Chapter 95

Anyone could tell from that tone that he wasn't being sincere.

"I'm sorry, I misspoke. I apologize."

"... Do you really know you were wrong?" She turned her face back.

"Okay, I'll take you with me next time. Let me do my best this time."

"Mo~ I really can't do anything with Sister Asahi, I understand." Her anger seemed like it could be extinguished with a wisp of mist.

"But if you're naughty again next time, I'm going to play a prank on you!"

"... By the way, what kind of prank was it?" She raised an eyebrow, full of curiosity.

"Uh... Well... for example, putting an extra tea bag in the tea I make for you, so that it tastes bitter!" Shiina Mahiru thought for a moment, then gave an example.

"Actually, I have a high tolerance for the bitterness of tea."

"Then, next time before you come, I'll prepare a huge bouquet of flowers to give you a surprise!"

"If I actually did that, I'd probably be very happy."

"Then we'll stock up on lots of snacks in the fridge and cupboards, so you'll be stuffed next time you come!"

"That means I can save time cooking, which is great!"

"..."

"..."

She tried hard to think of ways to frighten her, but the examples she could come up with were all too mild, or rather, too cute.

After resolving this pitifully minor squabble, Ogura Asahi smiled, patted her hair, and, amidst her shy expression, returned to the kitchen.

It took nearly two hours, and now, at the small dining table in the apartment room...

"How was it?" Ogura Asahi asked, looking at Shiina Mahiru across the table.

"..." Faced with the table overflowing with a variety of delicious foods, Shiina Mahiru, despite her intelligence, could only stare blankly at the table.

"... It looks delicious. I never expected Sister Asahi to be such a great cook. You truly deserve it." After sitting there for a while, she finally exclaimed in admiration.

"But isn't this too much? Even with dinner, the two of us can't possibly finish it all."

There were about ten different dishes and soups on the table, including traditional Japanese dishes such as char siu, potato croquettes, and miso soup, as well as Chinese dishes like braised pork belly, cola chicken wings, and stewed cabbage and tofu. There were even Western dishes like double-cooked steak and cream of mushroom soup!

Everything looked and smelled delicious. Although I haven't eaten it yet, I'm sure Shiina Mahiru will taste great.

The table was laden with a dazzling array of delicious dishes. Considering she only knew a few simple home-style fare, the difference in their culinary skills became immediately apparent. She was now completely convinced: the other person's cooking was probably even superior to hers...

Not only does she surpass me in appearance, height, career, fashion sense, and maturity, but even her culinary skills, which she is quite proud of despite her modesty, are utterly outmatched?

Although she excels in sports and academics, I always felt that she might not be a match for her opponent in those areas. Is this really Sister Asahi...? No wonder she's the sister I've taken in!

Isn't someone who's perfect in every way better than you the best candidate to be an older sister and a role model?

She shifted her gaze from the food to the admiring, high-ponytailed woman in the apron who exuded a domestic charm and possessed a cool, aloof demeanor.

"Well... if we really can't finish it, we'll just have to throw it away." Ogura Asahi also realized that she might have gone too far.

It's rare for her to show off her skills, and perhaps she was too excited, or maybe she wanted to show off in front of Shiina Mahiru, so she Kokoro made too much.

"That would be such a waste! Besides, I don't think wasting food is right!" Shiina Mahiru retorted, staring longingly at the dining table.

Despite not being short of money due to her family background, she is actually a thrifty, good-natured, and frugal girl.

"What should we do then? Let me make it clear beforehand that we probably won't be eating here tonight."

"Huh? Is that so?"

"After all, you're going to my house, right? I can't let you sit there all afternoon and come back on an empty stomach, can I?"

"Then... I'll do my best!"

She furrowed her brows, her sharp gaze fixed on the dining table. The dishes that had just been emitting an enticing aroma now seemed like adversaries she would fight to the death against.

"Take it easy, like eating at a buffet, just a little of everything, don't overeat." Seeing her like this, Ogura Asahi shook his head and advised.

Although, she herself was the culprit behind this phenomenon.

"Then, let's begin our meal."

"I'm starting!"

Half an hour later,

Shiina Mahiru slowly and laboriously picked up a chicken wing, her fingertips trembling slightly as she put it into her mouth.

What was once a tender, juicy, and fragrant delicacy now seems to have turned into a shriveled chicken breast that tastes bland and tasteless.

Although it still stimulated her taste buds to secrete saliva the moment it entered her mouth, the intense surge of stomach acid forced her to constantly suppress her physiological instinct to vomit.

"Don't force yourself to eat if you can't; it's bad for your health."

Sitting opposite her, Ogura Asahi rested her elbows on the table and her hands on her cheeks, quietly watching her eat.

She had long since stopped eating; these were just simple home-cooked dishes she'd whipped up, enough to fill her stomach.

Compared to that, watching Shiina Mahiru go from having starry eyes and enjoying herself at the beginning to turning pale and forcing herself to eat is much more interesting than eating herself.

"Uh, well, let's do it this way, I'm sorry..."

Upon hearing this, Shiina Mahiru finally stopped her self-destructive eating, slowly put down her chopsticks, and clasped her Hands together.

As expected, despite her efforts, more than half of the delicious food on the table was still left uneaten.

"Then it's time to wash the dishes. Although I feel sorry for the farmers, I guess we'll just have to throw these away." Ogura Asahi stood up, ready to collect the dishes.

"It's a pity, but there's nothing we can do... I'll help you!"

Shiina Mahiru slowly got up, helped her clear away the dishes, and wiped the table.

Her rounded belly was slightly swollen, and although it wasn't nice to say it like that, in Ogura Asahi's eyes, she looked a bit like a woman two months pregnant... She tried hard to suppress the smile on her face and not make a mocking expression.

