"Weak~ Sister Otome, you're so weak~"
After returning home and closing the door, Sasaki had just changed his shoes when he heard Rinka shouting in the living room, accompanied by the frantic sound of game controller buttons being pressed.
Following the sound, Sasaki tiptoed toward the living room, made a 'hush' gesture toward Koharu, who was cooking and had glanced in his direction, then spoke to Rinka, who was completely engrossed in her game:
"Rinka, you're playing games again. Why don't you go do your homework?"
"Mom, I just turned on the TV—"
Rinka stopped mid-sentence, suddenly realizing that this wasn't her home, and that the voice addressing her wasn't her mother's.
Reacting quickly, she continued playing while glancing at Sasaki and muttering: "Brother Fuyumi you're so mean. Why are you scaring me for no reason?"
Sasaki, seated on the sofa behind Rinka, smirked, then winked at the girl whose game character was on the brink of losing health and rested his hand on Rinka's small, soft shoulder.
"I'm doing a surprise inspection. Have you finished your homework?"
With her head half-turned and most of her focus still on the game, Okino Rinka muttered:
"Today's Saturday, so it's not too late to do it on Monday morning."
"Um?"
"Haha~ I've done a little bit, I swear! I'll definitely finish it tomorrow."
Ignoring her response, Sasaki covered Rinka's eyes from behind, rested his chin on top of her head, and asked again: "Really?"
?!
Blinded, Okino Rinka flailed as her vision went dark as she shouted in panic:
"Brother Fuyumi, stop it! I can't see anymore—I'm dying!"
Ignoring her panic and struggle, Sasaki winked at the girl who was watching with a smile on her face, and said. "I'm talking to you. Answer my question first~"
"Really, really~!"
As his warm fingers moved away, Rinka regained her vision just in time to see her game character get defeated by Sister Otome's attack.
The word "Terminated" flashed mockingly on the TV screen.
After staring blankly at her loss, Rinka tossed down the controller in frustration, then spun around, and pounced on Sasaki, biting his neck with her tiny teeth.
"It's all your fault! It's all your fault~!"
Feeling the not-so-obvious heartbeat from the other person, Sasaki barely restrained himself from teasing Rinka further, mindful of the presence of others.
Instead, he gently stroked her soft hair, silently enjoying the moment.
After comforting her for a while, Sasaki naturally placed his hands on her slender waist and leaned his head against her shoulder.
Her delicate fingers, fair and pink, slipped through the gaps between his larger hands and clasped them tightly like a little white snake.
Sakuragi Otome, who was enjoying the calm moment, tilted her head and gently rubbed her lover's soft hair, speaking softly:
"You've been busy all day.
You must be tired, right?"
Though Sasaki had been busy, he wasn't tired—just sore in a way he couldn't describe.
After multiple trips to the hotel and several showers, he responded with a somewhat strange expression:
"It's okay. It's my first time signing a contract, so there are a lot of things I don't understand. But the editor was really kind and gave me a lot of guidance."
To be honest, Otome wasn't thrilled about Fuyumi writing those stories at this stage, but since Fuyumi insisted, she chose not to say anything that might dampen the mood.
Instead, she cooperated fully and asked questions about his day.
After briefly recounting his itinerary, Sasaki fabricated some details to reassure her, making sure the conversation stayed lighthearted.
As he breathed in the faint cherry blossom scent around her, and asked:
"Where are Sister Yuuka and Aunt Kyoka?"
At this, Sakuragi Otome frowned slightly and replied in confusion:
"Aunt Kyouka has been sleeping all day today. She seems to be sick, but when I took her temperature, it was normal..."
"..."
"She must be too tired. After all, she stays in the company all day long and has no regular schedule. It's normal for her to be sleepy after staying up late for a long time."
"I see."
Unable to find any other reason, Sakuragi Otome nodded hesitantly.
Having abused Kyouka a bit yesterday, Fuyumi patted the little Rinka in his arms, who was licking his neck like a puppy drinking water and seducing him, and said to Otome:
"I'll go over and take a look."
"Um."
Sister Otome was still not fully aware of Brother Fuyumi's evil ambitions, though she had some understanding of it.
Although it wasn't entirely certain that Aunt Kyouka's current state was caused by Brother Fuyumi, Okino Rinka was 80% sure that Brother Fuyumi must have done something… Otherwise, how could Aunt Kyouka sleep for so long?
