“Derus-chan!”
“Ah, Ric-neechan!”
“Fufu, Derus-chan is always Derus-chan, no matter when I see you.”
Those were the words of my nostalgic elder sister, Ric. Her eyes, hidden behind her glasses, held a certain— I can’t quite describe it. It wasn’t exactly kindness… it was more like a peculiar “smirk,” something you’d see when looking at a pet, which I only understand now.
“Ric-neechan, you…”
“Hey, Derus-chan, let’s always stay like brother and sister, okay?”
“Eh? What do you mean by that?” “It means, don’t change from how we are now.”
But… but it was Ric-neechan who had changed, and everyone else too… Why, why!!
“Derus-chan and I will always be together!”
“But, but, Ric-neechan!”
“Honestly, Derus-chan, you’re useless without me, you understand that, right?!”
Yes, I should have just left everything to Ric-neechan, just done as she said, but, but…!
“Ric-neechan! I, I…!!”
*Knock, knock*
“Excuse me, Derus-san.”
“…Huh?! Ah, it was a dream.”
“What’s wrong?” “Ah, yes, please come in.”
The lock opens when I say I can enter. The Great Tree is so convenient it’s scary.
“Excuse me for intruding.”
“Nataira-chan, what’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry for coming so late at night, but, well, I’ve turned 18.”
Yes, I know.
“Happy birthday.”
“Thank you.” “What’s wrong?”
“Yes, I’ve become an official member of the Nina Starlights.”
That’s right. I’ll need to focus on training her from now on.
“And so?”
“…Before that, Derus-san, you’re crying.”
“Hah! S-sorry.”
I rub my eyes and drink some water.
“I fell asleep right after my bath and had a dream about Ric-neechan.”
“About being cuckolded, right?” “Yes.”
Nataira-chan is listening to my whole story… right? I remember Lyra also listening with her. (Even if I didn’t tell her, someone would have told her anyway.)
“Um, this might not be something you should be consulting me about, but…”
“…I also had an arranged fiancé once, for some reason.” “Ah.”
“But now, tonight, I want to listen to Derus-san’s story.” “Yes, that’s right.”
I sit down calmly on the bed. Nataira-chan sits next to me…
“To begin with, was it my fault for always, always letting Ric-neechan dictate everything?”
“It was easier that way, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, I kept listening to my fiancé, kept obeying, and as a result… I was abandoned.”
Yes, I can say it clearly now. I wasn’t cuckolded; I was abandoned.
“So, what are your plans for going forward, Derus-san?”
“…I don’t want to embrace and then discard Ric-neechan for revenge, or anything like that. I belong to Nina-san now, so, as for me… even if I meet her again.”
Yes, I should be different now, but a doubt crosses my mind. What if it happens to Nina-san too… Nataira-chan asks, as if seeing through me.
“What if Nina-san abandons you?”
“That’s why I intend to work hard to prevent that from happening. After all, when it comes to sword skills, I still completely surpass her.”
Yes, when it comes to sword skills.
“…Did you ask Nina-san? Whether she would abandon you?”
“I think I did, and she should have promised to be together forever, not just Nina-san.”
“Is that so? Then, I as well…” “Nataira-chan?”
(Could it be… she’s going to take off her clothes?!)
“Please, value yourself more.”
“Yes, I understand, but I want to have a match.”
“A match?” “With me… Please, have a duel with me.”
Ah, it’s that kind of match!
“It’s something I always do when I go to a new town.”
“Yes, it’s normally a best-of-twenty matches, but from now on…”
“It’s become more than that, so it’s planned for ten matches per person.”
Nataira-chan walks towards the door.
“You’re going to the next town, Chanmio, right?”
“Yes, that’s what I heard. Otherwise, the punishment for the cross-dressing maid won’t be finished.”
“I want to have the duel before we go there, right now.”
I’m already in my pajamas. I was already asleep!
“I don’t mind, but why?”
“If that’s the case, and if I win even one match… then, you must… you must embrace me.”
“Eeeeeeh?!”
Why does it turn out like this?!
“Embrace me, meaning…”
“Into your harem.”
“No, that,” “I’m already 18.” “Yes.”
She’s the same age as Nastasia.
“I’ll say it now, I’ve admired you for a long, long time.”
“Me?” “Yes. I saw your true strength in all things.”
“Even if you say so…” “So, so, it’s fine if I win just one match.”
…I have no choice. I just have to not lose.
“Alright, then let’s go to the rooftop garden.”
“Yes, well then, let’s get changed and meet later.”
“That’s right, see you later.” “I’ll be waiting.”
…Right now, huh… Ah!
(This is bad, it might be in the middle of that right now!!)
“Amatatsu—!!”
I yell while pulling the summoning string, and after a slight pause…!
“Nyahaha, you called~?”
“The intense punishment on the rooftop is on hold for now!”
“Roger~!”
I made it. I almost showed Nataira-chan the terrifying form of an angel… (And, it seems like it was still happening after all.)
When will I forgive them? It feels like it’s about time.
“Ah, and could you be the referee too?”
“What for~?”
“I’m going to duel Nataira-chan in the rooftop garden.”
If I’m going to fight, I should go in full gear!
