The atmosphere at the dining table was very harmonious.
Though Sora tried to sit on his lap while eating to prove her status in front of these girls, while also informing them that she was an acute siscon, so they'd keep their distance from Yuu.
However, no matter how much he adored his little sister, Yuu wouldn't become a human chair during meals... He might say it in normal times, but to prove the fact that he was a sister-lover in front of these people, the easily embarrassed and prideful Yuu wouldn't do it.
At most, he'd just feed her bites. Only after long coaxing could Sora, with her overflowing emotions, be calmed.
After lunch, Yuigahama and Iroha took responsibility for washing dishes. Kanade dried them. The three girls laughed and played in the kitchen. Occasionally, splashes of water could be heard.
Meanwhile, outside the living room, Yukino was holding the gray tabby cat again. She sat on the sofa, carefully stroking its back. A faint, healing smile appeared on her face.
The warm afternoon sunlight streamed through the glass window, illuminating her beautiful and sweet profile. It emitted a clear glow.
As if the light came from her, her skin was so white and translucent it reached that level.
"Meow~"
While making tea for the others, Yuu enjoyed her innocent and adorable appearance from the corner of his eye.
Though he wasn't staring openly, Yukino soon seemed to sense something. She lifted her eyes and met his gaze. A slightly flushed cheek appeared, but she didn't look too panicked.
"What are you looking at?"
"Watching you being cute."
"Me being cute is normal. You think flattery like this will work on me?"
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, Host has obtained reward: Aikido (Mahiru Level (Proficient))]
"Hmm... Believe it or not, I feel it worked quite well."
It had been a long time since he felt this sensation.
Yuu looked at the system panel and couldn't help laughing.
Yukino looked confused. Her attention quickly returned to the cat in her lap. She firmly ignored her friend who was full of lies. Her fingers scratched the cat's chin.
Before diving deeper into the task issue, they had a silent agreement to maintain their current friendship. At least when alone, their attitudes wouldn't change because of the kitchen incident.
However, for Sora, who decided to stay and observe closely, the relationship between them was clearly not as simple as friends—the relaxed conversation atmosphere, familiar gazes, and actions. Those deep emotions had been evident to her from lunch until now. The damage it caused was far greater than showing affection in front of singles.
She knew her big brother had good relationships with many girls, but she didn't expect it to be this good...
She tightly strangled the doll in her hand, venting the jealousy and dissatisfaction in her heart. But Sora didn't feel as anxious as she imagined—or rather, the fear that her brother would be stolen by outsider vixens was almost nonexistent.
She even found it a bit amusing.
Because from her observations, though the long black-haired girl had very high compatibility with her brother, she didn't have the overflowing love in her eyes like the pink dumpling. Her feelings weren't deep enough, and her chest wasn't big enough. It could be said she lost in everything except appearance.
If she really wanted to steal her brother, she'd have to get past the pink dumpling first, and most likely fail.
The flaxen short-haired junior her age was the same. Though she seemed uninterested in Yuu, and occasional teasing would be met with counter-teasing, her combat power was almost like a minnow.
Yet Sora still detected a faint fish-stealing cat scent from her—if no one was watching, her behavior might be bolder. She might evolve from a minnow into a Gyarados.
Of course, that was just speculation.
But after such long observation, Sora also realized one fact. A fact that truly dispelled her unease.
"The more popular Yuu is, the more tragic their battles... And no matter how they fight, they can't affect my status."
"You fight to the death outside, holding each other back, just to become Yuu's girlfriend. Meanwhile, I casually play games at home, getting Yuu's affection every day, together morning and night..."
"And this distance, you outsiders can never close in a lifetime!"
What is called the true heroine!
Thinking of this, Sora felt tickled. In her heart, she even wickedly prayed for those vixens to fight soon. She wanted to see blood flow like rivers. But since she didn't want Yuu disturbed by his social relationships, she could only suppress these dark thoughts and choose to ignore them, watching from the sidelines.
Honestly, the one she might like the most was the silver-haired girl she thought was the biggest threat—Mapo Tofu.
Ah, no. She remembered her name: Tachibana Kanade.
This person's eyes were only on Mapo Tofu. She didn't even look at Yuu until the Mapo Tofu was finished. This was in stark contrast to the other three who kept stealing glances at him.
She was only tempted by the food, not her brother's body. This immediately improved Sora's impression of her—Not easy! Finally, a girl who could make her feel at ease!
Unfortunately, Sora wasn't the type to actively chat and socialize with others. Though her hostility toward Kanade completely vanished, she had no plans to befriend her.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
About ten minutes later, the three girls finished washing dishes. Their hair and sleeves were wet.
If not for the aprons, their upper bodies would surely be soaked.
"I told you... I asked you to wash dishes, not play with water." Setting down his teacup, the corner of Yuu's eye twitched.
Yuigahama and Iroha scratched their heads, showing the same awkward smile. "Ahahaha, we didn't mean to play~"
As for Kanade, she seemed only incidentally affected. Her wet areas weren't much, but she still bowed politely and apologized. "Sorry, I've caused you trouble."
"So casual in someone else's house, really..." Yukino sighed helplessly. She gently set the cat aside, patted her knees, and stood.
"Anyway, to the bathroom first."
Yuigahama blinked. "Eh? This level doesn't seem to require a bath... Especially at Yuu-kun's house..."
"Who said anything about bathing. We're going to get the mop to dry the floor! Isn't the kitchen floor still wet now?"
"Even without seeing it yourself, you know what the kitchen looks like now. Yukinoshita-senpai is scary..."
Yukino expressionless, led the three obedient girls toward the bathroom.
Yuu looked at the prepared teacups on the table. He watched Yukino's confident steps and suddenly realized:
"Wait, how does she know the mop in my house is in the bathroom? You've only been here once. Why are you so skilled?!"
"How dare she call others casual. You're the one so casual you treat this place like your own home!"