The Shito family's living room was spacious, with a low table in front of the large-screen TV and an L-shaped sofa arranged facing the dining area.
Marin sat primly on the sofa, while Ryosuke lounged in a corner, somewhat removed from her.
As for Takuma...
"Hey there, Marin-chan! Long time no see!"
"It's been a while, Takuma-san."
Takuma smiled at Marin's polite greeting and casually sat cross-legged next to Ryosuke.
"Hey, Takuma, you can't just barge onto someone's sofa like that!"
"Relax, I'm more comfortable here. Besides, I showered right after practice, so I'm clean."
"That's true, but..."
He wouldn't have minded in their old apartment, but this was their new home, and the sofa looked expensive.
Ryosuke, however, didn't seem to care at all.
"It's fine. I'd only get mad if you came in here with muddy boots."
"Yeah, that makes sense. Though I have to admit, I'm actually pretty nervous right now."
"You can't see it, can you?"
"People always say that. Actually, Ryosuke-kun doesn't seem nervous at all."
"No, I am nervous. I'm worried about what kind of person Nee-san's boyfriend is."
Ryosuke forced a wry smile, looking embarrassed.
No, seriously, who is this guy?!
I was startled by every reaction he showed, none of which he'd ever displayed in front of the family before.
"Ooh. So Nee-san's boyfriend is the enemy?"
"Absolutely not. As long as he doesn't hurt her, that's all that matters."
"You say that now. Ryosuke-kun... Ah. Right. I'm not good with stiff formality and stuff. Can I just call you Ryosuke?"
"Sure."
What was I worried about in the first place?
Takuma, shameless yet forgiven for his charm, and Ryosuke, gentle and unflappable, responding calmly to his overbearing manner—
The conversation flowed unnaturally smoothly.
"Then can I call you 'Nii-san,' Takuma?"
"Whoa. For real?"
Takuma was actually startled by this.
"What do you think, Manaka?"
"W-What do you mean?"
"Alright then, it's decided. Starting today, I'm your big brother."
"W-Wait a minute, Takuma!"
"I'm the eldest, then it's Manaka, Ryosuke, and Marin-chan. We're four siblings now!"
"Right... Hey, Nee-san, why are you blushing?"
"W-What?!"
Takuma and Ryosuke turned back with smirks.
Manaka was in a panic, her mind racing. She tried to divert her gaze, but even Marin...
"~~~~...Huh?!"
Her eyes widened in genuine surprise, a rare sight. It was a testament to how astonishing Ryosuke's transformation was.
"Sit down already. We're gonna play games."
Prompted by Takuma, they awkwardly settled onto the sofa and booted up the video game they'd set up earlier.
In the end, the seating arrangement was Ryosuke on the right end of the long sofa, Takuma next to him, Manaka on the other end, and Marin on the shorter sofa.
To cut to the chase, it was a huge success.
This was largely thanks to Takuma, who brought his usual intense enthusiasm to the game. Calling him over had definitely been the right choice. Ryosuke, naturally following Takuma's energy, made for an excellent sparring partner.
Marin only contributed the bare minimum to the conversation, but since her younger sister is the type to bolt without hesitation when bored or annoyed, at least she seemed to be enjoying herself.
Swept up in the lively atmosphere, Manaka soon forgot her worries and discomfort, fully immersed in the game.
The four characters on the screen thrashed about, each trying to knock the others out of the arena. Manaka usually went down first—she wasn't particularly skilled at games, though she still found it fun.
Meanwhile, Takuma and Ryosuke engaged in a fierce battle.
"Whoa, for real?! You pulled that move now?!"
"Too bad. Looks like you're out too, Nii-san."
"Damn it!"
Across from the frustrated Takuma stood Ryosuke, smugly triumphant. Seeing him so pleased didn't bother Manaka at all.
"We still have the final boss, though."
Ryosuke's gaze remained fixed on the TV screen.
"Go, Marin-chan! Take Ryosuke down!"
Even while the three of them were brawling, Marin had calmly kept her character alive.
"Of course. I won't lose to some latecomer."
