Back to Iori's side — compared to Shiro, their trip had gone much more smoothly. They had already met Iori's parents and little Shiori.
"Welcome!"
"Welcome to the Kitahara Ryoukan."
In the room, Iori's parents warmly received everyone.
From their looks, it was clear Iori didn't resemble his family at all~
"Long time no see, Uncle, Auntie."
Chisa greeted sweetly. Even though it had been a while since she last saw them, she still felt close to them.
"It's been a long time, Chisa."
"You've grown up~"
Looking at the increasingly adorable Chisa, Iori's parents smiled.
"So these two are Iori's friends?"
Iori's father looked over at Kouhei and Aina.
At that moment, Aina was kneeling properly with a shy blush on her face. Who knew what kind of mental fantasy she had just conjured up?
Noticing the family's attention on her, she nervously introduced herself.
"Hello, Uncle, Auntie. I'm Yoshihara Aina, from Kitahara—"
"No! I'm Imamura Kouhei — Shiori's real big brother!"
BAM!!!
The excited blond was instantly struck down by an invisible force. Only Aina remained, sweetly facing Iori's family.
"I'm a good friend of Iori's from the club."
{{(°△°; "}}!
Iori, who was about to scold Kouhei, froze, staring fearfully at the monster behind the makeup.
Just now…
He vaguely saw a fist descending from the heavens.
Meanwhile, Iori's parents were also stunned. Their son's friends didn't seem very normal…
Not to mention the shy girl… but Shiori's real brother?!
Iori's mom turned to look at his dad with murderous eyes. "Dear?"
At that moment…
Iori's dad quickly ran through every possible mistake he had made in his life but still couldn't figure out how he suddenly had another child.
However—
That kid had sounded very certain. Iori's dad began to wonder: Was this from before I got married?
Even if he couldn't recall, Iori's dad knew one thing: he had to show some resolve now!
Sitting upright, he declared firmly, "Don't worry — I absolutely won't admit it!"
Iori was dumbfounded. "Dad… why did you say that in the exact same nonchalant tone as Shiro?!"
Feeling guilty, his father looked away and turned to Chisa, "Ahem… So what's the truth?"
"Um… just normal club friends? I guess…"
Thinking back to what Azusa had told her about rumors between Iori and Kouhei, Chisa suddenly felt uncertain.
But Iori's dad breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing it. He straightened up again. No way he'd been that careless!
Iori's mom rolled her eyes. Guilty as hell. She'd definitely interrogate him later.
"By the way, where's Shiro? I haven't seen him."
Hearing Iori mention Shiro just now, Iori's mom realized he hadn't come. As kids, they used to play together all the time (according to their parents, at least).
Apparently, she already knew that her son and Shiro went to the same university, especially after Shiori's "running away" incident.
"Ah, he said he went home first. He'll come later. Anyway, Mom, forget Shiro for now — where's my passport?"
After all the pleasantries, Iori finally remembered the real reason he came home — to get his passport!
He wasn't like Shiro, who hadn't been home in years. He had only been away a few months!
He didn't miss home at all!
"You should show some manners."
"Yeah yeah, I know. So where's my passport?"
Iori waved it off and once again reached out his hand.
The whole "letting Shiori bring it to him" idea was now long forgotten.
After all, that kind of thing was just talk — if he'd actually believed it, it would've been disastrous.
As an older brother, he at least had that level of self-awareness!
So he decided to get it from his mom — since his parents had no expectations for him to inherit the inn anyway, it was no big deal if he spent the summer abroad.
Unfortunately…
Iori made a mistake.
He should not have told Shiori about his travel plans abroad.
Iori's mom looked a bit puzzled and shook her head, "The passport… I think Shiori took it."
(≡Д≡;)
That one sentence visibly drained the life out of Iori.
He turned his gaze to the sweet, smiling girl sitting across from him.
"Shiori, can you give it to me?"
Facing her dumb brother's request, Shiori's smile turned even sweeter.
"Not even if I die~"
"..."
I knew it.
But Iori still wanted to give it one last shot — try to reason with her.
"I'm leaving for Palau next week…"
Whoosh!
Before he could finish, Shiori's face appeared right in front of him. The smile vanished. Her eyes narrowed.
"No need. Because big brother will stay here… forever!"
"You're actually kinda scary sometimes, you know?"
