Chapter 7

It was the night of the day I quit my job.

I was having a late dinner with the twin high school girls at my place.

Taking a sip of the beef stew...

"Delicious..."

"Isn't it~♡"

Smiling at me, it was my younger sister, Akari, the blonde gal.

It's far better than restaurant food.

The beef falls apart with just a little chew.

The soup is rich but not heavy.

"Why is it so delicious?"

"Well... I put a lot of love into it for you, Akari♡"

"Love..."

I can't tell how serious she is.

When I was in college, I used to teach them at a cram school.

Back then, they were elementary school students.

From that time, Akari had always expressed her affection for me.

It's just that kind of vibe.

"Ah! That face... You think I'm joking, right? I'm serious! I studied really hard to become your wife, Akari! How's that!"

As she puffed out her chest, her large breasts jiggled.

Her body has grown, but her behavior is still like an elementary school student.

It's nostalgic...

"Ah... This won't do. You're still seeing us from the perspective of a student... This is going to be a long road. Let's try harder, big sister!"

"Huh...? Munch munch...?"

...On the other hand, Nanae, the black-haired, refined beauty, was eating with her cheeks puffed up like a chipmunk.

"Phew phew... Mmm... Ah... Sorry, what is it?"

"Big sister... You're hopeless..."

"Eh? Eh? W-What... What's wrong, Akari?"

Nanae hasn't changed since elementary school.

She's the older sister, but usually she's spacey... Hehe...

"Look, because of you, I'm seeing us as a guardian! Seriously, big sister, you're hopeless."

"Ugh... Sorry..."

"Well, I'll forgive you. You're the big sister, so it's special."

"Um... Thank you?"

Hehe, Akari laughed, and Nanae smiled.

They've always been close.

"So, Akari, about the future..."

Akari ladled more beef stew and handed it to Nanae.

"What are you going to do now? About that stupid wife of yours."

"Yeah, of course we're breaking up."

"Yay!"

Akari made a fist pump.

Surprisingly, Nanae did it too.

"I'm planning to write and submit the divorce papers promptly. I've been sending emails to Misae... my wife, since this morning, saying I want to talk to her."

"...What's her response?"

"All ignored."

"...That's the worst. She cheated and everything!"

"Right? It's unbelievable. She's finished as a wife, and as a human being. Breaking up is the right choice!"

Akari gave a thumbs up.

For some reason, Nanae did too. Why?

"...What about alimony? Since she cheated, you should get it, right?"

"That's fine. Financial disputes drag on, so I won't take alimony."

I just want to cut ties with her as soon as possible.

"Well, you work for a big company, so alimony is just a small amount, right?"

"I quit."

"Wh-What!? You quit!?"

"Did you find a new job right away?"

"What do you mean!?"

I told them about this morning.

I was fired, but a friend offered me a job at a new company.

"I have plenty of money. I won't earn as much as before, but I'll still get a good salary at the new company."

The conditions for the new job have already been discussed with Mr. Uematsu, the editor-in-chief of the new company.

"Don't worry, Akari. I'll take care of the household expenses with this young wife 2.0!"

"No, that's not necessary. And what's with the 2.0? What's 1.0?"

"...I... I'm... the young wife 1.0! I... I'll try my best to save money. And... at night... I'll... be... soft and cuddly..."

Nanae blushed and looked down.

"Let's talk about you two next."

"About us? The wedding date?"

"Are you stupid? I'm talking about the future. What do you want to do?"

These girls ran away from home.

I don't know what happened, but something did.

For children to leave their parents and come to a stranger's house, especially an older man, it must be something serious.

"...What do you want to do?"

"Yeah. I want to hear your wishes."

"You're not telling us to leave?"

"Of course not. If you want to stay here, you can."

"Really!?"

"Yeah. But... I want to confirm your wishes. That's the most important thing."

After a moment of contemplation, Nanae murmured.

"...I don't want to go back home."

That's what the older sister said.

...As I suspected, their family environment must be problematic.

Nanae's body was trembling.

Was it out of fear, or some other emotion?

Akari silently hugged Nanae and stroked her head.

"Sorry, Akari. I can't explain in detail, but we don't want to be at home. We don't have any relatives nearby, and the only person we can rely on... is really you, Akari."

"...Please. Let us stay here."

The older sister bowed.

Akari also bowed with a serious face.

"..."

Living with high school girls... It could be seen as criminal. If word got out that I divorced my wife and immediately started living with young girls, I'd face strong criticism from society. Rumors would spread in the neighborhood.

But... even so...

I wanted to help them, who had nowhere to go. They healed me, who was hurt by my wife's infidelity and was probably very depressed. They cooked for me. Could I just leave such kind and gentle girls? Absolutely not.

"I understand your wishes. Let's live together."

"!"

Their eyes widened.

...Looking closely, they were trembling. Both Nanae and Akari.

They were worried. Worried that I might refuse.

"...Is it... okay?"

Nanae asked hesitantly.

"...We're minors. Living together will inevitably put a financial burden on you."

"Are you kidding? I'm not that short on money that I need to worry about it."

Really, this older sister is a worrywart.

I stroked Nanae's head.

"Don't worry about living expenses. Let's go shopping for essentials on my next day off."

"Really? Is it okay?"

Akari's face lit up.

"...I'm sorry... I'm already causing you so much trouble..."

"I don't think of it as a trouble at all. Don't misunderstand. You should be more carefree like Akari."

"Hey, Akari, you're so mean. I'm going to bite you!"

"Wait, why?"

Watching our interaction, Nanae laughed.

Good, she seems to have relaxed.

"Great! Now we can start our cohabitation without any worries!"

"Hold on. What about school?"

"Hey, Akari? It's the middle of the test period right now."

It's early July.

Indeed, it's around the time the final exams end.

"Summer vacation is coming soon, so no worries about school for a while!"

"...The high school we attend is a short train ride from here. There's still time before school starts, so it's fine."

"What about tuition?"

"...That's not a problem either."

...They left home, but tuition isn't a problem... That means their family situation must be really bad.

"Understood. I won't pry any further."

"...Thank you."

And so, I ended up living with the twins.

★

A few days later.

I received a LINE on my phone.

"It's from Misae..."

Finally, a response from my wife.

The message read:

【I was wrong. Can I meet you in person and apologize? I want to start over with you.】

Finally, I can talk about the divorce.

"Reconciliation? Of course, I refuse."