However,
Shiba Miya suddenly wrapped her arms around her.
"Sister,"
That was the address that fell from her lips.
She had already gone through life and death, and now Miyuki, too, had acknowledged her. She felt at peace.
"Sister"
It was the first time she had heard that word from Miya's mouth. Even Maya couldn't help trembling at heart.
Becausethis was the familial bond she had always longed for.
~~~
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Chapter 331: Hand washed clothes, Heartwarming Bedtime Story...
Originally, it should have been a lovely, heartwarming scene of family affection.
"Wah!!!"
Yet it was abruptly cut short by Miyuki's startled cry.
""
The two of them realized what had happened.
After one brief moment of shy, awkward eye contact, they simultaneously looked away.
While they stood there, feeling awkward and at a loss
"Pfft!"
Shiba Tatsuya suddenly sat bolt upright from the ground.
He had woken from unconsciousness.
But in the very next moment:
"Ugh!"
His eyes rolled back, and he fell into unconsciousness once again.
"Sister?"
Yotsuba Maya looked questioningly at Shiba Miya.
It turned out Shiba Miya had used her own magic to attack Tatsuya's mind.
"Hmph, don't think I don't know. This is just one of those stunts the old folks in the Yotsuba Family pulled. They brought him here on purpose to get close to Miyuki and eventually have a child with her."
Shiba Miya's gentleness vanished, replaced by a sharp gaze.
""
Yotsuba Maya could not deny it.
Those old, stubborn elders of the Yotsuba Family, holding considerable authority, had set their sights on Miyuki's prodigious talent. They wanted to tie Miyuki firmly to the Yotsuba Family, have her bear children who would inherit her gifts
That was their imagined "bright future" for the Yotsuba Family.
But Shiba Miya had now returned in full force.
She said coldly, "Sis, after coming back from the brink of death, I can feel I've gained even greater power."
She had no idea what power Rei Ao used to heal her, but even just that trace amount of energy had benefited her tremendously, granting her new strength.
Now that she had acknowledged her younger sister's identity, Shiba Miyafree of any lingering emotional burdenswanted to use her power to protect her family.
"So, Sis, it's time we settle things with that rotten Yotsuba Family."
She glanced at the closed bedroom door behind her.
"Let's give Miyuki a warmer home."
At Rei Ao's house:
"Phew done."
Kawasaki Saki wiped the sweat from her forehead, feeling a wave of satisfaction as she looked at the clothes she had just hung up.
However, seeing how some of those clothes were clearly not everyday wear, but rather intimate, she couldn't help but blush. While hand washing them, she had noticed and felt certain residual evidence that let her know those garments had indeed been used. She felt torn between embarrassment and a bit of disgust.
Still, she gritted her teeth and kept scrubbingshe wanted to be sure she got paidso she even hand washed Rei Ao's underwear.
Fortunately, once she got used to it, it wasn't so bad; now she was finally done.
"All set?"
Just then, Mai appeared behind her, surprised at how composed Kawasaki Saki was.
If it had been the old me, I probably couldn't have stayed this calm, Mai thought.
"Ahem, I just finished."
Kawasaki Saki cleared her throat, trying to cover her embarrassment, then changed the topic. "Did they already leave?"
There was no noise coming from the living room anymore.
"Their tutoring session ended quite a while ago," Mai explained.
"It's getting late. Tohru is making dinner nowwhy don't you stay and eat before you head home?"
Mai was genuinely inviting her; she wasn't about to let someone who had worked so hard go home hungry.
"This" Saki's stomach growled softlyshe really was hungry.
And it's hard to decline such hospitality.
So, a bit embarrassed, Kawasaki Saki said, "Thank you so muchsorry for imposing!"
By evening:
Even though it was only a single encounterjust over an hour longRei Ao had stayed in the bedroom all the way until dusk.
It was simply because Miyuki was different from anyone else he had been with: after they finished, she held onto his hand, refusing to let go, as if she were a fragile little bird. And she really was still too weak to handle too much.
Rei Ao, however, didn't mind providing her that sense of security. He held her and spoke with her about many things she normally wouldn't dare mention.
"Haaa~"
Shiba Miyuki let out a long yawn.
Seeing this, Rei Ao pinched her delicate nose in a playful gesture. "If you're sleepy, just sleep. We've talked about so much that you've basically told me every detail from your childhood."
