Chapter 123 You Have the Taste of Them in Your Mouth
Lying on the bed, Haruka Sakurai seemed to be a little addicted to this special "game".

Wearing the blindfold, she was completely immersed in a world filled with the scent of fresh water.

Qing Shuijian felt worried when he saw the quilt bulging a little abnormally after she was completely covered by it.

But there was nothing that could be done about it. With Sakurai Haruka's height, there was almost no place in Shimizumi's house to hide her, and the drawer-style wardrobe would not be able to accommodate her.

Although Qingshuijian's quilt was quite large, it would still be obvious if there was a person sleeping in it.

But now Shimizu can only hope that Amemiya Iori will not come in to "check on him".

So he quickly closed the door and left the room.

After walking out of the room, the entrance door at the end of the corridor on the right had been opened, and the person who knocked on the door just now was indeed Amamiya Iori.

Reina Shimizu was handing her a pair of cute bunny cotton slippers.

After changing his shoes, Amemiya Iori smiled and touched Shimizu Reina's head, and then... Shimizu Reina blushed.

They get along quite harmoniously.

Watching this scene, Shimizu Ken sighed silently in his heart, and at the same time, he hoped that the relationship between Amamiya Iori and Sakurai Haruka could be like this one day, so that he wouldn't have to worry like he is now.

However, Shimizu Ken's worries were not completely eliminated. Another reason why he was still worried was - Shimizu Reina.

Amemiya Iori doesn't know about Sakurai Haruka's arrival yet, but Shimizu Rena already knows and they have met.

What if she brings this up with Amamiya Iori...

Therefore, Shimizu kept his eyes on the two of them, paying attention to their conversation.

"Honey, I'm back."

Although they had only been separated for less than half an hour, Amamiya Iori rushed over like a lover who had not seen each other for a long time, as if she was sure that Shimizu would catch her.

But in fact, Shimizu Miyabi did open his arms to catch her. Otherwise, he would have fallen to the ground together with Amamiya Iori.

"Iori, didn't you go buy ingredients and seasonings for the hot pot? Why are you back so soon?"

"What's wrong, aren't you happy that I'm back dear?"

"…Of course I am happy."

Shimizu tried to speak in a normal tone, but because he was too concerned about maintaining a normal tone, it ended up sounding a little strange.

Then, Shimizu noticed that Amamiya Iori had nothing in her hands.

Sticking out his tongue, Amamiya Iori said apologetically: "I'm sorry, I forgot to bring my wallet."

"Ah... Sorry, I was careless."

Shimizu hurried to the kitchen, took the envelope left by Hoshino Akiko from the top of the refrigerator, and took out two 10,000 yen bills.

"Iori, this is the cost of the ingredients."

Amemiya Iori has already agreed to help with cooking when Hoshino Akiko is not around, so of course she can't be asked to pay for the ingredients.

"It's just buying some food, there's no need to spend so much money."

Iori Amamiya only took one of them, and although she said the amount was still too much, all the bills left by Akiko Hoshino were large bills, so there was no loose change.

"I'll return the change to you later."

Iori Amamiya doesn't seem to have a particularly strong desire to control money.

"Then I'll leave it to you tonight."

Although Qing Shuijian's words sounded a bit strange, at this moment, in every sense, he really asked for your help.

Shimizu looked at Amamiya Iori, ready to see her off. However, just as she was about to turn around, Amamiya Iori suddenly stopped.

"Don't worry, dear. I'm a little thirsty. Do you have any tea at home?"

"Yes, I'll go..."

Shimizu originally wanted to say, "I'll go take a bath."

"I'd better go to the bar."

But Amemiya Iori said this first, and quickly went around to the back of the kitchen bar, then opened the cabinet as if he was already familiar with this home, and took out the teapot, teacups and tea can.

Of course, he did not forget to use the kettle to boil water, and he also took out the tray neatly.

An uninformed person would definitely mistake her for the mistress of this house.

"Honey, is it okay for you to drink green tea?"

"……Um."

Although the atmosphere was warm and harmonious at the moment, Qingshuijian was still feeling uneasy.

Although she had locked her door for safety reasons, as long as Amamiya Iori stayed here a little longer, Sakurai Haruka, who was tired of playing that "special game", might come out at any time.

But Amamiya Iori didn't know whether she was doing it intentionally or not. She was humming a familiar melody while slowly pouring tea leaves into the teapot.

At the same time, her eyes swept towards the kitchen waste bin for confirmation.

It couldn't be seen from Shimizumi Station, but Amamiya Iori's sight should have fallen on the wrapper of the cream puff that Sakurai Haruka had just eaten in the trash can.

