Yamada Elf was beginning to harbor some deep suspicions.
She stared at the boy in front of her, lips slightly pursed, eyebrows furrowed.
Could it be... this guy was actually gay?
Why else would he not appreciate the glory of that scene?
You know, most guys are absolutely helpless when it comes to oral scenes! They fall like dominoes, one after another. But this one—
"Are you thinking something rude?"
Kasumigaoka Touji narrowed his eyes slightly, noticing the very suspicious glint in Yamada Elf's eyes.
"N-no! Absolutely not!" Elf-chan flailed a little, hiding her hands behind her back as she looked to the side.
Yeah, suuure you're not.
But Touji didn't pursue the matter.
She might look like a cheeky little girl, but from her reaction to his earlier criticism, she was clearly the type who got carried away easily.
And besides, he had just roasted her proud work. They were even.
"Miss Yamada, your luggage has been placed in the living room. Would you like help moving anything upstairs?"
"Ah! Yes! My digital piano, a writing desk, and a few bookshelves too..."
As she turned to give directions to the moving crew, Touji and Kasumigaoka Utaha quietly took their leave.
Just as they turned, Yamada Elf spun back around and pointed dramatically at Touji.
"Just you wait! I'll write the ultimate light novel that will captivate you so much you won't be able to put it down! Kukukuku~!"
Where did this sudden protagonist energy come from?
Touji gave a casual wave and a perfunctory nod, muttering under his breath, "Yeah yeah, do your best, sensei~."
...
"We've gained quite the unique new neighbor," Utaha remarked as they strolled down the residential path.
"Mm, eccentric is the word," Touji replied, hands in his pockets, walking leisurely beside her.
Elf-chan was probably just here to find Eromanga-sensei. For them, it was just one more quirky presence in the neighborhood.
"Still, I think she's got her eyes set on conquering you with her books," Utaha teased, her wine-red eyes sliding his way.
Touji puffed out his chest dramatically. "My heart belongs only to Utako Kasumi-sensei's work. Yamada who? Never heard of her."
"Very good, Touji-kun! Your loyalty pleases this Onee-san! I shall reward you with... a collar later."
"Wait, hold up. What kind of bizarre reward is that?! Are you sure it's not a punishment disguised as a prize?"
But of course, he was already used to this. Utaha had always been like this in private—deadpan delivery with the most outrageous remarks.
"Fufufu~! You clearly don't understand," Utaha raised a dainty finger with mock elegance. "A collar is the ultimate sign of recognition from an Onee-san to her adorable little brother!"
What the hell kind of twisted logic was that!?
Touji rolled his eyes. "That sounds more like some kind of domination kink than recognition!"
"Aha~! It's also proof of my complete conquest of my cute Otouto-kun!"
"You totally just revealed your true goal, didn't you, you S-type Onee-san?!"
Refusing to back down, Touji reached out and pinched the back of her neck. "Take it back, Utaha-senpai! I don't need this kind of twisted affection!"
"Oh? Touji-kun, you're really going to lay hands on your dear older sister... right here in public?"
Utaha danced a step to the side, effortlessly avoiding his pinch.
Touji chased after her with a deadpan expression. "This is called bonding! Family skinship, okay?!"
"That kind of skinship is definitely going to land you in jail one day!"
...
While the two were bickering, a tall, cool-tempered woman with flowing black hair strolled past them. She wore indigo work pants, a fitted black jacket over a sleeveless top, and around her neck was a sleek, black leather collar. A single ahoge swayed slightly with each of her steps, adding an oddly charming contrast to her otherwise sharp aura.
Kasumigaoka Touji's eyes were instantly drawn to the collar.
Seriously, who wears a collar outside like that? Is this cosplay? Fashion? A statement?
But...
It actually looked kind of nice.
His gaze shifted naturally—unconsciously—to Kasumigaoka Utaha's swan-like neck.
"What's with that look?" she narrowed her wine-red eyes. "Don't tell me, does Otouto-kun want to try putting one on me?"
Before he could dodge, her slender hand flew out and pinched his ear.
"N-no...!" Kasumigaoka Touji quickly caught her hand with a smirk. "I just think... Utaha-chan would look stunning with it."
"You still say no!?" Kasumigaoka Utaha clicked her tongue in mock disapproval. "Otouto-kun, you're seriously heading down the path of gekokujo. That's not good, you know!"
"It is! It is! A revolution is always necessary to bring about progress!"
...
The sun had shifted by the time the two returned home, their casual stroll evolving into a full-on debate about collars and power dynamics.
It was nearly 4 p.m.
Kasumigaoka Touji nudged his shoes off at the genkan and told Kasumigaoka Utaha, "I'll prep the kitchen. You get the streaming gear, yeah?"
He made his way to the refrigerator, humming softly while opening the door, eyes scanning the shelves as he began planning that evening's live stream menu.
His streams always had two parts: cooking first, then a relaxed singing session. Usually, the whole thing lasted three to four hours—not too short, not too long.
"Hmm… what should I make tonight?"
He'd already gone through most popular dishes after years of content, so now he focused on new combinations and plating.
Opening the freezer, then fridge, he quickly made his decision: Tonight's menu would include— asparagus, almond corn, braised pork with eggs, butter-baked potatoes, steamed shrimp with garlic vermicelli, grilled mackerel, and a warm vegetable and mushroom miso soup.
A full spread blending Indian, Western, and Japanese dishes—colorful and hearty, just the way his viewers liked it.
He began defrosting the meat and shrimp, placing ingredients methodically on the kitchen counter.
Not long after, Kasumigaoka Utaha returned with his equipment: waist-mounted amplifier, smartphone stand, laptop, backup battery, and the large broadcast screen.
As they assembled the home studio setup, Kasumigaoka Touji made a quick call next door.
"Masamune, it's time."
Yes—Izumi Masamune, his longtime childhood friend and part-time cameraman.
They'd already agreed earlier. Masamune would operate the camera during the stream, and in return, Kasumigaoka Touji would treat both him and Sagiri to tonight's spread.
Win-win.
Especially since six dishes for just two people would lead to days of leftovers... and no one wanted to reheat grilled mackerel for breakfast.
...