Vol 9 Chapter 2 (2/2)
I, Iris, Jeanne and shi+on on her back entered the rooned to us and checked the interior
In the living roo rock-paper-scissors to deter to take a while due to their nu this chance, we checked our room first
”There are so o with them”
Seeing the haphazard piles of boxes, Iris remarked
Realzing how Charlotte spent her time here, I smiled wryly
”There are also empty audio equipment boxes and video software”
”Captain, there is some mysterious and antiquidated furniture over here”
Jeanne pointed at a dressing table, wardrobe and bookshelves surrounded by cardboard boxes They looked like expensive iteone era no matter what
”This probably belongs to the principal too?”
Iris looked at the dressing table with interest Clean and tidy, it looked like it was properly maintained The mirror reflected Iris' face clearly
”Probably Anyway, let's prepare where we're going to sleep but don't move the furniture”
Since this was pretty ht be quite ih I wanted knohy they were kept this deep underground, had they been kept in her private bedroom in the clock tower, this furniture would have been totally wrecked during when Hekatonkheir destroyed the clock tower last time
”Yes, got it! Then let's move the boxes to the side of the wall”
Iris began to move the randomly placed boxes to the wall, one by one
”Then I'll do this side Oh Jeanne, you don't have to help”
I pointed at Jeanne as carrying shi+on on her back She bowed her head apologetically
”Captain, sorry”
To avoid in our way, she moved towards the door
Iris and Iup a space in the center of the room
”—This should be enough for four people to sleep”
We got the job done rapidly because many of the boxes were empty
”Mononobe! Come over here!”
Iris called toat a dressing table drawer
”Hey, it's not right to open without permission”
I warned her and walked over Iris shook her head frantically
”I-I didn't do it on purpose! My clothing got caught so I opened it by accident Then I saw this inside—”
I followed Iris' gaze to see the drawer glittering with dazzling light froemstones and jewelry
”T-This is a”
I held my breath in surprise
”Captain, what's the matter?”
Seeing hoere reacting, Jeanne came over in interest and looked at the drawer
”—These look like jewelry for forems are all real The precious metals also show exquisite craftsmanshi+p Undoubtedly, they must be very expensive”
In possession of excellent eyes, Jeanne was very confident in appraisals Ioods, she asserted
If Charlotte owned this stuff, it was possible that she used to dress herself up gla table I had only seen her in a lab coat Wearing a dress, she probably would look as adorable as a real fairy
”Hmm?”
Then I noticed so inside a photo fra the black and white photograph in the frame
”Wow, so cute! This must be the principal in the past! And this one's probably her father!”
Looking at the photo, Iris showed excitement in her voice
On the photo was a young Charlotte sitting in a chair with a pri on the side Just as Iris described, it looked a cohter
”What!?”
However, I was more concerned about the er days
”No way”
Jeanne stared at the photo in shock too
If Jeanne thought so in addition to me, then there must be no mistake
The man in the photo looked older and displayed a different expression and vibe, but his face was extremely similar to Major Loki's
”Mononobe? Jeanne-chan? What's wrong?”
Iris asked in puzzlement
”Nothing He just looks so si”
Pointing at the man in the photo, I replied in a stiff voice
”Eh, probably a coincidence But that's quite surprising That person uess?”
Iris cheerfully brought up her ideas but Jeanne and I sied looks
”Jeanne, what's your view?”
”I do not knoever—I personally feel disinclined to treat this as coincidence”
Jeanne shook her head with a troubled look
Indeed, it was ih this photo alone I could only make a direct inquirty with the parties in question—Charlotte and Major Loki
Having spent a week together with Charlotte, I now regretted not asking her ht up her abilities as the ”Gray” Vampire, she did not reveal that her father was the previous dragon until I asked She probably did not want others to broach the subject of her fa
Knock knock
While Jeanne and I re her head in puzzle came at the door
”Oh, I'll get it”
Stoppingon reflex, Iris walked to the door She was probably thinking of the fact that I should not touch the other girls carelessly
Iris turned the handle with a creak and opened the door Standing at the dooras a slightly apprehensive Mitsuki
”According to the results of rock-paper-scissors, the sequence of individual discussions with Nii-san has been decided I am first”
”I see! You're so good at rock-paper-scissors, Mitsuki-chan!”
