Chapter 83. Bronya: "Huh?"
"Mm, that should just about do it."
Circling around Seele once, Xander nodded in satisfaction at how thoroughly bundled up she was.
On the first morning of the New Year, the family got up early to go with Kaguya to the shrine to pay their respects.
But while they were getting dressed, Seele's somewhat "cool" outfit immediately drew someone's disapproval.
It's freezing out, so why wear so little—are you trying to be one of those Far Eastern high school girls who pick style over warmth!
Sticking to the principle that thick means good and big means warm, Xander ignored Seele's timid resistance and simply stripped her down and changed her into a heavier outfit from scratch.
A long, light-blue down coat reached all the way to her calves.
Her legs were wrapped in black thermal tights.
A scarf was looped around her neck, sealing off every draft.
From a distance, it looked like a little blue bucket with legs and a cute little head poking out on top.
The round, chubby look was so adorable that Xander couldn't help but laugh.
"Brother!"
A faint grievance welled in Seele's eyes, but faced with her brother's "authority," those puffed-up cheeks were the biggest protest she could muster.
"You've been together this long, Seele—do you still not know how this guy is?"
Watching, amused, Bronya poked the little "bucket" that Seele had become and chuckled.
She had, with some foresight, put on a warm yet tailored outfit that kept her toasty while highlighting some of her charms.
When Xander saw it, he couldn't find a single fault and even praised her a few times for looking good.
Seeing her brother finally stop fussing over her and head toward Kaguya's room, Seele swayed and hopped over to Bronya's side.
The grievance on her face vanished at once, replaced by a happy smile.
"Hehe, of course Seele knows, but Bronya-sis—don't you think Brother looked really cute when he was seriously, helplessly helping Seele change?"
Watching her brother's retreating back, Seele kept snickering as she added, "Especially when he was picking out clothes for Seele—holding them up one by one, comparing them again and again, terrified Seele wouldn't like them… hehe, so cute that Seele wanted to jump him right there!"
"Huh?"
Bronya froze, her expression turning a little blank.
So you did it on purpose!
Thinking back, from morning until now—this whole time—aside from praising her a few times, Xander had basically been glued to Seele.
Seele both gave him a little "fan service" and also got his painstaking, hands-on styling.
This…
Lowering her head, Bronya looked at the outfit she had carefully prepared for him, then at Seele's adorable little "bucket," then at the happy smile on her face.
Bronya fell into thought.
…
Click.
Kaguya's door opened.
Inside, Kaguya had been sitting at her dressing table for a while.
When she saw her husband appear in the mirror, she showed a sweet smile.
"Husband, could you help me comb my hair?"
Abandoning the cumbersome jūnihitoe, Kaguya wore a deep-crimson, flower-sprigged kimono neatly arranged on her body.
Her waterfall-like black hair hung loose down her back, waiting for the only man qualified to touch it.
"Mm."
With a gentle nod, Xander walked to Kaguya's side.
Silky tresses flowed between the comb and his fingers.
His tender motions made Kaguya close her eyes in comfort.
In Xander's hands, that long hair seemed to grow docile.
He gathered it lightly, drew it together, and finally set it in place at the back of her head with an osmanthus hairpin.
It was a hairstyle for a married lady.
The coiled-up hair added a note of maturity to Kaguya's bearing.
Looking down at the smooth, taut swan neck, Xander couldn't resist bending to leave a soft kiss on that fair skin.
"Husband…"
Kaguya's cheeks flushed deeper.
She bit her lip and let out a faint murmur.
The allure of that moment made Xander, who had meant to pull away, lean in again.
From collarbone, to neck, to lips—his tongue traced a path, pried past her lips, and lingered in this lovely morning.
"Ahem."
A sudden cough snapped the two out of their daze.
They hurriedly separated and turned to see Bronya at the door, face full of displeasure.
"B-Bronya, I…"
Kaguya stood up quickly, wanting to explain, but that rosy little face wasn't very convincing.
"Tsk, yeah, yeah, we've known about your little business for a while."
"I'm just saying, if you don't leave now, you'll be stuck in a really long line."
Didn't you already bathe?
It's just a kiss—what's the big deal?
We're all hitting the hot spring together this afternoon anyway.
"Mm…"
Kaguya's face burned even redder.
She quietly retreated behind her husband, pressed her forehead to his back, and gave his arm a light little thump with her fist.
Soft whimpers—half complaint, half coyness—spilled from her lips, as if chiding him for suddenly bullying her.
Even Bronya was taken aback by the sight.
It had to be said—meticulously dressed, Kaguya was stunning.
If she didn't already have her heart set, Bronya felt even a girl like her could be bent.
No wonder that playboy at home couldn't hold back.
"Ahem, then let's get ready to head out," Xander forced himself to say calmly.
"Hurry up."
Waving her hand, Bronya backed out of the room, closing the door behind her on the way.
Seeing that, Kaguya finally let out a breath of relief.
She tightened her loosened collar, then wrapped on a fluffy stole—pure white, like a big, plush tail.
Once she had finished tidying, Kaguya walked to Xander's side, slipped her hand through his arm, lifted her head, and met his eyes with a moist, affectionate gaze.
"Let's go, Husband," she said softly.
…
Moriya Shrine wasn't far from their home, but the four of them drew plenty of looks along the way.
Seele and Bronya were one thing, but Kaguya's ultimate Eastern beauty could satisfy most people's imagination of the word "goddess."
As many gazes were stunned by Kaguya as were filled with jealousy at the man she was holding onto—Xander.
Sensing the clear jealousy and hostility, Xander just smiled, entirely unfazed.
Honestly, he was kind of looking forward to it.
Would there be some punks who'd try to hit on the pretty girls and give him a chance to do the play-the-pig-to-eat-the-tiger, showboating, face-slapping routine he'd always wanted to try?
Unfortunately, punks don't seem to be early risers, and Xander's hopes were dashed.
Before long, they arrived unimpeded at the old-fashioned-looking Moriya Shrine.
He had passed by many times, but this was his first time going in.
The shrine sat up high, with a long flight of steps leading to it.
Climbing one step at a time, he spotted from a distance a green-haired figure standing at the gate, carefully sweeping.
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