553: An Uninvited Guest (2)

"Uh... sis?" Nijika called out, puzzled. She couldn't quite figure out what the two were doing.

"Ah, dinner time, huh," Chisato stood up almost instantly.

He hadn't been flustered by Seika's teasing remarks. 

The real reason for his awkward reaction was the pleasant scent that had drifted from her freshly showered body as she leaned close. 

The smell was like blooming summer flowers—fresh, open, and clean.

There was nothing suggestive about the scent, but for just a moment, his thoughts ran wild.

"Tch…"

Seika clicked her tongue, clearly disappointed at missing a golden opportunity to dig deeper and see more expressions that matched his age.

Still, if Nijika was ready, then dinner couldn't be helped.

Whether as a band member or a professional manager, both their roles naturally led to irregular schedules.

Nijika, being a student, had a more stable routine—thanks in no small part to Chisato, who had arranged things so she could keep up with both school and the band. 

Even so, it had been a long time since the sisters had dinner at home at a decent hour.

"This feels kind of... warm," Nijika said suddenly during dinner.

Her sister looked up lazily, "What does?"

"Having Chisato-kun here with us for dinner. This kind of lively atmosphere... it's been a while."

"You eat with the girls at the company all the time."

"That's different. That's the office. This is home."

"If you want, you could always invite the girls to live here too."

"See, you still don't get it, sis. The point is Chisato-kun."

Following her sister's gaze, Seika saw that even Chisato looked confused. At least that meant her own grasp of the conversation wasn't the problem.

"He's a guy."

"Okay? And?"

"Doesn't he give off this reliable, safe vibe? Doesn't he remind you of Dad?"

"Pfft—cough, cough! Sorry..."

Chisato nearly dropped his chopsticks and turned away to cough, covering his mouth with a hand. 

He'd just choked on his food a little.

"What are you even saying?! There's no way that's true!"

Seika was equally thrown off by her sister's outrageous comment. 

If they hadn't been sitting across from each other, she might have lunged over and pinched her face red. What is she even thinking?!

"Really? You don't think so?"

"Hey!!"

"Um..." Chisato quickly stepped in to mediate, wiping his mouth.

"Nijika, maybe you just miss your dad. Didn't you say earlier he hasn't been home for a long time?"

His well-timed comment helped steer the conversation away from its awkward spiral and gently redirected the mood.

The topic of their father led to Seika reluctantly sharing a few amusing stories from her school days.

Like how a boy once chased her home to confess his feelings when she was in middle school.

Or how she struggled academically in high school because she poured all her energy into the band. 

Or how, ever since she got a large plush toy for her ninth birthday, she absolutely had to hug something soft when going to sleep every night.

When Nijika brought up that last bit, she even pointed to the pink suitcase by the coffee table—still unpacked from their trip—with a teddy bear resting on top to prove it.

"You little—!"

"Ahahaha, Sis is embarrassed! Ow ow ow! I'm your one and only sister, you know!"

Nijika pleaded for mercy as Seika's fists pounded her head, but it didn't stop her laughter.

Chisato watched the sisters with great amusement, ending up eating an extra bowl of rice.

He could really feel it now—the warmth Nijika had spoken of earlier.

After helping clean up the table, Chisato politely excused himself.

He could have stayed longer, but there was no real reason to.

"No need to walk me out."

Seika crossed her arms and looked down at him at the entryway as he changed his shoes.

"Right, stop flattering yourself. I wasn't planning on walking you out anyway."

"About your dad... Nijika said at dinner that he's always traveling for work, that you rarely see each other, and even when he's home, it's only for a few days."

"Mm? What's wrong?"

Seika looked at him, puzzled by the sudden shift in topic.

Chisato finished putting on his shoes. Even though he was standing on the lowered entryway, he was still taller than Seika standing in the hallway.

"I was thinking… once our company grows a little bigger, if your dad's willing, maybe he could come help us out."

Seika inhaled lightly, then let out a small laugh.

"You damn capitalist. Trying to get my whole family working for you now?"

Chisato shrugged.

 "Well, yeah. Exploitation's addictive, after all."

"That's enough."

The jokes stopped there.

Seika curled her lips into a smirk, looking away and lowering her eyes to hide the smile she could barely contain.

"When your company's really gotten that far, we'll talk."

It was a brush-off, but one that left room—there was potential in her words.

Chisato didn't mind. Smiling, he turned and walked away.

After the door shut, Seika leaned her chin on her hand, lost in thought.

The fact that he could stand in her shoes and think about her and Nijika's situation was meaningful in itself.

But what lingered even more in her mind was the word he used before "the company." He hadn't said my company—but our company.

Was it intentional?

Or just a slip?

Seika could feel a strange, inexplicable warmth spreading inside her, rising up to her cheeks.

"Seika-nee?"

"Ah?"

"What's wrong? Your face is all red—did you catch a cold?"

"No, I'm fine!"

Seika didn't dare stay put under her sister's suspicious stare. She clutched both hands to her cheeks and ran back to her room without looking back.

Nijika stood in the living room, glancing at the firmly closed bedroom door, then at the one Chisato had just exited. She stood there, deep in thought.

…

After leaving the Ijichi household, Chisato hailed a cab from the roadside.

What he'd said to Seika before leaving wasn't just polite talk—he genuinely meant it.

With sisters as grounded and decent as the Ijichis, he figured their father couldn't be all that bad either.

And if he were to be cynical about it, even from a purely strategic angle, recruiting her father might just make the sisters even more loyal and dedicated to the company. 

A win-win move.

Still, given Seika's response, he figured he'd leave the matter for another day.

Tokyo traffic was a little heavy that night. The ride took over forty minutes, and it was already past 8 PM when Chisato finally arrived at the base of his apartment tower.

In hindsight, he probably should've just taken the train.

After paying the fare, he carried his things into the tower lobby.

Just as he was about to swipe his keycard at the gate, something in the corner of his eye caught his attention.

A familiar silhouette. He stepped back a few paces and looked over at the waiting lounge.

Short light-blue hair. 

A single beauty mark under her left eye. 

One of Kesshoku Band's members, the very recognizable Miss Ryo, was sound asleep on the couch.

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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta

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