"I really like that outfit of yours." A teasing smile tugged at Toru Kujyo's lips.
Hinata's heart leaped with joy. She was just about to say something when she heard his next words.
"Pikachu looks... very lively."
Hinata froze for a moment, then followed his gaze downward and instantly understood what he meant by "very lively."
With a whoosh, her head felt like a boiling kettle, steam shooting straight out of the top. Her entire face turned so red it looked ready to bleed.
"Eek!" She let out an adorable cry of distress, instinctively covering her chest with both hands to hide the Pikachu that had already been "distorted." She was so embarrassed she wished she could find a hole to crawl into.
Before Hinata's embarrassed cry had even faded, she had already darted back to her room like a startled rabbit and slammed the door with a bang, leaving Toru Kujyo alone in the living room. He shook his head at the tightly shut door, torn between amusement and helplessness.
That rare moment of peace did not last long.
"Waaah!!"
An earth-shattering wail came from the courtyard without warning, drawing closer with a determination that promised not to stop until its goal was achieved. Toru Kujyo had just lifted his teacup when the thunderous crying startled him into spilling a few drops.
He looked toward the entryway and saw a tiny figure come charging in at lightning speed. She wore a plain kimono that allowed her to move freely, and her long hair was cut in a hime style similar to Hinata's. At that moment, however, her little face was covered in glistening "tears," and she looked so aggrieved that the sky might as well have been falling.
"Big Brother Toru!"
Hanabi Hyuga, Hinata's younger sister, shot straight into