"Ugh~ I'm so full, I can't move at all."

"Who told you to eat so much?"

"It's because Sister Asahi's cooking is just so delicious, I simply couldn't resist!"

"Thank you for the compliment." Ogura Asahi waved and bowed gracefully on the spot to express his gratitude.

"Mo..."

After washing more than a dozen pots and pans thoroughly and wiping them dry with a sterilized clean cloth, the two returned to the living room and leaned back on the sofa, enjoying the brief tranquility brought on by the post-dinner lethargy.

Shiina Mahiru picked up her teacup, sipping the Green tea that Ogura Asahi had brewed with tea leaves she had just bought at the supermarket to cleanse her palate. Her expression was wistful as she murmured to herself, "..."

"Sister Asahi is really amazing! Even her tea-making is so good. This is the first time I've ever tasted tea like this."

"If you're interested, I'll teach you the techniques next time," Ogura Asahi replied casually, taking a sip of tea.

"Really?! I want to learn, thank you!"

But Shiina Mahiru didn't seem to realize this; instead, she was quite interested.

However, it's not a big deal.

"Yes, if you're interested, I can teach you anytime."

The two spent some more precious time on the sofa. Perhaps because she had eaten too much at noon and was feeling sleepy, Shiina Mahiru gradually fell into quiet and began to breathe softly and rhythmically.

"Waaah~~"

Her sleeping face, framed by caramel-colored hair, Shizukawaii. Her body, which had fallen onto the sofa, was slightly curled up like a small, huddled animal, occasionally emitting soft whimpers.

Although she was completely unguarded and could basically do whatever he wanted to her—such as touching her hair and rubbing her face—no one knew that Sakurakoji Talent was not that kind of person, so he was just observing.

After admiring what might be the cutest little animals in the world for a while, Ogura Asahi took out her phone, scrolled through her contacts, and skillfully found Ichiji Hoshika.

Boss, I'm sorry again!

It's obvious I won't have time to go to Starry's place tonight.

After a long while, Shiina Mahiru slowly opened her eyes. Realizing that she had actually fallen asleep, she quickly opened her eyes and looked around.

Seeing that Ogura Asahi was still there, she breathed a sigh of relief.

But immediately, she realized something was wrong; she seemed to be resting her head on the other person's lap!

Thinking of this, she immediately rolled to her feet and scrambled to the side.

What on earth happened? How did I end up falling asleep with my head on Sister Asahi's lap?!

Did I roll onto her while sleeping because I'm a terrible sleeper?

Upon realizing this, her face flushed red and her eyes welled up with tears.

Oh no, this is so embarrassing! How am I going to explain this to Sister Asahi?!

Looking at Ogura Asahi, who seemed to be asleep as well, she looked flustered, her delicate body trembling with shyness.

Volume 1: The Daily Life of Attracting Bees and Butterflies: Chapter 129 Bringing Shiina Mahiru Back to the Sakura Mansion

But soon, she was drawn to her profile as she leaned back on the sofa, dozing with her eyes closed.

Her long, white, translucent eyelashes shimmered in the light, her perfect profile resembled a meticulously carved piece of jade, and her long hair cascaded naturally from her shoulders, smooth and flowing like silk.

Her figure is impeccable; even now, sitting and sleeping, she is peaceful and serene, showing no signs of ugliness.

She gradually became mesmerized, the scent of the other woman still lingering on her nose. She unconsciously forgot her earlier embarrassment until the other woman's eyes trembled slightly and slowly opened her crimson pupils, at which point she also snapped back to reality.

Thinking about his foolish behavior just now, he felt even more embarrassed. What was he doing?!

Image: "Qipao Mahiru", Location: "Images/1758812019-100446961-113894786. jpg"

"You're awake?" Ogura Asahi smiled, noticing Shiina Mahiru beside her.

"... Um, I'm sorry, I let you see my indecent behavior." Shiina Mahiru bowed her head and apologized softly.

"What are you talking about? It's just a nap, what's so unseemly about it?"

Ogura Asahi got up, stretched, and rubbed the sore and numb muscles in her legs where she had just given her a lap pillow.

"Ah, sorry! I don't know how I ended up resting my head on your lap!" Seeing her action, Shiina Mahiru became even more flustered, stepping forward and gesturing with her Hands, unsure of what to do.

"It's nothing, it's just a little numb, it'll be fine in a bit. Besides, I asked you to use it as a pillow, so don't worry about it." She waved her hand dismissively, enduring the soreness in her thigh.

Just now, I don't know if she was having a nightmare, but the muscles around her eyes kept contracting and wrinkling, and she was making intermittent humming sounds.

Seeing this, Ogura Asahi let her rest her head on his lap and stroked her hair to comfort her.

After a while, her muscles relaxed and her expression returned to calm.

However, she eventually got sleepy and fell asleep.

"Alright, you've had your sleep, and it's about time. Let's go."

"Ah, hi!"

After quickly tidying themselves up, Shiina Mahiru, no longer bothered with her shyness, followed closely behind her.

I have a feeling that I haven't adopted a younger sister, but rather raised a small animal with imprinting behavior.

Taking in her movements and expressions, Ogura Asahi couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

This isn't quite what I expected. Shouldn't this child be more independent, self-reliant, and have a tolerant and generous personality?

Is it because he is too outstanding, leaving her no room to showcase her abilities, that she has reduced her autonomy?

It seems quite possible, after all, she's not like that high school student next door who's currently paralyzed in her room because of emotional distress and doesn't even bother to take out the trash.

Her overly omnipotent nature seems to have diminished her sense of responsibility, maternal instincts, and "wifely" qualities.