White and golden light intertwined, weaving together into a delicate tapestry that became the morning glow.
On a white lounge chair, Yukino Yukari had already changed into a black-and-gray business suit.
Her eyes were half-lidded, long dark lashes trembling softly like blades of grass kissed with dew.
The pale golden light spilling across her face rounded out her slightly delicate cheeks with the gentlest of warmth.
How many pounds had she gained since moving into the Ruyi Dorm?
She lifted her coffee cup, taking a small sip with languid elegance, looking utterly at ease.
She wasn't sure if it was the coffee, infused with sunshine, that warmed her stomach… or the man slumped over the table like a dead fish who quietly filled her heart.
Or perhaps coffee only ever tasted this rich because she always drank it while gazing at him.
Those eyes—deep and mysterious as a galaxy never once strayed from Kyousuke, even when she was talking to someone else.
At the round white table, Sakura lay face-down toward the cherry tree, while Kyousuke slumped in the opposite direction.
Little Kasuko, standing on a chair to reach, leaned over next to her brother, resting her tiny arm on his and staring at him with her round, black-bean eyes.
Eriri and Naoka's voices floated from nearby as they debated over the miraculous cherry blossom tree.
Yukari, being the earliest riser, had already gone through her share of surprise.
She hadn't thought her eyes were broken, but she had stood under the tree for a long time, studying it in disbelief.
Late April, and yet the cherry tree was blooming.
This was the miracle Kyousuke had created for Sakura.
Yukari felt no jealousy as she looked at the dreamlike sight. Instead, a quiet nostalgia stirred within her.
Before the end of the world, it had been an apple tree.
That had been Kyousuke's miracle for her.
Apples… really were sweet.
Back then, Kyousuke had loosened the soil inch by inch, planting a small apple tree with his own hands.
He had even wiped its leaves clean with a white towel, polishing them until they gleamed like emeralds.
As he worked, he had murmured softly to the tree, like coaxing a child:
"I know you're a good apple tree. You'll bear beautiful apples. Sweet ones. The kind that'll make Yukari-sensei close her eyes in happiness when she eats them."
Kyousuke truly was a man like a god.
Even the apple tree couldn't resist his kindness.
Though a comet was about to fall, it still bore fruit—large, glossy, and red as if polished with wax.
And the taste? With so much love poured into them, how could the apples not be sweet?
Yukino's gaze drifted toward Sakura, who despite her obvious exhaustion still had eyes burning with frightening brightness.
'What was she thinking right now?' Yukino wondered.
Even if the world was ending, Kyousuke had planted an apple tree for her.
That had been his answer: a determination so unshakable it would not waver, even if mountains crumbled and rivers changed course.
Her slightly fuller arms now were proof of it.
And Sakura? Faced with a cherry tree that had withered and then bloomed again overnight—what would she think?
Yukari blinked slowly, realizing Eriri had already provided the answer.
When faced with something so incredible it made you doubt both your eyes and your brain, it could only mean one of two things: misfortune or a miracle.
And miracles, by their very nature, bloomed within misfortune.
Which meant that if a miracle existed, misfortune no longer seemed so terrifying.
Yes. Just like that unchanging resolve to keep looking forward.
After seeing this cherry tree, perhaps one might even grow reckless enough to think:
'As long as Kyousuke is here, I have nothing to fear.'
Yukari tilted her head back and finished her coffee, her slender neck glowing beautifully in the platinum morning light.
She lowered the cup, caught sight of the last streak of brown liquid, and discreetly flicked her tongue to lap it up.
And just as she thought, the brunette with untidy hair, whose amber eyes always seemed to shout "Of course it's me!", was staring into the morning sun, her gaze shining even brighter as though dyed by dawn itself.
"Kasuko, do you want pancakes?"
Eriri carried over a plate.
After a morning of shouting and flailing around on the bed, her stomach was hollow.
Add to that the verbal sparring with Kasumigaoka Utaha as an appetizer, and her appetite was unstoppable now.
Besides—these pancakes had been made by Aunt Mikiko herself!
As expected of Kyousuke's mother. Not only was Kyousuke's cooking amazing, hers was just as good.
