"Onii-sama," called a beautiful young woman with flawless, snow-white skin and stunning sapphire-blue eyes.
"Miyuki, aren't you supposed to be at your music lesson right now?" Tatsuya asked, a hint of hesitation in his voice.
Miyuki pouted, her cheeks puffing out like a cute, fluffy meat bun.
"Eh? Why are you upset?"
"Hmph! Miyuki made time to come all the way here, yet Onii-sama is being so cold!"
"Ah, I'm sorry. I was worried Aunt might get angry if she finds out you skipped your lesson," Tatsuya apologized sincerely.
"Hmph!" Miyuki snorted and turned her face away.
At times like this, Tatsuya knew exactly what he had to do to cheer Miyuki up.
He reached out and gently stroked her hair, making the girl blush while feeling overwhelmingly happy.
"Miyuki-sama, it's time to leave," said a beautiful woman with short purple hair, dressed in a white suit like an office worker.
"Honami-san, please wait a little. I just met Onii-sama," Miyuki replied with a sulky tone.
Honami Sakurai gave a wry smile. "We can't. We've already kept the music teacher waiting."
Miyuki's cheeks puffed out again. Tatsuya let out a light laugh and gently pinched her cheek.
"Don't be selfish, especially if it troubles Honami-san."
"But—"
"No buts. We'll be high school students soon, so stop acting childish like this in front of others."
Miyuki looked disappointed, but that feeling vanished the moment she heard what Tatsuya said next.
"If you want to act childish, do it in front of me—or in front of Aunt Miya."
Miyuki smiled brightly and nodded, her expression full of happiness.
Honami looked at Tatsuya with eyes full of gratitude, as if silently thanking him.
Tatsuya nodded gently and gave a small wink in response.
Honami froze for a moment, her cheeks faintly flushed, looking both beautiful and adorable.
There was no doubt—Honami was a stunning adult woman. Seeing someone like her act shy was a rare sight, worthy of appreciation.
"Onii-sama, I'll be going now," Miyuki said with a gentle smile, looking elegant and graceful.
Tatsuya waved his hand. "Be careful on the way."
"Okay!"
Honami bowed politely to Tatsuya and left, her cheeks still slightly red.
With nothing else to do, Tatsuya decided to visit his adorable cousin, Kuroba Ayako.
Ayako was training in martial arts with her younger brother, Fumiya. They were practicing so intensely that they failed to notice Tatsuya's arrival.
Ayako wore a loose martial arts uniform that looked a bit oversized on her petite frame.
"Haa!"
Ayako grabbed Fumiya and slammed him down hard without holding back.
"Argh!" Fumiya cried out in pain, but Ayako ignored him.
"Don't be such a crybaby. If that already hurts, you won't be able to help Tatsuya-san!"
Ayako spoke sternly to Fumiya.
"Isn't Big Sister a bit too focused on Tatsuya-nii-sama?"
"Hm? Is there a problem with that?" Ayako's expression turned cold as she shot a sharp glare at Fumiya.
Fumiya shook his head rapidly.
"O-Of course not! I just mean that you seem to have already given up on becoming the next family head for Tatsuya-nii-sama's sake."
Ayako smiled softly.
"You're right. I've already given up on the position of family head."
"Why?"
Ayako smiled sweetly, like a girl in love.
"Because only Tatsuya-san can lead the Yotsuba Family to become even better!"
Fumiya fell silent, unable to deny her words.
"Father says the same thing. Since Tatsuya-nii-sama was born, the Yotsuba Family has become better—and warmer. Maya-sama completely changed the old ways of the Yotsuba Family, making it livelier and more welcoming." Fumiya couldn't stop a smile from appearing on his face.
Ayako nodded in agreement.
"If Tatsuya-san becomes the next family head, the Yotsuba Family will surely become even better. Tatsuya-san will bring massive changes to the family—creating miracles no one could have imagined before."
Ayako continued talking endlessly about Tatsuya.
Fumiya knew that once his sister got like this, she wouldn't stop until she was satisfied.
He shook his head, then accidentally caught sight of Tatsuya's silhouette.
Fumiya's face went pale. He tried to stop Ayako, but Tatsuya immediately held him back.
"Don't. Let's listen until she's finished," Tatsuya said with a gentle smile. Fumiya, who admired him deeply, couldn't bring himself to refuse.
When Ayako finally felt satisfied, she looked for Fumiya—only to find Tatsuya standing right in front of her with a warm smile.
"T-Tatsuya-san?!"
Tatsuya nodded in response.
Ayako's face turned as red as a tomato.
"Ayako, thank you for believing in me. I'll do my best to advance the Yotsuba Family."
Ayako grew even more embarrassed.
Tatsuya gently patted her head, calming her overwhelming sense of shame.
To be continued…