Does ghosts exist?

Screaming, she wanted to pull Koharu quickly away from the sofa, but somehow, the hand that was originally on her shoulder had suddenly wrapped around her waist.

Unable to pry off that arm, as immovable as iron or stone, Tachibana Yuuka's eyes reddened in extreme terror as she couldn't escape.

She turned and threw herself towards the figure behind her, appearing as fierce as if she intended to perish together with this ghost.

But halfway through her attack, she realized.

The ghost standing behind the sofa was wearing her little brother's school uniform and had a backpack slung over his shoulder... Plus, his palm, warm against her waist, made the girl realize—even with her slow wit—that someone was playing a ghost.

Once she knew who had scared them, the girl became even fiercer.

Her hand, curved like a claw, eased its force, smoothly gliding from the tall figure's shoulder to wrap naturally around his neck.

Her feet, placed on the back of the sofa, suddenly exerted force.

Then, her long, powerful legs, like a python ensnaring its prey, tightly coiled around Sasaki's waist.

To prevent her from falling off him, Sasaki's hand slipped from her waist, supporting her lightweight grey women's shorts.

Before he could appreciate the silky material of the shorts in his hand, he felt a wet biting sensation on his neck.

Not minded her punishment, which felt more like a reward, Sasaki reached out to Tachibana Koharu, who, scared, had curled up on the sofa.

He gently stroked her trembling chestnut hair and awkwardly apologized to both:

"Sorry, I was just messing around. I didn't expect such a big reaction from you guys."

Hearing the familiar voice, Tachibana Koharu also realized it was her brother's prank.

Although she was scared, the girl, soft as dough in temperament, couldn't bring herself to blame him.

She looked up, her lips slightly pale and then shook her head silently, signaling that it was okay.

Isn't it said that crying children get the sweets?

It's true that Sister Koharu gets along well with him.

But her gentle big sister demeanor makes it easy to overlook her.

Especially when she's with the demanding and spoiled Sister Yuuka, she tends to be ignored.

Knowing the importance of fairness, Sasaki wouldn't make such a basic mistake.

So, while supporting Tachibana Yuuka, he did not stop patting Tachibana Koharu on the head.

He scared both, so of course, he had to soothe both.

Supporting Sister Yuuka, he sat on the sofa, pulling Suster Koharu, dressed in a beige nightgown soft as a corn dumpling, close to him.

Sasaki spoke softly to them, saying 'won't do this next time' and 'sorry for scaring you,' comforting them for a while.

Gradually recovering from the shock, Tachibana Koharu sat up, looking at her sister, clinging to the boy like a koala, she gently patted her back:

"Don't hug too tight~ Little Fuyumi might get breathless."

Hearing this, Sasaki felt the girl loosen her grip around his neck a bit.

But she still pretended to shiver and showed no intention of getting down.

Koharu just gently reminded her not to make Fuyumi too uncomfortable.

She didn't say much about her sister's posture.

As sisters who grew up together, many of their likes were similar.

Yuuka liking Sasaki naturally didn't exclude her.

But unlike Yuuka's forwardness, her affection was more reserved.

She would let Sasaki hug her and freely enter her room like Yuuka, but unlike her sister, she seldom showed her feelings openly.

This wasn't because she liked the boy any less.

Rather, she thought Fuyumi, who had been out with classmates, must be tired from eating so late, and she didn't want to burden him...

Such thoughts often occurred to her.

Therefore, most of the time, while Yuuka would go forward, she would just stand by, smiling softly.

Because of their sisterly nature and personalities, she never felt jealous or dissatisfied.

Instead, she was content as long as the family got along well together.

It was hard to guess what Tachibana Koharu might be thinking.

But since she had never refused him, Sasaki never asked her opinion when showing affection.

This wasn't out of disrespect, but because he was confident she would not refuse him.

So, letting her sit up straight, leaning back into his embrace.

Sasaki pulled off the backpack strap that was being pressed by Yuuka, and held both sisters as they watched a movie.

However, soon his attention drifted from the movie.

Well..it wasn't because the movie was uninteresting.

But because his sister, gnawing on his shoulder like a hamster, made it impossible for Sasaki to concentrate on the movie.

He really wanted to give her a bit of a shock.

But doing so might keep her awake at night, and Sasaki knew he wouldn't be able to sleep either.

Otome's parents were at home... who could he turn to for help?

Looking at Sister Koharu leaning on his shoulder.

At such close proximity, Sasaki couldn't whisper anything to Yuuka.

So, faced with no other options, he simply returned the gesture, gently grinding his teeth against the girl's freshly showered, fragrant, soft shoulder.

Tachibana Yuuka, twenty-one years old, a college student.

