his father’s condition eventually leading to his death. Kaito’s mother, although her passing resulted from a car accident, had a frail constitution that caused her health to deteriorate on multiple occasions. Compounded by the fact that Kaito’s grandparents were his mother’s parents, they had a history of being concerned about her well-being.
Furthermore, being the child of someone who had passed away due to health issues made Kaito himself a source of concern. Kaito frequently fell ill, battled bouts of poor health, and repeatedly reached for headache medication.
These experiences weighed heavily on his mind, shaping his decision to withhold the news from his grandparents.
Kaito’s grandfather would probably feel that the reason behind it all was likely the sudden decision to take in all four children. Prioritizing one’s own grandchildren over others was only natural. And if his grandfather were to mention such a thing, it would undoubtedly reach the ears of all four girls.
Kaito hadn’t thought too deeply about it when he took in the four kids. Initially, he had only thought about not causing any worry, but now, he loved them all. If they were to be blamed for Kaito’s deteriorating health, it would hurt them deeply, so he found it hard to bring it up.
“Kaito, what’s wrong?” Chiaki asked
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
“Muu, that’s not the face of ‘nothing’.”
“Exactly! Kaito! If something’s up, we’re here to listen!!” Chinatsu said.
Chinatsu and Chiaki noticed the change in Kaito’s demeanor. Chiharu and Chifuyu also became curious and turned their attention to Kaito. He was unsure of what to say. He didn’t need to reveal everything; there was no point in saying things that could hurt them unnecessarily.
However, he thought that maybe he should let his grandparents know about him taking in the girls. He felt that if he didn’t say anything here, the four might feel they hadn’t gained his trust.
“Oh well, actually…”
Kaito revealed that he had kept it a secret from his grandparents about taking in the four children. Since the four hadn’t been aware that Kaito had grandparents, they seemed quite surprised by the news.
“Sorry, I… It’s just that I haven’t had the chance to tell Grandpa and Grandma, so it got postponed…”
“I see… It doesn’t really bother me, but… Is that something you’re planning to tell them?” Chinatsu said.
“I’m not sure, I’m a bit undecided. Bringing it up now feels a bit… late.”
Chinatsu sensed Kaito’s choice of words. If he chose not to say anything at all, it might make them feel like he didn’t trust them.
(…Knowing Kaito, he’s probably trying to avoid making us feel like a burden by saying he doesn’t want to worry his grandparents…)
(Well, and also, two unfamiliar adults can still be a bit intimidating… Maybe Kaito doesn’t want to bring up too much either…)
“Hmm, so Kaito wants to postpone telling them a bit, huh?” Chiaki asked.
“Seems like that’s the case,” Chinatsu replied.
“Then! I’ve got a great idea for that!”
“What kind of idea?”
“Fufu, you see, I’ve been really into romantic dramas lately! So, Kaito just needs to say he’s got a girlfriend or something like that!” Chiaki said.
“Girlfriend… I don’t have one, though.” Kaito said.
“I’ll temporarily become yours! Come on, come on, let’s take a picture together like this, and you can send it as evidence!!”
“Oooh… Well, this photo might actually give them more reasons to come over here.” Kaito added.
The photo taken with Chiaki would certainly add one more reason for them to come over, especially if they believed that there was a relationship between a grade schooler and a freshly turned adult.
“Hmm… Am I not up to par?”
“No, it’s not that… Sorry.”
While pacifying the pouting Chiaki, Kaito pondered how to proceed. Watching him, Chinatsu suddenly had an idea. She fetched tomato juice from the fridge and then took Chiharu’s hand, leading her out of the living room and up to the second floor.
“Chinatsu?”
“Just give me a hand here for a moment.”
She took a big gulp of tomato juice and opened the curtains in the room where Kaito always slept. Bathed in the soft light of the full moon, she had grown into her late teens. She then borrowed his mother’s clothes from the closet in his room.
“How am I supposed to put on this bra…?”
“Just let me handle it for you.”
Chiharu understood as well, and she helped her with various outfit choices. With her golden hair, mature body, and facial features, there was no doubt that she had become a stunning beauty.
Despite the curves of her body, there was an elegance that didn’t exude any overt sensuality; it was a singular display of beauty. Her eyes, a crimson hue different from her usual ones, held an intensity that wasn’t scary. However, to Chinatsu, it seemed like her current appearance lacked a bit of confidence.
Her eyebrows were slightly furrowed.
“You don’t just seem cute; you give off a sense of beauty,” Chiharu said.
“I don’t….really feel that way myself.”
“Well, that’s how I see it.”
While saying that matter-of-factly, Chiharu opened the door to the living room. There was a sense of unease within Chinatsu. Even though Kaito had accepted her, she didn’t possess much confidence. In fact, one could almost say she had none at all.
“Kaito.”
“…Chinatsu.”
“If I take a photo like this, what do you think…?”
“Sorry; I didn’t mean to burden you with this.” Kaito apologized.
“Don’t apologize. Rather, if I can be of help to Kaito, it’s all that matters.”
“I see… but still, I’m sorry.”
Kaito’s expression seemed as if he was ashamed of something. He was ashamed of his own vulnerability that he had shown; ashamed that he had made the four of them worry about him; ashamed that he hadn’t realized something so important.
(The four of them are not the kind of kids you hide. They are the kids I am proud of. That’s why I should talk about them properly. They were all so cute and considerate; they’re great kids.)
(Let’s have a proper conversation. It’s my responsibility for putting it off until now. I need to make things right. I’ll tell the people I should have told, make them understand, and proudly declare that there’s no need to worry because these four are amazing kids.)
“Also, thank you. The current Chinatsu is incredibly wonderful, a source of pride,” Kaito said.
Kaito left the room, saying he was going to make a quick phone call. While blushing slightly, Chinatsu played with her hair a bit, trying to distract herself from her embarrassment.
“Don’t say things like that right now… You dummy.”
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