Chapter Ninety-Seven: The Night Before Parting
“By the way, how should I address you, brother?”
“Senpai Hoshigami? Senpai Nagi? Or… sister?” Amane said, observing the beautiful girl in black stockings in front of her.
Her waist-length, deep hair shone like top-quality silk under the light, reflecting an alluring gleam.
Coupled with that exquisite and cute face, along with her curvaceous figure, it was hard for Amane to think of her as “brother” from any angle.
Amane’s own figure was not lacking among her peers. In fact, it could be considered quite ample.
But compared to this “brother” in front of her, it was hardly worth mentioning.
This towering and generous peak left Amane curious about what she must have eaten to have grown so large…
“Just call me whatever you like—”
“—Cow girl.”
“That’s way too casual!? Are you bullying me? Am I being bullied with a nickname?” Nagi said, turning to the side.
She wrapped her arms around her chest, trying to block Amane’s gaze toward her front.
“Oops, I accidentally let the truth slip—”
“—So it wasn’t a joke!?”
“Ah no, it was a joke~ Though a heartfelt one.”
“I feel like I’m getting hurt more and more.” Nagi blushed and retorted.
“But for boys, it should be a compliment, right?”
“This is the first time I’ve felt a compliment that doesn’t make me happy at all…” Nagi’s slender figure seemed to wobble as if blown by a gentle breeze, appearing as if she wanted to cry without tears.
“Don’t tell me you don’t like cows, brother? How about pigs? Or chickens?”
“It sounds like you’re suggesting Western-style steak dishes!”
No matter which term was used to describe herself, Nagi felt it would sound a bit strange. She added in her heart.
“Could it be that you’re a vegetarian?!”
“Is this even an issue!?”
One has to say that Amane’s exceptional learning ability is indeed fitting for the next heir of the Amane family.
In just a few short minutes, she had managed to learn all the bad habits of Garuda.
Her frequent fooling around during their conversation made Nagi unable to stop retorting.
Although from one perspective, this did make the atmosphere between the “siblings” much more relaxed.
But it felt like her image in Amane’s heart was plummeting.
However, Nagi quite liked this feeling.
Rather than having her little sister face her with a reserved attitude, it was more enjoyable to have the current playful mood.
From Amane’s reaction, Nagi felt that she was probably very curious about why her brother, who should have died, suddenly came back to life and turned into a girl.
Unfortunately, Nagi couldn’t provide her with an answer to that question.
Because Nagi herself didn’t understand why things had turned out this way.
If she had to say, it might be related to her “transmigration.”
Even involving her “why” she traveled to the world of “Hoshiyuki.”
Thinking of this, Nagi felt her mind go blank.
This crucial memory.
For some unknown reason did not remain in her mind.
……
……
“A little sister, huh…”
“Don’t you want to meet her?”
“No need. Since she is the vessel of the End, there will surely be a day to meet again.”
The stars twinkled in the night sky.
It was a moonless night.
The dazzling stars occupied the entire sky, casting gentle starlight down upon the “academy.”
In a spacious office.
A woman hung up the phone in her hand.
She was dressed in a black suit, her short hair sharp as a blade, with eyes as sharp as an eagle, exuding an air that was difficult to approach.
She reached out a hand, offering a set of documents to the man in front of her.
These documents recorded the recent “Star Ceremony” incident in Japan, compiling reports from Academy ACE and the frontline personnel of Special Circle SEMA.
The man browsed through the pages, which mentioned the incidents in Kawanokawa City and Nanase Island, as well as several important targets:
Fenrir’s daughter “The Greatest Masterpiece.”
The half-sister who is the master of elements, and the vessel for the revival of the Shadow of the End.
Most critically— the protagonist of this era “Tsukimi Kanade.”
After the man finished reading the documents in front of him, the woman asked the aforementioned question.
However, it appeared that this man had no intention of visiting Amane Tenka.
When he closed the documents, the woman asked again, “Since she is your sister, surely she will attract attention during her time at Ark Academy, right?”
“Actually, I don’t think it relates to me very much.” The man shrugged and stood up.
The starlight outside the window filtered through the glass and fell onto his jet-black short hair, outlining his physique reminiscent of a cheetah.
“Such a beautiful girl like her would attract attention at Ark Academy, even if she weren’t my sister, right?”
