Actually, there wasn't much to talk about. The interactions between them weren't many to begin with. To say they were friends was already flattering herself. If anything, they should be considered
More than strangers, less than friends?
At least, that was the conclusion Mortis came to.
Feeling completely at ease, the girl also let down her guard.
No matter how she looked at it, the possibility of this Yukinoshita girl posing any threat to herself was minimal.
Besides, judging by her ice-beauty aura, she didn't seem like the type who would proactively pursue boys.
Mortis's principle was very simple: as long as you don't fight me for Onii-chan, we're half-sisters from different mothers.
"Yukino, can I call you that?"
'Yukino?', The second young lady was silent for two seconds, 'Calling someone directly by name upon first meeting, should that be called too extroverted or lacking a sense of boundaries?'
But refusing would seem too cold and unfriendly. After all, the girl was Kaito nominal little sister, and Kaito was also her lifesaver.
After a brief hesitation, she lightly nodded.
"You can call me Mortis directly too!", Mortis's style was that of instant familiarity. She released her goodwill without reservation. In just a few minutes, she was already intimately calling her "Yukino-chan" and chatting with her about many girl-to-girl topics.
Yukinoshita had a hard time dealing with such an enthusiastic girl.
She was purely socially awkward, never having had any close friends from childhood to adulthood. If forced to name one her older sister might count as half?
Although she had outstanding appearance, due to her cold temperament and sharp tongue, boys dared not approach, and girls, out of subtle jealousy and envy, mostly kept their distance.
It was the first time the second young lady experienced this kind of being clung to for a chat.
How to describe it a little strange, but not to the point of being annoying.
"Yukino-chan is really beautiful, there must be a lot of friends around you, right?", Mortis excitedly leaned in, starting to dig for gossip.
"No, not really," The second young lady subtly pulled away from her a bit. She still wasn't used to being so close to others.
"Eh? Is that so?", Mortis was a little surprised but not disappointed. Her golden eyes instead sparkled, "Since that's the case, how about letting me be your first friend, Yuki-chan! I really like Yuki-chan!"
'Yuki-chan? What kind of weird nickname is that?', The second young lady fell silent from her shamelessly opportunistic attitude.
She really couldn't handle girls this enthusiastic.
"Hey hey, anyway, let's exchange contact info first, okay?", Mortis clearly wasn't joking. With great initiative, she pulled out her phone, intending to add her as a friend.
The reason why the little girl was so enthusiastic was actually very simple.
Even though she felt Yukinoshita didn't pose much threat, one can never be too careful.
To ensure that she didn't misjudge and cause a setback, she might as well add another layer of insurance.
'Yuki-chan clearly has the kind of very serious, rigid personality. If I become friends with her and she learned that I like Onii-chan, with her upright behavior style, she definitely won't do something like snatching a man from a friend!'
'What's called a master plan, huh? (Tactical lean back)'
'Hmph! Hmph! Eliminating a potential rival without any effort at all, I really am a genius!'
Just as Kaito stepped out of the kitchen, he saw the three girls in the living room chatting happily.
Well, maybe the phrase "chatting happily" should be put in double quotes.
To be more precise, it was Mortis's one-sided enthusiasm. She was basically the only one talking the whole time. Mutsumi would occasionally chime in, while the second young lady was the unfortunate listener being clung to.
Even from a distance, he could clearly see the helpless and exasperated expression on Yukinoshita's face, mentally and physically exhausted from being pestered by the proactive Mortis.
After all, she was a guest. It wouldn't be good to let her continue being harassed by Mortis.
"Lunch is ready. If Yukinoshita-san doesn't mind, why not stay and have a meal with us?", In the end, Kaito still stepped in to change the topic, and also conveniently helped her out of the situation.
"I'll help Onii-chan bring the dishes!", Sure enough, Mortis's attention was quickly diverted. Happily pulling Mutsumi, she ran to the kitchen, giving Yukinoshita a chance to breathe.
The second young lady showed an expression like she had the words "saved" written on her face, and let out a heartfelt sigh of relief.
But that look only lasted a moment. She soon returned to her usual cold demeanor, placing one hand on her chest, hesitated for a moment, then lightly nodded.
