After lunch, my parents and aunts went to their rooms to rest.
As for us—their children—we gathered in the same living room where I was sitting earlier in the armchair. But this time, Miyuna-chan got there first.
"Now it's my turn to use it... SNORE..."
"That was fast. Is it really that comfortable?" — Hiyori-chan asked.
"It is! You should try it later." — I replied.
"Fufu~ she's so cute when she's sleeping." — Ayame-san added.
"SNORE..."
For a moment, everyone just looked at Miyuna-chan.
"Better than when she's awake." — I said.
We decided to sit on the sofa and watch something on TV.
"Is there any particular channel you want to watch?" — Ayame-san asked.
My sisters and I glanced at each other before replying.
"Not exactly." — I replied.
"Then I'll just pick a random channel."
"Good call. And to make it more fun, how about we watch whatever comes up for at least thirty minutes, no matter how boring or weird it is?" — I challenged.
"Okay, I'm in." — Ayame-san agreed.
My sisters said nothing, but they didn't object either.
Now… the first channel.
[Hello kids! Today we'll learn how to write your name. Everyone ready? Did I hear a yes? Great!]
It was a kids' show. We watched it for thirty minutes, occasionally commenting on how weird it felt to see this stuff after growing up. But for the most part, we stayed quiet.
I hope I won't regret making this challenge.
Second channel.
[Jupiter, the fifth planet in our solar system. We all know this giant planet is made mostly of gases—but is it really composed only of gas? There are still many mysteries surrounding gas giants. What lies beneath the layers we see from above?]
It was an astronomy documentary about Jupiter. The real photos and simulation footage were fascinating. After it ended, we discussed which hypothesis made the most sense.
Third channel.
[Wait... did I just become the most hated villainess from the otome game I played!? Worse, if I'm not mistaken... I'll be sentenced to death by my own fiancé, the prince! And to make it worse... isn't that today!?]
Now it was anime. The isekai otome game genre is really popular these days, but there are so many that it's become a bit repetitive. In my previous world, I'd seen a few like this—it's not really my cup of tea.
After watching one episode, we discussed what we'd do if we were in her shoes.
Erina nee-san said she'd gather all the money she could and flee to another country.
Natsumi-chan said she'd apologize and try to atone for the villainess's mistakes.
Hiyori-chan said she'd use her cooking skills to impress the prince and everyone else, hoping to stay alive.
As for Ayame-san, she said she'd use her position as the duke's daughter to oppose the prince's sentence. Sure, it could lead to war, but she'd spread the rumor among the commoners and nobles that the prince's actions were a power grab—painting him as a tyrant. Interesting answer.
Then they asked me. I said I'd accuse the prince of two-timing another girl and frame him for adultery.
My sisters pointed out that it didn't make much sense since it's not unusual for a prince to have multiple wives. So I said I'd just go after the heroine of the game instead.
"What?" — Ayame-san blinked.
Moving on.
Fourth channel.
[Do you like me? Or do you hate me? Do you like me? Or do you hate me? Do you like me? Or do you— no... this can't be... how stupid of me, using this flower! I mean, there's no way you hate me, right? Oh, how silly of me, let me take this from your mouth...]
It was a psychological horror movie about a woman who traps a man in her cabin. He'd gotten into a car accident, and she was the only one who rescued him. At first, it felt like a romantic movie, but when she discovered he was already married, everything took a dark turn.
"Tomoki, are you okay watching this?" — Natsumi-chan asked.
"You don't have to force yourself. Forget about the challenge." — Hiyori-chan said.
"Your elder sister will always protect you, okay?" — Erina nee-san tried to reassure me.
"Girls, I'm fine, don't worry. It's just a movie, a fiction. Besides, I've seen much heavier stuff than this. This is nothing, hahaha."
"Oh really? Then could you tell me exactly what you've seen, T-O-M-O-K-I?"
"WHOA! Mom!?" — I almost had a heart attack.
Just as she was pressing for answers, Sasaki-san called out to us.
"We made a small dessert, you can all get some in the dining room."
"Look, Mom! You like sweets, right? Let's go try it!"
