Chapter 73: Afternoon Time114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDGC19PUeB
In the living room.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjXSRrU5NQ
"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!"114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkXweVAKeM
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.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nK0ponm8D
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.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1k2Fh1NAh
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.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpckFbpvqC
Both fighters’ health bars vanished.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfXgivxIIA
The screen blazed white, then slowed into dramatic animation. Two silhouettes collided midair, suspended for a heartbeat, before both were sent flying backward.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgNB6KYKfq
All three spectators held their breath. Even the catgirl’s tail stiffened, her ears twitching as her golden eyes widened.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimxhgUirYU
For a few seconds, the world felt frozen.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89jnw5RVGf
Then, the announcer’s voice blared—Victory!114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ55p235KFy
Onscreen, Chun-Li’s elegant figure crumpled to the ground, while her opponent staggered upright with a single sliver of health.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡej1womuy9v
"Wow! Oni-chan won again!" Hinata squealed, bouncing up and down on the sofa.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLli5o6JU2
Kouya leaned back, grinning. "Victory!" The satisfaction of such a hard-fought win made the blood in his veins hum.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12pIgTmqBF
The Miko girl, usually calm and gentle, puffed out her cheeks in frustration. Her graceful composure cracked for once. "Again!"114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNayewWHJoS
Her voice carried a rare spark of competitiveness.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cfVeUpqyZ
Kouya chuckled. "Wait a second, you’ve got taiyaki crumbs on your lips…"114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaVfBylsvR
"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.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxVcfTxyNH
Her flawless skin took on a soft blush that spread down her neck, glowing like sunset across fresh snow.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTV6HgVVxB
Kouya couldn’t help smirking. Perfect.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡga7t3HOWM9
She straightened, pretending composure. "You saw wrong. Start the game."114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRChXBscuE
"Hehe, onee-sama is such a tsundere!" Hinata teased.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXURSeBm2l7
"Chiba Hinata!" The Miko girl’s tone dropped several degrees. Her aura turned menacing.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvHfJAFcM6
"Waaah! I’m sorry, onee-sama! Don’t pinch my cheeks, I’ll look weird!"114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyUrsBJqil
...114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6azfa3X2t
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."114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiS2VW8OPXD
"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.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKnJwzZbXp
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.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpNRTkw1NS
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."114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNRt1651V1
Kouya smiled faintly. "Let’s go together."114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wa7TwI89U
She beamed. "Yay!"114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrw4RoibiGN
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!"114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9QEk0fY22
The Miko girl turned from the counter, her long black hair swaying with her movement. "Oh? Then wash those vegetables first."114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbyaAXJYR4
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?114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmhqzMsylT
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.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ647McqDR8m
"Oni-chan, hurry up!" Hinata urged.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0siL5TJrX
Kouya sighed but smiled, rinsing the vegetables under cold water. As droplets splashed against his fingers, a quiet nostalgia rose inside him.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8wfVsH0Es
How long had it been since he last shared something as simple as cooking with others?114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDQGeeUueX
There was a strange warmth to it—a calm rhythm he hadn’t realized he missed.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5wLZXEe67
"Meow wants to help too!" came a timid voice from the doorway.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3fv2IwAOa
The catgirl peeked in, clutching her taiyaki with both hands. Her golden eyes darted nervously between them.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTIfofPU6u
Kouya turned, arching an eyebrow. "What are you looking at me for?"114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECzo5MyHyM
"Meow~!" She yelped, crouching and covering her head. "Don’t meow! If you do that, meow will break!"114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeYvB80j2Y
Kouya nearly choked with laughter. "What does that even mean?!"114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjDPb1gRof
He could feel a vein twitching on his forehead. This cat was going to be the death of him.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxq6gbsusf
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…"114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTE6ERBvxG
Can’t your ass! Kouya groaned inwardly. You’re definitely thinking of something indecent, aren’t you?114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6SnaOE6Pm
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!114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL3UdJg5PY
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…"114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfn1Ci7FK12
Kouya sighed. Ah, what a noisy wind today.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKaAcSi8YH
...114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvURR1lkhW
Half an hour later, the aroma of freshly cooked food filled the house.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIgYm5IlD5
Hinata, unable to resist temptation, reached out to snag a piece—only to get flicked sharply on the forehead.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHZdKSbxpD
"No stealing."114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSAvryX4dt
"Oww! But onee-sama’s food smells too good! I can’t help it!"114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtlQLLLGpp
"Wash your hands first, then bring the dishes over," the Miko girl ordered, though her lips curved faintly in amusement.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QDWrlUiol
The table soon filled with four dishes and one soup—each plate colorful and delicate, the fragrance enough to make anyone’s stomach growl.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIpvsTFmE1
Kouya took a bite and paused in genuine surprise. The taste was refined, balanced—better than Vigne’s cooking, leagues beyond Gabriel’s disasters.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrkabcGQpx
"Oni-chan, is it good?" Hinata asked eagerly.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkkhAAtsfI
"It’s amazing," Kouya admitted. "Onee-sama’s got skill."114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNh8iTDKI0v
Hinata puffed up proudly. "Told you! Onee-sama makes the best food in the world!"114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡND8Fh4ppIX
The Miko girl stayed silent, though her gentle smile deepened.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbS6rGYFWmo
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.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8zt2Rzgtu
The afternoon light filtered through the shoji screens, golden and soft. Dust motes drifted lazily in the air. The house was peaceful, almost dreamlike.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiE82wmNPK
Outside, the sky was crystal clear, the world still and bright. The scent of fallen cherry blossoms lingered faintly in the air.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnGORWTxwL
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.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9x6IlCjAvO
The sofa was large enough for everyone to fit comfortably. Kouya leaned back, the warmth of the moment seeping into his bones.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbfv855d7F
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.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFOaBag3fz
Hey, I’m not a pillow!114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNCOTZEgRk
Weren’t you just wide awake a second ago?114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHFCPchKi6
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.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqOcVGW2EC
He glanced over at the Miko girl.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHKxfSAHhe
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.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz19GoiYMc
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.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHaYCdEai8
Kouya chuckled softly, shaking his head. He picked up the remote and lowered the TV’s volume, letting the quiet settle in.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEIaVcrw5A
Outside, a breeze stirred the trees, scattering petals and sunlight across the garden floor.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27DK21nDN0
The air was calm.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkHyRVD2X0
And in that stillness, Kouya realized something simple yet rare—that a peaceful afternoon like this could be its own kind of happiness.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77kXAxGDWy
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