I Confessed to the Three Beautiful Sisters at School and Got Rejected, but After I Became their Stepsister, They Started Doting On Me (GL) - Chapter 14

“Well then, shall we start preparing dinner?”

Upon returning home, Hiyori-san stepped into the kitchen and began getting ready for the evening meal.

I had already carried in all the groceries, so perhaps my role here was done.

“Is something the matter, Hanano-san?”

“Ah, no, I was just thinking… since there doesn’t seem to be anything else for me to do, I might head back to my room…”

According to Karin-san, when it comes to housework, Hiyori-san is so skilled that there’s hardly any room to help.

In other words, I assumed there wouldn’t be any need for me from this point on.

I figured I’d save myself for when I could truly be of use.

“Would you mind assisting me with the cooking?”

“…What!?”

Contrary to my expectation, Hiyori-san immediately asked for my help.

I was thrilled by how effective my plan was turning out to be… but…

“To be honest, I’m terrible at cooking.”

I’ve barely ever used a kitchen knife properly.

I’m the kind of girl who survives on microwavable meals and has zero domestic skills.

“Oh, I see.”

“I’m really sorry.”

It’s disappointing that I couldn’t help, but the fact that she wanted to rely on me felt like real progress.

Yes, yes. All according to plan.

“In that case, could you simply stand over there?”

“…Huh?”

Wait, did Hiyori-san just say something… odd?

“Stand here… and do what?”

“You don’t need to do anything at all.”

…??

I still had no idea what she meant.

My thoughts were in a complete jumble.

“Just stand there and cheer me on as I cook.”

“Why would I do that?”

Is this some kind of new… game?

“Cooking is usually a solitary task, and it can get a bit monotonous. I thought it would be nice to have someone to talk to.”

“You want me to be your conversation partner?”

“Is that not acceptable?”

Of course that’s not the case…!

Wanting me to keep her company in a situation where there’s no practical need—that’s only possible if the distance between us has truly closed.

I’ll gladly accept.

“I’d love to chat with you!”

“I’m glad.”

Hiyori-san smiled warmly.

Honestly, I felt like I should be the one grinning from ear to ear.

“By the way, Hanano-san, do you really have no foods you dislike?”

“Nope, none at all. I like everything. I’ll eat whatever’s served, so don’t worry.”

“Still, do you have any preferences—like wanting to avoid oily foods?”

“No, no, nothing like that. I’m not fancy enough for such preferences.”

As long as it’s edible, I’m happy.

If anything, I imagine the Tsukimori sisters are more likely to have refined tastes and dietary quirks…

“How about drinks?”

“Nothing particular.”

“Then perhaps you focus on skincare?”

Huh? Where did that come from?

How did we go from food to… skin?

“Ah… no, I don’t really do anything in that regard either.”

I’ve seen my mom use face masks and lotions, but I don’t do anything myself.

I don’t wear makeup, so I figure my skin won’t get damaged… or so I thought.

“Even so, your skin is remarkably clear.”

Hiyori-san gazed at me, as if studying my face with genuine curiosity.

“Wait, you mean me?”

“Yes. Your skin has a lovely glow. I assumed you were doing something special.”

No way… I didn’t expect such a compliment from Hiyori-san.

It’s so overwhelming, it’s almost scary.

“No, no, my skin’s a total free-for-all. It’s just normal.”

“I disagree. It looks so soft and smooth… like a baby’s skin.”

“A-A baby…!?”

What kind of evaluation is that?

Is that even a compliment?

Probably… but being called a baby at my age is kind of… complicated.

“I think it’s quite charming, actually.”

I’m not sure how to take this…

But I’m really happy to be having this kind of conversation with Hiyori-san.

◇◇◇

Dinner time.

Tonight’s menu was tempura.

“…That’s a rather unusual dish for you to make, Hiyori.”

Chiya-san tilted her head curiously.

Ah, I see. So tempura isn’t a common dish in the Tsukimori household.

“Oh? I prepared it because I heard that Chiya-chan and Karin-chan wanted tempura…”

“—!?”

C-crap!

I borrowed Karin-san’s idea, but of course, Chiya-san wasn’t aware of that.

If this continues, the scheme could be exposed, and both Hiyori-san and Chiya-san might start to doubt me…!

“H-Hiyori, I’ve told you not to call me ‘-chan’ in front of others!”

However, that wasn’t what Chiya-san reacted to.