Noticing this, Shimizu unconsciously tensed his body.

"Dear, have you already eaten?"

While pouring tea leaves, Amamiya Iori asked in a natural tone as if he was just asking casually.

"…Um, sorry, I was a little hungry just now."

Shimizu tried to speak in a normal tone, but because he was too concerned about maintaining a normal tone, it ended up sounding a little strange.

"Is that so? Then I'll go to the supermarket and buy some more ingredients."

"Thanks……"

Shimizu Ken wanted to say thank you, but Amemiya Iori had told her twice before that she didn't need to say thank you, so Shimizu Ken didn't hesitate and swallowed the words that were about to come out of her mouth.

Then, Amamiya Iori closed the teapot and slowly raised her eyes, looking at the living room as if casually.

When her vision captured the depths of the living room, Amamiya Iori's expression seemed to change subtly in an instant, perhaps he discovered something wrong.

Thinking so, Shimizu looked towards the living room, and then something fatal came into his sight.

At this time, Rena Shimizu was still sitting in the same seat at the tea table in the living room, but there were three cups of tea on the table, and the black tea inside was still steaming.

That was the tea that Shimizu Mi, Shimizu Reina and Sakurai Haruka had brewed just now when they were sitting at the tea table chatting.

An atmosphere more tense than before filled the room, and a "bad" feeling twitched in every nerve in Qing Shuijian's body.

This sticky and stinging atmosphere made Qing Shuijian's body tense even more, and even cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

All Amamiya Iori saw were traces of a suspected third party scattered throughout the room...

It would be bad if Amamiya Iori continued to observe the room - thinking so, Shimizu Mi reflexively spoke up.

"Iori, let me help you."

"No, dear, go to the living room and rest. The tea will be ready soon."

Amemiya Iori shook her head gently, with the same gentle smile as usual on her face.

Didn't she notice?

……

Qingshuijian returned to the tea table in the living room and sat down.

Reina Shimizu, who was sitting next to her, looked around the living room, as if looking for a blonde older sister who had been there just a moment ago.

And she seemed to care a lot about what happened just now. Although she really wanted to ask Qingshuijian for clarification, she still tried to restrain herself.

Not long after, Amemiya Iori placed the teapot and teacups on a tray and brought it to the tea table.

Iori Amamiya held up the hem of her skirt, put her legs together and sat down opposite Shimizu, skillfully pouring tea into three cups in order.

First, pour one-third each, then half full in the second round, and eight-tenths full in the third round. Then say "please enjoy" and place the teacup in front of Reina Shimizu.

"Thank you, Iori-nee."

Shimizu Reina accepted it respectfully.

"Come on, drink too, dear."

Observing Amamiya Iori's reaction, Shimizu Miya took his cup from her. "Ah, please have this one too."

Amemiya Iori invited the two to enjoy cookies placed on a plate, which were shaped like cute little bears.

“Wow, this is delicious.”

Reina Shimizu smiled happily as she ate.

Shimizu Miyabi picked up one and put it in his mouth, but the tense atmosphere in the room hindered his taste buds and he couldn't taste anything.

He picked up the tea that Amamiya Iori had just brewed and took a sip while it was still hot.

After drinking the hot tea, he couldn't help but let out a sigh.

Qing Shuijian slowly placed the teacup back on the warming table.

"It's important, so I need to confirm it."

Amamiya Iori spoke as if he had been waiting for this moment for a long time.

Shimizu Mi thought he was talking to him, but found that Amamiya Iori was looking at Shimizu Reina next to him.

"Sister Reina, did we have any guests over at our house just now?"

There was still a smile on Amemiya Iori's face and his voice was very gentle, but at this moment, an indescribable, creepy thing ran into Shimizu's body and crawled on his back.

It was just a simple sentence, but it seemed to turn time into a sticky liquid, losing its original properties and enveloping the small house where four people lived.

The delicate teacup in his hand trembled slightly, and the light green transparent tea liquid swayed in the cup. Qingshui realized that it was not the tea liquid that was shaking, but his hand. Unable to bear its weight, he put the cup back on the tea table.

Reina Shimizu lowered her head slightly and stroked the hem of her skirt covering her thighs with her hands. The sound of fabric rubbing against each other could be heard in the silent living room.

"Sister Amemiya, just now..."

Just as Shimizu Reina was about to speak, Shimizu Ken covered her mouth almost reflexively.

"Woooooooo..."

Maybe she wanted to say something, but Rena Shimizu could only make vague whimpers.

Shimizu Ken immediately seized the opportunity and winked quickly at Shimizu Reina.