Iris' non sequitur of a reaction caused Mitsuki to smile wryly
”No, the sequence was not based on the ranking of winners Instead, the winners got to select their spot in the sequence and I simply ended up first Many of them wished for a later spot because they wanted more time to think”
Hearing this, I felt a bit worried so I asked Mitsuki
”Is that okay, Mitsuki? You just heard the risks in transforht? Don't force yourself if you still haven't organized your thoughts—”
”Please do not worry I have prepared o If possible, I would like to talk to you iht with you?”
However, Mitsuki interruptedher expression, I realized that I was the probably the one who needed resolve
”Sure But where should we talk? Here or in your room, Mitsuki?”
There were limited places where we could be alone It was not possible to have a private conversation in the living rooe was like a steam cooker and not really a place to have an unhurried conversation
Nevertheless, Mitsuki suggested an option I had ruled out
”Well then, let us go outside”
”Huh? But—”
Seeing me look lost, Mitsuki seemed to read my mind She nodded and said:
”Standing around normally to talk would not work, of course, but it will be fine if we re”
”By re, you mean”
Realizing what Mitsuki wanted to say, I feltnonstop
Mitsuki blushed with scarlet cheeks and looked suggestively at Iris
”Nii-san, did you not take a bath together with Iris-san? Then is there any reason why you cannot do the same with me?”
Mitsuki lowered her voice and whispered toexpression
It looked like Iris had told Mitsuki about taking a bath withanxious that she was surely angry, Mitsuki did not pursue theintensely
”Nii-san Please bathe together, with me”
A wish requested by er sister in a shy and feeble voice—Unable to refuse, I nodded
Part 6
Ultie to undress in our roo rooe in our uniforms first
Then undressing behind a different rock respectively, we put on a bath towel and met up Since we could not touch yet, we stayed at a distance beyond arm's reach
”I-It is ht Hurry and enter the water”
Applying pressure to her bath towel, Mitsuki dipped her foot into the stea Due to the cloudiness of the hot spring water, her body was almost invisible after she waded in up to her shoulders
Relaxing slightly, Mitsuki extended her hand and waved to hurry me
”Please come quickly, Nii-san If we do not enter the water at the sa in the bath too long”
”Oh, okay”
Feeling a slightly different kind of e too
The water was shallower than I thought and hotter than the bath water in Charlotte's roo that you can only find in water at the source
”It feels like this hot spring water is very good for the skin”
Mitsuki raised her arer the pale skin that al water
”Yeah, it's different from last time's—”
Accidentally bringing up the hot spring at the volcanic island, I frantically stopped myself
”Last time's?”
”Oh, noas a faht? I just remembered from that time”
Left without a choice, I lied to Mitsuki She nodded with comprehension
”—Speaking of which, that did happen Back then, I could not travel by car, I was so obstinate and spoiled In the end, we had to get there by switching between many trains I caused so much trouble for your family, Nii-san”
Mitsuki reminisced in a whisper
Although I was looking for an excuse, I did re trip I could not recall it earlier, but after Tia released Yggdrasil's curse, my memories would now surface naturally in my mind
”But even so, it was still quite fun, right? I was very excited to ride all kinds of trains The lunchboxes at the train stations were quite tasty Well, I suppose Mom and Dad were quite exhausted”
I smiled wryly and recounted my memories
Mitsuki's refusal to ride cars had started after losing her fa ele, she could not even take a bus
”Yes To be honest, I was very happy too To have another faain—”
Agreeing with me, Mitsuki made a helpless look mid-sentence
She had realized that this wish could not coard for the rest of her life
”Mitsuki”
I said orry but she shook her head to indicate she was fine
”Three years ago when I outed myself as a D so that I could meet you, I had already resolved myself to abandon the life I have led till then”
Looking straight at me, Mitsuki said decisively She did not see However, there was one fact here that could not be overlooked
”—Mitsuki, you've still kept your house beside my home”
”Y-Yes”
Slightly startled, Mitsuki nodded
During our return to Nanato City, I had seen Mitsuki's old hoe Back ere only childhood friends, Mitsuki's roo our s
”You haven't sold the house Isn't that because you have some kind of dream? You won't be able to make that dreaht?”
