At this hour, no one else was around; the corridor was completely silent. Aside from Shirase Haruto and Nakano Nino's breathing, it was as if all other sounds had vanished.
The gentle, cozy fragrance emanating from Nakano Nino's body encircled him, like an invisible hand softly brushing against Shirase's face, neck, and arms.
This season wasn't particularly cold. Even though Nino was wearing a tracksuit, it wasn't overly thick. Through its thin fabric, Shirase could clearly feel the warmth radiating from her slender body. Tall and curvy even in slippers, Nino stood pressed tightly against him, her heated breath mingling sweetly in the narrow space between them.
At this moment, Nino didn't dare lift her head to meet Shirase's gaze, nor did she dare move carelessly.
But at the same time, his warm embrace made her reluctant to leave—made her intoxicated.
This wasn't the same feeling as when her sisters hugged her. This sensation sent her heart racing helplessly, making her utterly captivated. At this moment, she was the very picture of bashful annoyance mingled with an alluring charm, eyes misty, heart racing to its absolute limit.
"Haven't you had enough yet, Shirase-kun?"
After two full minutes passed, Nino couldn't endure anymore. Seeing Shirase had no intention of letting go, she forced herself to quietly speak up through her embarrassment.
"Your voice sounds so strange." Shirase sounded amused. "Like a little kitten begging for food."
"You're the one begging for food!" Nino weakly punched his chest, overcome with shame.
Clearly, it's your fault I sound weird. You're shamelessly hugging me—don't you realize that when you speak, your hot breath tickles my neck, making me unable to even think clearly?
The girl pouted internally, knowing full well her maidenly heart had already been completely shaken. It felt as if he had plucked a sensitive string in the depths of her heart, gently stirring the tenderest, most alluring parts of her.
"Then it's decided. From now on, you teach me cooking, and I'll help you improve your baking skills," Shirase's voice came again.
"I-I got it…" Nino bashfully pushed against his shoulder.
Only then did Shirase finally let go.
The moment he released her, Nino didn't dare look at him. She turned and dashed quickly back inside the house.
From the living room, Nakano Yotsuba's shocked cry followed, "Nino, why are you running so fast? Did something bad happen outside?"
Shirase took the chance to slip away as well, avoiding a curious Yotsuba emerging and forcing him to explain himself.
...
Back inside, as Nino rushed into the living room, she saw Yotsuba excitedly chasing after her. Nino froze for a second before noticing Ichika's ambiguous, playful expression on the sofa, instantly causing her heart to sink.
And sure enough, her worst fear became reality. Yotsuba excitedly trotted over to Ichika, giggling, "Just now, I saw Nino and Shirase-kun hugging at the door!"
"Huh?!" Nakano Itsuki, who was secretly snacking on cookies, nearly choked in shock.
Miku stealthily grabbed another handful of cookies, her eyes equally astonished as she stared at Nino. "Is that true? I didn't know Nino was already that desperate."
"I-I'm not!" Nino's weak rebuttal lacked any conviction.
"Ahh, being in love really makes Nino so enviable~" Ichika said, voice thick with teasing implications.
"Aaaaagh! Shut up, shut up! Stop mentioning this!" Completely humiliated, Nino tried to escape like an ostrich retreating to her room, but the quick-witted Yotsuba caught her firmly by the arm.
Then Ichika suddenly spoke up, "Wait a second… if I recall correctly, Nino, isn't the tracksuit you're wearing actually Miku's?"
Both Nino and Miku froze.
"What's wrong with that?" Nino asked cautiously.
Miku puffed up her cheeks into an angry bun-face. "No wonder it looked so familiar! You stole my tracksuit again."
"I didn't steal it—I took it openly! Anyway, what's the big deal about wearing it? I'll wash it for you later."
"Nino is a thief."
Just as the sisters were about to start bickering again, Ichika stepped in smoothly, "Alright, alright. Hold on, hear me out first."
"What exactly are you trying to say?" Nino felt a bad premonition—after all, she knew how dangerous Ichika's teasing could be.
Ichika smiled mischievously, lips curling upward as an ambiguous glint practically spilled from her eyes. "Wearing Miku's clothes and hugging Shirase-kun at the door… isn't this basically NTR?"
Nino & Miku: "…"
Yotsuba's eyes widened dramatically, filled with awe and respect. "Amazing! As expected of Ichika, she thought of something none of us ever could!"
Itsuki shoved another cookie into her mouth, quietly murmuring, "Those two idiots got tricked by Ichika again."
...
The moment Shirase returned home, he received a text from Kojima Kana asking if she should bring anything back.
Shirase briefly replied "No need," confirming that Kana would indeed be out shopping with Kirisu Mafuyu tonight, before calmly activating [Free Hosting].
"System, I want cooking lessons."
Right after the Hosting session began, Shirase bluntly issued his demands.
[Detected Host's strong desire to improve cooking skills. System will assist.]
Under Shirase's watch, the system first checked the fridge, realized the ingredients were insufficient, and promptly grabbed the wallet and keys before heading out to the supermarket.
Looks like the system won't be causing trouble today.
Just as Shirase thought this, a notification immediately popped up:
[Detected Host is being followed.]
[System analyzing situation…]
Followed?
Shirase paused, noticing the familiar route to the supermarket and the open space he'd passed by earlier. He had a vague guess already forming.
[The pursuer is approaching. System initiating proactive measures.]
Before Shirase could even speak, he saw his body swiftly spin around, fist violently thrusting forward.
Accompanied by the powerful "whoosh" of wind, the fist stopped abruptly in midair, the force enough to shake leaves noisily from a nearby tree.
Less than two meters away, a petite figure froze stiffly in place.
Sure enough—it's her.
Shirase mentally nodded, unsurprised at all. As he'd expected, the follower was none other than Takanashi Rikka.
"You were looking for me?" the system retracted its fist and calmly asked.
Takanashi Rikka suddenly snapped back to reality, eyes sparkling in excitement. "That punch just now was incredible! Is that the power of someone chosen by Kamen Rider?"
"Exactly." The system shamelessly affirmed her misunderstanding.
"As expected of the companion I've chosen!" Takanashi Rikka's excitement skyrocketed.
Shirase couldn't help but comment helplessly, "System, your greeting was ridiculous… But it looks like she's alone again today. Are you still planning on going shopping?"
[Host's assumption is incorrect. She is not alone. Less than twenty meters ahead, someone she knows is approaching quickly.]
Shirase was startled. "Is it her older sister?"
As for that coldly imposing older sister, Takanashi Touka, Shirase frankly felt ill-equipped to handle her right now.
---
...
Umu! I am Nero Claudius—the brilliant Emperor of Rome, the dazzling Saber, the one and only performer who can steal a stage with a single smile!
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