As the TV drama progressed, the scene suddenly shifted to a brother and sister bathing together.
On the screen, the older sister was helping her mischievous little brother wash his back, but the boy kept fooling around, splashing water and making trouble, until eventually, their bath turned into playful chaos.
Kojima Kana stared blankly, softly murmuring, "So this is what it's like for siblings to get along..."
"Pretty much," Shirase replied casually. "Those scenes of harmonious sibling relationships in movies and anime are rarely realistic. Usually, sisters and brothers bicker endlessly in daily life, but they'll still help each other out when it really counts."
"Oh? You sure sound like an expert." Kojima Kana teased him with a playful smile.
Shirase was about to answer, but before he could, this beautiful onee-san burst out laughing. "Ahh, I get it now. You watched the TV scene and started imagining me washing your back too, didn't you?"
As she spoke, she grew more animated. "I was an only child, so I never got to wash a younger brother's back before. Could it be you're secretly yearning for that warmth, pretending to be all knowledgeable to hide it?"
Shirase shot her a sideways glance. "Rather than me acting knowledgeable, isn't it you who's pretending to be mature and wise?"
Kana extended a fair, delicate finger and flicked Shirase gently on the forehead. "You're just embarrassed now, aren't you? That's why you're trying to turn the tables on me."
Shirase smiled helplessly. "Kana-nee, I'll be honest with you. Even if that kind of sibling back-washing scenario actually happened, I'd just find it troublesome—and you'd be too embarrassed to even look me in the eyes."
"Huh? Are you looking down on adults now?" Kojima Kana raised an eyebrow.
Shirase shook his head. "I'm just stating the facts."
"Honestly, you underestimate me too much!" Kana huffed. "How many times must I tell you? I'm an adult, and I know way more things than you do!"
Having declared this, Kana stood up, slipping into her slippers.
Shirase raised his head, confused. Next thing he knew, Kana leaned down, staring at him from above.
"Now. Immediately. Right away. Take off your clothes!"
Shirase: "?"
Kana puffed out her chest, adopting an authoritative, non-negotiable stance. "You haven't bathed yet, right? Then today your big sister here will wash your back. Don't worry—I definitely won't be shy."
"Are you crazy?"
"You're still talking back?"
Shirase was forcibly pushed into his room by Kojima Kana.
When he emerged, holding his clothes, he saw Kana coming toward him carrying her nightgown.
"Go start the bathwater first, then sit in the tub," she said resolutely.
Shirase sighed. "Maybe we should just forget about this. I think you're..."
"I don't care what you think! Only what I think matters. Now, get inside!" Kana firmly interrupted him.
Yet as soon as Shirase obediently entered the bathroom, her previously tough demeanor evaporated instantly. Her heart pounded uncontrollably, her cheeks heating up rapidly.
What on earth am I doing? Why did I suddenly say something like that? Washing his back—I'm not even remotely good at things like that!
Kana covered her burning cheeks, eyes darting nervously.
I shouldn't have acted tough.
That brat was right; of course I'd feel embarrassed.
But…
How can an older sister let herself be underestimated by her little brother?
If you think you can underestimate me, you're ten years too early!
Kana grit her teeth, deciding to steel herself, give his back a quick scrub, and be done with it.
After all, she had always seen him purely as a younger brother.
Right, exactly like that.
Taking several deep breaths, Kana forcibly calmed her racing heart.
But the instant she opened the bathroom door and saw Shirase actually sitting in the bathtub, their eyes met briefly—and she immediately slammed the door shut again, face flaming red.
"Don't force yourself. Just pretend I never heard what you said earlier," Shirase called from inside.
"I'm not forcing myself at all! I'm perfectly fine. Even if we bathe together, I definitely won't feel nervous!" Kana spoke bravely, even though her face wore the expression of someone completely terrified.
"Kana-nee, your voice is trembling…"
"That's just your imagination!"
She should give up now, right?
Relaxing against the bathtub, Shirase felt sure he knew Kojima Kana well enough to predict she'd never manage something like washing his back—
Wait, hold on a sec?
Shirase suddenly froze.
The bathroom door opened again, and Kojima Kana re-entered.
But this time, instead of her usual pencil skirt and blouse, she wore only a bath towel wrapped securely around her body.
Blushing intensely, clutching the towel nervously, she approached stiffly, trying her best to look calm and composed.
Shirase instinctively turned away, sighing, "Are you seriously doing this?"
"What else did you think I was doing? Your big sister here is—"
"An adult now. Yeah, I know," Shirase finished for her.
Kana wanted to glare at him, but he was facing away, making even her death-stare completely useless.
Looking at Shirase's strong and youthful back, Kana felt slightly dizzy, her thoughts rapidly becoming more chaotic.
No weird thoughts! Absolutely none allowed!
Kana lightly slapped her overheated cheeks. It's just washing my brother's back. What's the big deal?
Repeating this comforting thought, she slowly raised one slender, fair leg, heart pounding faster by the second, before finally stepping into the warm water of the bathtub.
Shirase felt movement behind him and scooted forward a bit. "Kana-nee, you really didn't have to push yourself so far this time."
"You absolutely can't look back," Kana said as if not hearing him at all.
"Of course I won't look back." Shirase found it amusing. You're already this nervous. If I suddenly turned around, wouldn't you immediately explode on the spot?
As he was thinking this, he suddenly felt someone grab his arm gently.
Kana sat behind him, one hand holding a towel, the other carefully grasping his arm. She didn't just hastily scrub his back; she was genuinely washing him with careful attention.
She herself wasn't even entirely sure why she was acting this way.
Maybe it's because we're so close, and we're both alone in this city, living lonely lives.
Thinking quietly to herself, Kana gradually grew less nervous. Her eyes softened, and her movements became gentler.
As a result, the warm fragrance emanating from her gradually surrounded Shirase.
Her smooth palms occasionally brushed lightly against his back and neck.
Her slender fingers carried the gentle affection of an older sister caring for her younger brother, mixed with an emotion no one could quite decipher.
Even Shirase had to admit—having someone wash his back during a bath really was pleasant.
Especially when her movements were this gentle.
But just as Shirase began to fully relax into her tenderness, he abruptly froze once more.
From behind him came Kana's gentle, trembling voice:
"N-Now it's…time to wash the front."
She shyly lowered her eyes, now filled with an unexpected trace of tender allure, soft and shimmering like autumn waters.