"Momo, what is going on with you?" NaNa seized Momo by the shoulders, staring seriously into her eyes.
Ever since they'd arrived on this planet, she'd noticed something off about her twin sister—especially when it came to Shichen. It was like Momo was especially curious about him. About everything related to him.
Earlier she'd even been pressing for details about him and Big Sis—private things. Is that something a little sister should be curious about?
Even if it's "teen curiosity," you don't just blurt it out like that. And her attitude toward Shichen was clearly not quite right—unguarded, casual, almost as if… No, impossible.
"Hm? What about me?" Momo tilted her head, puzzled.
"You… are you…?" NaNa started, then trailed off.
"Am I what?"
"…Forget it. It's nothing." NaNa shook her head and dropped it. She thought about it and decided it couldn't be—he was their brother-in-law. As a little sister, she shouldn't, at the very least.
"You're the weird one, NaNa."
"Hmph, you're the weird one… Come on, why are we still here?"
"Eeh~ You're not curious? Don't you want to know how Sis is being treated? Don't you want to know her expression? Don't you want to know what Brother-in-law does?"
"I do not!"
"Boo~"
A short while after the twins left, Shichen came out with Lala—her face flushed, leaning heavily on his arm like her legs had gone weak.
"Brother-in-law, Sis, what were you just doing in there~?" Momo scooted right up, eyes bright with curiosity.
"N-nothing…" Lala murmured.
"As if. If it was nothing, why go into the fitting room together?" Momo pressed.
"This…" Lala looked to Shichen for help.
"Alright, alright. Why is a kid asking so many questions?" Shichen flicked Momo's forehead.
"Ow~ But tell meee, Brother-in-law~"
"What would I tell you for? You'll learn about that yourself one day."
"Aww…"
"Anyway, how did the fittings go? Time's about up—we should head back."
They really hadn't done anything extreme—he'd just left Lala a little wobbly while he, well, "quenched his thirst." Aliens really were something else—sweet as honey. And that little "numbers game"… still fun.
"Okay… Brother-in-law, what do you think of this set?" Momo held up the pink, lace-trimmed bra she'd just tried on.
"…Why are you showing me?" he said, helpless.
"What's wrong with it? You're my brother-in-law."
"Even a brother-in-law doesn't have to look."
"It's not like I'm wearing it." Momo was utterly unfazed.
"…"
"Momo! What are you doing!" NaNa marched over, scolded her, and snatched the bra away.
"Hey! NaNa, why? He hasn't given his opinion yet."
"What do you need his opinion for?"
"Why not?"
"Of course not! Sis will mind!"
"Will you, Sis?"
"Me? I don't mind," Lala said with a smile and a shake of her head.
"See? Sis doesn't mind. Let Brother-in-law rate yours, too."
"I absolutely will not! And you don't need his opinion either!"
"Whyyy?"
"Because… Just—no!"
"Eeh—"
…
After a bit of bickering, Momo and NaNa stopped browsing and simply chose the sets they'd just tried on. They both had their own at home, so no need to buy multiples.
Shichen paid for all three and took them back. Lala's set had to be bought, whether or not it fit—no returns.
When they got home, Kotegawa Yui was already there—she'd been waiting a while. She and Frieren really couldn't find common ground; there was nothing to talk about. Unless Yui wanted to lie on the bed to daydream or nap with her—she was too energetic for that.
With the two little sisters staying over, Shichen went to ready their rooms. He'd planned to set up one, but Momo insisted on separate rooms. They weren't kids; separate spaces made sense. He didn't mind—it took only a few minutes. He had plenty of furniture tucked away in his King's Treasury.
After the rooms were ready, he started on dinner.
"Brother-in-law, let me help."
"Hm? You want to help, Momo?" he asked, surprised.
"Mhm. Doing nothing feels rude," she said, a little sheepish.
"You're Lala's sisters—my sisters here. You don't have to do anything."
"It's fine—let me at least help out. Otherwise I won't know what to do with myself."
"Do you know your way around a kitchen?"
He'd forgotten whether Momo's later level-headed homemaker skills came from learning over time, or if she'd always had the knack. She was a princess; no one on Deviluke would ask her to do chores.
"I can manage. Just small tasks," Momo said confidently.
"Alright then," he said, not refusing again.
"Shichen, I'll help too," Kotegawa Yui chimed in.
"Great."
He didn't need to be polite with Yui.
He took the two downstairs and assigned simple prep—washing vegetables, that sort of thing. The kitchen fell quiet; the two focused on rinsing greens without much talking—they weren't familiar with each other yet. He figured he'd let them bond later. When they finished, he had them lay out plates while he went upstairs to round up the others.
As expected, Lala was happily inducting NaNa into the world of Magical Girl Kyoko, with Yami quietly watching too. Frieren hadn't napped—she was watching with them. Apparently, they really liked magical girls.
With two more at the table, dinner was livelier. Momo loved to chat and kept praising Shichen's cooking—he ate that up. Little sisters are the best; unlike Frieren & co., who just quietly eat and never toss him a compliment.
After dinner there wasn't much in the way of entertainment—they all opted for baths and an early night. It had been a long day.
With the little sisters there, Lala didn't bathe alone with Shichen; she went in with them. Kotegawa Yui joined as well, since she and Lala got on. After the four finished, it was Frieren and Yami's turn. Shichen could have gone with them, but the twins had already bathed—better not flaunt shamelessness. Once they were done, he showered solo.
"NaNa, Momo—good night~"
"Mhm. Night, Sis. Night, Brother-in-law."
They each returned to their rooms; Shichen headed back to his own with Lala and Frieren.
For the record, Kotegawa Yui took a separate room; with Lala's sisters visiting she wasn't about to blend in with that group. Frieren couldn't have cared less. Yami felt a little awkward, but she wasn't about to defy Shichen—she did not want him doing anything in front of the whole group. Knowing him, if she pushed back, he just might. Compared to that, sharing a bed was nothing—and tonight she'd be on the far side with Frieren between them.
In bed, Shichen put an arm around Lala and Frieren, did nothing else, and quickly drifted off.
Sometimes nights pass in a blink; sometimes they drag when you can't sleep. Momo couldn't sleep—rolled left and right. Late at night, she found herself wondering whether Sis and Shichen were doing anything… and maybe the others, too.
After a long battle with herself, she caved—slipped out of her room and padded to Shichen's door.
She pressed her ear to listen—nothing. Carefully, she eased it open for a peek. Through the crack she couldn't see much—the angle was bad. After waiting a bit and hearing no one stir, she pushed the door wider and crept in.
One look at the big bed—and her face flamed scarlet.
Her sister wore nothing, nestled in Shichen's arms. His hand rested over her chest, feeling her heartbeat.
…Was this how Sis slept with Brother-in-law at night?
Momo couldn't help it—she leaned closer to get a better look.
~~~
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