283 lines
17 KiB
Plaintext
283 lines
17 KiB
Plaintext
Coconut: 「The laundry and cleaning have been done to perfection!」
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Coconut: 「Cinnamon, Maple! Verify, if you please!」
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Cinnamon: 「Amazing~! You've really made progress, Nacchan~!」
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Cinnamon: 「Not a single cup or plate or teaspoon is broken~!」
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Maple: 「I'm not sure if we should be praising her so much for something like that...」
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Maple: 「Although you do seem much more capable than you were a few days ago.」
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Cinnamon: 「I'm so glad 'Nacchan is feeling better.」
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Maple: 「It's because she's a kitten at heart. Kashou helped her improve her strengths.」
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Coconut: 「Howzat, Azuki? Even I can manage this with a little effort!」
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Azuki: 「Whoa, whoa, that's awesome!」
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Azuki: 「Looks like you're finally at the top of the bottom. Keep it up, keep it up.」
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Coconut: 「Did you hear, Onii-chan?! Azuki praised me! SHE praised me!!」
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Kashou: 「Hey, that's great. Your special training's paying off.」
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I won't worry about Azuki's attitude.
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I'm just glad that Coconut is happy.
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Maple: 「'Onii-chan'...?」
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Maple: 「Wait, are you guys into that sister-brother role play stuff? That's a little weird~」
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Cinnamon: 「Now now, there's nothing wrong with that~」
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Cinnamon: 「You shouldn't gossip about other's tastes, you know~」
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Cinnamon: 「Kashou might use it as blackmail...♪」
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Cinnamon: 「Oh noooo~ The cafe's just opened, and...! Cinnamon's already dripping~♪」
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Kashou: 「I'm telling you right now, it's nothing like what you're thinking, alright?」
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Coconut: 「Yeah, I'm the one who wanted to call him that, anyway.」
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Coconut: 「I wanted to stop pretending to be something I'm not.」
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Coconut: 「Right, Onii-chan?」
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Maple: 「I'm not really sure what you're talking about, but it seems like something happened the other day.」
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Maple: 「Well, this is more like you, Coconut, so I think it's for the best.」
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Cinnamon: 「As one of her older sisters, I'm so glad that Nacchan is growing up~」
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Cinnamon: 「Nothing good comes out of pretending you're something you're not~」
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Maple and Cinnamon seem to agree.
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They are family, after all.
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I am reminded of that again.
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Azuki: 「'Ey, Kashou.」
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Kashou: 「Hm? What's up, Azuki?」
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Azuki: 「I'm glad you got Nuts to stop bein' such a wishy-washy catgirl.」
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Azuki: 「Nuts is a bit simple, so don't give her too much special treatment, 'kay?」
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Kashou: 「Special treatment?」
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Azuki: 「I know you've been goin' easy on her as much as you can.」
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Azuki: 「No matter what you think, she's still just a little catgirl, so don't get too close to her.」
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She softly hits my chest.
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Kashou: 「We're family. We can't help but be close.」
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Azuki: 「That's not what I mean, ya know?」
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Coconut: 「Oh, you're not jealous, are you Azuki?」
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Coconut: 「Jealous that Onii-chan and I have gotten so close?」
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Azuki: 「Who would be jealous of that, ya dummy?!」
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Azuki: 「Don't let things get to your head, you useless catgirl!!」
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Coconut: 「Heheh, I'm an adult now. You think I'd get all riled up by that?」
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Azuki: 「Y-You...! I guess your ego's grown as massive as your body...!」
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Coconut: 「M-My body's got nothing to do with this! Maybe you should be a little more modest, considering what your figure's like!」
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Azuki: 「You Molly Cat! You wanna go? Grraagh!!」
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Coconut: 「I knew that'd get you going! If you wanna fight so bad, then let's go!!」
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Maple: 「Well, she may have grown up a bit, but she's still Coconut.」
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Cinnamon: 「They definitely are Minaduki sisters~」
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...And that's how it ends, I guess.
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Some things just don't change.
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Azuki: 「Yo, Kashou, I'm goin' on break.」
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Kashou: 「Alright, good work out there.」
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I'm in the middle of something and respond without turning to face her.
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Kashou: 「Oh, Azuki.」
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Azuki: 「Hm? What's up?」
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Kashou: 「How's Coconut doing?」
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Kashou: 「Is she doing her work alright?」
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Azuki: 「Yeah, she's doin' better than she was a few days ago, at least.」
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Azuki: 「She works slow, but that's 200 times better than her bein' useless, right?」
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Azuki: 「If she continues at it like this, we'll finally be able to count her as a contributing member of the team, right?」
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Kashou: 「I see, I see. That's great.」
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I'm relieved that she's not having a hard time with things.
