"…May I ask why Yuu is video-calling me while bathing?"
"It's not bathing, it's soaking in a hot spring." Yuu pointed his phone at his face, giving a relaxed smile to the cute, confused girl on the screen.
"Did you see the photos I sent earlier? Kyoto is beautiful, and the hot springs are great too. How about we take a trip here next time?"
"Traveling is such a hassle…" Lazily, Sora rested her head on her arm. Her bright eyes looked at him, and a soft smile curved her lips. "But if Yuu wants to go, once in a while is fine. Just don't go to places that are too crowded."
"Don't you want to go to an amusement park? Or see cherry blossoms in spring, the ocean in summer, maple leaves in fall, and go skiing in winter… Most of those places are crowded." Yuu teased deliberately.
"Hmm…"
Sora showed a hesitant expression. After a moment of doubt, she bit her lip and huffed reluctantly. "They're just people… If they dare interrupt my date with Yuu, I'll chase them all away without leaving a single one!"
"You're not even 160 cm tall, yet you talk so big." Yuu teased.
His jab immediately made Sora grin and glare at him angrily.
"Yuu, you've gotten so bold since leaving home… If you don't behave, just wait and see how I'll punish you when you get back!"
"Oh?" Yuu raised an eyebrow curiously. "Just a little sister, how are you going to punish me?"
Tilting her small head, Sora smiled triumphantly. Her eyes seemed to shine with pure, untainted light.
"I'll sleep in your bed every day, stay up late playing games, turn the volume all the way up, and keep you from sleeping!"
Yuu couldn't hold back a laugh. Then he lowered his head, pretending to be obedient. "That's terrifying. Please forgive your big brother, great little sister."
"Not sincere at all! At least you should…"
Before she finished, Yuu noticed something odd on the screen and couldn't help interrupting her.
"Listen, Sora… That bedsheet you're lying on looks kind of familiar."
It was very similar to his own bedsheet… Or rather, it was his.
His stepsibling's bedsheet had a different pattern. Yuu naturally knew which was which. Upon closer inspection, the background also looked like his room.
(Didn't I lock the door before leaving? Why is my little sister lying on my bed, video-calling me?)
"…"
Under his puzzled gaze, the silver-haired girl's face on the screen froze.
Without explanation, Sora decisively ended the video call, leaving Yuu with a slowly resigning expression.
Because of that, he didn't hear the voice that happened to sound from outside.
"Yuu, there's only one blanket here. Want to go back and grab another?"
Yuu raised his voice. "We're sleeping in one bed tonight, no need to grab one!"
Of course, just for chatting under the covers.
After he spoke, a cheerful cheer came from outside. "Yay! Masuzu-chan scores big~"
Yuu slightly doubted his ears. "What?"
A calm, flat voice quickly replied, "Nothing. Hurry up and finish your bath. I want to bathe too."
He smiled and shook his head, saying nothing more. He set his phone aside, leaned back in the warm bathwater, and closed his eyes.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
At the fastest speed, he entered sage mode, clearing out lingering thoughts and desires. Yuu stepped out of the bathroom steaming, feeling fresh and clean.
"The hot water's been refilled. Your change of clothes…"
"Dango-chan brought my bag earlier." After saying it briefly, Masuzu approached him. She sniffed with her small nose, then reached out and touched his freshly dried hair. A satisfied smile spread across her face.
"This is the first time I've seen you after a bath."
"You'll see more later. Go bathe."
Yuu lowered his head, kissed her soft lips, and walked to the balcony.
As Masuzu hugged her clothes and entered the bathroom, he opened the floor-to-ceiling window. Stepping barefoot onto the cold wooden floor, he looked toward the room where laughter had echoed that afternoon.
The light was on, but the curtains were drawn, so he couldn't see inside.
(Should I call to test them?)
Yuu thought about it. In the end, he felt it was pointless. He returned to his room.
It'd be better to pretend he didn't know Haruno was in Kyoto and live without crossing paths. No need to stir up trouble.
He locked the floor-to-ceiling window and closed the curtains to prevent that overly curious older sister from climbing the balcony and peeking at them while they slept—based on his understanding of Yukinoshita Haruno, such a thing was entirely possible.
About half an hour later, a girl with rosy white skin, alluring like a freshly ripened fruit, emerged from the bathroom.
Her silver hair was wrapped in a white towel, tied atop her head. Her neck looked slender and elegant, like a white swan. Her thin pajamas couldn't hide the curves of her ample figure, swaying with each step.
Her pants shifted. Yuu stopped looking.
"You're wearing such thin clothes. Aren't you cold?"
"Isn't there a heater? I'll just wear thicker clothes before going out tomorrow."
Masuzu spoke casually. She took out a hairdryer and comb, walked to Yuu, and handed him the items with a sweet, gentle smile.
"Darling, help me dry my hair~"
"Alright, alright, alright."
After Masuzu sat obediently in front of him and let her silver hair down from the towel, Yuu took the comb and hairdryer. He lifted her silver strands and began tending to her smooth, glossy hair.
Though it was a hassle, seeing her back in light blue pajamas, completely defenseless, humming and swaying, Yuu enjoyed it. He touched a girl's most precious part with joy, making it hot, dry, and fluffy, then combing it straight.
"Hee~ hee~ hee~"
Masuzu closed her eyes. She wiggled her legs happily, savoring his gentle, careful touch. Her entire heart melted into a puddle of syrup. She only wished this moment could last forever.
Sadly, no matter how thick her hair, it would eventually dry.
After her hair was completely dry, an hour had passed.
Outside the window, the night was as cold as water. Though there were no stars or moon, everything had a soft, tranquil outline. The entire city slept soundly under its blanket.
"Haaah…"
Masuzu adjusted her disheveled clothes. Her chest still rose and fell rapidly. Her skin, from her face to her collarbone, was flushed and bruised due to its whiteness and sensitivity, making the marks more noticeable.
She glanced at Yuu irritably. "You don't plan to do anything, so why can't you stop yourself from touching?"
"It's the result of a struggle between rationality and animal instincts. Why is Natsukawa-san so sweet? It's impossible to fully restrain desire. I can only hold back by touching you."
Yuu steadied his uneven breathing. His expression grew slightly serious. He was increasingly worried he'd turn into a beast after the lights went out.
For now, his rationality held firm. He could still uphold his principles and beliefs—but if Masuzu did something tempting while they slept under the same blanket, he couldn't guarantee his sanity wouldn't snap. He might ascend to adulthood tonight.
If he suggested sleeping in separate beds now, it could hurt the insecure Masuzu…
Just as he was conflicted, the system pinged a notification:
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the host for receiving the reward: Heart as Clear as a Mirror and as Still as Water (status)]
Yuu froze. This was too perfect, wasn't it?
(…System, are you trying to speed up my synchronization, or do you want me to become a saint who can restrain himself?)
The system replied: [This status can effectively resolve the host's current issue. In exchange, the host can no longer receive rewards from the target before completing the mission.]
(But I didn't agree, did I? Why are you collecting payment on your own?)
The system went silent, as if saying, "I've given you benefits, so don't complain."
Yuu clicked his tongue inwardly. After reading the status description, he felt relieved.
(I don't know whether to call this system considerate or meddlesome…)