After the midday commotion, the afternoon split into two groups.
Yuu taught Kanade how to make Glowing Mapo Tofu, while the others played games in the living room.
Since there were exactly four people after Sora joined, they chose games playable in pairs—Yuigahama and Sora on one team, Yukino and Iroha on the other. They played everything from Overcooked to Mario. Noisy voices echoed in every corner of the house again.
At three in the afternoon, Kanade, with droopy eyes and a bit disappointed, left the kitchen. Yuu followed, consoling her.
"Don't feel bad alone; most people in the world can't reach my level... Tachibana, learning the basics is enough for you. No need to force it to glow. Wouldn't it be better to keep practicing until it suits your taste?"
"Sorry, after tasting Yuu-senpai's Glowing Mapo Tofu... I can't go back. I want to eat Mapo Tofu that delicious every day."
"That... Even if you say so, I can't make you instantly have perfect cooking skills."
"Perfect level?"
"That's my current cooking proficiency... Uh, consider it a classification for youthful ailments."
"Mhm, I get it. I'll work hard to train my cooking skills. Any other ways?"
"Other ways? The simplest is to befriend me and..."
"Me?"
"...My sister. If you come over often to play with her, I can serve you Glowing Mapo Tofu. As long as you stay friends, I'll keep making it for you."
"Ngg... Can't befriend someone with ulterior motives like that."
"Is that so? Then no other way. You're not the type to disdain regular food after tasting gourmet, right?"
"Indeed... Mhm, until my cooking improves, I'll be patient!"
Seeing her raise her small hand, expression flat but eyes sparkling with renewed vigor, Yuu couldn't help laughing. He raised his hand and ruffled her hair.
Kanade didn't mind, since while the other taught her in the kitchen, his hands had violated her scalp multiple times. Each time Yuu pretended it was accidental, but after petting, he'd show a healed expression. Clearly intentional.
(...Is this what Isshiki meant earlier, being naughty under the guise of teaching?)
Though the question crossed her mind, since Yuu didn't grope other parts of her body and his eyes showed no malicious intent, he seemed just to want to pet her head like a pet.
So, though a bit embarrassed, Kanade gave in and asked him to do it. She let her head be petted as if it were natural, gradually getting used to the feeling.
Due to her congenital heart disease, her heart couldn't beat fast, or it would hurt like her chest was torn in two—and this slightly quicker heartbeat allowed her to vividly feel the reality of being alive without causing pain.
Not hating it. But not good to ask him to do it more often. Just let it happen naturally.
With thoughts she'd never had before, Kanade quickly forgot about it. She joined the others in the living room, who were tired from gaming and taking a break.
"Next? We play a six-player game?"
Yuigahama made space beside her. She looked up at Yuu approaching.
Sora shifted her gaze. She didn't say much—after all, she was next to him. That empty spot would place Yuu between them. Acceptable.
"But we only have four controllers..."
Before Iroha finished, Yuu and Yukino said in unison: "I won't join, you guys play."
They exchanged glances, then looked away as usual.
"You two are so in sync~"
Yuigahama teased. Amid Sora's oddly intense stare, she asked as if confirming: "Yukinon must be tired, right? Then give the controller to Kanade-chan. Shall we continue to the next level?"
Iroha whispered: "Ouch, of course tired. Yukinoshita-senpai has too strong a competitive spirit. Weird if not tired, since she's dead serious about winning every game."
As her teammate, the pressure on Iroha was immense too.
"...I'm just not used to yielding." Yukino placed the controller in Kanade's hand with a flat expression. She stood, as if hiding embarrassment. "The living room seems a bit messy. I'll help clean it."
Sora immediately turned. She stared at Yuu's profile, her eyes conveying dissatisfaction: Why aren't you stopping her? You want her to be our lady of the house?
Yuu could only say to Yukino: "No need to bother. I'll sweep after you all leave."
"No bother. I don't plan a big cleanup anyway." Her soft lips clamped on a hair tie. After rolling up her sleeves, revealing her white forearms, Yukino re-tied her beautiful long ponytail. Her gaze was gentle and natural as she looked at him.
"Where's the broom? In the storage room?"
"It is in the storage, but how do you know... Sssshh!"
Though not painful, Yuu honestly drew a cold breath. He hurriedly covered his mouth.
Sora glared coldly at her useless big brother. She released her hand twisting her waist and turned to Yuigahama.
She had no intention of stopping it. Instead, she seemed accustomed, selecting games to play...
What exactly was their relationship?
Weren't they rivals?!
Anyway, the dumb brother and silly pink dumpling couldn't be relied on. Sora had to step up herself—she couldn't let the long black-haired one act like their lady of the house. It made her uncomfortable.
So, she set down the controller. Sora suggested casually:
"Oh, right. Want to visit Yuu's room?"
The air suddenly went silent. Everyone's gazes focused on the Tenkuji siblings. They also stopped what they were doing.
"?" A big question mark popped in his head. After shock, Yuu hurriedly refused, "Wait, Sora, didn't you originally not want them upstairs? Why now..."
"Yuu, shut up, this has nothing to do with you." Sora silenced him coldly without looking.
"What do you mean nothing? It's my room!"
Yuigahama tugged Yuu's clothes with sparkling eyes: "Come on, come on!"
Iroha immediately set down the controller. Her face serious like embarking on a grand voyage: "Playing games isn't as important as playing in Senpai's room! Let's go!"
Yukino hesitated briefly. She turned, showing a teasing smile: "Though I still want to clean... But, I'm a bit interested in Tenkuji-kun's room."
"Even you... My room doesn't hide embarrassing stuff. No benefit in seeing it."
His lip corner twitched. Yuu finally chose to stop resisting. He looked at Kanade, who stared confusedly at the started game screen. Now, no one held the controller with her.
"Tachibana, what about you?"
"...I'll go with everyone."
Sighing regretfully, Kanade set down the controller. She stood with the others and headed upstairs.
Deliberately lagging behind, Sora patted Yuu's shoulder comfortingly: "Don't worry. I didn't put H-books in your room."
"So you had that intent..." Yuu pinched her cheek annoyedly. "I really don't get what you're thinking. I thought you'd never let them into my room until death."
"I still think that now."
"Then why?"
(To make them all act together, so none becomes the most special.)
Of course, she wouldn't voice this sly thought. Sora looked away flatly. She only left a soft snort to Yuu:
"I won't tell you~"
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
On the highway dyed red by sunset light, a black car sped like dark lightning, skillfully and nimbly weaving through traffic jams.
After the gathering ended, Haruno found a suitable excuse. She easily dealt with Natsukawa Ryouji and whisked away his daughter—Natsukawa Masuzu—into her car.
As for the reason to explain to her parents and skip the post-event drinking, there was only one—picking up her little sister playing at a friend's house.
Though factual, her goal wasn't that simple.
"Remember, what we talked about today is a secret. Don't tell even Yuu-chan~"
"...Mhm, I know."
Hearing her voice, Masuzu in the passenger seat nodded faintly. She looked out the window at the rapidly receding scenery, expressionless, but her eyes slightly dazed.
Going to see him. Just thinking that, her always black-and-white world suddenly gained anticipated color.
"Tenkuji... Yuu."
(What did I really forget? Who are you really?)