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Like Azuki said, she'll get better as time goes on.
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The important thing now is helping her get to that point.
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Azuki: 「Thanks for takin' her down a notch.」
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Kashou: 「I wasn't trying to take her down a notch or anything.」
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Kashou: 「I was just helping her develop her skills a little.」
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Azuki: 「She's a useless cat, and she acts like one, don'cha think?」
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Azuki: 「You don't think that's a habit that needs to be broken? Heheheh~」
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Azuki: 「Well Nuts definitely needed it.」
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Azuki: 「No matter how much I tell her not to overwork herself, she never listens to me.」
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Azuki: 「Whatever. I don't know what ya told her, but I guess it worked.」
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...Azuki's never going to get Coconut to open up to her if she keeps saying things like that.
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I'll let them work that out on their own, though.
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Kashou: 「I know you're watching Coconut, Azuki.」
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Kashou: 「You phoned just because you were worried about her, didn't you?」
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Azuki: 「Well yeah, I'm the oldest sister. It's just somethin' I gotta do.」
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Azuki: 「Not that I have to worry about Mon-cinna and Pull-may.」
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Azuki: 「The problem with Nuts is that both her body and her boobs are so huge.」
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Azuki: 「When she stops bein' a a little catgirl, that's when we'll really be in trouble.」
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She strikes an annoyed pose.
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I guess this is just how Azuki shows her affection.
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If she stopped being so sarcastic, maybe her sisters would realize that too.
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She probably just needs some way to hide her embarrassment though.
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Kashou: 「Hm, she seems like she has a lot of things to worry about.」
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Azuki: 「Well, I have some hunches.」
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Azuki: 「She's always gonna be naive though, bein' the youngest sister and all...」
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Azuki: 「Chocola and Vanilla came into the family just as Nuts was gettin' big.」
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Azuki: 「Ever since then, she's always been tryin' her hardest to act like a big sister around them.」
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Azuki: 「I think that's a little beyond her, though, especially since she's still practically a kitten herself.」
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Azuki: 「She always fawns on those two, and that's great and all, but I still worry.」
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Azuki's being more talkative than usual.
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Earlier she said that Coconut never listens to her.
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As the older sister, that must be pretty frustrating for her.
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She must be in quite a bind, since she's never upfront about her feelings.
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There's no way she'd know them so well if she didn't love them.
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「Seems like the Minaduki family's eldest catgirl really is a wonderful sister...」
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I think, sincerely.
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Kashou: 「Must be tough, being an older sister.」
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Azuki: 「Sure is. It's the worst for me.」
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Azuki: 「Even the job of settlin' the shop's accounts gets pushed onto me.」
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Azuki: 「That's somethin' that deserves a little extra thanks, don'cha think? How about you make me somethin' tasty?」
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Azuki: 「Ah, wait, I saw they were advertisin' Oma tuna bowls on TV. Only 25,000 yen a bowl.」
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Kashou: 「Don't change the subject.」
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25,000 yen for one bowl?
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Even Misaki's most expensive tuna bowl is only about 5000 yen.
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I'm not sure which of the two is actually closer to a normal price, now.
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I guess you'd have to eat it to really understand.
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Kashou: 「Alright, well how about some pats? Come on, pat pat pat~」
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Azuki: 「Wha-- Hey, Kashou...! Sto--!」
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Azuki: 「J-Just what kind of catgirl do you think I am...! Nghh...! Mrmn~!!」
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Azuki: 「Fghuh...! Nn, mrmmmn... Ngh! Nnnnh!!」
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...I never expected that Azuki could be this cute.
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She's trying desperately not to purr, but her tail's already sticking straight up.
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I guess it's only natural that a catgirl would like being pet.
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I continue to pet Azuki as I admire her.
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Kashou: 「Come on, there's no one else around. You can purr if you want.」
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Azuki: 「D-Don't get carried away...! Just... cut it out...!」
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Azuki: 「Ngh, nnh...! Mm, purr... purr purr~ Nghhh!!」
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Coconut: 「I can't believe you're making such cute sounds, Azuki~♪」
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Coconut: 「No matter what you say, even you melt in Onii-chan's hands.」
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Azuki: 「Y-You got it wrong! I'm different from a kitten like you!」
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Coconut: 「Even though you feel the same happiness as this kitten feels?」
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Azuki: 「I said I'm different! I'm doing this because Kashou's hand smells funny! It's just a Flehmen response!」
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Coconut: 「Flehmen response, huh? Azuki's Flehmen face is just so adorable~♪」
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Azuki: 「Y-You little...! Don't you get carried away...!」
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Kashou: 「If you're going to get violent, do it upstairs, away from the shop.」
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As I chuckle to myself about Azuki's awkward display of affection...
