Chapter 67: Are my ears broken?

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Translator: Soafp

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Bathed in moonlight, the three of us walked together.

“But, you’re out quite late today.”

“…Fufu, well, that’s because—”

“—Today's fish day!”

At that moment, a bolt of realization shot through my brain.

A grocery bag, 8:00 PM.

It's about a 10-minute walk from here, so she must have bought it around 7:30 PM—

In other words…

“…That makes sense. It was the time when sashimi goes half-off, right?” (Brilliant deduction)

“Yes, exactly.”

“It’s for Ayano’s test celebration!”

“Haha, Kanon, you've been working hard too.”

“Ehehe.”

Ah, this is so heartwarming.

Kanon-chan will grow up to be an incredibly beautiful woman, I'm sure.

But for now, she’s still a child. And she’s just unbearably cute (not creepy at all).

“…Are you going to eat that alone?”

“Eh, oh…”

Of course, she knows there's no one else at my place anymore.

It's only natural she’d ask.

“Is Icchi-nii all alone…?”

“Eh?”

A voice came from below, tugging at me.

Wait, did she just call me “Icchi-nii”? I've been promoted from “Rainbow Onii-chan” (tears of joy).

“…Let’s eat together!”

And with that smile, how could I possibly say no?

“Yes, I think that’s a wonderful idea.”

…Even she seemed oddly eager to join in.

If I were to refuse, it would be straight to hell for me.

---

It was my second time visiting the Kisaragi household.

Now, I was presenting the sushi (?) I brought with me.

Laying it out on the table—18 pieces of plain rice.

Wow, they’re sparkling. These grains of rice… are magnificent!

And two salads. Everything is so half-hearted. At least make it three! (pointless anger)

“…?”
“…?”

“…Don't ask why.”

As expected from the sisters, their reactions were identical. Both froze with their mouths wide open.

But even in shock, their faces were so well-proportioned—it was like looking at a painting.

The title would be… “The Shock of Rice.” It would probably sell for five billion.

“Put the sashimi on top! Let's make sushi out of it!”

“Oh, that's a great idea.”

“Truly a genius… (terrified)”

Kanon-chan's IQ must be around 3 trillion.

From now on, I will respectfully call her Kanon-san.

“I'll heat up some miso soup, so just wait a little bit, okay?”

“Yes (in a high-pitched voice).”

“Fufu. No need to fuss over me.”

“Let's play! Let's play!”

Suddenly, Kisaragi-san’s homemade cooking appeared, and I started to freak out.

Also, she’s been acting incredibly kind since earlier.

And since Kanon-senpai (age 5) wanted to play, I took off my jacket.

She rummaged through the toy box and grabbed her usual wand (paper-made)—or so I thought.

“?!”

What she pulled out was a sparkling plastic wand.

Whoa, this is the real deal! Looks like she got someone to buy it for her.

…Meanwhile, I dual-wielded paper knives.

“Prepare your sword!”

“Now… it’s time for revenge… (super cringe villain mode)”

The weapon stats were clearly out of balance, but I wasn't going to let that bother me!

---

“…(obliteration)”

The paper knife snapped. 

The plastic wand, being the real deal, gleamed brilliantly.

There's no way I could win with a paper weapon (not that I intended to win anyway).

“Ahh…(dead).”

“Kya-kya!”

Kanon-sama (age 5) was absolutely delighted. 

I have no choice. I’ll make it more “fun”…!

“OOOHH… (revived by the vengeance of fallen comrades)”

“Kya-kya!”

“Ugh… I won't die that easily…”

“Take this!”

“Ouch… No, unless you use the special move from that wand, I won't die! (clarifying the rules)…”

“Take this!!”

“Ugh… I won't die unless it's that special move… (pleading)”

“Ah!”

Kanon-chan suddenly realized. 

Yes, come on! And please, no more physical attacks (I beg you).

“○× Flash!! (the wand lights up)”

“Ugh, gaaaahhhhhhh—!!”

“…The miso soup's ready.”

“Food!!”

“Aaaaah… (failed obliteration)”

Kisaragi-san appeared mid-sketch. 

I felt like dying from embarrassment.

Though, by now, I was kind of used to it (resigned).

---

“It was delicious! Now, TV time!”

Kanon-chan dashed off. 

Left at the table were just me and Kisaragi-san.

After that, we topped the rice with the sashimi she had bought, and we ate every last bit of it.

It was delicious. 

But the most delicious thing of all was—

“…This miso soup is amazing (shocked).”

“You're exaggerating.”

It was likely red miso, perfectly complementing the sushi.

More than that—it was just… so warm. 

That's right, like a comforting, homemade taste.

“…”

“Is it really that good?”

“Yeah (completely serious).”

Actually, I think I had been starving for it. 

For that warmth in the taste.

“Kisaragi-san, your parents work late, right?”

“Yes, I've always been the one cooking meals.”

I see. That's probably why. 

She's had a harder life than I did.

“You're amazing, Kisaragi-san.”

“I love cooking. And I enjoy taking care of Kanon.”

“That's nice.”

“Yes, plus, my parents do get days off. It's not like your situation… where you're alone all the time.”

“Haha, but I'm by myself.”

“…I think that's much harder.”

“You think so?”

“Yes, I wouldn't be able to handle it.”

I guess for someone who enjoys taking care of others, that would be true. 

But me? I'm not really like that.

Or so I thought—I mean, if I truly enjoyed being alone, I wouldn't have felt lonely on that walk home earlier.

The reason I was moved by this homemade taste. 

The reason I'm cherishing this warm space right now. 

It's all because of the long, sad, lonely hours I've experienced before this.

Ah.

I've become such a spoiled person.

“Well… actually, yeah. It does feel a bit tough sometimes.”

“!?”

I muttered those words, without thinking. 

A sincere voice. 

It slipped out, perhaps because of the warmth of this space.

“—If that's the case,”

“Eh?”

From a distant room, the sound of an anime character’s voice came from the TV. 

The miso soup steaming in front of me. 

A small table. The feeling of tatami underfoot.

Here, in Kisaragi-san's house.

She looked straight into my eyes and said—

“If it ever gets too tough, you can come here.”

“…What did you just say?”

Are my ears broken?