A bath?
Kouma blinked in surprise.
Before he could react, Haruno had already scooped him up and was carrying him toward the bathroom.
Unlike Yukino’s more modest figure, Haruno’s curves were much closer to their mother’s—voluptuous and mature.
Her thin loungewear clung revealingly as she carried him, giving Kouma an unavoidable view of her generous cleavage with just a slight downward glance.
“Haruno-nee, I can bathe myself!”
At the bathroom doorway, Kouma squirmed in her grasp.
“No, you’re still too small.
Let me help you!”
Haruno refused without hesitation, her voice carrying a cheerful lilt.
“Don’t worry, I have plenty of experience.
I used to bathe Yukino-chan when she was little!”
Kouma suppressed a sigh.
This was the perpetual downside of being a young boy—adults always assumed he needed assistance with everything.
From Haruno’s playful tone, it was clear she viewed him more as an intriguing new toy, like a child eager to examine the inner workings of a newly acquired Transformer.
Normally he wouldn’t mind—Ai had dragged him into communal baths often enough.
But now…
He glanced at his hands, then at the slick ceramic tiles beneath his feet.
Yeah…this looks dangerous.
Watching Haruno roll up her sleeves and begin filling the tub, Kouma reconsidered.
Well…it’s not like I’m the one losing out here.
Haruno shared her mother’s temperament—responsive to gentleness but stubborn against resistance.
Physical closeness might accelerate his “conquest.”
Maybe I really am better suited for an R-18 protagonist route.
As he stepped carefully toward the tub, the inevitable occurred—the “Lucky Pervert” stumble activated.
Splash!
The collision sent both tumbling into the water.
Haruno landed half-reclined, her soaked clothes clinging transparently to every curve while Kouma clung to her like a koala.
An electric tingle ran through her body from the contact.
“The floor is really slippery!” Kouma said with practiced innocence, carefully adjusting his hands away from dangerous territory.
“B-be more careful…”
Haruno’s cheeks flushed pink as she tried ignoring the strange warmth spreading through her.
Pulling Kouma up, her bare feet slipped on the tub’s smooth surface.
Splash!
They fell back into the water.
Startled, Haruno instinctively clutched him tighter against her softness.
“Haruno-nee…”
Kouma squirmed slightly, feeling her body react against his.
“The tub…is slippery too…”
Her breathy murmur carried an unconscious seductiveness that surprised even her.
Did I just…make that sound?
Kouma froze in the water, coming to a realization.
Today’s bathroom encounter is going to be one long series of accidents…
…
The Next Morning.
The handsome youth sitting cross-legged on the bed slowly opened his eyes.
“As expected, absorbing lunar yin energy all night is far more effective!”
Kouma flexed his fist, pleased with his improved physique.
To properly absorb lunar energy required reverting to his true incubus form—something impossible in the crowded orphanage.
Feminine yin energy, however, had no such restrictions.
Size doesn’t matter for that.
“No wonder incubi of the past couldn’t resist hunting women.”
“If moonlight alone provides this much improvement, dual cultivation would be terrifyingly effective!”
“But if my identity gets exposed, I’ll become the prey instead…”
Images of the Yukinoshita sisters flashed through his mind.
“First build rapport…but I need defensive capabilities before anything else.”
System, check in.
[New location unlocked!]
[Check-in successful at Yukinoshita residence.
Obtained: LV1 Invisibility, LV1 Time Stop]
“Two abilities for a new location?
Excellent!”
[LV1 Invisibility: 30-second duration.
60s cooldown.]
[Duplicate LV1 Time Stop detected.
Combine?]
“Combine.”
[LV2 Time Stop: 10-second universal freeze.
30s cooldown.
(Note: Stronger beings retain faint awareness.)]
Time Stop plus Invisibility?
This is practically a license for mischief.
Knock knock.
“Kouma-kun?
Are you awake?”
Haruno’s voice came through the door.
The handsome youth poofed back into his petite form.
“Coming!”
…
After Breakfast.
Haruno left early for student council duties at her national university, leaving Yukino and Kouma to commute together.
Even after a night, Yukino still couldn’t comprehend why her absentee mother—who rarely came home—had suddenly adopted a little brother.
And now I’m stuck commuting with him daily?
Does this mean she’s dumping childcare on me?
What bothered her more was how familiar Haruno acted with him after just one night—more sisterly than she’d ever been with her actual sister.
Am I the outsider in my own family…?
Glaring at the boy, she strode angrily into the car, though her expression smoothed into its usual cool detachment once seated.
“Mikoto-san already enrolled you in Class 1-B of the elementary division.”
Her tone was icy.
“You can find your classroom alone, correct?”
“I have club activities after school.
Call Mikoto-san if you need to return early.”
The message was clear—keep your distance.
Kouma understood perfectly.
She’s projecting her issues with her mother onto me.
Not playing that game.
“Mm…”
He lowered his head slightly, his voice small and deliberately pitiful, “I’ll find the classroom by myself…”
“I’ll buy my own lunch too…”
“I won’t bother Mikoto-san after school…”
“I can wait at the gate until nee-san’s club activities finish…”
“I’m good at waiting.
I had lots of practice at the orphanage…”
His performance was masterful—just vulnerable enough to prick Yukino’s conscience without crossing into obvious manipulation.
She turned sharply, seeing his downcast face illuminated by shifting light—like a stray kitten with nowhere to belong.
Her chest tightened unexpectedly.
“…You don’t need to wait outside.”
Her voice softened despite herself.
“I’ll bring you to the clubroom.”
“And…
we’ll have lunch together.”
When she glanced away, Kouma’s face lit up—as if her simple concession was the greatest gift.
Yukino’s breath caught at his radiant expression.
Got her.