After seeing her mother Touka off, Suiren, who was just about to start cooking, suddenly noticed her younger sister Aoi busily working on the veranda outside the eaves. She was slowly pulling black tights up her calf, gradually drawing them higher, then stretching out her plump little foot to slip into her small leather shoe.
Aoi stood up lightly, tapped her heels, straightened the hem of her JK skirt and the collar of her sailor uniform, lightly adjusted her beautiful hair with her hand, looking all dressed and ready, as if preparing to go out.
Suiren quickly asked, "Little Aoi, where are you planning to go? It's almost dinner time."
Similar to their mother Touka, Aoi, who almost always had an expressionless face, straightened the ribbon of her sailor uniform and, unusually, managed to squeeze out a faint smile, "Sis, didn't you say before that Hikari-kun has returned to the village? I'm planning to go look for him."
Knowing that Aoi had always had this kind of quiet, unexpressive personality, Suiren didn't mind her tone, just asked with concern, "Little Aoi, do you know where Hikari-kun is staying now?"
Little Aoi nodded lightly, "I know. I asked around. Not only do I know where Hikari-kun lives, but I also know where those mistresses of his... ah, no, I mean, where those aunts and friends of his live."
"Don't worry, sis, I'll definitely be able to find Hikari-kun."
Hearing her younger sister Little Aoi's words, Suiren, though somewhat helpless, agreed to let her go out.
"Then come back early, okay? I'll have dinner ready soon," Suiren said.
"Okay."
After giving a brief reply, Aoi quickly walked out of the house.
Seeing both her mother and sister leave one after another, leaving only herself in the large, empty house, Suiren subconsciously sighed, but soon started cooking.
———
In the izakaya—
Sayoko lay slumped limply over the counter like a puddle of mud. Her whole body aching, she stretched out her hands, trembling slightly as she propped herself up on the tabletop, slowly pushing herself upright.
Sayoko's pretty face still carried two rosy blushes. The delicate spaghetti-strap dress she wore was now damaged and soiled in several places. Not only was one strap broken, but the slit at the hip had torn upward all the way to her chest.
Rather than a dress, what was on her body now was more like two red pieces of cloth clamped front and back.
Some of the skin exposed between the torn parts of the skirt also showed bluish-purple marks.
And the entire izakaya was in considerable disarray. Not only was the counter a mess, but there were also several spots on the floor splashed with alcohol.
Even on Sayoko herself, faint traces of fine wine could be seen lingering from her neck down to her collarbone, fragrant shoulders, then to her chest, and finally to her belly and thighs.
The scene inside the izakaya right now was as if it had just been burgled.
However, it actually had nothing to do with burglars. This was just the aftermath of Hikari once again, at Sayoko's request, conducting some in-depth "teaching" with her.
Earlier, after hearing the news about both Akito and Kazuto dying, a somewhat frightened Sayoko had requested Hikari's comforting "teaching."
Having tasted that unprecedented pleasure from Hikari's teaching guidance yesterday, it was safe to say Sayoko had been thinking about it ever since.
And Hikari also discovered that Aunt Sayoko was quite clever. With just a few light hints from him, Sayoko immediately understood and positioned herself to cooperate.
'Is this the charm of a mature woman?'
Seeing Sayoko on the counter, her every movement still full of allure, Hikari immediately reached out to wrap an arm around her slender waist.
Suddenly being embraced by Hikari again, Sayoko's delicate body stiffened abruptly.
"Hikari-kun... that... auntie, for today... no more...", Sayoko's voice was already somewhat hoarse, even carrying a slight sob, as she spoke to Hikari with some fear.
"Didn't Auntie say today was open for business for me alone? Closing up shop so soon?", Hikari asked with a smile, gently massaging the bruised areas on Sayoko's skin.
"Ah," Sayoko let out a soft moan as he pressed on the sore spots from her fall, but still shook her head at Hikari with teary eyes, "It's not that auntie doesn't want to... it's just really impossible... who told you... to be so amazing, Hikari-kun?"
Sayoko was truly parched now. Even the most skilled housewife can't manage without water.
Running his middle finger lightly over Sayoko's still dry, warm lips, Hikari chuckled, "Don't worry, Auntie, I was just joking."
"I was just afraid you might fall if you got down by yourself, so I'm holding you to help you down."
