E-book Exclusive Bonus: Konohana Hinako’s Marking

On a certain day off, at the Konohana family mansion.

“Izuki… what did you do when you stayed over at Tennouji-san’s place?”

Hinako, who had come to my room, suddenly asked me that question out of the blue.

“Like I said before, it was mostly just eating, and then it started pouring rain, so I ended up staying the night…”

“…Tell me in more detail.”

Hinako said, her lips pouting just a little.

I’d already been scolded about that incident, but it seemed Hinako still hadn’t completely forgiven me.

“We had dinner, then I think I took a bath… and after that, I studied a bit in the room.”

“All of it… with Tennouji-san?”

“…Well, yeah.”

Hinako paused, looking like she was mulling something over,

“…I’ve decided. Today, we’re going to do everything you did with Tennouji-san… with me.”

She declared as much.

“So… first up, dinner.”

It was just about dinnertime.

I headed to the dining room with Hinako.

I sat next to Hinako and savored the meal that was served. The dinner with Tennouji-san had been part of a manners lesson, but I figured there was no need to mention that.

“Izuki… this is delicious, so you can have it.”

“Thanks… wait, hold on, you just don’t like this, do you?”

“Urk… you caught me.”

She’d left only the bell peppers from the appetizer on her plate, so of course I noticed.

From the kitchen, Shizune-san muttered, “I’m so glad Izuki-san is here…”

“Next… the bath.”

After dinner and a short break, we headed to the bathroom in Hinako’s room.

“Izuki… wash my hair.”

“Alright, alright.”

As requested, I carefully washed Hinako’s long hair.

“Hehe…”

Hinako let out a happy little sound.

After getting out of the bath, we went to my room next.

“And now… post-bath chat time!”

Hinako looked smugly satisfied, as if she’d just completed a mission, letting out a triumphant “Mmph!”

She flopped onto my bed.

“What kind of… stuff did you talk about with Tennouji-san…?”

“Just normal small talk… and some stuff about studying, I guess.”

“Hmm…”

I thought back to that night I stayed at Tennouji-san’s place.

‘I’ll defeat Konohana Hinako!!’

I decided to keep quiet about Tennouji-san’s bold declaration.

“Izuki… do you like living here?”

Hinako asked out of nowhere.

To that question, I could answer without hesitation now.

“Yeah. I love it.”

“…Mm.”

Just a small sound of acknowledgment came back.

Then, with a blissful expression, Hinako closed her eyes…

“Hinako?”

I called her name, but there was no response.

“…She’s asleep.”

Looking at Hinako’s peaceful sleeping face, I let out a small sigh.

(In the end, it was just like always…)

The things I did with Tennouji-san that day were things I did with Hinako practically every day.

I wondered if Hinako truly understood that. With that thought in mind, I gently draped a blanket over her as she softly breathed in her sleep.