A Cute and Obtuse Triangle (
Summary[]
Among Rentarou's Family (of 26 members), these two share a home, both now and in the past...
With Rentarou and Hahari off watching a "Teddy Baby" marathon, the Hanazono Estate is under the management of Hakari with Mei joining her as they bake treats together. Hakari relents that even if Mei declined being adopted by her mother, they can still be sisterly to one another due to their connection to Rentarou. Mei states this experience is still new to her as she remembers the first time she met Hakari when she first became a Hanazono maid; she was asked to play dolls with the young mistress but the concept of "play" was foreign to Mei making Hakari teach her how to do so. After thinking it over, Mei believes that if she were to have a sister, it would be like Hakari, making the two of them blush about her forward behavior.
Unfortunately unknowing to Hakari and Mei, Mai is utterly shocked at hearing Mei's declaration at the idea that Mei believes Hakari to be her sister, and especially the fact that she could potentially see Hakari as a "little sister"; combined with the factor that the two have lived on the estate much longer than she has! All of the sudden emotional shock makes Mai collapse on the floor; they feel her burning up and call a doctor to treat her.
As the doctor overviews the younger maid, he states she has a case of "Little Sister Anxiety", brought about by her own emotional connection to someone she sees as an "older sister" that she knows of; and when those feelings she has for that "older sister" is given to someone else, it made Mai explode due to becoming overstressed and anxious. The only cure for Mai's condition is to change her towel every minute with a hand similar to that of an older sister; Mei is prepared to but Hakari states she has to help but Mei tells her not to since it is a maid's duty to handle this and the ladies of the estate should not be burdened by such a task, Hakari relenting to bring in the other maids if Mei were to grow exhausted.
Mei continues to change Mai's towel as she treats her, thinking about the younger maid's obsession over her. As the treatment continues through the night and into the morning, Mai regains consciousness and asks for a bottle of "Pocari Sweat". Mei rushes to get some as Hakari wakes up, worried about Mei's physical state, being extremely tired and barely able to stand; Hakari tells her to let the other maids handle it but Mei states this is nothing compared to Mai's suffering at this time! Hakari offers to buy the Pocari for her; Mei tells her not to and tries to force herself out of the way, but Hakari tells her to stop, telling her that she has to help; even as the "lady of the estate", they're still family and need to look out for one another, Mei finally allowing Hakari to do the duty.
After Hakari buys the Pocari Sweat, Mei tries to administer it to Mai, but has a hard time drinking. Desperate to save her, Mei drinks a mouthful and administers it into Mai's body via a kiss, the power of "Big Sister Energy" overriding her fever and making Mai regain consciousness as Mei collapses. Hakari thanks Mei's relentless care for saving Mai, but Mei states it was the "honored Pocari" Hakari bought that did it, making Mai thank both of them. However looking at the duo together and seeing their connection, Mai relents she's defeated, that Hakari really is Mei's "little sister". Mai states her revelation to the two of them, but Mei thinks about how "sisters are tied by bonds of deep trust", all while thinking of every interaction she ever had with Hahari's daughter, with Hakari constantly teaching her things about play and food and "what she does on the corner of the table with her groin" and even the situation of Hakari calming her down in her hour of need! Mei reveals that Hakari is more like her "older sister", making Mai immediately recover with her "little sister" status still secure as she hugs both of them stating she supports both of them as Mei collapses into Hakari's arms, the lady of the estate saying she did a fine job.
Characters[]
Quote[]
Beginning:Doting on your little sister is as ethical as it gets ♥
End: Three sisters, born of memories.
Next Chapter: To Karane's home...?!