Little Himeko watched the program on TV, occasionally laughing and chatting with Himeko. Before long, without even realizing it, she had nestled herself entirely in Himeko's arms, her slender legs unconsciously entwined around Himeko's.
The sight made them look like either an affectionate pair of sisters or a mother and daughter.
Either way, it was a pleasing sight.
Himeko had no interest in the program on TV and was not paying attention to it at all. Her focus was entirely on the little Himeko in her arms. Meanwhile, little Himeko kept fidgeting around, laughing nonstop at the variety show's antics.
This went on for an unknown amount of time, until the program ended. Warmed by the kotatsu, little Himeko gradually began to feel sleepy.
Still, she did not fall asleep right there, even though sleeping beneath a kotatsu was indeed incredibly comfortable.
"Big sis, I'm going to take a bath first!"
Little Himeko climbed out of Himeko's embrace, reluctantly leaving the warm kotatsu. Rubbing at the corners of her golden eyes, she spoke to Himeko.
In truth, she had not been this happy in a long time. Especially after her mother left her, she had been depressed for a long while, only recently emerging from her grief.
Even the funniest variety show could not have made her this happy. The TV program was only one reason. The other reasons were that her father had come home and that a very close older sister had come to the house.
That was why she seemed so cheerful.
"Go on."
Himeko suppressed the urge to say that she wanted to bathe with her as well, merely speaking gently to little Himeko.
"Mm, see you later!"
Little Himeko turned around, went upstairs, returned to her room to get her pajamas, then entered the first-floor