From the man’s reaction, it was clear that he had no interest in Amane Tenka.
The woman sitting behind the exquisite desk narrowed her slender eyes, seemingly trying to catch a glimpse of his true thoughts from his deep gaze.
However, this time she once again failed.
Every time she made eye contact with this man, the brilliant starlight flickering in his eyes seemed almost ready to swallow her whole.
It was a sensation as if her soul was being probed by others.
“Actually, if there’s something, you can directly ask me. No need to be so indirect~” The man averted his starry gaze, casually saying.
The corners of his mouth curled into a teasing smile, as if he had seen through the woman’s doubts.
“Honestly, I have no interest in my sister or the Greatest Masterpiece.” He continued with a tone of indifference.
“Are you saying that you only care about the protagonist of this era, who comes after you?” The woman inquired, her beautiful brows slightly furrowing in confusion.
“The protagonist? You mean Tsukimi Kanade? Do you really believe in the story in that book?”
The man’s voice was tinged with mockery, his smile growing more relaxed: “That’s just a trick created by fantastical beings to interfere with us.”
“What I truly care about is resolving the existence of the End…” His gaze returned to the opened document on the desk, gradually becoming serious.
That page happened to be the report concerning the “mysterious figure hiding in Kawanokawa City”—the Fox Witch.
From the content of the report, it could be inferred that this mysterious being could single-handedly confront and deal with the already “revived” End.
Since the power of the storm has reemerged, it indicates that the revived End holds past strength.
In this circumstance, who could stand against it?
An ancient monster that has been dormant until now?
Or a newcomer who does not belong to this era?
“Are you worried that you might also lose to it?” The woman tentatively asked, her tone laced with concern.
“How could that be?” The man laughed confidently, a determined light flickering in his eyes—
“I am the ‘Master of Elements.'”
……
……
“So, Nagi sister, you are the Fox Witch that Special Circle SEMA has been trying to ask me about?”
In a spacious empty classroom, Garuda closed off this space from external contact.
Allowing Nagi and Amane inside to communicate freely.
In the end, Amane opted for a term that wouldn’t raise suspicion and could be accepted by both sides.
Though Nagi wanted Amane to just call her by her name.
Amane seemed insistent on adding terms like “brother” or “sister” to the address.
So it turned into “Nagi sister.”
And the “Fox Witch” she just mentioned is the presence that the personnel from the academy and Special Circle SEMA wanted to learn about after the Star Ceremony incident in Kawanokawa City.
A mysterious and powerful being that was said to be lurking in Kawanokawa City.
This information was relayed by Manaki, the second-in-command of the Kawanokawa branch of Special Circle SEMA.
Both the academy and Special Circle SEMA were unanimously convinced that this “Fox Witch” solved the End that had “revived” in Kawanokawa City.
Through her talk with Nagi, Amane learned that her “sister” had immense power in her past life, and was even titled the “Master of Elements.”
After combining this information, Amane had made certain deductions about the true identity of that mysterious “Fox Witch.”
Faced with Amane’s question, Nagi could only sincerely confirm it.
For the past six months, Nagi had been wearing a shrine maiden outfit at night, dealing with those emerging fantasy creatures in Kawanokawa City.
So it wouldn’t be surprising if the academy and Special Circle SEMA discovered her.
“So why the shrine maiden outfit?” Amane continued in curious pursuit.
From the information just learned from Nagi, she noted that Nagi’s abilities had nothing to do with being a fox or a shrine maiden.
“…How to say this, it’s about the sense of mystery?” Nagi replied, somewhat embarrassed, avoiding eye contact.
“Indeed~ Why did I choose that outfit at the time?” Nagi’s voice became unnaturally monotonous.
“Could it be that Nagi sister you…” Amane seemed to see something from Nagi’s reaction.
Then she once again scrutinized the black-haired beauty in her school uniform from head to toe.
“Do you like uniform play? Do you have an interest in cosplaying?”
“I don’t, I don’t, don’t say such things!” Nagi rebutted earnestly.
But Amane firmly believed in her own guess.
Be it the classic school uniform or the traditional red and white shrine maiden attire.
They all seemed like clothes belonging to a special identity.
Moreover, the way the black-haired girl looked in that short skirt resembled a kind of playful uniform—
Amane felt as if she had touched the truth.
