Soichiro Tomiâs reply was hawkish.
He allowed me and Rei-san to live together in the separate house in the Tomi residence.
Separate rooms, of course.
When I talked about me moving in with her, I insisted that Amane-nee-san and Kaho would also come with me.
I thought it was impossible, but Soichiro Tomi nodded his head and said, âSure, I donât mind.â
In fact, Soichiro Tomiâs main concern was that Rei-san would not be kidnapped, and he probably did not care much about Rei-san in other respects.
The move was then completed at a rapid pace with a truck arranged by the Tomis.
It was too sudden, too surprising, and quite exhausting.
After I had finished sorting out the move, I went into the large bathroom in the detached house by myself.
I was supposed to be alone in the bathroom, but a stripped-down Rei-san and Kaho came in, pressed up against me, and when I came to, I was carried to the futon in my own room.
Although there seemed to be no major problem with my condition, Amane-nee-san was giggling next to me when she heard what had happened, and both Rei-san and Kaho were apologizing to me, shrinking down in the same manner.
Amane-nee-san looked into my eyes on the futon.
Her straight, beautiful black hair hung softly, faintly touching my head.
She was wearing a white one-piece dress.
âHe seems to be feeling better, but someone needs to stay close to Haruto-kun just in case.â
Rei-san and Kaho startled and trembled.
Then they leaned forward and said, âIâll take care of him!â âI will stay with Haruto!â
Seeing that, Amane-nee-san shook her head.
In response to Rei-sanâs question, Amane-nee-san smiled.
âBecause neither of you would let Haruto sleep, would you? You should let him rest properly, but it would have the opposite effect on him.â
âTh-thatâs not trueâŠâ
Rei-sanâs voice was a little quiet.
The reason I had fallen ill originally was because Rei-san and Kaho had gotten attached to me in the bathroom when they were n*ked.
I have a feeling that if the two of them stay in my room, there will surely be another commotion.
âSo, Iâll take care of Haruto-kun.â
Kaho looked disappointed, but Amane-nee-san didnât seem to mind, saying, âThis is my privilege as Harutoâs big sisterâ, and smiling.
When Rei-san and Kaho reluctantly left the room, Amane-nee-san looked at me with a wry smile and quietly sat down beside me.
Then, she took out a paperback Western book from her bag and began to read.
On the cover of the book was a picture of a foreign king, and the title âThe Daughter of Timeâ was spelled out in white letters.
âWhatâs that about?â
âA British mystery novel. I hear itâs a masterpiece of historical mystery, have you heard of it?â
I thought I was reasonably familiar with mystery novels, but I had not read that many foreign works.
âHaruto-kun, you have a long way to go.â
She smiled at me and looked down at her book again.
I guess she was trying to make sure I was resting comfortably.
Usually, Amane-nee-san is even more intense than Kaho and Rei-san.
But when she is quietly reading a book like this, she looks like an adult woman, or rather, she has a very neat and clean atmosphere.
As I gawked at her, Amane-nee-san asked, âWhat?â I couldnât help but stare at her, and she turned to me.
âWere you staring at me?â
âItâs not like thatâŠâ
I didnât say anything, but wrapped myself in the blankets and looked away.
âCome to think of it, I once took a bath with Haruto-kun, didnât I?â
Amane-nee-san was right, I clearly remembered.
I was eleven years old and Amane-nee-san was sixteen when she was a high school girl.
At that time, Amane-nee-san had just lost her parents in the fire, and she was always bothering me to make up for the trauma.
Whenever I went to a local festival, to karaoke, or to explore an abandoned building, she was always there with me.
Therefore, I think I was made fun of and teased a lot by her friends.
Around that time, Amane-nee-san even tried to take a bath with me.
She was a beautiful sixteen year old girl, and her body was already mature enough.
Seeing me blush red, she laughed happily and washed my body.
âDo you want to go in with me again?â
âEh, I canât do that.â
When I said in surprise, Amane-nee-san said, âJust kidding. Haruto-kun, you already have Mikoto-san and Kaho, donât you? You donât need me.â, she said and smiled sadly with her eyes downcast.
I felt as if I had said something bad.
âWell, itâs not that I donât want to take a bath with youâŠâ
âDo you want to take a bath with me?â
âWell, um. If itâs okay with you, Iâd ⊠like to join you.â
At that moment, Amane-nee-sanâs expression changed and her eyes lit up.
âI see. Haruto-kun wants to wash my body!â
âHuh? No, I didnât say that, butâŠâ
âWell then, next time, letâs enter the large bath!â
Amane-nee-san gave me a very pleasant smile and lightly tapped my shoulder on the futon.
I felt like I was set up.
âHaruto-kun, youâre so sweet.â
âAmane-nee-san ⊠are you teasing me?â
âItâs true that I think youâre kind, Haruto-kun. If it werenât for Haruto-kunâs kindness, I think I would have broken down in high school.â
Saying that, Amane-nee-san closed her eyes as if reminiscing about the past.