Onee-chan?

Haruka stepped inside the Yoshida residence and immediately felt like he'd entered another world. The space was vast, every surface polished to perfection. Even the air smelled expensive.

'This house screams money… Not surprising, considering the Yoshida family.'

But just as he was admiring the elegance, his eyes landed on the kitchen.

A mess.

Flour dusted the counter like fresh snow. Broken eggshells clung to the sink. A frying pan, burnt beyond recognition, sat abandoned in the chaos.

'…Someone tried to cook by failed miserably.'

Haruka's gaze shifted to Mizuki, who stiffened under his silent stare. A light pink hue crept up her ears.

"I-It wasn't me!" she blurted. "My younger sister tried to cook, but she failed."

Haruka didn't buy it for a second.

'The 'perfect' Yoshida-san can't cook? Now that's interesting.'

More surprising than the mess—she had a younger sister.

'She's probably cute too.'

He kept those thoughts to himself and simply nodded. "I see. I'll start cleaning. In the meantime, you should check the laundry—there might be clothes you don't want a stranger to see."

Mizuki frowned. "You're also a girl, so it's fine, isn't it?"

Haruka kept his expression neutral. "Still, better safe than sorry."

After a brief pause, Mizuki sighed and walked off.

The moment she left, guilt settled in my chest.

'I should probably clear up this misunderstanding… But if she finds out I'm a guy, I'll lose this job. And I need this job. My family needs it.'

Before he could dwell on it further, a small voice cut through the air.

"…Who are you?"

Haruka turned—and met a pair of golden eyes.

A little girl stood at the kitchen entrance, identical to Mizuki but smaller. A mini-Yoshida.

They locked eyes for a long second.

Then, her expression twisted in horror.

"ONEE-CHAN!!!" she screamed. "THERE'S A LUCY STEALING FROM OUR HOUSE!!!"

Haruka blinked.

'…Lucy? Who the hell is Lucy—oh.'

Realization hit him like a truck.

'She thinks I'm a girl too?!'

Before he could stop her, the girl sucked in a deep breath, about to scream again.

"Hey! I'm not a burglar!" Haruka cut in, raising his hands.

'Man… this is the most cliché misunderstanding ever.'

---

After leaning the message in kitchen , Haruka moved on to the laundry. Everything was going smoothly—until his hands froze mid-sort.

'…A bra.'

His fingers moved over the pink cloth, he closed his eyes and muttered slowly

'…It's just part of the job. Just part of the job…'

Looking away, he swiftly shoved it into the laundry pile and refocused on folding, but the warmth creeping up his neck refused to fade.

When he returned to the living room, Mizuki and her little sister, Risa, were watching TV. Mizuki glanced up.

"Oh, you finished the laundry?"

Haruka nodded.

She stood and approached him, arms crossed. "Thanks. That helped a lot."

Haruka waved a hand dismissively. "I'm getting paid for it."

Mizuki, however, kept staring at him. "Even so… other housekeepers take longer. But you actually cleaned everything properly."

Haruka shifted, rubbing the back of his neck.

'Why does it feel weird hearing that from her…? I feels so weird seeing her after what I saw earlier..'

Mizuki sighed and turned to her sister. "Also, sorry again for Risa calling you a burglar… and Lucy."

Haruka raised an eyebrow. "By the way… is 'Lucy' from a kids' show or something?"

Mizuki blinked.

Risa gasped like he had just revealed a secret government conspiracy. "ONEE-CHAN!!! HOW DID YOU KNOW?!"

Her golden eyes sparkled with excitement.

Haruka chuckled. "My younger siblings watch the same show. They also call me Lucy sometimes."

'Though… Lucy is the villainess. Long black hair, azure eyes—just like me.'

Mizuki's gaze flickered with curiosity. So, she has younger siblings too…?

She didn't push further, but Haruka could tell she was thinking about it.

Deciding to shift the topic, he asked, "Anyway, what do you two want to eat? I have to cook dinner as part of the contract."

