"So, that explosion in that episode was insane. When I was a kid, I just thought it was cool, but now I wonder if we were actually okay."
"Oh, yes! I remember. It was supposed to be a regular shoot, but we used up some extra gunpowder and it caused a huge explosion. The cameras were rolling, so I had to hold it together, but I was terrified. I probably looked like I was about to cry."
Okaa-san, now dressed in a relaxed knit sweater and flared skirt, had shed her initial air of calm allure, leaving only a serene impression. She looked every inch the kind, gentle, and beautiful mother who was well-regarded in the neighborhood.
Tsurugi Hitomi was a popular actress who broke into fame through a tokusatsu hero show and became wildly popular for a time. To be honest, I don't know much about her. By the time I was old enough to rent old hero shows and get hooked on them, she had already retired from acting. Back then, I didn't even know I could search for information online, let alone understand the concept of actors and the characters they played.
After retiring, she transitioned into fashion design and became a single mother of two. There must have been some major event that led to this, but I don't really intend to delve that deep into her history.
"Hehehe. What a lovely girl, Shino. You've found a wonderful man."
"Yes, he's wonderful. Kotoha also seems to have taken quite a liking to him."
"Indeed. Kotoha is also very well taken care of by Onii-sama."
The mother smiled calmly, the older sister grinned proudly and assertively, and the younger sister chuckled softly but genuinely.
I'm certainly not accustomed to being praised, so this sudden attention makes me feel oddly restless. I have to keep myself from grinning foolishly. I'll set aside Kotoha's fervent tone and the meaningful look she's directing my way.
The dining kitchen, sparse and uncluttered, exudes a refined atmosphere with its black-and-white two-tone scheme extending even to the small accessories. It bears a striking resemblance to Shino's condo. The thought that Shino might have intentionally recreated her family home's ambiance here strikes me as both unexpected and endearing.
I caught a glimpse of the kitchen—a system kitchen where the sink, cooking counter, and stove are integrated into a single unit. Even I felt a surge of enthusiasm, suddenly wanting to try my hand at cooking.
The dishes arranged on the table, prepared by Kotoha and her mother, were all exceptionally delicious. The sisters' culinary skills, especially Kotoha's, who cooks as a hobby, must be inherited from their mother.
"Oh, it's already this late... Heh heh heh, it's been ages since I've lost track of time chatting like this."
"Yeah, you're right... It's getting late. I should be heading out soon."
Looking at the clock, it was about the time early sleepers would be starting to turn in.
At least... I managed to get through it without saying anything embarrassing, right?
I never would have expected that Shino's mother was the person Shino had idolized as a child. But the moment I realized, I was so nervous I nearly threw up. Once I calmed down a bit, though, I found we actually had plenty to talk about. Of course, I couldn't—and wouldn't—mention that she was my first love.
There was so much to discuss—about my own life, Shino, Kotoha, her mother, and more—that we barely had time to talk about any of us. We practically talked nonstop the whole time.
"You're leaving already? Gouji-kun, you live alone, don't you? Why don't you stay overnight?"
"Huh? No, that's..."
I was completely caught off guard. I'd been carefully choosing my words to express my gratitude before leaving, fully intending to say goodbye and depart.
Stay overnight. At Shino's house. A house where it's just Shino, Kotoha, and their mother—no men at all. Is that really okay? Don't they worry about accidents happening? ...Well, they happen all the time at my place, actually.
...Is this really alright? No, I'm probably overthinking it. As long as we have even a shred of common sense and ethics, nothing untoward will happen. They must trust me, right?
"We're all women here, so it's reassuring to have you around. Shino would be happier if you stayed, wouldn't she?"
"I don't mind, but... can two people even fit in my room?"
"Oh my, you're assuming you'll be sharing a bed like it's the most natural thing! We have a guest room, you know!"
"Ah!"
Shino froze as stiff as stone. This must be the consequence of spending so much time together in bed...
"Do you really want to sleep with him that badly? Heh heh, I wonder what you two plan to do during those long nights."
"M-Mother..."
Wow, impressive. Just like my mother. I've never seen Shino so flustered before.
At the same time, I realized that my mother is surprisingly... She even makes crude jokes. Still, I wouldn't call her vulgar. Her composed demeanor probably explains it. It's just an adult joke, after all.
Maybe Shino's teasing habit stems from this very root.
"Gouji-kun must have lonely nights living alone too. Heh heh, want to take a bath together? I love baths, so I made ours quite spacious. I could even wash your back for you."
"Mother?!"
"Oh, don't get angry. I'm just joking."
...Good, she was just joking. Even when her teasing intentions were obvious, her words still made my heart skip a beat. I couldn't help but recall that first glimpse of her in lingerie—the sight of her ample chest and the silhouette of her slender waist faintly visible through the thin fabric.
Given how I was feeling, if she were to take things even slightly further—if we were to bathe together, for example... I think my lower body would have a mind of its own.
"Um... in that case, I'll be staying the night."
It would be difficult to refuse at this point in the conversation. I might even give a bad impression if I tried.
Let's just get through the night safely, I decided, bowing my head.
"Oh, absolutely! It's not often I get to chat with such a young fan like you, a young man."
The smile on Okaa-san's face when I looked up shook me a little. It was a stark reminder of how fragile my mental fortitude truly was.
After that, since it was just what we usually do, and since we'd been treated to a meal, Shino and I washed the dishes together. Then, we were allowed to use the bath, which was literally massive.
Afterward, we played cards and chatted. Normally, we'd start with a game of "Old Maid," but apparently, "cards" in the Tsurugi family meant poker.
To be honest, we got utterly trounced. Shino, who loves to bluff, chattered nonstop, while Kotoha, who rarely shows any expression, was completely unreadable.
But then there was Okaa-san, who went even further. She would deliberately lose small bets to bait us, then seize the moment for a big win. Her attacks wove together bold and timid remarks, silence and lies, truth and falsehood.
"Heh heh heh. I was an actress, you know. I think I act better than any of you. If you can catch me in a lie, I'll give you a reward."
And that's exactly what happened.
"Mother, that's a bluff, isn't it? Let's call it now."
"Oh dear, Shino, aren't you getting a little heated? What a pity...♡"
"What?!"
"Heh heh heh heh heh. You're still too naive."
Shino Kotoha repeatedly declared "doubt" during the game, but she never hit the mark. Whether she reasoned logically or guessed blindly, she never won.
In short, I lost horribly. As a beginner, it was still a devastating defeat. In the Wild West, I probably wouldn't have been able to repay my losses even if they'd stripped me naked and taken everything I owned. I'm grateful to have been born in this country and era.
After the game ended, I was led to a guest room where I lay down on a futon, but my mind kept racing with questions: What should I have done? What was the lie? In the end, I couldn't find answers. I told myself it was a waste of time to dwell on it, but my brain was too alert to sleep.
"...I'll get some water."
I needed to cool my head. Sliding open the door of the guest room, I saw a faint light seeping through the hallway from the living room.
*****
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