AN: I've been struggling with this update since the 21st of May. I've rewritten the ending bits so many times but I can't get the joking/teasing tone right. Well, to heck with it. Let's just keep moving forward. Also, happy birthday to Gahara-san.
[] Stay up longer and clean yourself up
-[] Girls shower, then Boys.
12: Cleaning Up
"R-right, we should clean up" you find yourself saying.
You stand awkwardly for a moment with Shinobu and Episode staring expectantly at you, before you start walking into the house, motioning for them to follow.
There was something you wanted to know. Something that you had realized right away when Shinobu had pointed out how messy you were.
You didn't dare ask, but since when had you stopped caring about being covered in blood?
Was this because you were a contractor, or had you always been this way?
You were afraid of the answer.
You lead them through your house to a small room. There was a sink with a mirror and shelves laden with various hygiene products next to a hamper and laundry machine along one wall. Along the other leaned an ironing board and sat a basket of freshly washed laundry that had yet to be put away.
"The bath is through there," you said, pointing to the door. "Shinobu-san, you can go first and I'll find us some clothes," you gesture to the laundry.
There were definitely advantages to having both of your parents working. If it had been put away immediately, it would have been a pain trying to sneak into your sister's room to steal some of their clothes.
Somehow you feel that you narrowly missed being caught in an embarrassing situation.
"Thanks, Koyomi. I will not take long," she says appreciatively before heading into the bath.
You are mildly surprised that she didn't take the opportunity to tease you more.
Then again, even she might be tired.
She had almost died tonight.
Actually, shouldn't she have been more shaken up about that?
She had seemed really grateful, but had moved on from that pretty quickly.
Maybe she was just moody?
You decide it isn't worth spending too much time thinking over it, particularly when you're this tired.
You root through the laundry taking care not to get any blood on it, pulling some of your sister Karen's pajamas out.
Even though she was your little sister, she was already taller than you were, so you thought they would fit Shinobu.
Right now, Shinobu was about your height, so your sisters clothes would have to do.
Though her dress was clearly made for a much taller woman. Would she change sizes while she slept? She did say something about her current height being temporary.
You sigh, shaking your head. Nothing you can do if that happens.
After a minute, you select some of Karen's clothes for tomorrow for Shinobu, and with much more reluctance, some of your sister's underwear.
While you appreciate girl's underwear as much as the next teenage boy, your sister's were just entirely unappealing.
Or rather, there was nothing wrong with the underwear, but belonging to your sister ruined them.
Though, if Shinobu was wearing them, would they still be your sister's underwear; as appealing as a washcloth, or would they somehow transform, like how the Class Rep's-
No, you weren't going to think about that.
Episode is a bit harder to find clothes for, since he's taller than you are and your father...well you wouldn't touch his clothes even if they might fit Episode.
You settle on some shorts and a baggy t-shirt that had always been too big for you.
You decline to lend him some underwear.
He only has a little blood on him, his own should be fine.
You turn to tell him, only to find him sitting against the wall, fast asleep.
Was he being carefree, or was he also really tired?
You make a quick run to the kitchen to grab a trashbag to throw the dirty clothes in, before you return and sit down next to Episode.
Maybe a cat nap will do you good?
Of course, the door to the bath slides open as soon as you close your eyes.
When you open them you are greeted by the sight of Shinobu standing in the doorway, stretching her arms above her head.
"Ahhhh! I feel so much better!" she exclaims as she arches her back. You continue to gape at her as you feel your cheeks flushing.
It's not that she's acting strange. It's that you have no idea how the flimsy towel she's wrapped around herself hasn't fallen off!
"Don't you have any common sense?! A girl should be more careful!' You find yourself shouting to hide your embarassment.
When did you become a tsundere character?
"Ka ka ka," she laughs in an affected style as she leisurely waltzes into the room. "Such a cheeky subordinate, lusting after his superior. I'll be gracious and let your sexual harassment slide, this time," she says, grinning as she looks around the room.
"Sexual Harassment?! You should be the one worried about being reported for sexual harassment!" you find yourself shouting and you point accusingly at her.
"What's going on?" Episode mumbles sleepily from beside you.
"Ah, such an inconsiderate subordinate. People are trying to sleep, Koyomi, you should not be shouting," Shinobu chides as she fishes a hairdryer out of your family's mess of hygiene products.
"Ah, I'm sorr-wait! Since when was it decided that I'm your subordinate?" You ask.
Didn't you tell her earlier that you were keeping your options open?
Shinobu makes a shooing motion towards the bath, clearly ignoring your protest. "Do not keep me waiting long. It is rude to make a lady wait."
You feel like you should be able to make a retort of some kind, but your sleepy mind fails to rise to the challenge. In the end, after only a moment or two, you turn and walk into the shower, Episode following close behind you.
You clean yourself quickly, while reflecting on just how you were supposed to deal with Shinobu.
She reminded you of your sisters, but unlike them you couldn't simply roughhouse with her if she got too pushy.
It doesn't take you long, and you're finished before Episode despite being much more filthy since he managed to get soap in his eyes.
You dry yourself off, when you hear something that makes your heart stop.
Shinobu is talking to someone.
No, that's not it. Shinobu is talking
with someone.
Not on the phone. Here. In person.
Rushing over, you slide open the door to find Shinobu, alone and dressed.
"Ah, Koyomi! I just met your cute little sister. She seemed pretty shocked that thou brought a girlfriend home," she mentions casually, not looking you in the eyes.
She met your sister...and introduced herself as your girlfriend.
"Though luckily she was so surprised that she did not notice I was wearing her clothes..." she trails off.
How do you feel?
[] Upset. Couldn't she have waited for you to explain things?! Your sisters were going to be even more unbearable now, and they might tell your parents...
[] Understanding. It's unfortunate, but what else was she supposed to say? It couldn't be helped...
[] Nonchalant. Eh, your sisters overreact to every little thing. More importantly, this is a good chance to get some back with a little teasing of your own...
