"Ugh~"
Having slept on the desk until his back and shoulders ached, Haruno Ayato opened his eyes and wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth.
As his consciousness returned, he remembered that he was supposed to be studying...
Glancing blankly at the homework paper soaked with his drool, he suddenly turned to look beside him.
His older sister Kasumi, who had been sitting upright beside him earlier, was now lying sideways on Sasaki's lap.
From the looks of it, she seemed to be sleeping.
Sasaki, sitting a few seats away, had his hands on the desk, playing with his phone.
Noticing Ayato's gaze, his only friend turned to look at him.
"Awake?"
"Yeah~"
Rubbing his eyes and glancing at the peacefully sleeping Kasumi, Ayato whispered:
"Did Sister Kasumi fall asleep?"
Nodding, Sasaki explained:
"Well, you fell asleep halfway through the tutoring session. I noticed Sister Kasumi had dark circles under her eyes, so she probably didn't sleep well last night. I let her lie down and rest for a bit."
Ayato didn't doubt Sasaki's words.
After all, tutoring two people at once meant Sister Kasumi had to handwrite the worksheets, which undoubtedly added to her stress.
It only made sense that she couldn't sleep early and ended up dozing off.
What was unusual, though, was that Sasaki had managed to convince Kasumi to lie down and even rest her head on his lap...
It seemed their relationship was progressing well.
Sighing inwardly, Ayato yawned.
Still feeling drowsy, he rested his head on the desk and asked:
"What time is it, Sasaki?"
With his legs slightly numb from Kasumi's weight, Sasaki swallowed and replied:
"Hmm~ It's 10:30."
"Are you still sleepy? Why don't you go back to your room and take a nap? It's almost noon anyway, and Sister Kasumi is also resting, so there's no need for tutoring right now."
Ayato Haruno, who had been lying on the table with a still-throbbing headache, felt tempted by Sasaki's suggestion but hesitated:
"Is... is that okay?"
"Why wouldn't it be?"
Sasaki glanced at him and said:
"Don't tell me you want to study while Sister Kasumi is asleep... No matter how well you perform, she won't know."
"That's true."
"Alright then."
Nodding in agreement, Ayato Haruno wobbled as he stood up, stretching:
"Then I'll trouble you, Sasaki-kun, to take care of Sister Kasumi. I'll go take a nap... Ah~"
"Go ahead."
*Click—*
After the door closed, Sasaki, who had been tense, slumped against the edge of the bed and let out a sigh.
"Kasumi~"
"Gurgle~"
Feeling like she didn't even need lunch anymore...
Having almost gotten used to the taste... Kasumi, who found the taste quite pleasant, pursed her lips and calmly swallowed.
Taking a sip of water from Sasaki, she shook the pen she had been fixing all morning, which finally stopped leaking, and smiled:
"It's finally fixed, right?"
Even though he said it wasn't necessary...
Taking advantage of Ayato's presence, Sasaki pinched her soft, elastic cheek:
"Master, what do you do for a living? So diligent and dedicated~"
Not wanting to admit that she enjoyed seeing his comfortable expression.
Hearing his teasing, Kasumi blushed and puffed her cheeks:
"Don't like it? Then there won't be a next time~"
With that, she turned away in a huff, leaving him with a plump and beautiful back view.
Sasaki didn't want Kasumi to help him, simply because he felt his self-control wasn't strong enough, and was afraid he might do something to her, not because he found it uncomfortable.
Seeing her get a little upset from his teasing, Sasaki, after Ayato left, wrapped his arms around Kasumi's neck without restraint and pressed against her back:
"I do like it, but afterward, I always think about that... and Kasumi's figure is so good, there's nothing I can do about it."
"Praising me... praising me won't work... We just confirmed our relationship, and... Ayato is still at home..."
Kasumi wasn't actually resistant to giving herself to Sasaki, after all, he was someone both she and her brother Ayato approved of.
Not to mention she was also interested..and in the future, as long as Sasaki didn't change his heart, they would surely make it to the end.
But with Ayato at home now... it's not appropriate...
Not resisting Sasaki's actions of helping her adjust her clothes from inside, Kasumi raised her chin with heated breath and softly murmured:
"Can... we wait?"
