Chapter 110: New Year's Eve, The Gathering of the Leading Ladies

In the quiet, dimly lit living room, the atmosphere was somewhat oppressive.

Maoju Makoto had left; it seemed she had come only to inform Amemiya Sayo to prepare to replace Amemiya Koji.

Though she hadn’t said much throughout, Anwa inexplicably sensed a certain urgency in her demeanor, as if she were racing against time.

Earlier, the narrator had hinted that someone would die soon, and Anwa suspected it might have something to do with Makoto Maoju.

Shaking his head, Anwa decided not to dwell on it any longer.

Looking up at the table opposite, since Makoto Maoju had delivered her final ultimatum and Sayo Amemiya was to leave in seven days, the Amemiya sisters were both somewhat downhearted.

“Don’t both wear such gloomy faces,” Anwa broke the silence. When the two sisters looked up, he smiled and continued, “Sayo is only returning to the Amemiya Group, not leaving Tokyo. We’ll still have plenty of time together.”

“That’s right!” Saori Amemiya responded belatedly, her previously downcast face suddenly brightening like a clear sky after rain. Her radiant smile returned as she clapped her hands, excitement evident.

“Big sister isn’t leaving Tokyo, so we’ll still see each other often!”

As she spoke, Saori’s eyes shone brighter, and she impulsively hugged her sister Sayo, pressing her cheek against hers and rubbing affectionately with a beaming smile:

“Sis will come to see us often, right?”

Rarely did Sayo Amemiya respond to such closeness by not pulling away; instead, she indulgently raised her hand, stroked Saori’s head, and nodded softly in agreement.

…

Because both Sword Art Online and Attack on Titan were about to be animated, Anwa had been busy once more these days.

Writing, drawing, taking calls, being close to Amemiya Sayo, and occasionally chatting late at night with the neighbor Kurozaki Natsuko.

This continued for several days until January 22nd, New Year’s Eve.

Having informed the Serizawa sisters and Kurozaki Natsuko in advance, Anwa dragged the still-sleeping Amemiya Saori out of bed early that morning, tasking her with meticulously cleaning every corner of the room with a cloth.

As for himself, he went out with Amemiya Sayo to buy ingredients.

By the time they returned carrying bags, a busy little figure had appeared in the room—it was Kurozaki Sakiri, their neighbor.

Originally, she had been on the floor under the table, wiping the corners with a cloth. Upon seeing Anwa and Sayo return, she stood up eagerly as if seeing a savior. But the next moment, with a dull thump, she clutched her head and crouched back down, occasionally groaning in pain.

Seeing this, Anwa chuckled softly, placed all the groceries on the table, and walked over to pull Kurozaki Sakiri out from under the table. Patting the spot where she had bumped her head, he teased:

“You’re just as clumsy as Sayo.”

“Huh?” Hearing this, the pained Kurozaki Sakiri looked up at Amemiya Sayo and instinctively asked:

“Did Sister Sayo also bump her head here?”

Amemiya Sayo, who had been watching the scene, blushed but nodded.

“I hit my head while cleaning before.”

“Ha! Then Sister Sayo is a dummy too!”

Kurozaki Sakiri continued excitedly, feeling proud since her mother often praised Sayo. Now it seemed Sayo was just as much of a klutz as she was.

Unaware of the little girl’s thoughts, Anwa glanced around and, not seeing Kurozaki Natsuko or Amemiya Saori, asked curiously:

“Where are your mom and Saori?”

“They…” At the mention, Sakiri’s proud expression instantly fell. Pouting, she pointed toward the bedroom and explained with a hint of grievance:

“Mom brought Saori a new outfit; they’re probably still changing.”

“I see.” Anwa realized this, then noticed the little girl’s pitiful expression and joked:

“So the little Sakiri stayed behind to clean?”

Sakiri nodded emphatically.

“Yes, they’re abusing children!”

Before she could finish, the bedroom door suddenly opened. Kurozaki Natsuko, dressed in a white cheongsam, emerged, walking toward them with a gentle smile as she looked at Sakiri:

“So, my dear daughter plans to call the police to have me arrested?”

“Eh?!!”

Startled by the voice, Sakiri turned and froze, her face draining of color as if a mouse had just seen a cat.

Fortunately, Natsuko seemed in a good mood today. She lightly patted Sakiri’s head without saying more and then turned to Anwa and Sayo.

Noticing their eyes lingering on her attire, Natsuko smiled faintly and gave Anwa a subtle wink before spinning around and asking:

“So, how do I look?”

“You look great!” Anwa did not withhold his praise, and Amemiya Sayo nodded in agreement.

Natsuko’s figure was already excellent, and the cheongsam perfectly accentuated every curve, making her look exquisitely beautiful.

Her long pink hair was elegantly pinned up, and the white cheongsam made her resemble a stunning narcissus just emerging from water.

Feeling encouraged by their approval, Natsuko’s mood brightened further.

Having spent time with Anwa, she had learned of some of his interests, including Chinese culture.

Last time, while they were hanging out, Anwa had teased that with her figure, she would look great in a cheongsam.

Though she had been enduring a stomach ache then, she had taken note of his words, which explained today’s outfit choice.

Seemingly struck by a sudden idea, Natsuko tapped her forehead, grabbed Amemiya Sayo’s hand, and laughed lightly as she headed toward the bedroom:

“Sayo-chan, I also bought you one. Come try it on.”

“Do I get one too?” Sayo looked surprised.

She had always viewed Natsuko as a rival and hadn’t expected her to think of her at a time like this.

Holding Natsuko’s hand, Sayo felt conflicted but thought:

“Natsuko-san is a good person; maybe I’m the stingy one.”

