Chinatsu had recently celebrated her 22nd birthday. She had successfully completed her education journey, traversing through elementary, middle, and high school, and had become a working adult and a gaming streamer. Surprisingly, she was able to earn money, but she had become a shut-in at home.
“Kaito, doing laundry is such a hassle.”
“I understand… but, you know I’ve been asking you not to leave your underwear lying around, right?”
In Chinatsu’s room, there were games and a bed. The house had three rooms on the second floor: one for Kaito, one for Chinatsu and Chiharu, and another for Chiaki and Chifuyu.
Chinatsu was lying on the bed with only her top and underwear. Kaito collected the scattered clothes while carefully avoiding looking at Chinatsu’s exposed body.
“I’m tired… Could you hold me?”
“Chinatsu, you’re already an adult…”
Chinatsu emitted a voice reminiscent of a pampered cat, but Kaito averted his gaze, intentionally avoiding looking at her. Chinatsu’s physical appearance had changed considerably from the past. Kaito, who had originally thought of her as somewhat of a daughter figure, felt a slight resistance as he looked upon her.
“Well, it’s okay. I’m still just a kid, after all.”
“I don’t think that’s true.”
Kaito gathered the laundry and headed downstairs. He put clothes into the washing machine, intending to start a load of laundry. Suddenly, someone embraced him from behind.
“Guess who?”
“Chiharu?”
“Seriously, you knew it was me! Why’d you say Haru’s name?”
“My bad. It’s just a bit awkward to move, you know.”
“Eeeh, it’s fine.”
She pressed closer, clinging to Kaito while seeking affection. Even though she was the one embracing him, a sense of comfort enveloped her, causing Chinatsu’s face to break into a giggling smile.
“Hey, have you thought about that topic yet?”
“…That topic?”
“The one about us getting married. I’m earning money, and I’m already an adult, you know? Both in heart and body… and on top of that, you’ve said you like me, Kaito.”
“Uh, yeah, well… let me think.”
Kaito couldn’t help but respond with a timid, childlike reaction. He hadn’t expected such a suggestive remark about marriage from Chinatsu, the girl he had once seen as a daughter.
“Do you really dislike me that much?”
“There’s no way I could dislike you, Chinatsu.”
“Then, marry me.”
“That’s quite a leap…”
“Kaito, you never make a move… I just can’t take it anymore, so I went this far…”
“Chinatsu, for now, could you please step back? I have laundry to do.”
Kaito said this, and Chinatsu pouted and moved away. After Kaito switched on the washing machine and returned to the living room, he found her dressed in casual attire while playing a game.
“Oh, Kaito.”
“Chinatsu, what game are you playing right now?”
“I’m carefully selecting a game.”
“I see, must be quite a task. But you’re doing great, Chinatsu.”
“Hehe, thanks… well, that aside, I wanted to talk about the marriage thing.”
“Ah, you still remember that.”
“I’m not the same as before, getting teased and deceived.”
Chinatsu patted the seat next to her on the sofa twice and called out to Kaito. With a somewhat indescribable wry smile, Kaito took a seat beside her.
“Anyway, here’s the thing β you don’t dislike me, and I like you. There’s no problem there.”
“You’re really coming on strong… seems a bit too forced, don’t you think?”
“Well, after being dodged for years when confessing… this seems to be the only way.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“Well, besides, it seems like you’re also getting reverse proposals to get married from people other than me. I’m taking that into account and granting you my forgiveness.”
Chinatsu chuckled suddenly, and in her mind, the silhouette of close acquaintances surfaced.
“…. But you see.”
Chinatsu pushed Kaito down on the sofa while pulling his face with a giggle. Straddling him, she whispered in his ear.
“I’ve been thinking lately that it might not be so bad to not hold back… to just push you down.”
“I-Is that so?”
“I’ve grown stronger, you know. I’m not a child anymore, and if Kaito still sees me as a child… well, then I’ll show you my adult side. Right here, right now.”
“W-Wait a minute…”
“No waiting…”
(Though I’ve never done it before, I at least know the general idea… It should be fine, right?)
In a room with only the two of them, devoid of anyone else’s presence, Chinatsu wanted to destroy the dynamic between an adult and a child. That’s why she pushed Kaito down like that.
At that moment, the sound of the house door opening echoed.
“I’m back! I have returned!”
“Aki-nee, your voice is so loud.”
“But hearing Chiaki’s voice resonating in my eardrums is a plus for me. Plus, Chifuyu’s angry face is cute too, so it’s a win for me.”
The rest of the family had returned.
“Well, well, I guess that’s enough for today,” Chinatsu said.
“I was so surprised… I wonder what would have happened if things stayed as they were.”
“Really? I would have been absolutely fine with the way things were progressing, you know? Fufufu.”
Swiftly putting some distance between herself and Kaito, she settled onto the sofa. However, she spoke in a hushed tone. A faint, mysterious, and alluring smile played across her lips.
“If the chance arises, there’s plenty more to follow…”
This represented a potential future where, due to Kaito’s hesitation to give his response, she might turn even more predatory and pounce on him.
**********
TN: oh wow
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