At this moment, when Shimizu Rena saw Shimizu Ken's actions, several little versions of herself popped up in her mind, holding an urgent meeting.

Number One: "Why did you look at me like that, brother? Is there something wrong with that blonde sister? Is it because Amemiya sister is here that you can't say it?"

Number Two: "Of course! Is that even necessary? Are you some stupid little fool? Can't you see that your brother is in trouble right now?"

Number One: "But wouldn't that be deceiving Sister Amamiya? She's been so good to me..."

Number Three: "As expected, Amamiya-sister's is a little bigger..."

The three little men in my mind were arguing and discussing fiercely.

Reina Shimizu lowered her eyes slightly, and her long and thick eyelashes trembled slightly, casting a faint shadow on her eyelids.

"That's it, I understand."

Shimizu Reina didn't say anything in the end, but Amamiya Iori herself skipped the topic.

……

An hour later, the hot pot banquet including Amamiya Iori and Shimizu Reina began.

The table was filled with meat and other ingredients, and there was plenty of them.

The previous sticky atmosphere seemed to be dispelled by the heat of the hot pot, allowing time to flow again in this room.

Amemiya Iori looked at him with eyes that showed she was hoping that Shimizu would start quickly, so he clasped his hands together.

"I'm gonna start now."

After Qingshuijian picked up a piece of tender beef with chopsticks and put it into his mouth, he really couldn't stop eating it.

While feeling Amamiya Iori looking at him with a smile, he put the food into his mouth one bite after another.

Savor every bite, this is the best way to thank Amamiya Iori.

Of course, you can’t have hot pot without sesame paste.

So, where is the tahini?

It seems that Amemiya Iori and the others dipped it in orange vinegar, but Shimizu Mi prefers sesame paste, so she kept looking for it.

"Would you like tahini, dear?"

"Ah, yes."

"Here I am."

Amemiya Iori smiled and handed Shimizumi sesame paste. Although he didn't say it out loud, she noticed Shimizumi's need.

"Iori-sister, do you know that brother is looking for this?"

“…Actually, I was also surprised, but I think it’s somewhat understandable.”

Shimizu Reina didn't seem to understand what Amamiya Iori meant and tilted her head in confusion, but don't worry, Shimizu Mi couldn't figure it out either.

"Honey, do you want tofu?"

"Ah."

"Ah, the meat is cooked again. Come on, dear, eat more meat~"

Amemiya Iori kept picking up food for Shimizu Mi, and as her stomach gradually became full, the impromptu hotpot banquet for three people came to an end.

Shimizu Mi originally wanted to see them both off, but Amamiya Iori said she would just send Shimizu Reina back.

When saying goodbye, Amamiya Iori changed his shoes at the entrance, turned around and moved towards Shimizu behind him. He leaned forward, and the majestic and thick mountains fell before his eyes.

Shimizu tried to step back, but Amamiya Iori held his waist tightly.

"…Iori?"

Shimizu was confused, but Amamiya Iori didn't say anything, but just slowly moved their faces closer.

When the tip of her nose was less than a centimeter away from Qing Shuijian, her naturally falling hair gently scratched his neck, and her hot and moist breath sprayed on his ears, making him itchy and unbearable, as if it was going to soak his ears and invade his brain along the eardrums.

Amamiya Iori stood on tiptoe, moved her nose near Shimizu's shirt, and finally stopped at his lips.

“Sniff…sniff…”

"What are you doing?" Qingshuijian asked.

Then, Amamiya Iori slowly straightened up, and his beautiful blue eyes gradually narrowed into two slits.

"Honey, that doesn't taste like a cream puff in your mouth."

"..."

Amemiya Iori said this with a faint smile, but she didn't seem to want Shimizumi's answer.

As usual, she said to Shimizu Mi, "See you at school tomorrow," and then went out with Shimizu Rena and disappeared into the night.

Did she really not notice?
……

Setagaya-ku, Tokyo.

As the night deepened, the streets fell asleep in silent darkness.

Amemiya Iori and Shimizu Rena walked together on the dark road, and said goodbye only when they saw the community where Shimizu Rena lived.

"Thank you, Iori-nee. I'll be fine as soon as I get here. My house is just ahead."

"Is that so? Then be careful on the road."

"Well, see you tomorrow, Iori-nee."

Shimizu Reina was about to turn around and walk away, but someone grabbed her from behind. She looked back and found that it was Amamiya Iori who was holding her arm.

"Sister Amamiya?"

The lights on the street were dim, and Amamiya Iori lowered her head again, so Shimizu Rena couldn't see her expression at the moment.

"Can you tell me who the woman who came to see your brother today is?"

(End of this chapter)