The sunlight today was bright, and the accumulated snow on the branches downstairs had largely melted away, looking like small, gradually wilting white flowers.
Hiratsuka Ryosuke had been up early, completing a deep clean until all the New Year's decorations were properly placed and breakfast was prepared. He walked to the opposite bedroom, symbolically gave the door a light knock, and then turned the handle.
The bedroom was permeated with the scent of rosemary that clung to Hiratsuka Shizuka, inducing a profound sense of calm and relaxation. Ryosuke walked to the bedside and gently nudged the beautiful woman lying in bed.
"Hey, Shizuka-nee, time to get up."
Hiratsuka Shizuka's eyelashes fluttered. She groggily lifted her eyelids, then completely buried her head under the duvet. A muffled voice came from beneath the blanket, "It's so cold outside. I don't want to get up."
This situation on the first day of the New Year was not new. Ryosuke had been accustomed to this kind of thing back in Chiba and had developed a mature solution.
Ryosuke grabbed a corner of the blanket and forcefully flipped it back. Hiratsuka Shizuka's attractive figure in a loose-fitting nightgown was fully exposed, her flawless white right shoulder and perfectly sculpted collarbone bare to the air.
She frowned, realizing she couldn't avoid the pain of getting up. So, using her core strength, she sat bolt upright on the bed. Her waist-length black hair, usually smooth as a waterfall, lay scattered and slightly messy on the bed. She then stretched, revealing her fair, jade-like abdomen, and said weakly, "Ryo-chan, hand me the clothes from the hanger."
Ryosuke's heart was unmoved, and he spoke with even a hint of disdain, "Shizuka-nee, why are you becoming more and more useless in your daily life? Are you too lazy to even get up and put on your own clothes?"
Hiratsuka Shizuka, embracing her laziness, countered with sleepy eyes, "What's wrong with being useless?"
Ryosuke's fists slowly tightened, and the thought of throwing Hiratsuka Shizuka out suddenly popped into his mind.
Hiratsuka Shizuka, noticing the increasing disgust in Ryosuke's eyes, suddenly snapped awake. As if realizing some terrible outcome, her voice trembled, and her words came out faster and faster.
"Ryosuke, you wouldn't abandon me, right?"
"You'll take care of me for the rest of my life, right?"
"You wouldn't actually kick me out of the house, right?!"
Ryosuke looked at the pleading expression on the bed and suddenly realized that for years, he had been acting like a caregiver. Buying groceries, cooking, washing all her clothes, cleaning the room, and even feeding the cats—he did it all alone.
With this thought, he turned and walked to the bedroom door, slowly closing it. Just before the door completely shut, he spoke coldly through the remaining gap: "If you aren't dressed and out of bed in one minute, I will throw you out."
Bang!
The door closed completely. This single warning completely shocked Hiratsuka Shizuka. She leaped off the bed and frantically started dressing.
"Ah! Where's my sweater? Where are my socks?"
Footsteps quickly echoed inside the room.
Click.
The door opened. Hiratsuka Shizuka, slightly disheveled but otherwise presentable, walked out of the bedroom, panting.
"Fifty-eight seconds. I'll let it slide this time. Hurry up and wash; we're going to Sensō-ji Temple soon." Ryosuke put down his phone and began eating his breakfast unhurriedly.
Hiratsuka Shizuka obediently went into the bathroom. Before long, her voice called out from inside.
"Ryo-chan, come in for a second!"
He put down his chopsticks, sighed inwardly, and got up to go over.
As soon as he entered the bathroom, he saw Hiratsuka Shizuka holding a comb, her eyes curved into a smile, and she expertly handed the comb to him.
"Hehe, I'm counting on you again today!"
With that, she sat on a small stool with her back to Ryosuke. This wasn't because Hiratsuka Shizuka couldn't comb her own hair, but a silent understanding unique to the two of them.
Family interaction is essential. Eating together is not just about satisfying hunger; it is also about valuing the time spent with family, which fosters a harmonious home atmosphere. In the fast-paced big city, countless people are exhausted from the struggle for life and have little time for personal matters; even their own families can easily be overlooked in this environment. Ryosuke helping her comb her hair day after day was an extension of this.
He held the comb in one hand and her waist-length hair in the other, his movements skilled and gentle. Hiratsuka Shizuka sat on the small stool, eyes closed and silent, enjoying the peace that belonged solely to her.
An hour later.
Knock, knock, knock!
Just as Ryosuke finished tidying up, he heard an urgent knock on the door.
He opened the door to reveal Nibutani Shinka. She had her long hair pinned up and was wearing a light-colored kimono, adorned with small cherry blossom patterns. Unlike the thin yukata worn in summer, the winter kimono allowed for many layers of clothing underneath. Shinka, wearing geta (wooden clogs), spread her arms and twirled in small steps twice. She finally faced Ryosuke, giving him a meaningful smile.
"How is it? Are you stunned? This is Shinka-sama's winter-exclusive new form."
When she first appeared, she genuinely made Ryosuke's eyes light up. But after hearing those words, the compliment Ryosuke had intended to give seemed to catch in his throat. The two stared at each other, falling into a brief silence.
Fortunately, the silence didn't last long. Hiratsuka Shizuka walked to the entrance and gave Shinka an out. "Oh, Shinka is so cute today! Is that a new outfit?"
"Good morning, Shizuka-nee~ Yes, my mom bought me this new outfit!" Nibutani Shinka replied sweetly. She then began to comfort herself internally. My mom helped me with this new outfit and hairstyle for a long time. Ryosuke must be too shocked to speak right now, right?
"Alright, let's leave early and come back early," Ryosuke said with a calm expression.
Nibutani Shinka lowered her head, her face full of shock. Darn it, is that your only reaction?But it's okay. This is our first New Year's Day Hatsumōde together.Since it's Hatsumōde, writing wishes on an ema (wooden plaque) is normal, right? The ema plaques are meant to be viewed, so it's perfectly reasonable for me to openly check Ryosuke's New Year's wish, right?Then I'll help Ryosuke fulfill the wish on his ema. That way, he'll realize how important Shinka-sama is to him and will only become more dependent on me. And eventually... hehehe~
Ryosuke, following behind Hiratsuka Shizuka, had already reached the stairwell when he noticed Nibutani Shinka hadn't followed, still standing by the door giggling to herself. He called out loudly, "Shinka, why are you still giggling over there? Let's go."
Nibutani Shinka snapped out of her thoughts, her clogs clacking on the corridor floor.
"I'm coming! Wait for me!"
She muttered to herself, Hmph, today I will definitely make you gasp in amazement at Shinka-sama's cuteness.