Chapter 117: The Bond of Parent and Child / Bustling One-Room (2/2)

Two excited voices could be heard from outside. Even more excited than earlier, these voices could be heard even through the wall.

「When you say transformation…Whoooa!」

When he was searching for the source of the mechanical sound to figure out what was going on, he realized that he was hearing it from the ceiling. When he looked up, Taiyou saw that the ceiling that had until now been slightly taller than him began to gradually rise.

When the slowly shifting motor home’s machine noises came to a stop, there was now a loft――a space like an attic room had opened up.

「So it becomes like this.」

「Sweet! It transformed.」

Matching the two outside, Taiyou was also hugely excited. His eyes were glittering like that of a boy seeing their first robot anime.

「As I thought, ya really dig these sorts of things, eh?」

「Yeah, this is amazing! To think that it doesn’t only move, but transforms too! Hey, how do you get on top?」

Smiling, Kohaku silently adjusted the panel. This time a ladder descended, and Taiyou used that to climb up.

Ahead of where he had climbed up, though simple, there was a space where four people could sleep.

「I see, so now eight people can sleep here!」

「That’s right; although at the time when I used it I was travellin’ alone, so I didn’t use it very much.」

「Yeah, this’ll definitely be enough!」

Nodding widely, Taiyou had at first wondered what would happen, but now thought that everything would be alright.

The only thing that was a sham about this, was・・・・・・・that he himself could not ride.

That day, Taiyou had driven back Juunishima Anna and her subordinates, taken back Pochi, and returned with everyone to the repaired 「Taiyou Castle」.

Kohaku had busily engaged in obtaining a birth certificate for the family register, then had added her foster daughter――Azumaya Pochi, to the Natsuno household.

During that time period, Juunishima tried various methods to retrieve Pochi.

There were times when they had tried to steal her with force, and there were times when they had used old-fashioned, similar-case negotiation methods like sending rolls of banknotes.

Each time he had refused or chased them off, but these methods were all just tiding over the situation on the spot and never led to fundamental resolutions.

One day, when he had rejected an amount of money that would rival a salaryman’s lifetime annual income, Taiyou had started a conversation with Kohaku when they were alone together.

「I think I should really go to Juunishima. At this rate nothing will be settled.」

「I’m also of the same opinion that we should cut off the source from its foundation, but is there any way to do this?」

「I’m thinking of meeting with Youran first. These things are happening because of the conflict revolving around the next head’s inheritance, so I want to firstly meet with the closest person to that and listen to what they have to say.」

「I see; understood. Then while Husband goes to the island, I’ll take those girls along with me and cloud our whereabouts. If we completely erase our whereabouts, doubtless they’ll have no choice but to negotiate with Husband.」

「Can you really do it?」

「Of course. And besides…」

「Besides?」

「I want to show that girl more of the outside world. From second semester onward I did intend to have ‘er enroll in school, and before that I wanted to take ‘er on a trip.」

「I see.」

That was their exchange, and they decided that while Taiyou was going to Juunishima, Kohaku would take Pochi along to see all of Japan.

And today was said day of departure.

Taiyou saw off the motor home with the girls in it and Kohaku driving. Smoothly leaving the parking lot and merging onto the public road, one would never imagine that this was all possible for a small-framed, 130 centimeter person.

「And they’re off.」

Standing next to Taiyou, Aoba saw them off. She was the only one to remain with Taiyou.

「Was this really okay with you, remaining here? I’m sure that being with them would be a lot more fun.」

「No, I’m with Natsuno-kun so I’ll be fine.」

「That’s fine then; so let’s head off I guess.」

「Wait a bit; the person who’s coming with us hasn’t arrived yet.」

「The person who’s coming with us?」

Taiyou quizzically inclined his head. The poston bag lying at his feet was packed with luggage for two people. He had always thought that this would be a two-person trip, so he was surprised to learn that they would be accompanied.

「Yeah, one more person. There’s someone who’s a little knowledgeable about Juunishima, so I had them come with us.」

「Whaaat, are they someone who I know?」

「Yeah, Natsuno-kun also knows them.」

Aoba nodded. Curious, Taiyou wondered who in the world that could be.

「Don’t tell me――」

「I’ve kept you all waiting.」

「Uwah!」

When he had begun to ask who it was, he heard a voice from behind. When he turned around in surprise, he was further surprised at the identity of the person who had come.

The woman who donned an apron dress with the appearance of a maid. The woman who, while sporting a courteous demeanor, her gaze would never look favorably upon Taiyou.

Aita Mio.

She was one of Aoba’s three mothers.