Recently, Tashiro Kurenai had been making more frequent daytime appearances. She'd drift through the living room, settle into a chair, and simply watch Kuroha and Shinomiya with her chin propped on her hand—like someone admiring a particularly beautiful painting.
Shinomiya felt her cheeks warm under that gaze. She fidgeted slightly, then gathered her courage.
"Um... Kurenai... there's something I'd like to ask..."
"Hmm? Shion-chan, anything. If your big sister can do it, the answer's yes."
Tashiro Kurenai's genuine affection for Shinomiya was obvious. Like Granny Kobayashi, she'd immediately adopted the "-chan" honorific, treating her like a cherished younger sister.
Kuroha's earlier "facial cleanser hug" hadn't been special treatment—Kurenai simply had the personality of an older sister who loved taking care of people. With a mental age approaching forty, she probably viewed them both like beloved nieces and nephews.
"It's just... could I borrow a pair of pants from you?"
"WHAT?!" Kurenai's reaction was theatrical. "Shion-chan, you don't have spare clothes?!"
She leaned forward, incredulous. "I wondered why you always wear that gym uniform—practically a swimsuit! I thought you just liked revealing outfits."
"This outfit is fine..." Shinomiya smiled wryly. "At least it's convenient for movement."
The main reason: Akira-kun likes seeing it.
"It's true I only have two sets right now." She didn't mention that one was her sailor uniform, worn primarily when Kuroha was at school, while she'd change back to gym clothes and white stockings before his return. The intention was... obvious.
"Unacceptable!" Kurenai declared. "A girl needs at least seven different outfits!"
"Seven is too exaggerated—"
"Not exaggerated at all! Seven is the minimum!" Kurenai gestured at her own outfit—high-waisted slim jeans, clean white T-shirt, simple yet stylish. "If I didn't have to wear black skirt suits for work, I'd wear beautiful clothes every day!"
She studied Shinomiya with appraising eyes. "Shion-chan, you're gorgeous. Not having nice outfits wastes your natural beauty..."
A thought struck her. She clapped her hands.
"Let's go buy clothes now!"
"Eh?"
Shinomiya hadn't expected that borrowing pants would trigger Kurenai's maternal instincts. The older woman practically vibrated with enthusiasm—how can MY child dress so shabbily? Shopping trip immediately!
Kurenai grabbed Shinomiya's hand, attempting to drag her toward the door. "Let's go! The mall should still be open!"
Shinomiya barely stopped herself from being pulled upright—which would have exposed the still-wet stain. She quickly withdrew her hand, waving frantically.
"No need, Kurenai! You really don't have to buy me clothes! I don't want you spending money—"
"Why be formal?" Kurenai's eyes sparkled. "Buying clothes for Shion-chan makes your big sister genuinely happy!"
The truth: when she'd first seen Shinomiya, Kurenai had been instantly captivated—like discovering a high-end dress-up doll brought to life. The idea of dressing her in various outfits, posing her different ways, photographing the results... pure bliss.
Now she had an excuse! Buy clothes, enjoy a live fashion show. Money well spent.
"Really, I can't accept—" Shinomiya shook her head firmly. "Akira-kun and I agreed: I'll support myself through my own abilities."
She'd already refused financial help from her father and Granny Kobayashi. Her gym uniform and shoes came through labor exchange. Accepting Kurenai's generosity now would violate that principle.
Kuroha, observing from his laptop, offered commentary.
"Kurenai, you won't persuade her that way. Shion doesn't accept unconditional sponsorship."
Understanding dawned. Kurenai smacked her palm.
"Got it! Then consider this advance investment. I'll buy clothes for Shion-chan now, and when you're rich, you can buy clothes for your big sister. Fair?"
Shinomiya hesitated, then looked to Kuroha for guidance.
He leaned back, hands behind head. "I think it's fine. Just don't buy anything too expensive. And Shion—you really need normal going-out clothes."
Neither sailor uniform nor gym wear worked for casual outings. Fine at home, but strange elsewhere. In Japan, high school girls wandering evenings or weekends in uniform risked being labeled "round pepper girls"—targets for creepy old men.
"Then... thank you, Kurenai." Shinomiya bowed her head in gratitude.
Kurenai immediately pulled her into a hug, stroking her hair. "No need for formalities with me, dear."
"Mm..."
Shinomiya's thoughts drifted. This is exactly what I fantasized about earlier—except the person holding me should be Akira-kun, not Kurenai...
When will I have a chance to be embraced by him?
She glanced at Kuroha, hoping he'd notice her longing.
Kuroha Akira caught Shinomiya's pleading glance and misinterpreted it completely—assuming she needed clothes for going out.
"You can wear my sportswear when you go out, Shion." He gestured at his current long-sleeved tracksuit. "Can't go out in gym clothes, right?"
Meaning he'd have to strip down and hand over his current outfit.
Shinomiya's entire being perked up instantly.
She'd borrowed his washed sportswear before. But now—now she'd get clothes still warm from his body. Clothes carrying his scent.
Not a real hug, but an indirect one... right?
Wearing them would feel like being enveloped by Akira-kun.
She could immerse herself in his scent completely.
How wonderful...
The more she thought, the more excited she became. She nodded vigorously.
Mm!
"Alright, wait a moment. I'll go change."
Kuroha stood to head upstairs, but Tashiro Kurenai called out.
"Why not come with us, Akira-kun? It's nearly dinner time—my treat for everyone."
"Such generosity?" Kuroha raised an eyebrow. "But we're buying clothes for Shion. Can your wallet handle this, Kurenai?"
Tashiro Kurenai flashed a V-sign, grinning proudly. "No worries! I just got paid. Plenty of funds."
"Just us? What about Tsuchikata-san?"
"Probably still asleep at this hour." She tilted her head thoughtfully. "Check on him when you go up. If Tsuchikata-san's awake, bring him along. I'll ask Granny Kobayashi too..." Her smile softened. "Ah, suddenly feels like a family gathering."
Family.
The word hit Kuroha like a gentle punch to the chest.
Because he might never see his birth parents again. Never know if they were safe, if they missed him, if they'd even noticed he was gone.
He glanced at Tashiro Kurenai and caught a flicker of the same loneliness in her expression.
Their eyes met.
Bitter smiles passed between them, then softened into something warmer. Finally, they both laughed—genuine laughter, releasing tension they hadn't realized they'd been carrying.
"Haha... Yeah. I guess it really does feel like that."
"Hehe." Kurenai's eyes crinkled. "We live together now, so we're practically family, right, Shion-chan?"
Mm... yes.
Shinomiya smiled, but it was slightly stiff.
She was certain Tashiro Kurenai harbored no romantic feelings for Kuroha. Yet something special existed between them—and Tsuchikata-san too—that she couldn't quite grasp. Not ordinary tenants thrown together by chance. Something deeper. A bond she couldn't access.
Only I'm out of place...
She recalled Granny Kobayashi's initial refusal to prepare a new room for her. The old woman had clearly understood something about these three that Shinomiya didn't.
Speaking of which...
I know nothing about Akira-kun.
Where he was from. Why he came to Tokyo for school. Why he lived at Kobayashi. Why he was so desperate to make money.
She knew nothing about the person she loved.
Hate it...
I hate this feeling of being excluded.
The realization hit her like cold water. But instead of despair, it ignited something fierce.
She wanted to know more.
Everything.
Every detail, every memory, every piece of information related to Kuroha Akira.
When you truly love someone, you want to understand them completely.
Shinomiya Shion had awakened.