In Tokyo: They are heavily dependent on me

Chapter 67. May I hold your hand?

At the start of Saturday, Hoshino Kaoru did her usual preparations, repeatedly carrying some of the heavier ingredients into the kitchen.

It's summer now, and ingredients can easily spoil if you're not careful. Plus, the ramen shop has been extensively renovated recently, so the number of customers has doubled, and the demand for ingredients has increased. He was quickly working up a sweat.

Since Rin is a girl, Kaoru doesn't feel comfortable entrusting her with physical labor, so he's always been in charge of moving the ingredients himself.

"Is there really no place where birds can help?"

Sitting in the chair, Aoko swung her legs, watching Kaoru carry the ingredients back and forth.

"No need, and you can't help anyway."

Kaoru didn't think that Kaoru, who was only 150 centimeters tall, could help her.

"But... Asuka is very strong."

"Never mind, just clean up the mess. The guests will be here in twenty minutes."

"Oh... okay."

There was no toilet on the first floor, so you had to go upstairs to get water. Qingkong carried a bucket upstairs to get water, and when she saw her carrying a full bucket of water downstairs, Xun's eyes widened in surprise.

"If you fill the container more, you won't have to fill it repeatedly."

The bucket was placed properly, and the surrounding ground remained dry; not a drop of water had spilled.

Seemingly noticing the surprised expression on Kaoru's face, Aozora continued grumbling as she wiped the table.

"In the fall, the sugarcane and sweet potatoes at home ripen, and the birds often help out, so even physically demanding jobs are no problem."

"Oh...I understand."

That being said, seeing a petite girl lift heavy objects without batting an eye still creates a powerful visual impact.

After finishing the preparations for the ramen shop, Rin went downstairs in a daze, still looking like she hadn't fully woken up.

Good morning, Rin.

Good morning, brother.

"Good morning, Rin-senpai."

"Good morning... Asuka...chan!"

It was as if they had realized some astonishing truth.

Rin couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

Today is the weekend, and as employees, we have two days off.

"No work today... Did Asuka-chan get the time wrong?"

"Asuka knows, that's why it's overtime... Asuka-chan wants to earn more money, so please."

Aozora, who is a year older than Rin, is behaving with a reserved demeanor that is inconsistent with her senior. She is carefully observing the reactions of the other two people present, as if seeking their consent.

"Overtime... okay, but not every week."

"Okay, thank you."

I felt slightly dizzy, or perhaps the situation was too sudden.

Rin held her forehead, frowned, and sat down at the dining table.

The busy morning work began quickly.

To avoid being recognized, even in the summer, Aozora would wear a mask, obscuring her facial features. Rin wore very simple work clothes; the two didn't put much effort into their appearance, yet customers entering the ramen shop were still drawn to them.

"Oh! This new girl is so cute! Seeing how energetic you all are makes me feel better."

Office workers who have to work overtime on weekends treat the scene in front of them as scenery.

Regular customers at the ramen shop know about Rin's situation and will pay extra when settling the bill without asking for change.

The number of customers in the store gradually decreased until nearly 11 o'clock.

As the three of them sat around the table eating lunch, Kaoru noticed something was wrong with Rin.

"Rin, your complexion looks strange. Should we go to the hospital to get it checked out?"

"Strange...it's probably because the air conditioning was too cold last night."

Rin ate her meal in silence, while Kaoru placed her hand on Rin's forehead, feeling the warmth of her body.

"Hmm... I don't think there's any sign of a fever. If you're tired, Rin can rest more. You can leave the work at the shop to me... and Aozora-chan too."

After checking on Rin's condition, Kaoru noticed that the phone lying to the side had lit up.

So he started looking through the messages, which were sent by Minister Yanagi no Shinobu.

[Kaoru-kun, I'd like to visit your home.]

[A visit... is probably not possible this week, let's wait until next week.]

[Oh...I understand. I'll definitely do my best then.]

"Perform well"? The "perform well" that Minister Yanagishita mentioned... could it mean...?

Kaoru's thoughts uncontrollably drifted to certain unspeakable aspects.

If we're going to visit his house... perhaps we could ask Minister Yanagi to prepare a nurse's outfit beforehand? However... in comparison, he actually prefers a sexy maid outfit, or a teacher's outfit would be nice too.

Thinking of this, he began to imagine what the young lady would look like when she put on a maid's outfit, lifted her skirt with a look of disgust, and looked at him.

As expected, she looks cuter in a maid outfit!

Soon, it was afternoon.

Rin was taking a nap upstairs and hadn't woken up yet. Kaoru wondered if she had overslept, so she went to the bedroom door and pushed it open.

The curtains were drawn, blocking out the light, but he could still vaguely make out the outlines of objects in the room, as well as the silhouette of a person lying on the bed.

Hearing the door open, the figure on the bed shifted and sat up.

"Brother...did I oversleep...?"

"Rin, wait a minute... don't move."

Rin's voice became very weak. Noticing the abnormality in her, Kaoru turned on the small nightlight on the bedside table. In the light, her slightly flushed face could be clearly seen.

He stretched out his palm, and the temperature of his body... was very strange.

"You have a fever? Your temperature... is very high!"

"It's okay... I can still continue working."

"No, I'll take care of the work for now. You should get some rest."

Kaoru's attitude was very firm, and Rin could deeply feel that he was being cared for. Although nothing had happened, Rin could feel a sense of security.

"Brother, can you wait a little longer before you leave?"

Lying on the bed, Rin gazed at the face before her with eyes that held a strange undertone.

As long as I can spend time with my brother... even if I'm sick or feeling unwell, it's okay.

As long as she could be with her brother... Rin felt happy. The uncomfortable feeling disappeared, and all that remained was a sense of satisfaction.

Ah... I wish things could stay like this forever.

Rin lay on her side facing Kaoru, staring silently at her older brother who had always been by her side, someone with whom she shared no blood relation but had long since become a true family.

My brother is the one who can never be replaced, the one who can never be forgotten.

Being accompanied and cared for is very comforting. The thought of being with my brother makes work easier, and I don't feel tired at all.

"elder brother......"

By the time I realized it, my body had already lost control and did what I did.

Rin extended her right hand, and a faint sound escaped from her moist cherry lips.

"Can I...hold your hand?"