“No, no, no, that was just a pure coincidence!”
“Well, it’s fine, Nagi sister, I can understand the impulse of boys wanting to try on various pretty outfits after becoming a beautiful girl…” As Amane spoke seriously, she gently rested her hand on Nagi’s shoulder.
At the same time, the expression on her face was one filled with understanding: “It’s okay.”
At that moment, Nagi suddenly realized the feelings Kanade must have experienced.
Back then, when she pretended to discover some small works of Kanda’s that contained special preferences, her attitude toward Kanade was perfectly replicated onto herself.
“That’s not how it is, Amane, let me explain—”
“—Uh-huh, I understand, everyone should not criticize others for their preferences.” Amane interrupted Nagi’s speech.
Her image in her little sister’s eyes felt increasingly strange.
“Master, actually before you hastily refute, take a moment to calm down and ask yourself if you feel good while wearing these uniforms?” Garuda interjected into the conversation.
On this topic, it felt like it had authority to speak.
“Huh? How could that be—”
“The first night you received the school uniform, you spent the entire night posing in front of the mirror—”
“That, that was just to prepare for making Kanade-kun take notice of me in the future…”
“That time you borrowed the shrine maiden outfit from the Shirakami Shrine, you meticulously checked your own reflection each morning before setting out—”
“That was just to check my disguise, to prevent being discovered…”
Nagi’s voice diminished with each passing defense, and by the end, she found herself blushing, crouching in the corner of the classroom.
——Caught!
——Though she didn’t want to admit it, after turning into a beautiful girl… as a boy, one would inevitably want to see what they looked like in pretty clothing!
——Especially with her current ample figure; she had always been concerned about how she would look in school uniforms, OL uniforms, nurse outfits, maid outfits, or shrine maiden outfits, she surely wanted to see how they actually fit her!
——Right!?
“So why did you suddenly start explaining to the wall?”
Garuda looked at Nagi, who seemed to have given up all pretense, suddenly standing up, facing the wall for a silent lecture.
——Is there a fault in being a man who appreciates beauty!?
——Since she used to be a man, even after becoming a girl, it’s still okay to have these tastes, right!?
——Right!?
“So why on earth did you begin an impassioned speech to the wall?!”
Garuda reiterated, gazing at Nagi’s back, which seemed to be filled with a thousand words, unable to hold back a retort.
Being honest with oneself is the stance Nagi decided to take as she faced her future life.
Simply denying and refusing the current self would only lead to stagnation.
So—
“That’s right, this is the real me.”
“Why is it that when a moment that should be very touching occurs, your confession resembles a guilty plea when surrendering?”
“Pfft…” And Amane couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.
Compared to the mysterious and gloomy atmosphere Nagi used to give her, Amane preferred this honest, lively feeling.
Although she seemed to be a bit of a pervert.
At least she was still “human.”
Seeing Amane smiling beside her, Nagi couldn’t help but break into a shy smile herself.
She scratched her head to hide her embarrassment and slowly walked back to Amane.
“Um, Nagi sister, that action… is a bit rude, isn’t it?”
“Mind your own business~” After a light cough, Nagi displayed a serious expression.
“In any case, if you encounter any danger after going to Ark Academy, you can—”
“—I will take care of myself.” Amane interrupted.
“Even though I really appreciate Nagi sister’s concern, but…”
Amane recalled her mother’s entrusted words that “remain in” her memory—your brother is gentle and strong, but sometimes pushes herself too hard. If possible, please take care of ‘her.’
“I just want to let my brother know that she no longer has to face everything alone.”
“…..Amane.”
“I will lend my brother a helping hand.”
“Yes~ And so will I.” Garuda added: “Of course, Kanade, and that girl Mana too…”
“You were never alone, not in the past, nor in the future.”
“So it’s okay to rely on us more.”
Amane held onto Nagi’s hands tightly; these soft hands once saved the world.
And this time, it was the turn of this world to protect the hands’ owner.
“……” Nagi first froze for a moment, then revealed a helpless smile.
“Just how persistent are you about courting me? I’m no longer the protagonist, you know?”
“Well, yes….. then I’ll leave it to everyone.” For the first time, Nagi nodded heavily.