"Ugh!"
Her face flushed scarlet.
Now that the barrier between them was gone, it felt as though their hearts were pressed right up against each other. She had confessed so many things that, as a Yotsuba family member, she would never normally share with
~~~
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Chapter 332: Proactive...
On the other side.
"What are you doing?"
Rei Ao, who was about to go out, saw Shiba Miya and Yotsuba Maya kneeling before him on one knee with utmost respect.
Yotsuba Maya lowered her head and said, "Rei Ao-san, we ask you to become Miyuki's husband. The Yotsuba Family will forever pledge its loyalty to you."
""
Shiba Miya's expression was complicated.
But he still said, "Many of the Yotsuba Family's stubborn members have already been cleared out. From now on, there will be only one voice in the Yotsuba Family."
Both how swiftly they acted and the decisions they made took Rei Ao by surprise.
"You say you want the Yotsuba Family to be loyal to me. Personally, I don't care about that. In other worlds, I might be a king or a demon lord or something. Having power in this world doesn't bother him all that much."
"But shouldn't you ask Miyuki's opinion about making me her husband?"
"!!!"
Shiba Miya and Yotsuba Maya froze in place.
Oh right.
They seemed to have overlooked Miyuki's feelings.
"For now, just treat it all as a transitional period. Don't overthink it; Miyuki will consider things for herself."
Rei Ao looked at Shiba Miya. "Aren't you curious why, even though you yourself are very appealing to me, I still chose Miyuki?"
"???"
Shiba Miya's face instantly turned red.
"Yes, I I am curious. Maya said she knows something I don't."
"Then I'll tell you."
[Ding! You have chosen to grant the Sub-Chat Group of the Trading Chat Group to the target: Shiba Miya!]
"Everything you want to know is in the chat group. Go look for yourself. I should get going, too. I hope that next time we meet, we can become one family."
With a smile, Rei Ao's figure disappeared from their sight.
""
Shiba Miya quickly grasped the new knowledge in her mind.
"So that's how it is"
She turned to look at Maya with a strange expression. "What's your relationship with Rei Ao? Why was I invited to the chat group before you?"
"???"
Yotsuba Maya's pupils widened slightly.
Incredulous, she said, "Sister, are you suspecting I'm seducing Rei Ao?"
Shiba Miya blinked her crystal-clear eyes innocently. "I can't help it; I'm just thinking about Miyuki's happiness."
"Mom, what in the world are you talking about?!"
Miyuki, who had been secretly listening behind the door, finally couldn't contain her embarrassment and burst into the room, her face bright red.
It was as though her mother had completely decided that Rei Ao would become her husband.
"Oh dear, Miyuki heard everything."
Shiba Miya didn't look embarrassed in the slightest. Instead, she squinted her eyes with a smile, sizing up her daughter, who possessed a uniquely mature charm.
"Miyuki, don't blame me. I suspect that given your personality, you probably wouldn't go looking for a second boyfriend, right?"
""
Shiba Miyuki fell silent.
Because what her mother said was true.
She was very traditional.
Since she had already given her all to someone, she couldn't bring herself to accept a second person in the future.
She would rather live alone for the rest of her life.
Besides aside from complaining that Rei Ao was a shameless pervert, she didn't really dislike him.
Noticing that Miyuki wasn't reacting too strongly, Miya breathed a small sigh of relief.
At least there was hope.
Shiba Miyuki didn't say anything, just turned around angrily, glared at them, and then went back to her room, slamming the door in one swift motion.
"I'm going to rest. Don't bother me!"
Miya and Maya exchanged smiles and left wisely.
"I'm back. Is no one here to welcome me?"
Rei Ao returned home.
Everyone was still eating dinner, and no one greeted him.
Mai gave him a dismissive glance.
"Did you take a bath yet? No bath, no dinner."
"Fine, fine, I'll go take a bath, okay?"
Mai was still as sensitive as ever about everyone's smells.
" "
Kawasaki Saki, who was quietly eating, was taken aback.
So this was how Mai and Rei Ao got alongso casual?
Just then
"I'm done eating."
Futaba picked up her bowl and chopsticks, placed them in the dishwasher in the kitchen, and went back to the second bedroom.
But moments later, she walked out of the room holding some clothes.
Then Kawasaki Saki witnessed something unbelievable.
Click!
Futaba opened the bathroom door
and walked right in without hesitation.
