Chapter 283: Don't Want to Grow Up
After finishing his game, Kouya shut down the computer, stretched lazily, and stood up with a faint sigh. The afternoon sunlight streamed through the curtains, soft and golden, painting faint lines on the floor. He took the laundry from the washing machine, shaking off droplets of water as the fabric rustled lightly, then stepped onto the balcony to hang it up to dry. The air smelled faintly of soap and wind. After making sure everything was properly hung, he grabbed a pack of cookies from the table, stuffed them into his pocket, and headed outside.
When he reached the street that led to the shrine, he could already spot two identical bunny lolis from a distance. The twins were holding hands tightly, standing on tiptoe as they peered around eagerly, their fluffy ears twitching under the sunlight. As soon as they noticed Kouya's familiar silhouette approaching, their faces lit up like twin lanterns, and they ran toward him at full speed, their small shoes tapping rapidly against the pavement.
Today, the two were dressed in black-and-white maid outfits that looked handmade but neat. The aprons fluttered as they ran, and their skirts bounced with every step. According to them, Miko had kindly taken them in, giving them food and even paying them one apple a day as a reward. To them, that single apple was proof that she was the kindest, most generous person in the whole world. So, out of gratitude—and also to increase their apple count—they had decided to become her little maids. If they worked harder, maybe they could even earn one extra apple each day.
By the time they reached Kouya, both were panting slightly, their soft cheeks flushed pink from exertion. Their bright eyes sparkled with excitement as they stood one on each side, their voices chiming in unison like silver bells:
"Master, Master! You're here!"
Their innocent enthusiasm caught the attention of nearby pedestrians. Several people stopped mid-step, exchanging looks of disbelief and envy. Whispered comments floated through the air like arrows.
"He actually has two adorable lolis calling him Master… What kind of unfair life is this?!"
"And they're twins! Who does that guy think he is—some kind of protagonist?!"
"Hey, police? I think someone's about to commit a crime against budding youth."
"Damn normies—just explode already!"
One passing woman even pulled her four-year-old daughter—who sported a neat bowl-cut—behind her, glaring at Kouya while fumbling for her phone as if ready to call for help.
'Seriously? Why the hell are you looking at me like that? I'm not suspicious! Maybe wipe your kid's nose before judging me!' Kouya grumbled inwardly.
"Let's go," he said with a calm nod.
"Mm-hmm!"
The two lolis nodded rapidly like pecking chicks, then scampered off together, still holding hands, their voices echoing down the street as they went to announce his arrival.
Kouya followed behind them, his steps slow and steady as he entered the shrine grounds. The air grew still and peaceful, filled with the scent of wood and incense.
Miko stood there in her elegant red-and-white shrine maiden outfit, perfectly fitted to her slender figure. Her long black hair flowed like silk down her back, tied loosely with a red ribbon. She looked up at him, eyes soft and bright with quiet warmth.
"Kou-kun, you're here," she said gently.
Kouya's simple white shirt fluttered slightly in the breeze. His expression was serene, his eyes calm—like a clear summer sky that stretched endlessly beyond the clouds.
"oni-chan!"
A plaintive little voice broke through the stillness.
Kouya turned his head to see the messy-haired loli in a karate uniform standing in the corner, swinging a wooden sword with all her might. When she spotted him, she immediately stopped, pouting adorably.
"Onee-chan knew you were coming but still made me do a hundred swings! So mean!" she complained, stomping her tiny foot.
Miko didn't even blink. "Hinata, make that another hundred swings."
"Uuuh Onee-chan, you're heartless! I'm gonna break! My arms feel like jelly!" Hinata sniffled dramatically, rubbing her eyes. "oni-chan, take me home! I promise I don't eat much, I'm super obedient, and I can even warm your bed."
A thick black line appeared above Kouya's head.
'You sound exactly like that manipulative angel next door! It's the middle of summer—you'd just make the bed hotter!' he thought bitterly. 'And saying that out loud would only get the police knocking on my door.'