Hearing Hikari's words, Sayoko relaxed and leaned into his embrace, wrapping her jade-like arms tightly around him.
"I knew you'd be considerate of auntie," Sayoko said with a beaming smile.
"Let me help you clean up, Auntie," Hikari said, pointing at the currently messy izakaya.
"Okay, thank you, Hikari-kun~" Sayoko nodded in agreement.
The two immediately began tidying up the chaotic izakaya, restoring it to order. They also opened the ventilation window to slowly let out the strong scent lingering in the air.
"Auntie, let me walk you back to your room," Hikari said to Sayoko caringly after they finished cleaning.
Sayoko, however, shook her head, "No need, I can rest in my room by myself. Today, Hikari-kun, you... you shouldn't stay over. Auntie can't handle it."
"Today, with everything that happened to Miyuri, you should hurry back and check on her again. She's surely feeling down right now. You should look after her more."
Hearing Sayoko's words, Hikari looked at her somewhat surprised.
After all, Sayoko and Miyuri's relationship had never been good. Every time they met, they would inevitably quarrel or even fight, often clashing.
But now Sayoko was actively telling him to care for Miyuri. That was rare.
"What, why are you looking at me like that? Don't you know your auntie is beautiful both inside and out?", Sayoko shot Hikari a sidelong glance.
"Of course I know. But just having a kind heart isn't enough, Auntie. You also need to practice your technique more and improve your stamina. Otherwise, your legs will still hurt often in the future," Hikari said with a teasing smile.
Not waiting for Sayoko to scold him, he continued, "Alright, I'll head back then. Aunt Sayoko, if you need anything, call me anytime."
Having said that, Hikari quickly left the izakaya.
Watching Hikari's departing back, Sayoko felt both embarrassed and angry, gritting her silver-white teeth.
Though she was very displeased in her heart, she couldn't find any reason to refute Hikari's words.
'Not being able to satisfy Hikari-kun, am I really that useless after all?'
"No! No! No! I can't blame myself for being useless!"
"It's all because Hikari-kun is too amazing. I don't have much experience. Even after accumulating so much energy over the years, I still couldn't handle him. It definitely can't be my fault..."
Regarding the issue of always reaching her peak too quickly within three minutes, Sayoko comforted herself.
And she pondered whether, if she exercised more, she might be able to endure better.
But thinking of Hikari's unbelievable, superhuman prowess, she couldn't help but shudder.
"If it really comes to it, maybe I should just let Hikari-kun find a few more. It just so happens Kazuto is dead. I wonder what will become of Miyuri in the future..."
Sayoko, legs weak and sore, leaned against the wall, limping back to her room, her mind still filled with random thoughts.
———
Meanwhile, Hikari had already left the izakaya and was walking towards Miyuri's house.
Just as Sayoko had said, with everything Miyuri had experienced today, he should spend more time with her when he had the chance.
However, halfway there, just a few hundred meters from Miyuri's house, something caught Hikari's eye.
The setting sun's afterglow filtered through the tender green leaves, falling upon a unique figure ahead under a tree by the roadside.
It was a young, beautiful girl with delicate, pretty features, deep, bright eyes, and lightly pursed pink lips, giving off a peculiar sense of a faint, enigmatic smile. Her silver, ear-length bob shimmered softly in the sunset, like the brightest starlight in the night sky.
She wore a classic sailor uniform, the blue and white colors appearing especially fresh and clean. At the collar, an exquisite ribbon fluttered gently in the breeze, adding a touch of playful charm.
The sleeves of the sailor uniform were designed perfectly, neither too restrictive nor failing to showcase her slender, pale forearms.
Paired below was a black miniskirt, its hem swaying gently with the passing breeze, as if whispering the thoughts of a maiden.
Most eye-catching were the slender, beautiful legs beneath the skirt, clad in black stockings.
The soft, sheer black tights clung closely to her skin, outlining perfect leg lines, making one desperately want to grasp them and gently stroke, to feel just how smooth that sensation would be.
Yet, the silver-haired girl's faintly upturned lips, holding that enigmatic smile, seemed to conceal some secret, making one unable to resist the urge to uncover it.
Boys occasionally passing by after school couldn't help but glance at the silver-haired girl. Some even stopped involuntarily, for this scene was truly beautiful.
