CH 53

(POV Chiharu)

After Chiaki had fed Onii-san rice porridge, we made our way downstairs and gathered around the table in the living room. Chiaki still had a slightly flushed face, which intrigued Chinatsu, as if she were beholding something mysterious. Meanwhile, Chifuyu had a slightly pouting face, keeping her own thoughts hidden. 

“Why didn’t you make him go ‘aah~’ and feed him like you promised? You were so confident about it,” Chinatsu asked.

“W-Well… I got embarrassed, that’s why,” Chiaki replied.

“Hmm, I see… Well, I guess I can understand that it might be a little embarrassing to say ‘aah~’ to someone else. But you did seem to overreact,” Chinatsu remarked.

“I-I don’t know why, but it was embarrassing! Let’s just drop this topic! It’s taboo now!” Chiaki declared, forming a big X shape with her hands in front of her face.

Chinatsu tilted her head slightly, but she decided to grant Chiaki’s wish since there were other things to do now.

“Right… Since we have other things to do, I suppose we can drop that topic… Well then, let’s think about what else we can do. Let’s see… cleaning the bath, doing the laundry… tidying up after the Aki’s cooking, and cleaning the toilet… Oh, I wonder if it would be a good idea to wipe away Kaito-san’s sweat too…?”

“Well then, I’ll take care of cleaning the bath and running the washing machine.” I said.

“I’ll handle tidying up after the cooking.” Chiaki decided.

“I see, so that’s how we’ll divide the tasks for Aki and Haru, huh?”

One by one, the roles were assigned. During moments like these, the unity and judgment of us sisters were truly remarkable.

“As for Chifuyu… I can help wipe away Kaito-san’s sweat, make him an ice pillow, and place a cool towel on his forehead… something like that.” Chifuyu added

“I see, that works for Fuyu. Then, should I start the vacuum cleaner?” Chinatsu said.

“Alright, it’s settled! With our unity, we’ll help Kaito! Ei, ei, oh!” Chiaki exclaimed.

“””…”””

“…Hmm, I feel lonely…”

Chiaki alone chanted “ei, ei, oh!” and created an indescribable atmosphere. It seemed that Chiaki’s attempt to change the mood didn’t go well this time. Well, there were occasional times like that, when everything didn’t go smoothly.

Well, in my case, Chiaki’s actions were just too adorable, and I couldn’t help but forget my breathing and reaction…

Afterward, we started moving. Each of us… I finished cleaning the bath and poured detergent and fabric softener into the washing machine before switching it on. My work would be done soon.

Curious, I observed my sisters to see how they were doing.

Chinatsu hummed a tune as she vacuumed. The whirring sound of the machine echoed throughout the room. Should I offer to help?

“Chinatsu, do you want some help?”

“No, I’m fine. There’s only one vacuum cleaner.”

“But we can use it together…”

“No, I’m fine.”

“I see…”

Chinatsu seemed to carry a sense of responsibility and pride in her work. There was something different about her expression. I couldn’t help but ask.

“You seem different today. Something’s changed.”

“Do you think so?”

“Usually, you’re cute, but today there’s a dignified charm to your cuteness.”

“R-Really? I’m not sure… But maybe… Maybe I’ve finally become able to express my gratitude sincerely…”

“Huh?”

“Oh, well, until now, I’ve been building walls and acting all aloof, trying to hide something… No, maybe I still can’t completely let my guard down and have a genuine conversation… But, um, it’s like… Anyway! I want to express my gratitude!”

“I see…”

“That’s why I want to do something, to give back! Yes, this! This is what I wanted to say!”

“You’re amazing.”

When did Chinatsu become such a wonderful person? It almost felt like there were sparkling star effects around her. She aspired to grow as the second sister and wanted to set a good example because she had an older sister and two younger sisters.

You’ve become such an admirable older sister…

“Well, it’s not like I’m doing anything particularly amazing…”

“You are amazing; you’re cool; you’re the best. Onee-chan is about to cry…”

“But you’re even more amazing than me…”

“Really?”

“Yes, you are.”

“Thank you~~.”

“Ah, okay, okay, just don’t cling to me.”

Overwhelmed with joy, I found myself unable to resist embracing Chinatsu, only to be skillfully evaded by her. Without skipping a beat, she resumed her vacuuming as if nothing had happened. 

