Chapter 73: Afternoon Time119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjONdST39A
In the living room.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVD3ISDofT
"Ahhh! The time for a showdown is here!" Little Hinata pumped her fist with infectious energy, her small face flushed pink with excitement. "Go, onee-sama! You can do it!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8hm9BTSCb
On the screen, the two fighters stood on the edge of defeat. Their health bars were nearly empty, their movements sharp and tense. The first to miss an opening would fall. The air in the room felt charged, like a storm about to break.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DYfAFYQxG
After a brief stalemate, the Miko girl’s character suddenly lunged forward. She rolled gracefully across the digital arena, dodging a counterstrike by inches. Her character’s movements were elegant and precise—like a dance. With a quick kick to unbalance her opponent, she spun to the back, her long sleeves fluttering onscreen as she unleashed her ultimate move. Fists like wind, kicks like thunder, her attacks filled the screen with a dazzling flurry of light and motion.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOxiDoQWXa
But just before the final blow landed, Kouya’s character sprang into the air. For a split second, the screen froze—the lightning crackled, the atmosphere thickened—and then, his avatar descended like a thunder god, a storm of power and rage. The sound of impact roared through the room.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICWUknEzGW
Both fighters’ health bars vanished.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRavSAwH8pm
The screen blazed white, then slowed into dramatic animation. Two silhouettes collided midair, suspended for a heartbeat, before both were sent flying backward.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJzlO1qTvB
All three spectators held their breath. Even the catgirl’s tail stiffened, her ears twitching as her golden eyes widened.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOczQa8KR67
For a few seconds, the world felt frozen.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHr1TzRTmyB
Then, the announcer’s voice blared—Victory!119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpujiCdeWv
Onscreen, Chun-Li’s elegant figure crumpled to the ground, while her opponent staggered upright with a single sliver of health.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGp9MJ5JsLj
"Wow! Oni-chan won again!" Hinata squealed, bouncing up and down on the sofa.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9I5DKCWDy
Kouya leaned back, grinning. "Victory!" The satisfaction of such a hard-fought win made the blood in his veins hum.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqSXDQn6ZE
The Miko girl, usually calm and gentle, puffed out her cheeks in frustration. Her graceful composure cracked for once. "Again!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbrAZrjF3d
Her voice carried a rare spark of competitiveness.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKGnLFvd8m
Kouya chuckled. "Wait a second, you’ve got taiyaki crumbs on your lips…"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQI5bc63ql
"Eh?" The Miko girl blinked, then instinctively stuck out her tongue and licked the crumbs away. The motion was natural, almost unconscious—but when she realized what she’d just done, her eyes went wide and her cheeks turned scarlet.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmJfMl0rRo
Her flawless skin took on a soft blush that spread down her neck, glowing like sunset across fresh snow.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tl3hXf6Mq
Kouya couldn’t help smirking. Perfect.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIG0wbAr7Q
She straightened, pretending composure. "You saw wrong. Start the game."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuybdIkSYX
"Hehe, onee-sama is such a tsundere!" Hinata teased.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqFlxJ12yw
"Chiba Hinata!" The Miko girl’s tone dropped several degrees. Her aura turned menacing.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6g95Va2PG1
"Waaah! I’m sorry, onee-sama! Don’t pinch my cheeks, I’ll look weird!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqb15KwyPQ
...119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6OBVUn1NU
After a few more rounds, laughter and shouts filled the living room. When the Miko girl finally set down her controller, her breath came lightly. "It’s getting late, I should start cooking. You two keep playing."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIdvpac22z
"No way!" Hinata waved her hands frantically. She didn’t want to get destroyed again by her brother’s merciless combos. So she swapped games, loading up a cute two-player co-op shooter instead. Bright colors flashed across the screen as the siblings worked together this time, dodging bullets and cheering through each stage.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKqZmgPUwC
Meanwhile, the little catgirl sitting on the rug nibbled at her taiyaki. The moment Kouya’s gaze shifted toward her, she froze, let out a soft "meow!" of panic, and scampered off—her tail puffed up like a dandelion.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkGIgAGMh6
By the time they cleared the boss stage, Hinata set her controller down with a satisfied sigh. "Oni-chan, you should play by yourself now. I’ll go help onee-sama cook."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6b7RPdIV14
Kouya smiled faintly. "Let’s go together."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpEo9oVcRG
She beamed. "Yay!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqZMob14j2
The two of them headed toward the back yard kitchen. The scent of miso and fresh vegetables drifted from the open window. Hinata bounded ahead like an eager puppy. "Onee-sama! We’re here to help!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzrm2c89By
The Miko girl turned from the counter, her long black hair swaying with her movement. "Oh? Then wash those vegetables first."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcS7iqgB55D
Hey, I didn’t agree to anything yet! Kouya thought helplessly. What happened to ‘guests just sit and eat’? Since when did I sign up for free labor?119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbyQIIelJs
The kitchen was surprisingly roomy, with warm light spilling across polished counters. The Miko girl wore a white apron over her outfit, perfectly framing her slim waist and graceful posture. The red ribbon tying her hair added a splash of color that made her seem both traditional and lively.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOD355yxLK
"Oni-chan, hurry up!" Hinata urged.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCU7Gv5OZo1
Kouya sighed but smiled, rinsing the vegetables under cold water. As droplets splashed against his fingers, a quiet nostalgia rose inside him.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMcJY4Mi8u
