Chapter 73: Afternoon Time116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkDrzenDhc
In the living room.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ffzmAl47z
"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!"116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHjvz5YcqH
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyNoutCTrF
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAQMVbApys
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uaPw0NJ2V
Both fighters’ health bars vanished.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHirWbjn90
The screen blazed white, then slowed into dramatic animation. Two silhouettes collided midair, suspended for a heartbeat, before both were sent flying backward.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSImRUqehZO
All three spectators held their breath. Even the catgirl’s tail stiffened, her ears twitching as her golden eyes widened.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZ2ldW0D0m
For a few seconds, the world felt frozen.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCxZSnU99v
Then, the announcer’s voice blared—Victory!116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndNj0yhPUQ
Onscreen, Chun-Li’s elegant figure crumpled to the ground, while her opponent staggered upright with a single sliver of health.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6JobqAR5C
"Wow! Oni-chan won again!" Hinata squealed, bouncing up and down on the sofa.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKzoUDK6CR
Kouya leaned back, grinning. "Victory!" The satisfaction of such a hard-fought win made the blood in his veins hum.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8meh6Uf9Ep
The Miko girl, usually calm and gentle, puffed out her cheeks in frustration. Her graceful composure cracked for once. "Again!"116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkOkPoUPE7
Her voice carried a rare spark of competitiveness.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DAKg4yUg7
Kouya chuckled. "Wait a second, you’ve got taiyaki crumbs on your lips…"116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnp4jfUZnh
"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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKt6mwa2qT
Her flawless skin took on a soft blush that spread down her neck, glowing like sunset across fresh snow.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYDztOp55c
Kouya couldn’t help smirking. Perfect.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3DYLsKlyi
She straightened, pretending composure. "You saw wrong. Start the game."116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQbSsKdesL
"Hehe, onee-sama is such a tsundere!" Hinata teased.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIiG1Hcfwo
"Chiba Hinata!" The Miko girl’s tone dropped several degrees. Her aura turned menacing.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboIJSJOqKm
"Waaah! I’m sorry, onee-sama! Don’t pinch my cheeks, I’ll look weird!"116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vXywOz9qC
...116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoR5LXFdZH
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."116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXAV2SYsya
"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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08u94tL1of
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3BA1m2Yxg
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."116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqcepGIUBS
Kouya smiled faintly. "Let’s go together."116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohe8VQuucP
She beamed. "Yay!"116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzp47X0a2mu
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!"116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WYRzYOtzo
The Miko girl turned from the counter, her long black hair swaying with her movement. "Oh? Then wash those vegetables first."116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKWdVMPTeC
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?116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgi7C6Fesd
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUDC5wupQ1
"Oni-chan, hurry up!" Hinata urged.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0okyz5Gg1
Kouya sighed but smiled, rinsing the vegetables under cold water. As droplets splashed against his fingers, a quiet nostalgia rose inside him.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5I2FbmiH7N
How long had it been since he last shared something as simple as cooking with others?116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzlGwMqbk2
There was a strange warmth to it—a calm rhythm he hadn’t realized he missed.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaAe8XgAOD
"Meow wants to help too!" came a timid voice from the doorway.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtI5wy8Dvs
The catgirl peeked in, clutching her taiyaki with both hands. Her golden eyes darted nervously between them.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDx6092J5g9
Kouya turned, arching an eyebrow. "What are you looking at me for?"116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdjZzcmB0U
"Meow~!" She yelped, crouching and covering her head. "Don’t meow! If you do that, meow will break!"116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EHdKbG8Lg
Kouya nearly choked with laughter. "What does that even mean?!"116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgqfWxnDer
He could feel a vein twitching on his forehead. This cat was going to be the death of him.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRYRNDMkoB
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…"116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdX9tk6fs9
Can’t your ass! Kouya groaned inwardly. You’re definitely thinking of something indecent, aren’t you?116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRABNcdQ4K
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!116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FsNXEK9Dp
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…"116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWTIBEPPXz
Kouya sighed. Ah, what a noisy wind today.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvEBwsqHav
...116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TOPGguqWU
Half an hour later, the aroma of freshly cooked food filled the house.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5Z2RAbIbF
Hinata, unable to resist temptation, reached out to snag a piece—only to get flicked sharply on the forehead.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97hXTMFcZ5
"No stealing."116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDL1UHTs7b
"Oww! But onee-sama’s food smells too good! I can’t help it!"116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WPxPQbsMm
"Wash your hands first, then bring the dishes over," the Miko girl ordered, though her lips curved faintly in amusement.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5Sx8o4FQ3
The table soon filled with four dishes and one soup—each plate colorful and delicate, the fragrance enough to make anyone’s stomach growl.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbKNfVpFIj
Kouya took a bite and paused in genuine surprise. The taste was refined, balanced—better than Vigne’s cooking, leagues beyond Gabriel’s disasters.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBaVqz8l4a
"Oni-chan, is it good?" Hinata asked eagerly.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTGlQvlx6R
"It’s amazing," Kouya admitted. "Onee-sama’s got skill."116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmHiY8cAFC
Hinata puffed up proudly. "Told you! Onee-sama makes the best food in the world!"116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHpHRSTqGm
The Miko girl stayed silent, though her gentle smile deepened.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZL1CQgF5fS
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWWp8aeKLO
The afternoon light filtered through the shoji screens, golden and soft. Dust motes drifted lazily in the air. The house was peaceful, almost dreamlike.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1hM7C6Frb
Outside, the sky was crystal clear, the world still and bright. The scent of fallen cherry blossoms lingered faintly in the air.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPz3jwFbEu
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU61UC5sMU
The sofa was large enough for everyone to fit comfortably. Kouya leaned back, the warmth of the moment seeping into his bones.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAXofBkBXG
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9IDRTAotK
Hey, I’m not a pillow!116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyVDRgRY39
Weren’t you just wide awake a second ago?116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFugpJvQ7G
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEMH0HcK4F
He glanced over at the Miko girl.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtmE1W5qFm
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSPYcni47p
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHh3UZkp9o
Kouya chuckled softly, shaking his head. He picked up the remote and lowered the TV’s volume, letting the quiet settle in.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFtbmb9wDS
Outside, a breeze stirred the trees, scattering petals and sunlight across the garden floor.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNrxdWllMU
The air was calm.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQkb0jA1vy
And in that stillness, Kouya realized something simple yet rare—that a peaceful afternoon like this could be its own kind of happiness.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvY5lSZI9sH
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