From her mere verbal request, her feelings were evident and Sasaki naturally wouldn't embarrass her, so he only made some subtle moves without crossing any boundaries.
'Also... how should I bring up the matter of my other relationships?'
'The longer this drags on, the more it hurts.
Actually, when she asked me earlier... I shouldn't have been so decisive in confirming our relationship... but I was impulsive... now in my post-clarity state, I regret my impulsiveness.'
'Hmm... this feeling is like deciding to quit indulging, but after holding out for two days, giving in again, feeling particularly regretful...'
Reflecting on his own fickleness, Sasaki pondered his next move.
'Direct confession isn't feasible... without giving her any mental preparation, suddenly revealing that I'm a playboy would be too much for her to handle.'
...The best approach might be to let her sense that something's on my mind... let her ask about it herself, and then I can confess with full remorse... This method isn't the best, but it's certainly better than a direct confession...'
'After she realizes what kind of person I am, I'll make some other preparations...'
With a rough plan in mind, Sasaki responded to her words.
"Of course, that's fine... Also, um..."
Hearing Sasaki's hesitation, Kasumi, who was facing away from him, slightly turned her head:
"What is it?"
"No, it's nothing... I just... want to stay a little longer... Is that okay?"
Knowing what he meant, though she found Sasaki a bit cheeky, she didn't dislike it.
Leaning back into his embrace, she relaxed her body, letting him feel her emotions, and nodded.
.
.
.
1:00 PM.
After spending some intimate time with Kasumi and staying for lunch, Sasaki stood at the entrance of Ayato Haruno's house, waving to the two of them:
"I'm heading out~"
Having just confirmed their relationship, Kasumi didn't want him to leave so soon so she leaned slightly forward, facing Sasaki:
"Can't you stay for tutoring until the afternoon?"
Knowing what I like... so she's trying to lure me like this?
Having already made a mistake once, and knowing that staying longer would likely lead to more, Sasaki shook his head, deliberately showing a hint of hesitation and unease:
"No, I have things to take care of at home..."
Using a somewhat clumsy excuse, he deflected the question.
Sasaki then shifted the topic to Ayato.
Good friend, it's your turn to help me out.
"Besides, I've already finished today's tutoring tasks~ If I stay any longer, it might delay Ayato's progress, right?"
Hearing this, Kasumi's mind, which had been filled with romantic thoughts, was brought back to reality as she turned to her brother, who stiffened slightly:
"That's right~ Ayato, you were sleeping all morning, weren't you?"
"..."
"Uh, well..."
Not wanting to mention that his sister had also been sleeping, Ayato averted his gaze and didn't respond.
"Go and write! I'll check it later!"
Shooing her bothersome brother away, Kasumi blinked at Sasaki... Though she didn't say anything, her desire for a hug was obvious.
Letting her sense his unease wasn't about drawing a line between them, so, after Ayato went away, Sasaki stepped forward and pulled Kasumi into his arms.
Gently stroking her hair, he pinched her lightly and teased:
"So quick to abandon your brother, huh~"
"That's not it~ Ayato didn't study properly this morning... His test paper only had his name on it, not a single answer. It's only fair to make him catch up..."
Now that she had a boyfriend to help share the responsibility of looking after Ayato, Kasumi's focus had indeed shifted.
But there was no helping it... Ayato was family, and important, but as Sasaki had told her before, he was already grown up.
Some things he could decide for himself, and the only thing she could help him with was his studies...
As for school or his part-time job, now that her boyfriend was there to look out for him, she didn't need to worry too much.
In this situation, of course, her attention would naturally shift more to the person she loved.
'And... if you know, don't say it out loud...'
Burying her face in her boyfriend's chest, Kasumi blushed and silently scolded him.
Having the person she loved put her first was, of course, something to be happy about.
Sasaki lowered his head, nuzzling against her collar, and gently kissed her delicate neck:
"Mmm~ I'm really happy."
Tickled by her boyfriend's affectionate actions, Kasumi felt her legs go weak. She reached up to touch his hair, shrinking slightly as she laughed:
"Mo~ That's so ticklish~ Why are you acting like a kid? Really~"
Holding her tightly in his arms, savoring her softness, Sasaki nibbled on her tender, reddened earlobe and mumbled:
"Earlier in the bedroom, you said I was like a baby or something..."
