The Daily Life of the Cat-Like Sister and Her Foolish Elder Brother - Chapter 12: Tonight, We’re Staying Like This Forever, Okay?

“I’m home!”

There was no response, just darkness filling the room.

That’s right. Tonight, Tsukasa was out attending a New Year’s gathering with fellow writers.

Well, it’s not like I felt lonely without him, right?

…That was a lie.

Being alone in a room felt a bit cold and uncomfortable.

Perhaps because I knew that better than anyone else.

He’d asked me with a worried expression if I wanted to come along, saying, “There are no bad people, but…” and I firmly declined, “It’s okay. I’ll enjoy my time alone!”

But if I didn’t say that, he’d prioritize me over himself. A-and, you know, being loved isn’t so bad, right? Well, I guess it couldn’t be helped.

Maintaining social connections was important, so it was only natural to send him off on occasions like this.

―After all, we’d be together forever, so it was okay to make concessions for just a few hours tonight. That was what being a good woman is all about.

He said the gathering would start at 6 p.m., so he should be back by 9. Tsukasa didn’t usually drink much when he was out.

Now, let’s have dinner― he prepared it for me. Hehe, and then I’ll start running the bath while I wait.

Hehehe, and later I’ll be like, “Was it cold out there? The bath’s ready, you know? Oh, want to join me?” Hehehe.

Alright! I guess I’ll reluctantly start getting ready and wait for him.

※※※

It was already 11 o’clock, and Tsukasa still hasn’t come back…

I checked my phone multiple times, but there was no message. I wonder what happened? He always gave me a heads up whenever he’d be late.

Ugh! The bath I prepared will be cold by now! Even though I’m ready to go to bed… I’ve changed into my favorite cat-ear hoodie pajamas and laid down on the sofa.

Normally by now, Tsukasa and I would play games, watch TV, talk about our day, and sometimes… well, you know, cuddle―we’d spend time together.

Ugh… I’m so lonely…

―At that moment, I heard the sound of the door unlocking from the entrance. And then, a familiar voice saying, “I’m home.”

Jumping up from the sofa, I hurriedly made my way to the entrance… No, I must pretend to be angry when he returns, that’s what I should do now!

I was supposed to be mad… But just hearing his voice made me happy… Oh no! I had to be careful, or my face would loosen up right away.

The door to the room opened, and he entered… Huh?

“I’m home—… Were you still awake? You should be asleep. Ah… I’m tired… Hey? What’s wrong all of a sudden—… Is it, is it because of the smell? No one was smoking though…?”

“Hey, were there any women at tonight’s party?”

“Huh, didn’t I mention that? Tonight’s drinking gathering was quite big. It was also a New Year’s greeting. There were many female writers there.”

“You didn’t meeeeeention that!! Why didn’t you say such an important thing!?”

“Is that really important?”

“Of course it is!”

“Well, I don’t think so.”

“I’m still not convinced, you foolish brother…”

Got it? You have me! With such a cute little sister by your side, how could you be attracted to other women… That’s why the economy isn’t improving, and my weight keeps gradually increasing!

I gained a bit more weight this New Year… Anyway, this was unforgivable. No matter what you say, I won’t forgive you so easily…

“There wasn’t any girl prettier than you.”

“…What did you just say?”

“You were the prettiest and the cutest.”

“…Um, are you drunk?”

“Hug.”

“Huh? What? Eeeh!?”

With a broad smile on his face, Tsukasa suddenly embraced me―Ehe, ehehe, ehehe♪ I’m happy… Not! He seemed to be a bit drunk, which was unusual.

And… this smell…

I pushed him away… It’s not like I was feeling a bit reluctant. I’m not, I tell you.

“Yayoi?”

“…Bath.”

“?”

“Bath now―right away!! The smell of perfume, it’s coming from your hair and clothes――it smells like another woman. That… I don’t like it.”

“…Seriously? …Does Yayoi dislike me?”

Tsukasa became crestfallen and headed to the bathroom―I wonder if he only heard the word “bath”?

As the sound of the shower echoed, I gathered up clothes and underwear to toss into the washing machine. As for the coat―for now, into a plastic bag. I’ll take it to the dry cleaner’s tomorrow.

Now then―when he came out…

※※※

After showering, I felt refreshed as I stepped out of the bath.

…Unusually, I seemed a little drunk.

“I don’t like it.”

The damage was so great that I staggered for a moment. N-No, I get it. It’s just that she disliked the smell of perfume, not that she disliked me.

It’s okay. Everything was fine.

For some reason, I changed into the pajamas that were prepared and went to the bedroom. But―no sign of Yayoi…

“…Don’t just stand there like that. You’re in the way.”

“Y-Yeah.”

From behind came an irritated voice. I involuntarily became awkward.

Without acknowledging my feelings, Yayoi quickly got into bed. Um…that’s… She looked up at me and then patted the space next to her, giving me a command.

“Come here.”

“No, come on… Isn’t that a bit…?”

“Come here.”

“I’m telling you…”

“Come.”

“…Fine.”

I didn’t really have a choice.

Reluctantly, I got into bed and lay down. Yayoi approached me―Ouch! She wasn’t just nibbling, she was actually biting hard!!

“I’m mad, grrr!”

“Sorry.”

“I was lonely, grrr!”

“I apologize.”

“Men who cheat deserve the death penalty, grrr!”

“I didn’t cheat.”

“…I won’t forgive what happened today. As punishment.”

Yayoi, who had stopped biting, hugged me tightly.

She then she whispered in a sweet voice,

“―Tonight, we’re staying like this forever, okay?”

I died. I was definitely dead.