A smile reappeared on her face.

But she didn’t notice the sly grin on Natsuko’s face as they walked ahead.

Elsewhere, as Anwa prepared to carry all the groceries to the kitchen, the narrator’s voice suddenly echoed in his mind:

“A few small favors easily win the favor of the main lady. Kurozaki Natsuko is cunning and already courting disaster. But since she’s brought so many good things, it’s somewhat forgivable. Though she may escape the death penalty, she won’t avoid punishment. Thinking this, a gleam of determination flashed in your eyes: if you’re going to do it, do it big. It just so happens that Nobue Itou has also returned to Tokyo. Why not gather everyone tonight, and after a few rounds of drinks, then…”

“Wow, you really know how to play!” Anwa gasped, feeling his understanding of the word ‘pervert’ freshly expanded.

Though tempting, Anwa knew such matters were off-limits.

He certainly didn’t want to spend New Year’s Eve in a police station.

Still, the news of Nobue Itou’s return reminded him of something.

Taking out his phone, Anwa called the contact labeled “Cow Hui.”

The call was answered after only two rings. Before Anwa could speak, Nobue Itou’s voice came through, noticeably unfriendly:

“Kid, get to the point.”

“Am I little or not?” Anwa joked, then asked seriously, “Did something happen?”

“Nothing,” Nobue Itou was reluctant to elaborate. Seeing this, Anwa dropped the subject and explained the purpose of his call.

Inviting her to spend New Year’s Eve at his place, Nobue hesitated briefly before agreeing.

After hanging up, Anwa excitedly pumped his fist.

He had long wanted to introduce all the girls to each other but never found the right opportunity.

Tonight was perfect to let everyone meet.

If all went well, maybe tonight could really…

Lost in thought, Anwa couldn’t help but smile slyly.

“What naughty thoughts are you having again?” A sudden female voice startled him.

Looking over, he saw Amemiya Saori had quietly come up beside him.

Originally about to scold him, Anwa swallowed the words when he saw Saori dressed in a pink cheongsam. Instead, he gave a thumbs-up and praised:

“Really cute!”

“Really?” Saori blinked, then placed one hand on Anwa’s chest and the other on the side of her cheongsam, hooking the uppermost tie and slowly pulling, seductively asking:

“Do you want to see more, Anwa-kun?”

As she moved, the slit on the side of the cheongsam opened slightly, revealing her smooth, fair leg.

Anwa swallowed nervously and quickly pressed Saori’s hand down.

Kurozaki Sakiri was still under the table, blinking curiously. Anwa didn’t want to taint her innocent world with anything inappropriate.

Noticing this, Saori giggled, winked at Anwa, and withdrew her hand, teasingly scratching his palm as she did.

Such a teasing little enchantress.

As Anwa pondered this, a knock suddenly came at the door.

He opened it to find the Serizawa sisters standing there.

Both wore bright orange hoodies and black pleated skirts, though their flesh-colored thermal tights made the cold less noticeable.

Seeing Anwa, Serizawa Reina greeted him first.

“Good morning, Amemiya-kun!”

Her voice was clear like wind chimes, and her slightly flushed, excited cheeks radiated vitality.

Anwa smiled in response, and Serizawa Yui took the opportunity to say hello as well.

After ushering them inside and closing the door, Anwa returned to the living room, where Kurozaki Natsuko and Amemiya Sayo emerged from the bedroom.

Natsuko had prepared a pale yellow cheongsam for Sayo. Perhaps underestimating her, she had bought a slightly small size. As a result, Sayo’s chest was pushed out prominently, as if the buttons might burst at any moment, creating a stark contrast with the confidently bare-shouldered Amemiya Saori beside her.

Sensing Anwa’s gaze, Saori sniffed with displeasure and instinctively tried to cover herself.

Yet when her eyes unexpectedly landed on the Serizawa sisters beside Anwa, a surge of pride welled up inside her.

“At least mine actually has a right side and a wrong side!”

Thinking this, Saori lifted her chin proudly, hands on hips, showing off her petite figure.

Though she sensed a strong hint of malice, Reina Serizawa paid no mind.

Her gaze was wholly captivated by the cheongsams worn by Sayo and Natsuko. Envious and admiring, she lingered on their lofty curves before excitedly asking:

“Are those kimonos? I’ve never seen this style before.”

“Idiot,” Yui Serizawa scolded her older sister with a gentle pat on the head and explained patiently:

“That’s called a cheongsam, not a kimono. It’s traditional Chinese clothing, also known as the national treasure of China.”

“Is that so?” Reina stuck out her tongue, embarrassed, and scratched her head.

“Alright then.” Kurozaki Natsuko stepped up to Reina, pinched her cheek, and playfully teased:

“I got some for you too. Want to try them on?”

“Eh? Really?” Reina’s eyes sparkled, and even usually composed Yui was a little excited.

Who doesn’t like beautiful new clothes? Especially ones called national treasures.

What neither of them noticed was that, in the living room, upon hearing Natsuko had gotten cheongsams for them, one person was more excited than anyone else.

Watching the unsuspecting Serizawa sisters, Amemiya Saori’s face twisted into a schadenfreude smile.

Cheongsams are beautiful, but they emphasize the body’s shape.

If you have an hourglass or pear figure like Sayo or Natsuko, the dress only accentuates your advantages.

But if you’re flat-chested and not curvy…

Saori glanced down at herself.

Though her toes were visible, there was at least some slight curve—barely an A cup.

As for the Serizawa sisters…

Her guess proved correct.

When they emerged together, everyone’s eyes immediately compared them to Saori, then shook their heads in unison.

(The End of This Chapter)