Though still a student, she was a fully mature adult woman.

Her body was fully developed.

Being lightly nibbled on the collarbone by a boy she liked, how could she not feel anything?

She was not made of wood.

Although she really wanted to continue being close to him.

But she was only wearing a very thin pair of shorts.

If something were to happen...

She couldn't just say that it had been half an hour since her bath and her body was still not dry...

Such an excuse wouldn't fool anyone.

And with Sister Koharu nearby and her mom still in the bath, likely to be done soon.

In front of her family, if this fool let something slip, that would really be...

As thoughts raced through her mind, Tachibana Yuuka knew she had to get out of Sasaki's embrace soon, or it would be really embarrassing.

She gently tapped the boy's head with a soft touch, like a cat kneading, as a playful punishment for teasing her.

Then withdrew her long legs and sat next to him, curling up in a bun-like position similar to Koharu, leaning on his shoulder and watching the movie.

But, now with her crush right beside her, how could she possibly focus on the movie?

Not long after, she spoke up, curiosity tinged her voice:

"Hey~ do you think real spirits or ghosts exist in this world?"

Through the thin shirt she wore, Sasaki gently stroked her waist and seriously responded:

"Yeah~"

He had seen convincing succubi, so the existence of some resentful spirits or ghosts wasn't strange to him.

But strangely, despite the existence of such magical creatures like succubi, there were hardly any rumors about paranormal events online.

'Zero One' did turn up quite a few...

However, adhering to the idea that it's better to believe they exist rather than not, Sasaki leaned towards the existence of ghosts and ghouls in this world.

Whether they truly existed or not, he'd have to wait until the little succubus came again to feed to ask.

As for why he wouldn't just ask tomorrow in class...

Let's not talk about what Natsuha, stupid Chifuyu and the others wouls think.

Just the fact that Sasaki suddenly striking up a conversation with Iga Sutora would draw all sorts of surprised and curious looks from classmates.

One is a delicate and aloof beauty who dislikes mingling with classmates.

The other is a handsome male student who just returned to school and doesn't seem to have great social skills.

These two suddenly coming together would definitely stir up stories.

Although Sasaki didn't care much about such matters.

But troublesome issues that didn't help him were better avoided if possible.

After all, he had grown up without so much as seeing a ghost's shadow, let alone expect many demons or spirits, so there was no rush.

Moreover, rashly stepping into different circles isn't always a good thing.

Unaware that her little brother had already fought a succubus and had been beaten to foam at the mouth.

Tachibana Yuuka, hearing Sasaki speak with such certainty about the existence of ghosts, looked up at him with a puzzled expression:

"Really? You've seen them?"

Hearing this, Koharu also lifted her head and looked his way.

Well..although he really wanted to tell them he had seen a succubus.

But saying so, they might think he was talking about cosplay...

To keep them from wandering around at night and attending messy gatherings,

Sasaki quickly added:

"Yeah, there are lots of monsters and ghosts at night, especially the male monsters wearing human skins, dragging you to izakayas."

Blinking, realizing that her slow-witted brother didn't want her and Koharu to participate in those chaotic school gatherings,

Tachibana Yuuka's lips curved into a clear smile, she extended her slender white finger and gently poked the boy's cheek:

"Then you'll have to keep a close watch on me and Koharu~ You know, we're quite popular at school~"

Inhaling the two different, faintly sweet fragrances coming from either side of him, Sasaki was listening to her soft, coquettish whispers in his ear.

And while holding their delicate waists, he gave each a small peck to cool down the warmth in his heart as he said:

"If I keep a good watch, can I make sure you both never get carried away by monsters for the rest of your lives?"

Although Tachibana Yuuka was often strong-willed and a bit spoiled, that was only when Sasaki wasn't paying attention to her.

When being affectionate with her foolish little brother, her coquettish side dominated her stubbornness.

Touching her cheek where he had stolen a kiss, Tachibana Yuuka, with her lips a glossy red, suppressed the joyful shyness in her heart and patted his shoulder:

"That depends on how you behave. If you do well, maybe I could consider it…"

In contrast to her bashfulness.

Tachibana Koharu, a bit naturally airheaded and more straightforward, nodded and said:

"That's fine~ Because sister likes it when the family is together, so this is very nice~."

Although she smiles like a gentle, knowledgeable big sister full of tolerance,

When she's serious about saying or doing something,

Koharu often gives off a pure and slightly clueless vibe, like a young girl naive about the world.

Sasaki felt that even if he asked her directly now if she liked him, she would simply nod her head innocently.

From her simple demeanor, it's easy for others to interpret her affection as familial love.

But he knew that her declaration of liking included all forms of affection.

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