"Are you sure you’re not coming with us, Nee-san?" I asked as she walked us to the door, her cheeks were still a little flushed from the intimacy we just shared.
"... Why? You have a girl in each arm already. Let just... wait here. I’ll prepare the kitchen for you." Anzu-nee answered while trying to smooth down her slightly rumpled blouse, the faint flush on her cheeks betraying everything we’d just done.
She crossed her arms under her chest again, pushing those curves up in a way that made it hard not to stare, but her eyes were soft when they t mine. A little wistful, like she really wanted to co but knew better than to crowd Ria’s day.
“Make sure everything’s ready when you get back with the ingredients."
Eimi, standing beside her with a grocery list already clutched in one hand, rolled her eyes playfully. "Nee-san, you’re just saying that because you’re still recovering. Ruki got you good, huh?"
Anzu-nee’s face went nuclear red as she reached over to lightly smack Eimi’s arm. "Eimi! Watch your mouth. As if I were the only one who got that treatnt."
Ria, tucked securely under my left arm with her small hand gripping my shirt like she owned , tilted her head up with that mischievous little smile. "Right. Dumb-senpai didn’t neglect any of us."
Anzu-nee opened her mouth, closed it, then let out this helpless laugh, reaching over to ruffle Ria’s hair again. "You’re dangerous too, Ria-chan. That brat is dood if he ever hurts you."
"Mhm. But he won’t hurt anymore." Ria nodded before her lips curved into a teasing smile, "Still, he’s so greedy, he needs to be scolded from ti to ti. Help out on that, Big Sis Anzu."
“I sure will!”
Anzu-nee watched us for a second longer, that soft smile lingering as she leaned against the doorfra. "Have fun. Don’t let these two corrupt you too much, Ria-chan."
"Too late," Ria chirped, sticking her tongue out playfully. "Dumb-senpai already did that last year."
Anzu-nee shook her head, laughing quietly as she waved us off. "Go. Before I change my mind and drag him back inside."
The threat was empty, but the way her eyes lingered on said she wasn’t entirely joking.
With that, we stepped out into the warm morning sun. Ria clung to my left while Eimi was on my right.
"Uhm, Ruki. Birthday girl gets to call all the shots today? I don’t mind it." Eimi said after a minute, voice light but curious as she glanced at Ria.
Ria tilted her head up at , her assessing gaze softening into sothing warr. "Thank you, Sister Eimi but you don’t have to be reserved. I’m only tagging along with Dumb-senpai. Do what you usually do with him.”
Eimi’s eyes sparkled with playful glint as she looped her arm through my free one, pressing close enough that I could feel the soft warmth of her body against my side.
“Really? You’re giving full permission, Ria-chan?” She asked, voice sweet but with that teasing edge she always used when she was about to push boundaries. “Because what I usually do with Ruki involves a lot of clinging, stealing kisses in the snack aisle, and making him carry all the heavy bags while I pick out desserts.”
Well, thinking about it, that’s truly what we were doing, except she’s more reserved than what she just described.
In any case, Ria didn’t even blink. She just tilted her head up and smiled, “Go ahead, Sister Eimi. I want to see everything.”
Eimi laughed, bright and genuine, leaning in to press a quick kiss to my cheek. “You’re too tolerant, Ria-chan. I like you already. Let’s gang up on Ruki properly, shall we? He’s dood.”
I exhaled a helpless laugh, feeling the weight of both of them tucked against my sides as we walked down the street. “Dood, huh? Sounds about right. But if this is my punishnt for being greedy, I’ll take it.”
“Good. Because I’m not done being spoiled yet. You promised to carry if my legs get tired, rember?”
“And you promised not to make look like a total idiot in public,” I shot back, but the grin tugging at my lips ruined any attempt at sternness.
Eimi snorted, bumping her hip against mine. “Too late for that. You’re already carrying two girls’ worth of attention. People are staring.”
Let them stare. I didn’t care.
When we finally reached the supermarket, the automatic doors slid open with a cheerful ding, cool air and the faint scent of fresh bread washing over us.
Ria paused just inside, looking around with that wide-eyed curiosity she rarely let show.
Eimi pulled a cart, already heading toward the produce section. I also did the sa and followed after her with Ria acting like a cute and obedient little sister. Of course, when no one was looking, she’d be more affectionate than Eimi, who was busy picking from the fresh produce.
After going through our list, filling more than half of our carts with ingredients for tonight’s dinner and whatever desserts Akane had ssaged to grab, Eimi paused in the snack aisle, tapping her chin like she was making a life-or-death decision.
“The chocolates from last ti...” She muttered as she gave a look as though she was rembering that ti we bought a box of alcoholic chocolates.
“Nope. Not today, Eimi. Besides, Anzu-nee will scold us. You two cannot even eat more than one of them without getting tipsy.”
“Pfft. I know. I just thought... of making chocolates for you today. It’s still far from Valentines which is... also your birthday. I missed it this year and I doubt you celebrated with the others. Am I right, Ria-chan?”
“Yeah. You’re right, Sister Eimi. He already cut most of us off last February. I had no idea who he spent that ti with.” Ria grinned as she tilted her head. The glint in her eyes told she wanted to pry an answer from my mouth, no matter what.
But, well, as she said, I already cut most of them. And I wasn’t one to celebrate my birthday. So, there was no celebration to be had. Maybe except the cake and chocolates that Akane left in front of our door that night.
“Co on, it’s your birthday today, Ria. Not mine.”
“Eh... But I like Sister Eimi’s idea. We haven’t given you chocolates back then, we’ll do it today! Let’s call up Sister Akane too!”
Without waiting for to react, she already brought out her phone and called Akane.
The call connected almost instantly. Ria didn’t even bother with pleasantries.
“Sister Akane! We’re at the supermarket. Bring everyone who can co. We’re making chocolates for Dumb-senpai’s late birthday and valentines gift. It’s part of my birthday wish!”
I could hear Akane’s bright laugh through the speaker, followed by her voice saying, “Great job, Ria! I’m coming over to Eimi’s house. See you there! Oh. And tell husband not to say no.”
“I can hear you. How can I refuse if all of you tead up like this?” I chid in, which made all three of them giggle in satisfaction.
“There we have it, stay here, Ruki. Ria-chan and I will have to pick the ingredients ourselves, so it’ll be a surprise.” Eimi bead, her eyes sparkling with that familiar mix of excitent and mischief as she grabbed Ria’s hand, tugging her toward the baking aisle like they’d been best friends for years.
“Don’t peek when we’re at the counter later!” Eimi added, “This is top-secret birthday mission stuff. You stay here and guard the cart like a good boyfriend.”
Ria glanced back at over her shoulder, smiling smugly as she let Eimi drag her away. “Behave, Dumb-senpai. No following us. We’ll return to you in a minute.”
I raised both hands in surrender as I leaned against the cart with an exaggerated sigh. “Fine, fine. I’ll be obedient. Go plot your chocolate takeover in peace.”
The two of them disappeared around the corner, their giggles echoing faintly down the aisle as they whispered about flavors and fillings. I could already imagine the chaos waiting for back at Eimi’s house while I was preparing our lunch.
But could they really hide it from ? We were going to use the sa kitchen.
Ah. I guess they’ll find a way to distract . Besides, I won’t openly try to spoil the surprise they are about to make.
Sohow, it’s becoming a more special day for than for Ria.
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