Chapter 55 - Working Together

Chapter 55 - Working Together

...

After I ignored the moody Tenant a few more times, she reluctantly walked away, probably back to her room.

I breathed a sigh of relief since the mental stress from being shot by the troll gun was too much for me to bear. Still, since I now have this body, I must prepare myself to face such things every day. Not everyone is as kind as Celesta or Sis Lin to accept me for who I am rather than what my body has.

Remembering my first day in this body, the ladies who had sex with me only did it for the novelty value, a one-of-a-kind experience. It was pretty obvious that none of them cared or had any affection for me.

Bracing myself for whatever might come my way in the future, I busied myself with cleaning the Dining room that I was sitting in right now. In the middle of my work, I heard the front door of the house being opened, shortly after which some voices came out from the same direction.

"Oh Gosh, then was so tiring! Sis Lanita, you get way too excited whenever you go shopping. It's important to remember how to hold back your urges too... Hey! Is anyone home yet?"

It's the twins. Well, I'm glad that they came home safely, though I am not sure how this one would go.

And as I had guessed already, the elder twin, Lara sighed heavily upon noticing me. She glared at me with a nauseating expression as she talked to me,

"Haaah... It's her again. Weren't you away on some errand outside today? What? Are you done with it so fast? Cheh! So annoying."

So... I am considered annoying since I came back early? Wait, is this even considered early anymore?? Did she want me to stay out till midnight?

In comparison, her younger twin, Lanita behaved absentmindedly, being as aloof as a Sky Dragon. She kept sucking the popsicle inside her mouth while standing looking bored, near her elder twin.

So... even she won't help me out here, huh? No, don't take it to heart, me. I just don't have a close bond with her, maybe that is why she is acting like that. Probably. Hopefully...

While I continued to act normal while being glared at with eyes full of daggers, a vibrant and happy Jorah ran over to my side and gave me a strong hug, as she exclaimed.

"Hehehehehe. Big sister Carene. Thanks a lot for earlier today! I actually had a lot of fun there today, you know~?"

An Angel! A Goddess has descended! Such an obedient and good child. I wonder, just who does she take after?

"Ah. That's good, I guess. But, you girls were out shopping, right? What did you buy there today?"

As soon as I spoke about this, Jorah became greatly shocked, while Lara snorted heavily in dissatisfaction.

Hey, I am not even talking to you right now. Why are you getting all pissed off? Do you really think that I would waste my time stalking you around the City?

"Ehhh~? How do you know about it already?? Well, it's nothing much actually. Just some stuff to decorate the house... Ah! I forgot! Sister Lanita, Sister Lara, we don't have much time left! Let's hurry up!"

As expected, the three of them looked to have already guessed something. It would be kind of obvious if a workaholic like Isla takes a day off from her second job.

Upon hearing Jorah's words, Lara spoke up with a dissatisfied face,

"Alright, alright. I know what to do, alright? No need to get so hyped up like that.''

Jorah looked troubled by Lara's reaction. Since Lara was the second eldest of the girls after Celesta, with Celesta not being around, she had turned bossy all of a sudden.

Act all bossy, as much as you want, Lara. But, don't you dare make Jorah sad with your roguish behavior!

"But... but, Sister Celesta is coming back today. Wouldn't she be very happy if we gave her a nice surprise party to welcome her? I think it would be awesome!"

So, these girls already have their own plans for Celesta. Alright! Whatever the plan is, I want in too! It's not like I am willing to join just because I am too bored sitting here or something...

"Umm... C-Can I help too?"

As I gathered my courage and asked Lara the question, something looked to have snapped inside her, as she angrily screamed out at me,

"What?!! You... Hey, I have been letting you go for a long time already, but... don't forget who you really are. An outsider. This is a family affair, alright? Don't try to poke your nose into it! Stop ruining our everyday life just to fulfill your whims."

I-I see... so that's how it is. Yeah, that's how it really is. Just because I have been pampered by the girls around me recently, I have already lost my awareness of myself, of my position within this house.

An outsider. That's right. I really don't belong here. No matter how lively or how addictive the atmosphere of this house might be, in the end... I don't belong here at all.

Maybe... I should really start looking for a place to rent.

While I was feeling disturbed by Lara's words, Jorah appeared a bit confused as she asked Lara,

"Hmmm... But, I want to do it with Big Sis Carene though. Ah! I know. Why don't we split up the areas to decorate?"

Before Lara could lash out at us again, the previously silent observer, Lanita broke into the conversation, as she spoke,

"Hmm, that's actually a better idea. Lara and I would take care of Celesta's bedroom, the Kitchen, the first-floor hallway, and the second-floor hallway. You two... can take care of the living room, the dining room, and the ground-floor hallway. Are you satisfied with this?"

Ah, so she is really letting me in as well? Maybe Lanita doesn't hate me as much as Lara does. She probably is a good girl behind her aloof exterior.

Jorah happily jumped as she grabbed Lanita's hands within hers and spoke while smiling greatly,

"Yup, yup! Totally fine! Let's distribute the decoration materials then."

...

The four of us then divided ourselves into two groups as suggested, with Jorah and me being in one group while the other group consisted of the twins.

Since our work was already divided, we didn't need to consult or face each other anymore, making me greatly relieved.

No matter how tough I might be, even I don't wish to have someone scolding me right next to my ears for hours on end.

