Chapter: 151. The Day of Judgment
Tick-tock, tick-tock.
When Kanade’s consciousness was in a pitch-black space, he heard a crisp sound.
It was like the ticking of an old-fashioned clock’s second hand, and also like the sound of raindrops falling on a windowsill.
Just when Kanade could no longer endure the noise and tried to force himself to wake from his dream—
A flame-like circular tree diagram flashed before his eyes.
Before Kanade could react to what it meant, the next moment, when he opened his eyelids, he saw an incredibly cute face.
“Good morning, Kanade-kun.” The owner of that face displayed a gentle and sweet smile, greeting him in the morning.
Kanade was currently lying sideways on the hotel bed, facing the direction of Nagin.
As Nagin said this, Kanade could feel a sweet breath wafting onto his face.
The distance between them was mere inches.
“Good… morning, Nagi. Is something wrong?” Kanade asked with a hint of curiosity and shyness, then he realized that his right hand was being gently held by Nagin, in a unique couple’s gesture of their fingers interlocked.
From the look of Nagin, it was clear that she had been awake for quite some time, secretly watching him sleep.
“There’s nothing wrong, I just wanted to look at Kanade-kun’s happy sleeping face~”
“Is, is that so? A little, a little shy…”
“Why?”
“Because… I’m worried that I might look strange when I sleep…”
“Not at all! Whether it’s when you’re asleep, or when you’re awake… you are very handsome~”
Receiving such praise from his beloved girlfriend early in the morning made Kanade’s face flush, and he quickly averted his gaze. Then he remembered something important and looked into Nagin’s eyes once again.
“By the way, happy birthday, Nagi.”
“Yes, thank you~” A radiant smile blossomed on Nagin’s adorable face, the first of the day.
Kanade had seen this smile from childhood to now but still found himself mesmerized.
It was only when he felt the soft touch returning from his right hand that he gradually regained his senses.
“Um, Nagi, why are you holding my hand?” Kanade asked partly out of curiosity and partly to mask his earlier embarrassment.
“Is that not allowed?” Nagin teased back, playfully shaking their intertwined fingers.
—Wha, what’s going on?! Why is Nagi being so affectionate early in the morning?
Kanade couldn’t tell if it was an illusion; he just felt that Nagin was a hundred times cuter than usual.
“Kanade-kun, from today onwards, I’m 18 years old~ That means I’m now your elder sister~” Nagin said as she propped herself up, slowly extending her long, voluptuous legs to rest on the other side of Kanade’s body, effectively straddling him.
“So, what does that mean?” Kanade said nervously as he looked at Nagin sitting on him, swallowing hard.
The next second, Nagin leaned down, taking on the classic “bed-kun” pose.
“So, