"Let's go, let's take Fei-yu-kun home first." Even though Mao Nakaizumi said this, her foot, clad in a black stocking, was still exposed to the air. Seeing that Ho Fei-yu hadn't reacted, her ten toes subtly traced a few elegant arcs, as if to remind him that something was missing from her foot.
Ho Fei-yu understood Mao Nakaizumi's meaning. He bent down again, taking the black high-heeled shoe and patiently and meticulously putting it on Mao Nakaizumi, like the Prince in the fairy tale of Cinderella putting on the glass slipper.
"I'll take the passenger seat!" Yui Nakaizumi hopped forward, staking her claim first.
"Fine, fine. No one is fighting you for it. Look at you, acting like a little girl still." Mao Nakaizumi said jokingly. Her daughter was kind but a little simple-minded. She was afraid Yui would follow a stranger who offered her candy.
"Heh heh." Yui Nakaizumi giggled and got into the passenger seat. Ho Fei-yu and Shiori Fuyutsuki, of course, had to sit in the back.
If the events of the evening hadn't happened, Shiori Fuyutsuki would definitely have told Ho Fei-yu to sit further away from her.
But now... Although they weren't sitting right next to each other, Shiori Fuyutsuki reached out and placed her hand on the back of Ho Fei-yu's hand at an angle where the rearview mirror couldn't catch her.
Ho Fei-yu looked at the girl in surprise. Even though the girl didn't turn her head, the warmth of her fingertip on the back of his hand revealed her current state of mind.
He had initially thought the girl was so dependent on him because she had almost been violated. Now, so much time had passed, and the girl's mood should have stabilized, yet she was still acting the same. Ho Fei-yu opened his system to check the girl's Affection Level. It was actually as high as 88, surpassing Yui Nakaizumi's 78.
It seemed the old hero saves the damsel in distress trope was effective. Since the girl was being so forward, it would be disingenuous for him to remain completely aloof.
He opened his hand, letting his fingers interlock with the girl's, and his thumb gently stroked the back of her pale, slender hand.
Shiori Fuyutsuki's whole body trembled. An indescribable sensation traveled up her fingers. Her delicate body went limp, sinking into the leather seat. Her mind was foggy, and she couldn't hear any other sound. In this world, there seemed to be only the hand connected to the young man.
She didn't know how much time passed. The warmth on her hand disappeared, and the young man's farewell reached her ears. Only then did she return from another world, but the young man had already vanished from the car.
Although she felt a slight regret for not saying goodbye to the young man, the thought of seeing him again tomorrow lessened the feeling. Her gaze fell on the seat he had just occupied. Her small hand instinctively moved slowly toward it. As it got closer, her heart beat faster until she touched the warmth he had left behind. Her tsundere face held one part shyness and nine parts infatuation and love.
It was strange, after only half a day of acquaintance. But the young man was like the brave knight from a fairy tale, stepping forward in a time of danger, stopping the villain who tried to violate her, and then comforting her in her fragile state. The young man's not-so-tall figure was deeply etched in her mind and heart, never to be forgotten.
"I'm home, Auntie Mitsuko~" Ho Fei-yu called out while knocking on the door.
"Coming~ coming~" The voice arrived before the door opened.
"Welcome home~ Fei-yu-chan~" A few seconds later, the door opened, revealing a woman with long, ample legs clad in enticing black stockings beneath light purple long sleeves and short blue denim shorts that encased her voluptuous figure. Her charming and beautiful face was framed by a light yellow apron, adding a touch of domestic virtue.
In her two pale, slender hands, she held Ho Fei-yu's slippers. Her pretty face, framed by black-rimmed glasses, wore a captivating smile.
Auntie Mitsuko, in this guise, was like a wife waiting for her husband to return home. Ho Fei-yu felt a strange sensation in his heart.
No! My filial piety must not change! If Auntie Mitsuko knew what I was thinking, she would be disappointed! Auntie Mitsuko treats me like family! This impure thought, NO!!
