He could only hope that whatever dinner Kotonoha produced would be edible. If it turned out to be a disaster, he was mentally prepared to survive on instant ramen for the night.
"Oh! Are you the Kawashima-sensei my sister was talking about?"
A young girl's voice drifted down from the second floor.
Toya looked up to see a petite girl running down the stairs. She bore a striking resemblance to Kotonoha, though her eyes were filled with a far more mischievous light.
"I'm Katsura Kokoro, Kotonoha's younger sister."
Kokoro looked him up and down, her expression one of pure curiosity.
"No wonder my sister is so fond of you. You're quite handsome, Sensei. And you have a strange aura... it feels very safe being near you."
"My name is Toya. You can just call me Kawashima-sensei," he replied with a polite nod. "Your sister hadn't mentioned she had a sibling."
"Hehe, I know all of my sister's little secrets, Sensei." Kokoro glanced toward Kotonoha's room and grinned like a fox. "Do you want to hear them? I can tell you everything she's been hiding."
I'd rather not. Toya declined without a second's hesitation.
While curiosity was natural, he knew that some secrets were better left buried. If Kotonoha found out he was snooping, her reaction might be more than he cared to handle.
For the sake of his own peace of mind, he suppressed the urge to ask.
Kokoro pouted, looking genuinely disappointed.
"Kawashima-sensei, you're no fun. If you knew her secrets, you could get close to her much faster."
Flick.
"Ow!" Kokoro clutched her forehead, staring at him with teary eyes.
"What was that for, Sensei?"
"You're far too much of a brat. If Kotonoha-san heard you, she'd be furious." Toya kept his tone light but firm.
"You shouldn't go around offering up people's private business like that."
"I'm not a dummy! I wouldn't tell just anyone." Kokoro puffed out her cheeks, then her smile returned.
"It's because you're different. You're approachable, and you aren't annoying like the other boys I know. It feels warm just being around you. So, whether you want to hear them or not, I'm going to tell you eventually!"
Toya sat back on the sofa, watching the girl with an amused expression.
Your sister is standing right behind you.
Kotonoha had already changed into casual clothes and had approached silently.
Her face was a mask of pure embarrassment and simmering rage.
She looked ready to sink into the floor—or perhaps silence the sister who was about to reveal her deepest thoughts.
"Huh?!" Kokoro finally felt the heavy presence looming over her.
"Big sister! When did you get there?"
"I am so sorry, Kawashima-sensei. I haven't raised Kokoro with enough discipline."
With a face as red as a beet, Kotonoha grabbed Kokoro by the collar and began dragging her toward the back rooms.
Toya watched as Kokoro reached out toward him, silently pleading for a rescue. He simply offered a look of mock sympathy and watched them go.
A shame.
To be honest, a part of him had wanted to hear what she had to say. Since he hadn't explicitly asked for the information, it wouldn't have been his fault, right? Unfortunately, Kotonoha's timing had been impeccable.
A few moments later, muffled sounds of a sisterly scolding echoed from down the hall.
Is it really necessary to scream that much? Toya chuckled. If he didn't know they were actually close, he might have felt the need to intervene.
Inside the room, Kokoro looked at her sister pitifully. "Sister, let me go! I promise I won't say a word!"
"There won't be a next time." Kotonoha's face was still burning.
She decided to show mercy, but only because she was on a tight schedule. She needed to prepare dinner and couldn't waste any more time disciplining her sibling.
Shortly after, Kokoro stomped back into the living room and glared at Toya.
"Kawashima-sensei, I'm holding a grudge! This is officially a vendetta!"
"Why a grudge?" Toya asked innocently. "I didn't do anything."
Kokoro huffed. "You just watched while she dragged me away! You didn't even try to help!"
Toya couldn't hide his grin. "The door was closed, Kokoro-chan. My hands were tied. I could only hope your sister would have mercy on your soul."
"You're so mean!" Kokoro fumed, waving her arms. "You're laughing at me! I can see it!"
"I'm really not." Toya tried to maintain a straight face.
No matter how funny this is, I have to keep it together.
"I'm angry now." Kokoro crossed her arms and turned away, giving him the silent treatment.
Toya didn't bother comforting her. He knew the anger of a child rarely lasted more than a few minutes.
Boom!
Before Kokoro could even finish her tantrum, a dull explosion rocked the house, originating from the kitchen.
Did the stove just give out?
Toya immediately stood up and ran toward the kitchen. When he arrived, the scene was chaotic.
A pot had literally split apart, and debris was scattered across the counters. The kitchen looked like a miniature disaster zone.
Kotonoha stood in the center of it, paralyzed by shock.
I knew I shouldn't have let her near the stove.
Toya let out a long sigh of relief that she wasn't hurt.
"Kotonoha-san, are you alright?"
"I... I'm okay," she replied, her voice tiny and full of regret. "I'm so sorry, Sensei. I wanted to make a nice meal, but I ruined everything."
"As long as you aren't injured, it's fine," Toya reassured her. "Why don't you focus on cleaning this up? I'll handle the actual cooking."
"I can't let you do that! You're the guest. How could I let you work?"
"And if I don't, are you going to try again?" Toya teased. "The kitchen survived one explosion. A second round might take down the whole block."
The first blast had already done enough damage. If a gas line went next, he and the sisters might actually be sent into orbit.
Kokoro ran into the room, her expression full of agreement.
"Sensei is right! You can't let her continue! Don't let her fool you with that 'perfect lady' act. My sister is a total disaster in the kitchen. When Mom is away, we either eat at school or order out. The only thing she can actually make without causing a fire is lemon tea!"
"Kokoro...!" Kotonoha quickly covered her sister's mouth before any more embarrassing secrets could be revealed.
Toya grabbed an apron and began checking the fridge for ingredients. Kotonoha, accepting her defeat, began tidying the debris.
Beside her, Toya began to work. His knife skills were fluid and precise, moving with a speed that felt more like a performance than a chore. The display left both sisters staring in stunned silence.
Kokoro was the first to speak, clapping her hands. "Wow! Kawashima-sensei, you're amazing! I wonder which girl is going to be lucky enough to keep you one day."