"No!"
Kasuko lifted her head and flatly refused.
Pancakes were all her mother ever made—she didn't want them now!
After answering, the little girl flopped back down again, stubbornly continuing to stare at her brother.
Eriri raised an eyebrow, puzzled at the siblings.
"Then how about caramel pudding?"
"No!" came the crisp reply.
"Oatmeal? I made it myself!" Eriri leaned in hopefully.
She adored this fairy-like little girl.
Even if she weren't Kyousuke's sister, Eriri would still like her.
Though honestly, if she weren't Kyousuke's sister, she probably wouldn't have had the chance to meet her in the first place.
"No!"
"Almond cake? Yukino baked it."
"No!"
Polite as ever, the tiny girl didn't even spare her a glance this time.
It wasn't rudeness—she just seemed too hungry to move.
Yet she stubbornly kept staring at her brother.
Big Hojou and little Hojou—two pairs of ink-dark eyes locked together.
Kyousuke blinked. Kasuko blinked too.
Then, all of a sudden, he sat bolt upright and smacked his forehead.
His sister hadn't eaten a thing all morning!
Crap. He was so tired his brain had short-circuited, and he'd completely forgotten something so important.
He slapped his cheeks to wake himself up.
"Sorry, Kasuko. I forgot." He rubbed her head with a sheepish smile.
"Mhm, mhm~~!"
Kasuko shook her head furiously, looking nothing like the languid little doll from before.
Her big eyes sparkled brightly now.
"So, what do you want for breakfast?" Kyousuke asked gently as he scooped her into his arms.
"It's okay! Onii can keep sleeping!" she said, forcing her eyes wide open despite her bubbling excitement.
She was worried about him.
"Haha… how could your big brother sleep soundly when his adorable sister is hungry? And besides…"
Kyousuke leaned closer, touched by her earnestness, and whispered mysteriously in her ear.
"Really!?"
Kasuko's eyes flew open wide.
She couldn't comprehend how a cherry tree could wither and bloom again overnight—but whatever her brother had just promised seemed even more unbelievable to her, like a fairy tale where a pea could turn into a princess.
Her shocked expression was enough to make Eriri's curiosity skyrocket.
She opened her mouth to ask—only to find it stuffed with pancake.
She hurriedly gulped down some milk and leaned in close to the siblings.
"What, what, what!?" she demanded eagerly, like a child on Christmas Eve desperate to catch Santa Claus.
Kasumigaoka Utaha sighed, her eyes full of disdain.
She couldn't help but think Eriri was truly a "special" person—her intelligence seemed directly proportional to her age.
Unfortunately, it wasn't her own age, but rather the average between hers and little Kasuko's.
Kasuko cast a wary glance at Eriri.
She didn't really want to share the little secret she had just learned, but since they were close friends, she begrudgingly waved her over.
Eriri leaned in, and Kasuko whispered in her brother's same hushed tone.
"Seriously!?"
Eriri's eyes went wide.
The miracle of a cherry blossom tree blooming in full glory overnight after withering was already enough to shock her.
But hearing this made her feel just as shaken—if not more.
Kasuko frowned in annoyance, pressing her palm against Eriri's cheek to push her away.
Her little face scrunched up as she scolded:
"Of course it's true! Onii said it, so it has to be!"
Eriri's mouth fell open in disbelief.
She wanted to shout— 'Wait a minute! I didn't just ask a question, I even matched your tone and expression!'
'And let's be honest, I pulled it off cuter than you by at least three spoonfuls!'
'So why is it fine when you ask, but when I do it I get scolded?!'
But Kasuko didn't care about her friend's silent protests.
Wrinkling her little nose, she turned back toward her brother and shouted excitedly:
"Pancakes!"
Eriri blinked, stunned, and turned to glance at Aunt Mikiko, half-expecting her to scold Kasuko for being spoiled.
But the woman simply smiled and continued chatting quietly with Shouko, not sparing them a glance.
"Alright! The world's most delicious pancakes will be ready in no time!" Kyousuke cheerfully promised, setting Kasuko on his chair before heading inside.