The door closedand only then did Kawasaki Saki realize her jaw was hanging open, the food slipping from her chopsticks back into the bowl.
"!!!"
She had just seen
Futaba go into the bathroom!
But Rei Ao was He
The other people there were similarly unfazed.
"Sigh"
Only Mai looked a bit weary
Even in front of other people, maybe they could pause and think first?
Feeling that there was no help for it, she gave a rather flimsy explanation:
"Kawasaki-san, don't overthink it. We do this oftenjust to save water."
"You know, water bills are expensive."
"Ah? Oh Oh"
Kawasaki Saki tugged at the corners of her mouth, not sure whether to believe it or not, and lowered her head to eat.
Sora tugged on Ilia's sleeve with a confused look. "Are we short on money?"
Ilia just glared back, picked up a chicken leg, and stuffed it into Sora's mouth.
"I told you, no sneaking around or whispering during mealtimes. Eat properly."
"Mmph mmph!"
Sora muttered unclearly in protest, but the chicken leg was too tasty, and she started gnawing on it.
"Save water?"
Tohru's eyes darted around.
Wham!
She put down her bowl and chopsticks.
She stood up dramatically and shouted, "I'm full!"
"I'm going to take a bath, too. After all, we're saving water, right~?"
"???"
Kawasaki Saki was utterly shocked.
From Tohru's eager look, she felt as if her worldviews were crumbling.
Fortunately, Mai, who was wearing black stockings, pinned Tohru's tail with a footright at the tipand glared daggers at her. "Tohru, you clean up the table! You're not going anywhere!"
"Huh? That's not fair. Futaba was allowed!"
Mai felt her blood pounding in her temples. Just as she was about to explode
"Mmph!"
A sound came from the bathroom, making the whole living room go silent.
"???"
Kawasaki Saki was numb at this point.
What on earth was going on?
She was still therecould they really be doing this?
To break the awkward silence, Kawasaki Saki hurriedly stood up.
"Um II'd better go now!"
She ran off.
""
Mai had a deep black line on her forehead.
She never expected they'd really start bathing together right then and there.
But come to think of it
"When did Futaba become so proactive?"
~~~
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Chapter 333: Shared Sensation...
Futaba was unusually enthusiastic today.
That was also something that piqued Rei Ao's curiosity.
As soon as he walked in, he asked, "Futaba, you seem quite excited today?"
Her face was noticeably red.
Futaba's eyes were hazy, and in halting words, she revealed the reason.
"It's because of Rio"
Several hours earlier.
Heavily bundled up, Futaba met with Rio at a caf.
"You wanted to see mewhat is it you want to say?"
Futaba got straight to the point.
""
Rio realized that the usual small talk she had prepared was unnecessary.
"Hah"
She exhaled a deep breath.
Rio decided to speak frankly. Gazing seriously at Futaba's eyes behind the sunglasses, she asked:
"You and Rei Ao you've confirmed a relationship that's more than just friends, right?"
"Huh?"
The question took Futaba by surprise. But she didn't hide itshe simply nodded.
"Yes. We're in a relationship. I like him."
"How did you know? And why ask this?"
At Futaba's answer, Rio's brows furrowed, revealing a hint of worry. She didn't immediately address Futaba's question; instead, she lowered her head and stirred her coffee in silence.
""
Just as Futaba was running out of patience, Rio spoke again, her words shocking.
"Futaba, I want to ask you not to get too close to Rei Ao."
"What?!"
Futaba's eyes widened with confusion.
"Why? We like each other. Didn't you say you'd treat me as an independent person?"
"I know"
Rio's head remained bowed. She remembered the promise she had made.
"If you know, why are you restricting my freedom? I'm telling you, I can't live without Rei Ao anymore. I want to have his child."
No matter what, Futaba could not accept Rio's request.
However
Rio looked up. Tears were shimmering in her eyes.
"Because I can't help it!"
Rio's sudden emotional outburst stunned Futaba. A wave of inexpressible grievance welled up in her own heart, and tears trickled down her cheeks. That strange sense of sadness left her completely at a loss.
Rio said quietly, "You've probably noticed it. Even if I acknowledge your separate identity, that doesn't change our essence."
"I am you, and you are mewe are one."
"Soour sensations are also one!"
Rio continued, "You asked how I knew you two had confirmed your relationship?