Hikari also looked at her a few times, because although he had seen many beautiful girls, in this rural countryside, a beautifully dressed, delicate, and charming girl like this was quite rare.
But before he could look long, he suddenly saw this pretty sailor-uniformed beauty walking toward him with small, quick steps.
"Hikari-kun," the silver-haired beauty said as she stopped before him.
Ignoring the envious and jealous looks from the boys around, Hikari frowned slightly as he looked at the beauty who had actively greeted him, "And you are?"
Hearing the puzzlement in Hikari's tone, a faintly mocking smile appeared on the delicate, oval face of the silver-haired beauty, Asakawa Aoi, "As expected, they say once you go to Tokyo and become a Tokyo pretty boy, you forget your ch!ldhood playmates."
"You're... Little Aoi?", Hearing the somewhat sharp-tongued words spoken from that expressionless face, and combining them with a face that vaguely overlapped with the delicate features of a certain girl from ch!ldhood, Hikari immediately confirmed her identity.
Asakawa Aoi didn't speak, just took another step forward, standing very close to Hikari, carefully observing his appearance.
Hikari also didn't speak, similarly closely observing Asakawa Aoi's developed figure, comparing it to that tender girl from ch!ldhood, noting the differences.
The two remained silent like this, observing each other's changes for several minutes.
Finally, Hikari broke the silence first, "Aoi, long time no see."
"Yes, it's been a long time, Hikari-kun," Asakawa Aoi said with a smiling nod, "You didn't tell me or my sister at all back then. Hikari-kun just moved to Tokyo directly. So heartless~"
Seeing Aoi's smile laced with barbs, Hikari explained helplessly, "I was still young then. Miss Mira suddenly decided to move without telling me beforehand, so I didn't have time to say goodbye to you. It wasn't intentional."
"I see," Asakawa Aoi smiled, then said, "By the way, Hikari-kun, do you still remember the promise we made when we were k!ds?"
"A promise?", Hearing this, Hikari raised an eyebrow.
As Aoi leaned in a bit closer, her maidenly fragrance drifting into his senses, Hikari realized what promise she was referring to.
When he was still very young, Hikari had lived in Ino Village for a while with Miss Mira.
At that time, Miss Mira often interacted with their neighbor Aunt Touka, and Hikari often played with Touka's two daughters, Asakawa Aoi and Asakawa Suiren. The three got along very well, practically ch!ldhood friends who grew up together.
Back then, there was an amusing incident with Asakawa Aoi in kindergarten. For some reason, she really loved wetting the bed.
When other k!ds had already stopped, she still did, making her the only ch!ld her age still wearing diapers. She was laughed at by the girls in her kindergarten class, which made her cry.
Back then, Hikari stepped forward, beat up those little brats for Aoi, protecting the mocked Aoi.
Ever since then, Asakawa Aoi had always loved clinging to Hikari, even saying she would definitely marry him when she grew up, and she'd bring along her dearest sister, Suiren.
That was probably the promise she meant.
Thinking of this ch!ldish ch!ldhood promise, Hikari couldn't help but smile wryly.
Seeing Hikari's expression, Asakawa Aoi smiled, "Well? Remembered?"
Hikari nodded, "Yeah, I remember."
Just as Hikari seemed immersed in the happy memories of ch!ldhood, Asakawa Aoi suddenly spoke up, "Hikari-kun, my older sister is already engaged, you know."
As she said this, Asakawa Aoi stared intently at Hikari's face, wanting to see expressions of panic, disbelief, or displeasure.
But Hikari just gave a carefree smile and nodded, "I know. Suiren-nee told me before. Promises about marriage and such are just jokes between k!ds. Surely no one would actually take them seriously."
Hikari's reply was perfectly normal.
Almost everyone had playmates in ch!ldhood, and one of the favorite games between little boys and girls was definitely playing house, pretending to be husband and wife, and the like.
But for most people, when grown up, they might not even remember those ch!ldish things, and even if they did, no one would actually take them seriously.
However, in response to Hikari's words, Asakawa Aoi smiled and said, "No, Hikari-kun, I don't know if my sister took that promise seriously or not, but I've always taken it seriously~"
Hikari raised an eyebrow slightly, "Meaning?"
The silver-haired beauty smiled, "Literally."
Hikari asked, "You want me to marry you?"
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