A Warm Place

XXV Two Blooming Camellias

"...hm......?"

I slowly raise my seemingly powerless body to look around. It gradually comes to me that I have dozed off. And finally, I remember that I'm currently not at my own home.

(Aah, I see.)

...It seems that I've fallen asleep while waiting for Hiori and Tsubaki. My body hurts a bit, maybe because I'm sleeping on the sofa.

"Yawn... I sure slept well."
"My, you're awake."
"Mhm..."
"Would you like dinner first? A bath? Or maybe... a scrubbing brush?
"........."

While I'm stretching my body, I notice a suspicious person in front of me, which makes me freeze in place. She doesn't look embarrassed at all as she shows me a delighted smile. In the first place, what does she intend to do with that scrubbing brush in her hand?

No, I lose if I make a retort here. Aah, but I really want to! ...and so my heart grows conflicted with those trivial worries, all while feigning a composed look on my face.

"...So, what are you doing here, Mom?"

If my memories haven't failed me, Mom should be dining a full-course Chinese dinner with Saki today. So why is Mom here at Tsubaki's house? When I strain my ears, I can faintly hear Saki, Rumi, and Tsubaki talking in the kitchen.

(Ah, so Tsubaki is home.)

I was getting worried because they were late, so that's a relief. I'm now more curious to know what Mom is doing here.

"...You know, When Mom thinks about my precious daughter, whom I have to leave all alone, as I head for a luxurious dinner... Mom can't bear to go...."

She looks sad as she sheds some crocodile tears. Um, you're being too obvious, you know. You should try a bit more to deceive me.

"Okay, okay. So, what are you doing here, Mom?"
"My! How cruel of you! You don't believe Mom, do you?!"
"It makes me want to ask you which part of your story is actually believable."
"Look at Mom's eyes! Do they look like the eyes of a liar?!"

It's sweltering when she shoves her face up close to me like that, so I turn my face sideways. However, Mother doesn't give up from that and uses both her hands to seize my face and make me face her.

"Hiinaataaaaa!"
"Noo waaaaaay!"

With Mom grabbing my head, I grab her hands to resist. Uwaaah, it hurts... Both my face and neck are hurting...

"What are you doing? Both of you."

When Saki enters the living room, she looks at our stalemate engagement in pity. Uuh, it's not like I'm doing this because I want to. Perhaps my sister's appearance makes Mother lose her interest, she finally releases me. Aah... I'm saved... good job, Saki!

"Well, I was asking what Mom and Saki are doing here."

I tell her while relaxing my hurting neck. In response, Saki suddenly goes into a pout and sulks.

"Aah, you see. I'd hate it if the restaurant is full when we arrive, so I called to make a reservation. And, we found out that it's their fixed day off today."
"...Hoo."
"Tehe☆"

Mother tries to laugh it off. I've actually had my suspicions from the start, so it doesn't really matter to me, though. Still, it's really unlucky that the place is closed for the day.

"So, as we planned to eat somewhere else, we met Tsubaki-san's Mom outside. It was as she was about to leave home."
"Tsubaki's Mom?"

Hm? Now that I notice, Hiori is nowhere to be found. Since I only heard Tsubaki's and Rumi's voices from the kitchen, I figured she had returned to her own room. If Saki met her outside, does it mean that she's going out somewhere again?