[Today’s special feature! The Songstress of the Battlefield, Kohou Mina! We delve into the secrets of the singer who appeared like a comet as a member of the military band! Mina is participating in a public event at the Kure Garrison today, so let’s check it out!]

When I turned on the TV during that idle time while preparing dinner after coming home, there was a feature on Mina in the entertainment section of the evening news.

“Another feature on Mina, huh?”

The TV showed Mina at the public event at the Kure Garrison, which was more crowded than usual, leading to entry restrictions and disappointed fans who couldn’t get in.

“Dinner’s ready, Yuu-sama. Before it gets cold.”

“Thank you, Hayami-san.”

I thanked Hayami-san for preparing dinner and turned off the TV.

“Yeah. Delicious.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

The soy-braised chicken wings had a glossy sheen, and the radishes cooked with them were well-flavored.

“Really, it’s gotten incredibly tasty lately. At first, your cooking failed, and we ended up eating combat rations.”

“Please forget about that…”

Hayami-san, who had been competing noisily with Mina to make breakfast, wasn’t actually very good at cooking.

Despite that, she kept trying difficult dishes like homemade carbonara and galettes, failing and getting depressed.

Mina had once said that simmered dishes don’t fail as long as you get the seasoning right, so I taught Hayami-san that, and it seemed to work.

Of course, I didn’t mention it was advice from Mina.

“With the young miss not around, I can happily take charge of cooking. I’ll use this time to intensely study cooking.”

Breakfast duty eventually became a rotating task.

But Mina had gone off with the band and hadn’t returned.

“Yeah. Oh, but sometimes I want to cook too.”

“Yuu-sama, you cook?!”

“Yeah. I’m good at fried chicken.”

“I’d love to try it! Looking forward to it!”

Through Toshi-nii, I found out where to buy the frog meat used for fried frogs from the military academy’s food stalls.

Since Toshi-nii couldn’t handle frogs, his email was more formal than usual, with no subject line and just a URL in the body.

The fried frog at the stalls was delicious, but the fried chicken was even better.

I’d love to invite not just Hayami-san, but also Suo-senpai and Kotomi.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

“Fuu…”

Soaking in the bath, I looked up at the ceiling.

Another day well done.

“Yuu-sama, how’s the bath temperature?”

“Yeah, just right.”

“Yuu-sama, do you need more shampoo or anything?”

“I’m good.”

“Yuu-sama, does the shampoo sting your eyes? Should I bring a shampoo hat?”

“Is there even an adult-sized shampoo hat?… And Hayami-san, if you stay in the changing room, I can’t get out of the bath.”

“My apologies!”

Seriously… She’s like an overprotective mom.

If you fuss over a teenage boy too much, he’ll end up disliking you.

After confirming that Hayami-san had left the changing room, I got out of the bath and stepped out.

While drying myself with a towel, I noticed a neatly folded caramel-brown nightgown I hadn’t seen before.

“Oh… this.”

The comforting texture of the new nightwear reminded me.

It’s the same brand as Hayami-san’s nightwear.

“So warm…”

I remembered mentioning I’d like men’s nightwear from that brand if they had it.

It made me happy that she remembered my casual comment.

It’s getting colder at night, and she probably prepared this warm nightwear thinking of my health.

“She’s a bit overprotective, but Hayami-san would make a great mo—”

I froze.

“A teddy bear hood…?”

When I unfolded the nightwear, it had a hood with bear ears.

What is this? Really for men?

“Hah… Hayami-san must have mistaken it for her own.”

I thought so, but when I tried it on, it fit perfectly.

Looking at myself in the changing room mirror, our eyes met.

“No, this is too much…”

If I were a rebellious teenager, I’d definitely throw this cute nightwear at my mom.

But, this brand’s nightwear is probably quite expensive considering its quality.

Is this my weakness, not being able to be harsh…?

“Kyaa! Yuu-sama, so cute!”

Yes, I wore it.

I didn’t feel embarrassed and even put on the bear hood.

Compared to wearing a baby hat and bib for a photo before, this was nothing! Nothing!!

“Hayami-san, you’re wearing something cute too?!”

“Hop hop♪ I couldn’t resist buying something cute.”

Hayami-san was wearing the same type of nightwear in pink with bunny ears.

Her small face stood out even more with the hood on.

“Adorable.”

“I might have chosen something too cute for my age…”

Suddenly embarrassed, Hayami-san pinched the hood’s edges and hid her face.

That gesture made her look like a small animal, very cute.

“No, seeing a beautiful older sister in something girly and excited is really cute.”

“Thank you, Yuu-sama. You’re cute too.”

“Ha ha… thanks.”

“Um, if you like, I have a pacifier here…”

“Let’s brush our teeth and go to bed before we catch a cold!”

Pretending not to hear, I rushed to the washroom.

This nightwear was warm and fluffy, and that night I fell asleep quickly, like a baby.