Marin stared at the screen with cool detachment, almost callousness. Her small hands moved the controller with smooth, unhesitating precision.
"Both of you are too good at this! Now Manaka, who got eliminated so quickly, is the real pity."
"Takumaaa~"
"Heh heh. It's true, though."
Takuma grinned cheekily, earning a resentful glare from Manaka.
But secretly, she felt...
...I'm glad Takuma came after all.
Her feelings for her dependable boyfriend continued to grow stronger.
He turned his attention back to the screen, but Manaka kept stealing glances at him from the corner of her eye.
What should I do? This is bad...
Suddenly, she felt an overwhelming urge to nudge closer to him. But with Marin and Ryosuke sitting on either side, that wasn't possible... Yet knowing she couldn't act on it only intensified her emotions.
She wanted to touch him. She wanted to be even closer to him.
Her feelings spilled over, and before she knew it, Manaka had reached out.
Her fingers intertwined with Takuma's rough, calloused ones on the sofa beside her.
"――――"
"..."
When Takuma noticed, he flinched slightly but kept his expression and voice steady, which she appreciated.
In their shared blind spot, in their own private space...
Their fingers entwined, Manaka and Takuma connected. The sensation of being sought after by the rough, masculine fingers of a boy was indescribably sweet.
Sweat poured down my face. My blood felt like it was boiling. My heart raced as I struggled to maintain a composed expression—this intense moment felt like it would never end, and I wished it wouldn't.
But then...
"Alright, I win."
The fiercely contested duel between the two finally ended with Ryosuke's simple victory.
Marin's face twisted in genuine frustration. "Losing to someone like you is humiliating...!"
"Want to go again? Sure, I'll take your challenge. One-on-one? Should we set some handicaps?"
"Don't underestimate me! Takuma is far better than you! You just got lucky today!"
"Luck is part of skill, you know. Sorry, I'm just too strong."
"~~~Hmph!"
I'd never seen my younger sister this worked up before. It was a little strange, but also oddly comforting to see her act her age.
"So, can Marin and I handle this?"
Ryosuke suddenly turned to face me.
Even though he wasn't actually watching, I reflexively released the hands I'd been clasping together. My fingers and palms were slick with sweat, feeling feverish.
"Y-yeah, that's fine. I'll pass once."
I tried to maintain composure, but my voice might have betrayed me slightly.
"Alright then, let's go to Manaka's room."
Takuma was still the more skilled one. Without even hinting at our earlier awkwardness—
"We might get in the way here. Since we're already here, could you show us to Manaka's room?"
"Huh?"
This was unexpected.
True, my original purpose today was to ease the strained tension between Ryosuke and Marin. Their prickly conversation had completely thawed, so in that sense, my mission was accomplished.
And Ryosuke... it seemed safe to leave Marin in his care.
"But..."
With the way I feel right now—so exhilarated, almost aroused—I can't possibly invite Takuma into my room.
"Hey, Nee-san."
As I hesitated, Ryosuke's penetrating gaze seemed to see right through me.
"Is there something you don't want me to see? Like a messy room?"
"N-no, of course not!"
"Ah, don't worry. I know Manaka's terrible at cleaning—more than I care to admit."
Takuma chimed in, adding fuel to the fire.
"See? No problem, then. I'll take care of Marin for you. Take your time."
"~~~?!?!"
Both sisters were thrown into emotional turmoil.
Marin's eyes burned even brighter at the provocation, while I was left utterly flustered.
"Come on. Let's go, Manaka."
Takuma casually stood up, his words pushing me over the edge. In the end, Manaka reluctantly left the living room with him.
(Ah, this is so weird. My face is burning up...! This strange feeling, my legs are wobbly.)
I felt literally giddy.
It must have been the sense of accomplishment from thawing out Ryosuke and Marin, combined with the faintly guilty thrill of leaving my siblings behind to go to my room with my boyfriend.
Today is turning out to be an incredible day.
I have a strong feeling that many more wonderful things are yet to come.
Manaka, her cheeks flushed, lowered her gaze and grasped the living room door handle, guiding Takuma out.
Unaware that Ryosuke's quiet gaze was following her retreating figure.
*****
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