I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

Upon hearing this, Yuu Tenkuji immediately pulled Kasugano Sora to sit in the remaining two empty seats, and with a wave of his hand, announced like the head of the household:

"Alright, let's talk about it after we finish eating. Now—"

"I'm starting to eat!"

Chapter Sixty: What truly defines a leading lady?

The atmosphere at the dining table was harmonious.

Kasugano Sora tried to sit on his lap to eat, in order to prove her position in his heart in front of the group of girls and let them know that he was a super siscon, so that she would keep her distance from Tenkuji Yu from then on.

However, no matter how much Yuu loves his younger sister, he would never use her as a human chair during meals... It's fine to say it, but when it comes to actually proving to these people that he is a sister-complex, the thin-skinned and proud Yuu can't do it.

At most, I fed her and had to coax her to calm down Kasugano Sora, who was overwhelmed with thoughts.

After lunch, Yui Yuigahama and Iroha Isshiki were in charge of washing the dishes, while Kanade Tachibana wiped the plates. The three girls laughed and played around in the kitchen, and occasionally the sound of water splashing could be heard.

Outside the living room, Yukino Yukinoshita picked up the gray-spotted kitten again, sat on the sofa, and gently stroked its back, a soothing smile on her face.

The warm afternoon sun streamed through the French windows, illuminating her delicate and charming profile, giving it a crystalline glow.

It was as if the light was emanating from her body; her skin was so transparent and fair.

"Meow~"

While making tea for the others, Tenkuji Yuu admired her innocent and adorable appearance out of the corner of his eye.

Even though it wasn't a blatant gaze, Yukino seemed to sense something after a short while, raising her eyes to meet his. A faint blush rose on her cheeks, but she didn't seem particularly flustered.

"What are you looking at?"

"You're so cute."

"It's a given that I'm cute. Do you think sweet talk of this level will work on me?"

"Congratulations, host, you have received the reward: Aikido (Proficient)."

"Hmm... Whether you believe it or not, I think it's quite useful."

I haven't felt this way in a long time.

Looking at the system panel, Yuu Tenkuji couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Yukino Yukinoshita looked puzzled, but her attention was quickly drawn back to the kitten on her lap. She decisively ignored her friend who was full of lies and started rubbing the kitten's chin with her fingers.

Before having a deeper conversation about the mission, they both had an unspoken understanding to "maintain their current friendship"; at least when they were alone, their attitude towards each other wouldn't change because of what happened in the kitchen.

However, for Kasugano Sora, who decided to stay and observe carefully, their relationship was definitely more than just friendship—she had seen everything from lunchtime until now, including their natural and casual conversation and their deep affection for each other, which was even more damaging than showing off their love in front of a single person.

I knew he had good relationships with many girls, but I never imagined they were this close...

She tightened the neck of the doll in her hands to vent her jealousy and displeasure, but Kasugano Sora did not feel the unease she had imagined—or rather, she felt almost no fear that her brother would be taken away by a foreign vixen.

I even found it a little funny.

After all, based on her observation, although the black-haired girl had a high level of understanding with her brother, she didn't have the overflowing affection in her eyes like the pink-haired girl. Her feelings weren't deep enough, and her breasts weren't big enough. It could be said that she paled in comparison except for her appearance.

If she really wanted to take her brother away, she would probably have to get past the little dumpling first, and there's a very high chance she wouldn't be able to.

The same-age, short-haired, flaxen-colored junior was the same. Although she seemed to have no interest in Yu, and would occasionally tease him only to be teased in return, her fighting power was practically on par with that of a nobody.

But Kasugano Sora could still smell a hint of a cunning cat on her—if no one else was watching, perhaps she would have acted more boldly and evolved from a weakling into a Gyarados.

Of course, this is just speculation.

But after observing for so long, Kasugano Sora also realized a fact. A fact that completely dispelled her unease.

"The more popular Yu is, the more fiercely these people will fight... and no matter how they fight, they can't affect my status."

You guys are fighting tooth and nail outside, constantly trying to outdo each other, all for the sake of becoming Yu's girlfriend; while I can leisurely play games at home and receive Yu's pampering every day, spending every night with him...

And this gap is something you outsiders can never bridge in your lifetime!

—What does it mean to be a true leading lady?! (Leans back tactically)

Thinking about this, Kasugano Sora found it amusing, and secretly prayed that those "vixens" would start fighting soon, wanting to see rivers of blood. However, not wanting Yu to be troubled by her interpersonal relationships, she could only suppress this dark thought and instead ignored them, remaining a bystander.

If she really had to pick one, the one she found most pleasing to the eye was probably the silver-haired girl she once thought posed the greatest threat—Mapo Tofu.

Ah, no, I remember the name was Tachibana Kanade.

This man only had eyes for Mapo Tofu, and didn't even glance at You until he finished eating it, a stark contrast to the three who kept stealing glances at him.

She was only craving the food, not her brother's body, which immediately improved Kasugano Sora's opinion of her—it's rare! Finally, there's a girl she can trust!

Unfortunately, Sora isn't the kind of person who actively chats and socializes with others. Even though she has lost all hostility towards Kanade Tachibana, she has no intention of becoming friends with her.

About ten minutes later, Yui and the other two finished washing the dishes, their hair and sleeves still wet.

If it weren't for the apron covering it, my upper body would probably have been in serious trouble.

"I told you guys... I told you to wash the dishes, not to play in the water." Putting down her teacup, Tenkuji Yu's eye twitched.

Yui Yuigahama and Iroha Isshiki scratched their heads, revealing identical embarrassed smiles: "Haha, we just started playing around without even realizing it~"

As for Tachibana Kanade, she seemed to have only been affected by their actions, and there weren't many wet spots on her body, but she still politely bowed and apologized: "I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

"To be so casual in someone else's house, really..." Yukino Yukinoshita sighed helplessly, gently put the cat aside, patted her knees and stood up.