“Mm, so during Kanade-senpai’s time at Ark Academy, I’ll keep an eye on him and won’t let him look for other girls—”
“—I’m not asking you to help with that! And absolutely do not do that!”
A male protagonist, romantically interested in his childhood friend, being watched daily by his beautiful younger sister from afar?
No matter how you look at it.
In the end, it’s the sister and the male protagonist mixing together, and the childhood friend in a long-distance relationship ends up as the loser, right!?
……
……
“Amane, are you free in a few days?”
Before leaving the empty classroom, Nagi paused as she remembered something at the door.
“I should have time before I leave Kawanokawa City.” Amane recalled her schedule for the upcoming days and replied.
Regarding the Amane family’s businesses, she had already found trustworthy people to help manage things.
After all, once she went to Ark Academy, she wouldn’t be able to manage the Amane Group like before.
“Does Nagi sister need help with something?”
“No, no, no, it’s not about help. A few days later, the Super Research department will hold a farewell party.”
To send off Kanade and Mana, who were about to transfer to Ark Academy from Kawanokawa City, the Super Research department planned a small gathering for the weekend.
And Amane was also preparing to transfer to Ark Academy soon.
Thus, Nagi intended to invite her to this farewell party.
To let Amane and Mana get to know each other.
After all, in places where she couldn’t reach, the only person she could entrust was the incredibly reliable Mana from “Hoshiyuki 2,” known as the “true protagonist.”
“So, are you interested in attending, Amane?”
“……” Upon hearing this, Amane unexpectedly displayed a struggling expression.
This made Nagi wonder if her invitation had been too sudden.
After all, other than Kanade, Amane wasn’t familiar with anyone else at this gathering.
But Nagi was also a bit curious; wasn’t her little sister the young lady of the Amane Group? Did she perhaps have traits of social anxiety?
While Nagi was lost in thought.
Amane seemed to have gone through some mental struggle and nodded her head in agreement with the invitation.
“I understand, I will attend. But there’s one thing I want to say in advance…”
“?” Nagi, filled with question marks, still chose to let Amane continue.
“When I attend this gathering, can I choose my own uniform? I don’t want to wear a cosplay that’s too revealing—”
“—This is not that kind of gathering!!!”
……
……
“Ugh, yet another huge cut in drinking expenses…”
In a dim underground bar in Kawanokawa City.
Old Sang’s figure was highlighted by the surrounding blurred neon lights, giving off a sense of loneliness.
After that extraordinary disaster, he was discovered by other hunters and brought back to the base for recuperation.
The good news was that the hand he was supposed to lose for some reason had been reattached.
And the healing process was very smooth.
At that moment, he had recovered to the level of normal activity.
After some tidying up, Old Sang dragged his heavy steps out of the storeroom, the smooth wooden floor echoing faintly under his feet.
The bar was filled with low conversations and the crisp sound of clinking glasses, creating a relaxed atmosphere.
In that moment, Old Sang finally had a substantial realization that Kawanokawa City had been saved.
Though it was not his accomplishment.
The memories of that extraordinary disaster were gradually fading from his mind, as if all of it were just a fleeting illusion.
Old Sang could not remember how he managed to escape unscathed.
In fact, this kind of situation was not uncommon.
After experiencing an intense surge of magical power, everyone’s memories of segments from that time would become hazy.
Especially when facing an entity close to “god,” the loss of memory was even more commonplace.
However, what Old Sang truly worried about at this moment was the fantasy spirit suit he had rented from the Hunter’s Guild.
When he woke up, he discovered that the suit was no longer with him.
Although the deposit for that old spirit suit wasn’t high, to him, it was still quite a significant expense.
“I’ll just consider it a life-saving bargain~” One of the nearby hunters patted Old Sang’s shoulder, their laughter dancing in tune with the bar’s music.
For this hunter, it seemed that salvaging a life during that extraordinary disaster was worth more than anything else.
He was one of the silver-ranked hunters who had accompanied Old Sang to the Amane estate.
Recalling the moment they were saved by the director of Special Circle SEMA, he could almost feel the thrill of his heart racing.
Hearing this, Old Sang reflected on that operation, still finding it hard to believe.
A few silver-ranked hunters and a gold-ranked hunter managing to fully escape from a fantasy creature of threat level 8 or higher.
And the fact that this city had not been destroyed during the extraordinary disaster was unbelievable.