With uncharacteristic urgency, she admonished Hiyori-san.

“What are you talking about? There’s no one here but family.”

Hiyori-san responded nonchalantly.

Her flexibility truly is impressive.

“I’m not quite ready for that yet…”

Chiya-san glanced at me briefly.

It seemed she didn’t want to see anyone outside of the family being addressed with a -chan honorific.

“Oh my, isn’t that a little harsh? She’s already family—our little younger stepsister, isn’t she?”

This time, Hiyori-san looked my way.

She was even defending me… so kind.

“In any case, stop calling me -chan in front of others.”

“My, my…”

Hiyori-san shrugged her shoulders slightly, as if troubled.

She couldn’t outright dismiss Chiya-san’s feelings, so this was probably her way of offering support in the only way she could.

But it’s fine, Hiyori-san.

For me, seeing Chiya-san flustered over being called -chan is thrilling enough…!

Plus, I got to witness Hiyori-san’s kindness—two birds with one stone.

“And Hiyori, when exactly did you become so familiar with her?”

Chiya-san now seemed more concerned about how Hiyori-san was defending me.

Indeed, her earlier comment had leaned more in my favor.

For someone like Hiyori-san, who values balance, that was unusual.

“Well, it’s because Aka-chan is just too adorable.”

“Pffft!!”

I couldn’t help but spit out a laugh at Hiyori-san’s completely off-the-wall comment.

Wait, are you still calling me a baby based on earlier!? Please don’t just casually label me like that!

“…Aka-chan?”

Chiya-san tilted her head.

Yes! Of course, she would!

If your own sister started treating your stepsister like a baby, it’d be weird, right!?

“H-Hiyori-san! Calling me a baby is just… too much, even for you…”

It’s one thing in private, but in front of others…!

“Oh my, I said it with affection, you know?”

“Is that what affection means to you—treating me like a baby!?”

You’re acting more like a mother at this point!

“…Baby?”

“Huh?”

Now it was Hiyori-san’s turn to tilt her head.

Wait—what?

“Ah, no, no. I meant Aka-chan because your name is Akari, remember?”

“…Ah… I see…”

Ohhh…

I had totally misinterpreted everything based on what happened earlier.

“You… what exactly were you imagining?”

Now Chiya-san was glaring at me.

So she just sensed that the nickname Aka-chan signified closeness—but I’m the only one who spun it into something bizarre.

I’m the only weirdo here.

“…Sorry. I’ve thoroughly embarrassed myself.”

If there were a hole nearby, I’d gladly crawl into it.

This was peak public humiliation.

“Well, if you’d like, you can rest your head on my chest? I’ll pat you gently.”

“…!?”

You are treating me like a baby, aren’t you, Hiyori-san!?

Suspicious—highly suspicious!

—Poke poke

“…?”

Suddenly, I felt a jab in my side.

“…Hey, Akari.”

The source of that poke was none other than Karin-san, sitting next to me and nudging me with her elbow.

She leaned in and whispered,

“What’s going on here?”

“…What do you mean?”

“Hiyori-nee usually avoids playing favorites, so she doesn’t use -chan with anyone outside the family.”

…Now that she mentioned it, she’s always called me with -san.

But if that’s the case… this is actually great news!

“So, she’s acknowledging me as part of the family?”

“No, but it’s still weird.”

“…What do you mean?”

“What does she call Chiya and me?”

“…Chiya-chan, Karin-chan.”

“Oh gosh, hearing you say Karin-chan like that…”

“Huh?”

Why are you blushing and repeating your own name like that!?

“N-Nothing! Look, she calls us by name + -chan, right?”

“Yes?”

“But with you, it’s Aka + -chan, you see!?”

“W-Wait, that’s true…!?”

She uses name + -chan for her sisters.

But for me, it’s nickname + -chan.

“This difference means…”

“Yes! Even you should realize it by now…”

Even someone as clueless as me can understand after this much explanation!

“So that means Hiyori-nee sees me as—”

“Hiyori-san is definitely treating me like a baby, right!?”

“…”

There’s no other explanation.

Hiyori-san is clever, so under the guise of a family nickname, she’s still treating me like a baby…

In other words, she’s subtly hinting that I’m not mature enough to be accepted just yet.

“That’s what it means, right, Karin-san!?”

“…”

“Karin-san?”

“When will it finally get through that thick skull of yours!?”

“Eh!?”

I thought I had it figured out!?