"Anyway, let's go to the bathroom first."

Yui blinked: "Eh? Someone like this probably doesn't need a bath... especially at Yu's house..."

"Who said they were going to take a shower? They were going to get a mop to dry the floor! There's still water on the kitchen floor, isn't there?"

"How can she know what the kitchen looks like without even seeing it with her own eyes? Yukinoshita-senpai is so scary..."

Yukino Yukinoshita, expressionless, led the three obediently towards the bathroom.

Yuuki Tenkuji glanced at the teacups already laid out on the table, then looked at Yukino Yukinoshita's unwavering stride, and suddenly realized:

"Wait a minute, how did this guy know my mop was in the bathroom? You're here for the first time too, how come you know so well?!"

You dare to say others are casual? You're the one who's so casual that you treat this place like your own home!

Chapter 61 Playing games is nothing compared to playing in the senior's room

After a commotion at noon, they split into two groups in the afternoon.

Tenkuji Yu teaches Tachibana Kanade how to make "Glowing Mapo Tofu," while the others play games in the living room.

With Kasugano Sora joining, there were now four of them, so they chose some games that could be played in pairs—Yuigahama and Sora were one team, and Yukinoshita and Isshiki were another. They played games like Overcooked and Mario, and their lively shouts echoed throughout every corner of the house once again.

At 3 p.m., Tachibana Kanade, looking dejected and with a dim gaze, left the kitchen, followed by Tenkuji Yu to comfort her.

"Don't even mention you, most people in this world can't do what I do... Lihua, learning the most basic techniques is enough. There's no need to force yourself to shine. Just keep practicing until you reach a level that best suits your own taste, isn't that enough?"

"I'm sorry, but after eating Senior Yu's glowing Mapo Tofu... I can't go back. I want to eat such delicious Mapo Tofu every day."

"Even if you say that, I can't make you instantly acquire perfect cooking skills."

"Perfect level?"

"It's just my current cooking skills... cough, just think of it as a way of classifying chuunibyou (middle school syndrome)."

"Okay, I understand. I'll work hard to improve my cooking skills. Are there any other methods?"

"Other methods? The simplest is to have you come with me..."

"With you?"

"...Your sister has become your friend. If you often come to visit her, I can treat you to some glowing mapo sauce. As long as you remain friends, I will continue to treat you well."

"Hmm... You can't make friends with that kind of intention."

"Really? Then there's no other way. You're not the kind of person who looks down on simple, everyday food after having a fancy meal, are you?"

"That's right... Well, I'll be patient until my cooking skills improve!"

Seeing her raise her little fist, her expression calm but her eyes brightening with renewed excitement, Tenkuji Yu couldn't help but laugh and reached out to pat her head.

Tachibana Kanade didn't mind, because during the time you were teaching me in the kitchen, your hand had touched his scalp several times. Each time he pretended to be casual, but after touching his head, he would show a healed expression, which was obviously intentional.

...Is this what Aya was talking about earlier, taking advantage of the teaching opportunity to touch and grope?

Although this question had crossed his mind, he didn't touch any other parts of himself and his eyes didn't reveal any evil thoughts. It seemed that he just wanted to rub his head like a pet.

So even though she was a little shy, Tachibana Kanade gave up resisting and questioning him, and just let him stroke her head as if it were a matter of course, and gradually got used to the feeling.

Suffering from congenital heart disease, her heart cannot beat violently, otherwise it will cause pain as if her chest is being torn in two. This slight increase in heart rate is just right so that Tachibana Kanade can feel the reality of being alive without pain.

I don't dislike it. But I feel awkward asking him to bring more, so I'll just let it be.

Slowly pondering thoughts she'd never had before, Tachibana Kanade quickly put these matters out of her mind and joined the others in the living room who were taking a break from playing games until their hands ached.

"What's next? Will the six of you play games together?"

Yui Yuigahama made way for the empty seat next to her and looked up at Yuu Tenkuji who was walking towards her.

Kasugano Sora glanced sideways without saying much—after all, she was right next to her, and this empty space would just leave Tenkuji Yu sandwiched between the two of them, which was acceptable.

"However, there are only four controllers..."

Before Iroha Isshiki could finish speaking, Yuuto Tenkuji and Yukino Yukinoshita said in unison, "I'll pass, you guys have fun."

The two glanced at each other, then looked away as if it were second nature.

"You guys still have such great chemistry!"

Yui Yuigahama teased, and under Kasugano Sora's strangely disapproving gaze, asked as if to confirm, "Yuki must be tired of playing, right? Then let's hand the controller to Kanade-chan and move on to the next level?"

Isshiki Iroha spoke softly, "Ah, of course you get tired of playing. Yukinoshita-senpai's competitive spirit is just too strong. She takes every game so seriously and wants to win. It would be strange if she didn't get tired."

As her teammate, Iroha Isshiki is under immense pressure.

“…I’m just not used to running water.” Yukino Yukinoshita calmly placed the handle in Kanade Tachibana’s hand, and stood up as if to hide her embarrassment. “The living room seems a bit dirty. Let me help clean it up.”

Kasugano Sora immediately turned her head, staring at Tenkuji Yu's profile, her eyes conveying her dissatisfaction:

"Why didn't you stop her? Do you want her to be the lady of our house?"

Yuu Tenkuji could only say to Yukino Yukinoshita, "No need to trouble yourself, I'll sweep it when you get back."

"No trouble at all, I wasn't planning on doing a big clean-up anyway." She pursed her soft lips around her hair tie, rolled up her sleeves to reveal her fair forearms, and then tied her hair back into a pretty long ponytail. Her gaze was gentle and natural as she looked at him.