It was as if some divine being had been secretly protecting them.
For this, losing one fantasy spirit suit seemed a small price to pay.
Amidst the other hunters’ comforting words, Old Sang gradually felt relieved.
Just as the hunters were about to leave the bar, which they had designated as their base, the waitress suddenly called them.
“A lady sent this to you.”
The young waitress smiled, holding in her hands a bottle of sparkling high-class wine and a note, the bottle glimmering enticingly in the light.
Old Sang curiously looked at the fine wine in front of him, feeling some doubts arise within him.
After all, during his time in Kawanokawa City, he didn’t know any “ladies.”
He first took the note, glancing at the signature, and his eyebrows involuntarily lifted.
“Oh ho~ this is truly…”
“What’s wrong? Who sent it?” The nearby hunters quickly gathered around.
“Could it be some lady with a crush on us?”
“She must be interested in me, right?”
……
Seeing the situation, the hunters beside Old Sang immediately began chattering, teasing voices filling the air.
Old Sang only tucked the card into his pocket before addressing the curious hunters, “It’s from a lady at Special Circle SEMA~”
He wore a smug smile: “Who would have thought a hunter would receive thanks from an A-rank esper from Special Circle SEMA one day~”
……
……
Meanwhile.
In the Kawanokawa branch of Special Circle SEMA.
The evening sun outside cast golden rays through the window, illuminating a busy and tense scene.
Personnel from Special Circle SEMA were replicating the logistics work of Kawanokawa City.
Branch head Ueda had just concluded a meeting with higher-ups from Special Circle SEMA headquarters and walked out of the conference room with a slight weariness on his face.
After several days of investigation, the information regarding this incident had finally been compiled and submitted to Special Circle SEMA headquarters.
As echoes of the meeting’s content resonated in his mind, Ueda spotted Manaki hurrying toward him with a remorseful expression.
“I’m sorry, Minister, it’s all my fault…” Manaki lowered his head, looking exceedingly heavy-hearted.
“What nonsense are you spouting?” Ueda decisively interrupted Manaki’s apology: “This isn’t your fault.”
What Manaki was referring to was naturally the matter of the “Fox Witch” lurking in Kawanokawa City.
That mysterious existence had almost invisibly controlled the entire branch of Special Circle SEMA.
As the branch head, Ueda had failed to detect Manaki’s “abnormality” in time.
This was undoubtedly a mistake on her part.
“No, it’s all because of my cowardice. I didn’t dare to report its information to Special Circle SEMA… which led to you being held accountable, Minister…”
“But the outcome is good… That’s what matters.” Ueda patted his subordinate’s shoulder firmly.
“And after this extraordinary disaster occurred, during the time I was absent from the branch, you issued the most precise commands.”
“Thanks to you and that mysterious entity which attempted to exploit you, no personnel were harmed during this threat level that almost reached 11.”
“This is a remarkable achievement, so I believe you can hold your head high.”
“From a certain perspective, Mr. Manaki is truly the hero of Kawanokawa City.”
However, when Ueda mentioned “the hero of Kawanokawa City,” the words inadvertently carried a hint of gravity.
Manaki keenly caught that nuance.
“What happened?” he asked anxiously.
Upon hearing this, Ueda glanced at Manaki and ultimately decided to share the latest information with him.
“…Actually, just now, Special Circle SEMA headquarters sent some news.”
“Not long ago, the hero of Kawanokawa City, the ‘Half-Blood Dragon Princess’, has been confirmed missing and is currently unaccounted for.”
…..
…..
A few days later.
Before Kanade and Mana were to transfer schools, the members of Super Research decided to hold a small farewell gathering for the two of them.
The gathering was set for the weekend.
The location was the Super Research office where everyone had held meetings.
Besides the former members, Chika and Kozuki.
There was also a student who wasn’t a part of Super Research attending this gathering.
That was Amane, who was invited by Nagi.
As for excuses, Nagi had found one early on.
After that day when Amane dragged her away, the two of them hit it off and became good friends.
Because of the bright and open image Nagi had always created, such a thing was not viewed as impossible by everyone.
After Nagi introduced the first-year “Amane Tenka” to the members of Super Research.
Everyone felt quite surprised.
As the only daughter of the illustrious Amane Group.
For ordinary students, this was the true daughter of a wealthy family, a princess from a modern fairy tale.
