"Kokoro-chan, I'm home."
Using her key to open the door, Katsura Kotonoha called into the apartment.
"Ah! Onii-chan~!"
The next second, a small, adorable loli shot out like a little cannonball—straight into Hayashi Maki's arms behind Kotonoha.
"Hehe, Onii-chan, you finally came to see me again!"
Katsura Kokoro rubbed her cheek against his stomach, her face full of delight.
Kotonoha puffed her cheeks a little when she saw her little sister clinging to Hayashi Maki like that.
"Kokoro-chan, do you even see your big sister anymore? The second Onii-chan walks in, you latch onto him."
"Ehehe, of course I have my dear sister in my heart too! It's just that it's rare for Onii-chan to come over."
Kokoro quickly let go of Hayashi Maki's waist and switched to hugging her sister's arm, swaying it and acting spoiled.
Kotonoha couldn't do much about her and just patted the girl's head as they stepped into the entryway.
Hayashi Maki naturally followed them inside and casually closed the door behind him.
He sat down on the sofa like he was already familiar with the place.
Kokoro's eyes lit up and she immediately ran over.
First she handed him a glass of juice, and after he thanked her and took it, she hopped straight into his lap.
She sat there snugly in his arms, her small body leaning back against his chest.
Hayashi Maki certainly wasn't going to refuse such a cute little loli.
He ruffled her hair and took a sip of juice.
Kokoro happily kicked her slender legs back and forth, face glowing with joy.
"Hey, Onii-chan, did you miss Kokoro-chan?"
She rubbed the back of her head against him, then looked up at him expectantly.
"Of course I did. That's why I'm here, isn't it?"
Hayashi Maki bent down and kissed her cheek with a warm smile.
Kokoro immediately covered the spot he'd kissed, her eyes curving into crescents as she giggled and burrowed against his chest again.
Kotonoha came out wearing an apron.
A blue apron wrapped around her curvy figure; her angelic face held a gentle smile.
The apron was pulled tight by her chest, highlighting just how stunning she was as a beautiful girl.
A fair-skinned, soft-tempered little "home chef" stood before him, and Hayashi Maki couldn't help giving her a thumbs-up.
"That apron suits you, Kotonoha. You look super pretty."
"Thank you."
Kotonoha ducked her head shyly and thanked him.
"Um, Kokoro-chan, stop clinging to Maki-kun and come help. He's staying for dinner tonight."
Kokoro rolled her eyes. She'd only just pounced on him to get her fill of cuddles and now she was already being chased off.
But she knew better than anyone how dangerous her sister's cooking could be. If she didn't keep an eye on it, who knew what kind of dark cuisine might appear.
So Kokoro reluctantly slid off Hayashi Maki's lap.
"Got it, I'm coming."
After pulling Kokoro away, Kotonoha smiled apologetically at Hayashi Maki.
"Sorry, I might be a bit busy for a while. If you're bored, you can watch TV, or lie down in my room and rest. I'll come get you when dinner's ready."
"Sure, I'll be looking forward to tonight's cooking."
Hayashi Maki nodded with a grin and headed straight for Kotonoha's room.
He lay down on her bed, which still held her faint fragrance, and let out a contented sigh.
Kotonoha, under Kokoro's guidance, focused on cooking.
However…
When a plate of slightly charred vegetables landed on the dish, Kokoro pressed a tiny hand to her forehead and sighed like a little adult.
"Big sis, you overdid the heat again!"
Kotonoha lowered her head in embarrassment.
"Sorry… I really am no good at this."
"You silly big sis, don't get discouraged!" Kokoro rushed to comfort her. "Compared to last time, you're already doing way better, aren't you?"
"Even if it looks a little burnt, it still tastes okay! Next I'll teach you how to make soup—that one definitely won't burn."
"Mm, I'll do my best!"
Kotonoha's fighting spirit flared back up.
She knew full well that her cooking skill and Shina Mahiru's were worlds apart.
But even so, she wanted to learn to cook.
That way, she'd be able to make bento for Hayashi Maki someday.
She wanted to show him her feelings, so she was absolutely going to put her heart into it.
Mahiru had even secretly shared some tips with her.
Today was Kotonoha's first time really putting them into practice. She was a bit nervous, but with Kokoro's help, she managed to get through it.
Before long, three dishes and a soup were finished.
Aside from the first plate of greens that got a bit burnt due to misjudging the heat, the other two dishes looked and smelled great.
Kokoro tasted them and nodded in approval.
"Big sis, not bad! I feel like we can entrust family meals to you from now on."
Kotonoha was happy, but shook her head.
"You don't have to flatter me. If you taste carefully, yours is still better, Kokoro-chan."
"Anyway, the food's ready. Go wake Maki-kun."
"No problem!" Kokoro answered energetically and zipped out of the kitchen.
Entering her sister's room, she saw Hayashi Maki lying on Kotonoha's bed looking perfectly relaxed.
Kokoro puffed her cheeks and leaned in to whisper in his ear.
"Time to get up, Onii-chan!"
Hayashi Maki opened his eyes and smiled at the bright, bubbly girl in front of him.
"Alright, I'm up."
With that, he slid an arm under her and scooped her up as he stood, carrying her out of the room.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, grinning from ear to ear, clearly loving the attention.
After he sat down at the table, Hayashi Maki took in the meal in front of him, feeling his chest warm.
Kotonoha sat across from him, sneaking a nervous glance his way before looking down again.
"The greens got a little burnt…"
"Haha, it's fine. I can feel all the love you put into it."
"Alright then, I'll dig in!"
"Please do, and don't hold back!" Kotonoha said with a small smile, watching him expectantly.
Hayashi Maki picked up a leaf of the slightly charred greens, popped it into his mouth, and chewed it with some rice.
He nodded in satisfaction.
"The flavor's actually pretty good, and the salt is just right. Mhm, this one's great too!"
He ate enthusiastically while offering genuine praise, using his actions to show respect for Kotonoha's cooking.
You couldn't waste a girl's feelings like that.
"As long as you like it."
Seeing him eat so happily, Kotonoha's nerves finally eased. Her face softened into a bright, relieved smile.
After dinner, Hayashi Maki sat on the sofa, rubbing his stomach contentedly.
Kokoro curled up at his side, resting against him, smiling sweetly now and then.
He gently stroked the little loli's hair, quietly indulging her.
Kotonoha, having finished washing the dishes, stepped out of the kitchen.
By then, Hayashi Maki was already in Kokoro's room, sitting on a chair and helping her with her homework.
~~~
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