Chapter 32. Is This Something You Can Say Out Loud?
"Cheers to the successful release of Bronya and Xander's game!!!"
In the yard of Mei's villa, a lively celebration banquet was underway.
On the wide lawn, several girls and one boy sat in a circle, a charcoal grill crackling between them.
A rack beside it was piled with marinated meats and vegetables, which they laid on the coals, grilling them little by little to taste.
Kiana had originally proposed beer, only to be stopped by Mei on the grounds that they were underage.
So they could only use juice in place of alcohol, and they were still drinking quite happily.
"I really didn't expect you to be this amazing, Xander~"
Kiana downed a cup of juice in one go, exhaled, scooted up to Xander, and gave his shoulder a friendly pat.
"Over two million copies in three days.
Tsk, tsk, tsk.
Aside from those mega-titles, I haven't seen numbers this ridiculous in ages."
Sirin, sitting to the side, sighed as well, clearly surprised by the result.
Xander set down his cup and waved with a smile.
"The amazing one isn't me, it's Eden."
"Hey, hey, hey, don't say that.
We all played your game.
Sirin even cried on stream for ages!"
"Don't bring that up!!"
Ignoring Xander, Sirin promptly lunged at Kiana, and the two started scuffling.
"Go easy, okay?
Be careful not to get hurt~"
Seeing this, Mei just made a gentle reminder and then couldn't be bothered to manage them further.
She was used to it.
She used the tongs to pick up the nearly done skewers and veggies from the grill and placed some onto the plates of Xander, Bronya, and Seele.
"The seasonings are right beside you.
I hope they suit your taste."
"Thanks."
"No need to be polite.
I'm really happy we can all gather together."
With a soft smile on her face, Mei's voice was just as gentle.
Seele picked up a still-hot piece of meat with her chopsticks, blew on it lightly, dipped it into some dry seasoning, and when she put it into her mouth, her face immediately bloomed with happiness.
The plump juices brought a rich aroma, and Seele couldn't help but sigh.
"Mei's cooking is still so good."
"It's nothing.
I just cook more often than most."
"But Seele cooks every day too, and it still tastes way worse than yours."
Hearing the hint of discouragement in Seele's tone, Mei immediately offered, "When I have time, I'll teach you how to mix these sauces."
"Really?
Thank you, Mei~"
"Seele, you don't need to be so formal with me."
Kiana and Sirin were still chasing each other around, and Seele was chatting with Mei about cooking.
Bored, Xander shifted closer to where Bronya sat.
Who knew—just as he inched over, Bronya leaned in on her own, pressing close until their bodies were snug together.
"What is it?"
Tucking a side-lock behind her ear, Bronya tilted her head toward him.
That faintly intoxicating smile, the way she rested against him, and the delicate fragrance drifting over made Xander's heart itch.
It really felt like Bronya had been a little too good to him these days.
When nothing else was happening, she liked to stick by his side, enough that even Seele had started to feel a tiny bit unhappy.
Sure enough, while she was chatting with Mei, the moment Seele saw the two of them crowd together, her little eyes couldn't help but start glancing back.
"No, nothing big.
I just wanted to ask how your Alahato Alpha is doing."
At the mention of her own work, Bronya instantly brightened.
"Thanks to you—while it can't compare to your To the Moon, sales have already surpassed two hundred thousand."
Two hundred thousand in three days was indeed a breakout hit.
She rested her head on Xander's shoulder, her lips close to his ear, warm breath tickling.
"Thanks to you helping with the promo the other day.
It's already far beyond my expectations."
Bronya was like that—once she realized her true feelings, she was braver than Seele by far.
"Oh, uh, it's n-no big deal."
The whisper by his ear brought a blush to Xander's face.
This kind of close contact—it felt like the first time since they'd grown up.
"Big brother, Bronya-sis, what are you talking about~"
Seele finally couldn't take it anymore.
She broke away from Mei, hurried over in a few steps, and looked at them with eyes full of vigilance.
"Nothing, just talking about how Xander helped me promote my game earlier."
Seeing Seele, Bronya gave a slight smile and scooted a little to the side, leaving some space.
But where Seele couldn't see, Bronya secretly stretched out her hand and placed it atop Xander's.
"You don't have to sit that close just to say that..."
Seele muttered softly, but since Bronya-sis and her brother had separated, she could only let it go.
Then, a bit pouting, she plopped down on Xander's other side and hugged his arm tight.
Everyone already knew anyway, so Seele didn't care about hiding it anymore.
She might as well declare sovereignty outright.
Seeing this, Bronya only chuckled, then lightly scratched the center of Xander's palm with a fingertip, making his whole body jolt.
"What's wrong, big brother?"
Seele's soft voice carried a trace of grievance.
Bronya-sis had just leaned in and he had no reaction, so why did he tremble the moment she pressed closer?
Did he not like Seele anymore?
"N-no, it's nothing.
Sitting on the grass suddenly felt a bit ticklish, but it's fine now."
He quickly pulled his hand out of Bronya's, then, amid Seele's small squeak, gathered her into his arms.
With Seele's back to him, he finally turned his head and shot a glare at Bronya, who was smiling like a little devil.
Unfortunately, Bronya wasn't afraid at all.
Taking advantage of the fact that Seele couldn't see, she leaned closer to Xander again and guided his arm to wrap around her waist.
Then she looked into Xander's eyes and silently shaped the words with her lips.
By reading her mouth, Xander quickly made out what she said.
"Left arm and right arm, and they're sisters together—Xander, you must love that~"
Xander: "!!!!"
The hand he'd meant to pull back froze in place.
His heart pounded faster and faster, and he couldn't help but imagine the scene Bronya had painted.
A room at night, Bronya and Seele together...
Th-this, this, this—can you even say that?
Just then, the Seele who had been comfortably snuggled against her brother suddenly went stiff, and her cute face turned scarlet almost instantly.
"B-big brother..."
Her shy murmur snapped Xander out of his daydream.
He asked, a little confused, "What's wrong, Seele?"
"Big brother, y-you're pressing against Seele..."
"..."
In that instant, Xander wanted to dig a hole and crawl in, and never come out again for as long as he lived.
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