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...I stealthily produce two freshly baked apple pies.
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Kashou: 「Alright, we're just about sold out for today. It's a little early, but I think we can close up the bakery.」
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Cinnamon: 「Alright, good work everyone~♪」
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Maple: 「We're down a few hands, but it seems like we're doing fine without them.」
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Coconut: 「Ahaha, they should be back soon though, right?」
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Azuki: 「Well, Chocola's a real big idiot.」
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Azuki: 「It'll be a miracle if she does end up gettin' her bell.」
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Coconut: 「I hope they don't get their bells taken away, though...」
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Kashou: 「I've got some things to take care of after this, so can I leave closing up the store to you girls?」
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Kashou: 「Azuki, come with me.」
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Azuki: 「Whaaat? Why am I the only one who has to work overtime?」
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Azuki: 「Can't you just ask your buddy, Nuts?」
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Kashou: 「Don't be like that. I just need your help.」
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Azuki: 「Geez, guess I don't got a choice. This cafe's got some real shady policies, you know.」
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She comes along, putting on a show and acting oh-so indignant.
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But underneath that sarcastic exterior, she's obedient.
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I reflect on that as I tell her to change her clothes.
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Kashou: 「Alright, Cinnamon, I'm giving you the key to the store. Don't let me down, okay?」
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Cinnamon: 「I won't~ Leave it to me~♪」
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Azuki: 「...Now, where the heck are we goin'?」
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Azuki: 「I'm not used to seein' you in a suit, Kashou.」
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Azuki: 「Are you goin' off somewhere to apologize for somethin' and you needed a catgirl to, uh, help out?」
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Azuki: 「If that's the case, wouldn't you be better off bringin' one of the big boobie catgirls like Mon-cinna or Nuts instead?」
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Kashou: 「Don't worry about it. Just come on.」
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I try to reassure Azuki as she makes excuses.
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As we chat, night falls, and we walk around the shopping district.
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Azuki: 「Geez, is this all you wanted me for?」
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Azuki: 「I hope you know how expensive it is to take a cute catgirl like me out on a date.」
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Kashou: 「Yes, yes, you have my sincerest gratitude, Azuki-sama.」
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Kashou: 「Hmm, it must be somewhere around here...」
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Kashou: 「Oh, here it is.」
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Kashou: 「We're going in this store, Azuki.」
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Azuki: 「...Huh? This store is--」
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Shop Clerk: 「Thank you for waiting. Let me pull back the curtain for you.」
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Azuki: 「W-Wait a sec...!」
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Azuki: 「You never mentioned any of this...!」
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She mutters, her embarrassed face glowing bright red.
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Kashou: 「Hey, it suits you, Azuki.」
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Azuki: 「I don't care if it suits me or not...!」
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She's not used to wearing frilly party dresses.
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Azuki fidgets, idly pressing her fingertips together.
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As her face reddens even more, she shoots me a protesting glance.
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Kashou: 「I wonder if it's okay for a catgirl to be wearing an outfit like this.」
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Azuki: 「D-Don't make fun of me! I'm already pretty great on my own, you know...」
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She's so cute when she tries to act tough.
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Honestly, she does look stunning in the dress, though.
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Personality-wise, she's pretty rough around the edges...
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...But this really accentuates her figure.
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Even if her figure is that of a munchkin...
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Her height and her very modest chest are accentuated too...
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Though I keep that part to myself.
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Azuki: 「W-Why are you makin' me wear this...?」
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Azuki: 「Pull-may would probably be happy to wear this sorta thing, but why me?」
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Azuki: 「It's really expensive, too... Isn't that a problem?」
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Kashou: 「This store primarily sells dresses, but we're just renting this one today.」
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Kashou: 「The place we're headed to has a strict dress code.」
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Kashou: 「That's why I have to wear this uncomfortable suit, too.」
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Azuki: 「Huh? A dress code?」
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I take a very wide-eyed Azuki's hand...
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...And escort her outside where a taxi is waiting for us.
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Kashou: 「We're here, Azuki.」
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And just like before...
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I pull on her arm as we exit the taxi and head towards our destination.
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Azuki: 「What do you mean by... 'here'?」
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Azuki: 「This place has a dress code?」
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Azuki: 「You should've just told me where we were goin' in the first place...」
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We're at the top of Yokohama's pride and joy; its tallest skyscraper.
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Azuki's jaw drops as her gaze sweeps over the coastal skyline, sparkling amidst the backdrop of the night sky.
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Kashou: 「You said you wanted to eat something tasty, right?」
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Kashou: 「Well, a promise is a promise.」
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I raise up my champagne-filled glass...
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...And we gently clink our glasses together.
