"Ako-nee? What's up?"
Sora looked confused as he saw her standing in the doorway. She wore a pink lacey pajama dress, holding a pillow, with a faint sweet fragrance around her. Her shy demeanor made it clear she had something to say.
"Sora, can I sleep with you tonight? Mom told us to get along well, and I think sleeping together would help us bond. Don't worry, I'm very well-behaved when I sleep!"
Though blushing, she still squeezed into the room without giving him a chance to refuse. She plopped her pillow down right beside his and got ready to have a heart-to-heart.
Her innocent face, lightly flushed cheeks, snow-white skin, bashful eyes, and hair tied back gave her an indescribable charm that left Sora a bit flustered.
"I… I don't think this is a good idea. A guy and girl alone in the same room—it might give people the wrong idea. And we only just met. Until yesterday, we were total strangers…"
Sora stammered. He had always admired the kind of close sibling relationships characters like Keita and his sisters had in anime, but now that it was happening to him for real… it felt awkward. Especially since they barely knew each other.
"It's fine. It's totally normal for siblings to sleep in the same room. And it's not like we're strangers—I used to be your student council president back in middle school. We've seen each other plenty of times."
As she spoke, Ako untied her hair and got under the covers, leaving just her head exposed. She didn't give Sora any room to say no.
"Ako-nee!"
Sora called out, but Ako just turned over, ignoring him.
"So sneaky."
Another voice came from the slightly open door, and a moment later, Riko stepped into the room, also holding a pillow.
Clearly, the two sisters had been thinking the same thing.
"Riko-nee… don't tell me you're here to…"
Looking at the scene, Sora already knew the answer. These two weren't going to give him a choice. The moment they moved in, his personal freedom ended.
"Can't I? Do you not like us, Sora?"
Riko quickly walked up to him, staring directly into his face with a hint of sadness, like she'd just been rejected.
"No, no! I just… wasn't expecting it."
"It's just a chat between siblings, nothing more. Don't worry—this kind of thing is totally normal."
Seeing how shy Sora was, Ako suddenly sat up, wrapped her arms around him from behind, and pulled him into bed.
Riko closed the door and switched off the light, then laid down on the other side. With Ako already there, she had nothing to be embarrassed about.
"Huh?"
Turn left: blushing Ako. Turn right: Riko gazing at him affectionately.
This was insane! They'd only met a few times, and these two were acting way too familiar.
Their parents met a year ago, got their kids to meet six months ago, and just got married yesterday. Up until now, Sora had only met the sisters maybe twenty or thirty times.
Sure, they had warmed up to each other, but sleeping in the same bed? Both of them? What kind of pure-hearted guy could handle that?
Thankfully, both girls were well-behaved and didn't cross any boundaries. As they promised, they were just sleeping together. But the bed was too small. The accidental touches made Sora freeze up—he didn't dare move.
"Sora, are you really going to attend culinary school?"
Amid the awkward silence, Ako reached out and grabbed his arm. When he looked at her, she asked with curiosity.
"Huh? How'd you know?"
He was surprised. He'd only just decided on that path, and hadn't even confirmed it with his dad. Could Ako read minds?! Wait… did she see those 18+ scenes that just ran through his head earlier?!
"I passed by Dad's room earlier and overheard the conversation. So I wanted to ask you about it."
"Same here."
Riko's voice came from behind as she poked his back with her finger. She had been outside the study too and heard it all. Feeling reluctant about Sora leaving, she wanted to know more.
"I think I will go to Totsuki. My grades are okay, but I've never really liked studying. That's why I'm choosing culinary school. When I come back, I'll cook something delicious for you two."
Sora understood what they were trying to ask, so he eased up a bit and explained.
"I want to go too. Let's go together!"
"Pfft, come on. Riko, with your cooking skills? You'd be expelled in a week."
Ako couldn't help but roast her sister. Riko couldn't even cut vegetables properly—how was she supposed to survive in Totsuki?
"I should be the one to go with Sora. I've been good at cooking since I was little. I made most of the meals at home. I could adjust quickly even if I went now."
"Ugh…"
Riko pouted, unable to argue back. She could only sulk quietly while her fingers continued to draw circles on Sora's back.
"I'll go by myself. Ako-nee, Riko-nee, you two should just keep going to regular school."
Sora stayed still, pretending not to notice the fingers on his back. Hearing that Ako wanted to go with him, he quickly tried to dissuade her. Totsuki was no joke—Ako wouldn't be able to handle it.
"Why not? Wouldn't it be better to have someone with you?"
"Then Riko-nee would be all alone and feel sad."
Hearing that, Riko's heart warmed. Her face turned slightly red, and her fingers finally stopped moving.
"Riko…"
Ako turned to look at her sister and thought for a moment. Sora was right—if she went with him, Rikl would be left behind.
"Exactly. Just let me go. You can't put all your eggs in one basket. If I end up failing out, I might need you two to support me in the future."
Seeing Ako hesitate, Sora seized the chance to push his point. He really didn't want her going with him. Totsuki was a paradise for geniuses and hell for the average.