"Shichen-nii, come look at Tohka—quick!"
Shichen was midway through cooking when Itsuka Kotori suddenly dragged Yatogami Tohka into the kitchen.
Turning around, he saw that Tohka had changed into a blue‑and‑white set of loungewear. The fabric looked incredibly soft and showed off her youthful figure to perfection.
The words "sweet and fragrant" seemed to materialize right before Shichen's eyes.
Tohka's usual ponytail was undone; her night‑violet hair flowed freely down her back, and paired with her bashful expression she looked gentle and lovely.
The outfit was a one‑piece house dress. Apart from her neck and ankles, no other skin was visible—yet she was captivating all the same.
"W‑well… how do I look?" Tohka asked shyly, cheeks flushed.
"Mm, very cute," Shichen replied with a smile and a nod.
"Really?"
"Why would I lie to you?"
"Mmm…" She blushed even harder.
"Hehe—Shichen-nii's totally stunned, right? Tohka‑nee is just that adorable," Kotori chimed in.
"True. I can't even bring myself to look away," Shichen admitted outright.
"D‑don't tease me!" Tohka whined in protest.
"I'm only telling the truth."
"Exactly! Tohka‑nee, you have no idea how charming you are."
"U‑ugh… you two…" Tohka lowered her head in embarrassment.
"Shichen-nii, Tohka‑nee's skin is super smooth—like milk, and it practically glows—mmph!" Kotori's words were cut off as Tohka slapped a hand over her mouth.
Tohka glared at Shichen, her fair cheeks bright red. "Kotori's talking nonsense—don't believe her! You heard nothing, understand?"
Shichen refused to play dumb. "Oh? Kotori, you actually saw Tohka's body? What was it like? Tell me the details—come on, let me lis—"
Before he could finish, Tohka drew her massive sword. Though the tip rested on the floor, Shichen felt an icy chill.
Face scarlet, Tohka spoke sternly. "Shichen, try saying one more lewd word."
Threatened by Tohka—evidence of how mortified she was—Shichen decided the joke had gone far enough. There'd be plenty of time for teasing later.
"Okay, okay, I'll quit," he surrendered, hands up.
"Whoa—what's that sword? So cool!" Kotori exclaimed, staring at the weapon.
"It's called Sandalphon—my weapon," Tohka explained, dismissing the blade.
"That's awesome!" Kotori praised without reservation.
"R‑really? Th‑thank you…" Tohka murmured shyly.
"You two… could you chat in the living room? I'm still cooking here," Shichen reminded them.
"Fine, fine. Tohka‑nee, let's head to the living room."
"Mm‑hm. I haven't eaten the bread Shichen bought me yet—he said it's delicious. Let's go try it."
"What's so great about bread?"
"Just taste it."
After they left, Shichen smiled and went on preparing dinner.
Because there was an extra person, he made several more dishes. That might be too much for three normal people, but with Yatogami Tohka it could still be too little.
Expenses at home had suddenly shot up, but fortunately they were "public servants," so money wasn't tight—only Shichen's own pocket money might run short.
When everything was ready, he asked the girls to help bring the dishes over. They obliged enthusiastically.
Carrying a plate into the living room, Shichen noticed the bread on the table had vanished. Looking at Tohka, he saw crumbs at the corner of her mouth.
"Shichen, why are you staring at me?" she asked, oblivious.
Shichen set the plate down and reached toward her face. Tohka stared, unmoving, until he wiped the crumbs away with his thumb.
"When did you finish the bread?"
"J‑just now…"
"Tohka‑nee finished it ages ago!" Kotori blurted. "She's amazing—she can eat so much!"
Only now, seeing it in person, did Kotori realize Tohka's appetite—yet her loungewear still lay flat around her stomach.
"I‑it's not like that…" Tohka mumbled, embarrassed.
"Haha, it's fine—being able to eat is a blessing. Eat as much as you like," Shichen said indulgently.
"Shichen, you're the best." Tohka beamed.
"Let's eat dinner before it gets cold."
"Okay!"
