Moreover, her daughter Sayaka also showed that she had feelings for Hikari.
If she, the mother, were to get involved now, wouldn't that just make everyone laugh, and make things awkward for both sides?
Thinking that, Katsuragi Shouko could only press her lips tightly together, forcing herself to swallow back all the words that were almost about to slip from her mouth.
She barely managed to force a small smile and looked at the young man before her.
Noticing that the atmosphere wasn't quite right, Hikari casually said, "Mrs. Shouko, I think I'll go change and take a shower. I'll head back first."
"Ah, alright!"
After saying that, Hikari left the Katsuragi house and returned to his own place.
———
Inside Katsuragi Sayaka's room—
Katsuragi Sayaka and her sister Katsuragi Yuki were sitting face-to-face on the bed.
The two of them seemed to have talked for a while. Katsuragi Yuki looked a little excited, while Katsuragi Sayaka's face was slightly flushed.
"Big Sis, I've told you so many times already! Hurry up and confess to Hikari-kun!", Katsuragi Yuki urged.
"How… how do you expect me to say that to him…", Katsuragi Sayaka replied shyly when she heard her sister's urging.
"Just tell Hikari-kun straight out that you like him! He actually likes you too, you know. You just tell him, and then push him down, that's all~", Katsuragi Yuki said with a grin.
"Oh, Yuki, you're saying such embarrassing things again! A girl can't… can't do something like that."
Maybe because the same thought had crossed her mind before, the moment she heard her sister say it, Katsuragi Sayaka's pretty face turned red, and she didn't even dare to meet her sister's eyes.
"Sis, you know exactly how amazing Hikari-kun is, and how much he's done for our family. Don't keep hesitating like this! What if some other woman gets to him first?"
"That's exactly why I'm telling you to seize the chance now, make it happen, and at least claim your place first," Katsuragi Yuki said anxiously.
"I… I know Hikari-kun is amazing, and I'm really grateful for everything he's done for us. But… but Yuki, what you're saying… it's way too embarrassing!", Katsuragi Sayaka's ears had turned red all the way to the tips.
Seeing her sister clearly have feelings but still refusing to act, Katsuragi Yuki was a little frustrated.
She couldn't help but say, "Sis, to tell you the truth… I actually like Hikari-kun too. And since he's helped our family so much, we owe him an enormous debt of gratitude, no matter what we do, we could never repay it."
"So, if you don't go find Hikari-kun tonight… then I'll go myself!"
"No!", Hearing her younger sister's words, Katsuragi Sayaka couldn't help but speak up to stop her.
"Then…"
"I'll go find… find Hikari-kun tonight!", Katsuragi Sayaka promised.
"Find Hikari-kun, and then what?", Katsuragi Yuki pressed.
"I'll… I'll confess to him… and… and make it happen…", By the end, Katsuragi Sayaka's face was completely red.
Hearing that, Katsuragi Yuki finally looked satisfied and left the room.
After carefully fixing her appearance, Katsuragi Sayaka hurriedly stepped out of her room.
But when she got to the living room, she realized Hikari was already gone. Her mother, Katsuragi Shouko, was sitting on the sofa, staring blankly at the doorway, lost in thought.
"Mom, where's Hikari-kun?", Katsuragi Sayaka asked.
Hearing her voice, Katsuragi Shouko turned and looked at her eldest daughter, dressed in a pretty red camisole dress, with light makeup carefully applied. After staring for a second, she quickly answered, "Hikari-kun? Oh! He just went home!"
"Oh, okay," Katsuragi Sayaka nodded, hesitating for a few moments.
Then she bit her lip, clenched her fists, and ran out the door.
———
After returning home from the Katsuragi house, Hikari didn't go straight to shower.
Since his shirt was wet, he simply took it off.
Then, bare-chested, he began his daily training routine.
While he was doing one-finger push-ups, a knock came at the door.
Curling his little finger, he sprang up from the floor and walked quickly to open it.
"Sayaka?"
Standing at the door was a beautiful girl wearing a red camisole dress, looking prettier than usual. Hikari, still full of post-workout energy, raised an eyebrow.
"Hik… Hikari-kun, good evening! I brought you some pastries, I thought you might like them as a late-night snack."
Katsuragi Sayaka spoke nervously, but still mustered her courage and asked, "Um… can I come in to talk?"
"Please, come in," Hikari invited her inside.
As he closed the door, Katsuragi Sayaka sneaked a glance at him, at his bare, well-toned torso glistening faintly from exercise.