Ho Fei-yu quickly shook his head, eliminating this shameful thought.
In the next instant, a warm sensation touched his forehead, and his nose was filled with a sweet fragrance that lingered.
"Fei-yu-chan, are you feeling unwell?" Mitsuko Yarima saw Ho Fei-yu shaking his head and thought he was uncomfortable, so she pressed her forehead against his.
"N-No." Ho Fei-yu stammered. The honey-like, sweet breath emanating from Auntie Mitsuko made him feel dizzy. His eyes were fixed on her opening and closing pink lips, where white teeth were faintly visible. He couldn't help but want to taste the sweetness of the lips that could produce such a honey-like scent.
Ho Fei-yu quickly moved his forehead away, took the slippers from Auntie Mitsuko's hands, quickly changed his shoes, and hurried into the living room.
"Fei-chan, you are mine~" Mitsuko Yarima didn't know why Ho Fei-yu had rushed away, but the lingering warmth of his body remained on her forehead. Her eyes were completely filled with pink. She extended her pink tongue to an exaggerated length, licking her lips, and whispered.
"Hmph! Why are you only coming home at nine o'clock?" Ruri Yarima crossed her arms, sitting cross-legged on the sofa. Hearing the approaching footsteps, she questioned him without turning her head.
"Why ask? He was probably out looking for little kittens again."
"..." Ho Fei-yu's scalp tingled from the back-and-forth between Ruri-chan and Rumi-nee before he could even speak.
He walked over and sat down next to Ruri Yarima, quickly explaining the entire story.
"Is that true?" Ruri Yarima was still a little unconvinced.
"Would I lie to my lovely little sister Ruri?"
"Besides, the intelligent Rumi-nee can surely see through everything." Ho Fei-yu complimented both girls, sure they wouldn't press him further.
His little sister Ruri, though outwardly mischievous, was a certified airhead. She could score single digits on a hundred-point test. At first, he felt indebted to Mitsuko Yarima for her care, so he tried to tutor Ruri Yarima. Even for very simple problems that he understood instantly, it would take one or two hours to explain it to her, and the next day, when he asked her how to do it again, she would be back to square one.
So, Ho Fei-yu simply gave up. Anyway, with him protecting her in the future, his little sister Ruri wouldn't suffer. Yes! That's a good reason.
Moreover, Kurumi Yarima and Ruri Yarima had been together for more than ten years, and Kurumi had probably spent a lot of effort teaching Ruri, so the two sisters had a deep bond, and Ruri Yarima listened to her sister.
Sure enough, Kurumi Yarima gave Ruri Yarima a look and nodded.
Little sister Ruri, who had been pouting, immediately jumped into Ho Fei-yu's arms, rubbing her small, pretty face against his cheek. Her purple hair tickled Ho Fei-yu's nose.
"That Shimoda guy is so disgusting, trying to use that method to coerce a girl."
"Hmph! If I was there, I would kick his pig face hard!" Ruri Yarima spoke up for Shiori Fuyutsuki, her small, pretty face showing anger. She even symbolically punched the sofa.
"Heh heh, good girl. Our little sister Ruri is the kindest. Don't be angry over someone like that." Ho Fei-yu praised her, rubbing Ruri Yarima's head.
"Heh heh~" Ruri Yarima closed her eyes, enjoying Ho Fei-yu's touch like a small cat, a happy smile on her naive face.
The two girls each held one of Ho Fei-yu's arms. Auntie Mitsuko also sat nearby. The four watched TV for a while. When they felt tired, they all returned to their respective rooms, and the living room fell silent.
Ho Fei-yu casually closed his door, kicked off his slippers, stripped off his clothes and pants, turned off the light, and lay on the bed like a salted fish, clamping the blanket tightly between his legs. His mind drifted back to the intimate moments with Auntie Mitsuko, a happy smile on his face. Soon, drowsiness swept over him.