*Note: this is a R-18 chapter so if you want to read it... suscribe to my patreon. Link at the end of the chapter.
...
Back with the lovely couple…
"…Now every day of my life is filled with laughter, fun, and even love. I've never been this happy before. So even though you're grateful to us, we're also grateful to you for appearing in our lives. Who knows what would have become of us without you by our side. For that and so much more, thank you," Mikan said with a sweet smile.
Akira looked at her somewhat surprised. It seemed Mikan's feelings were much deeper and more serious than he had thought… Could it all be because of how mature she is? Now that he thought about it, weren't Mikan and Kari unusually mature for their age? Was this normal for kids born in this generation, or were they special? Obviously, we already know the answer to that question.
After those beautiful words, the relationship between them improved greatly, and the invisible barrier that still remained between them disappeared without a trace, dissolving into nothing, never to return.
From then on, the date became much more harmonious. There was no longer any restraint between them. They were like a newlywed couple madly in love who would never lie to each other. Even the couples around them couldn't help but glance at them for a moment because of the romantic atmosphere the two had created. However… everyone thought they were siblings. After all, the boy looked like a teenager no older than 16, and the girl looked like an elementary school student. It was impossible for them to be in a relationship, and even if they were, knowing that society would consider their relationship taboo — even criminal — they surely wouldn't flirt openly where everyone could see them. So no couple even considered that possibility. They simply thought they were a very close brother-and-sister pair who had come to spend the day together. After a while, everyone went back to minding their own business, ignoring the "siblings" who were having such a good time.
…
The day passed quickly, and night arrived in the blink of an eye. Soon the sun gave way to the moon.
Tonight was a full moon, perfect for couples who hadn't finished their dates yet. The full moon always gave off an air of mystery and romance that made dates even more romantic.
{Note: That's just my opinion. Everyone can draw their own conclusions.}
And it was the same for the sweet couple walking hand in hand. As expected, going to a hotel was completely impossible due to Mikan's young age. If Mikan were taller, she could have passed for a teenager thanks to her mature behavior, but unfortunately, Mikan's height clearly gave away her age. So they couldn't go to a hotel unless Akira wanted to get arrested and thrown in jail. Luckily, Mikan had a Plan B.
"What do you mean I have to sleep outside?" a voice said.
Mikan was on the phone with her brother Rito.
"I'm having a sleepover with my friends and I don't want you here," Mikan said.
"Um… what if I promise to lock myself in my room and not bother anyone?" Rito asked.
"No. It's a girls-only night. I don't want any boys in the house. But don't worry, you can come back tomorrow at lunchtime. I'll make you a delicious meal as compensation," Mikan said calmly.
"But… where am I supposed to go?" Rito asked, sounding helpless.
"You can go with Saruyama-kun," Mikan suggested.
"Uh… Saruyama took advantage of these holidays to visit his grandmother in the countryside with his parents, so they're not home," Rito said.
And it wasn't a lie. Because of that, he had spent the whole day at the mall, at least until it closed and he had to leave. And now Mikan was telling him he had to leave again?
"Then go to a hotel. There's plenty of money where you know. Grab some and spend the night at a hotel, but I don't want to see you when I get home in 20 minutes," Mikan said.
After that, Mikan hung up the phone, leaving Rito on the verge of tears. Mikan was kicking him out of the house again just so she could be alone with her boyfriend doing… adult things!
"Why do I have to leave my own house just because Mikan brings her boyfriend over? Couldn't I just stay in my room without coming out or bothering them?" Rito wondered.
But after thinking about it carefully, he shook his head.
"No… who knows if they'll have… intimate relations. I simply couldn't bear hearing my little sister's moans!" Rito told himself.
A truly brave older brother would have stood up to Akira. Unfortunately, Rito wasn't brave. He was just a good person — maybe too good — and that's why Mikan took advantage of his kindness to do whatever she wanted with him.
"Although technically Mikan doesn't know that I know she has a boyfriend…" Rito said to himself.
He was right, but Rito believed Mikan was doing this to hide her relationship with Akira, and that if she knew he was aware of it… she probably wouldn't treat him like this. It could only be said that Rito was too innocent in this regard.
"I know maybe I should do something. After all, Mikan is too young for that, but… she's so happy and I don't want to be the one to ruin her happiness. I've already been selfish enough," Rito sighed.
Before, Mikan seemed gloomy and didn't smile much, but ever since she started being with Akira, the old Mikan had returned. Now she was happy, humming while doing housework, always with a smile on her face. Even her attitude toward him was better, at least as long as he didn't interrupt her time with Akira. Added to the fact that for years he had slacked off while Mikan handled all the household chores… he simply couldn't and didn't want to meddle in her affairs.
"Besides, if Akira treated her badly… she wouldn't be this happy," Rito sighed.
Now she had more friends, she was happy, and she had a boyfriend. She had everything, and she had already suffered enough over the years. She didn't deserve for him to try to ruin her relationship, because not only would he fail, but Mikan would hate him if he tried, and he definitely didn't want that.
With nothing else he could do, Rito took the money Mikan had carefully left prepared for him, grabbed some things like food, pajamas, clothes, etc., and headed straight to the nearest hotel.
"Should I tell her that our parents are coming for Christmas or keep it as a surprise?" Rito wondered.
And while thinking about what the future held for him, Rito went to the nearest hotel. He needed to rest and think… about all kinds of things.
…
With Akira and Mikan.
The happy couple, hand in hand, arrived at Mikan's house where all the lights were completely off — a sign that no one was home, at least at first glance.
"Akira, let me take a look to make sure my idiot brother left like I told him," Mikan said.
"Alright, I'll hide around here while you check," I nodded.
"Okay, I won't take long. Don't worry!" Mikan nodded.
After Akira hid, Mikan entered the house to check if Rito had left.
"Why do I feel like I'm doing something wrong?" Akira wondered as he hid among some bushes.
After thoroughly checking the house and entering every room, Mikan confirmed that Rito had indeed listened to her and left the house, leaving it completely empty. Once verified, Mikan quickly went down to get Akira.
"Akira, there's no one here. You can come in," Mikan said.
"Good," Akira nodded.