"Brother-in-law, how is it… Nana, you're okay now?"
When Shichen stepped out of the tent, Momo was just about to ask how things went when she saw Nana coming out right behind him.
"Hmph~ I was fine to begin with," Nana huffed.
"Really? And who was it just now who got so embarrassed just because brother-in-law saw her that she didn't even dare show her face? Seriously, what's there to be shy about? Don't you know exactly what you look like? You have it or you don't, what's the difference? Is there really any need to care that much?" Momo mocked mercilessly.
"You—!" Nana was so angry she couldn't speak.
"By the way, why's your face so red?" Momo stared hard at her.
"I…" Nana couldn't help glancing at Shichen.
If he hadn't suddenly said he wanted to go out with her, how could she be like this? It was way too sudden!
He was her brother-in-law. He was an openly, blatantly flirty playboy. And yet he'd actually told her he wanted to date her.
What on earth… is this guy thinking?
Of course, she definitely hadn't agreed. If she'd agreed, that would be the weird part.
Never mind their relationship—she was only going to be here for two or three days, how were they supposed to "date"?
"Mm? Did something happen between you and brother-in-law?" Momo noticed her line of sight and frowned.
"What's it to you!" Nana shot back.
"Of course it concerns me!"
"What does it have to do with you?" Nana retorted.
"I… I suspect you're harboring wicked intentions toward brother-in-law. You're trying to mess up sis's love life."
"You're insane! How could I possibly mess up sis's love life, it was obviously him who—" Nana started to snap back, then stopped.
She didn't know why, but she didn't want to say what the two of them had just talked about.
"Obviously brother-in-law what?" Momo immediately chased the hint.
"Nothing."
"Something definitely happened!" Momo was itching with curiosity.
"Hmph~ You sure love sticking your nose in. It's not like he's your lover. You'd better worry about yourself," Nana replied smugly.
She really did feel smug. Shichen had just confessed to her—that meant he liked her.
Momo obviously had a better figure than she did, and yet he liked her.
She was better, more attractive than this twin sister. How could that not make her happy?
Usually Momo always played the gentle one, everyone liked her more, she was forever the more popular one.
But now…
It was obvious Momo's attitude toward Shichen was not normal.
"What are you so pleased about?" Momo immediately saw the smug look on Nana's face.
"I'm not pleased about anything, you're overthinking it." Nana calmly reset her expression.
"Impossible. We've known each other for so long, grew up together. I know you too well."
"Then keep getting to know me, I don't care," Nana said, not wanting to argue, and walked toward Shichen.
Even though she hadn't accepted his confession, she'd accepted his apology. He'd promised to make delicious food for her.
Judging by last night's and this morning's meals, she was really looking forward to it.
"Hey, stop right there! You definitely have something going on! You got seen naked by brother-in-law and now you're just fine? What on earth happened between you and him?" Momo ran after her and kept questioning.
"You're unbelievable. You're the one who told me not to care, now that I don't care you think it's wrong—what do you even want?"
"You just have to tell me what happened inside that tent with brother-in-law."
"Why should I? And why do you want to know? What's it got to do with you?"
"I… I'm supervising on sis's behalf! That's right, that's it, in case you betray her trust!"
"You're the crazy one! You're the one betraying her, not me!"
"I… I'm not…" Momo blurted in a rush.
"Uh…" Seeing how completely unconvincing she looked, Nana froze.
"You didn't actually…"
"I did not! I have no idea what you're talking about~ hehehe~" Momo touched her cheek and put on her usual flawless "pure" smile.
"…You can't fool me. We know each other too well. Are you serious?" Nana asked in disbelief.
She'd had her suspicions before but really thought it was impossible. And yet…
"I don't understand what you're talking about~" Momo kept smiling, playing dumb.
"You… can you face sis with that?" Nana asked.
"Sis doesn't mind…" Momo muttered, pouting.
"So you really do! Are you crazy?" Nana stared at her in shock.
"Sigh, fine. Since you figured it out, I'll admit it. Yes, I have feelings for brother-in-law," Momo said, helplessly confessing.