With Tohka around, the meal was all the livelier. Since she didn't hold back, Shichen and Kotori ate more too.
Every one of the seven or eight dishes disappeared. Tohka even licked her lips, clearly wanting more.
No need to hand‑wash; the dishwasher handled the plates. When Shichen finished tidying up, he joined the girls for television.
By coincidence, a bread segment was airing, and Tohka began reminiscing about the kinako bread.
"Shichen, I want more bread—especially the kinako one. It's so good!"
"What, my cooking isn't tasty?"
"Yours is delicious—really! But kinako-pan is different."
"Heh—I told you, didn't I? The bread's great."
"Mm‑hm!" Tohka nodded hard.
"I think it's just okay—only average," Kotori said.
"No—kinako-pan is super tasty!" Tohka argued.
"All right, all right. If you like it, Shichen-nii can buy more tomorrow."
"Chen…" Tohka looked at him expectantly.
"I'll buy it—so long as you behave."
"I'll be good!" she promised immediately.
"Really? We'll see tomorrow."
"Relax, I'm not a kid!"
"Heh." Shichen chuckled—he doubted she'd sit still tomorrow. He had a PE class, meaning he'd leave her home alone. She'd never stay quiet.
He needed to think of how to keep her calm.
"By the way, Kotori, can you arrange Tohka's school transfer?"
"No problem—give me a day or two."
"Tohka, hear that? In a day or two you can go to school."
"School—the place where lots of people study together?"
"Exactly."
"I want to go! I want to go!" Tohka cheered.
"You have to wait a day or two."
"A day or two… got it."
"Tohka‑nee, why do you like school? Studying isn't fun at all."
"But… there are lots of people to talk to—and Shichen's there too."
"True… ah, I wish I were in high school already!"
"Finish junior high first," Shichen laughed.
"Tch."
"Okay, it's late. You two should go take a bath."
"Bath?" Tohka tilted her head.
"Just follow Kotori. Kotori, show her what to do."
"Leave it to me! Tohka‑nee, let's bathe." Kotori stood and led her away.
"A bath? Is it fun?" Tohka asked innocently.
"You'll know soon."
"Why are you as secretive as Shichen?"
"Because we're siblings."
"Oh, right~"
Watching them head to the bathroom, Shichen had no intention of peeking—far too low‑level. After all, he was already a dragon‑rider; even Darkness had helped him flank opponents. "Peeping" had long been deleted from his dictionary.
"Ooh—hot water—so comfy~"
"Right?"
"So many bubbles!"
"I'll teach you how to wash your hair."
"Thanks."
Soon laughter and splashing came from the bathroom. While watching TV, Shichen listened with pricked ears.
Running water, skin being scrubbed—he could hear it all.
Yes, "peeping" had been deleted, but openly listening certainly hadn't.
The bath took nearly an hour before the girls emerged.
"Shichen, bathing feels wonderful!" Tohka exclaimed, plopping beside him.
Inhaling the pleasant scent, Shichen smiled. "Doesn't it?"
"Do we bathe again tomorrow?"
"Girls certainly can."
"Great—then I want to bathe tomorrow too!"
"Haha—whatever makes you happy."
"Aren't you going, Shichen?"
"I'll go now. You two can head to your rooms and sleep."
"What are you saying, Shichen-nii? Our hair's still wet—we need you to dry it."
"Dry our hair? Shichen, me too!" Tohka chimed in.
"…Let me bathe first."
Ten minutes later Shichen returned and spent another ten minutes blow‑drying their hair before heading to bed.
Lying down, he wasn't sleepy. Everything had gone smoothly; Tohka's problem was basically solved. No berserk incident yet.
But the AST was still a nuisance—he had to deal with them. He didn't know their base, but he could ask Tobiichi Origami. Whether she'd tell him was another matter.
He wasn't sure what had happened in the past—events that lay in his future—but he was confident he'd handle it perfectly.
Origami shouldn't be an issue. He wouldn't let the cute girls be bullied.
Click—
The doorknob suddenly turned. Shichen looked over just as a violet shadow slipped in.
"Shichen—"