Chapter 116: The Good Little Brother

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Translator: Soafp

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“Tetsu~! Urya-urya~! You've gotten taller, haven't you? Must be that growth spurt!”

“…Please stop.”

It was evening, and Tetsuya had just come home from school, only to be ambushed by a very affectionate Touka, who hugged him tightly and patted his head while his eyes lost all light.

Unaware of what was going on, Tetsuya had returned home and was immediately swept up by Touka, who had leapt up from her nap and pulled him straight into the living room for a cuddle.

Incidentally, Ginji and Sora were originally planning to celebrate their test results alone, but since it was a rare occasion that Touka was home, Sora insisted she didn't want to interrupt the family gathering. Until Tetsuya came home, the two had spent time prepping dinner and chatting lightly about summer break plans.

“Mother, Tetsu's eyes are dead. Let him go already.”

“I told you to call me ‘Mom.' Hugging my adorable children is one of the best parts of being a parent. Ginji, you're getting one next!”

“Please… spare me…”

“You guys are so close. I'm a little jealous,” Sora murmured wistfully.

Hearing that, Touka let go of Tetsuya and instead pulled Sora into her arms.

“Wah—!”

“What's this? You're still a kid too, Sora-chan! Urya-urya~!”

“Sora-senpai, just roll with it.”

“Yeah. Let's get dinner ready. Tetsu, go change.”

“C-Can't… breathe… Ginji, Tetsu-kun… help…”

“Don't be shy!”

After hugging Sora for a solid three minutes, Touka finally let her go, looking very pleased with herself. She threw a shirt over her tank top and began packing up her things.

“Alrighty! I'm heading over to Kinichi's place now.”

“You're not staying for dinner?”

Ginji asked as he patted the limp, oxygen-deprived Sora's head. Touka checked her phone.

“Hmm. I ate a ton at lunch, so I'll just eat over there tonight.”

Just as she was about to leave, her phone rang.

“Oh! Kinichi!”

Seeing her beaming as she answered the phone, Ginji looked visibly exasperated.

“What is it, Kinichi? I told you I'd be back tonight. You miss me that much, huh! …Eh? You're done with work? I don't have to come back? You want me to stay with the kids for once? But, but, if I'm not there… Oh, Ginji and the boys seemed fine. …Ahn! So you do want time apart from me!?”

Sora looked at Ginji in concern, thinking the call had turned into a fight, but Ginji just walked off toward the kitchen like it was completely normal, and Sora followed.

“U-Um, is that okay? Aren't they fighting?”

“It's always like that. They'll make up in seconds. Just leave them be.”

Sora peeked out from the kitchen to the living room.

“Fine, fine. If you really want to be apart from me that badly, I'll just—Huh? You want me to come over? …You just can't spend a night without me, can you, Kinichi. Alright, I get it, I get it. It's fine, I'll tell the boys. I'll head over right away. Love you too!”

Hanging up with a big smile, Touka turned just as Tetsuya came back into the living room.

“Oh, perfect timing. Kinichi says he needs me, can't manage without me. So I've got no choice but to go!”

“…Ah, yeah. Have a good one.”

“Take care.”

The Momoi brothers gave her a lazy send-off as Touka gave a thumbs-up over her shoulder.

“See you again, Sora-chan! Look after Ginji for me. Now then—time to go earn some money!”

“Y-Yes, take care!”

Sora waved her off, and Touka responded with a wink before energetically heading out the front door.

“…Hey, weren't you and Sora-senpai supposed to celebrate your test results today?”

“She said we should see Mom off instead. So let's all have dinner together.”

When Ginji said that, Sora nodded enthusiastically.

“Yeah! I want to know more about your parents too!”

“…”

“…”

“Why are both of you going quiet now?!”

Later, the three of them made Kansai-style okonomiyaki together. While eating, Ginji finally gave in to Sora's curious pressure.

“Mother's always been a bit… much when it comes to affection. She's always like that. Not that it's a bad thing, but it is a little embarrassing in front of other people. And, well, as you've probably figured out… she and Dad are super lovey-dovey. You'd think she's the pushy one, but Dad's head over heels for her too.”

“…”

Tetsuya stared off into the distance.

“I think that's a good thing!”

“Yeah, I guess. But as a teenage boy, seeing them flirting every day gets kinda awkward. Even if they're family, I wish they'd hold back a bit. Especially now that you're around, Sora…”

“Ahaha, yeah, it'd be a little embarrassing to see that!”

“…”

Tetsuya looked puzzled, staring at Ginji and Sora.

“Exactly! There should be limits.”

“Ehh, I think it's sweet. Oh, Ginji, you've got sauce on your mouth.”

“Oh—thanks. Your okonomiyaki's just too good.”

“Eheh! It's the dashi—I made it special. I'm glad you like it, Ginji. And… I added love.”

“I put some feelings into it too, for your taste.”

“Mhm! That's why it tastes so good. Thanks, Ginji!”

“…”

Tetsuya swallowed back the words rising in his throat.

“Hm? What's up, Tetsu? You look weird.”

“Tetsu-kun, want some water?”

“…I'm fine. It's nothing.”

Even though Ginji and Sora were obliviously flirting, Tetsuya didn't say anything. If they were happy, that was enough for him—for now.

---

On the way home, Sora clung to Ginji on the bicycle, talking to him.

“You really take after your mom, Ginji.”

“Huh? You think so?”

“Definitely. You two are just alike.”

“I don't see it myself. Though the ladies at the shopping street say that too. People say Tetsu looks like our dad.”

“Really? What's your dad like?”

“…Mostly expressionless.”

“Ahaha, just like Tetsu-kun!”

“Yeah. What about you, Sora…? Actually, sorry—never mind.”

Ginji had started to ask about her family but remembered her situation and stopped. Sora hugged him tighter.

“My mom… always said I looked like my dad. She said I didn't look anything like her…”

“…So you take after your father, huh. I'll have to meet him someday.”

“Yeah. One day, I'll introduce you properly—tell him you're someone I'm proud to love.”

Her voice trembled slightly.

“Yeah. I'd be honored.”

Ginji answered with conviction. Sora buried her face in his back. They were quiet for a while until Ginji suddenly remembered something.

“Oh right! We need to talk about all the dishes you've been sneaking into our house!”

“…The reveal wasn't supposed to happen yet…”

“How many were you planning to stash!?”

Ginji chuckled as he pedaled harder down the road.