Chapter 233. Whoever loves fishing can go fish!
The soft morning light traced faint silhouettes on the curtains, and Kiana woke slowly, roused by her reliable internal clock.
She opened her eyes and was about to yawn when she sensed something off. She blinked down in a daze, and the moment she noticed the broad body in her arms, she jolted.
But the familiar warmth calmed her at once, and memories of last night surfaced.
Right—Xander stayed over in her room.
Heat rushed to her cheeks; Kiana's toes curled, a mix of shyness and sweetness flooding her chest. Although, just as Xander had said, they hadn't done that kind of thing, under her initiative yesterday everything that shouldn't be touched—and everything that should—had been played with thoroughly.
Kiana, where's your modesty!!!
The little voice in her heart yelled at her, making her feel even more mortified.
Who knew where Xander had learned those sweet nothings? After she took the initiative to ask for a kiss, his lines came one after another, punching holes through her paper-thin defenses. Her mind went hazy; she couldn't pull herself out. If he hadn't held back, she might have given everything last night.
At that moment, Elysia—who had just gotten up—sneezed, looked around in puzzlement, then carefully cleared the number on the scale and hid it under the bed.
Letting out a long breath, Kiana pushed down her shyness and looked down again.
She clearly remembered that when they fell asleep last night, Xander was holding her. How did she wake up to find herself holding him?
But seeing that adorable sleeping face buried against her chest, Kiana couldn't help a soft, fond smile.
Love is blind, and the reverse is true as well. The more Kiana looked at Xander, the better he looked—handsomer by the second. That sleeping face was especially so. If she weren't afraid of disturbing his rest, she would have pulled out her phone and taken a few shots.
She remembered Kaguya and Elysia had some saved on their phones. She'd beg a few from them next time.
Her thoughts wandered who-knows-where for who-knows-how long. When she finally came back to herself and focused, she met a pair of dark eyes.
"Good morning~"
His gentle voice drifted over, and Kiana flustered. "G-good morning!"
Then she blurted, "Xander, when did you wake up?"
"When… right when you were mumbling that you wanted to be held, and then you—mmph—"
"O-okay, don't say it!!"
A rush of heat slammed into Kiana's head. Without thinking, she clapped a hand over his mouth.
How did I say my daydreams out loud!!!!
So embarrassing!!
Watching the mortified Kiana, Xander Masato's eyes curved with amusement. He truly found her interesting.
All her little reactions when they were together were fun—he liked them a lot. And, just like Black Seele, she was a potential little sub; when she was held down and pinned, she went soft and didn't resist in the slightest. No wonder so many people in a past life called Kiana a "K-zero." It wasn't without reason.
He pulled her hand away, lifted himself from her chest, and gathered Kiana into his arms.
Held like this, she quickly quieted, curling against him, perfectly obedient.
After that brief commotion, the light outside grew stronger. He told Kiana a word or two, then got out of bed under her reluctant gaze.
Figuring he'd already seen pretty much everything, Kiana pushed down her shyness and slipped into the bathroom when Xander went in, clinging to him in a syrupy voice to ask him to wash her hair.
Xander of course wouldn't refuse a small favor. He had Kiana sit on the little stool; standing behind her, he combed through her glossy white hair.
In the mirror, Kiana with her long hair down no longer had the high-school youthfulness from when they first met. With her lover tending her hair, her eyes were full of ease and tenderness. Looking through the glass, Xander even found a trace of Cecilia in her features. As expected of mother and daughter.
"All right, all done."
Long hair can be a pain to wash, but Xander was experienced; he finished quickly. Just as he planned to soak in the tub for a bit, he noticed the flush on Kiana's cheeks.
"What's wrong? Why's your face so red?"
"Mm…"
Her eyes wandered; Kiana hemmed and hawed. Xander wasn't in a hurry. After a moment, she seemed to muster her courage, turned, and pointed below his waist.
