After calming down her older cousin who continued to bawl her eyes out from being reminded of her ex, Eimi took the apron from her and continued what she was doing in the kitchen.

On the other hand, she passed me her cousin to sit her down at one of the chairs around the dinner table.

Well, I didnt know how to talk to her when tears still continued to drip from her eyes so after sitting her down, I continued unpacking their grocery bag and arranged it neatly.

After around 10 minutes, Eimi went back from the kitchen and prepared the table for us to eat.

Looking at the karaage that was paired with a red saucy dip and inhaling its mouth-watering aroma, the crying girl on the seat stopped and picked one without waiting for the rice to be served.

As she bit into it, the girls tears once again flowed out but theres an undeniable smile on her lips as she savored the taste of the deep-fried chicken.

Thank you for being invented, Nikaido-family special karaage! With both of her hands on her cheeks, the girl continued munching on it.

Are you baffled with how easily she changed her mood? Eimi placed a bowl of rice in front of me before sitting at the chair next to me. Shes actually staring at her cousin whos now savoring every bite of the karaage.

The thought of her ex who she cried for earlier was now completely erased.

A bit. It seems that I really need to try this.

Un, then here, Ruki.

Picking a piece of karaage on her chopsticks, Eimi dipped it in the red sauce before putting it before my mouth.

With her expectant eyes, I smiled at her before opening my mouth to take a bite.

As soon as I did I instantly understood her cousins change of mood.

The sauce, the crunchy and juicy texture of the karaage instantly filled my mouth. Its truly different from what we could buy or what we could make at home. I guess they had some special recipe from it.

Well, Im not a gourmet so I can only describe it normally. However, its truly delicious that I immediately followed up for another bite.

Although Eimi was surprised by what I did, she seemed to enjoy watching me eat the karaage they kept on boasting to me.

What do you think, boyfriend-kun? Its good, right?

At the side, the crying girl suddenly said in a boasting tone as she put more karaage at the bowl of rice in front of me.

It is heavenly, onee-san. You even forgot why youre crying. Thank you for letting me have a taste of this. I then turned to the girl feeding me using her chopsticks. I guess I have another reason to visit again next time.

Eimi was overjoyed upon hearing what I said.

Well, even without this karaage, I would still go back here for this girl. But still, I appreciate the kind welcome her cousin showed me. Although shes kind of annoying with her remarks and the way she reacted, I could feel that she accepted me for Eimi.

After a while, we began eating in earnest.

And during it, we began talking about things. This time, there were no more arguments or teasing from the two cousins.

Moreover, I found out why Eimis cousin was so hung up with her ex. He was stolen by someone she thought was her friend.

Stolen, huh? Why dont you steal him back, onee-san?

Moving from the dinner table to the living room, I decided to stay for a few more minutes to continue chatting with them.

At the moment, Eimi and I were sticking close to each other on a single sofa while her cousin was seated across from us.

Well, after we reached some understanding at the dinner table, she stopped making snide remarks about our closeness. However, she still couldnt look straight at us or she would become too envious.

Eimi had her head resting on my shoulder as she silently listened to our conversation.

He willingly let himself be stolen, boyfriend-kun. I will just look desperate for him.

But you love him, right?

Love? I dont know. I enjoyed his company. But after thinking about it I am just aggrieved that someone dared to take whats mine. That bitch If I see her at the college Ill pull her hair off her head! Complete with the gesture of grasping something and yanking it forcefully, Anzu-nee appeared more adorable than scary.

At my side, Eimi also couldnt help but giggle upon seeing it.

Stop laughing at me, Eimi! Dont be too smug now that you got this sweet guy of yours. Do you want me to steal him from you? As if she remembered something, Anzu-nee suddenly turned her head to me and began tapping the free space next to her. Oh. Now that I think about it, youre my type of guy, boyfriend-kun. Why dont you hop onto this side?

Well, I know shes not serious with what she said but its probably the first time someone said something like this to me.

Right. This is also the first time I introduced myself as a proper boyfriend to a girls relative so I guess this is a new experience. Obviously, Itou and Akanes parents arent counted.

I appreciate the offer but I dont want to see my Eimi sad, onee-san. Well, if I see that ex of yours outside, leave it to me to get back at him for you.

Heh Looks like my little Eimi landed on a jackpot Visit us again, alright?

Naturally. Next time I will like to see Eimis room.

Huh? Why wait next time? Go there now. This is your chance. If you come next time with her parents here, you will not have the chance to do so.

Perhaps she didnt expect that our conversation would reach up to here, Eimi suddenly roused from my shoulder and shouted her cousins name.

Anzu-nee!

With the same teasing smile as earlier, the little girl answered. What? Im only the kind older sister helping my cute little Eimi. Go on, lovebirds. My eyes need rest.

She waved her hand before letting her body flop down on the sofa and closed her eyes. It was still sore from the crying she did earlier after all. And perhaps, she couldnt stand seeing us flirting again.

Well then, shall we?

Ruki I forgot to clean my room. Eimi tried to make an excuse but I already had a response for that.

Then I will help you clean it.

Alright, stop flirting there and just go. Tsk. The little girl clicked her tongue and waved her hand once more, preventing Eimi from responding.

Thank you, onee-san. I owe you one.

After saying that, I stood up from the sofa and pulled Eimi with me. With my arms enclosing her body from behind, the girl reluctantly began walking towards her room that was located on the second floor.

Well, I didnt plan to go this far but since theres a chance to visit her room, why not take it? I still have time before my other plans for today.

When we reached the stairs and began ascending it, Eimi grumbled something. Youre getting along well with Anzu-nee.

Its not jealousy but shes probably worried about what the girl said earlier about stealing me and me being her type.

Thats a good thing, am I right? This way, she can help us next time I visit you.

To ease her worry, I gave her good reasoning before tightening my arms around her, making us stop halfway through the stairs.

Using my hand to turn her head to me, I reached in for a kiss which the girl lovingly welcomed.

After savoring that kiss, we continued upwards and reached before a door with a normal sign that read Eimi.

I honestly havent cleaned up yet, do you really want to see my room? With her hand on the knob, Eimi once again asked.

I told you I will help you clean it. If you permitted, of course. And if youre worried that I will do something, I promise here that I will not. Just wanna see my Eimis room. I can see it through our video call but visiting it physically will surely be another experience.

Stop being so convincing Eimi resignedly sighed as she twisted the knob open. Here Come in, Ruki With her voice carrying a hint of embarrassment, she slowly pushed the door open.

Before my eyes, the girls room filled my vision. Contrary to what shes saying, everything was neatly arranged.

Hmm, I see you lied to me, Eimi.

As we both entered her room, I silently closed the door behind me before I let my eyes take in the sight of her room.

The first thing I noticed was her bedside table. Atop it, two identical books were placed as a decoration next to a picture frame.

My memory was immediately tickled as her story about the book I placed on her desk filled my mind.

Those books I said as I slowly walked towards her bedside table. However, I was even more surprised upon seeing the photo that was inside the frame Eimi, is this from that time?

The person in the photo was none other than the two of us, standing next to each other. I was lazily looking straight at the camera while the girl was shyly smiling.

It was a photo taken from our class Cultural Festival during our third year in middle school.

Yes Like I told you, I am already attracted to you even from back then. Eimis head was lowered as she answered in a low voice.

Shes embarrassed and this was probably why she was somewhat against letting me in her room.

Upon seeing her like that, I turned around and walked back to where I left her near her door. Pulling her into my embrace, I whispered into her ears, Thank you, Eimi. For liking a hateful guy like me. And sorry for not noticing any of it.