"Then I'll accept your offer."
"There's no need to be so polite."
Kaito smiled at her, "After all, you're Kirara's owner and also my friend. Just treat this place like your own home."
This should have been the most obvious polite remark.
But Yukino subconsciously averted her eyes, slightly dazzled by that faint smile.
She had clearly reminded herself countless times in her heart that feelings born from beauty would sooner or later shift when someone more beautiful appeared.
But when facing that face which surpassed all the beauty of spring flowers and autumn moons, her heart still itched slightly, like blades of grass pushing through the soil, quietly growing under the sunlight.
[ Shoutout to James, Shem & Celestial for joining patreon. Thank you very much.]
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Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining. You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.
Chapter 254: Haruno: My foolish touch of excess
Lunch, as usual, was Kaito's specialty, eastern cuisine.
Three meat, two vegetables, and one soup. Considering the guests' preferences, all dishes were very light in flavor.
This wasn't Yukino's first time tasting Kaito's cooking. Though the second young lady herself was already an expert in the culinary arts, she had to admit, the latter's skill in the culinary path was enough to serve as her teacher.
"A very delicious lunch. Thank you for the treat," Yukinoshita slightly lowered her head. This girl, beautiful as fine snow, always behaved seriously. Now, she showed a slightly softer, faint smile, appearing particularly content.
Gourmet food really is something that can bring people a good mood.
"As long as Yukinoshita-san likes it, that's good," Kaito glanced at her empty bowl, "Do you need me to get you some more rice?"
"No need," The second young lady slightly shook her head. After a pause, she added, "Actually Kaito-kun can just call me Yukino. After all, you are the life-saving benefactor of me and Nee-san."
It was just an ordinary form of address, not worth fussing over. Kaito went along with it smoothly, "Yukino."
In Japan, calling someone by their first name usually only happens among friends, lovers, or family members.
Unfortunately, Yukinoshita had never had the first two types of relationships.
If you link social skills to a grand pyramid, then people like Soyo and Anon undoubtedly stood at the top. A casual post from them could easily gain dozens or hundreds of likes. Their popularity was enough to make introverts cry.
As for the second young lady She should be on the floor tile level of the pyramid.
Single since birth. Zero friends. A solid social failure.
Usually, only her sister and mother would call her "Yukino." Kaito was the first male peer to call her by her first name.
Though it was a result she had brought about herself it still felt a bit strange.
It was clearly the name she was most familiar with, but when he said it, it seemed to carry some kind of magic, making the girl's earlobes flush slightly red, as if someone was leaning close to her shoulder, softly blowing air.
She discreetly brushed the hair beside her ear, suppressing the messy thoughts in her mind. Just as she was about to say something more, the phone on the table suddenly vibrated, "buzz buzz."
'Nee-san?', Seeing that familiar note on the screen, Yukino had a vague bad feeling rise in her heart.
And reality proved, her premonition was indeed not wrong.
["Hello hello, long time no see, I've missed you a lot. A rare weekend, Yukino-chan, your Nee-san has come to play with you~"]
As soon as the video call connected, a grinning face popped up on screen. Yukinoshita Haruno waved at her cheerfully, her face full of delight, ["Surprised? Unexpected?"]
Yukinoshita Yukino: "..."
The second young lady's temple twitched slightly. A bit of a headache.
The one she was worst at dealing with was her sister, who always acted on impulse and liked sneak attacks.
If it were an ordinary day, that would be fine, but today Kaito was right beside her. It just so happened that he saw this scatterbrained side of her sister, giving Yukino a sense of shame that the family scandal had been aired outside.
"I'm not at the apartment," The second young lady tried to make someone give up.
["Not at the apartment?"]
The short-haired beauty on screen tilted her head, ["Looking at it now, your surroundings do look a bit unfamiliar"]
Yukino's residence was an apartment Haruno had personally helped find. She had even participated in decorating it, so she was very familiar with every brick and tile. But the current background where her little sister was, it was clearly a strange living room.
["Wait, don't tell me"]
Yukinoshita Haruno suddenly thought of something, her gaze deepening, ["You're at Kaito-kun's place, aren't you?"]
