Chapter 59: Sometimes It's Nice To Be Alone

"I'm home~ yeah right"

I just got back from playing with Shinji, Kouki, and the other friends, but it seems Chisome and Mashiro still haven't quite returned.

I was told over the phone that she was going to meet Misora and the others and hang out with them pretty much, but... I don't know what it was, but I was deeply moved.

"...Oops"

I couldn't help but end up comparing the old Chisome with the current Chisome, and I almost burst into tears.

I waited for her to return while wiping the tears of emotion that had already ended up flowing with a handkerchief.

"Ah yeah right, while I wait, might as well do that. It's already past 5 o'clock anyway, so let's get the bath ready and then prepare some food I guess."

That's what I thought, and I immediately headed for the bath and turned on the hot water after cleaning it.

After that, I picked up my apron that was hanging next to Chisome's apron, and after I put it on tightly, I started cooking.

"...Chisome has been making it for me lately anyway, and other than that, I used to make it with her, so it feels nostalgic, isn't it."It's been a long time since the last time I've been alone in the kitchen like this.

When my old man was alive, that guy basically never came back home, so I prepared everything myself and ate, that's why.

"Even if I said that, what to make for the menu.... We have leftovers from yesterday's salad and miso soup anyway, and I guess make pork cutlets, which Mashiro also loves a lot."

Well then, let's prepare the pork cutlet right away... It is at that point, Chisome and Mashiro just seemed to be back.

"I'm home... wait, Nii-san?"

"Onii-sama, are you cooking?"

The two stared at me with their eyes rounded, but I wondered if it was that rare and smiled wryly.

"I just couldn't sit still for a minute, you see. So I thought it would also be nice to prepare everyone's meals by myself once in a while, I guess, but the fact that Chisome is back means――"

"Of course I'm going to help you♪"

Chisome immediately went to put her luggage in her room.

Mashiro, who is watching the process of putting batter on the meat, and when she realizes that today's menu is pork cutlet, her eyes light up with happiness; she's really a cute girl isn't she, and a smile breaks out.

"Mashiro, you can go to the bath first, you know? The hot water is heating up so."

"Okay!"

Chisome stood in the kitchen in a hurry as if to replace Mashiro, who headed for the bath in a buoyant state.

She put on her apron with a flowing movement as is, and from there, it was time for the two of us to cook together.

"Did you have fun playing with everyone?"

"Un. It was a little tiring, but it was fun."

"I see. Well, I also agree with the comment that it's tiring though."

Not only Misora and Yuika, but also Akane, a recent new addition to the group, were with them, and it is easy to imagine how exhausting that must be for her to be with those three, who love Chisome and Mashiro.

"Misora-senpai, Yuika-senpai, and even Akane-senpai, it goes something like this...it's like me and Mashiro Elite Guards or rather"

"Ah~ I get that I get that"

"But you see? Misora-senpai said something like this――something was lacking here――she said."

"......"

"Also, Yuika-senpai and Akane-senpai nodded strongly...Nee Nii-san? Praise me praise me for not telling Nii-san to save me?"

"Excellent you are, Chisome"

"Ehehe~"

I can imagine very well the picture composition of Chisome, who continues to stare at the three people who are somehow in high spirits, and the figure of Mashiro who is being loved.

Soon, including those girls, and to take along also Shinji and Kouki, we're all also planning to go to Misora's villa anyway, and it looks like this summer vacation will still become a noisy one.

"Nee Nii-san"

"Un?"

"Cooking together like this, after all, is nice isn't it?"

"You're right. It's like we are quite a married couple, yeah."

"Married couple... Un, I suppose so. Really, it feels nice♪"

Without being proud of the present condition, I will always watch over Chisome and Mashiro.

It shouldn't be an exaggeration to say that such a future is also promised if nothing changes as it is... However, that's precisely why it's important to brace yourself.

"Chisome"

"Nii-san...?"

Just as we washed our hands together, I called out Chisome's name.

I drew her cheek close to me with my hand as she stared fixedly at me, and without saying anything, I kissed her lips.

