Chapter 4: A happy morning with JK.

The twins JK stayed overnight, the next morning.

　I changed my clothes and went to the living room to find …… a delicious looking breakfast on the table.

” Ah, Okarin good morning~♡”

“Akari……”

　Akari, the younger sister of the twins, was wearing a sweatshirt and an apron.

　There was French toast and minestrone.

　Salads, ham and eggs…….

　There was an amazing array of rich food in the morning.

“You, what’s up with this ……?”

“Well, I made it.”

“Really……”

　Akari was always good at making sweets and cooking.

　She used to make them and bring them to cram school ……, or rather to me.

” Okarin is no good, there was nothing in the fridge. Thanks to you, I had to go to the shopping center without any clothes on.”

“Eh, really……”

“I wonder what’s going on with your …… wife …… and …… cooking.”

　Akari looks as if she has figured something out.

　My wife, Misae, was never much of a cook.

　However, when we first got married, she still cooked for us, but recently she stopped cooking for us at all.

“She’s a real bitch, that old lady. She doesn’t even cook for her husband, and she cheats on him. She’s finished as a wife, or even as a human being.”

　Akari sticks her tongue out at me.

　I was happy that he felt sorry for me. …… No, wait?

” Hey, how do you know that Misae cheated on me?”

” Uh, …… well, you know. Haha!　Come on, eat your food, come on.”

　Although I was curious about what Akari had said, I don’t think she’s going to talk to me, so I’ll just let it pass.

　…… Breakfast was delicious, and messy.

　French toast, the taste of butter and milk spread out like …… a sizzling …….

　The sweetness is further enhanced by eating it with salty ham and eggs.

“Here you go, Okarin coffee. Iced, unsweetened, more milk.”

　Akari puts a cup of coffee on the table.

“…… You remembered well.”

　I used to buy and drink coffee at cram school.

　Akari remembered it.

“Of course, I remember everything about the people I love.”

　……Misae didn’t remember it.

　When I asked for coffee, I was served instant, hot coffee at random.

“I told her many times that cold coffee was better in the morning. ……”

　I can remember if it’s someone I like.

　Then again, maybe the reason Misae didn’t remember my preference was because she didn’t …… like me.

” Okarin. Don’t look so glum.”

　Akari, sitting in front of me, reaches out her hands and wraps them around my cheeks.

　She raises the edge of her mouth with her thumbs.

“Okarin doesn’t need to have a hard time because of that stupid woman. It’s 100% her fault, and you didn’t do anything wrong. Forget about her.　Forget about it.…..okay?”

　…… Akari smiles, warm as the morning.

　It’s a beautiful smile. Just by looking at it, the haze in my mind seems to clear up.

“…Right. It’s not my fault.”

“Yes, it’s not!　It’s that stupid woman’s fault!　Let’s forget about it and move on to the next one!　You know, I’m a good deal.”

“Don’t get carried away.”

　I pecked Akari on the forehead.

　She seemed to be joking with me, and she giggled.

　…… I wonder.

　I’m the kind of person who drags things out, but now I feel a little lighter.

“Is sister still sleeping?　Nn mou!　She has low blood pressure!　I’ll go wake her up!”

“Ah, wait. I’m leaving for work, so I’ll give you the key.”

　I took out the spare key from my key case and threw it to Akari.

“Huh?　It’s …… Saturday, you know.　Work…….”

“…… Editors don’t have weekends, you know.”

“OH…… black companies……”

“It’s not just me. Working on weekends is the norm at our company.”

“It’s weird. You’re a company employee, but you don’t get weekends off. You should quit that place.”

“No, …………………… I guess you’re right.”

　To tell you the truth, I’m very anxious to go to work.

　This is because Kisogawa, my wife’s lover, is at work.

　I don’t think it’s a good idea to put personal feelings into work, but it’s not someone I want to face.

　…… Maybe I’ll ask for a transfer to a different department, or maybe I’ll just change jobs.

“Okarin.”

“Eh……?”

　Chuchu ……♡

　When I noticed …… Akari’s face was very close to mine.

　I realized belatedly that Akari had kissed …… my cheek.

“A spell to cheer you up. Have a good day ♡!”

　Akari’s face was bright red up to the base of her neck.

　She had a smile on her face, but gradually she became embarrassed and retreated to the kitchen.

“…………”

　You cheered me up to the point of embarrassing yourself.

　…… As usual, despite her flashy appearance, she’s very caring.

“I’m off. I’ll be home early. …… Wait for me until then.”

“Aiyo!　Bye!”

　…… I change my shoes and go out the door.

” Sen……shi……”

　From the bedroom, the older sister …… Nanako came out with a very sleepy look on her face.

“Ittera ……Fuwaaa…….”

　…… Itte irasshai, huh? [TL: Said when someone is leaving]

　It’s been a long time since I’ve heard that.

“Yeah, I’m off.”

　My steps are always heavy when I go to work.

　But today, I was able to walk out the door and down the stairs with ease.

　This has never happened to me since I got married.

” It’s all thanks to those girls. ……”