Chapter 73: Afternoon Time118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyQXFHOa3s
In the living room.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EBzGUFn5N
"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!"118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSnXBdYKsF
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.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGeEHSOIov
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.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSvoKTS9UK
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.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTzUNX7GWU
Both fighters’ health bars vanished.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVm3jebeSP
The screen blazed white, then slowed into dramatic animation. Two silhouettes collided midair, suspended for a heartbeat, before both were sent flying backward.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbujF3cALa
All three spectators held their breath. Even the catgirl’s tail stiffened, her ears twitching as her golden eyes widened.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKANDBo2Nrp
For a few seconds, the world felt frozen.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5vJJpd6iY
Then, the announcer’s voice blared—Victory!118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6xzAXlwlu
Onscreen, Chun-Li’s elegant figure crumpled to the ground, while her opponent staggered upright with a single sliver of health.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDrv9rHYfY
"Wow! Oni-chan won again!" Hinata squealed, bouncing up and down on the sofa.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lgoGTZ1B5
Kouya leaned back, grinning. "Victory!" The satisfaction of such a hard-fought win made the blood in his veins hum.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcmPO3sANW
The Miko girl, usually calm and gentle, puffed out her cheeks in frustration. Her graceful composure cracked for once. "Again!"118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafNSAPBbQa
Her voice carried a rare spark of competitiveness.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoUpmzfQZY
Kouya chuckled. "Wait a second, you’ve got taiyaki crumbs on your lips…"118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlfKUMIpW4
"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.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wEjZeXgOo
Her flawless skin took on a soft blush that spread down her neck, glowing like sunset across fresh snow.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVkRkBwQI9
Kouya couldn’t help smirking. Perfect.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxV9Yp1bdf
She straightened, pretending composure. "You saw wrong. Start the game."118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVSn0UFUYz
"Hehe, onee-sama is such a tsundere!" Hinata teased.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yf9D89oMU
"Chiba Hinata!" The Miko girl’s tone dropped several degrees. Her aura turned menacing.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1yIotJj89
"Waaah! I’m sorry, onee-sama! Don’t pinch my cheeks, I’ll look weird!"118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgNz90FLXq
...118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKbkrZzZHg
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."118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFJdm8Dx9E
"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.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpyov0TNqR
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.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4BCQ6e3Nn
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."118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSdzEQkF1K
Kouya smiled faintly. "Let’s go together."118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTdIEhqO4v
She beamed. "Yay!"118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkGqsLa7L5
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!"118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzbRU408Mz
The Miko girl turned from the counter, her long black hair swaying with her movement. "Oh? Then wash those vegetables first."118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCoiF6fvUc
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?118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEL9EOkyFn
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.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zQJJlk7v2
"Oni-chan, hurry up!" Hinata urged.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AMzEoGXnF
Kouya sighed but smiled, rinsing the vegetables under cold water. As droplets splashed against his fingers, a quiet nostalgia rose inside him.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDR4dHRIab
How long had it been since he last shared something as simple as cooking with others?118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoRYdMneus
There was a strange warmth to it—a calm rhythm he hadn’t realized he missed.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Hh02w2VEW
"Meow wants to help too!" came a timid voice from the doorway.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2boQVDWLcr
The catgirl peeked in, clutching her taiyaki with both hands. Her golden eyes darted nervously between them.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbWdRwTG3C
Kouya turned, arching an eyebrow. "What are you looking at me for?"118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFePBghAbq
"Meow~!" She yelped, crouching and covering her head. "Don’t meow! If you do that, meow will break!"118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DPWFShRvi
Kouya nearly choked with laughter. "What does that even mean?!"118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTmpDyVNA9
He could feel a vein twitching on his forehead. This cat was going to be the death of him.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgKp97I1F8
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…"118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1R05u3Cpcm
Can’t your ass! Kouya groaned inwardly. You’re definitely thinking of something indecent, aren’t you?118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheti0fRsIC
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!118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvgqy2k9HP
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…"118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepO9v8GcYe
Kouya sighed. Ah, what a noisy wind today.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTice4jGbJE
...118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EHBl7LW9g
Half an hour later, the aroma of freshly cooked food filled the house.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyZBr53dCC
Hinata, unable to resist temptation, reached out to snag a piece—only to get flicked sharply on the forehead.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAWa5NOZeg
"No stealing."118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzeqOUuKbb
"Oww! But onee-sama’s food smells too good! I can’t help it!"118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0E51jdeFr
"Wash your hands first, then bring the dishes over," the Miko girl ordered, though her lips curved faintly in amusement.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMAYTQrMhF
The table soon filled with four dishes and one soup—each plate colorful and delicate, the fragrance enough to make anyone’s stomach growl.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyqMRE33hY
Kouya took a bite and paused in genuine surprise. The taste was refined, balanced—better than Vigne’s cooking, leagues beyond Gabriel’s disasters.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9nlvXDv4p
"Oni-chan, is it good?" Hinata asked eagerly.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIyNGUYZfU
"It’s amazing," Kouya admitted. "Onee-sama’s got skill."118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eNUJ7ciOu
Hinata puffed up proudly. "Told you! Onee-sama makes the best food in the world!"118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLO92oSMos
The Miko girl stayed silent, though her gentle smile deepened.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuc97B5rD0w
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.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLLwN5uFQR
The afternoon light filtered through the shoji screens, golden and soft. Dust motes drifted lazily in the air. The house was peaceful, almost dreamlike.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3LU2PBpSs
Outside, the sky was crystal clear, the world still and bright. The scent of fallen cherry blossoms lingered faintly in the air.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTs8ZJHNkG
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.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPed5J7Ek9
The sofa was large enough for everyone to fit comfortably. Kouya leaned back, the warmth of the moment seeping into his bones.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhaBgBBsoQ
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.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OMzg4pO7n
Hey, I’m not a pillow!118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFcyPN9pxb
Weren’t you just wide awake a second ago?118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyMMP4WZHJ
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.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznDlRgZbzh
He glanced over at the Miko girl.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5NyqcM5FW
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.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCUkhW8j8H
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.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXW9clWfpfG
Kouya chuckled softly, shaking his head. He picked up the remote and lowered the TV’s volume, letting the quiet settle in.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65nb9z9dWJ
Outside, a breeze stirred the trees, scattering petals and sunlight across the garden floor.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gksHLQzHC
The air was calm.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRvhU1mxgQ
And in that stillness, Kouya realized something simple yet rare—that a peaceful afternoon like this could be its own kind of happiness.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cMPmJixwS
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