Ding dong, ding dong.
The doorbell rang and fell silent, making the guest waiting outside impatiently tap her toes. Her hard little leather shoes made a series of crisp sounds as they hit the flagstone path.
"It's understandable for Yu to sleep in on the weekend, but why is Seele sleeping in too?"
Looking at the messaging app on her phone with no replies, Bronya frowned slightly.
Having finally finished a phase of work, Bronya immediately recalled Nangong Yu's scolding of her in the cafe last time and wondered if she should invite Seele out for a long-overdue shopping trip today.
Of course, if Yu insisted on coming along, it wouldn't be impossible.
As for the result, it was fine that her morning messages weren't replied to, but when she finished getting ready and came over to knock on the door around ten in the morning, there was no response from inside for a long time.
After thinking for a moment, Bronya opened the small shoulder bag she was wearing, took out a bunch of keys from inside, found the corresponding key, and inserted it directly into the lock.
Click, the door opened.
Don't ask how she got the key; it was all thanks to a certain little double agent.
Finding a pair of women's slippers in the shoe cabinet by the door, which were clearly one size larger than Seele's feet, Bronya put them on and walked upstairs following her memory.
Seele's and Nangong Yu's rooms were both marked. Bronya first went to Seele's door, raised her hand and gently knocked. Seeing no response for a while, she tried twisting the doorknob.
Click, the door opened.
"Doesn't this girl know she's living with a passionate young man? She's so unguarded... No, maybe she's doing it on purpose..."
Thinking of Seele's usual behavior, Bronya found it hard to imagine her being guarded around Nangong Yu.
She was practically throwing herself at him, and being guarded?
Opening the door, Bronya walked in and went directly to the side of the bed.
"Seele, it's time to get up..."
She pulled back the quilt, and it was empty inside. She reached out and touched it; it was cool, with no residual body heat whatsoever.
Not here?
How could she not be here?
Seele clearly came home with her after school yesterday, and she saw the light on in Seele's room at night.
....
The room being empty combined with them oversleeping – a bold idea appeared in her mind.
Without time to think too much, she immediately quickened her pace and hurried towards Yu's room.
The door was ajar. She didn't even knock, just gently pushed it open.
And the scene inside the room made her hold her breath instantly.
The first thing that came into view were the two familiar figures embracing each other on the bed.
The thin blanket outlined their intertwined forms. Seele was curled up in Yu's arms. Both were wearing pajamas and were still deeply asleep.
They're both wearing pajamas, so it shouldn't be what I'm thinking…
Unfortunately, getting closer, she noticed Seele's slightly red eyes, clearly indicating she had been crying for a long time, which shattered her last shred of fantasy.
"...No way."
Although she had anticipated this day, Bronya's eye twitched nonetheless.
They had both agreed earlier...
It was probably because Seele had been carelessly wandering around in front of Yu, making him finally unable to resist, and Seele wouldn't refuse anyway.
Forget it, she should go downstairs and make Seele a bowl of red bean rice first.
With a long sigh, Bronya blushed and quietly exited the room, leaving the door ajar.
As for going out to play?
What's there to play now!
It wasn't until noon, with the sun high in the sky, that the two people in the room slowly woke up.
She hadn't stayed up this late in a long time. Seele, just waking up, was still a bit drowsy. She opened her blurry eyes, and the chaotic memories and hazy world made it difficult for her to distinguish between reality and dreams for a moment.
It wasn't until she saw her Older Brother beside her that she understood.
Ah, so Seele was dreaming.
She actually dreamt of waking up with Older Brother, yay!
So, Nangong Yu, who had just been woken up by Seele's movements, saw a cute little face approaching his, and a "mua~" sound as she kissed his cheek.
Oh, there's such a perk to waking up?
Just as Nangong Yu was about to express his feelings, he suddenly realized something was off.
After one kiss, Seele didn't seem to be stopping. She giggled foolishly, quickly leaving a string of marks on Nangong Yu's face.
It wasn't until Seele started tearing at his clothes that Nangong Yu finally panicked, quickly grabbing her small hands to make her stop.
"I say, it's broad daylight right now!"
The sudden voice instantly stopped their movements. At the doorway, Bronya's face was indignant, staring coldly at their disheveled pajamas.
...
Thump.
In the dining room on the first floor, Seele and Nangong Yu sat upright, watching Bronya place a bowl of red bean rice and a bowl of red bean soup heavily in front of Seele.
"Sister Bronya, Seele actually..."
"Shut up and eat!"
"Oh."
Seele originally wanted to explain, but seeing Bronya's displeased face, she immediately cowered and began to eat her rice with her head down.
Don't mention it, it was fragrant and sweet, and tasted very good. Seele was hungry, so she ate with gusto.
Nangong Yu, watching this scene from the side, immediately swallowed. He cautiously looked at Bronya and asked weakly, "Um, my portion..."
"You go hungry!"
"Oh."
Nangong Yu obediently lowered his head, eyes on his nose, nose on his mouth, mouth on his heart.
This wasn't him cowering, but a strategic retreat.
Bronya was clearly in a bad mood right now, and it wasn't a good time to provoke her. Better to endure her for now. Once she left, wouldn't little Seele be completely at his mercy?
Then he could eat whatever he wanted.
Just as a certain someone was channeling the spirit of Ah Q, he suddenly noticed Seele stood up, pattered over to Bronya, and, taking advantage of a momentary blind spot in Bronya's vision, pushed the half-eaten bowl of red bean rice in front of him.
"Sister Bronya, what brings you here to see Seele today~"
Across from him, Seele was sweetly cuddling Bronya's arm, but her other hand, hidden behind her back, was making gestures only the two of them could understand.
'Older Brother, don't be afraid, Seele is covering for you, hurry and eat.'
Immediately, a warm current flowed through Nangong Yu's heart, almost moving him to tears.
As expected of Older Brother's good sister, he hadn't spoiled her in vain before.
Seeing Bronya's attention shift, Nangong Yu didn't hesitate, picking up the bowl and starting to eat.
Just one bite made his eyes light up slightly. The taste was indeed good, no wonder Seele ate it with such relish earlier.