Chapter 73: Afternoon Time117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKXf2ay23p
In the living room.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtNSRorkH4
"Ahhh! The time for a showdown is here!" Little Hinata pumped her fist with infectious energy, her small face flushed pink with excitement. "Go, onee-sama! You can do it!"117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsoy99aqq1
On the screen, the two fighters stood on the edge of defeat. Their health bars were nearly empty, their movements sharp and tense. The first to miss an opening would fall. The air in the room felt charged, like a storm about to break.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3Bkvz66LJ
After a brief stalemate, the Miko girl’s character suddenly lunged forward. She rolled gracefully across the digital arena, dodging a counterstrike by inches. Her character’s movements were elegant and precise—like a dance. With a quick kick to unbalance her opponent, she spun to the back, her long sleeves fluttering onscreen as she unleashed her ultimate move. Fists like wind, kicks like thunder, her attacks filled the screen with a dazzling flurry of light and motion.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5Mj6uJIzh
But just before the final blow landed, Kouya’s character sprang into the air. For a split second, the screen froze—the lightning crackled, the atmosphere thickened—and then, his avatar descended like a thunder god, a storm of power and rage. The sound of impact roared through the room.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiJBZftSN7
Both fighters’ health bars vanished.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRelmAm79Hi
The screen blazed white, then slowed into dramatic animation. Two silhouettes collided midair, suspended for a heartbeat, before both were sent flying backward.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgw15IbdmU
All three spectators held their breath. Even the catgirl’s tail stiffened, her ears twitching as her golden eyes widened.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHBFxAcf7W
For a few seconds, the world felt frozen.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGN73X7loP
Then, the announcer’s voice blared—Victory!117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGobnB2Eg8
Onscreen, Chun-Li’s elegant figure crumpled to the ground, while her opponent staggered upright with a single sliver of health.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPzpKbGngU
"Wow! Oni-chan won again!" Hinata squealed, bouncing up and down on the sofa.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYkRlyo6AE
Kouya leaned back, grinning. "Victory!" The satisfaction of such a hard-fought win made the blood in his veins hum.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1NRQ4qs5Q
The Miko girl, usually calm and gentle, puffed out her cheeks in frustration. Her graceful composure cracked for once. "Again!"117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCOk7IvVYv
Her voice carried a rare spark of competitiveness.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQxpg2NojO
Kouya chuckled. "Wait a second, you’ve got taiyaki crumbs on your lips…"117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFe6g5e2rP
"Eh?" The Miko girl blinked, then instinctively stuck out her tongue and licked the crumbs away. The motion was natural, almost unconscious—but when she realized what she’d just done, her eyes went wide and her cheeks turned scarlet.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrwLaA239s
Her flawless skin took on a soft blush that spread down her neck, glowing like sunset across fresh snow.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdjyj6sAQe
Kouya couldn’t help smirking. Perfect.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEq19eUjb2
She straightened, pretending composure. "You saw wrong. Start the game."117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzsYTs3V0F
"Hehe, onee-sama is such a tsundere!" Hinata teased.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUOxDckIr8
"Chiba Hinata!" The Miko girl’s tone dropped several degrees. Her aura turned menacing.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKk69BiGh2
"Waaah! I’m sorry, onee-sama! Don’t pinch my cheeks, I’ll look weird!"117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbm7WzLKZx
...117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwrCLbZuo5
After a few more rounds, laughter and shouts filled the living room. When the Miko girl finally set down her controller, her breath came lightly. "It’s getting late, I should start cooking. You two keep playing."117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WxiS5UsyD
"No way!" Hinata waved her hands frantically. She didn’t want to get destroyed again by her brother’s merciless combos. So she swapped games, loading up a cute two-player co-op shooter instead. Bright colors flashed across the screen as the siblings worked together this time, dodging bullets and cheering through each stage.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhjuJMLHEn
Meanwhile, the little catgirl sitting on the rug nibbled at her taiyaki. The moment Kouya’s gaze shifted toward her, she froze, let out a soft "meow!" of panic, and scampered off—her tail puffed up like a dandelion.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYKajCFaJx
By the time they cleared the boss stage, Hinata set her controller down with a satisfied sigh. "Oni-chan, you should play by yourself now. I’ll go help onee-sama cook."117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG26RbpLEHC
Kouya smiled faintly. "Let’s go together."117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6k8v4hDpXc
She beamed. "Yay!"117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdIMiM10j5
The two of them headed toward the back yard kitchen. The scent of miso and fresh vegetables drifted from the open window. Hinata bounded ahead like an eager puppy. "Onee-sama! We’re here to help!"117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YgxxqaDy5
The Miko girl turned from the counter, her long black hair swaying with her movement. "Oh? Then wash those vegetables first."117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUND1PlJgg
Hey, I didn’t agree to anything yet! Kouya thought helplessly. What happened to ‘guests just sit and eat’? Since when did I sign up for free labor?117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKztLatXA7T
The kitchen was surprisingly roomy, with warm light spilling across polished counters. The Miko girl wore a white apron over her outfit, perfectly framing her slim waist and graceful posture. The red ribbon tying her hair added a splash of color that made her seem both traditional and lively.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlSeWDNR7s
"Oni-chan, hurry up!" Hinata urged.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfLriqUpLs
Kouya sighed but smiled, rinsing the vegetables under cold water. As droplets splashed against his fingers, a quiet nostalgia rose inside him.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutM6aTVyNh