"If you say that again, no cookies for you," he said with a half-smile.
Hinata froze. "Wait—oni-chan brought cookies?! Really?!" Her exhaustion vanished instantly. "Okay! I'll finish my swings! Don't let anyone touch them before I'm done!"
Miko sighed softly, biting her lip. "Kou-kun, you spoil them far too much…"
She knew what those so-called cookies really were. Spiritual biscuits crafted from rare ingredients—treasures worth more than gold. Eating just one could cleanse a person's body and slightly enhance their spiritual energy. If the news ever got out, rich merchants and nobles would fight to buy them. Yet Kouya treated them like ordinary snacks, handing them out to a few little girls as if they were candy. Truly extravagant.
"It's fine," Kouya said lightly. "I don't like sweets anyway. Better they eat them than let them sit around."
Miko could only stare at him speechlessly.
Kouya glanced around the courtyard, noticing the absence of the lazy little catgirl who usually napped under the sun. "Where's Rina?" he asked.
"She's in the kitchen," Miko replied with a faint smile. "She said she wanted to make snacks for you herself."
Kouya blinked. A cat… cooking? The world might actually be ending. Cats were known for sleeping fifteen hours a day, and Rina was the laziest of them all. For her to voluntarily enter the kitchen—something extraordinary had happened.
When Kouya arrived at the backyard kitchen, the sight made him pause. Rina was leaning against the doorframe, breathing softly, her cat ears drooping tiredly. A bit of flour dusted her nose, and a smear of cream marked her cheek. Her tail swayed slowly as she looked up at him with a weary but hopeful smile—like a student proudly presenting a clumsy art project.
"Master! I made cookies—please try them, nya!" she said brightly, her voice soft and melodic.
She darted back into the kitchen and came out moments later carrying a plate of freshly baked waffles. Steam rose gently from them, carrying a sweet buttery aroma. The shapes were uneven, two were cracked, and one looked slightly burnt, but her eyes sparkled with pride as if she had created a masterpiece.
Kouya picked one up and took a bite. The edges were a bit hard, the center slightly doughy, but the flavor wasn't terrible.
"How is it? Is it good?" Rina asked eagerly. Her hands were clasped at her chest, her blue eyes wide and glimmering. Her tail flicked nervously behind her.
Kouya hesitated for a second, then nodded. "It's good."
"Really?" she asked hopefully.
'Sorry, not really.'
Truthfully, they weren't good—but compared to Satania's pitch-black abominations, they were edible, which was already an achievement.
Seeing him nod, Rina's expression brightened instantly, her small face glowing with happiness. "I'm so glad, nya. If Master likes it, I'll make more next time!"
Her soft, sing-song tone was as pleasant as water flowing over stones. Kouya finished the waffle quietly.
Then she hurried to pour him tea, offering it with both hands. "Here, Master. Tea, nya."
He sipped from the cup, watching her carefully. "Alright," he said flatly. "What do you want?"
If she was being this diligent, there had to be a reason. Rina wasn't the type to act out of nowhere.
She fidgeted, her tail curling behind her. "N-no reason," she said with a forced laugh.
"Then I'll go," Kouya said, turning slightly.
"Wait!" Rina yelped, clinging to his arm tightly. Her small face turned red as she looked up at him with pleading eyes. "Um… I want my little boobies to grow faster."
"Pfft!"
Kouya nearly spat out the tea.
'You… what?! Yeah, they're small, but why are you telling me that?! That's your body saying it doesn't want to grow up, not me!' he thought, expression twitching.
Taking a deep breath, he finally managed, "Drink more milk."
"But I already drink milk every day, and they still haven't grown, nya…" she murmured, cheeks puffed adorably as she looked down at herself.
'Of course they haven't,' Kouya thought dryly. 'That's not how it works. It's all genetics—milk, papaya, or wishful thinking won't change anything.'
He paused, half-amused. 'Though… I suppose there are some manual methods. Maybe that useless angel next door could try those for once…'
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