!!!
When he brought up the embarrassing topic, Kasumi lightly bit her lower lip and defended herself:
"Because... it really felt like it! Like a mother feeding her baby, anyone would think that, right~?"
"Sure, sure~ So, Kasumi, do you hate being a mom?"
"..."
Even though they were in the yard, asking such a question... She glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, then hesitated before whispering softly:
"Not... really..."
"Then... when the time comes, would you like to be a mom again?"
"...Mhm~"
"Hehe~"
After sharing some affectionate moments and expressing their feelings, Sasaki slung his bag over his shoulder and waved at her:
"Well, see you tomorrow."
"Mhm~"
Turning around and walking down the residential street, Sasaki was halfway home when his phone rang.
*Ring ring—*
It wasn't Yuka or anyone else he expected, but the little succubus.
Hmm... Judging by the timing, she must be hungry.
Just as he thought, as soon as he answered the call, the little succubus's soft, pitiful voice came through:
"Where are you~?"
"Outside. Hungry, aren't you?"
"Mhm~ The last batch is all gone."
"I see. So, what should you call me?"
Without any hesitation, the phone transmitted the sweet, delicate voice unique to a little girl:
"Master~"
"Good girl~"
Standing still, he checked his surroundings.
Since it was still early, Sasaki asked:
"No need to come find me. I'm already outside. I'll come to you, and I'll see your sister too."
"Okay, Master~"
Her words, though somewhat ambiguous, didn't carry much teasing.
Clearly, the little succubus was still inexperienced in the art of seduction.
But her racial talent made her soft words feel like a little girl's delicate fingers brushing against his chest, making his heart inexplicably warm and ticklish.
After receiving the location the little succubus sent, Sasaki confirmed the direction and headed toward her apartment.
It wasn't far.
After stopping by a convenience store to buy some daily necessities and snacks, it took about seven or eight minutes to reach the apartment where the little succubus lived.
Glancing at the nameplate next to the iron gate that read "Iga," confirming it was the right place, Sasaki pressed the doorbell.
"Coming, coming~"
A voice that was slightly different from the little succubus's sweet tone, carrying a milky sweetness, came from inside.
*Click—*
The person who opened the door was a girl who looked similar to Stella but not entirely the same, matching the unfamiliar voice.
Her delicate, cute, and exquisitely perfect face bore a seventy to eighty percent resemblance to Stella's, and her petite figure fit well with what Stella had described as her "sister from the same stem."
The differences in other areas, however, highlighted their sisterly identities.
Her soft, smooth cherry-pink hair cascaded loosely down her back, reaching just past her waist.
A few strands of hair on either side of her small head were tied into twin tails with black ribbons.
The combination of long hair and twin tails perfectly showcased the obedient cuteness of a little girl.
The bangs that naturally fell over her forehead reached just above her eyes, which were as gorgeous and dazzling as a purple sunset. Her slender, dark eyelashes fluttered like welcoming hands, tugging at Sasaki's heartstrings.
Her outfit also took Sasaki by surprise.
The little girl at home wasn't wearing casual loungewear or everyday clothes.
Instead, she was dressed in a deep red apron.
This apron was no different from the ones sold at convenience stores.
But the girl's figure, somewhere between a child and a young girl, was slightly more petite.
Perhaps to keep the apron snug while cooking and prevent it from looking too loose, she had tied the apron strings very tightly. On her... well, it looked like a deep red knee-length cheongsam.
Before opening the door, the girl might have been washing dishes, as the fabric around her lower abdomen and the front of the apron was soaked. The apron clung to her soft, tender skin, not only outlining the curve of her flat stomach but also faintly revealing the adorable slit-like shape of her belly button.
Seeing her dressed like a cute post-bath kitchen maid, Sasaki felt a bit puzzled.
Stella had told him that they could eat human food, but it was like drinking water for them—it could stave off hunger but wouldn't truly fill them up.
So, with him coming to feed them, they shouldn't need to eat human food, right?
Could it be that she was cooking for him?
How thoughtful~
His gaze softened as he looked at the little girl, and Sasaki greeted her.
"Hello~ Are you Stella's sister?"