Yotsuya Miko walked Shiraishi Asa to the station, hesitating over whether she should escort him all the way home, when a sleek black car rolled to a smooth stop beside them.
The window descended silently, revealing the refined yet sharp features of Yukinoshita Haruno's mother.
"Aunt Yukinoshita...?"
"..."
"Asa-kun? It's quite late. Why haven't you returned home yet?"
Her voice was cool, carrying an undercurrent of authority.
Then, her gaze shifted to Yotsuya Miko standing beside him, her eyes narrowing slightly.
At the mention of Shiraishi Asa's name, Yotsuya Miko's entire body stiffened.
She knew about his circumstances—an orphanage kid recently adopted by the Yukinoshita family.
Which meant...
The elegant woman before her was Shiraishi Asa's legal guardian.
And she had just done very questionable things with him.
Panic surged through her.
Especially under the weight of Yukinoshita Haruno's mother's piercing scrutiny.
For a moment, she felt like a guilty girlfriend caught red-handed by her boyfriend's strict mother.
"This is Yukino-san's classmate, Yotsuya Miko. I was visiting her place today."
"U-Um! Nice to meet you, Yukinoshita-san!"
Yotsuya Miko's voice cracked under pressure, her bow so rigid she might as well have been a robot.
Yukino's classmate?
Since when were Yukino and Asa-kun this close?
Mrs. Yukinoshita's sharp eyes lingered on Yotsuya Miko for a long moment.
"..."
She finally looked away only when Yotsuya Miko's back was slick with sweat.
"Asa-kun, get in the car. We're going home."
Shiraishi Asa obliged, pausing only to wave goodbye to Yotsuya Miko.
As the luxury car pulled away, Yotsuya Miko finally exhaled, her shoulders slumping in relief.
"Yukino-san's mother... is terrifying!"
It was her first time encountering such an overwhelming presence from a beautiful woman.
But—
"I won't back down!"
Clenching her fists, she recalled every moment that she had spent with Shiraishi Asa.
She wouldn't give up.
***
Inside the Car
"That Yukino… leaving you alone like that."
"It's fine. I went on my own. Please don't blame her."
"By the way, Aunt Yukinoshita, you must be tired after work. Let me give you a massage."
Mrs. Yukinoshita blinked but didn't refuse.
Shiraishi Asa shifted closer, his small hands pressing into her shoulders.
Today, she wore a fitted black dress that accentuated her graceful curves.
So soft…
Her skin was flawless, smooth like a girl's despite her age.
Mrs. Yukinoshita hadn't expected much—just humoring the boy's kindness.
But the moment his fingers worked into her muscles—
"Nn…"
A shiver ran through her.
Every press melted away her fatigue, drawing out a quiet, involuntary sigh.
Mieko, who was driving the car, stiffened at the sound but wisely kept her eyes on the road.
This is… not something I should be hearing.
---
Yukinoshita Residence
Yukinoshita Yukino sat alone in the living room, a book titled "100 Ways to Bond with Your Adopted Sibling" in her hands.
Haruno was away at university, and their mother rarely returned even on weekends.
Most days, the house belonged to Yukino.
She'd hoped to use this solitude to grow closer to Shiraishi Asa.
But then Hoshino Ai appeared.
A threat.
Hence, this book.
"Bathing together— engaging in playful splashes helps build trust."
"Sharing a bed—reading bedtime stories fosters intimacy."
"Most effective for children under ten."
Her cheeks warmed slightly, but her analytical mind doubted its practicality.
Still…
Asa-kun is small. Maybe…
Just as she considered testing these methods—
The door opened.
Her heart leapt—only to freeze when her mother walked in, holding Asa-kun's hand.
Their eyes met.
The air turned to ice.
Shiraishi Asa sighed internally. These two…
"Sister Yukino, I'm back."
Before Yukino could speak, her mother cut in.
"Asa-kun, come. I'll help you bathe."
Yukino's words died in her throat.
That was… my idea.
She'd even prepared the bathwater.
Silently, she watched her mother lead the obedient boy away.
---
Early Morning
Shiraishi Asa woke before dawn.
Gently, he lifted Yukino's delicate hand from his waist and slipped out of bed.
Last night, after Mrs. Yukinoshita bathed him, Yukino had insisted on "sleeping together to tell him a story."
Maintaining balance was an art, and Shiraishi Asa was its master.
He glanced back at Yukino's sleeping face—no trace of her usual coldness.
Just peaceful, almost kitten-like warmth.
"System. Daily check-in."
Ding!
[Location: Yukinoshita Yukino's Bedroom]
[Reward: LV1. Clothes-Exploding Culinary Skill]
Effect:
- Food taste ×2.
- Eaters experience euphoria.
- Low chance of clothing destruction.
Shiraishi Asa's lips curled.
So it's that kind of "explosive" dish, huh?
The infamous "foodgasmic" trope.
Time for experimentation.
He padded to the kitchen in his slippers.
"Asa-sama? You're cooking?" Mieko, who also handled cooking, blinked in surprise.
"I used to cook for myself at the orphanage. Today, I'll make breakfast for Yukino-san and Mrs. Yukinoshita."
Mieko's eyes softened.
This child…
Perhaps his presence could mend the fractured Yukinoshita family.
She watched as Shiraishi Asa moved with unexpected skill.
What kind of flavors will he create?
---
Yukino's Room
Yukinoshita Yukino stretched languidly, her pajamas rumpled.
"Asa-kun woke up first…?"
The empty space beside her left her oddly satisfied.
Holding something small and warm to sleep… feels nice.
But then—
A faint dampness hit her.
Her breath hitched.
Last night's dream—
Asa-kun was in it.
Thinking about it made her face burn crimson.
***
Yo guys, it felt a bit awkward to let him call Mrs. Yukinoshita "mother/okaa-san," so I used "aunt/oba-san," which, like most adopted kids, starts with. (I heard it, ai t factual.)
Advance Chapters On patreon.com/Zexxxxy