Mitsuki hadup the rooms with Lisa and the others Hence, our discussion could not continue until this point was clarified
”That is a secret I cannot reveal”
Mitsuki looked very shy, even dipping her
”But Ithat drealy”
I spoke forcefully Soaked in the hot spring, Mitsuki blew bubbles then lifted her head with determination
”—Nii-san, you h, okay?”
Mitsuki felt quite e face
”Okay, I proh”
”Then I shall tell you I-In the future, if I were to get married to you, Nii-san I wish to live there U-U for two generations U-Umm S-Sorry!”
Blushi+ng red to her ears while she spoke, Mitsuki could bear it no longer and sub
”No, uize”
My face also heated up due to hearing Mitsuki's unexpected words
””
Blowing bubbles with her face in the water, Mitsuki see with her eyes lowered She was probably still apologizing
While we continued to gaze at each other, this itchy silence persisted for a while However, with her noise in the water, Mitsuki's breath ran out With a blushi+ng face, she e
”Ue under these circumstances would force you to feel responsible on a different level, Nii-san That is why ize after all”
”No—I'ize I've clearly re my answer”
To my childhood self, Mitsuki had been e prootten the promise and fallen in love with Iris
Having recoveredwith each other
Until recently, Mitsuki and Iris had been yielding to each other, but that was also why I could not reach a decision
Due to this sense of guilt, I looked away fro her distance, Mitsuki ain
”Nii-san, please do not show such a pained expression on your face This topic let us shelve it for now Just as shi+nomiya-sensei and Mica-san said, whether werisks, Nii-san”
Sht us back to the main topic
”And to ht?”
”Indeed”
Mitsuki noded then continued in a firm tone of voice
”The fact that you changed us, Nii-san, isn't that tor you? I would rather not make contact with you if it would force you to shoulder reatest risk is whether you feel tormented by this”
Co the dream she had just s
These intense thoughts and feelings ht I clenched my fist
Now our positions were reversed I was clearly the one who had put Mitsuki and the others in danger It would be absurd if she had to worry about ht noas a failure whether as her childhood friend or older brother And to Mitsuki, I was the fiance she was engaged to
How could a man in such a position be unreliable?
”In that case, there's nothing for you to worry about”
Looking into Mitsuki's eyes, I declared firmly
”Nii-san”
”If you or anyone else face proble me, then I will be the one to handle the I do unwillingly This is how I feel”
This was not acting tough Instead, this feeling came from the bottom of my heart
”But that would be too much of a burden for you, Nii-san—”
”You're wrong I don't find this a burden Rather, it would be burden if you felt troubled but I could do nothing about it”
I spoke over Mitsuki and conveyed to her the fact that ere thinking alike
”In that case, there is already nothing to agonize over”
Ser to wipe the corners of her eyes I did not knohether it was condensation or sweat Perhaps they were tears from Mitsuki's eyes
”I want to beco the sa at all without you, Nii-san So please—Change me”
Mitsuki spoke with eyes of determination
”Yes”
I replied Pushi+ng through the hot water, I approached Mitsuki
”Oh—Wait, please hold on!”
But when I reached out, Mitsuki suddenly stopped me
”Umm This is an extremely special act for us like a ritual Hence, rather than a simple touch, umm”
Fidgeting, Mitsuki turned her back to me and pushed aside the hair behind her On her pale and exposed neck, the blue dragon
”Could you use your lips for contact?”
Mitsuki spoke her wish quietly She seemed quite embarrassed and her pale skin went red in an instant My heart also started to pound and my mind blanked out
”Use my lips So a kiss, you mean?”