But Kasuko immediately slid off the chair, scampered after him, and slipped her tiny hand into his.
Eriri's chest tightened.
'That hand—Kyousuke's other hand it's still free! I've checked before, and it's the perfect size and shape for mine. It's practically made for me!'
Determined, she sprang up to follow.
Only to once again feel her "fate" grabbed by the scruff of the neck.
"Ugh, what now!?"
She didn't even need to look. Of course, it was that annoying witch, Kasumigaoka.
"I should be the one asking you," Utaha drawled, rolling her eyes elegantly.
"I'm going to watch Kyousuke cook!" Eriri declared proudly.
"Kasuko would hate it if you tagged along." Utaha sighed.
Eriri clearly used all her brainpower maintaining her fake ojou-sama mask, because she couldn't even notice something this obvious.
"As if! No way!" Eriri snapped back immediately.
She and Kasuko were so close, it was like they shared the same surname!
This witch was just jealous and spouting nonsense!
"Then tell me," Utaha said dryly, "why does Kasuko refuse to eat the pancakes you bring her, but always insists on Kyousuke's?"
Utaha gave Eriri a pitying glance, thinking even Momotarō had more common sense than this blonde airhead.
Meanwhile, the family's little pet dog lay sprawled at Yamauchi Sakura's feet, not even twitching at the sound of its name.
'Yeah right, with this many people around, there's no way aniki has time to play with me.'
'A dog's gotta know when to stay out of the way.'
"Obviously because Kyousuke's taste better!" Eriri answered with conviction.
But from across the room, a gentle gaze landed on her.
The blonde princess froze, lips pressing together, and gave a guilty, awkward smile.
'Damn it!'
'This witch had set me up!'
Eriri's eyes blazed with fury as she glared at the raven-haired succubus.
But Utaha merely shook her head, too lazy to argue further.
"…That's not quite right," Eriri muttered under her breath. "My oatmeal porridge is definitely delicious! Kyousuke even finishes the whole pot every time!"
Utaha rolled her eyes so hard they could've fallen out.
'As if he had a choice.'
'The way you force it on him, you might as well pour it down his throat with a funnel.'
"It's not about taste."
Yukari, who had been dragged into this against her will, finally spoke up.
Though Eriri's antics had gotten her rejected by Kasuko earlier, she still felt compelled to enlighten her idiotic friend.
"Haven't you noticed? Whenever Kyousuke's home, Kasuko refuses to eat anyone else's cooking." Yukino smiled knowingly.
"…Huh?" Eriri raised an eyebrow.
'No way… she's pickier than me?'
"'No no no! Kasuko won't eat! Onii's coming home soon! Kasuko only eats food Onii makes!'"
Yamauchi Sakura suddenly piped up from where she was lying, perfectly mimicking Kasuko's tone.
"Kasuko skips snacks all day, so she gets hungry fast. Onii, hurry back and cook for her!"
Shouko followed, imitating her with an uncanny accuracy that made everyone laugh.
"Gotta eat a whole bunch before Onii leaves! That way I can remember it later at mealtimes!"
Naoka chimed in as well, unwilling to be left out.
"…Geez, you all make it sound like I'm neglecting her," Aunt Mikiko said with a helpless smile. "I mean, Ichirou's the one doing most of the cooking."
But her expression was soft, full of affection and pride at the bond between her son and daughter.
Eriri, meanwhile, looked absolutely dumbfounded.
She swallowed hard, stunned by the realization that her best friend Kasuko had such overwhelming devotion to her brother.
'If I had such an adorable, clingy little sister, I wouldn't even need anime anymore—I'd just spend all day with her!'
'…Wait, no, actually, we could watch anime together!'
Utaha glanced at Eriri's dazed face and sighed in pity once again.
She was convinced now: Eriri's intelligence truly was tied to her age. And Kasuko's too.
Together they balanced out—one sinking, one rising.
Inside the house, Mikiko gazed fondly toward the kitchen, where Kyousuke wielded a frying pan with ease.
Kasuko sat quietly on the counter, watching him with rapt attention.
The sight of the brother and sister together, one big and one small, perfectly at ease despite the age gap, was enough to warm anyone's heart.
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