"T-that place… is it uncomfortable…"
While he'd been combing her hair, those faint brushes against her back had made Kiana shiver several times.
"Just a normal physiological reaction, nothing serious. Come on, let's soak together."
A morning reaction wouldn't last until then on its own, but since he was bathing with Kiana, not reacting would have been abnormal.
"I-I can do it!"
She lifted her chin. Her eyes were misty, but the instant she met his gaze, the courage she'd just gathered went soft again.
"I-I've seen it before… those kinds of manga…"
…
"I-it's my first time, if Xander feels uncomfortable, r-remember to tell me..."
…
"Morning, Sirin~"
"Morning…"
Morning. Xander Masato was lounging lazily on the living-room sofa, Kiana snuggled into him like a kitten, sweet and clingy.
Sirin came downstairs and saw the scene; she couldn't help clicking her tongue inside.
"I'm not interested in Xander!!"
The vow Kiana had once sworn in front of her flashed through Sirin's mind, and she silently cursed: big liar.
She walked past them, eyes straight ahead.
Hmph, just cuddling—she wasn't jealous. Not jealous at all. Sob…
She poured a cup of warm water and downed half of it in gulps. Watering sorrow with water, her mood finally eased a little.
Time ticked by. Before long, everyone in the house had gotten up and come downstairs one after another.
Seele and Mei were still in the kitchen making breakfast; everyone else waiting to be fed had gathered in the living room.
"Give me a meow~"
"Meow~"
He scratched Kiana's chin, and she rubbed against him in bliss, meowing happily like a kitten.
"You've trained her well."
Elysia had taken Xander's other side, so Bronya could only sit on the sofa opposite. Seeing this, she spoke with a laugh.
"W-what do you mean trained? This is proof of how close Xander and I are!"
Kiana frowned and puffed her cheeks.
"Our relationship is pretty close too. Kiana, why won't you meow for me?"
"Meow! Meow meow meow! Meow meow meow meow meow!!!"
"Pfft~"
Bronya couldn't help laughing, and everyone else joined in.
"What are you laughing at! Weren't you the one who told me to meow?"
Even though no one was being mean, Kiana still went red with embarrassment.
"It's nothing. I just suddenly remembered high-school days. Kiana, you really do understand cat speech~"
"Cat speech?"
Elysia asked curiously.
"It's nothing, back then, mm—"
"Xander, you're not allowed to say it!!"
Kiana reacted fast; face flaming, she clapped a hand over his mouth.
Unfortunately, two others in the room knew the story.
In the spirit of "best friends prank first," Sirin smiled. "Back then, Kiana ate a skewer of poisonous mushrooms…"
They swapped old stories. Kaguya and Elysia listened with relish—especially the part where Kiana, to stop a kitty from eating Xander, threw herself between them without hesitation; that had them in stitches.
Kiana retorted, face red.
"Mushrooms—how was I supposed to know the ones in the ground were poisonous…"
Then came more like "they just weren't cooked enough" and "that kitty really was dangerous," setting everyone off again. The living room bubbled with laughter.
At breakfast, everyone finally stopped teasing Kiana, and she exhaled in relief.
"Any plans before the New Year?" Bronya asked casually.
"Nope. Just need to help promote CLANNAD's launch at the start of next year. Won't take long."
"Great—then I want to go to Gensokyo Park with Xander~"
Elysia's eyes lit up.
"Seele's favorite cosmetics brand has new releases. If big brother could go with Seele, that would be wonderful."
Seele quickly chimed in, sneaking glances at her brother.
"I bought a few new games. I need a co-op buddy."
"I as well…"
By the end, even Griseo and Sirin had spoken—one wanted him to keep her company painting, the other wanted him to accompany her stream. With just a few words, they'd divvied up every minute of his vacation.
"Uh… I haven't even agreed yet…"
He protested weakly. No one paid him any mind—not even Kiana, who deliberately ignored him.
Clearly, his opinion didn't matter.