This answer wasn't hard to guess. Yukino was clearly visiting someone's home now, but she had no other friends in Tokyo. The only people she could talk to, aside from herself, were their mother, and at most, half of Shizuka.
But she had been to Shizuka's home, it was clearly not this type of decor.
After ruling out all impossible options, the only person left who could make her sister let down her guard and voluntarily visit seemed to be that unforgettable Kaito?
Yukino lowered her eyelashes and didn't answer.
Lying didn't match her personality. But honestly speaking, she didn't really want her mischievous, teasing sister getting close to Kaito either.
But sometimes, silence is also an answer.
The corners of Yukinoshita Haruno's mouth curved more and more, smiling as she said, ["Speaking of which, I haven't had the chance to repay that life-saving grace from last time. Since this is such a coincidence, Yukino, why not send your location to your Nee-san and let her come over personally to properly thank Kaito-kun for his kindness?"]
'You better really just want to repay a favor!'
Haruno's scheming was so loud, the second young lady could hear it even through the screen.
Although Kaito indeed possessed the extraordinary power to easily exorcise evil spirits, he was, after all, still young, just a student.
If he encountered her sister, that awful and wicked woman who loved to tease others, wouldn't he end up being played in the palm of her hand?
The just Yukinoshita, of course, could not sit by while a handsome youth in his prime was lured by a mature and evil working woman.
"I'll be going home in a bit, so no need."
Yukino firmly rejected, not even giving her sister time to respond, "That's it then. See you later at the apartment."
Then she directly hung up the video call.
At the same time, looking at the blackened screen, Yukinoshita Haruno froze slightly.
From childhood till now, this was the first time Yukino had so bluntly hung up on her of her own initiative.
'My foolish touch of excess, has it already reached the age where she'll rebel against her sister for a boy outside?'
Haruno wasn't really angry. She just found it kind of amusing.
If Yukino thought that doing this could destroy her plan, then she was far too naive.
In this world, there's more than one road to Rome.
The corner of her lips lifted slightly. She pulled up someone's chat window and typed a few lines.
"Shizuka, it's been a while since we got together. Want to go out for a drink tonight?"
"Sorry, Kaito-kun. I should go," After hanging up, Yukino lightly sighed in relief, looking a bit apologetically toward the beautiful boy beside her.
She had originally planned to stay a bit longer, but after this mess, it was clearly no longer possible.
"Is it because of Haruno-san?", Kaito raised an eyebrow, "Actually, it's okay if you let her come too. I don't mind such things."
"No, it's that my Nee-san's personality is a bit", Yukino sighed, "Anyway, it's best to stay away from her."
"I see," Kaito nodded, not saying more. He simply got up,."Then I'll walk you out."
"Yuki-chan is leaving? Then I'll come see you off too!", Mortis joined in, trying to make noise.
She still hadn't given up on becoming friends with the second young lady. Unfortunately, she was pulled back by Mutsumi, "The entryway is small. Don't make trouble for Onii-chan."
"I'm not making trouble!"
Kaito didn't mind the usual bickering between the two sisters. He walked Yukino all the way to the door.
The girl stopped, about to leave, but just before pulling the door open, she slightly turned her head.
Then, she showed a faint smile like the first bloom of an epiphyllum.
"Thank you for the hospitality. Today I was very happy."
"Me too."
Yukino let out a light breath, hesitated a little, then asked, "Can I come visit again in the future?"
"Of course."
Kaito nodded seriously, "As long as you want, you can come anytime."
He smiled a bit, "After all, that was our promise back then."
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Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining. You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.
Chapter 255: Love or Not Love Mommy?
Watching Yukinoshita's back gradually go far, until disappearing at the corner.
Kaito didn't stay long, turned around and returned to the living room.
"Yuki-chan left?", Seeing brother return, Mortis decisively abandoned Mutsumi beside her, skillfully burrowed into his arms, little butt twisting and twisting, adjusting to a comfortable position, "Such a pity, I still wanted to chat with her for a bit longer."
"Nothing to pity, there'll be plenty of chances in the future."
Kaito pinched the back of her fate-neck, lifting the girl off from himself, "Also, girls should be a bit ladylike, don't just casually start grabbing and touching."
