Chapter 194: Thank You, Miyahito / You're Welcome, Miyuki-nii

Although Kei had come over with a super long-winded thought process of: "Tonight is clearly my brother's birthday party, yet Miyahito-nii is spending his own money to celebrate it for him, and he won't even let us siblings chip in for the costs, so I should come over and see if there's anywhere Miyahito-nii needs help."

But in reality, with Miyahito still out buying groceries and it being way too early to start decorating the venue, there was indeed nothing Kei could help with.

In fact, to be perfectly honest, she was somewhat getting in the way of Utaha's housework.

"Utaha-nee." Sitting on the sofa, looking a bit restless, Kei looked up at Utaha, who was holding a mop bucket and looked ready to fetch water and mop the floor, and said with an uneasy tone, "Let me help out too."

"Eh." Holding the mop bucket, Utaha turned to look at Kei, shook her head slightly, and declined with a faint smile, "No need, no need."

"Let me help."

Kei stood up somewhat stubbornly, rolling up her sleeves as she spoke.

"Utaha-nee, don't let my appearance fool you. Actually, I'm the one in charge of all the chores at home."

Seeing the little girl stubbornly wanting to help, Utaha sighed with a mix of gratification and helplessness.

After all, no matter how you looked at it, Kei's desire to help with the chores was a kind gesture, and yes, a gesture of gratitude as well.

But Utaha was, after all, the lady of this house right now. Besides, how could she possibly let her guest, Kei, do the housework for her?

If it were later in the afternoon, helping to set up the venue for Miyuki-senpai's birthday party tonight, that would be a different story.

Raising her hand, she gently patted Kei's smooth, silvery hair (Utaha: I've wanted to do this for so long!), looking at her tenderly.

"Arigato (Thank you), but Kei doesn't need to help me."

"Eh."

Utaha's sudden head-pat left Kei stunned. She tilted her little head up slightly (Uwah, why is Utaha-nee so tall? I'm envious), her little face looking at Utaha with a hint of bewilderment.

"Oh, right!"

Looking at the little girl's bewildered expression, Utaha, who was just about to tell Kei to go watch TV or play some of her boyfriend's collected games, suddenly thought of a better idea.

With a smile on her face, she bent down and leaned close to Kei's ear, speaking softly.

"Could I ask Kei to help me wake up the sleepyhead Ayase-chan?"

"!"

"Mhm, I got it! Leave it to me, Utaha-nee!"

"Ooh, so reliable, Kei-chan~"

Watching Kei's retreating back as she happily trotted and practically sprinted up to the second floor, Utaha couldn't help but let a doting smile curve her lips.

And the next second.

Hearing the sounds from upstairs: "Ayase-chan, time to wake up," "Mmm... let me sleep a bit more,"... along with the slightly noisy banter between the two girls, Utaha shook her head with an amused smile.

"They really get along well, indeed~"

Saying this, she carried the mop bucket to the washroom, then turned and walked into the kitchen.

She should prepare some more food, so the two little sisters could happily eat breakfast together later.

"Hmm... it should be 'Morning Tea' later, right? In that case, the Japanese-style breakfast Miyahito prepared this morning wouldn't be suitable."

"I'll just eat Ayase-chan's portion of breakfast at noon. For now, I'll make them some sandwiches. Oh right, should they drink black tea? Or maybe milk tea."

Coincidentally, the "Hong Kong-style milk tea" Miyahito brewed last time was quite delicious, and he had also taught her how to brew it.

.....

"Phew!!"

Forcing the last bag of ingredients needed for tonight's birthday party—the Matsudo beef he had urgently ordered last night—into the seat's storage box, Miyahito let out a refreshing sigh.

Yeah! It had been a long time since he felt this good about shopping!

Although he and Utaha were certainly capable of making money, and to be completely honest, the income level of this quirky high school couple had already surpassed that of many executives in large corporations.

But usually, after handing his bank card over to Utaha, who was much better at financial management (he really wouldn't have known she had this talent if they weren't dating), Miyahito rarely got to spend money as freely and exhilaratingly as he did today.

Closing the highly fruitful storage box and swinging his leg over the motorcycle, Miyahito prepared to put on his helmet and ride home.

But just as he was about to start the motorcycle.

"Miyahito."

Hearing the familiar voice, Miyahito turned around and saw Miyuki, dressed in his convenience store clerk uniform, carrying two bags of trash as he walked out of the convenience store next to the motorcycle shed.

"Ossu, Miyuki-nii."

Taking off his helmet and hanging it on the rearview mirror, Miyahito got off the bike, pushed it over, and quickly approached Miyuki.

"Why are you working so early today?"

"Yeah." Miyuki nodded with a light smile. "The senior I usually work with had something come up today, so we swapped shifts."

Well, the main reason was actually because Miyahito was going to celebrate his birthday...

Miyuki didn't say this out loud. After all, even though it was the truth.

Saying such an ungrateful thing to a younger brother who had gotten up early in the morning just to busy himself celebrating your birthday... that would truly be failing to appreciate a kind heart.

"You've worked hard, Miyuki-nii."

Because Miyuki managed his expressions very well, Miyahito didn't notice anything.

"By the way." Miyuki looked Miyahito up and down and asked with some confusion, "Why did you go out so early today?"

"You mean this?"

Miyahito smiled mysteriously, leaned back slightly, and patted the storage box on the back seat.

"Going out for grocery shopping, of course. Look forward to tonight's celebration, Miyuki-nii."

"..."

Looking at the 'younger brother's' smug smile, for some reason, an indescribable sense of worry suddenly welled up in Miyuki's heart.

Miyahito... he didn't spend a lot of money, did he?

Flashing through his mind were the high-end ingredients he had seen and tasted on Miyahito's dining table on several occasions. Miyuki raised his hand to his forehead and let out a heart-tired sigh.

"Miyahito, don't tell me you went and splurged on some high-end ingredients again?"

"...No, oh~"

He hesitated! He hesitated! He hesitated for a whole second!

Seeing Miyahito's gaze instantly go blank as he avoided eye contact, Miyuki helplessly raised his hand and lightly chopped Miyahito's forehead with a karate chop, while Miyahito had already looked away and started whistling.

"Ouch!"

Meeting the resentful, teary-eyed glare of Miyahito, who was clutching his forehead, Miyuki smiled and vigorously rubbed Miyahito's head, thanking him sincerely.

"Thank you, Miyahito."

"....."

"You're welcome, Miyuki-nii."