"What to say, really, I never thought that I could meet someone this precious to me from the bottom of my heart. I can at least have someone I like, but I never thought it would be like this.... To think I'd be able to have a girl who I want to protect even if I risk everything I have."

"-...Nii-san, my heart is pounding somewhat so much...um, if you stare at me any longer with those cool eyes, I'm going to get strange."

Oops, did I get into it a little too much.

When I stroked Chisome's head, who was looking down with a bright red face, she, as it is, leaned her head against my chest and embraced me.

Without saying anything as is and ending up unable to leave, I just kept hugging Chisome in the kitchen, where the delicious aroma was wafting through the air.

"I'm home...wait, are you two being lovey-dovey again?"

"It's just as you see it. Welcome back Mashiro."

"Un...a"

At that moment, a loud growl rang from Mashiro's stomach.

Mashiro doesn't show any embarrassment at all, rubbing her stomach and appealing with her eyes that she wants to eat quickly, so I gently slap Chisome on the back and say, "Shall we eat then."

"Today, you'd better prepare yourself, Nii-san. I'm going to have a lot of fun with you."

Chisome's eyes were serious when she said this, as she moved her body away from me.

Exactly that; it was as if she were flaring up with happiness and excitement burning from within, but I could also tell that she was desperately trying to hold it down because it was dinner time.

"...Ou"

"Interacting" with my beloved girlfriend should be something that brings me joy and happiness, and yet, let's not say to her that I was just a little scared just now.

And everyone had finished dinner and finished various things; we headed to the bedroom and spent a hot and dense time with Chisome and Mashiro; and this was after all that.

"...Nii-san"

"Un?"

"Nii-san, have you ever thought about what if you were to return to your original world or something?"

"....Ah~"

Chisome said while hugging my left arm.

I would certainly be lying if I said I never once thought about it, but by now, all I remember about my previous life is the game.

"Why? Did you talk about something like that with Yuika?"

"...Un"

Apparently, it was a bingo.

"Yuika-senpai was the one who was with me until the end when we finished hanging out but, and then the story of Yuika-senpai's previous life... In other words, I heard a lot about Nii-san's original world. And, I got a little curious."

"I see now"

I closed my eyes just for a minute and tried to think.

During that time, Chisome waited for my words without saying anything the whole time.

"...Let's see~"

And finally, I was able to organize the words I wanted to say.

"There are of course times when I think about my former world, yeah, but even so, I don't think about what if I go back or something. I've already decided to live here, and more than anything else anyway, I have no intention of doing things like going somewhere and leaving Chisome and Mashiro behind."

"...I see"

"Yeah. Supposing if, even if there were some kind of god and tries to put me back over there, I'll go resist. On top of that, on the contrary, I'll make them give up trying to put me back."

Well what was it, you'd never know what's going to happen when you've experienced something like reincarnation... That's why such a thing might happen in the future anyway, and exactly because of that, it's possible that I will be returned to that place without anything remaining in memory.

"Don't worry Chisome"

"...Un♪"

No matter what happens, I don't intend to lie about these words, but even so, it's also frustrating that I can only say this.

That's precisely why, I have to do my best for Chisome and Mashiro isn't it.

"Or rather, it is that. On the contrary, it's still more persuasive to be attacked by someone's deep-seated grudge that they won't forgive me for being this happy."

Since I was living happily like this with my two little sisters, even if the men's grudges came striking at me all at once, it wouldn't be strange at all.

The grudges of the boys Chisome dumped, and the boys who were jealous of me when I interacted with Chisome at school... Me, I feel like I'm rather being resented.

"If that happens, then just to protect you would be fine right. All all, eat it all... no, not that, I will show them our love and repel them that's why♪" (Chisome)

I'm sure it's probably still ingrained in her body so much that it comes out of her mouth, "I'll eat them," from time to time.

Well but, I don't think it's bad to say such dangerous words because it's about Chisome... Am I too much of an idiot big brother (anibaka) still?

With that in mind, the day we all promised we would go to the sea finally came.