Shinyo is gulping down the juice.
I couldn't help but stare at the way he drank with such ease. He drank with such relish.
"Phew! This is it after all. It goes down so smoothly."
...Maybe she's imitating her older sister who gulps beer after taking a bath.
They looked so similar that I could vividly picture the scene. Leaving aside the fact that my brother-in-law's influence was so small, I felt like Xin Yang had concentrated some of my sister's qualities.
It was probably because she saw Shinyo drinking the dark carbonated juice with such gusto that Hime also seemed interested.
"Yohei-kun...can I have the black one please?"
I was worried, but it seems I've made a decision.
Now, I wonder how they will react? Now that I think about it, this is the first time I've seen someone drink black carbonated juice for the first time.
We might see reactions that Shinyo and I, who are already used to drinking, wouldn't be able to see.
Hoping for something like that, I pour some dark carbonated juice into Hime's glass.
"Thank you very much. Well then, let's eat."
When I handed her the cup, Hime bowed politely.
Then he put his mouth to the plastic cup and slowly tilted it.
I watched as the black liquid touched Hime's lips and flowed into her mouth.
"--!?"
The moment I put a small amount in my mouth.
Hime's eyes widened in shock, and she grabbed my hand with the one not holding the cup.
Small fingers clasp her hand as if asking for help.
"Are you okay?"
It was a reaction that was a bit worrying.
She had been hoping for something a little more interesting, but it seems the stimulation of the black carbonated juice was far greater than she had anticipated.
"Cough, cough... juice exploded in my mouth."
He seemed quite surprised.
She is coughing slightly and her eyes are watering.
...So cute.
It may be inappropriate to think this way because Hime is suffering, but Hime, gazing at me with teary eyes, was incredibly adorable. She was so cute I couldn't help but want to protect her... Perhaps this feeling is what "fatherhood" is.
"Are you okay? Um, that's right... I brought some tea too."
I'm glad I brought it with me as a palate cleanser.
This pitcher contains our family's signature barley tea. For some reason, my mother is reluctant to use tea leaves, limiting them, so the tea is made quite weak. It's no exaggeration to say that it's just water with a faint color and aroma.
Well, if you're going to drink it regularly, a lighter flavor like this is probably better. I'm completely used to this taste.
I poured it into a cup and handed it to Hime.
"Th-Thank you... Phew."
I was a bit worried about whether the weak-flavored tea would suit the taste of a young lady like Hime.
Fortunately, it was tasteless and odorless, almost like water. Hime didn't seem to notice anything strange, so I was relieved.
"Maybe carbonated drinks were too early for me."
"Huh? It's so delicious!"
"Xin Yang, you're an adult. I envy you for knowing this taste."
"Eh? Koharu, are you an adult?! Hehehe~"
...I wonder if adults will like the taste of this carbonated drink.
In fact, I feel like it would be more mature not to like it, but if I pointed that out to Shinyo, she would get sulky, so I decided not to.