And, as Jorah was a great teammate and conversation partner, I had a great time helping her out. Surprisingly, Jorah's intuition regarding these things and her ability to multitask greatly surprised me, making me finally notice that she isn't just a flower vase. This side of her, of being so competent in her work is definitely inherited from the workaholic Isla.

As we were done with cleaning and decorating the living room, the dining room, and the ground floor hallway, our share of work was already done.

Lara and Lanita had disappeared upstairs a while ago, making me suspicious that they were in the middle of doing some adult stuff together. As far as I could tell, their share of decorating the Kitchen was still left.

After discussing with Jorah, we decided to go to the Kitchen and to finish the task there quickly. Just as we arrived at the Kitchen area, the front door of the house opened again, as it brought some grumbling voices along.

...

"Phew... so exhausting. I really need to get that vacation approved quickly. Jorah! Lara! Help me with the stuff here!"

Upon hearing the mature yet exhausted voice, both Jorah and I swiftly made our way there. Finally meeting the lovely eyes of Isla, I felt an incomparable feeling of safety.

This woman... she has already taken a place within my heart. Hopefully, our relationship would really remain this good for a long time at least.

"Hey, Mom! Welcome back~!"

To Jorah's lively greeting, Isla smiled a bit, gesturing for me to help out with the goods. As I took most of the supplies from Isla's hands, Jorah carried the remaining ones, as the three of us made our way to the living room. Meanwhile, Jorah kept talking excitedly with Isla.

"Hey, Mom? Why did you buy all this food? Aren't we going to cook something special for Sister Celesta? I thought we were cooking something to welcome her today. Um, actually... I wanted Big Sister to taste my cooking as well. I have actually got in very good right, Sister Carene?"

Upon being looked at with such an expectant gaze, I couldn't say no at all, since Jorah wanted to show her love and appreciation to Celesta in her own way. I myself didn't really disapprove of her method, so I instantly agreed to Jorah's suggestion. Also, I believe that Celesta would be very happy that way as well.

"Oh... Yes, surely..."

Isla appeared to have considered it for a bit before she shook her head in refusal and spoke to us,

"Hmm. Well, you can make her taste your cooking some other day, I guess.'

Jorah looked dispirited for a little while before she asked again,

"Alright... Hey! Did you bring all the stuff already?"

Isla laughed heartily, as she patted Jorah's head and spoke to her,

"Hahahah! Of course, I did. What did you think all of us would eat tonight if I forgot about it? I needed to bring it at all costs today. Everyone is back home already, right?"

Upon hearing Isla enquiring about the twins, Jorah instantly replied back,

"Yep! Sister Lana and Sister Lalita are already decorating the other places, while I and big sister Carene have already done our share... well, now we were going to decorate the Kitchen area."

Isla looked very satisfied with her children's efforts. Looking more and more like a proud parent, she spoke righteously,

"Good. I hope that the other girls are also working hard on their own things. Just put these right on the kitchen rack. Arrange and prepare them after Celesta has arrived. Ohh~? The decorations are done pretty nicely. Good job, Jorah, and Carene."

Upon hearing praises for her effort, Jorah smiled with her brightest smile of the day. She quickly came over to me and hugged my arm while she spoke,

"Hehehe. It was easy to do with sister Carene's help. No problem at all!"

As I began to plan how to decorate the Kitchen area properly, Isla pulled me to her side and spoke up in a low voice.

"The preparations seem to be done already here. Now then, Carene. I hope you are ready to go to the Airport with me."

Jorah had already heard the better part of the conversation, as she pouted greatly and spoke while looking really down,

"But, I wanted to greet Big Sister Celesta as well..."

Isla didn't lose her sternness while being faced with a cutely pouting Jorah, as she spoke to her,

"Jorah, you and the others should stay here to give Celesta a good surprise. If you guys come with us as well, she would certainly detect it."

Jorah still looked unsure about Isla's decision, as she tried to raise a small protest.

"Um... but..."

Unfortunately for her, she was shot down in an instant.

"It's okay. It won't take long. You can stay here and greet her when she arrives here. Just think about how happy and surprised she would be when she is gets welcomed by you like that. She would have never imagined that her little sister Jorah would give her such a surprise party."

As Jorah heard of how she could surprise Celesta, she became a lot less reluctant towards Isla, as she nodded towards her.

"Okay... fine then."

Seeing how depressed Jorah was looking, Isla patted Jorah's head again and smiled wryly as she spoke in an appeasing tone,

"Cheer up already. Once you two meet, I am sure that your mood will become great as well."

As Jorah's back disappeared into the Kitchen, my heart began to ache terribly.

I really wonder how Isla could bear to refuse such a cutely behaving Jorah. If it was me, I would have agreed to anything a long time ago.

As expected, Isla is very strong, both in mental strength and in physical strength. Somehow, I began to admire and felt some longing to become a tough adult-like Isla in the future. To refuse to bend down against anything standing in her way.

"Are you ready to go, Carene?"

Seeing how cool Isla looked, my mind went blank, while my heart galloped at a frightening speed.

Maybe... I have already fallen for Isla.

"Yes, Aunt Isla."

As the two of us slowly made our way toward the front door, Jorah's head popped out from around the corner, as she spoke pitifully,

"Come back soon, Mom. With Big Sisters Celesta and Carene as well."

Isla looked back at Jorah once and smiled reassuredly, as she nodded and spoke,

"I will be back soon, Jorah."

...