It’s so lonely… I want to hug them every day, but recently, Chinatsu, Chiaki, and even Chifuyu haven’t let me do it as much. I can’t replenish my sisterly affection.

Well, there will be other opportunities for hugs… 

Moving on, I spotted Chiaki at the kitchen sink, diligently washing pots and plates. It appeared she had been closely observing Onii-san’s cooking, resulting in her remarkable growth.  I couldn’t help but wonder when exactly that happened.

“Shall I help you, Chiaki?”

“Nah, I’ve got this! I want to do it myself!”

“Oh, alright…”

Chiaki efficiently carried out the cleaning task. I couldn’t help but be curious about her earlier reaction. That response, so pure and innocent, even within her already girlish innocence.

Though, for some reason, I could sense that….Chiaki still had some growing up to do. It seemed that she hadn’t fully matured yet.

“Chiaki, how was your conversation with Onii-san earlier?”

“Huh? Uh, no, it was nothing… Just the usual, really!”

“Your face seemed a little flushed, though…”

“T-That’s because I used my fire magic to absorb some heat from Kaito!”

“I see…”

“Y-Yeah… and, um, let’s not talk about it anymore… It’s embarrassing.”

“Is it really that embarrassing?”

“Y-Yeah. I don’t know why, but it’s really, really embarrassing…”

Perhaps Chiaki instinctively sensed something. She was quite sensitive to others’ feelings, but sometimes insensitive to her own. This might be inevitable…

“Well, then, if anything happens, let me know.”

“Got it!”

Next, I headed to Onii-san’s room to check on Chifuyu. I climbed up the stairs and peeked into the room. Inside, I saw Chifuyu lying next to Onii-san on the bed, gently wiping his forehead with a towel. She looked worried as she held his hand.

“Chifuyu, I’m fine now… Please, let go of me. I don’t want you to catch a cold.”

“No, I’ll stay right here for now.”

“A cold compress or something will be enough… I’ll be fine.”

“When I catch a cold, I become emotionally vulnerable, so it’s better to have someone with me.”

“But, you know… I’m an adult.”

“Whether you’re an adult or a child, it doesn’t matter. Chifuyu doesn’t mind catching your cold. In fact, I hope I do. They say it helps you recover.”

“Don’t say things like that… If you catch my cold, I’ll… I’ll be worried.”

Despite feeling lightheaded, Onii-san managed to have a conversation with Chifuyu, desperately trying to distance her from himself. He didn’t want to risk getting her sick by being too close. However, Chifuyu remained steadfast, refusing to budge from her spot and holding his hand.

“Chifuyu would stay with you… no matter what…”

“But, I mean…”

“Then, if I catch a cold because of you, Kaito-san, please take care of Chifuyu.”

“I see…”

“Yes… Kaito-san, you’re not that strong… I don’t want you to be alone… because you’re not that strong…”

“Am I weak…? Is that how I appear? “

“Well, sometimes you come across as strong, cool, and wonderfully resilient… but occasionally, you seem fragile and delicate… I get that kind of feeling.”

“…I’m sorry for causing you to worry.”

“Don’t apologize, please. It just that Chifuyu and the others are always causing trouble; maybe it’s just a cumulative effect… Maybe that’s why today…”

“That’s not true. It’s just a result of my poor health management. So, “please don’t worry like that”. I’m fine now, and it would be bad if you caught anything, so let’s not stay here, okay?”

As Onii-san began to utter those words, Chifuyu tightened her grip on his hand, cutting off his words and expressing her own opinion.

“After hearing those words just now, I’ve made up my mind. I won’t leave your side today, Kaito-san. Because, because… Even though you tell me not to worry, that you don’t need anyone to take care of you… Aren’t you the one who cares about Chifuyu and the others the most? I understand that we may seem fragile and appear to be in danger. I know you genuinely worry about us. I know that you’re an amazing and strong person, and Chifuyu might not be of much help to you. But at least when you’re feeling weak, let me be the one to support you! Especially in times like these, I want you to rely on me more than anyone else!”

“… “

Chifuyu wasn’t raising her voice, but through her intense gaze and the firm grip of Onii-san’s hand, I could sense her strong feelings, stronger than anyone else’s. And surely, Onii-san must have felt the same way.

Amidst the hazy vision and thoughts caused by the fever, Onii-san wasn’t oblivious to Chifuyu’s feelings.