As someone with a little sister, Iori really didn't get why people thought sisters were cute!
"What exactly do you want me to do so you'll give it back…?"
Since reasoning didn't work, Iori had to bargain.
He still had a shortcut — trade favors!
"As long as big brother reflects on himself daily, works hard, and does what he's supposed to do~"
Great — Iori, now a college student, had no idea what Shiori was talking about.
He…
Still preferred direct answers!
"Can you be more specific?!"
As he spoke, he pulled the newly-recovered Kouhei to his feet.
"I'll have him do it for me!"
Kouhei, still dazed but wanting to act the part of a big brother, smiled at Shiori.
"Shiori, Kouhei-onii-chan is here~"
To this…
Shiori completely ignored him. She turned to Chisa and Aina instead.
"Chisa-nee sama, Aina-nee sama, shall we go soak in the hot springs together?"
As she spoke, she wrapped her arm around Aina's — she hadn't forgotten her main objective!
Aina seemed like the perfect person to trick into running the inn.
!!!
The sudden intimacy nearly made Aina short-circuit, her inner drama theater spinning to life again.
"Aaaaaaaah!!! Shiori just grabbed my arm!"
"This means…"
"I've been accepted by Iori's family!"
"No problem!"
Aina excitedly grabbed Shiori's hand. Judging by her enthusiasm, she was probably thinking about something completely different from what Shiori meant...
Chisa also agreed readily — after all, she'd been sweating during the walk and could use a break.
"Shiori! Just say whatever you want!"
Feeling completely ignored, Iori spoke up again. This time, he was determined — even if it cost him a fortune, he'd fulfill his sister's wishes!
Shiori: "Nothing."
Shiori's mom: "A DSLR camera."
Shiori's dad: "A capable son."
"..."
"WHO ASKED YOU TWO?!?!"
Iori was crushed. After being away for half a year, his family was just as unreliable as ever.
Damn it, am I the only normal one in this family?!
Due to the inn's many responsibilities, Shiori's family didn't stay long and left shortly afterward — leaving behind a devastated Iori.
…
Back in the room with the remaining four—
BAM!
"Damn it! We're leaving in just a few days!"
Iori pounded the floor — the normal methods weren't working!
"Judging by her attitude…"
Chisa had a feeling Iori wouldn't be able to come with them.
"A strong-willed little sister is kind of nice, though."
"I wonder how things are going with Shiro. If he were here, maybe he could persuade Shiori…"
Aina said gloomily. Even though she'd gotten closer to Shiori, she still wanted to go to Palau with Iori.
…
At that moment, Shiro, the very person they were talking about, had just finished putting away something that was definitely not supposed to be under his bed. He continued walking deeper into the teahouse.
Shiro's house was located just behind the teahouse.
A home with a large courtyard.
No doubt about it — this was the house of a wealthy landowner. He could sell it and live comfortably for life.
Maybe his grandfather had gone out earlier — the main gate was left open.
Luckily it was open, otherwise Shiro might've been locked out and unable to surprise his family.
After all, he didn't have his house key. If the gate was shut…
Even if he knocked, they might not hear him.
Entering the courtyard, Shiro finally relaxed. No matter what, this was the place he grew up. No feelings of unfamiliarity here.
Ding-dong~
The doorbell rang. Standing at the entrance, a smile curled at the corner of Shiro's lips.
He could already picture the surprised face of whoever opened the door!
Creak~
After a short wait, the familiar door opened.
Just as Shiro was about to give the person a surprise — he froze on the spot.
Inside the doorway, those pale-pink surprised eyes stared at him before—
BANG!
The door slammed shut!
Shiro stood there in silence, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.
Had he opened the door too hard just now?
He had just seen… that cosplay-loving friend of his inside his house, hugging his little sister…
"..."
This… was a dream, right?
It had to be a dream, right?!
Shiro turned his head — the familiar surroundings stabbing at his nerves.
Telling him: This isn't a dream.
"..."
Facing the harsh reality, Shiro looked up at the sky. Tears welled in the corners of his eyes.
He was starting to get it.
It had been years since he came home.
And it looked like… he had been usurped.
(´д｀)
AAAAAAHHHH!!!
So why was she in his house?!
He had already managed to dodge Kiyoko and Sakurako — why did another one pop up?!
He never even told anyone where he lived during school!
Shiro fell into deep confusion.