"I'm home."
"You're back! Mom made a lot of delicious food for you."
It was a little past seven in the evening when Minamoto Senya returned home.
Takanashi Rikka, her dark-winged aura and sweet tone perfectly intact, was waiting at the entrance. She caught sight of a car just pulling away from the driveway.
Peeking her head out, she said, "Oh, so it was Kudou-san who brought you home."
"Yeah. I thought I could just come back by myself, but she insisted on driving me."
"Why didn't you invite her to stay for dinner? I'm kind of curious about what assistants actually do in their daily work. I'd love to hear about her routine."
"There'll be plenty of opportunities. She'll probably be coming over often from now on."
Minamoto Senya handed over the various shopping bags he was carrying and squatted on the small bench near the entrance to change his shoes.
"What's all this?" Rikka and little Chiyo peeked into the paper bags, curious.
"After signing the contract, I went to the mall with Kudou-san. Got a new phone with a new number, printed some business cards, and picked up some gifts for you all. You've been wanting a drone, right? You said it'd be cool to see the world from above… though I'm not sure what's so cool about that."
"You even remembered! I'm so touched!"
"Hey, don't just jump on me all of a sudden!"
"What does it matter? You can handle it."
"Does it matter or not?! Get off my back!"
The siblings playfully tumbled into the living room.
Senya crouched down in front of baby Chiyo's seat and made a funny face, causing the little one to giggle uncontrollably.
Then he met Mom Junko coming out of the kitchen and handed her the bag of gifts he had picked out.
"Thank you so much, Senya! I love it!"
Junko's joy was evident as she immediately hugged her son in gratitude. Truly, the way mother and daughter expressed affection was almost identical.
Senya couldn't help but think: why couldn't Toka be like this…
Thinking of Toka, he noticed she wasn't home and tilted his head, scanning left and right.
"Toka hasn't come back yet?"
Junko's smile softened slightly as she explained,
"She called to say she's spending the night at a friend's today. You know, Yukino's older sister, Haruno. That girl… I told her how important it is that your brother won the award today. Dad couldn't make it because of work, but at least you should be home so the whole family can celebrate together. But she said she'd already promised someone else and couldn't back out. Sorry about that."
Senya nodded in understanding, unconcerned.
"Well, if she promised, then it can't be helped."
Hearing this, Junko relaxed a little and busied herself in the kitchen.
"Dinner will be ready soon. Rikka, stop playing for now and keep Chiyo company so Senya can rest a little."
"Got it~"
Rikka grabbed a small toy and went over to Chiyo as Senya headed to the bathroom.
During this brief pause, Senya reflected on Toka's unusual behavior earlier that morning.
Whenever he participated in a competition, unless he explicitly refused, she would always attend if she could.
If he won, she would be the first to celebrate with him, genuinely proud and happy for his success.
But today, when he won the most prestigious award so far—the Edogawa Ranpo Prize—she had only sent a brief congratulatory message that afternoon.
She hadn't even called.
He couldn't believe it had anything to do with a rift between them.
The sudden distance could only mean one thing: she had noticed something… about how he felt toward her.
Staring at his reflection in the mirror, he sighed. The road ahead was long.
It was past ten in the evening.
Senya sat at his desk, finalizing the outline for Shitai.
Winning the Edogawa Ranpo Prize made him happy, of course, but it wasn't enough to make him complacent. This was only the beginning.
The real focus was the Hayakawa Science Fiction Award, which opened for submissions in May and announced results in late August.
Astrological Murder Magic had won the Ranpo Prize and would soon be published, possibly sparking a trend. Sales might be good, and with some luck, it could even be adapted into a film or series.
But the book's length and genre imposed limits. Its impact and revenue had ceilings. Relying on a single book to achieve his ambitions was impossible.
Shitai was different. Its core story and theme were far grander, and the IP value and influence of his previous life's product were already well recognized.
Patience was key. Nothing could be achieved overnight.
On the bright side, Saeko's situation had started well, which was a small victory.
Senya typed on, fully absorbed in his work, when the door suddenly knocked.
Interrupted, he responded, and Rikka poked her head in with a sweet smile, carrying a small bowl of washed grapes and a glass of orange juice.
"Oniichan, still typing away? You just won an award today, and it's so late. You should rest. Tomorrow you'll be going to Kodansha for the interview. You need to take care of yourself and be well-rested."
Placing the tray on the desk, Rikka clasped her hands behind her back, her voice soft and tender.
It was touching and warm, but Senya's first reaction was wariness.
They'd lived under the same roof long enough for him to know her well.
Rikka usually had no special respect for her brother—she called him by name casually and naturally.
She only pulled out her "little sister" persona when she wanted something: to flatter, ask for help, or get him to intercede with Mom or Toka.
