After they got home, Tohru and the girls headed off to take a bath together.
Since everyone was around this time, Shichen obviously couldn't join in. Kasumigaoka Utaha just threw up her hands like, "What can you do?"
Shichen didn't mind. He was still calm, having already "cooled off" earlier thanks to Chisato.
Poor girl though, he thought.
Luckily, she had already become a second-generation vampire—her body was absurdly strong. If it hadn't been her first time, they probably would've kept going even longer.
While the others bathed, Shichen slipped into Chisato's room to check on her.
She was still asleep. Her brows were slightly furrowed, but she had a faint smile on her lips.
Not wanting to wake her, he gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead and quietly left.
Upstairs on the third floor, he was surprised to find Takina playing a video game—by herself.
"Shichen-nii…" Takina looked up, flustered, her fingers hesitating on the controller like she wanted to hide it.
Shichen chuckled. "Didn't expect to catch you gaming."
"I was just bored…" she murmured.
"But I thought you weren't into games."
"That was before…"
"Oh? So you're finally letting go of DA? Just doing what you feel like now?"
"You're teasing me again," she pouted.
Shichen sat down next to her. "Where's the others?"
"They're in the study, doing homework. Almost done, I think."
"I see."
He picked up a controller, glanced at the screen. "Smash Bros, huh? Want a match?"
"Eh?" Takina blinked.
"What's wrong? Think I'm bad?"
"No, it's not that… okay, let's play."
"But just a regular fight's kinda boring. How about we add a punishment?"
"A punishment…?"
"Loser has to do whatever the winner says."
Takina's lips pressed together. Her cheeks flushed.
"If you win… what would you make me do?"
"Relax. Don't get the wrong idea—I'm not like that."
"…But if you really want to know… just sit in my lap while we play the next round."
"I knew it…"
"This is totally normal for family, you know. Don't misinterpret it."
"You're definitely doing this on purpose," she muttered.
"Come on. Just beat me and it's no problem."
"But I barely started learning…"
"What? No confidence? Scared I'll beat you?" he teased.
That struck a nerve—Takina hated losing.
"I'm not scared of losing!"
"There we go. I'm not even that good, Kanna beats me all the time."
"I don't believe that for a second."
"Ouch, my pride."
"Whatever. I'll play."
"Oh? And if you win—what's my punishment?"
"Haven't decided. I'll save it for later."
"Deal. Let's start."
They both grabbed controllers and locked in. Shichen picked Kirby—a character he was really good with. He'd used Kirby to crush Kanna and the others plenty of times.
Takina, being new, picked a random.
Even though it was "Super Mario Smash Bros," Mario wasn't all that strong.
"How'd I…?"
As expected, Takina lost quickly. She stared at her KO'd character in disbelief.
"Looks like I win," Shichen said with a smile.
"Umm… Shichen-nii… what do you want me to do?"
"Do I really have to say it?"
"Why are you even into this…?"
"It's just a sign of closeness. Family stuff."
"I don't buy that," she snapped, red-faced.
"So what—are you backing out? Can't take the loss?"
"I'm not backing out!"
"Then… are you okay with it?"
"…I guess… if it's you," she said in a small voice.
"Then come here," Shichen patted his thigh.
"Ugh… fine."
Takina hesitated, then awkwardly crawled over and sat down in his lap.
And froze.
Shichen blinked—she was firmer than he expected. There was a springy feel the moment she sat down.
She'd trained for years—her body was strong, flexible. Her hair brushed near his face. It smelled clean, freshly washed.
Unable to help himself, Shichen wrapped his arms around her waist. She was slim and toned—just like Chisato.
"S-Shichen-nii?"
"Don't worry, just helping you stay balanced," he said calmly.
"Okay… I guess we can keep playing."
"Same as before. I can barely see now too."
"Fine…"
Wanting to finish quickly and get off his lap, Takina picked Kirby this time.
But not knowing the moves, she still lost.
"Again…?"
She hadn't even realized it, but she was leaning all the way into Shichen's chest, her full weight resting on him.
Shichen didn't say a word—just smiled.
"No big deal. You're still learning. Go again?"
"What about the punishment this time?"
"No punishment this round. I told you, I just want us to be closer. I'm not trying to take advantage of you."
Still, he held her waist even tighter, and Takina almost lost it.
"Then one more!"
"Let's go."
Takina shifted around, found a more comfortable position on his lap, and they continued.
Time flew by, and the others finished bathing.
"Takina? When did you and Shichen-dono get so close?"
"Eh?!"
She turned—and realized everyone was staring at them.
"Oooh~ getting cozy, huh? I knew Takina would fall eventually," Utaha teased.
"Shichen! My turn!" Yatogami Tokha barged in.
"I'll leave you two alone—I'm off to read Utaha's book," Yami said, heading to the study.
"Sigh…" Eriri sighed.
"What, giving up already?" Utaha teased her.
"Me? Never!"
"Prince Onii-chan, can you walk me home?" Eriri asked, stepping into the room.
"Already?" Shichen had one arm still around Takina, the other teasing Tokha.
"Yeah, got stuff to do…"
"Oh? That 'important thing' you mentioned earlier?"
"It's nothing. Really…"
"Something secret?" Utaha pried.
"No!!"
"Then say it."
"It's just… art-related…"
"I see," Shichen blinked. He had a guess what she meant—probably that kind of art again.
"You coming back for dinner?"
"If you don't mind…"
"Sure." He finally let go of Takina.
She bolted. "I—I'm going to my room!"
"What's up with her?" Tokha asked.
"Maybe she got wet, needs to change," Utaha said, smirking.
"Huh?" Tokha tilted her head.
"Don't listen to her nonsense," Shichen snapped, covering Tokha's ears.
"Don't corrupt Tokha."
He glared at Utaha before turning to Eriri. "Let's go. I'll walk you back."
"Thanks, Prince Onii-chan!" She grabbed his hand.
The two vanished and reappeared at Eriri's mansion.
"Thanks for walking me, Prince Onii-chan."
"You're not inviting me in?"
"Huh?"
"I know what you're working on~"
~~~
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