The two locked eyes, and Takumi quickly made introductions. "I didn't get a chance to tell you yet, Asia. My two cousins also live with me. This is Maria, and this is Mio—they're easy to tell apart."
The moment he finished, Asia bowed politely. "H-hello, nice to meet you. I'm Asia Argento. Please take care of me, Maria-san."
"Ohho~ a nun, huh? Takumi-nii really has taste~" Maria gave an "I get it" look, smiled, and ducked her head back into the kitchen.
"Maria-san… what does she mean?" Asia blinked innocently, clearly not understanding the implication.
Takumi immediately took Asia by the hand and led her upstairs. "Don't listen to Maria—she'll lead you astray."
"Eh… o-okay." Asia didn't quite follow, but nodded anyway.
Her gaze slid to their clasped hands, cheeks warming. The grip was warm and steady; for Asia, this was her first time being so close to a man.
The Lord won't blame me, right? I've already been expelled from the Church… and Takumi-san is so kind…
A hint of loneliness flashed in her eyes, and she gently tightened her hold. Being needed, having someone to rely on—she cherished even this brief moment.
"Asia, this is a spare room. Make up the bed and you can sleep here." Takumi opened a new room and let her look around.
Feeling the room's warmth and safety, Asia's eyes brimmed with tears. "Takumi-san, you're far too kind to me… Asia… doesn't know how to repay you."
"Ah… don't cry, Asia." Seeing her moved to tears, Takumi could only rub his temple.
At the sound, Yuki Suou popped her head out from the next room. "Onii-chan bullying an innocent girl again?"
"What do you mean again? Yuki, don't talk nonsense!" Takumi turned, annoyed—only to see pajama-clad Yuki step out. Through the open door he could also see Mio inside, gamepad in hand.
"Eeya~~ onii-chan~~~"
A breathy gasp erupted from the TV, and the air turned awkward in an instant. Flustered, Mio mashed the controller—somehow making the sounds even louder.
Takumi leaned to peer inside, eyes narrowing to figure out what was going on—but Yuki instantly blocked the doorway like a living wall. "If you want in, squeeze my oppai and step over my dead body!!"
"Why would I squeeze them!?"
"What!? So onii-chan does want to step over my corpse!?"
"…"
Faced with the gremlin that was Yuki Suou, Takumi stopped. Honestly, he didn't need to look: those two were absolutely sneaking one of those little-sister route eroge behind his back.
"It's a guest night—tone it down." He tilted his chin toward Asia, who watched, curious but clueless about the sound effects.
Yuki snapped to a mock salute. "Roger! Mission will be completed!"
Then she turned to Asia with a bright smile. "I'm Yuki Suou, onii-chan's little sister. Pleased to meet you—yoroshiku!"
"Oh—Suou-san, I'm Asia Argento. Please guide me." Asia slipped into English by reflex, but Yuki understood and nodded briskly.
Takumi nudged Yuki back into the room, settled Asia on the sofa, and told her dinner would be ready shortly. He headed to the bath to wash up; today had been exhausting—just subduing Katerea had taken plenty out of him.
Sinking into the tub, he closed his eyes to relax. In the kitchen, Maria's eyes suddenly sparkled as she noticed Asia coming downstairs. Setting aside her work, she put on her best little-devil smile.
"Asia-san, are you a nun?"
"I… I'm not." Asia almost agreed on reflex, but remembering she'd been expelled and branded a witch, she quickly shook her head.
That answer actually made Maria blink—only for a second. She pivoted smoothly. "Asia-san, since you're new here, I'm guessing you don't know local etiquette in Nihon yet?"
"I really don't. Please teach me, Maria-san." Asia straightened up solemnly.
Seeing the fish take the bait, Maria leaned to whisper a few lines into Asia's ear.
In a flash, Asia's face turned the color of a ripe apple; she ducked her head.
"S-so there's such an etiquette… but… uu~~"
"But Takumi-san has been so kind to me."
And it's etiquette… I-I should go.
With a tiny whimper, Asia tip-toed toward the bathroom.
Watching her set off, Maria flashed a "just as planned" grin. "Pure nun play—too perfect. Takumi-nii better thank me later!"
She whipped out a camcorder to sneak after and record this precious moment—and then caught the smell of burning. Her smile froze.
"Ah! My food!!!" Abandoning the stakeout, she sprinted back to the stove.
In the bath, Takumi heard footsteps and suspected nothing. Assuming it was Yuki or Mio, he said casually, "Keep it down when you come in—don't scare Asia."
Hearing him, Asia remembered Maria's "lesson." She drew a breath and called in a trembling, gentle voice. "T-Takumi-san, it's me."
Takumi jolted upright in the tub.
Splash—!
Wrapped in a bath towel, Asia slipped inside, face crimson.
He stared, stunned—then Asia, eyes widening, stared back. Takumi flailed and plopped back into the tub. "A-ahem… Asia, why did you come in!?"
Blushing to her ears, Asia perched on the stool and spoke in a small voice. "Maria-san told me… that as a guest, it's proper etiquette here to scrub the householder's back. Takumi-san, you've taken such good care of me—yet you didn't tell me… It's embarrassing, b-but… if it's Takumi-san, I don't mind."
By the end, her voice had gone soft and fluffy; the adorable look on her face was almost too much to bear.
...
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