So seeing her acting sweet without an obvious ulterior motive immediately put Senya on guard. He narrowed his eyes, giving her a look that seemed to see right through her.
"Alright, spill it. What do you want from me now?"
Rikka crossed her hands on her hips, indignant.
"What do you take me for? Is it wrong for a little sister to care about her brother?"
Standing firmly on the moral high ground, her argument gave Senya pause.
He studied her more carefully and noticed there was no trace of evasiveness in her eyes. Relaxing slightly, he took a sip of juice.
"Fine. But given your history, it's hard not to be cautious."
"Past is past. I'm growing up too, just like you, Senya. I won't always cause trouble."
Seeing his dense document on the screen, Rikka softened her expression, then reached out and rested her hands on his shoulders, gently kneading.
"Oniichan, why don't you stop typing tonight? Rest a bit. Lie down, and I'll give you a massage like before."
She even handed him a napkin to spit out the grape skins—a small, considerate gesture like a maid tending her master.
"…"
Senya felt a chill. This little trickster usually only came running when she needed something. Now, acting purely out of thoughtfulness, it was unnerving.
But she was Toka's sister. Though not yet as mature or graceful as Toka, her beauty was undeniable—innocent, clever, and full of charm.
Senya noticed her nightwear today: a cute pink-and-blue pajama dress with ruffled sleeves, the delicate neckline accentuating her slender neck. The fluffy cotton swayed slightly as she moved, and the hem fell just above her knees. Bare legs, smooth and fair, completed the picture.
"Are you actually going to massage me or just stand there?"
Rikka noticed his gaze and looked momentarily guilty, though she hadn't intended anything improper.
Senya wasn't the type to overthink; seeing her making an effort, he nodded. He saved and backed up the document, then closed his laptop and lay on the bed.
Rikka kicked off her slippers, climbed onto her brother's bed, and knelt beside him, hands on his waist, beginning the massage.
She had done this countless times, knowing exactly which spots he liked.
"Rikka, you're acting a bit… different tonight," Senya murmured, chin on the pillow.
"Not firm enough? I can try harder," she breathed.
"Don't be ridiculous. That's not what I mean."
"I already said, I know when to be sensible." She adjusted her grip, lightly pounding his back when her fingers grew tired.
"Still… there's another reason, isn't there?"
"No, really…" she whispered.
Senya didn't press further, lying on the pillow, but asked, "Tell me. I'll feel better knowing. Otherwise, I feel like you're up to something."
"You don't have to be so slow sometimes…" she murmured, then confessed, "…I felt a little sad that my sister wasn't home to celebrate your big award. I wanted to do what I could to make you happy. All I could manage was washing grapes, making juice, and giving a little massage…"
"Wait. Stop. How did you know I felt sad?" Senya turned to face her.
"Obvious. You were excited when you heard you won, smiling through all the calls. At lunch, you seemed cheerful. But when you got home and learned your sister wouldn't join for dinner… your mood changed. Not drastically, but I could tell."
Hearing this, Senya instinctively reached for his face but stopped. How could she detect his feelings? Impossible… yet he was moved.
Rikka, usually so unpredictable, suddenly showing this kind of understanding, was deeply touching.
"Alright, don't worry. It's fine that your sister couldn't come. I'll celebrate for her too. You winning the Ranpo Prize and signing with Kodansha—it still feels unreal. Tonight, my massage won't stop until you fall asleep, okay?"
"…"
Senya felt like a child being coddled.
He lay back down, his mood subtly shifting, calmed and comforted.
Rikka continued enthusiastically, chattering about the future: "Oniichan, now that you're famous, you'll be interviewed by newspapers, magazines, and TV. Thanks to you, I'll be well-known at school too—I'm the sister of a kendo genius and a new Ranpo Prize winner! Oh, and now that you've signed with Kodansha, could you maybe get me autographs from the authors I like in Weekly Shonen Magazine?"
Most of the time, she spoke excitedly, letting her imagination run wild. Senya listened quietly, his previously restless mind slowing, soothed.
"Rikka."
"Hmm?"
"I've said this before, but… I really am glad you're part of my family."
"Suddenly saying that…" Rikka blushed, the color spreading to her ears. Shyly, she climbed onto his lap and pressed down, emphasizing:
"Just enjoy the massage. Don't say extra things."
"It's not extra, and you've been the one talking to me all this time."
"Ugh, Senya, you're so annoying!"
He chuckled, shoulders twitching.
True to her promise, the massage continued until Senya fell asleep.
Rikka eased her movements, softly called "Oniichan" once more, and, seeing he didn't respond, quietly got off his bed.
"Goodnight, Oniichan."
She tucked him in, tiptoed out, and though her hands were sore from over an hour of massaging, seeing his peaceful sleep left her strangely satisfied.
She lay down, smiling at the ceiling, and drifted off to sleep herself.
That night, the adopted siblings both dreamed well.