"Oh, dear. I can't wait to try it... or is that what you wanted me to say? Now tell me what exactly you've been watching."
A few minutes later, Dad and my aunts managed to convince Mom that it wasn't a big deal for me to watch horror or psychological movies since I knew they were fictional.
I didn't tell her the truth—that I'd already watched movies where people were cut in half or exploded, or that I'd played games like that too. It would only make her more worried... and probably angrier. Even in my previous world, Mom almost banned me from those contents.
Anyway, we headed to the dining room.
"So, I wonder what kind of horrifying movies you've already seen, Tomoki-kun." — Ayame-san asked.
"You too, Ayame-san? What's the big deal about me watching those? Don't tell me guys are always too scared for this stuff."
"Fufu~ you guessed right."
"You're kidding me... So, Ayame-san, what did you think of the movie earlier? Did it scare you?" — I asked, grinning.
"Why would you think I'd be scared? Rather than me, I'm more worried about you."
"Come on, Ayame-san, you saw me watching without any issue. Did you think that woman scared me? Please... nothing scares me more than my—"
Before I could finish, she slowly turned toward me in the most crooked way possible. She wasn't annoyed or upset...
She was smiling silently, staring right at me.
"...than my..."
"Tomoki-kun?"
"...my test scores."
"Pfft—Ahaha! That took me by surprise!"
"Ayame-san, my scores are not a 'laughing' matter."
"Ahaha! You're doing that on purpose, stop it!"
While Ayame-san laughed at my dumb pun, the woman who had been staring at me turned away.
Phew... who needs horror movies when you have a mom who can hear from miles away, right?
By the way… am I forgetting someone?
♦♦♦
Right now, we were sitting down for dinner. Don't get me wrong—we'd already tried the dessert Sasaki-san made, but that was hours ago.
There was one person sulking at the table.
"I can't believe all of you forgot me." — Miyuna-chan pouted.
"Sorry, Miyuna-san. I can't believe I forgot about you." — Ayame-san apologized.
"When you're the one saying that, it's unfair. But... thanks for saving me a piece." — Miyuna-chan smiled.
"Fufu~ you're welcome."
As I thought, Miyuna-chan had become fond of Ayame-san. I should ask her secret later.
"Everyone, we'll serve dinner now. Please, enjoy your meal." — Sasaki-san announced.
"Excuse me, but is everything all right with Edomae-san?" — Mom asked.
"She's fine, but she still needs some time to recover. Thank you for your concern." — Sasaki-san explained.
It was really worrying to hear that. More than that... how was I supposed to lift Ayame-san's mood after this?
The only thing I could do was stay by her side and give her all the support I could when she needed it. I just hope Akane-san get better soon.
Dinner, as expected, was delicious. My parents and aunts talked about the van that would be available tomorrow, while my sisters discussed the next semester once school started.
As for me, I didn't know what to say to Ayame-san. We only exchanged glances and quietly ate our food.
That's how the day ended. We all headed to our bedrooms and wished each other good night.
♦♦♦
"Mom? Is everything alright?"
"Ayame, were you able to enjoy your meal with him?"
"Yeah... though it's sad it already ended."
"Don't worry. I know another opportunity like this will come."
"I see... Mom, can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Do you regret everything you did to make Father your husband?"
"Fufu~ what a silly question. Of course not. I would never give up on him, no matter what. But why do you ask?"
"Because I don't want to do anything that would make Tomoki-kun hate me... or be afraid of me."
"Then let me ask you... if Morikawa-kun rejected your confession, would you give up? Could you just forget him and move on?"
"No, I couldn't. Just imagining that is unbearable."
"There's nothing wrong with that. It just shows how much you love him. You need to be persistent until you win him over."
"But Mom, I still want him to love me."
"I know. That's why today I realized something after talking with Masaru-san."
"What is it?"
"Fufu~ I just need to give more love and attention. Since I'm only one person, I'll make up for it."
"...Are you sure?"
"Yes. He's just shy, that's all. And I admit I've been too focused on work lately. I'll take a vacation and spend all my time with him—just like old times."
"..."
"Well then, you should get some sleep. Good night."
"Good night, Mom."