(POV Kaito)
Chinatsu, who was the second daughter, used to think that she wasn’t good at relying on others. With her younger sisters, Chifuyu, and Chiaki, around, she unconsciously felt as though she had to be a strong presence.
“Chinatsu, are you okay now?”
After I had lifted Chinatsu and a few minutes had gone by, I asked her if it was time to put her down.
“No…”
Seeming to still want to be spoiled, she said no with a displeased tone and held onto my back tightly. She remained clinging to me like a koala.
“Kaito, what are you doing with Chinatsu!”
“Chiaki… this is…is it better to use the word “hold” at this time?”
“Chinatsu getting special treatment is unfair! I want to be “held” too!”
When Chiaki arrived, Chinatsu immediately distanced herself from me. It seemed like she didn’t want her younger sister to witness her overly dependent side.
As Chiaki reached out her hands, I lifted her up, and she broke into a cheerful smile.
“Kaito, am I light?”
“Yeah, you’re light.”
“I’ve lost some weight lately!”
“I see.”
I thought her weight hadn’t really changed much, but I decided not to say anything more to avoid coming across as rude. Either way, she wasn’t that heavy.
“Oh, Kaito, I made the stew for dinner! Get ready to be impressed!”
“Got it, I’ll be impressed while eating.”
“I’ve got seconds ready too!”
“Hmm, Chiaki, you’re quite confident.”
Saying this much indicated that her cooking must have turned out quite well. Grandma must have helped her, I think. Dishes like pumpkin stew were probably delicious.
“What about you, Chinatsu…? Do you want to eat here with me?”
“…Yeah.”
She was probably still scared. She might also not want to force herself to eat with Grandpa and Grandma, so as not to make them worry.
“I see.”
“Chinatsu, I’ll come over as soon as I’m done eating! You won’t be alone!” Chiaki said.
“Hmph, it’s not like I really care about that, Aki… but, thanks.”
Now, Chiaki turned to Chinatsu and gave her a hug. It was an embrace that enveloped her tightly, and despite everything, Chinatsu seemed genuinely pleased.
“Alright, then I’ll head downstairs for a bit! I’ll bring the food up!”
In an instant, Chiaki was gone, swift as the wind.
“Kaito, you can head downstairs too if you want. Ah, Fuyu is here too.”
“Kaito-san, Natsu-nee… um…”
“I’m sorry if I made you feel worried. But Fuyu, I’m okay, really.”
“Oh, uh… well, that’s good then.”
Chifuyu had come to the front of the room, evidently concerned about Chinatsu. Both Chiaki and Chifuyu must have come to ensure that Chinatsu wasn’t left alone. Seeing that Chinatsu wasn’t alone anymore, I felt relieved and stepped out of the room for a moment.
“Onii-san.”
“Whoa! Is that Chiharu?”
“I saw it.”
I was taken aback as Chiharu suddenly appeared in front of the room. What on earth had she seen?
“You were hugging her. My Chinatsu…”
“Sorry, but I wasn’t trying to steal her.”
“I know that. Hugging… Chinatsu seemed happy. Is it really that good?”
“Hard to say.”
“I’ve done it for her too, but it didn’t feel like that. What’s the difference between me and you Onii-san?”
“…Height, maybe.”
“Certainly… I’m lacking in height. So, should I start drinking milk at home…? Just kidding, let’s set the jokes aside.”
“You were joking?”
“Was it hard to tell?”
“A bit.”
“I see…”
Chiharu looked down in deep thought, then slowly lifted her gaze to meet mine.
“Hold me. Onii-san.”
“Hold you?”
“Yes, a carry. I’m curious about how Chinatsu feels.”
“Understood.”
As I held Chiharu, she looked around, taking in her surroundings.
“I see. So, when I grow taller, maybe around high school age, I’ll get to see this kind of view too…”
The weight was similar to holding Chinatsu and Chiaki. If I had to say, it might have been a bit lighter than Chiaki.
“Thank you. You can let go now.”
“Ooh.”
“…”
Chiharu stepped off and then reached for the staircase railing, intending to head downstairs.
“Big brother. I may ask you again later. Since I want to understand everyone’s feelings.”
With a swift motion, Chiharu descended the stairs. I also began to make my way downstairs, but the room’s door was slightly ajar, and Chifuyu was peeking discreetly.
“Chifuyu too…”
“Wanna be lifted?”
“Yes, please.”
Once I had finished carrying Chifuyu, I finally made my way downstairs.
*************
TN: Dako in Japanese is like when you carry a baby, and that is the term they were using, to ask for being held and carried.
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