Chapter 68: Dinner at the Aragaki Residence
"Why didn't I notice him before?"
In the afternoon, at the Aragaki Residence, after the series of events that had just occurred, the atmosphere was still slightly awkward (at least according to Aragaki Takiya's own judgment). Consequently, the Living Room fell into silence, though Shiina Mahiru took this opportunity to constantly steal glances at Aragaki Takiya out of the corner of her eye.
Thanks to the Suspension Bridge Effect, Shiina Mahiru was currently filled with goodwill toward Aragaki Takiya, and then there was the connection through Shiina Kaede... "If it's him, it probably wouldn't be impossible..."
Thinking of this, the young girl's earlobes turned slightly red. Meanwhile, Aragaki Takiya, sitting not far from her, was on a completely different wavelength from Shiina Mahiru.
"Let me think, if a female friend comes to visit, what should the host do?"
At this moment, Aragaki Takiya wasn't thinking about romantic feelings at all. He was currently distressed about what to do to avoid the two of them just sitting there indefinitely. The first thing he thought of was to look for examples from his past experiences.
Let him think, the first time a girl came to his house (Children don't count)... it should have been Kato.
Kato Megumi's figure suddenly surfaced in Aragaki Takiya's mind. It was during their first club activity, and then... "No, I remember the first time Kato came over, she just played with Moeha. That clearly won't work..."
Aragaki Takiya didn't dare try that approach. No matter how obedient Aragaki Moeha was, he didn't intend to let Aragaki Moeha and Shiina Mahiru have too much contact. After all, there were many complicated matters involved, especially regarding that aspect... "Wait, where are my thoughts going?"
Feeling his thoughts sinking deeper and deeper, Aragaki Takiya shook his head. However, he suddenly remembered that Shiina Mahiru's cup had just been knocked over, and it seemed he hadn't brought her a new one yet.
"That's right, instead of thinking about all that nonsense, I should focus on doing the task at hand..."
Having figured this out, Aragaki Takiya slowly breathed a sigh of relief and began to take action.
In the Living Room, Aragaki Takiya's sudden rise caught the attention of Shiina Mahiru nearby. However, after noticing him walking to the side, she pursed her lips and didn't say anything more.
A short while later.
A freshly brewed cup of Hot Cocoa was placed in front of Shiina Mahiru.
"?!"
The sudden Hot Cocoa startled Shiina Mahiru, but she quickly realized that Aragaki Takiya had prepared it for her, and she hurriedly said thank you.
"But Shiina seems like Eriri and Kasumigaoka Senpai; she has two different states inside and outside of school."
After responding to Shiina Mahiru's thanks, Aragaki Takiya calmed down and began to observe this "Angel" of the school beside him. How should he put it? Compared to her perfect "Angel" persona at school, he felt the current Shiina Mahiru was a bit better.
"Brother, has someone else arrived?"
Perhaps the movement in the Living Room attracted the attention of the two Little ones in the Bedroom. Shiina Kaede chose to come out to investigate. However, when she saw the person sitting on the sofa, all her doubts turned into joy.
"Sister!!!"
Upon seeing Shiina Mahiru, Shiina Kaede pounced directly into her arms, her joy beyond words. It was also this pounce from Shiina Kaede that directly dispersed the remaining bad mood in Shiina Mahiru's heart.
"It's so good to see you, Kaede~"
Shiina Mahiru hugged the Little one in her arms tightly. She felt as if all her unhappiness was drifting away from her, along with her mother's disdain and her father's malice.
But none of that was important now, because her most precious treasure had come to her side.
"They really do look like mother and daughter; I actually thought they were sisters before..."
Looking at the two girls hugging each other, Aragaki Takiya felt a touch of warmth in his own heart.
How should he put it? He didn't like seeing others shed tears. Perhaps out of pity, or perhaps for some other reason, but the sight of Shiina Mahiru crying just now had made him feel very uncomfortable. Especially given the connection through Shiina Kaede, he hoped to see a smile on her face even more.
"Fortunately, I told Kaede beforehand not to expose this matter, otherwise it would have been really hard to handle."
Aragaki Takiya couldn't help but sigh in his heart. He remembered that matter he had been worrying about: two daughters of different ages, and in both their accounts, he loved their mother. No matter how you looked at it, it seemed like a fantasy, yet it had happened to him.
"Alright, Kaede, let's go home. Sister will make you something delicious at home."
Shiina Mahiru couldn't help but pinch Shiina Kaede's cheek, but she couldn't help mentioning going home.
After all, it was getting late, and it was already time for dinner. Although she and Aragaki Takiya had established a friendship, they weren't close enough to have dinner at his house yet.
"Go home??"
Shiina Kaede blinked her eyes. She hadn't expected her mother to suddenly suggest going home. While she didn't dislike being at home, she... she looked at Aragaki Takiya nearby.
She didn't want to go back now!
"I have to do something..."
Shiina Kaede racked her brain for a reason to stay. Her gaze swept around randomly and then met Aragaki Takiya's gaze.
"That's right, I can let Daddy help me think of a way!"
Thinking of this, Shiina Kaede quickly winked her small eyes at Aragaki Takiya.
"What's this? Did something get in her eye?"
Watching Shiina Kaede blinking repeatedly, Aragaki Takiya had no idea what was happening. In his innocence, he thought something had gotten into her eye.
"What's wrong, Kaede?"
Seeing that Shiina Kaede didn't respond to her, a touch of panic couldn't help but appear in Shiina Mahiru's heart.
"Could it be that situation where she's about to disappear again, like last time?"
"It's nothing, Sister. It's just that I just remembered, Aragaki-nii seemed to say at noon today that he wanted us to stay for dinner."
Shiina Kaede replied while blinking her eyes.
"Stay for dinner? But wouldn't that be too much trouble?"
Hearing Shiina Kaede's words, Shiina Mahiru felt a bit of hesitation. On one hand, she did want to stay, not only because of her feelings for Aragaki Takiya but also because of Shiina Kaede.
Because of the issue where she almost disappeared last time, Shiina Mahiru had paid special attention to this aspect since then. Staying now would undoubtedly stabilize Shiina Kaede's body in reality, at least so she wouldn't disappear like last time. However, out of a girl's reserve, she didn't want to trouble him too much.
"It's fine, Brother said at noon today..."
Shiina Kaede hadn't finished her sentence, but she had already spoken the key words.
Yes, she specifically emphasized the word "noon."
"Kaede is right. Since you brought a bento over last time, Shiina, why don't you stay for dinner this time? Think of it as a return gift. It's perfectly fine."
Listening to Shiina Kaede's words, Aragaki Takiya naturally knew she wanted to stay for dinner. He had no reason to refuse this, and since he had asked her to help hide their relationship, he might as well consider this a thank-you gift.
"Then I'll help too..."
Hearing Aragaki Takiya agree, Shiina Mahiru couldn't refuse again. After all, she had vaguely guessed Shiina Kaede's thoughts, and she didn't feel averse to it. For her, this was something she would experience in the future anyway, so getting used to it early was actually better.
Loving Book So Far Check Out 40+ Chapters In Advanced At Pa Treon:
patreon.com/FictionsTL