Wavering, I asked the obvious
”Y-Yes—Uh, oh, n-no! Not on mark! It would be very romantic if you could turn me into my new self with a kiss It would become a precious memory”
Frantically, Mitsuki explained, pointing to the dragon mark on her neck
”S-So that's what you mean”
I felt slightly relieved, but i the back of Mitsuki's neck
In a certain way, this was eventhan an ordinary kiss However, Mitsuki kept her hair lifted, waiting for me
Havingdeclaration earlier, I could not falter here and cause Mitsuki to worry
”—I got it”
Answering in a forceful tone as though to convince myself, I approached Mitsuki's back
While closing in, I could s fro scent Decorated with beads of sweat, Mitsuki's skin had turned pink from nervousness and the heat
The blue dragon h in response, the dragon lowed faintly
”Okay, here I go”
Gulping, I mustered my determination Hesitation would only o
”Yes, I a on you, Nii-san”
Mitsuki steadied herself and waited for my kiss
Bringing ainst the back of Mitsuki's neck, I touched the blue dragon mark with my lips
”Mm”
Mitsuki's body suddenly shuddered and a sht was released fro her entire body
”—Kuh Ahhh!!”
Hugging herself tightly, Mitsuki moaned
”Are you okay, Mitsuki!?”
Speaking of which, I had not witnessed the instant of Iris and shi+on's transfore after contact with my own eyes
Mixed in the blue light were black particles, most likely Mitsuki's dark h that a D's own dark ht now, Mitsuki's body was being re dark matter
”D-Do not worry It, does, not, hurt”
Despite the look of hardshi+p on her face, that was how Mitsuki replied The blue light slowly diradually grew gentle
Then the light vanished completely Exhausted, Mitsuki collapsed
”Mitsuki!”
Seeing Mitsuki about to sink into the hot spring, I hastily caught her in my arms Her body temperature felt quite elevated, but I could not see any external changes
”Nii-san”
Mitsuki opened her eyes slightly and held my hand
”Are you really okay? You looked like it was really painful—”
”I am fine It did not hurt How should I describe it? Ue noises, I had to endure desperately”
Mitsuki avoided eye contact shyly while she talked about the transformation just now
”T-That's good to hear I guess?”
Unsure how to react, I concurred auously
”P-Please stop asking me! However With this, I can finally touch you, Nii-san”
Despite still avoiding eye contact, Mitsuki gripped evenher
”I see”
I gripped Mitsuki's hand fir but bath towels, I did not knohere to look
”Mitsuki, it's tiht?”
I suggested since this would be e for Mitsuki too if this continued However, Mitsuki shook her head lightly
”I would like us to stay like this for a while”
”You'll faint, you know?”
”If that were to happen, please carryin the same room as you, Iris-san and the others”
Mitsuki spoke in a slightly coddled voice, resting her head againstic sense of reassurance I sighed
”Just a little longer in the bath, okay?”
Despite noticing that I also wanted to stay like this longer, in order to maintain my pride as the older brother, I answered in an exasperated tone of voice
Part 7
”So what did you two do outside?”
As soon as Mitsuki and I returned to the cottage and stepped into the living room, Firill immediately stared at us
Al in the bath, Mitsuki was holding onto my arm to support herself
Her face was bright red with slightly irregular breathing One could not explain this as si outside Froether, Mitsuki's decision was obvious Surely, what Firill wanted to hear about hat kind of discussion we had
”Uh, umm”
I looked at the everyone without answering Inside the living rooirls, Firill, Lisa and Ren The rest of them were in their respective rooms
”Nii-san”
Mitsuki was still hazy, rubbing her cheek against my shoulder in full affectionate mode
Seeing Mitsuki acting in this lared at me
”D-Don't tellmates—Y-You two crossed that line!?”
”That line?”
Operating her terminal in a corner of the room, Ren looked up and tilted her head in puzzlement
”N-No! It was very hot outside so all we did was have a chat while taking a dip in the hot spring!”
