Chapter 2036: What kind of logic is that?

"Ruki. Why did you come here right away? Isn't Chisato-nee here for you?" Yue curiously asked after sneaking up on me from behind.

"Hmm? I'm here for you first. So, Chisato-nee-san can wait. I'll let you girls handle her for me. Can you do it?"

Well, I did go straight to the kitchen after settling them down in the unit's living room.

Since Chisato-nee-san was clearly here for me, I'd let her deal with my girls first. Kaoru-san left right away after bringing us. Most likely, she's still being critical of herself from earlier, or maybe... she was feeling a little out of place. I don't know.

It could be that she just thought her job was done now that she escorted Yue and us home.

I did try messaging her when I noticed that she left and her response was fairly understandable.

She's going home to rest. And then, she tactfully reminded me to call her immediately if something happens...

See how much of a workaholic she is? She's the one not giving herself a chance to breathe.

Anyways...

Even though this was my first time coming to this place, Yue already toured me inside during one of our video calls. I knew her fridge and pantry were filled with supplies but Yue being Yue, was too busy with her work. She lacked the time to learn how to cook for herself. The best she could do was simple dishes but that's not enough for her.

I mean, the last time I visited her in her unit after our reunion, she ordered the food and only heated it up when I arrived.

On her normal day-to-day. It's Kaoru-san who became in charge of her food. She's cooking for her just to prevent her from overreliance on take-out.

Now that I'm here with her. I want to try cooking something for her again. And for the other girls too, of course.

It's been hours since we ate at Kaoru-san's parents' place. And the yakisoba we ate at the festival can only be considered snacks. After tiring ourselves out in that storage room, I'm sure the girls are already hungry.

"Sure! Leave her to us!" Yue confidently said. "But Ruki... This still feels like a dream. Seeing you on an apron here in my kitchen... Can I also call you husband?"

"Girl. You didn't need my permission for that. All of you can call me however you want. I love every endearment you came up with."

Honestly, they're thinking too much about this. I will always find it special no matter what they suggest.

Hell, even 'idiot' and 'numbskull' have already been ingrained in me. I now find it endearing when Satsuki or Shizu called me that way.

"Yes, husband! Call me wife too. Hehe. But only if we're alone. If Akane and I are in the same room, I'm sure we'll both answer you."

Yeah. That's gonna happen. But I really seldom call them with an endearment. Not because I don't like it but simply because they can be confused about who I am referring to. My love for them isn't greater than the other, after all.

I'm already thinking of marrying all of them so in my head, they're all my wife...

What a greedy bastard, right?

"Alright. Let's do that. Go back now. I'll be with you soon."

"Uh... Okay. Hurry up. I still want to cuddle with you."

"Girl... if your fans find out how clingy you are with me, they'll cry rivers of blood."

"Pfft. It's fine. They'll understand. They will still cheer for me in the end."

This girl's confidence has been molded into this now. A year in the music industry tempered her enough not to be bothered by the gossip or negativity around her. Only when she's around me will she act spoiled and fragile at times.

"Yeah. That sounds about right."

In the end, I could only agree to it. Yue heartily laughed before hugging me tighter. She then slipped her head from the gap of my arm and body to ask for a kiss.

Seeing that, I temporarily put down what I was doing to satisfy her. I can't really refuse my girls.

Will that be bad in the future? Nah. I don't think so.

Anyway, once she got what she came here for, Yue returned to the living room to accommodate her 'guests'. This is still her unit, after all.

Before long, although I couldn't hear their voices properly, their candid laughter reached me in the kitchen.

I couldn't help but smile knowing that they were getting along with Chisato-nee-san.

Who was it that said that girls often disagree with one another? Look at them.

Uh... I guess this is what happens when their interests align with each other.

Ah. Right. The other girls also went to check on me one by one. But unlike Yue, they're just informing me that they're going to take a bath.

I mean, we sweated a lot earlier. My scent still lingers in their bodies. Fortunately, Kaoru-san didn't notice it at all but Chisato-nee-san was another case entirely. She could figure it out with her similarly acute observational skills.

When I finished with my voluntary task of cooking something for them, I brought the pot and a few bowls to them.

We could use the dining room but since they're already there and I only made a beef stew, Yue's coffee table should be good enough.

Akane then went to the kitchen next to brew the miraculous tea that I brought with us...

We're that prepared, no? Even if I boast my improved stamina, I'm still not a machine that cannot get tired. And tomorrow morning, I doubt I can resist their charms.

I remained silent throughout it. But when we were about to finish, Chisato-nee-san who looked like she'd been waiting for so long to get her turn with me abruptly stood up and squeezed in on my side.

Akane, who hadn't taken a bath yet, conceded her place to her. But before leaving, she playfully whispered to me what I missed earlier.

"Husband, Chisato-nee-san truly misses you a lot... She possibly developed feelings for you before but she's unaware of that. In her understanding, you're only her closest cousin. She had no idea she's yearned for you ever since that time. She hasn't been into a relationship at all."

This. What does she want me to do by telling me about that? No matter what, Chisato-nee-san is still my cousin. She can't be in love with me, right?

Ugh... Miwa-nee is one thing but Chisato-nee-san? I don't know. In the short few months that we were together, Akane was also there with us. Furthermore, I could honestly say that only Akane had my eyes back then. Whatever we experienced back then, it shouldn't be enough for her to develop feelings towards me.

Unless I had yet to remember something more important that led to that...

"Ruki, what are you thinking? Are you unhappy that Akane gave her seat to me?"

Perhaps noticing a frown momentarily surfacing on my face, my cousin leaned closer, inspecting me thoroughly.

At this point, even though she had yet to cling to me, the distance between us was already close to zero.

Around us, Yue, Yua, and Miho were looking at us interestingly. Though the other two were probably coveting the place that Chisato-nee-san took, they only quietly glanced at me, conveying their desire through eye contact.

"Not really. I just thought you've grown a lot, Chisato-nee-

san... Shouldn't you be careful when getting into contact with the opposite gender?"

Understanding what I was implying, the woman's face was instantly dyed in red. But instead of pulling away, she smugly declared at the same time as pushed herself closer. Her softness transmitted swiftly to my senses, "What of it? You're my precious cousin. No one will be angry if I get this close to you."

... What kind of logic is that?