"HAMBURGER STEAK!!" Risa yelled, jumping up. "Onee-chan and I tried to make it, but we failed."

Haruka turned to Mizuki in disbelief.

'Wait. Didn't she say her sister was the one who messed up the kitchen?'

Mizuki quickly looked away, mumbling, "It was hard… I never do house chores."

Haruka stared at her for a long moment before sighing internally.

'So, the flawless Mizuki Yoshida isn't perfect at everything. She's like a princess—someone who's never had to cook or clean. But somehow, that just makes her more… human.'

Mizuki crossed her arms. "Risa, that's too difficult to cook. Let's just order food."

Risa pouted. "Aww…"

Haruka hesitated.

'That face… it looks just like my younger siblings when they're disappointed.'

He exhaled. "I'll cook it."

Mizuki blinked. "But—"

"This is part of the job too," Haruka interrupted smoothly.

Mizuki had no comeback.

Risa, meanwhile, cheered, "Yay! Lucy Onee-chan is the best!"

Haruka crouched to her level and patted her head. "Just wait, Risa-san, okay?"

"Okay, Onee-chan!!"

Haruka twitched slightly at the nickname.

'…Being misunderstood by both sisters is kind of embarrassing. But… it's also kind of amusing.'

---

As Haruka cooked, the rich aroma of sizzling meat and warm spices filled the house. Risa hugged a cushion on the couch, turning to Mizuki.

"Mizuki Onee-chan… it smells really good. Can we have Lucy Onee-chan come every day?"

Mizuki sighed. "No, we can't. Besides, Mom and Dad are coming back tonight."

Risa pouted. "But Onee-chan… her food smells amazing!"

"Well you're right it smells really nice"

Mizuki shook her head, but something gnawed at her.

'…Wait. What's missing?'

Then, it hit her.

'…I never asked for her name.'

Her brows furrowed.

'Why didn't I ask?'

She told herself it was just an oversight. But the more she thought about it, the more curious she became.

.....

A short while later, Haruka set the plates down.

Risa's eyes widened. "WOW! Onee-chan, it looks sooo good!"

Even Mizuki had to admit it was impressive. "Thank you for this."

Haruka gave a small nod. "I'm happy as long as you enjoy it."

Then, Mizuki noticed something.

There were only two servings.

She looked up. "Where's yours?"

Haruka shook his head. "My job is to cook, not to eat. Besides, I have another job after this."

Mizuki frowned but didn't push further.

Haruka glanced away. 'I need to leave before I slip up.'

"I'll walk you to the door," Mizuki said. She didn't say much but her expression showing that she is also disappointed just like Risa.

As they reached the entrance, she hesitated, then finally spoke. "Ah… I just realized—I never asked for your name."

Haruka tensed slightly. '…There's a reason I never told you.'

Without a word, he handed her his job card.

Mizuki took it, her fingers brushing against his. She glanced at the name.

Haruka Nakamura.

Her eyes lingered on it. '…Nakamura? Why does that sound so familiar…?'

"I see… Well, thank you for your hard work."

After a pause, she added, "I'll call if we need more help."

Haruka bowed slightly and walked away.

'…I bet this is the last time we meet like this.'

Mizuki stared at the card..

By the time she looked up—

He was already gone.

The door clicked shut, leaving only silence.

Mizuki stood there.

She didn't know why, but…

It felt like she had just missed something important.

Something she wouldn't be able to take back.

'Haruka…'

For some reason, she couldn't forget the name.

---

Haruka exhaled as he stepped onto the quiet streets.

The night breeze brushed against his skin, cool and sharp.

'This is for the best.'

He adjusted his ponytail, his pace steady but unhurried.

'People like her and people like me… we don't belong in the same world.'

And yet—

Somewhere deep inside, an unfamiliar feeling stirred.

A feeling he didn't want to name.

With a final glance at the towering Yoshida residence, Haruka turned a corner and disappeared into the night.