How long had it been since he last shared something as simple as cooking with others?117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIj1jg9cvp
There was a strange warmth to it—a calm rhythm he hadn’t realized he missed.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0tQchyOZ4
"Meow wants to help too!" came a timid voice from the doorway.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqkegqnsj5
The catgirl peeked in, clutching her taiyaki with both hands. Her golden eyes darted nervously between them.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrspgm20Ki
Kouya turned, arching an eyebrow. "What are you looking at me for?"117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHDdCOeQZV
"Meow~!" She yelped, crouching and covering her head. "Don’t meow! If you do that, meow will break!"117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfsolBkff3
Kouya nearly choked with laughter. "What does that even mean?!"117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmq4P2A0q1l
He could feel a vein twitching on his forehead. This cat was going to be the death of him.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5b3rt1cif
The Miko girl hid a small smile behind her sleeve, then her expression turned serious. "Kou-kun, I invited you to lunch partly to thank you for helping us last time—and also because of Rina. Even though she said you could do anything, she’s still a child. You can’t…"117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnysZZbF7si
Can’t your ass! Kouya groaned inwardly. You’re definitely thinking of something indecent, aren’t you?117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaa4SccH37
What do I look like to you—a pervert preying on a flat-chested catgirl? That model doesn’t even match up—it’d literally break her!117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0xTzGIYSB
The Miko girl’s cheeks turned pink. She hesitated, then muttered, "Then why do you have those catgirl manga, hmm?" Her tone dripped with suspicion. "Anyway, Rina’s still a kid…"117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv8cw4wRWl
Kouya sighed. Ah, what a noisy wind today.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0opx7NfVHr
...117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mkueAQnqG
Half an hour later, the aroma of freshly cooked food filled the house.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwwetErTdD
Hinata, unable to resist temptation, reached out to snag a piece—only to get flicked sharply on the forehead.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nklQqzQ20
"No stealing."117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8pR1tqmPi
"Oww! But onee-sama’s food smells too good! I can’t help it!"117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyo3jJp5MSN
"Wash your hands first, then bring the dishes over," the Miko girl ordered, though her lips curved faintly in amusement.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlMXFNbgxE
The table soon filled with four dishes and one soup—each plate colorful and delicate, the fragrance enough to make anyone’s stomach growl.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKTQsiLTUh
Kouya took a bite and paused in genuine surprise. The taste was refined, balanced—better than Vigne’s cooking, leagues beyond Gabriel’s disasters.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNnNKOW22P
"Oni-chan, is it good?" Hinata asked eagerly.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8koqW663fg
"It’s amazing," Kouya admitted. "Onee-sama’s got skill."117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTX1fkbUFw
Hinata puffed up proudly. "Told you! Onee-sama makes the best food in the world!"117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsee5bjhHLe
The Miko girl stayed silent, though her gentle smile deepened.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy350q3JOJZ
After lunch, the group cleaned up together. Hinata soon flopped onto the sofa, turning on a children’s program, her eyes sparkling with childish joy. The Miko girl prepared tea, pouring it into delicate cups and setting them neatly on the low table. Rina quietly padded back into the room, her tail swishing contentedly as she joined them.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iqtE0qqNg
The afternoon light filtered through the shoji screens, golden and soft. Dust motes drifted lazily in the air. The house was peaceful, almost dreamlike.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbzd3S9nqd
Outside, the sky was crystal clear, the world still and bright. The scent of fallen cherry blossoms lingered faintly in the air.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeuPOwD0Qa
Rina, now convinced Kouya wouldn’t actually “break” her, curled up beside Hinata. Her small body relaxed completely as she purred quietly, drifting into sleep.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5ip0TCafs
The sofa was large enough for everyone to fit comfortably. Kouya leaned back, the warmth of the moment seeping into his bones.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVfrnznPt7
After a while, just as his eyelids began to droop, something soft and warm pressed against his arm. He turned and saw Hinata asleep, head resting against him, her breathing soft and even.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhUKbbYFqx
Hey, I’m not a pillow!117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjpRVoHPF6
Weren’t you just wide awake a second ago?117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIsA9lJGgp
Kouya sighed. Next to her, the catgirl had already dozed off too, her whiskers twitching as she leaned her head against Hinata’s shoulder. Typical cat—daytime naps were sacred.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5kavV9wvf
He glanced over at the Miko girl.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL6GOmbUA6
She hadn’t fallen asleep yet, but her eyes were heavy with drowsiness, her head bobbing slightly. A faint smile played across her lips, gentle and serene.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfH08UOZki0
Hey hey, are you really that relaxed around me? I’m still a guest here! What if I suddenly went wild and pushed all three of you down? From the elegant black-haired beauty to the adorable loli to the cat-eared girl—that’d be a legendary triple kill.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJP4tTzoPPW
Kouya chuckled softly, shaking his head. He picked up the remote and lowered the TV’s volume, letting the quiet settle in.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCHpNyrtED
Outside, a breeze stirred the trees, scattering petals and sunlight across the garden floor.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdORzIFgJQn
The air was calm.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWUnQYsWdH
And in that stillness, Kouya realized something simple yet rare—that a peaceful afternoon like this could be its own kind of happiness.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHiio6hqkh
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