Chapter 691

Just now, when she and Natsume-brother sat side by side, there seemed to be an inexplicable atmosphere between them that others could hardly intervene in...

Thinking of this, Kaga Reisa felt her little heart tighten inexplicably, a faint prickling sensation rising, making her feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Natsume Chikage shook his head, his tone earnest:

"I do care a bit, but that's because Konoe Hitomi's identity is rather special, and I have to keep an extra eye out."

Natsume Ruri blinked curiously:

"Is it because Konoe-nee is a person from the Mitou family?"

Natsume Chikage was stunned:

"... You know about this?"

Natsume Ruri nodded:

"Mm, last time when Yukimura Suzune-nee and the others came over to play, didn't Konoe-nee suddenly call you away?"

"Later I was a bit curious, so I asked Yukimura-nee and the others, and that's how I found out Konoe-nee is from the Mitou family, and it seems her status is quite high."

Natsume Chikage was slightly silent:

"Did she say anything else?"

Natsume Ruri shook her head:

"Nothing else."

She paused, then couldn't help but ask:

"But I feel like Konoe-nee seems to care a lot about you, Brother; coming all the way over so late just to ask about your painting... Brother, did something happen between you and her?"

Natsume Chikage sighed lightly and ruffled his sister's hair:

"The real situation is quite complex; I'll tell you when things are truly resolved, okay?"

Natsume Ruri nodded obediently.

She knew her brother had many of his own things to handle, and since he didn't intend to say anything now, she wouldn't insist on asking.

It's just... she vaguely felt that the way this Konoe-nee looked at her brother seemed somewhat similar to Fujiwara-nee and Saionji-nee; they all cared about her brother very much.

Natsume Ruri quietly gave Konoe Hitomi a score in her heart.

【Konoe Hitomi】: Although she has no expression, she speaks very interestingly, +1 point.

At this moment.

Natsume Chikage looked at the clock on the wall; it was indeed getting late.

He turned to Kaga Reisa and said gently:

"Kaga-san, it's quite late now; shall I take you back?"

However, Kaga Reisa seemed exceptionally shy today.

She lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes, her voice as thin as a mosquito's:

"Natsume-brother... today... today my mom and dad aren't coming back home..."

"I... I plan to spend the night at your place and sleep with Ruri-chan... is that okay?"

Natsume Chikage was stunned.

"Eh... spend the night at my place?"

Natsume Ruri immediately chimed in happily:

"Mm! There's no one at Reisa-chan's house tonight."

"And tomorrow is Saturday; isn't she going to the manga magazine publisher with Ruri to submit work? So we thought, we might as well sleep together tonight, and it'll be convenient to leave together tomorrow."

Natsume Chikage's expression was somewhat subtle:

"But have you prepared pajamas, a change of clothes, a toothbrush, and such?"

Kaga Reisa buried her head even lower, almost shrinking into her chest, her earlobes flushed with a rosy hue.

"I've... I've already brought them over in advance."

Natsume Ruri smiled brightly and took Kaga Reisa's arm:

"That's right, Brother! We've prepared everything!"

Natsume Chikage looked at his sister's proud little expression of "acting first and reporting later," and smiled helplessly.

Anyway, Kaga Reisa often came over to keep his sister company, so he had actually thought about the day she might stay over, and it wasn't particularly surprising.

"Of course you can."

"Since you've decided to stay the night, it's not early anymore, so go wash up early and get ready to rest."

Hearing this, Kaga Reisa raised her shy face, which was still flushed, and a look of relief and joy appeared at the corners of her mouth:

"Mm! Thank you, Natsume-brother!"

Soon.

Kaga Reisa, finished washing up, walked out of the bathroom.

She had changed into a light-colored, cute pajama set printed with small flowers, and her hair still carried damp moisture, softly clinging to her neck.

That slightly loose pajama set still couldn't hide her figure, which was beginning to develop at her age, with its exquisite curves.

Natsume Chikage's gaze swept over unintentionally, and he couldn't help but pause slightly.

But he quickly shifted his gaze away, inwardly sighing: young people today have good nutrition, and their development is indeed much better than their peers in the past.

As for his own sister... hmm, his sister probably belongs to the late-blooming type.

Kaga Reisa keenly captured Natsume Chikage's momentary gaze.

She felt a wave of shyness in her heart, but more than that, a secret sense of happiness.

The television was playing a late-night variety show, emitting soft noise.

Kaga Reisa and Natsume Ruri sat side by side by the low table, taking small sips of the hot milk Natsume Chikage had just taken out of the microwave.

"Go to sleep early after you finish drinking."

Natsume Chikage instructed.

"Mm!"

"Thank you, Natsume-brother."

Natsume Chikage also sat down opposite them, looked at the two girls, and asked:

"Regarding the submission, have you successfully made an appointment with the editor?"

Natsume Ruri nodded happily, her eyes shining:

"Mm! The appointment was successful; we can see the editor tomorrow afternoon at two o'clock!"

Natsume Chikage thought for a moment and suggested:

"Tomorrow is Saturday, and there are only classes in the morning at school. After school, I have nothing to do until I go to work at five in the afternoon. How about... I go with you?"

Shy Kaga Reisa heard this suggestion and was very happy, almost wanting to agree immediately.

Thinking about going to the publisher to face a strange editor, she was actually very nervous and uneasy.

If Natsume-brother were with her, she would definitely feel much more at ease.

However, Natsume Ruri pouted slightly and said somewhat shyly:

"This is a rare rest time, so Brother should just rest well or go play."

"As for the submission, Ruri and Reisa-chan can go by ourselves."

Hearing this, Natsume Chikage didn't insist.

He felt this was indeed a good opportunity for his sister to exercise independence and learn to take responsibility.

"Mm, that's fine too. Then good luck to you both, and be safe."

Kaga Reisa, on the side, revealed a faint look of regret in her clear eyes.

The night grew deep.

Natsume Chikage looked at the two girls who were already lying side by side in the bedding, snuggled together, and sleepy.

This time he didn't ask anything more, just walked to the wall and reached out to press the light switch.

"Click—"

A soft sound.

The room was instantly swallowed by darkness, with only a little faint light from the streetlamp outside seeping in through the gap in the curtains.

Natsume Chikage, guided by that faint light, felt his way back to his own bedding.

He habitually took out his phone, the screen's glow illuminating his face in the darkness.

He planned to check if there were any important messages first, and if not, he would write for a while and then go to sleep. ===== CHAPTER 692 =====