CH 39

(POV Chiharu)

The morning sun gently streamed in, rousing me from my sleep. Gradually, my hazy vision cleared. I sat up in bed before immediately thinking about seeing my adorable younger sisters’ sleeping faces…

Um, Chinatsu, Chifuyu… Huh? Chi-what about Chiaki…? Where is my Chiaki?

A sudden wave of unease washed over me. Kidnapping? No, this room was locked. Then why… No, that doesn’t matter right now. I need to find her quickly, urgently, I must find her.

I hastily made my way to the door, only to find it locked. That meant she had to be somewhere in this room. But wait, there’s a key. Could she have taken it and headed outside? 

“Haru-nee? What’s wrong…?” 

Chifuyu mumbled, rubbing her weary eyes. It seems like I woke her up with my rushed footsteps.

“Chiaki is not here!”

“What?!?”

“For now, let’s wake up Chinatsu too!”

“Yes, got it.”

Chifuyu woke up Chinatsu, who looked comfortable in her futon.

“Natsu-nee, wake up! Wake up!”

“Hmm?”

“Aki-nee is nowhere to be found! I want you to wake up!”

“…Huh? Really?”

“Yes!”

“It’s not a major incident!” Chinatsu said

“That’s right! We need to search together quickly!” Chifuyu stated.

“Understood.”

Chinatsu got up from her futon. While the three of us were searching, we also needed to get help from Onii-san… Contemplating such things, I left the room and gently knocked on the door of the neighboring room where Onii-san resided.

“Onii-san! Onii-san! Wake up, please!”

Honestly, it could be described more as a forceful punch rather than a gentle knock. However, there was no time to dwell on such matters. After that, a resounding thud echoed through the hallway of the inn, and then the door slowly creaked open.

“Onii-san… eh?”

“Eh?”

“Ehh!?”

Chinatsu, followed by Chifuyu, let out surprised voices in succession. This was because the person who emerged from the room was not Onii-san but rather an angelic figure with a bedhead and a stray lock of hair. Their yukata was slightly disheveled, and their eyelids seemed a bit heavy.

“Gooood morning, my faithful relatives! I heard we’re having curry for lunch today.”

Oh, Chiaki, thank goodness! You’re safe! Phew, that’s a relief. I wouldn’t be able to handle it if something happened to you.

Well, no, it’s not really a relief!

Why are you here? Why did you come out of Onii-san’s room? It’s early in the morning! No, I know Onii-san wouldn’t do something like that. But still!

“I’m relieved, Chiaki. I was afraid you might have gotten yourself lost somewhere.”

“Heh, Chinatsu. I am invincible. But more importantly, let’s get ready to have breakfast!”

“That’s right. I’ve heard that this inn serves a buffet-style breakfast, and their omelettes are supposed to be exquisite.”

“Heh, I have also received that information. It wouldn’t hurt to go for seconds in the morning. Kaito is busy brushing his teeth, so let’s hurry too.”

“Yes.”

Chinatsu let out a sigh of relief, knowing that Chiaki was safe. Hence, the conversation naturally shifted toward breakfast.

Well, it should be fine since nothing particularly bad seems to have happened, and it doesn’t seem like there was some kind of early morning “mischief”. That’s what I thought, but there was still someone who couldn’t quite accept it yet.

“Huh? No, no, this isn’t the time to talk about breakfast! Let’s get back on topic!” Chifuyu said

“Huh? Omelettes…”

“Not that. Aki-nee! Why were you in Kaito’s room!?”

“Oh, last night. I asked him, and then Kaito agreed on me staying in his room, I guess?”

“What? Wait, morning “mischief”? No, Kaito is not that kind of person, so that’s not possible… But what happened last night….”

“Well, he hugged me and listened to my talk. And we slept in the same futon.”

“S-s-s-sleeping in the same futon!? Th-That’s impure, isn’t it? Chifuyu doesn’t think that’s appropriate!”

“Is that so? Hmmm. Anyway, let’s focus on breakfast!”

“Uuu, why do you always rush ahead of me like that… Chifuyu would never have a chance for an arm pillow with him…”

“No, I didn’t do anything like that.”

“…I see… sigh, I just hope you’ll refrain from such things in the future.”

“I won’t. Hugging makes me happy!”

“Uuu… fine, whatever…”

Chifuyu slumped her shoulders and her expression darkened. At that moment, Onii-san, who had just finished tidying his hair and brushing his teeth, emerged from the room.

“Good morning. Um, about Chiaki, let me explain what happened last night. We didn’t do anything strange, so forgive me.”

“Good morning. I’m not bothered by it. Thank you for taking care of Chiaki yesterday.” I said

“Oh, thank you.”

“Kaito-san, good morning…”

“Good morning.”

“Good morning to both of you…”

Chinatsu and Chifuyu also gave their greetings. Afterwards, Chinatsu and Chiaki engaged in a breakfast debate.

On the other hand, Chifuyu pouted a little, sending a pleading glance to Onii-san. It was as if she was silently asking for a hug as well.

“K-kaito-san, did you really hug and have a conversation with young girl like Aki-nee- alone at night?”