How long had it been since he last shared something as simple as cooking with others?119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLfQxr9gUp
There was a strange warmth to it—a calm rhythm he hadn’t realized he missed.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvctLNWvZs
"Meow wants to help too!" came a timid voice from the doorway.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsCpRJEobP
The catgirl peeked in, clutching her taiyaki with both hands. Her golden eyes darted nervously between them.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlyjfSvTKQ
Kouya turned, arching an eyebrow. "What are you looking at me for?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rS3RCM8rd
"Meow~!" She yelped, crouching and covering her head. "Don’t meow! If you do that, meow will break!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiN8aFuYa1l
Kouya nearly choked with laughter. "What does that even mean?!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FbL9rS5me
He could feel a vein twitching on his forehead. This cat was going to be the death of him.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAYvi4KlSA
The Miko girl hid a small smile behind her sleeve, then her expression turned serious. "Kou-kun, I invited you to lunch partly to thank you for helping us last time—and also because of Rina. Even though she said you could do anything, she’s still a child. You can’t…"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6MIQ3tnZD
Can’t your ass! Kouya groaned inwardly. You’re definitely thinking of something indecent, aren’t you?119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5gxTefwdO
What do I look like to you—a pervert preying on a flat-chested catgirl? That model doesn’t even match up—it’d literally break her!119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxbH8VIeFL
The Miko girl’s cheeks turned pink. She hesitated, then muttered, "Then why do you have those catgirl manga, hmm?" Her tone dripped with suspicion. "Anyway, Rina’s still a kid…"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3I0UD3lQCi
Kouya sighed. Ah, what a noisy wind today.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tj2aj7zMs
...119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5bkvJMQsA
Half an hour later, the aroma of freshly cooked food filled the house.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSDbVFVQKt
Hinata, unable to resist temptation, reached out to snag a piece—only to get flicked sharply on the forehead.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLqdNkpztZ
"No stealing."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugdxWx75WL
"Oww! But onee-sama’s food smells too good! I can’t help it!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkat433rrM
"Wash your hands first, then bring the dishes over," the Miko girl ordered, though her lips curved faintly in amusement.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNHhpVBgyy
The table soon filled with four dishes and one soup—each plate colorful and delicate, the fragrance enough to make anyone’s stomach growl.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xs3Zhixxz
Kouya took a bite and paused in genuine surprise. The taste was refined, balanced—better than Vigne’s cooking, leagues beyond Gabriel’s disasters.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXCxuMjASg
"Oni-chan, is it good?" Hinata asked eagerly.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsymgMAEj8
"It’s amazing," Kouya admitted. "Onee-sama’s got skill."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tcrYVEqym
Hinata puffed up proudly. "Told you! Onee-sama makes the best food in the world!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwar7lD8pz
The Miko girl stayed silent, though her gentle smile deepened.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdnpEtRGSF
After lunch, the group cleaned up together. Hinata soon flopped onto the sofa, turning on a children’s program, her eyes sparkling with childish joy. The Miko girl prepared tea, pouring it into delicate cups and setting them neatly on the low table. Rina quietly padded back into the room, her tail swishing contentedly as she joined them.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSOJ16zclu
The afternoon light filtered through the shoji screens, golden and soft. Dust motes drifted lazily in the air. The house was peaceful, almost dreamlike.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxeK5HORiD
Outside, the sky was crystal clear, the world still and bright. The scent of fallen cherry blossoms lingered faintly in the air.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0pWRtXCjm
Rina, now convinced Kouya wouldn’t actually “break” her, curled up beside Hinata. Her small body relaxed completely as she purred quietly, drifting into sleep.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0HZSmTSK5
The sofa was large enough for everyone to fit comfortably. Kouya leaned back, the warmth of the moment seeping into his bones.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8R8kelgl9d
After a while, just as his eyelids began to droop, something soft and warm pressed against his arm. He turned and saw Hinata asleep, head resting against him, her breathing soft and even.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RQMUAzofJ
Hey, I’m not a pillow!119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGB8J5ZcHd
Weren’t you just wide awake a second ago?119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9q1SSMCU0u
Kouya sighed. Next to her, the catgirl had already dozed off too, her whiskers twitching as she leaned her head against Hinata’s shoulder. Typical cat—daytime naps were sacred.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEia6kJ6yA
He glanced over at the Miko girl.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WXd3NXbbQ
She hadn’t fallen asleep yet, but her eyes were heavy with drowsiness, her head bobbing slightly. A faint smile played across her lips, gentle and serene.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzMvYelg7K
Hey hey, are you really that relaxed around me? I’m still a guest here! What if I suddenly went wild and pushed all three of you down? From the elegant black-haired beauty to the adorable loli to the cat-eared girl—that’d be a legendary triple kill.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1yBQ0AdDj
Kouya chuckled softly, shaking his head. He picked up the remote and lowered the TV’s volume, letting the quiet settle in.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWDjyoa7AZ
Outside, a breeze stirred the trees, scattering petals and sunlight across the garden floor.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPbvXy1nCv
The air was calm.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kD8V0KRpT
And in that stillness, Kouya realized something simple yet rare—that a peaceful afternoon like this could be its own kind of happiness.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwLy0OMlkB
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzr0Bieng0L
1234 copyright protection115ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLF0wtrOCB 尼

216.73.216.67