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Azuki: 「...But still, I never would'a imagined somethin' like this.」
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Azuki: 「You must really have fun watchin' me run all around the store...」
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Azuki: 「You know, you got a seriously kind heart, Kashou...」
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Kashou: 「I hope you're enjoying your meal and champagne.」
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Azuki: 「Well, yeah, it's delicious, but...」
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While puffing out her cheeks, she swirls the champagne around in her mouth the exact same way I was doing.
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She's acting much more polite than she usually does.
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Maybe it's just the dress and her hairdo, but Azuki looks much more grown up.
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She's beautiful...
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I honestly believe she is.
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Kashou: 「So a famous pastry chef is here today...」
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Kashou: 「I figured we should try this chef's cakes at least once in our lives.」
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Kashou: 「This is my way of thanking you, Azuki.」
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Azuki: 「...You didn't hafta go this far to thank me, you know.」
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Kashou: 「No need to be so humble.」
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Kashou: 「My store would really be in trouble if you weren't around, Azuki.」
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Kashou: 「And, well...」
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Kashou: 「...Thanking you this way also lets you take a bit of a breather.」
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Azuki: 「A breather?」
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It seems like she's already gotten used to the place...
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...Though she still seems to be a little miffed.
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Kashou: 「You're an older sister, Azuki. No joke.」
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Kashou: 「Especially for Coconut. You're always nearby and taking care of her.」
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Kashou: 「That's why I figured...」
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Kashou: 「...That you could let your guard down and take a well deserved break from being everyone's older sister here.」
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Azuki: 「Kashou...」
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She looks at me with widening eyes.
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...I feel like I'm trying too hard to show off.
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But what I said was the absolute truth.
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Kashou: 「...You warned me, but...」
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Kashou: 「As an older brother myself, I know what it's like to worry about younger siblings.」
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Kashou: 「Shigure's trying her hardest to keep up with me right now...」
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Kashou: 「...And it seems that Coconut is doing the same.」
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Kashou: 「I think that somehow everything ended up more or less okay, though.」
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Azuki: 「...Kashou.」
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Kashou: 「I guess that means that even you worry about me...」
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Kashou: 「You can get away from your sisters and let me spoil you once in a while, right?」
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Kashou: 「I was actually planning to come here alone, but...」
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Kashou: 「...With how things have been going, I thought this would be just the right opportunity to take you out.」
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Kashou: 「...So, well, you know.」
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Kashou: 「...You're an important part of our family, too, you know. You're like a little sister to me.」
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Kashou: 「You've been helping me out, so let me meddle in your life a little.」
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Once again...
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...I turn to Azuki and lift my glass to her.
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Azuki: 「Kashou...」
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Azuki: 「You're tryin' way too hard to show off, ya know.」
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Azuki: 「Someone might think you're some kinda lecherous tres-leche-cake-baker.」
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Despite her sarcasm...
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...I can tell she's embarrassed from the way she's holding her glass.
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The two of us gently clink our glasses together again.
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Azuki: 「I guess doin' this sorta thing every now and then isn't so bad.」
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Azuki: 「Seems like I'm gettin' a little tipsy from the champagne...」
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Azuki: 「I'll put my title as 'Onee-chan' aside while we're here for now.」
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That's the Azuki I know, always trying to hide her true feelings.
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That wide smile is more than enough to tell me how she really feels, though.
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Azuki: 「Must be pretty tough being a big brother, too.」
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Kashou: 「Just as tough as being a big sister, I'd think.」
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Azuki: 「Haha, no argument there.」
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We both empty our glasses in one gulp...
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...And follow it up by pouring even more champagne into our glasses.
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This is Azuki, the catgirl who's always so distant with everyone.
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We happen to bring our glasses up to our mouths at the same time.
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Azuki: 「Alright, until one of those cakes comes out...」
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Azuki: 「...I'm gonna give you the usual thanks, no holds barred.」
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Azuki: 「Think your wallet's fat enough?」
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Kashou: 「Yeah. We definitely won't be going home hungry tonight, that's for sure.」
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Azuki: 「No matter how much you try to show off, I'm not callin' you 'onii-chan', alright?」
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Azuki: 「Though if you reeeeally want me to, I guess it's not totally out of the question.」
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Kashou: 「I thought you said you weren't into that sort of thing.」
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Azuki: 「Well, maybe I can make an exception for you, at least.」
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She has a very Azuki-like smile across her face.
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This time, Azuki's the one who raises her glass.
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I raise mine in response.
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Azuki: 「...Alright, one more.」
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Azuki: 「To our wonderful family! Cheers!」
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We look out over the dazzling skyline as it twinkles in the night sky.
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Our glasses reverberate with a crystal clear tone.
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