“Uh, yeah, I’m sorry … I may have been thoughtless… I’ll be more careful from now on… I’m sorry…”

“It’s not about apologizing… If you did it for Aki-nee, then you should do it for Chifuyu too. Hugging as greetings are common customs overseas, after all…”

Huh? Onee-chan definitely didn’t anticipate this sudden turn of events. It feels as though you’re already expressing your love… Chinatsu and Chiaki appear unfazed, as if they were oblivious to the current atmosphere.

W-what should I do? I was torn between the desire to intervene and another indescribable sensation.

Onii-san also seemed slightly taken aback by Chifuyu’s request, as evidenced by the beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

“Omelette, omelette, omelette♪”

The two others beside me were engrossed in some enigmatic melody. It filled me with immense joy, as if my ears were going to melt, but let’s set that aside for now. It’s truly peculiar how the atmosphere can vary so greatly within the same hallway…

“Well, what should I do…?” Onii-san said.

“I think a light hug would be good… You already did it with Aki-nee; so is it impossible with Chifuyu…?”

…To utter such an irresistible statement like that is quite remarkable. And what’s more, such a bold confession. It’s unimaginable for a fourth-grader to say such words. 

When did you learn to make those slightly cunning remarks? Onee-chan is beyond surprised. You couldn’t say things like that before. Maybe there were reasons you didn’t need to say them.

Well, that’s cute too… It makes me feel your growth even more. It’s not just simple growth, but maturity. That word might be the most fitting.

Chifuyu, who used to only care about jumping rope, now pays more attention to her appearance and has grown as a person. Did she change to grow even closer to Onii-san?

Whether consciously or unconsciously… Either way, that’s a charm point!! I couldn’t help but feel fond of Chifuyu as she gazed up with her earnest eyes, attempting to convey her feelings. 

For Chifuyu, Chiaki might already be considered a rival. Chiaki continues to surge ahead, leaving her behind. At least for now, since there are no romantic sentiments involved with Chiaki, Onii-san finds it easier to handle her. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that for every step Chifuyu took forward, Chiaki took ten more.

A tenfold difference like that would make anyone hesitate. However, Chifuyu is different now. She’s become proactive, thanks to Onii-san’s influence.

Love had the power to change people and blind them.

“O-okay… I don’t think it’s impossible. Definitely not. It’s not about favoring one over the other, but valuing them both equally…”

“…Are you fine with doing it a little bit?”

However, Perhaps Chifuyu’s love wasn’t a simple kind of love. This notion might extend to the other sisters as well. Maybe each of them was in search of a sense of security. It’s as if they inherently desired to hold onto someone possessing qualities like Onii-san—someone who understands, is financially stable, kind, strong, possesses a strong moral compass, and maintains an appropriate level of distance.

Perhaps their fear lies in the prospect of losing such an exceptional individual from their lives, and their longing for something intense stems from a deprivation of love. This explains why they yearn for gestures like hugs.

…I’m not entirely certain, but I also desire to experience a hug like any ordinary person would.

“”Omelette, omelette, omelette♪””

Beside them, Chiaki and Chinatsu played the melody of the omelette, while on the other side, Onii-san hesitated but reached out his hand towards Chifuyu, kneeling on the floor.

This may be what the so called chaos looks like.

Chifuyu slowly approached Onii-san. He gently wrapped his hand around her back as she buried her face in his neck, embracing her tightly. Chifuyu tightly gripped the fabric of his yukata. Blushing, yet seeking comfort.

“K-Kaito-san… M-More… hold me tighter…”

“U-Umm…”

Perhaps Chifuyu, deep down, yearned for strong affection. It was only natural to crave love from someone who called her special and freed her from her shackles. She had always struggled in a harsh environment.

Therefore, once she experienced that extraordinary affection, she couldn’t escape its allure…

Because of their shared past experiences, the taste of it all made them feel the goodness of love and affection even more. Onii-san, although looking awkward, held Chifuyu a little tighter.

Then, suddenly,

“Ah! Chifuyu, that’s not fair! I want a hug too!”

It seemed that Chiaki had noticed Chifuyu and Onii-san. She squeezed herself in from below, slipping between their arms and bodies. As a result, Onii-san ended up embracing both Chifuyu and Chiaki.

They entered a state of bliss beyond happiness. Can I take your place there, Onii-san?

“Oh, this tight and cozy feeling isn’t bad at all!”

“I-is that so?”

“Aki-nee… It’s Chifuyu’s turn now…”

Chiaki, Onii-san, and Chifuyu each displayed distinct reactions. Chiaki had a smiling, happy expression; Onii-san looked bewildered; and Chifuyu looked a bit jealous. But for now, this was enough. It seemed that Chifuyu felt it was a satisfactory situation for herself at the moment. 

“How did Aki and Fuyu turn so affectionate all of a sudden?”

“It probably happened recently. But anyway, I want to discuss something more important.”

“What is it?”

“Let’s hug, Chinatsu.”

“I decline.”

“Why?! Let’s do a morning hug!”