Surprised by his boldness, Okino Rinka covered for him and once again pulled Sister Otome to play the game.
---
...
Fuyumi pressed the door handle gently without making any sound, then squeezed into the room as best as he could without disturbing the sleep of the person inside.
It was exactly the same as when he had left in the morning.
The not-very-light curtains were drawn tightly, and the bedside lamp still emitted a soft, dim light.
The thin blanket still covered her body, like white snow clinging to the rolling hills.
Slowly approaching and lifting the thin quilt, Sasaki lay down beside her and quietly looked at her peaceful and tranquil sleeping face.
It was originally a peaceful and warm picture, and it was indeed so, but this picture lasted less than five minutes before it was broken by the vulgar Sasaki.
As expected, teenage boys' minds are always filled with nonsense.
Sasaki silently despised himself for his thoughts, berating his conscience as he wrestled with his complex emotions.
So, when Tachibana Kyouka gradually woke up, she felt a dull ache in her chest and faintly heard murmurs like "It's all your fault" and "You're the problem."
Not knowing why she was being blamed, the groggy Tachibana Kyouka murmured in a soft, husky voice, "Mm~? What's wrong?"
"Nothing~ I'm just scolding my own conscience. I wanted to quietly watch you, but I just couldn't resist~"
Sasaki hugged her tightly, relishing the warm and smooth sensation of her body as he kissed her neck and explained.
"..."
Without commenting on his so-called self-reproach, Tachibana Kyouka turned her body to face him.
Her jet-black eyes, bright like pearls, reflected the figure of someone who didn't truly belong to her.
She arched her alluring, voluptuous body forward, responding to his embrace. "Actually… I don't mind…"
Rather than not minding, it was more accurate to say she was eager for it.
She knew that she was pretty, and her temperament and figure might be very attractive to a hot-blooded young man like Fuyumi.
But she was no longer young.
Compared to Yuuka, Koharu, Otome, or even Reika's family members, she had not physical advantages.
Although she exuded a mature aura, her love life had stagnated since her fiancé passed away on their wedding day.
She had thrown herself into her work ever since, never seeking anyone else, leaving her with little to no experience.
The only thing she could truly offer was her accumulated passion over the years.
But passion alone wasn't much of an advantage.
Just waking up, she hadn't even begun to overthink her situation when the man she had given her body and soul to openly expressed his affection.
So, naturally, Tachibana Kyouka didn't mind.
Feeling a sweetness in her heart, she moved closer, reciprocating his kiss with equal warmth and initiative as she pressed against Sasaki's neck.
Rinka and Otome was sitting in the living room not far away, and Sister Koharu was likely about to finish preparing their meal.
Sasaki knew he should stop Kyouka at this moment, gently remind her to calm down and be rational.
But… the searing warmth of her lips on his neck, the soft, moist breaths brushing against his shoulder, the seductive fragrance unique to a mature woman tickling his nose, and the plump and soft body pressed against his arms, made it impossible for him to voice a rejection.
While Sasaki, who still had more rationality, was thinking about whether to push her away or start another round of passion,
There was only one thought in Kyouka's mind: to respond to him and let him understand her feelings.
As for the fact that others were outside, and could hear or come to the room, she had entirely forgotten about it.
People often say men are creatures dominated by their lower bodies, but in a relationship between a couple in love, a woman's desires can sometimes surpass a man's.
Especially for a woman well into her maturity…
Sensing that Kyouka was thinking of taking advantage of the situation, Sasaki lightly pinched her to remind her, saying: "Kyouka~ Otome and Rinka are just outside, and Sister Koharu is almost done cooking…"
Hearing his words, Kyouka bit her lip gently, and her slender fingers froze as her pretty face showed the embarrassment of actively asking for... but being rejected:
"Then…"
She buried her face in Sasaki's neck.
Although he couldn't see her expression, the awkward position of her hands, which she had nowhere to put, made him realize her helplessness.
Realizing that his reminder just now had dampened her enthusiasm, Sasaki shifted his position, pulling her to sit on his stomach.
Laying on the bed, once he steadied her waist, he looked into her glistening, watery eyes, smiled, and placed his hands on the crook of her knees:
"There's not much time... The pressure on your end is no small thing, Kyoka. Once you're ready, make sure to pay attention, alright~?"
Understanding exactly what he meant, Kyouka, now nervous from his reminder, covered her mouth with both hands.
"It seems Kyouka-san has been ready for this for a while now~"
…
…
…