The Daily Life of the Cat-Like Sister and Her Foolish Elder Brother - Chapter 17: Hehehe—You Thought It Was Just Chocolate, Right?

“I’m home”

“Welcome back!”

When I returned home after finishing a meeting with my editor, Yayoi greeted me in good spirits.

She was usually like a selfish cat, but today she was more like a dog. I couldn’t help but pat her head.

She looked surprised for a moment, then broke into a wide smile. She even rubbed her head against me.

“Hehe ♪ It tickles! Can you pet me more?”

“Hmm.”

“～♪”

She even hummed along… well, I understood that she was looking forward to it, but still.

While stroking her head (Yayoi naturally leaned against me), we headed to the living room.

The bouquet of flowers I gave her yesterday was arranged in a vase. Good, they were still lively.

I put down my bag, then the coat—

“Hey.”

“What’s up?”

“Could you back off a bit? I need to change.”

“No way.”

“Why not?”

“What day do you think it is today?”

“Well, it’s Valentine’s Day…”

Yesterday, she dragged me around so much, and now she was saying this… Moreover, she was the one who adapted this mysterious rule of not choosing chocolates herself but making me decide instead.

Well, I splurged on something delicious (my wallet was still full too… This was definitely strange. It was unreasonable).

“That’s right! Yet, someone left behind their cute little sister. This is a grave sin! An unforgivable sin!”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll hear about it later. Let me play— Ah, there’s no bone in this.”

“Bone?”

“I’m talking to myself here, don’t mind me… Ahem. Foolish little sister.”

“Hey… Did I just hear something weird?”

“It’s just your imagination. Oh, and also this.”

“…Foolish older brother.”

“Huh?”

“On your knees.”

“Huh?”

“Sei-za!”

Taking out a small box from my bag, her cheerful demeanor from a moment ago vanished instantly, replaced by an expression of anger.

…Why though? Well, I guess I have no choice but to sit properly.

“From now on, the trial begins. The defendant has no right to defend themselves. Speak everything without hiding anything, exactly as it is! Got it?”

“What kind of dictatorship are we in here…”

“Defendant, Nishiki Tsukasa, who did you meet with today?”

“…I was with my editor, right? I already told you about it before.”

“I see… Well, let me ask you this— What’s this thing?”

“That? Can’t you see it’s chocolate? It’s pretty impressive, right? It’s a limited edition from a famous shop.”

“Okay, death penalty.”

“Hey, come on, that’s going too far!”

“Death… penalty! That’s right!”

Saying that, she hugged me tightly.

Sigh… Who is she jealous of, anyway…

While patting her back, I asked.

“Hey, Yayoi.”

“Mm?”

“My editor, as you know, is a man… Do you… um, maybe like me a bit too much?”

“…It’s not like that at all. It’s just normal. Yes, completely normal. But seriously, why would a man go to such lengths to pick out such limited chocolate!?”

“When he handed it over, he looked so happy… Even more than when I finished a novel well ahead of the deadline…”

“!? W-wait a minute…”

“Oh, and didn’t I mention he’s newlywed? He even showed me some photos.”

“The world is full of mysteries…”

“Yeah…”

Finally, I was released so I took off my coat.

Don’t give me that skeptical look.

…I probably shouldn’t mention the chocolate that seemed to have reached the editorial department. It was best not to poke at the bushes myself. Right.

I washed my hands in the bathroom and when I returned, Yayoi wasn’t there. Huh?

“Yayoi?”

No response. Hm? Maybe she was in the next room?

Oh well, never mind. I’ll just make some strong coffee for now.

It was currently snack time. I might as well try the ones I bought yesterday; I’ve been looking forward to it.

I was actually quite excited. I carefully unwrapped the stylish wrapping paper.

Oh, it looked delicious—my thought was interrupted as a hand reached in and snatched it away.

“…Hey.”

“I want coffee too.”

“Geez, here.”

“Thanks. Want to thank me?”

“No, I’m good.”

“You want it, right? Tell me you want it!”

“…I want it. Fine.”

“Then I can’t help it, foolish brother. Here.”

“Let me ask you—what’s this?”

“I’ll let you have a bite. Aren’t you happy?”

“Hmm, I see. Then, I…”

“Huh? Ah!”

I swallowed down Yayoi’s reaction. Oh, it was delicious.

It was like licking one’s fingers… Don’t mind it. Yeah.

In return, I plucked a piece of chocolate and brought it closer to Yayoi’s mouth.

Her cheeks quickly turned red.

Looking into her eyes, I saw a bewildered expression.

Perhaps she’d made up her mind, as she closed her eyes and opened up her mouth.

Just like that―

“Oh, this is really good after all. Hm? What’s wrong? Oh, could it be… Did some foolish little sister think she would also get a taste?”

“You should just die!! Seriously!! Why are you so mean even at a time like this―”

Ignoring Yayoi’s shouting, I tossed the chocolate into her mouth.

Haha, in the face of that deliciousness, she couldn’t maintain her anger.

Don’t kick me under the desk.

“…Idiot Tsukasa. Stupid. Very stupid. One more!”

“Alright, alright.”

“I want to feed you too!”

“Alright, alright.”

As we exchanged these words and fed each other, the chocolate quickly disappeared.

Expensive chocolates came in small quantities, huh? It was probably the right amount… but I still felt like I wanted a bit more.

…Hm?

“Hey, Yayoi.”

“What is it?”

“Um, well… uh…”

“Huh? What’s wrong? Your face is all red. I haven’t said anything yet, have I? Come on, look me in the eyes and say it!”

Gah… th-this girl, she knew already…

No, even though I was the one thinking about what was going to happen the moment I saw that thing on the table…

“What’s with that red ribbon?”

“Oh, this? Isn’t it cute? Here, it’s Valentine’s Day, you know? Also…”

Yayoi laughed as she looked over at me, got up from her chair, walked over, and perched on my lap.

Looking up at me, her cheeks were flushed, increasing the visual impact.

Unexpectedly… every word except “cute” disappeared.

“Hehe… you thought it was just chocolate, right? Come on, hurry up and tie my hair. After all, this year’s Valentine’s Day present is ‘me,’ right?”

…Wasn’t this kind of unfair!?

But really, a threefold return on this… um, a heavy paper, maybe?