“Well… I’d rather have breakfast and get ready for the day.”

“Uuu… Chinatsu, are you going through a rebellious phase?”

“It’s not like that… Oh well, if you react like that, I have no choice! We’re in the hallway, you know! It’s not normal to hug in the hallway in the morning. Just so you know, this is special case!”

As expected of Chinatsu, so kind. I tightly embraced her. She’s small, but her embrace is soft and comforting. I want to cuddle with her like a body pillow from now on.

“…Well then, shall we go for breakfast soon?”

A few minutes later, we finished hugging. Upon hearing Onii-san’s words, we returned to our rooms to fix our hair and wash our faces, then headed to the dining hall.

◆◆

(POV Kaito)

After enjoying our breakfast, we leisurely gathered our belongings and completed the check-out process. Subsequently, we made our way to the airport, eagerly anticipating our return flight. Along the way, we seized the opportunity to purchase souvenirs and explore the surroundings. 

I wanted to buy food souvenirs for the classrooms where the four of girls attend.  It wasn’t a matter of feeling indebted to the school; rather, I believed that these souvenirs would somehow enhance the girls’ standing within their respective classrooms.

Should we buy white lover or something like that? I’d like to pick something with good taste as a food souvenir to bring.

How about some fresh caramels….

“Kaito, I want to eat cheesecake!”

“Where can we find that?”

“Over there!”

Chiaki took my hand and led me towards the products. Chiharu, Chinatsu, and Chifuyu followed along. It might be good to have souvenirs for eating at home, not just for school.

Oh, I should also purchase something for my workplace. I couldn’t simply bring something strange… Perhaps some stylish, individually packaged cookies would be suitable. Surely, they could be found somewhere amidst our shopping excursion, and it would be a shopping experience while going around and finding what the four girls are interested in. 

◆◆

(POV Chiharu)

“My back is hurting…”

“Are you okay, big brother?”

“I-I’m fine. Surprisingly, flying really takes a toll on your back…”

After a delightful shopping experience, we embarked on the plane for a few hours and eventually returned to the parking lot before hopping into Onii-san’s car. As we headed home, seated in the car and leaving Haneda’s parking lot behind, I couldn’t help but notice Onii-san, who occupied the passenger seat, occasionally clutching his back and also cradling his head.

Could it be due to the change in air pressure?

“Is your headache going away?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

Onii-san was clearly trying to hide it. Throughout our time at the airport, he exuded confidence, not wishing to cause any worry to Chinatsu, Chiaki, and Chifuyu. He even suggested that it was alright to doze off during the car ride back home, all the while ensuring that I couldn’t catch sight of his moments of pain, when he held his back or his head. 

Is it his left side that’s hurting? It’s within reach at this distance.

“Hmm?”

“I’ll massage your back.”

“I appreciate it, but are you sure? It might tire you out.”

“I’ll be fine even with a little fatigue.”

I didn’t hear all the details from Chiaki, but I caught bits and pieces. Something happened last night, and she was scared, seeking comfort. She mentioned how he helped her feel safe enough to sleep. Though it may not mean much, I felt the need to reciprocate in some way.

Shifting my position and extending my arm, I pressed on his back. I couldn’t apply enough force.

Onii-san seemed touched, holding his temple with his free hand.

“Onii-san, thank you for last night.”

“Well, it was nothing…”

“I think it’s amazing, so you don’t have to be modest.”

I recall him mentioning before that he aspires to be a good papa.

“…Onii-san, you’re aiming to be a good papa, right?”

“Well, yeah.”

Honestly, I couldn’t quite imagine what it meant to be a good papa. I understood the words, but that was about it.

However, I could tell that this person was definitely a good person. There was a high likelihood that he could guide the three of them in a positive direction.

I believe in him, and I trust him. But being a good person didn’t guarantee that he would only have a positive influence in the right direction.

People couldn’t live alone, and their capabilities were limited.

If the time came when Onii-san truly guided the three of them as a good papa, there would be challenges ahead. There might be things he couldn’t do alone. I wanted to guide the three of them in a positive direction too. I didn’t want them to do unpleasant things or go through difficult experiences.

If that happened…

If it came to that…

…..It might be good for me to turn into a mama as well.

I briefly entertained the thought of supporting, comforting, and giving love to the three girls with Onii-san… although only 1% of the thought crossed my mind.

“Chiharu, have you decided on your favorite food?”

“Well, um… I really enjoyed raw shrimp sashimi.”

As I was asked by Onii-san, that thought disappeared. After all, such thoughts were meaningless. Besides, Chifuyu probably wouldn’t approve of them.

I had pledged to dedicate myself to my sisters, so there was no meaning in such thoughts. If I couldn’t make them a reality, and if I truly wanted to guide them in a positive direction, there had to be other ways.

“Alright, that’s enough. You must be tired, right?”

“Next, I’ll massage your arms.”

“I-is that so…”

His arms felt tense. It’s better to continue showing gratitude this way. That’s the sincere thing to do. My earlier thoughts have vanished to some other place.

For now, I simply fulfilled my role as the person in the passenger seat, supporting the driver.