Mortis is a very easy girl to deal with. But Mortis being very easy to deal with is also not too likely.
That sounds like a sentence with a grammatical error, left brain attacking right brain, pointy ends replacing thoughts, making people instinctively question, "Then let me ask you, let me ask you"...
But at least at this moment, that really was Kaito's genuine thought.
The "easy to deal with" part lies in the fact that Mortis hasn't been born for long, lacking common sense, suffering from the disadvantage of being uneducated, just like those fresh graduates who just walked out of the ivory tower, eyes full of pure stupidity. For someone with ulterior motives, she could be tricked into bed ten times in one night.
The "not easy to deal with" part lies in, she doesn't need to be tricked, she'll stick to you on her own.
Even when taking a bath, she'd rather cling onto him, and even if Kaito forcibly pulled her off, she'd still insist on sitting in his lap.
Of course, saying "insist" was more like acting spoiled.
Mortis very much knew how to use her modeling advantage. She was a master in the field of being cute. Add that to her naturally childish personality, so she didn't come off as fake at all. It felt more like her true self coming out, and her genuine emotional expression was a peak some nearly washed-up internet celebrity could never hope to reach in a lifetime.
Kaito had a personality that could be swayed by softness but not force. If he was dealing with a brat, he wouldn't spoil them endlessly. But Miss Mortis didn't do anything extreme, she simply clung to his arm and softly called "Onii-chan," "Onii-chan," "Please~" and the like. And just when he was about to give in, Mutsumi stepped forward.
"Mortis."
The girl with light green long hair sat at the other end of the bathtub. That face, cold as winter snow, finally showed a rare ripple of emotion. Her voice wasn't loud, but very serious, "Don't do things that put Onii-chan in a difficult position."
"…I'm not making Onii-chan uncomfortable," That tone, like an older sister scolding her younger sister not to cause trouble, made Mortis a little unhappy. She wasn't a child.
But she thought for a moment and still didn't force her brother. Instead, she made a small concession and sat down beside him.
She really couldn't be too reckless. Although she admired the courage of that silver-haired, sickly anime little sister who boldly confessed to her brother, even using her as a role model, the girl in the show also got slapped in return, didn't she?
So it proved that charging forward was necessary, but also had to be at the right moment.
Just like she once coaxed Mutsumi to do: gradually close the distance between her and her Onii-chan, subtly influence him until his guard was almost entirely down, and his body was used to her close contact, then would be the time for her final assault.
Moreover…
Thinking back to that scene she had once personally witnessed, the close contact between her brother and Soyo, Mortis bit her lip. She still hadn't forgotten Soyo's expression from back then.
'It looked like happiness, but even more like pain.'
'Is there really no other method that can replace "that kind of thing"?'
Thinking of that, the girl wrinkled her little nose involuntarily, looking a bit troubled and pouty.
She had a feeling, 'It probably hurts a lot.'
She really hated pain.
———
The exhausting bath session ended, and what followed was the usual rest time.
No one knew what exactly Mortis was thinking about, but ever since earlier, she had suddenly gone quiet. She didn't cling to him either, just seemed deep in thought.
Kaito found it strange but didn't think too much. He said goodnight to the sisters and was about to turn off the lights.
The bed he bought back then was big enough, even with three people sleeping on it, there would still be a bit of open space. If they squeezed a little, four wouldn't be a problem.
A bed this large was already enough to satisfy 99% of buyers in the world, but for some reason, Kaito always had a premonition… that it would soon not be enough.
Once the secretary found a suitable place and they moved into a new home, he'd better get an even bigger bed.
He trusted his instincts, they never failed.
Buzz~
The phone on the bedside table vibrated.
Kaito unlocked the screen. The contact labeled [Nagasaki Soyo] with her profile picture popped up, message notifications were appearing one after another.
[Nagasaki Soyo: Kaito-kun, is our Saturday date still on schedule?]
[Nagasaki Soyo: You haven't taken the initiative to message me for two whole days.]
Even through the screen, he could feel that thick air of grievance.
'Ah, right.'
Kaito thought about it, 'And yeah, that seems to be true.'
He wasn't someone who liked chatting to begin with. Saturday, he had to accompany Yumiko and Bocchi, and even the evening was busy. Sunday, he had to work with the secretary on an exorcism commission, and then soon after, got dragged into trouble by that old man Togawa, and even saved Sakiko-chan's mom.
His schedule was completely packed. He didn't even have time to send a message.
But neglecting one's lover was indeed wrong. Usually, it was Soyo who initiated the conversations more. In a healthy romantic relationship, both sides should make an effort. If only one person kept initiating conversations, the other would inevitably feel hurt and lonely.
[Sorry, I was busy with some things these two days.]
Kaito's fingers paused slightly over the screen. Thinking girls probably liked hearing sweet talk, he added another message:
[I didn't text you, but I did think of you.]
———
'Hmm…'
In a duplex high-rise apartment by the sea, a girl in silk pajamas lay on her side in bed. Seeing the latest message pop up on screen, she blushed and buried her phone against her chest, rolling around like a little caterpillar.
Her boyfriend was great in every way, just a little too dull. Even in front of her, he didn't talk much, always just listening.
But it was precisely because of that reason, when he suddenly spoke words of affection, the impact was that much stronger.
Like a usually cold, aloof young lady showing only you a tender, watery side, the contrast brought such a thrill, it made Soyo unconsciously press her snow-white thighs tightly together beneath her nightgown.
Plain text messages could no longer satisfy her. She initiated a voice call.
["Soyo, what's wrong?"]
Upon hearing that familiar, clear teenage voice, the fire in her heart was suppressed a little, no longer spreading like wild grass.
"There really is something important."
Soyo said shyly and a bit awkwardly, "Mom… already knows we're dating, so next Saturday, she wants to invite you over for dinner."
It wasn't the first time Mrs. Nagasaki invited him, but their relationship status had undergone a fundamental shift.
If before, it was just a meal between friends, this time, it was clearly a mother-in-law meeting the son-in-law.
Kaito understood Mrs. Nagasaki's intention and didn't refuse, ["I understand. Does Mrs. Nagasaki have any particular preferences? I'll prepare a suitable gift."]
"No need, really. Right now, Mom likes you the most. Just coming over is the best gift."
Soyo didn't want him to spend money. And she wasn't lying either. Her mom was one thousand percent satisfied with Kaito as a son-in-law, wouldn't care about trivial things like this.
Though she said that, it wouldn't be right to show up empty-handed.
Kaito didn't press the matter. There was still a week left. No rush. He could prepare something heartfelt when the time came.
["Besides that, is there anything else important?"]
There was a moment of silence on the other end, then came a shy reply, "Th-there actually is one more thing…"
["I'm listening."]
"Mm…"
Brown hair spread messily on the bed, the girl gently bit her lip.
"Don't hang up the call yet…"
Her slender white hand gradually moved downward, eventually stopping somewhere. The fire in her heart hadn't been extinguished, instead, because of the voice she had longed to hear, it ignited an even stronger rebound after a brief suppression.
Her sky-blue eyes slowly clouded over with mist.
"Please… talk to me a little longer…"
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