Realizing that, he sighed, picked up his bowl, and ate quietly.
Since it's come to this, might as well eat first.
The days that followed went exactly as the girls had planned. Considerate this time, they never intruded on one another—they made sure there was only one girl by Xander's side each time, for one-on-one dates.
Theme park, mall, arcade—by day he hustled all over, and by night he set a romantic mood and then worked hard again. Exhausting, but happy. And just like that, the year's end arrived.
December 31, the day before the New Year.
The girls were merciful, leaving him two days to rest.
By the sea, on the cliff where Kiana had confessed to Xander before.
Xander Masato sat on the wooden post, a small bucket of water at his side and a fishing rod propped before him.
For two days, he'd sat there, letting the sea breeze blow while he waited quietly for a fish to bite.
Sadly, an entire morning passed without a single fish—though he did attract one Seele.
She moved a little stool beside her brother, sat with a squinty smile, and said nothing.
After a while, the float plunged. Xander, quick-eyed and quick-handed, yanked the rod up.
And then—seeing the empty hook, he sighed.
Another empty strike.
Wasn't there supposed to be a beginner's protection period for fishing? How had he not caught a single one?!
"Pfft~"
A dainty giggle sounded beside him, and Xander, half-embarrassed, half-irritated, said, "Don't laugh. Maybe you made too much noise walking over and scared the fish away."
"Mhm mhm mhm, it was Seele who scared them away."
If he hadn't mentioned it, fine; since he did, Seele laughed even harder.
When she finally finished laughing, she asked, curious, "Big brother, let Seele try."
"You want to fish too?"
He had just baited the hook when he heard her voice.
"Mhm!"
"Alright, come here."
He stood and handed her the rod. She plopped into his spot, buzzing with excitement, and cast, copying his motions.
Soon, the float drifted gently on the calm sea.
Seeing Seele grip the rod like she was ready to lift at any second, Xander couldn't help advising, "Don't rush. Wait until the fish bites and pulls the float all the way under, then reel in. If you lift too early, you might—"
Before he finished, Seele stood and hauled the rod up.
"I told you not to—huh?"
A lively saltwater fish was wriggling on the hook. Xander's words stuck in his throat.
Are you kidding me?
Buddy, why did you bite?!
"Fishing doesn't seem that hard~"
Listening to Seele's sweet voice, Xander fell silent.
"Boring. I'm going home."
With his confidence in tatters, he wandered off toward home.
Seele hurried to pack the gear and followed him, but soon lost sight of him.
He didn't come back until evening.
"Look at the big fish I caught!!"
"Mhm, mhm—big brother, you're amazing!!"
He carried a bucket with a five-to-six-catty fish inside, his face wearing unmistakable smugness.
Seele didn't ask why a freshwater fish could be caught at sea. Instead, she showered him with praise.
She'd pushed her brother a bit too hard today—time to comfort him more.
Unfortunately, while Seele comforted him, Bronya found a new angle for fun.
She walked over, eyed the fish, looked at a preening Xander, and asked, "How much per catty?"
"Oh, not expensive, just—"
His voice trailed off. Bronya burst out laughing, and Xander's face cycled red and green.
Soon, the tale of Xander Masato failing to fish and buying a "catch" at the supermarket had spread through the house. Finding the fun still not big enough, Bronya even posted it on her blog. The internet erupted in glee, and a world where only one person was hurt was born.
Thus chastened, Xander resolved to seal the rod for good. Whoever loves fishing can go fish—he was done.
Early the next morning, Kaguya dragged him out of bed. They'd agreed to visit the shrine together for New Year's, and after that he had to hurry to St. Freya Gymnasium—the first Gensokyo Exhibition was starting today.
"Where's Griseo?"
Looking over the girls around him, Xander asked.
"She had something early and went out. She told us not to wait," Seele said, coming over.
"Mm. Then let's go."
Not thinking much of it, they headed out into the morning light together.
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