Judging that s would arise if this continued, I revealed the truth But as one would expect, the girls' gazes did not calm down
”Ehh Naked socializing”
Firill pouted and murmured unhappily
”Don't use such a weird description!”
”But it is the truth”
I demanded a correction, but Lisa's icy tone silenced my objections
”Urgh”
Plunged into a hopeless situation, I found a helping hand extended to me from an unexpected place
”—Lisa and Firill have no right to criticize others”
Speaking quietly was Ren, operating her portable terminal
”You two took a bath together with Onii-chan at his home before”
Saying that, Ren showed us the screen of her terminal
Taken from a distance, it was a bit blurry, but the picture depicted the scene of Tia, Firill, Lisa and ether in a bath atus
”What When did you take that—No, th-there were actually complicated reasons—”
Lisa's face reached boiling point all at once Starew quieter and quieter
”No way, I can't believe you took a photo back then”
Firill murmured in shock but she irin
”Hey hey, Ren, could you let me have a better look? Oh Too bad, everyone covered up the important parts”
Firill looked like she was hoping for so, but slumped her shoulders in disappointment
”If anything weird was captured, I wouldn't keep it”
Slightly going red, Ren answered stiffly
”I wanted to use it as referenceCan you send it to my terminal?”
”Mm”
Ren nodded and started to trans this time, Lisa finally recovered and scolded Firill and Ren with her face red
”Please do not spread this kind of photo! By the way, Firill-san, you are next to have your discussion with Mononobe Yuu Have you made your decision?”
Lisa asked, pro Firill to ponder with her arms crossed
”H to talk, I'd like to have a lovey-dovey discussion in the hot spring too”
Hearing this, Mitsuki slowly looked up froainst me
”I was not acting lovey-dovey with Nii-san”
”Mitsuki-san It is co when you speak from such a posture”
Lisa sighed in exasperation
Deciding that things weretowards a bad situation at this rate, I hastily interjected
”Hold on, Firill I won't be able to take two baths in row I'm already about to faint”
”Eh Mononobe-kun, you have to do your best”
Firill pouted disapprovingly Then Ren spoke up
”Me too I want to soak in the hot spring with Onii-chan”
”Ren too”
I scratchedwhat to do
”In that case, we'll just have to control the tiht? For two people to have an unhurried discussion, the hot spring outside is indeed the best choice”
Unable to watch any longer, Lisa suggested True, my body should be able to endure it in that case But before that, I was thinking that having discussions during a hot spring bath was in itself—
”S-So, Mononobe-kun, ill enjoy the hot spring together to”
With a co demeanor, Firill decided a date for us on her own
”I'm fine with the daytime tomorrow”
Hearing Ren's nation
”Fine Let's talk while in the bath”
After I answered, everyone's gaze gathered on Lisa
”A-As for me, I don't need”
Lisa stammered with her face red
”Fufu, Lisa, are you fine with not enjoying the hot spring together with Mononobe-kun?”
A little malevolently, Firill smiled and asked Lisa
”U to the current sequence, ht Then Tia-san and the others will have to wait a long time Th-Therefore”
Lisa paused and pondered in a dilemma But soon, she seemed to find a flash of inspiration and looked up
”Oh right—ill simply have a foot bath!”
”Oh, a foot bath?”
I was quite puzzled by this coestion
”This type of bath exists in japan too, I read about it in a azine once This would also reduce the strain on Mononobe Yuu As for the matter of sequence, may I skip ahead and insert my discussion with him between Firill-san and Ren-san's baths?”
With an expression confident that this was an excellent proposal, Lisa confirmed with Firill and Ren
”I don't mind But Lisa, you're so impatient”
”Mm”
Firill and Ren looked i the proposal
”I-I a considerate for his health! Mononobe Yuu—Do you accept too?”
Finally, Lisa looked at me
”Oh, sure”
By this point, there was no room for objects I nodded at my wit's end
Thus, my discussions with Firill and the others were left for the next day Underground, elcoht
It was quite helpful to gain sos I felt relieved—It never occurred to me at that ard prior agreements