In contrast to ordinary people like them, she was undeniably a being entirely from a different world.
That Nagi could become friends with such a “princess” and invite her to attend this small Super Research party made everyone admire Nagi’s social skills.
And they sighed that the ability of someone present to attract beautiful girls was indeed extraordinary.
As for Kanade, he simply felt relieved that Amane seemed to be safe.
Meanwhile, Chika, Kozuki, and Yukino exchanged subtle glances.
They noticed the detail of Amane and Kanade’s eye contact.
In their view, this young lady of a wealthy family and beautiful younger student had a relationship that definitely surpassed the ordinary “senpai and kouhai” dynamic.
They couldn’t help but start to worry about Nagi’s position.
Had that formidable black-haired angel truly found an opponent that matched her strength?
But this thought quickly dissipated from their minds.
Because Yukino suddenly took out her phone and showed them a photo she secretly took during the school trip, where Nagi and Kanade were intimately interacting on a luxury cruise ship.
The sweet scene in the photo made those who hadn’t had the chance to participate in the luxurious cruise trip cover their faces and squeal, instantly making the atmosphere lively.
If after such an interaction, Kanade could still have his heart stolen by Amane coming from who knows where.
It could only mean that he was a worthless scoundrel.
On the other side, Rei, puzzled, pulled Kanade into a corner of the Super Research room and glanced back, secretly looking.
There gathered a group of beautiful girls, each one of significant identity:
“Childhood friend (the unattainable flower)”, “Childhood friend (of mixed heritage)”, “Younger sister (foster sister)”, “Kouhai (young lady of a wealthy family)”, “Senpai (literature girl)”, “Big senior (former president of Super Research)”.
Rei couldn’t help but exclaim: “Kanade, why are more and more beautiful girls gathering around you? This doesn’t seem normal!”
At the same time, Amane was also contemplating as she observed this space, realizing that apart from Kanade, everyone else was a beautiful girl.
Despite having investigated Kanade’s relationships before.
When Amane truly saw these beautiful girls all gathered together, she finally understood just how absurd the situation was.
She couldn’t help but glance at Nagi with pity.
Amane thought, in the small Kawanokawa City, Kanade could be surrounded by so many beautiful girls.
If they went to “Artificial Academy Island – Ark Academy”.
Amane felt that she might not be able to help her “brother” keep an eye on this childhood friend who inexplicably attracted so many beautiful girls.
“Ah, by the way, actually something happened on the luxurious cruise ship~”
Yukino, after letting Chika and Kozuki look at the photos, suddenly remembered something and couldn’t help but lower her voice.
Chika and Kozuki leaned in curiously.
“Actually, while on the luxury cruise ship, Kanade snuck into Nagi’s cabin, and the two almost—”
“Uwaaahhhh——!!!”
Hearing certain words from a distance, Kanade immediately realized what his little sister was about to say and rushed over in a panic.
In his nervousness, he didn’t pay attention to his feet, tripping over the cluttered floor and heading straight toward Nagi.
“Eh!? Wait——!” Nagi quickly reached out her hand, attempting to catch the falling Kanade.
After their sight spun in a whirlwind.
Nagi, who hadn’t planned to enact any lucky pervert event in front of Amane, for some reason found herself in a position sitting on Kanade.
Moreover, the critical point was that her face was directly aligned between Kanade’s legs.
And her butt encased in black stockings was right on Kanade’s face, her ample thighs closely framing the sides of Kanade’s head.
The scene became incredibly awkward.
“Wahhh~~~”
“So bold~~”
“True to Onii-chan!”
“…..Tsukimi-kun, you are really intending to—”
The girls present reacted in various ways to the bizarre position that the childhood friend had suddenly found herself in.
“Nagi sister… you……”
“!? Um… yeah~ Kanade-kun, don’t breathe~ ah ha~”
Facing the true “lucky pervert” event and feeling helpless, Nagi was tangled in how to explain to her little sister that this was not intentional.
Yet, due to Kanade’s breath, she let out an undeniably sweet sound that absolutely couldn’t be heard by her sister.
Nagi once again deeply felt the mortifying state Kanade experienced when she used to set him up as a lucky pervert.
In this flurry of joy.
Everyone’s time in Kawanokawa City also reached its conclusion.
