'Why does she want to go to the aquarium?'
Even Mutsumi couldn't clearly say. Maybe it was simply because she once caught a glimpse of it on TV long ago, a corridor of deep blue like a liquid starry sky, with the arc of the dome cutting the seawater into a canopy. Colorful schools of fish swam overhead, like a dream.
Because she had seen such a beautiful scene… she wanted to share it with the person she liked.
But facing the heartbroken Mortis, and thinking of how the girl, even while scheming just now, didn't forget to pull her along, the girl hesitated for a moment, then still chose to take a step back.
"Actually, the amusement park is fine too."
Only, saying such words did leave some regret in her heart.
Although born into a star-studded family and enjoying a life of luxury from childhood, every gift of fate came with a price. From the moment she was born, her future had already been planned by her powerful mother: graduate, debut, become famous, just repeating the same path as Mori Minami.
Free time was a luxury word for her. Even after completing her schoolwork, she still had guitar, piano, dance… and a whole list of lessons to take.
From childhood to now, Mutsumi had only been to an amusement park once. It was when she was five years old, and Mori Minami, on a rare break, suddenly decided to take her daughter out to see the world. She rented out an entire amusement park and generously told her daughter to play as she pleased.
But the young Mutsumi had only ridden the carousel once when she saw her mom answer a phone call. Then, regretfully, she patted her daughter's head and said today's vacation might have to end early, ("Mom still has work. We'll come back another day, okay?")
Little Mutsumi nodded, but the child had already grown into a graceful young girl, who had still not seen the "another day" her mom promised.
Actually, she didn't feel disappointed. How can one be disappointed without expectations? She was long used to it. After all, mom was very busy, and casually made promises were naturally also casually forgotten.
Besides, she didn't even like amusement parks. What she was more interested in was the aquarium. Best if she could go with Onii-chan. They could walk together beneath the sea and swimming fish, and finally hold hands to feed the clumsy penguins.
Though he hadn't deliberately observed, Kaito still noticed the subtle change in the girl's mood, like loneliness.
As a proper good big brother and legendary multitasker, his thought process was simple.
Children make choices. A mature 400-year-old adult chooses everything.
The amusement park and aquarium didn't conflict. Amusement park in the morning, aquarium in the afternoon, it wasn't impossible. The only issue was that this weekend's schedule was a bit tight. The second young lady had long made an appointment to come over on Saturday to play with cats, and Madam Nagasaki also wanted to see him again, maybe have dinner together.
Being a student could be annoying. There was just too little free time to spend.
But perhaps it was precisely for that reason that weekends felt all the more precious?
Reining in his thoughts, he made the final decision, "No need to argue. We're going to the amusement park, and also the aquarium. That's the only way it counts as well-rounded."
Mortis had no objections to this conclusion, but wouldn't miss any chance to act spoiled. She happily pounced into her brother's arms, rubbing her little face against his chest, "Yay~"
Mutsumi, who had been somewhat disappointed, also instinctively looked over, like a half-thirsty, half-sunburned cucumber suddenly receiving a refreshing watering.
In any case, the "date location" was settled just like that.
It was clear Mortis was very happy about it. Even when she slept, she couldn't stay still, tossing and turning, eventually forcing her way into Kaito's arms, calling it "replenishing Onii-chan's energy so I can fall asleep," until Kaito was forced to subdue her.
Clingy little girls were cute, but not everything could go her way. Otherwise, she'd grow into a spoiled brat.
Mortis had only just been born and was still a blank sheet of paper. It wouldn't do to let her turn out like Kumiko, dyed with strange colors.
Speaking of Kumiko, ever since he accidentally discovered her browsing history, the embarrassed little blade hadn't appeared in front of him for a long time, as if too ashamed to face her master.
Though she had a human appearance, her essence was that of a blade spirit. An undoubtedly long-lived race. Her sense of time differed from humans, and locking herself up for a dozen years was perfectly normal.
Kaito had originally hoped Nijika might help break the ice, but the girl hadn't shown up to visit Kumiko at all. Likely too busy at the café to spare the time.
Which was understandable. Although STARRY technically had four staff members, Ryou was always slacking off, and Bocchi was a social anxiety mess. Most of the customer service relied on her and Kita. Especially now that the band was back on track, being the leader, she also had to ensure the band kept up with practice…
Even triathletes don't have it this rough. No wonder he noticed some faint muscle lines on Nijika's calves today. They weren't exaggerated, but definitely the result of long-term training.
'Forget it. I'll wait a few more days. If Nijika still can't make time, I'd have to personally go talk things out with Kumiko.'
Having made up his mind, Kaito stopped overthinking and closed his eyes to sleep.
———
At the same time—
"…Mom, it's already been so long. When are you finally going to let me go home~"
Inside a grand and elegant building like a medieval manor, a bright bedroom.
A twin-tailed blue-haired girl had a bitter face, staring at the woman in front of her who looked 90% like her, as young as a female college student, wearing an expression of utter hopelessness.
"Go home?"
Togawa Mizuho shot her a sidelong glance, slowly raised her teacup to her lips, and took a light sip, "Aren't you already at home?"
"You know this isn't the home I mean."
Togawa Sakiko grabbed at her pigtails in frustration, but there was nothing she could do against her mother. She didn't even dare to sigh dramatically.
Not only because of the suppression of bloodline, but also because her mom in her younger days was far more rebellious than her. Even the old man had to admit defeat. In front of her own mom, she was just a rookie. Who stands atop the peak of sighing? One glance at Mizuho, and all words are void.
Originally, because of age, her mom had gradually become gentler, speaking softly like a noble lady from a deep courtyard.
But now, due to Kaito, she had regained her youth. Her mindset had become young again, and tormenting little Sakiko was simply second nature.
"Grandfather's here, your mom's here. Do you have another home?"
"I meant the president!", The twin-tailed girl was on the verge of a breakdown. She thought her mom was letting her stay for a few days just because they hadn't seen each other in a while and wanted to talk heart-to-heart.
But now that all the heartfelt talks were done, she still wasn't allowed to leave.
Togawa Mizuho sighed, "Sakiko, a girl living alone outside isn't safe."
"And… you've never been good at cooking. Outside, you only eat takeout, not healthy and a waste of money. As your mother, I really can't stop worrying."
'It sounds like a valid reason… the heck it is!'
'Mom, get a grip! The biggest spender in this house is you! The amount I spend on a whole year's worth of takeout probably doesn't even match what you spend on one designer bag!'
"So…", Sakiko ground her teeth and huffed angrily, "What will it take for you to let me go?"
"That's easy," Togawa Mizuho blinked. That playful gesture didn't seem affected at all. In fact, it made her look even more like a young girl, "Since it's not safe for you to live alone…"
"Then Mommy will move in to take care of you. Isn't that perfectly reasonable?" [T/N: Council of men approves]
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