CH 65

"This, it's delicious"

"Glad to hear that"

Mashiro muttered that while slurping somen noodles for the first time.

After all, somen noodles on a hot day are a standard dish, but thinking about it, this is the first time this year, and it is also the first time Mashiro ate it and said it tasted delicious, which is a big deal.

"U~n......"

However, Chisome is looking at the somen with a slightly difficult face.

When I was wondering what is wrong, Chisome said something like this.

"Somen...... it's easy to make anyway, it's also delicious, and not bad at all. But......I think I might want to treat Nii-san to a more elaborate meal."

"......I see. You're a girl who says things that make one really happy."

Well, after returning here from Chisome's parents' house, we did some shopping and the like before going home, so it ended up taking longer than expected.

So we decided to go with Somen because it was an easy way to get things done, but...... Well, I'm not denying the taste of somen noodles, but there is certainly nothing better than Chisome's cooking, so I prefer that one too, by far.

"Thank you both for your hard work today."

"Un. Good job, Nii-san."

"Good job, Onii-sama, and Chisome."

Well, I didn't do anything in particular, though.

It was Chisome who mostly exchanged words with Shinra-san anyway, and as for Mashiro too, it was as if she stood out more than me thanks to her appearance in the room.

Still, I think this encounter has definitely become a plus.

"I think this time's matter was really good. Things happened like that, but somehow I feel like Shinra-san was also able to move on."

"I think so too. I think the fact that she touched us is the best proof...... Really, a stubborn person, or rather, a very shy person, or, how should I put it"

"Is that what you think of a very shy person?"

"U~n, I don't know. I mean, I haven't seen my mother in a long while after all♪"

What she was saying was supposed to be sad, and yet, Chisome's voice was very lively and seemed to be having fun...... It's proof that she cherishes today's matter, and it's proof that it wasn't a bad time.

"......Chisome, if――"

"If you could go back, would you want to spend your time as Shinra-san's daughter?" was what I was going to ask, but I closed my mouth, thinking that this would be a very uncouth thing to do.

However, there was my little sister and lover, Chisome.

"I don't think so. I'm already a member of this family――Nii-san's little sister and lover."

"......Right."

So yes, it's fine if I just don't let her go.

It's fine if I just always and always love Chisome and Mashiro a lot; all I have to do is love them...... Only then can we stay connected.

Of course, it is also necessary to have the strength to embrace that feeling without being so conceited about it.

“Nii-san......somehow, your eyes are cool.”

"I am always cool right"

"Un♪"

"..............."

I was on a roll and said so, but I was the one who ended up getting embarrassed.

After that, dinner time ended when Mashiro had about three more bowls of somen noodles.

“Nii-san, is it really fine?”

"Yeah. Go ahead heat up the glutton."

"Yes~"

Mashiro, who ate a large amount of somen noodles, was already fully sleepy.

Still, these days she tries to keep a human life in mind and always takes a bath every day with me and Chisome.

At this rate, she was going to end up falling asleep completely, so I decided to wash the dishes and leave Mashiro to Chisome.

"......?"

And so it was, right after I finished washing the dishes.

The house phone rings and I immediately wipe my hands and head over.

"Yes. It's Rikudou."

With the death of my father, basically all I get on the house phone are mistakes, pranks, and solicitations for dubious religions.

I thought this would also be a prank at best, but the voice I hear ends up making me raise my voice like crazy.

"Hello"

"Good evening Taiga-kun"

"Hyoo!?"

That voice sounded familiar to me......or rather, I just heard it during the day, didn't I.

"What was that way of getting surprised? From the beginning, I was also in contact with your father. So it's only natural that I know your contact information like this, right?"

"......Haa"

I never thought I would get a phone call from Shinra-san.

I end up weirdly nervous because of her voice that doesn't have much intonation as usual, but I wonder what she's actually calling me for.

"I made a call like this......That’s right. I don't have any particular business...... It's just, I thought I didn't say what I needed to say the most."

"That is......"

After a short pause, Shinra-san continued with these words.

"I couldn't love that girl――That's why, I beg you to please continue to love that girl...... No, it's not just Chisome isn't it. That girl called Mashiro, too."

At those words, I tightened my expression and nodded strongly.

"I understand. Or rather, wouldn't it have been better to say that in front of said person?"

"It will only be thought of as 'how can you have the nerve now,' won't it. In the first place, if I said it in front of that girl, the unpleasant feelings that continue to remain will end up coming out. In order to prevent that from happening, I have just now delivered the words to you like this."

"......I understand. It's certainly engraved in my heart."

"I'm counting on you okay."

I guess this kind of thing is called clumsy.

However, in front of Chisome, the unpleasant feelings...... In other words, only Shinra-san knows why she can't have affection for her.

As long as I don't know what is in her heart, I can't even say, "That's just not right."

"Aah and also, I've already decided on one more thing."

"Yes?"

"I will support you from now on too. No matter what you say, that is the one thing I will not give up. Tell that to Chisome too."

"......uhhh"

“Also......tell her I say thank you. For coming to see me today――”

"Wait!"

There the phone hung up with *bzztt*.

I ended up in blank amazement for a while, but I was happy to know that Shinra-san also had a part of her that thinks after all.

But......but! I honestly think she should at least say that thank you to said person herself.

"......Well but, I will tell her properly, Shinra-san."

Actually, I'm looking forward a little to seeing what kind of face Chisome will make.

▽▼

After the call, Shinra, Chisome's biological mother, sighs.

"......Sheesh, so I am also having a troublesome personality."

Shinra muttered so with a wry smile.

And what she is looking at is a certain photo frame, and one photo displayed there was left by Chisome.

"......You've become beautiful I see. You look really healthy and happy......fufu."

After burning the smile of her daughter in that photo into her eyes one last time, Shinra stood up and left the room.