"Why? He's sis's husband, you know?" Nana demanded.
"Isn't that even better? Besides, he'll inherit Father's throne someday—it's not like he can't have multiple wives," Momo said casually.
"That still doesn't… you're sis's little sister and you're actually competing with her for a man."
"Sis doesn't mind."
"But you still shouldn't… at least you can't just…"
"Relax. I'm not going to fight her for his affections. As long as brother-in-law can spare me a little love, I'm fine. Brother-in-law's really amazing~" Momo stroked her cheek, a lingering pleasure in her expression.
"He is amazing, but you still can't do this. It's not like you can't find anyone else," Nana continued to grill her, not understanding what Momo meant.
"You don't get it. I've already become 'his shape,'" Momo shook her head, licking her lips with a sultry smile.
"Become… brother-in-law's shape? What's that supposed to mean?"
"Didn't I say you wouldn't get it?"
"If you don't say it, how am I supposed to get it?"
"You can't figure it out yourself? Anyway, it's still too early for you," Momo sighed and looked at her with mock regret.
"…What on earth do you mean?" Nana felt like Momo was looking down on her, but couldn't find proof.
"Doesn't matter. You just don't get it."
"I told you, if you say it, I will get—"
"Aiyaa~ how come the moment I get back I hear Nana and Momo arguing?" Lala's voice floated over at just the right time.
Hearing her, Momo and Nana met each other's eyes and instantly shut up; they'd agreed in private never to argue in front of their big sister.
They quickly switched on smiles and turned toward the voice—then froze.
"Sis, you…"
"Oh my god—is that a huge shark?" Kotegawa Yui's shocked voice called out.
"Incredible, she really went and caught a big shark," Frieren said from her lounge chair, sipping a drink, nodding in admiration.
"I knew you'd do something like this," Shichen sighed as he walked toward Lala.
Out in the sea, Lala was holding a massive shark with huge fangs in both hands as she walked calmly up onto shore. The shark was enormous—her petite frame was a striking contrast, the fish at least ten times her size. It looked close to a great white at maximum size—about twenty meters on a rough glance.
And yet this enormous shark was held effortlessly over her head, offering no resistance at all. Its jaws gaped, teeth menacing, but it was completely still—almost like it had gone mute.
Probably a bit psychologically crushed by Lala.
You could practically picture it: tiny Lala wandering up to it, ready to make her move; it noticing her and thinking food had come walking up to its door… only to realize it was the prey and completely powerless.
It was probably questioning its whole fish life right now.
"Hehe~ I'm awesome, right?" Lala stopped in front of Shichen with a proud grin, then casually tossed the shark aside.
The shark hit the ground with a thud, bounced twice and lay still. Anyone who didn't know better would think it was dead.
Shichen knew it wasn't—the life force inside was still strong. The only thing really obvious was the punch mark on its cheek.
Looked like Lala had made it behave with one punch. Under normal circumstances, no shark could take Lala's punch; she must've pulled back her strength.
"Sis, why did you catch a shark?" Momo and Nana came over, asking in surprise.
"I saw this guy in the textbook and thought if I caught it, I could definitely beat Shichen."
"Beat…?" Nana blinked in confusion.
"Oh, you didn't know—Sis and brother-in-law are having a contest to see who can catch more ingredients," Momo explained.
"So that's it. But aren't sharks… not really…"
"It's my first time seeing one in the flesh," Kotegawa Yui said, coming over with Frieren, though she hid timidly behind the mage. Frieren was eyeing the shark with real interest.
"Hehe~ you don't see these often," Shichen chuckled, shaking his head.
"So? Shichen, I did great, didn't I? Did I win?" Lala asked again.
"Mm… you did great," Shichen said, ruffling her hair.
"Hehe~"
"But… you didn't win," Shichen added.
"Eh? Why?" Lala froze, quickly asking.
"Did you forget? We're competing to catch ingredients. This thing isn't edible."
"What? Sharks aren't edible?"