Chapter 90: Secret Sisters

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Translator: Soafp

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The moment they passed through the entrance of the tower apartment, Aoi gasped, “Wow…” The spacious lobby was elegantly designed like a hotel, with marble floors that absorbed their footsteps. The soft glow of indirect lighting created a calm atmosphere, and a concierge dressed in a suit stood at the reception.

“Unbelievable… I can’t believe someone actually lives in a place like this…” Aoi looked around, her eyes drawn to the chandelier in the entrance. Miyabi, a bit surprised, also glanced around and murmured softly, “…We really live in different worlds.”

Amidst this, Ranko muttered in a flat tone, “I guess, some people really do live like this… living this kind of life without a care in the world…”

Kagura immediately turned around at her words. “What do you mean, Ranko? Do you have something to say?”

“No, no, just a thought. For people like us, living modestly, it’s hard to even imagine this kind of world,” Ranko replied with a hint of sarcasm.

“Quit making weird comments and get on the elevator!” Kagura sighed as she urged everyone to get on the elevator.

The reason they were all staying over at Kagura's house tonight was to make chocolate for the upcoming Valentine’s Day. In fact, the only one who was good at cooking among them was Marin. Since it was a good opportunity, everyone decided to stay over and learn how to make chocolate from her. It might take late into the night, so they figured it would be easier to just stay overnight from the beginning.

As soon as they stepped into Kagura’s room, Aoi again let out a short gasp. The spacious living room was filled with tastefully arranged furniture, and from the glass windows, the city's nightscape could be seen in its entirety. The soft light from the indirect lighting created a relaxed atmosphere, making the room feel like a luxury hotel suite.

“No way… a place like this really exists…” Aoi muttered in amazement, gazing at the view outside the window.

“Well, it’s not surprising. It’s Kagura, after all,” Miyabi murmured softly.

“Seriously. I can’t believe someone I know is living like this…” Ranko said, sounding a little wistful as she looked around. Kagura shrugged.

“So what? All I hear is jealousy from you guys.”

“Well, well, it's good to experience a different culture. It's like cultural exchange” Ranko said with a smile.

“Your words are getting more and more off-track,” Kagura remarked, exasperated, but quickly took control of the situation by clapping her hands.

“Anyway, we’re making chocolate, right? Everyone, change into your aprons!”

Kagura gave a firm instruction, and Marin smiled.

“That’s right. We're on a time limit, so let's get started.”

Miyabi and Aoi each pulled out their aprons and began getting ready. Ranko, though a little reluctant, eventually followed along obediently.

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In the kitchen, the chocolate-making began in earnest.

“First, we'll start with tempering,” Marin explained as she put chopped chocolate into a bowl and began heating it over a double boiler.

“Tempering?” Aoi tilted her head, confused.

“It's the process of properly melting the chocolate and adjusting the temperature. If you don't do this, it won't have a nice finish,” Marin explained.

“I see… it sounds kind of tedious,” Aoi muttered as she reluctantly started working.

“Well, it's for Hajime, so let's put in our best effort,” Miyabi said as she calmly prepared the double boiler.

“It's fun to do this together”

“Yeah. I'm confident I'll make the chocolate that will make Kei the happiest!” Kagura said confidently.

Without missing a beat, Marin retorted, “That's my job.”

“What are you talking about? I understand Kei the best, so my chocolate is definitely going to be the best,” Kagura said, her voice full of pride.

“…Well, we won't know until we actually let him try it.”

While the two were sparking off at each other, Miyabi muttered quietly, “…I knew this would happen.”

The candy-making continued, and time passed.

“This is surprisingly hard…” Aoi complained as she stretched her arms.

“But it's fun when we make it together,” Ranko smiled.

“Anyway, I'm excited to see Hajime's reaction when he sees this,” Kagura said, looking at the finished chocolates with a satisfied expression.

At that moment…

“I’m home~”

The sound of the front door opening echoed.

“…Huh?”

Miyabi, Aoi, Ranko, and Marin all turned their gaze toward the door.

Kagura froze for a moment, then hurriedly called out.

“Huh? Mom!? Why are you home?”

As Kagura’s voice echoed, she rushed toward the entrance. Miyabi, Aoi, Ranko, and Marin, who were left in the living room, were all surprised by the sudden visitor and stood up to follow Kagura.

Standing in the entrance was a woman. She was tall and slender, with brilliant blue hair that shone. She was dressed in refined fashion, and her beauty was youthful—she didn't look like a mother of one child at all. At first glance, she resembled a grown-up version of Kagura, exuding an aura of grace and poise.

“You don't have to say it like that. It's been a while, Kagura,” the woman—Youko Shinomiya—said with a smile as she gently placed her hand on her daughter's cheek.

“No, if you’re coming back, you should at least let me know!” Kagura said, dissatisfied, but she didn't push Youko's hand away and looked up at her instead. Youko smiled, seemingly enjoying Kagura's reaction.

However, the next moment, Youko's gaze shifted to Marin.

“Marin… have you been doing well?”

Her words were accompanied by a soft, tender gaze, and at that moment, Miyabi, Aoi, and Ranko all turned to look at Marin. Marin seemed momentarily surprised but quickly gave a gentle smile and stepped forward.

“It's been a while, Mother Youko.” Marin said politely.

“Huh?” The three of them gasped in surprise.

Miyabi blinked, confused, and looked back and forth between Marin, Youko, and Kagura.

“…Wait a minute. Why is Marin calling Kagura's mom ‘Mother Youko’?”

Aoi, equally confused, stared at Youko and Marin, unable to understand. “Eh? Eh?” she stammered.

Ranko crossed her arms and observed Youko closely, as if contemplating something.

“Well, I guess I can tell you guys,” Kagura said with a sigh, then smiled slyly.

“Actually, Marin and I are half-sisters.”

Miyabi and Aoi both exclaimed at the same time, “What!?”

“Eh, wait, wait! What do you mean!? Kagura and Marin are sisters!?”

Kagura, still with a relaxed smile, stood with her arms crossed next to Youko. Marin, meanwhile, maintained her usual calm demeanor and quietly observed Aoi and Miyabi's reactions.

“Well, I'll tell you the details later. But for now… that's how it is,” Kagura casually said.

Miyabi and Aoi continued to be confused and didn't seem to fully understand.

Ranko quietly smiled and murmured, “I see…”