"The lights are already on, Mom must be waiting for me in the living room. If she sees me wearing a boy's clothes, she'll definitely ask for the reason. If my lie is seen through, it'll be terrible... Sora, what should I do?"
Anna tilted up her pretty face and looked over pitifully.
Sora pondered.
"Earlier in the restroom, what did Anna say to Auntie on the phone?"
"Nothing much, just that I was playing at Sora's house..." Halfway through her sentence, Anna's eyes suddenly lit up. "Ah, I have an idea!"
The gluttonous girl grabbed Sora's sleeve, her pretty face full of anticipation.
"If it's just me alone, no matter how I explain it, Mom will be suspicious. But if there's someone beside me to corroborate, it won't be a problem! So..."
A bad premonition surged in his heart. "So what?"
"So Sora will accompany me home!" Anna's eyes sparkled, her voice crisp. "As for the reason... we'll just say that to save a stray cat that fell into the river, my clothes got completely soaked, so I had to wear Sora's clothes."
Sora was speechless. "You want me to commit perjury?"
"It's a white lie." Anna gently wagged her right index finger. "I can't exactly tell Mom the truth, I can only resort to this... If Sora had protected me properly, my clothes wouldn't have disappeared. So Sora must take responsibility!"
If anyone is responsible, it's Elf! Don't just make wild accusations!
"Alright, I'll help you out." Sora helplessly agreed. "It's been a long time since I've paid a visit. I'll go buy a gift first..."
"There's no need for that. Sora used to come to my house for dinner all the time when we were kids. Mom will definitely be very happy to see you!"
Anna's eyes sparkled brightly. She grabbed Sora's wrist with both hands and led him inside her house.
"Mom, I'm back."
Anna's voice was crisp. She put her hands on her hips and pushed the door open.
No matter what you're doing, you must have an imposing aura.
If you look guilty and act sneakily, it will only make people suspicious. Therefore, at times like this, you absolutely cannot show guilt.
"Why are you back so late..." In the living room, an elegant housewife with similar blue hair was sitting on the sofa watching TV. Hearing her, she turned her head. "Eh, why is Anna wearing a boy's clothes?"
"Ehehe~"
Anna giggled. She quickly took half a step back and pulled Sora out from behind her.
"Sora will explain the clothes to Mom."
"Good evening, Auntie."
Sora gave a slight bow in greeting.
"Eh, it's been a long time since I've seen Sora." Mrs. Yanami happily stood up. A pleasantly surprised smile appeared on her face. She looked mature, elegant, and full of charm. "Hurry up and come sit down."
Sora sat on the sofa, then began to help cover for Anna.
"Auntie, Anna is wearing my clothes..."
"That's how it is." Anna chimed in from the side. "It was such a pitiful little kitten, I definitely couldn't just sit back and watch."
Her daughter had returned home happily, and with Sora's 'endorsement', Mrs. Yanami naturally didn't suspect anything. She just looked at her daughter helplessly.
"Go change your clothes first, then let Sora take his clothes back."
"Okay~"
Anna agreed crisply. As she walked past her mother, she secretly turned around, flashed a peace sign at Sora, and playfully winked her right eye. The bright smile on her face seemed to illuminate the entire living room.
"Take a seat first, Sora, I'll go pour you a cup of tea..."
Mrs. Yanami quickly stood up and poured a cup of black tea from the kitchen.
"Thank you, Auntie."
Sora accepted it with both hands.
"If you're too polite, Auntie will get angry." Mrs. Yanami smiled gently. "You used to come over and play all the time when you were little. I even gave you baths."
Sora: "..."
Oh no.
I actually have a faint impression of that in my mind.
But I was just starting kindergarten then, I've completely forgotten the specific details!
Next was time for idle chatter.
Sora drank tea while chatting with Mrs. Yanami.
Studies, life, the days of taking care of his sister alone, and his aunt's current difficult situation, etc. Unlike the ever-changing, lively, and energetic Anna, Mrs. Yanami could be described as gentle as water. Perhaps because she worked in a government department, she spoke slowly and methodically, giving people an inexplicable sense of reassurance.
A moment later.
The sound of brisk footsteps came from upstairs.
"I've changed."
Anna quickly came downstairs. She had already folded Sora's clothes neatly and placed them in a bag.
"Then I'll head back..."
Sora stood up and took his leave.
It was already past nine o'clock at night. Anna's father hadn't returned home yet, so only the mother and daughter were present. Reasonably speaking, he should take his leave as soon as possible.
"I'll walk Sora out." Anna walked him to the door, waving goodbye reluctantly, and whispered a reminder. "Message me when you get home, Sora."
"Got it."
"And also, you absolutely, absolutely must not forget about tomorrow's food."
That last sentence is what you really wanted to say, isn't it!
"I won't forget." Sora waved his hand and left the house. "See you tomorrow."
"..."
Anna watched until Sora's back disappeared from view before closing the door. She turned around only to see her mother looking at her with a smiling expression.
"Mom, I'm going to my room to read."
Anna's pretty face flushed red, and she was about to flee.
"It's been a long time. Sora has matured a lot, and he's even more handsome now." Mrs. Yanami slowly finished her tea. "Having encountered such a major change in his life, he now goes to school while taking care of his sister, and even plans to help his aunt share the pressure. Not only that, but his studies haven't fallen behind. You could say he's becoming more and more outstanding. He will definitely become a very remarkable person in the future."
"Mhm." Anna's eyes sparkled brightly. Hearing her mother praise Sora made her happier than being praised herself. "Sora has always been outstanding since he was little."
Mrs. Yanami said slowly.
"But then Anna is in danger."
"Eh, what is Mom talking about?"
Anna tilted her head in confusion.
"Well..." Mrs. Yanami said softly. "Whether in high school or university, outstanding boys will be popular with girls. If Anna only thinks about eating, drinking, and playing, instead of making herself outstanding, Sora might be snatched away by other girls, you know."
"I don't only think about eating, drinking, and playing!"
Anna retorted guiltily, running upstairs with a thump thump thump.
"I have my own considerations for these things, Mom doesn't need to worry!"
Bang.
Running into her room, Anna spread her arms and dove straight onto her bed, suddenly remaining completely still.
After a moment, the girl's snow-white, slender legs violently kicked against the bed, like a fish hooked out of the water, and it took a good while before she finally quieted down again.
"Phew..."
Anna let out a long sigh. Hugging her pillow, she looked out the window.
"Even though I know Mom is trying to spur me on... my head is full of nothing but food. I have no idea how to make myself more outstanding."