Ch 251. The Troublesome Sister-in-Law

"Ayako-chan, I just met a big idiot who bought all the raffle tickets from that doll shop! You know, that's quite a lot of money! And after buying all the tickets, he only took the biggest grand prize doll and gave all the other tickets away to passersby right there on the spot!"

"Oh? So, the doll you're holding, Junko-chan, is from that kind-hearted man's raffle tickets?"

"Hehe~ Ayako-chan, you're so clever~ That big idiot really is foolish and has too much money~ By the way, Junko-chan, this pendant is for you; it's the third prize!"

"Oh~~ This pendant is really nice. And Junko-chan, since you've received something good, you shouldn't call him an idiot anymore; you should call him a kind-hearted man."

"Hmph~ I admit he's kind, but I still think he's really foolish and naive. That grand prize doll from Pan-san can be bought outside as well; there was no need to spend such a huge amount of money on it. It's just a waste of money; isn't that foolish?"

"Emm..." As she was pondering, Ayako-chan noticed Hoshimi and Yukino sitting on a nearby bench.

She glanced at the life-sized panda doll in Hoshimi's arms, seeming to remember something, and quickly asked her companion beside her, "Junko-chan, isn't Pan-san a panda doll?"

"Yeah~ It looks like a fierce panda~ Although it seems a bit scary, it's quite cute~"

As the daylight dimmed, Ayako-chan couldn't see clearly whether the panda doll looked fierce or not, so she quickened her pace and continued asking, "Junko-chan, what does that kind-hearted man look like?"

"You mean that big idiot? He's quite handsome, with white hair and red eyes; he really appeals to my preferences! Too bad he's an idiot..." Junko-chan said regretfully.

"..." Upon seeing the conspicuous white hair of the youth on the bench, Ayako-chan instantly fell silent.

She twitched her lips and tried to drag her companion away quickly.

Unfortunately, she didn't have enough strength to pull her athletic friend beside her.

"Hmm? Ayako-chan, what's wrong?" Junko-chan, confused, asked.

"Let's go quickly! Don't ask!" Ayako-chan, feeling anxious, broke into a light sweat.

"Hmm?" Not understanding, Junko-chan scratched her head in confusion and followed Ayako-chan's pull.

Suddenly, a flash of white appeared at the edge of Junko-chan's vision. She instinctively looked over and locked eyes with Hoshimi, who was looking at her.

Staring into Hoshimi's beautiful red eyes, Junko-chan froze for three full seconds before coming back to her senses.

In the next moment, without saying a word, she turned back and dragged Ayako-chan to run away.

After a flurry of commotion, the atmosphere between Hoshimi and Yukino returned to calmness, but this tranquility held a hint of difference.

"Pfft~~"

After a while, Yukino couldn't help but laugh, turning her head away while struggling to suppress her amusement.

"..." Watching Yukino stifling her laughter to the point of shaking her shoulders, Hoshimi said with a hint of melancholy, "Yukino, you don't love me anymore~"

"Pfft~~" Yukino, with her back turned, whispered, "...Big idiot... Hoshimi, you have your day too..."

Hoshimi's eyes gradually turned resentful; he never expected that someone could be so foolish.

They haven't even walked far yet? She's already bad-mouthing him, this kind-hearted person? He should have known to toss those tickets into the sewer; why pretend to be a kind-hearted person giving gifts?

Good people really get no good returns...

And that Junko-chan, right? I remember your face! If I don't let you have a few nightmares, I won't feel at ease!

Tonight, I'll build a haunted house in my dreams! I'll pull you in to experience it for a few days first!

"Pfft~~"

Hearing Yukino's stifled laughter, Hoshimi felt increasingly resentful. He raised his hand and poked Yukino's flat chest, saying, "Yukino, you've gone too far."

"Cough~ cough~" Yukino, with her pretty face blushing from holding back laughter, lightly coughed twice. She turned back to swat away Hoshimi's mischievous hand.

"Okay~ okay, I won't laugh anymore." Yukino, with a smiling gaze, looked kindly at Hoshimi.

Hoshimi pouted; little Yukino isn't being obedient either. She says she won't laugh but is still laughing. It seems she still needs some proper... training.

Looks like tonight's dreams will be busy again...

"Hoshimi, this is your reward." In a good mood, Yukino leaned closer to Hoshimi and gently kissed his lips.

Although Hoshimi's behavior was indeed a bit foolish, she really liked it...

That little brat probably hasn't experienced such treatment before, right? She's somewhat looking forward to the next time that little one comes to her house.

When that time comes, she'll definitely let that little brat appreciate the charm of the life-sized Pan-san doll.

Thinking of this, Yukino's joy grew stronger. She hugged Hoshimi and actively entered the rhythm of the attack...

After a long while, gasping for air, Yukino finally released Hoshimi. After catching her breath, she shyly took Hoshimi's hand.

"Hoshimi~ Let's go, we're going home~"

"Okay~"

Looking at Yukino, who was smiling brightly, Hoshimi couldn't help but smile slightly.

A little romance, a little surprise, plus a little flirtation, and then just pretending to be foolish can earn Yukino's proactive kiss. This is truly a super lucrative deal.

...

"Phew~ Finally back..."

In the elevator of the apartment, Yukino leaned somewhat exhausted against Hoshimi's shoulder.

Throughout the journey, carrying a large bag of dolls and with Hoshimi hugging the life-sized doll, their return drew an incredible amount of attention.

For someone who usually drifts outside the crowd, those looks of envy, curiosity, or confusion felt overwhelmingly heavy...

"Yukino, are you tired?" Hoshimi asked.

"A little bit..." With half-closed eyes, Yukino looked like a little white cat that hadn't woken up, or perhaps a young white tiger?

Well~ anyway, they're all felines, so either description works.

But he thought Yukino might be more suited to the term "young white tiger"...

One, because Yukino is really very white...

And two, because Yukino can sometimes turn into a fierce mother tiger, the really scary kind...

"Let's rest early once we get back." Hoshimi, seemingly lost in thought, had a strange glint in his eyes, as if anticipating something...

"Hmm, I know..." Yukino nodded slightly.

Ding---!

The elevator reached the 15th floor. Hoshimi followed Yukino to his front door, planning to be affectionate with her for a while before heading back, or perhaps shower together before going back...

Click---!

"Hmm?"

The door opened, and seeing the light in the living room, Yukino was stunned for a second or two before realizing.

Is someone home? Who is it? Did my sister come? Why did she come? Is it related to today's work internship? What should I do?

Her mind racing, Yukino quickly made a decision. She set the large bag of dolls down and grabbed the life-sized doll from Hoshimi's arms, giving him a look.

"Hoshimi, you go back first. I'll handle this myself."

"..." Hoshimi glanced at the figure at the entrance, and with a resigned nod, said, "Alright, I'll head back first today."

This sister-in-law really came at the worst time; he was hoping to take the opportunity to see if he could get closer to Yukino...

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