After school, Shichen walked home with Murasame Reine on his left and Yatogami Tohka by the hand on his right.
The fact that he and Tohka had shared a kiss the previous night had already come to light, but he felt no need to be guilty; he candidly admitted everything to Reine.
As Ratatoskr's chief analyst, Reine was entitled to know how things were progressing between him and Tohka.
Still, Shichen had felt an odd urge to tell her himself, just to watch her reaction—yet, to his mild disappointment, she showed none.
Their eyes had clearly met, but he could detect no disturbance at all.
He did not believe she had no thoughts about it; she was simply too used to keeping her emotions steady, seldom allowing her real feelings to leak out.
Perhaps she needed a bit more provocation.
Why did the idea excite him the more he thought about it?
During PE that afternoon Shichen deliberately refused Tohka's little request for a kiss.
He couldn't let her become too absorbed in such things—what if she truly got addicted?
Tōhka, however, behaved herself; with Reine accompanying her, she caused no trouble. As thanks, Shichen invited them both home for dinner.
Junior‑high classes let out earlier, so Itsuka Kotori had already returned. By the time Shichen arrived with the two girls, Kotori had changed into loungewear and was chewing on a lollipop.
Seeing her sprawled lazily on the sofa, Shichen could not resist teasing her. He strode over, and while she was off guard he whisked the lollipop right out of her mouth.
"Ah! Shichen-nii, why did you steal my lollipop?!" Kotori sat up and immediately pounced into his arms.
One of Shichen's arms circled her waist while the other held the lollipop high overhead.
"Haven't I told you to stop eating candy all day long? You'll ruin your teeth!"
"My teeth will be fine!"
Kotori's legs locked around his waist. One hand gripped his collar while the other reached for the lollipop—far out of reach.
"Even so, you shouldn't keep eating them!"
"But this is only my fifth one today!"
"That's plenty—confiscated!"
"No, give it back!"
"I'll eat it for you." Shichen popped the lollipop into his own mouth and bit down with a crisp crack.
Before Kotori's despairing eyes, he crunched it to pieces and swallowed them.
It was unexpectedly tasty: strawberry plus a faint special flavor—an imported brand, apparently.
For the record, he did not like imported candy; he just disliked wasting food. Kotori couldn't have it, and Tohka wouldn't eat it either—better he finish it than throw it away.
"My lollipop…" Kotori's lips quivered, on the verge of tears.
"You've already had plenty today—still not satisfied?"
"Onii-chan, I won't let this slide!" She grabbed his collar in righteous fury.
"All right, all right—how about I make you something delicious for dinner? Be good."
"You always cook something good! That's not compensation."
"Compensation? Since when do we talk compensation between us two? Come on, get down—everyone's watching."
"Everyone?"
Kotori looked toward the doorway and finally noticed Tohka and Reine quietly observing them.
"Er…" Her cheeks reddened and she slid silkily off Shichen—still barefoot.
"Reine… why are you here?"
"Mm. Shichen invited me," Reine answered calmly.
"Really?" Kotori looked questioningly at Shichen.
"Because Reine helped watch over Tohka for me today, I invited her to dinner. The more the merrier, right?"
"I see… So Tohka-nee went to school? I got home first and thought she was napping."
Shichen twitched his mouth; of all people, Kotori should know Tohka's movements best.
"Heh‑heh, sorry, Kotori," Tohka scratched her head sheepishly.
"It's fine—Onii-chan must have been delighted you went to see him."
"Really?" Tohka blinked and looked to Shichen.
"You three chat—I'll start dinner." Shichen set Kotori on the sofa and headed for the kitchen.
"Onii-chan, isn't it still early?"
"Not really—Tohka eats a lot, remember."
"True enough."
"I‑I don't eat that much…" Tohka protested weakly.
"Does Tohka have a big appetite?" Reine asked.
"No, no!" Tohka shook her head frantically.
"Hee‑hee, you'll see soon, Reine," Kotori laughed.
"Kotori!"
"Tohka-nee, so you won't eat later?"
"Should I help?" Reine asked.
"Better ask Onii-chan first."
"All right." Reine walked toward the kitchen.
"Shichen."
"Reine? What's up?"
"Need a hand?"
"No, I'm fine alone." He smiled, declining.
"It's fine—let me at least wash the vegetables." Without waiting for a reply, Reine stepped up and began rinsing produce.
"…All right."
While they worked, not a word was exchanged. Once everything was washed, Reine left the kitchen.
Shichen set to cooking.
He planned to make extra tonight; Tohka hadn't been quite satisfied yesterday. Halfway through, however, the aroma lured Tohka into the kitchen.
"Shichen, how much longer?" She clutched her stomach, eyes pleading.
"Still a while."
"What? Why so long?"
"I'm making more tonight—you didn't get enough yesterday, did you?"
"Th‑that's not true…"
"Go watch TV with Kotori and Reine for a bit."
"U‑um… can I taste just a little?"
"Trying to sneak a bite?"
"J‑just one taste!" Tohka raised a finger shyly.
"Really just one?"
"Just one!" She nodded vigorously.
"All right."
He picked up a pair of chopsticks, snagged a piece of meat, and held it out. "Open up."
"Okay!"
Tohka tilted her head back happily and opened wide—white teeth, pink tongue, a faint sweet breath… Shichen steadied himself and placed the morsel in her mouth.
"Mmm—so good!"
"Now go back, okay?"
"Wait—what are you two doing?" At that moment Kotori appeared at the doorway, Reine behind her.
"Ah!" Tohka grinned sheepishly.
"Caught sneaking food, huh? Onii-chan, you spoil Tohka-nee too much!"
"Do you two want a bite?" Shichen waved the chopsticks, smiling.
"Of course!" Kotori marched right in.
"May I as well?" Reine asked quietly.
"If you don't mind sharing…"
"No problem; I can have the same treatment as Tohka."
"Er…"
"Onii-chan, hurry, I want to eat!" Kotori tugged his sleeve, face upturned.
Her features were exquisitely delicate, pale and flawless as if they would break at a touch.
Shichen pinched her cheek with his free hand, then picked up another piece of meat for her.
"Mm—delicious! As expected of Onii-chan!"
"Heh‑heh, sweet talk won't get you more."
"Tsk—playing favorites!"
"Hey, I do not. When have I ever?"
"Hmph—if Tohka-nee asked for more you'd give it, right?"
"Eh? Really?" Tohka looked at him hopefully.
"I would not."
"Eeh—?"
"All right, you two, step aside. Reine's turn."
"Oh…"
Reine walked up, calm eyes meeting his, then she tilted her head back and opened her mouth.
At close range Shichen realized how beautiful she really was—only the dark circles under her eyes distracted from her looks. Her tongue was just as pink; he had to swallow before feeding her a morsel.
She chewed, opened her eyes, and nodded serenely. "Mm. It's good."
"Your reaction's so mild I almost don't believe you," Shichen said.
"It really is very good," she repeated.
"All right, all right—I trust you."
"Mm‑hmm."
"Now all of you out. With you three distracting me I'm losing time." He shooed them away.
"Okay~"
Once they left, Shichen finished cooking. Dinner for four was certainly livelier, even if Reine spoke little.
~~~
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