Seeing the solid biceps on his upper arms, the eight sharply defined abs like carved chocolate, and the perfect V-shaped taper of his waist, she couldn't help swallowing hard, her cheeks instantly flushing bright red.
'Does Akane-chan get to see this perfect body every day? Damn it, I'm so jealous!'
"These are the pastries for me, Sayaka-chan?", Hikari asked as he noticed she was staring blankly at him, still holding the pastry box without letting go.
"Ah! Yes! Sorry!", Snapping out of her daze, Katsuragi Sayaka quickly released her grip and handed the box to him.
Hikari opened it, took one, and popped it into his mouth, "Sweet, very good. Did you make these, Sayaka?"
"Ah! Yes! Thank you, Hikari-kun!", Katsuragi Sayaka said, face burning, boldly taking credit.
In truth, it had been Yuki who made them. But since Yuki said she hadn't prepared any gift and told her to give these as a stand-in, Sayaka could only shamelessly claim them as her own.
Hikari didn't think much of it and ate a few more pieces.
As he ate, Katsuragi Sayaka took the initiative to strike up a conversation, "Hikari-kun, were you just working out?"
"Mm. Yeah," he nodded.
"Your muscles must get sore and tired after training, right?", she asked with concern.
"Well…", Hikari was about to say that he hadn't even broken a sweat yet, but that might sound too cocky, so he hesitated.
Before he could answer, Katsuragi Sayaka continued, "Um… when I was training with the swimming club before, I learned a little about muscle massage. Massaging helps loosen tight muscles after exercise, improves circulation, and speeds up recovery."
"So… how about I give you a massage, Hikari-kun?", she asked shyly, her face blushing.
"Eh? You'll massage me?", Hikari raised an eyebrow at the sudden offer.
"Mm…", Sayaka nodded, red-faced.
"Alright then."
A rare offer from a beautiful girl, even though he wasn't tired at all and his muscles didn't ache one bit, Hikari didn't want to reject her kindness.
Following her suggestion, he lay down on the sofa.
Katsuragi Sayaka knelt beside him, extending her soft, delicate hands, and began to gently massage him.
Her palms were smooth and warm, soft and tender to the touch, they felt wonderful.
And she really hadn't been lying; her massage technique was actually quite decent.
It was just that, being a girl, her strength was a bit lacking.
"Hikari-kun, does this feel good?", she asked as she massaged his firm upper arms.
"Mm. Feels pretty good," he nodded.
"What about here? Does this feel nice?", Sayaka asked again, moving her hands to knead his chest muscles.
"Yeah. Feels good too," he replied.
"Then… then how about here?", Her hands slipped lower, continuing their massage.
"This…", Seeing Sayaka's flushed cheeks, Hikari didn't quite know what to say.
"Not… not comfortable?", Even though her whole face was burning red and she felt like she might die of embarrassment, Sayaka still forced herself to ask softly.
"No, it feels good. It's just that this spot… maybe…", Hikari began.
But Sayaka quickly interrupted him, "As long as Hikari-kun feels good, that's what matters! You've done so much for us, we three haven't been able to repay you at all. It's really shameful."
"No need—", Hikari tried to reply.
But Sayaka cut him off again, "It's necessary. Hikari-kun, I really want to thank you, not just in words, but through action…"
Hearing that, Hikari decided not to say anything more.
With the girl's soft, tender hands pressing and stroking gently, Hikari closed his eyes, gradually letting himself enjoy the sensation.
Sayaka, whether from embarrassment or something else, stayed quiet, focusing earnestly on her massage.
———
After several tens of minutes, her hands were sore and tired, and she had to stop.
Patting down her skirt, Sayaka, still blushing, said softly, "Hikari-kun, my hands are tired now. Um… could you help massage me a little too?"
Seeing her shy, red-faced expression, Hikari understood.
"Alright. Lie down."
Once Sayaka lay on the sofa, Hikari started by massaging her wrists and arms where they should've been sore.
"Is this the right spot?", he asked.
"N-no… not there," Sayaka denied it quickly.
"Okay," he said, shifting his hands, "How about here?"
"Uh… ah! Yes! Yes, right there!"
When Katsuragi Sayaka was pressed on the right sore spot, she let out a soft moan, then immediately nodded repeatedly.
And just like that, the two of them began massaging each other.
As their bodies touched more and more, their feelings for each other also grew deeper and more intense.