“I see… Thank you, Chifuyu… But, I still don’t want to get you sick…”

“…”

“But if you do catch a cold, I promise to take care of you more than anyone else and bring you back to your energetic self… Can I rely on you just for today?”

“Yes, of course!”

“Thank you… Well then, could you continue holding my hand until I fall asleep?”

“Absolutely!”

“Thank you…”

Onii-san, feeling lightheaded, closed his eyes and, after a few minutes, began to breathe softly, indicating he had fallen asleep.

“Kaito-san…? Have you already fallen asleep…?”

Chifuyu asked Onii-san, but there was no response. It was clear that he was sound asleep.

“Kaito-san, Chifuyu… Chifuyu…. loves…you…” 

She said it decisively. Instinctively, I clenched my fist tightly. I knew it.

There was no qualification to oppose it, nor was there any reason to do so.

“Ah, I finally said it… I love you… even though Kaito-san is sleeping…” she murmured.

“He’s probably not awake… right?” 

“I’ll say it again when he’s awake… I would be extremely happy if he could respond to Chifuyu’s feelings at that time,” 

Surely, she was now practicing her confession. She wanted to devote herself to Onii-san. It was not just pure gratitude but also her own affection that served as the reason.

That’s why I couldn’t let “the present” go to waste. My feelings couldn’t be contained.

In the future, there might be a separation. Our time together as the four of us might be coming to an end. I knew it, I anticipated it, and I prepared myself for it.

But now, with the possibility right before my eyes, my emotions surged uncontrollably. Even though it wasn’t certain, even though there was no guarantee of an impending farewell.

I was engulfed in an indescribable whirlpool of emotions.

◆◆

(POV Kaito)

I had been restored to health. I am the restored Kaito.

It was not a time for fooling around. Although vague, the fact that all four of them had dedicated themselves to my recovery was imprinted in my mind.

“I have come back to life. Thank you, all four of you.”

“Kaito~~, I’m glad you’re better~~!” Chiaki said.

“That’s great. Kaito-san, you’ve recovered.”

“I didn’t do anything special…” Chinatsu said.

“I’m also happy that Onii-san has gotten better. And Chinatsu worked really hard too.”

“No, you don’t have to say that!” Chinatsu retorted.

“I already know that Chinatsu worked hard. I had been informed about everything by Chiaki.”

Through Chiaki’s account, I learned that each of them had devoted themselves to my well-being in their own unique ways. Reflecting upon my memories, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude towards these four girls, who had worked diligently behind the scenes.

“Alright, now that I’m feeling better, let’s go buy birthday cakes for the four of you right away.”

“Yay, sounds great!”

“Well, Kaito-san, since you just recovered from your illness, I think that…”

“Thank you, Chifuyu. However, this is something I want to do. I can’t give up on it. I’ve been sleeping a lot, and my calorie intake has been insufficient. By going to buy cakes and celebrating with the four of you, I can also consume some calories. It’s a win-win situation. Alright, let’s go.”

“Yay, count me in! I’ve been wanting to eat a chocolate cake that looks like a tree!” Chiaki said.

“Um, well, Kaito-san… I’ve been wanting to try mille-feuille…” Chinatsu added.

“Hey, wait a minute, both Aki-nee and Natsu-nee, Kaito-san has just…” Chifuyu started.

“Chifuyu, what do you want to eat?”

“Oh, well… I’d like Mont Blanc.”

“Alright, and what about Chiharu?”

“I’m….fine with anything…”

“Anything, huh… In that case, let’s go with my recommendation. Is that okay?”

“S-sure…”

I won’t let her settle for just anything. Birthday cakes are something special. Let’s also buy a turkey. After all, I want to eat it, too. It’s a chance to gain some calories as well.

I need to make sure I take in enough nutrition so that I don’t catch a cold again. From now on, I should express my opinions and thoughts more freely.

I felt like Chifuyu had mentioned something along those lines… It was a vague memory, but I remembered it. This was probably something I shouldn’t have overlooked…

…However, I also felt like it was somewhat of a habit of mine. It had become a habit of mine to navigate through the year carefully, trying not to hurt the four of them as much as possible. Breaking that habit and starting anew was quite challenging.

But I made a decision in my heart. I would try to approach them more and express what I wanted to say! With that determination, I left home and drove my car.

Very soon, our second year together was about to begin.

*************

TN: Although this sounds like end of volume, it is not, there’s a few chapters remaining before the first volume called “first year” ends. First year meaning, they head spent a year living together.