"Yay! I'm going out with Yanagi and Wise!"
Soukaku threw her hands into the air, beaming like an excited child, while Yanagi and Wise walked on either side of her.
"Soukaku, watch where you're going. Be careful not to trip."
Yanagi quickly warned her, and that concern was far from unnecessary. The moment she finished speaking, Soukaku, too caught up in her excitement, lost her footing.
The two beside her reacted instantly, each seizing one of her hands at the same time.
"I told you to be careful. Are you alright? You weren't scared, were you?" Yanagi asked gently as she held Soukaku's left hand, then reached over to pat her head.
"I'm fine, Yanagi. Thank you... and thank you too, Wise."
Soukaku smiled brightly at the two still holding onto her hands, then suddenly blurted out, "Yanagi, Wise, we look just like a family right now!"
"Mm... yes. Yes, we do."
Yanagi was startled for a moment by Soukaku's words, but after a brief hesitation, she nodded and quietly stole a glance at Wise beside her.
Truthfully, Yanagi had already thought the same thing not long after they left. She simply had not dared to say it aloud. Instead, Soukaku had innocently spoken what was on her mind.
"So, in Soukaku's eyes, we only 'look like' a family? I've already considered you my little sister for a long time, you know."
Wise feigned sadness and poked Soukaku's forehead with his index finger.
Realizing she might have said the wrong thing, Soukaku quickly tried to correct herself.
"No, that's not what I meant! I've thought of you as family for a long time too. You're always so good to me, it's just... it's just..."
What she truly wanted was something even deeper. She wanted to become real family with Wise, not just in feeling, but in name as well.
With that thought in mind, Soukaku glanced at Yanagi, who still wore the same calm and gentle smile, as if the earlier topic had not affected her at all.
'Yanagi doesn't seem to like Wise that way. What should I do? If Yanagi doesn't end up with him, some other girl will steal him away!' Soukaku grew troubled.
She did not dare voice those thoughts aloud, because if Yanagi found out, she would surely force herself to try for Soukaku's sake.
Even if Wise was wonderful, if Yanagi did not truly like him, forcing them together would never bring happiness.
In that case, there was only one thing Soukaku could do.
"Wise... do you like me?" she asked, staring at him seriously.
"Eh?" Wise blinked in surprise. "Of course I like you. You're adorable, after all. But why are you asking that all of a sudden?"
Still dissatisfied, Soukaku shook her head.
"Not that kind of like," she said. "I mean that kind of... um... the kind where you want to kiss someone and sleep together, Wise... Mmph!"
Before she could finish, Yanagi swiftly covered her mouth and nervously looked around. After confirming no one nearby had heard, she finally let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, Wise remained frozen in place with a stunned expression, while Yanagi turned back to Soukaku and began speaking to her in a patient, instructive tone.
"Phew... Soukaku, you're still young. You shouldn't be saying things like that. Have you been watching strange videos again?"
"Hmph, Yanagi, I'm not little anymore! I may not be as big as you, but I... I'm already an adult!" Soukaku protested.
It was rare for Soukaku to openly argue with Yanagi, leaving the latter visibly surprised.
Wise, meanwhile, looked as though Soukaku's shocking words had nearly knocked him over. Sensing the atmosphere turning awkward, he quickly stepped in to calm things down.
"I heard the tea shop up ahead has a new flavor, and everyone says it's delicious. Soukaku, do you want to go line up first?"
"Really? That's amazing! Then I'll go first. You two hurry and catch up!"
The moment she heard that, Soukaku forgot all about their earlier argument. Letting go of their hands, she happily ran ahead on her own.
"Soukaku, slow down! Be careful!" Yanagi quickly called after her.
The two of them then picked up their pace as well, following after her. Along the way, Wise tried to reassure Yanagi.
"Yanagi, don't worry too much. Soukaku is still a child. She probably just came across those things by accident, like what happened earlier. She'll forget about it soon enough."
"That's true... but as Soukaku said, she really has grown a lot."
Yanagi nodded softly, not denying his words.
By the time they reached the tea shop, Soukaku had already finished placing the order.
Seeing that, both Yanagi and Wise instinctively reached for their wallets at the same time. Their perfectly synchronized movement left Coco, the shop assistant, momentarily speechless.
"Um... customers..."
Coco naturally recognized Wise, but why had the girl beside him changed again?
Wise paid no attention to Coco's silent confusion, because Yanagi had already spoken first.
"Soukaku and I have received so much care from you before. It's only a cup of tea, so please allow me to pay."
Since Yanagi had insisted, Wise chose not to refuse any further. After accepting the payment, Coco handed them their drinks with a subtle, meaningful smile.
"Mmm! This new flavor is really good! Yanagi, Wise, hurry and try yours!"
Soukaku took a big sip, her face glowing with happiness.
Hearing that, Wise and Yanagi exchanged smiles. During this rare holiday, Yanagi found herself immersed in an atmosphere of warmth and peace.
She could not help but wonder... if she truly ended up with Wise, would this warmth continue forever?
Yanagi unconsciously glanced at the man beside her.
He made her feel safe, and he was genuinely kind to Soukaku as well. Even someone like her, who had never seriously considered having a partner, had to admit he was an ideal marriage candidate.
With such thoughts lingering in her heart, the three continued to enjoy the rest of their holiday.
For dinner, they chose a highly rated restaurant they had found online. Coincidentally, the restaurant was running a half-price promotion for couples.
Yanagi had no intention of taking part at first. After all, she and Wise were not actually a couple, and she did not care much for a small discount.
However, after being relentlessly teased by Soukaku, the two of them ultimately accepted the half-price deal.
By the time they were ready to head home that night, Soukaku was so sleepy she could barely keep her eyes open. Before long, she had fallen asleep on Wise's back.
Carrying Soukaku, Wise did not find her heavy at all.
Although she ate plenty, the little girl was surprisingly light. Of course, that was likely also because Wise himself was quite strong.
"Sorry... I've troubled you again."
As they walked home, Yanagi apologized once more, sounding slightly embarrassed. She had originally planned to carry Soukaku herself, but Wise said he was worried about her health.
Unable to refuse his kindness, Yanagi entrusted Soukaku to him and quietly walked by his side.
For a woman who had always stood strong on her own, nothing could touch her heart more deeply than being cared for in a moment of vulnerability.
+- - -+
-[ AD ]-
+- - -+
+- - -+
Zenless Zone Zero: The Almighty Incubus of Sixth Street
+- - -+
✨ 40+ Advance Chapters • Early Access ✨
📚 Read Ahead Here:
[- p - a - t - r - e - o - n . com / DysFiction -]
💖 Enjoying the Story? Support My Work:
[ ko - fi . com / dysfiction ]
+- - -+
📖 Available Novels
🔹 Zenless Zone Zero: The Almighty Incubus of Sixth Street
↳ (Translation)
🔹 Azur Lane: Don't Fight! You're All My Wives!
↳ (Translation)
🔹 Zenless Zone Zero: Death in White
↳ (Original Story — Exclusive Until Chapter 30)
+- - -+