◇Mizuki Hikari’s POV◇
Five days had passed since Yuuki and I became a couple. On this particular day, I had just finished some paperwork with Rina-san for my transfer and had undergone a physical examination. I also submitted a report to the state confirming that I still couldn’t use magic.
Once that was done, I headed to Yuuki’s hospital room at the usual time—only to find the Takanashi sisters already there.
「Ah, Hikari, welcome back. Done with your errands?」
「Hello, Hikari-oneesan.」
「Hi, Hikari-neechan!」
All three of them greeted me. Ever since we first met a few days ago, the Takanashi sisters had started calling me “Hikari-oneesan” or “Hikari-neechan”.
「Yeah, it was the usual—just tests to see if my magic’s back and whether there’s anything wrong with my body. So… what’s going on here?」
「Uh… well, I wanted to talk to you about something first… I’m thinking of adding these two to the harem…」
Yuuki’s voice trailed off toward the end, sounding awkward and uncertain.
Seriously… Just when I thought he’d been getting cooler lately, he goes back to being a total wimp about stuff like this.
「I don’t mind. More importantly… have you explained your ability to them?」
「Yeah, I told them. And even after that, they said they definitely want to be part of it…」
「Hmm… so you figured you’d check with your wife first before going ahead with it?」
「Yeah… that’s about right…」
Yuuki’s eyes darted around nervously, as if he were trying to pull off a breakdance with his gaze.
「Sigh… Yuuki, you’ve thought this through, right? If you believe these two are the right choice, I don’t have any reason to stop you. Unless they’re planning to use you like a slave, exploit you for money, or push you into committing crimes—then I’d have to step in…」
「I’d never let someone like that in… I’ve got a decent eye for people, you know…」
「Then it’s fine. But Yuuki, if you ever feel uneasy about handling this on your own, we can talk about it properly. Does that sound okay to you two as well?」
I turned toward the Takanashi sisters, who had been watching with bated breath. They both straightened up and answered brightly:
「Y-Yes!」
「Alright then. Basically, Yuuki will take the lead, but if anything comes up, just talk to me about it.」
「Got it. Thanks…」
Yuuki’s face softened into a cheerful smile. I’ve lost count of how many times that smile has made me melt over the years. I do like the serious, confident look he’s been showing lately—but in the end, Yuuki is definitely more of the cute type!!
As I indulged in that thought, I suddenly felt the Takanashi twins’ intense stares on me.
「By the way, Hikari-san,」
「How long have you been with Yuuki-oniichan?」
The Takanashi sisters fired off their questions in perfect sync.
「Let’s see… Since kindergarten, so about 13 years now.」
At that, their eyes sparkled with excitement.
「Then, then! Do you have any funny stories about Yuuki-oniisan?」
「Of course I do.」
「Hikari!?」
「Wait, Touka! That’s not something you should ask!」
「Ehh—then, Haruka, you don’t want to hear them?」
「I… do, but…」
「Then it’s settled! Hikari-oneechan, please tell us!」
Before I knew it, it felt like I’d gained two adorable little sisters. As an only child, the feeling was surprisingly nice. I wrapped my arms around them affectionately.
When I glanced over at Yuuki, I caught him sneaking a glance at my chest, which had been pushed up slightly by my crossed arms. Well, that’s nothing new…
「Alright, then… Let’s start with how Yuuki is currently staring at my chest.」
「H-Hey, Hikari!?」
「I’ve told you before, haven’t I? It’s totally obvious.」
The Takanashi sisters jumped in without missing a beat.
「Onii-san, you perv!」
「Yuuki-oniisan… you’re the worst.」
After that, the three of us took turns teasing Yuuki, whose face was flushed bright red the entire time.
◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆
Since Yuuki had gone for his medical tests, I found myself with some free time. I decided to stop by the store and pick up some snacks before heading to the Takanashi sisters’ room.
「Excuse me—」
When I entered, I found their father, Shuuji-san, and their mother, Himeka-san, sitting inside.
「Ah, Hikari-oneesan!」
「Hikari-san!」
The two girls waved happily at me, but since their parents were there, I figured I was probably intruding.
「Ah, sorry! I didn’t realize your parents were here. I’ll drop by later so you can have some family time. Shuuji-san, Himeka-san, excuse me…」
Just as I turned to leave, Himeka-san’s composed voice stopped me.
「Hikari-san, may I have a moment of your time?」
「Ah, yes, of course.」
At her invitation, I sat down. Shuuji-san, looking a little awkward, moved a chair to the corner of the room and sat there quietly.
「Ah, if you don’t mind… I bought some snacks at the store earlier.」
I pulled out the snacks I’d picked up—some potato sticks. They might not like them, but I figured it was worth a try.
「Thank you very much. Oh! These are Jagarico! I love these!」
Himeka-san’s eyes lit up with genuine delight.
Himeka-san opened the snack immediately and started eating without hesitation.
「Ahh, Mom, that’s not fair!」
「Yeah, Mom! If we leave you alone, you’ll eat them all yourself!」
So the twins like these too… I did buy them with the two of them in mind, but I didn’t expect Himeka-san to like them as well.
Just as the atmosphere started to relax, the Takanashi sisters launched an attack.
「Mom! Didn’t you say you had something to talk about with Hikari-oneechan!?」
「Yeah! What’s the conversation about!?」
Himeka-san flinched at her daughters’ words, her ears turning red as she mumbled, 「I’m sorry…」 with an embarrassed smile.
「It’s fine. If you’d like, I have another one, so please go ahead…」
「Ah, thank you very much… Ahaha…」
She gave an awkward laugh and quickly tucked the snack into her sleeve to keep it from being snatched away by the twins.
「So, what did you want to talk about?」
「Yes, I heard from my daughters… Hikari-san, I understand you’re engaged to Yuuki-san?」
Himeka-san smiled warmly, but the moment those words left her lips, my stomach tightened with nerves.
「Y-Yes…」
「And just earlier, I heard that Haruka and Touka are considering becoming… Yuuki-san’s concu… hm… consorts. Is that true?」
「Y-Yes…」
The pressure coming off her was intense. I answered as calmly as I could, but I was definitely feeling the weight of it.
「I see… And you two are really okay with that?」
Himeka-san turned toward Haruka-chan and Touka-chan. The twins, completely unfazed, kept munching on their snacks like hamsters.
「Yeah. I’ve already decided that no matter what happens, I’m going to devote myself to Yuuki-san for life.」
「He’s thousands of times cooler than any other guy, you know? After that rescue, my classmates and other guys just seem like kids now… Besides, he saved Mom’s children’s life. How could I not fall for him?」
Haruka-chan answered firmly, looking straight into Himeka-san’s eyes, while Touka-chan spoke casually but with a serious gleam in her eyes.
「I see… In that case, Hikari-san, I have a few questions for you.」
「Y-Yes!」
「What kind of person do you think Yuuki-san is?」
「What kind of person…?」
「Yes. I understand you’ve known him since childhood, so I’d like to hear what you think about him as a person.」
Himeka-san’s gaze was sharp. Wait… did Shuuji-san sit in the corner to avoid this on purpose…?
「Hikari-san?」
「Ah, um, well…!」
Himeka-san smiled sweetly, but her eyes told me this was no easy question. As I internally cursed Yuuki for putting me in this situation, I began to speak about my thoughts and feelings for him—stretching all the way back to our childhood.
Leave a Reply