Chapter 54 – Art Department (Patreon)

Sayuri hadn't expected Touko to strike so fast. In less than an hour, she had even changed clothes. This completely disrupted Sayuri's interception plan.

But—better late than never. Sayuri had confidence in her own figure. And she could use the tactic of wardrobe variety.

Seeing Touko about to leave with Kouma's hand in hers, Sayuri quickly said to Eriri beside her, "Eriri, Mom needs to go to the restroom!"

With that, she quietly followed.

Back at the Service Club, Miko had spent the past half-hour tentatively and nervously trying to chat with the aloof Yukino. She wanted to get along with her potential sister-in-law.

Coincidentally, Yukino was also somewhat interested in Miko, who seemed so familiar with Kouma. They talked for a while, though Yukino spent most of the time subtly probing Miko for information. She easily gleaned a few details.

She invited Kouma to her house because her mother sees him as a substitute for her deceased son... But Yukino was more concerned about the dynamic between Kouma and Miko.

Given Kouma's charm—even she, his nominal sister, had... Yukino didn't believe Miko's feelings for Kouma were purely sisterly.

But Miko was cautious about that topic and clammed up completely. Confessing to occupying someone else's little brother in front of a fellow sister-con was basically self-detonation.

Yukino shifted the conversation to Kouma's daily habits—and was increasingly shocked. Miko knew almost everything about Kouma's preferences, habits, even his unconscious little gestures.

This all but confirmed Yukino's suspicion. No ordinary "close sister" would observe a boy this meticulously.

Not long after, Kouma and Mrs. Yotsuya returned.

"Mom, why did changing clothes take so long?" Miko complained.

Yukino's cool gaze first landed on Kouma, then swept over Mrs. Yotsuya's black-stockinged legs. Changing clothes—did she need to put on stockings too? Or was she wearing them the whole time? She also noticed that the look in Mrs. Yotsuya's eyes when she gazed at Kouma seemed... familiar. It was the same look her own mother gave Kouma.

It seems Mrs. Yotsuya really does see Kouma as the son she lost. Yukino dismissed her doubts.

After finishing the remaining takoyaki, the Yotsuya mother-daughter pair said goodbye.

From her hiding spot around the corner, Sayuri watched them leave the Service Club. Her eyes sparkled with delight. Now it's my turn! Go, Sayuri!

She pumped her fist in front of her chest, then pretended to pass by the Service Club by chance. "Kouma?" she called out in feigned surprise.

Sayuri's eyes widened in pleasant surprise as she spotted the sho[ta] inside. Auntie Sayuri? Kouma glanced at her, mildly surprised. He had only just returned, and she had arrived right on his heels. No doubt about it—she had been tailing him.

"I was just looking for you at the elementary school! What are you doing here?" Sayuri asked lightly, as if she had truly stumbled upon him by accident.

Yukino looked at the stunning young woman before her and raised an eyebrow. Another beautiful young wife...

Kouma looked up. "Auntie Sayuri, what did you need me for?"

"Ah... we wanted your opinion on Eriri's new work," Sayuri said naturally. She knew about the bet between Eriri and Kouma. To her, it was just a childish challenge, but it made the perfect excuse now.

Yukino blinked at the name. "Eriri Sawamura? The art club ace?" She looked down at Kouma curiously. "That's right—Eriri-neechan!"

Yukino was taken aback. Eriri Sawamura was the art club's star student—a genius who had been winning awards since her first year of high school. Someone with that level of talent needed Kouma's feedback?

Could Kouma have an even rarer gift for painting?

Kouma was more clear-headed. He couldn't guide her in serious painting. But the other kind... they did have that bet between them. Still, he didn't think the proud, tsundere Eriri would ever ask for his help. So he was curious about what Sayuri was really up to.

"Auntie Sayuri, shall we go now?"

"Yes!" Kouma looked at Yukino with a slightly pleading expression. "Yukino-neechan..."

Yukino felt deeply satisfied. The look was exactly like a husband asking his wife's permission to go out. "Go ahead, Kouma. I'll watch over... here." She deliberately emphasized the word home, making it feel like a game of house.

But she didn't feel childish at all. The exchange felt like a married couple's interaction—every word, every glance sent a secret thrill through her heart.

"I'm counting on you, Yukino-neechan!" Kouma followed Sayuri out of the Service Club.

"Was that your sister? She's beautiful!" Sayuri remarked.

