Chapter 166
Kotori was completely unaware that the cry of pain she let out had been misunderstood by the receptionist girl downstairs.
Right now, because the scab on her leg had been removed so suddenly, Kotori was on the verge of tears from the pain.
However, the painful sensation came fast and disappeared just as quickly. Within a short moment, Kotori felt much better. She lifted her head, looking at Mineo with teary eyes.
"Mineo-oniichan, how... how are the results?"
"Is... is the scar on my leg still there?"
Seeing Kotori's adorable and pitiful expression, Mineo smiled and said:
"Whether the scar is still there or not, can't you see it for yourself? If I tell you, there won't be a surprise anymore."
Hearing Mineo's words, Kotori tilted her leg slightly to the side. In an instant, her beautiful eyes froze in shock.
An overwhelming sense of surprise immediately flooded Kotori's heart. She stared at her calf in disbelief.
The dark brown scar that was previously on her leg had now vanished completely.
Her fair, clean skin radiated a healthy pinkish glow. Kotori reached out her hand, stroking it gently; in a split second, her eyes grew moist.
"Thank you, Mineo-oniichan!"
"I...."
At this moment, Kotori felt so emotional that her words became jumbled. From the time she was a child until now, she had always felt a bit insecure because of that scar on her leg.
She had even always chosen to wear over-the-knee socks to hide it.
But now, the thorn buried deep in her heart was finally gone. And the person who had brought all of this to her was Mineo-oniichan!
Seeing Kotori so emotional she could hardly speak, Mineo reached out and stroked the girl's forehead.
"There's no need for words of thanks."
"Do we still need to be that formal with each other?"
"Starting tomorrow, just show your best self on stage; that will be the greatest thanks for me."
"Work hard."
"Together with Honoka and the others, show everyone what you want to do most without holding anything back."
Kotori had a thousand words she wanted to say to Mineo right now. But seeing Mineo's gentle gaze, Kotori suddenly felt that anything she said would feel like too much.
The feeling of being trusted, cared for, and pampered felt truly wonderful.
At least for Kotori, she really loved being spoiled by Mineo like this. If this feeling could last forever, how nice would that be?
Kotori lowered her head, clutching her phone tightly. After feeling shy for quite a while, she spoke in a bashful, tiny voice:
"Mineo-oniichan, do you think I look adorable when I wear my maid uniform?"
"Extremely adorable, but I think it's not just the maid uniform! A girl as pretty as Kotori would definitely look captivating in anything she wears."
"Then... does Mineo-oniichan want to see photos of me in other cute outfits? Actually, there are a lot of selfies in my phone."
Hearing Kotori's words, Mineo felt a bit surprised and happy at the same time.
"Is that okay? Aren't those your private photos? If I look at them, wouldn't it be a bit..."
Before Mineo could finish his sentence, he heard Kotori speak in a very soft voice:
"It's okay."
"If it's Mineo-oniichan."
"I don't mind at all...."
Kotori opened her phone and went into her photo album. A second later, she handed the phone to Mineo with hands that were shaking slightly.
"Mineo-oniichan... you... you aren't allowed to laugh at me."
"These photos... they seem like they were taken in a way that's too narcissistic..."
"Narcissistic? That's not true at all!"
"These selfies you took are completely like treasures to me, you know?"
"But still, is it really okay for me to look?"
"It's o-okay... If Mineo-oniichan wants to see them, go ahead, I... I don't mind."
"Then I won't stand on ceremony!"
Holding Kotori's phone, Mineo began to observe them seriously. The phrase "Cuteness is justice" was not wrong at all.
Seeing Kotori's innocent, adorable, and pure smile in those photos, Mineo suddenly felt as if his soul was being purified.
Pure white over-the-knee socks, green over-the-knee socks, short skirts, dresses, small blazers...
As expected, Kotori was a natural clothes hanger; she could pull off any color or type of clothing perfectly.
Watching Mineo observe her selfies so seriously, Kotori sat on the edge of the bed in embarrassment.
She tucked her legs in and hugged her own knees. At this moment, an unexplainable feeling of happiness flowed through her heart.
Kotori didn't stay long at Mineo's place; she soon headed home. The main reason was that her mother had called to check on her, so Kotori had to go back immediately. Not long after Kotori left the inn, Mineo received a message from her.
"Mineo-oniichan! Thank you. Today... was the happiest day I've ever had! I will never forget this moment for the rest of my life."
From every word in that sentence, Mineo could feel how much Kotori trusted and relied on him, so he replied to her message.
"I'll remember today forever too. I saw all of your selfies, and I feel like I've truly hit the jackpot."
Seeing the message Mineo sent, Kotori—who had already arrived home—instantly felt her face flush.
She leaned against the headboard of her bed; her pair of small feet clad in short white cotton socks kicked back and forth bashfully. At that moment, a soft and melodic voice called out.
"Kotori, are you in your room?"
"Can Mama come in?"
Hearing that voice, Kotori jumped and immediately stuffed her phone under her pillow.
"Mama... Mama, please come in."
"I... I'm in here!"
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