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I'll keep a running tally and drop the extras as we hit those milestones. Thanks for the boost!
...
"Miss Akitsuki, you're still in college, right? And these two are your sisters?"
Takumi pointed toward the photo frame on the table, asking curiously.
Hearing that, Kayoko's cheeks flushed a faint shade of red.
"I'm far too old to still be in college. I'm already an old lady. These two are... my brother's daughters—my nieces. My brother and sister-in-law died in a car accident many years ago, so I've been raising them ever since."
Kayoko didn't even know why she was explaining so much. Normally, she'd simply say they were her daughters. After all, she'd raised them since they were little—already more than daughters in her heart.
But facing the handsome young man before her, her long-suppressed emotions rippled faintly, as if her heart were stirring for the first time in years.
"Miss Akitsuki, you're really kind~ But it must've been tough, right? Raising two kids on your own? When I had to take care of just myself, it was already exhausting."
His soft, sincere tone made Kayoko glance toward him in surprise. She sat gracefully beside him and asked gently, "Takumi-kun, you're still so young. Why do you sound like someone much older? Have you lived alone before?"
"To be exact, I've been living alone for five years."
Takumi exhaled softly, sharing part of his story while hiding the more dangerous details.
When Kayoko heard about his parents' deaths and his years of wandering alone after being rejected by blood relatives, her eyes grew moist with sympathy.
She couldn't help but lean forward and pull him into her arms.
He was just a boy, about the same age as her nieces—how could he have gone through such a tragic life?
Her heart overflowed with maternal compassion.
Duang~ Duang~
Takumi wasn't feeling sad at all. Quite the opposite—his self-assessment was excellent.
The only thing he could think about right now was: Soft... springy... I can barely breathe!
Wrapped in that warmth and fragrance, he experienced firsthand what "the depth of maternal love" truly meant.
He could practically bury his head in there.
"Mmn~ Takumi-kun~~"
Kayoko, realizing the warmth of his breath brushing against her skin, blushed furiously and quickly pulled back.
As she glanced down, she caught sight of the outline beneath him—and froze.
Her mind went blank. She'd completely forgotten he was a grown man. But still... this big?
Images from her private "lonely nights" flashed across her mind. No matter the actor, none compared to the young man before her.
Her face turned even redder as she averted her gaze. "Ahem... Takumi-kun, I'm sorry. I lost control of myself for a moment."
"It's fine, Miss Akitsuki. Your embrace is warm... I liked it."
Takumi clasped her delicate hand, his tone steady and serious. The weight behind his words made Kayoko's heart flutter.
She could hear the hidden meaning—and though embarrassed, she also felt an undeniable thrill.
To think someone his age could find me attractive... maybe I haven't lost my charm after all.
As she gathered the courage to respond, she noticed Takumi's gaze fixed directly on her lips.
The air between them heated subtly, and her breath caught in her throat.
His eyes held an unmistakable intent—the kind that made her heartbeat pound violently.
"Takumi-kun... y-you mustn't..." she murmured softly as he leaned closer.
"Mom, do we have guests?"
The voice from upstairs shattered the fragile tension.
Kayoko blinked rapidly, retreating a few steps, her face still flushed. "Yes! It's our new neighbor, Takumi-kun. Come downstairs and meet him!"
She called out hurriedly.
Though his moment was interrupted, Takumi quickly regained composure and turned toward the staircase.
Descending gracefully from above was a girl with golden twin tails—her fair skin and lovely features catching his attention at once. Akitsuki Airi.
Following right behind her was Akitsuki Marina, with chestnut-brown hair and a mature, gentle air. (T/N: here's the wiki: https://tropedia.fandom.com/wiki/Oni_Chichi/Characters)
Both sisters possessed stunning, well-defined figures far beyond that of ordinary girls their age.
The Akitsuki family sure has incredible genes... Takumi thought wryly.
"Eriri would probably die of jealousy," he mused silently as Airi met his eyes.
That single exchange sent a shiver down her spine. She could feel the boldness of his gaze—so open, so unapologetic. Unlike other boys who'd sneak glances, he looked at her directly, and the strangest part was... he was handsome.
Her emotions tangled—disgust and attraction fighting inside her chest.
Meanwhile, Marina stepped down beside her, her smile calm and polite.
"I'm Akitsuki Marina, Airi's older sister. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Takumi."
"The pleasure's mine, Marina."
He shook her hand lightly, addressing her by name.
The intimacy of that tone made Marina's face redden, though she didn't pull away.
Airi's brows furrowed. She didn't know whether she was upset because her sister was being flirted with—or because she wasn't the one being spoken to first.
"Don't act so familiar with my sister! Don't think I can't see what you're up to!" she snapped.
Before Takumi could respond, both Marina and Kayoko spoke in unison.
"Airi! Mr. Takumi was just greeting your sister—don't jump to conclusions."
"Yes, Airi. Apologize to Takumi-kun."
Seeing the two women scolding her together, Airi pouted angrily. "I'm not apologizing! He's just another shady guy—I don't care!"
With that, she stormed off, slamming the door behind her.
Kayoko gave a helpless sigh and turned to Takumi apologetically. "I'm so sorry, Takumi-kun. Airi can be... a bit temperamental."
"No worries. Lively girls like her are the most adorable."
He smiled disarmingly, brushing it off with ease. Of course, in his mind, he was already planning how to train that temper out of her.
Marina, watching his gentle composure, found herself silently blaming Airi.
"My sister can be impulsive sometimes, Mr. Takumi. Please don't take it personally."
"It's fine," Takumi replied with a soft chuckle as Marina sat beside him, her tone warming as they began to talk.
...
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