"Auntie Sayuri is beautiful too!" The sho[ta]'s earnest compliment made Sayuri's heart flutter. Words carried different weight depending on who said them. If Eriri praised her, she'd be happy but not deeply moved. But from Kouma's mouth, it made her heart race. She couldn't help tickling his palm.

"What a sweet little mouth you have!"

They soon reached the art department. The exhibition was set up in the hallway, fully visible at a glance. Kouma couldn't find Eriri anywhere.

"Where's Eriri-neechan?" Sayuri was also puzzled. But now that she had lured Kouma here, Eriri's absence gave her more freedom to act.

"She must have stepped away for something. Let's go inside first." She led Kouma through the back door of the art department and, after a couple of turns, brought him into Eriri's private room.

"The art department has a room like this? It's like a secret chamber!" Kouma said in surprise.

"Yes—it's reserved for Eriri. No one will disturb us here." Sayuri's slender fingers expertly locked the door behind them.

Kouma caught a sound from behind the desk. His sharp eyes spotted a hint of blonde in the crack. He realized what was happening and decided to test the waters.

"Auntie Sayuri, you said Eriri-neechan wanted my feedback..."

Before he could finish, Sayuri's waist sash dropped to the floor. The beautiful yukata slid off, revealing the provocative outfit she had carefully prepared underneath.

Kouma's eyes widened. Again? Did she and Touko plan this together?

"Eriri doesn't seem to grasp the essence of the genre... so I thought I'd help her out." Sayuri's eyes were misty as she wrapped her arms around Kouma, her breath warm against his ear.

But Kouma, having just been through a similar encounter, was far more composed. He noticed that the breathing behind the desk had grown heavier—but no sound came.

Sayuri felt frustrated. That woman Touko really stole the advantage!

Without further hesitation, she pulled over the clothing rack beside her. Hanging on it were several different outfits—a backless sweater, a spiderwoman costume, and other varied styles.

Kouma's breath caught. What on earth does Eriri keep in this studio? "Did Eriri-neechan prepare all these?"

Arms around Sayuri's waist, her eyes grew more hazy. "Mmm... multiple tries are needed to memorize the essence. Let's practice a bit before Eriri comes back..."

A few minutes earlier...

"Eriri-senpai, do you have a marker?" "Wait a sec, let me find one." Eriri went into her private room and started rummaging through the desk. "Huh? I thought there was one here..." She checked the drawers, then crouched down to search the floor.

Click—thump!

The sound of a door opening and closing came from behind. Thinking a student had entered her room, Eriri stood up—and smacked her head on the edge of the desk.

"Ow..." She was about to complain when she heard a very familiar voice. Mom? And Kouma?!

Still crouched, she turned around and saw their figures through the gap under the desk. Why did Mom bring Kouma here?

Then she watched in stunned silence as the yukata slipped to the floor. Her blue eyes flew wide open. Her mother's seductive voice reached her ears.

"Eriri doesn't seem to grasp it... so I thought I'd help her out."

Wait—Mom, do you even know what you're saying? Eriri's mind was filled with question marks. I can't grasp it, so you're stepping in?

She had been creatively blocked lately, struggling to produce even half a page a day. But this... Through the gap, she could clearly feel the increasingly intimate atmosphere.

Her face burning, she covered it with her hands, then peeked through her fingers. Should I make a sound to warn her? She was torn.

She never imagined her own mother would be into Kouma—and with this level of boldness and determination. No wonder she wore that under her yukata today...

The scene before her flooded her mind with messy thoughts. As the atmosphere on the other side of the desk grew more intimate, Eriri's breathing grew heavier.

Then it happened—her doujinshi artist bloodline awakened. Images of sketches poured into her mind in rapid succession.

For Eriri, the time spent in that small room felt unbearably long. In truth, it had indeed been quite a while. Her legs had gone numb from crouching behind the desk.

After witnessing it all firsthand, her understanding of the genre had been completely redefined.

By the time her mother and Kouma finally left, Eriri had to hold onto the desk to stand up. "This is just... insane."

She smelled the lingering air in the room, her face deep red, her expression complicated.

Sayuri had raised her alone, and Eriri knew her struggles. She understood. But she had never expected her mother to choose Kouma—a sho[ta]. And worst of all—she had stolen her competition.

The fact left Eriri torn between laughing and crying. What do I do? Should I support Mom?

She felt a pang of reluctance.

Just then, the door opened again.

Eriri flinched, about to hide—but her dead legs refused to obey, and she stumbled forward into the newcomer.

A familiar jolt of pleasure escaped her lips.

Then a childish voice whispered by her ear.

"Eriri-neechan... just watching without practicing won't help you remember the essence."

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