«I don't think you're skilled in martial arts. That's unusual for someone coming from a low-tier school in the shady suburbs of Tokyo,» Rika remarks with her usual cold tone, while sweeping the floor with a broom and dustpan.
«You don't need to be rich to be good at sports,» Hakuto replies, mimicking her movements.
«Anyway…» he adds, his tone suddenly serious.
«There's something I need to talk to you about. It's about Yuzu.»
«What is it...?»
«I think she might have a serious drinking problem.»
Rika freezes mid-motion, then slowly turns toward him with a look of pure disbelief.
«Yuzu? An alcoholic...? Are you stupid?»
Hakuto looks just as confused.
~How can a genius like Rika not notice something so obvious? I've only been living with them for two days and I spotted it right away—a wine bottle that empties that fast definitely doesn't go unnoticed!~
After he explains what he saw—and what made him suspicious—Rika stares for a second… then bursts into laughter.
Though something about it feels forced to Hakuto. Just slightly.
«Oh, that. She uses that bottle to store cherry juice—she's obsessed with it. Claims it keeps better in glass. Says plastic ruins the flavor or whatever.
It does look like wine, sure, but if it really was, don't you think she'd reek of alcohol?»
«I mean… yeah, I guess that makes sense...»
Hakuto isn't fully convinced.
But it's true—Yuzu doesn't smell like she's been drinking. Not even a hint.
Case closed… maybe.
As Rika leans forward to pick up a crumpled piece of paper, her skirt lifts just slightly—
not enough to be indecent, but just enough to reveal the upper part of her thighs and the soft curve of her butt.
It's not much, but it's enough to completely steal Hakuto's attention.
He glances. Just for a second.
«Hakuto…» Rika mutters.
«W-What is it…?»
Hakuto stiffens, quickly looking away from her backside.
~How did she notice…?~
Rika turns to face him.
He braces for the usual glare or insult…
But instead, she gives him a faint, hesitant smile. One that's awkward, maybe even shy—but unmistakably grateful.
«Thanks for stepping in to defend me. It's… nice to know I can count on my brother.»
«N-No problem, Rika...» Hakuto mumbles, cheeks burning red. That smile caught him completely off guard.
She lowers her gaze.
Then, without looking at him:
«You still haven't apologized for last night…»
~The last night...? Oh, right...~
«I knocked! You're the one who didn't close the door properly…!»
«Don't talk nonsense. I know I closed it tight. Do you think I'm an idiot?!»
«I swear on my life, the door was just slightly open!»
Rika narrows her eyes in thought.
«You say it was ajar… but I know I closed it. I'm not imagining things.»
A silent pause.
Their eyes meet.
«...Yuzu.»
♡♡♡
««Looks like our big brother's become a real chef! He made everything all by himself and we didn't even get food poisoning! I'm the best teacher in the world!» Yuzu declares proudly, stretching her arms after finishing the last bite of omurice.
«Now go clear the table and wash the dishes!»
«Why should I?! I already cooked!»
«So what? While you and Rika were off at school for your bad behavior, I was stuck scrubbing floors—and you know how huge this house is, right? It took me two hours!»
«And Rika? Can't she do the dishes?»
«Big sis has to take a bath with me, obviously! Then she's doing all the laundry. So hurry up and wash!»
«This is actual slavery...»
But Yuzu doesn't even dignify him with a glance—she just grabs Rika by the wrist and drags her off.
Everything's going according to plan.
Hakuto had spent the whole dinner trying to find a way to confirm Rika's story… but with Yuzu hovering over him the whole time, he didn't get the chance.
Now, though—he does.
The cherry juice thing still doesn't sit right with him.
Sure, Yuzu doesn't smell like wine… but it's not that hard to cover up.
~What if Rika's just protecting her? Maybe she doesn't want people spreading rumors that the second daughter of the prestigious Narkhalis family is already an alcoholic at fifteen…?~
Whatever the reason, Hakuto is determined to know the truth.
As soon as he hears the sound of running water stop—probably the tub filling—he springs into action.
The idea of Yuzu and Rika bathing together briefly teases Hakuto's dirty fantasies, but he immediately shakes his head, as if trying to drive away those inappropriate thoughts.
He opens the fridge cautiously, glancing over his shoulder like a spy.
The wine bottle is there. And it's even emptier than it was this morning.
Yuzu said she was home alone for two hours before they got back.
Hakuto's pulse spikes.
He grabs the bottle. Uncorks it. Brings it to his nose and…
It really does smell like cherry juice.
He sniffs again, just to be sure.
No alcohol. No bitterness. Nothing.
~So it really is cherry juice…?~
He lets out a long breath and closes the fridge, more confused than ever.
Meanwhile, in the bathroom...
«In front of people, you're all cold and serious… but when it's just the two of us, you melt like ice! I love it when you're like that!» Yuzu giggles, eyes sparkling with mischief.
The bathroom is steamy and filled with bubbles, the lights soft and dim, music humming in the background. Yuzu lounges in the tub with her arms resting along the edge, while Rika, facing away, lies back with her head on Yuzu's chest—like a human pillow.
«S-Shut up! Your boobs are just comfortable, that's all…» Rika grumbles, totally relaxed.
«You should tell Hakuto! I offered him my super comfy portable pillow and he turned me down! Maybe he'd rather rest his head on this bubbly little butt instead.»
At that, Yuzu's hands dive under the water—grabbing Rika's butt and squeezing it with both hands.
Rika lets out a startled moan as her little sister massages her firmly, spreading and pressing the soft flesh together with way too much enthusiasm.
«Y-Yuzu...! I told you to stop touching me... like that!»
«Huh? Can't hear you! The music's too loud!»
Still pretending she didn't hear, Yuzu keeps going—groping Rika shamelessly, even sinking her fingers deeper into the softness.
«Ugh… I wish I had a butt like this. I'd trade it for these oversized boobs in a heartbeat! They're way too much trouble!»
«Y-You heard me perfectly…! I told you… aaah… stop touching me like that…»
Rika's voice trembles as her face contorts into a mix of frustration and… pleasure. Her tongue peeks from her open mouth as her breathing grows heavier and uneven.
«Come on, how am I supposed to resist you? Or… would you rather Hakuto give you a massage like this instead?»
Rika stiffens, trying to sound serious again.
«Y-You're getting a little too close with that guy for my taste...»
«Why not? Now that Mom and Shin are married, he's family. I'm just treating him the same way I treat you… or are you jealous?» Yuzu smirks.
«Y-You know it's not that... Anyway, did you do what I asked?»
«Yup yup! Don't be so paranoid. I filled the bottle with cherry juice like you said.
How was I supposed to know he'd check how full it was?! I just left it there without thinking. I mean, he's a total teetotaler—I never thought he'd even look at it.
You can't even feel safe in your own house anymore… what a pain…»