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The perspective shifted back to the apartment.
Yuuma had just left. With her usual partner-in-crime gone—someone she could at least gossip with about "small chest appreciation"—Nagisa's focus snapped immediately back onto Bokue.
"Hey, big brother."
"Hm?"
"When Yuuma-senpai came by earlier, she said she ran into you this morning near the Keystone Gate. So what were you doing there?"
Her tone remained as calm as always, but the faint flicker in her eyes betrayed a touch of pouting jealousy.
After all, the Keystone Gate wasn't just the central pillar of Itogami Island's management system—it doubled as the island's largest shopping plaza. Normally, that was a place you'd go with friends.
But according to Yuuma, she'd spotted Bokue there alone. Meaning—what? He'd rather go wandering around the biggest plaza on the island by himself than take Nagisa with him?
"Why? Oh, that's simple. I was dropping Asagi off at work."
Bokue shrugged as if it were obvious.
"You know this already, Nagisa. Asagi works at the island management bureau. Sure, most of the time she works remotely, but sometimes she has to show up in person. Today was one of those mornings, so I just walked her there."
"Eh? Oh... I see."
Nagisa wasn't the type to cling or push for no reason. She was smart, quick to piece things together.
Her mind immediately filled in the blanks: Bokue must've just dropped Asagi off, and right as she left, Yuuma happened to walk by—then came straight here afterwards.
That made sense.
"Mm. So that's how it was." She nodded, lips curling into a faintly relieved smile. "Alright then, guess I misunderstood. No problem, no problem."
"Misunderstood? Misunderstood what?"
Bokue blinked, still not following.
"Hehe... nothing at all~" Nagisa replied with a mysterious smile.
"More importantly—since Asagi-senpai's at work, that means you're completely free until five o'clock, right?"
"..."
The way she phrased it sent a strange déjà vu through his head. Where had he heard this before? Oh right—Yuuma had said almost the exact same thing earlier.
"Am I wrong?"
Nagisa pressed the point sweetly, stepping forward. Then she lifted the hem of her skirt slightly, turning her back toward him.
"In that case, no time like the present. Let's start—"
"Hold it, Nagisa. We haven't even finished lunch yet."
The voice came from the open kitchen, where Yukina had already laid out the ingredients: slices neatly arranged, vegetables shredded, all washed and drained in colanders.
The Sword Shaman raised her eyes just enough to meet theirs, expression calm but sharp.
"At least wait until after we eat."
"O-of course, of course~" Nagisa chirped back instantly. But she wasn't ready to drop it just yet. Her eyes flicked mischievously toward Bokue.
"Still, meals aren't the only important thing, right? And come to think of it... Yukina-chan, you complained before that the stove here was too tall, remember? You always said it was hard to use without standing on something. Well—since big brother's here today, you won't need a stool anymore, will you?"
"What does him being here have to do with—" Yukina started, but her words froze in her throat as Bokue suddenly walked over.
And then—he wrapped his arms around her from behind and lifted her clean off the ground, adjusting her height so she matched the stove perfectly before setting her gently in place.
"Eh?? Wh-what are you doing—wait, don't tell me you actually plan to—?? If you do that, then I... I won't be able to—mmph!"
"Exactly like that~"
Nagisa clapped her hands together in satisfaction as Yukina, suspended thirty centimeters higher than usual, stood flushed and helpless before the stove.
"Good luck, Yukina-chan. Better hold on tight. If you slip and spill into the pot, well... let's just say today's lunch will come with extra toppings."
"..."
Yukina wanted to protest, but her logic, composure, even her willpower had already abandoned her.
Of course, nothing actually spilled into the pot. Bokue wasn't about to let that happen.
By the time lunch was served, the dishes had been joined by a... let's say, "special supplement." Yukina's belly was visibly rounded when it was over, and the apartment was filled with the mingled scent of food and a faint, flowery sweetness—something almost like blossom-scented cauliflower drifting faintly through the air.
Afterwards, as Nagisa cleared the empty dishes and stacked them by the sink, she carried the leftovers to the fridge. Turning back, she caught sight of Yukina slumped weakly in a chair, cheeks flushed, lips trembling as if to speak but failing to muster even a whisper.
A smear of oil still clung faintly to her lips. And beneath her chair... well. The less said, the better.
Seeing her friend in such a state, Nagisa only pressed her palms together and smiled.
"Big brother... looks like Yukina-chan really enjoyed that meal~"
"Good." Bokue's voice came from the kitchen, water running into the sink.
"Ah—wait, big brother. Leave the dishes to me."
Nagisa quickly set down the last plates and stepped lightly into the kitchen, nudging him aside so she could take his place at the sink. She stood deliberately with her back to him, hips tilted, skirt swaying slightly.
"Yukina-chan handled the cooking, so of course I should do the cleaning. That means you—" She glanced back over her shoulder, cheeks warm.
"—you've got your own job, big brother. Just like you helped Yukina earlier."
And with that, she lifted the hem of her skirt in invitation.
"Help me with a little... stool too, okay?"
"..."
And just like Yukina before her, Nagisa's feet left the ground.
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Meanwhile—
Inside the darkened closet of the bedroom, a faint blue crest carved into the wood suddenly glowed. A ripple of light shimmered, and Yuuma appeared silently in the shadows.
Pressing her ear lightly to the door crack, her face tinged pink, she exhaled softly.
Looks like... they've already started.
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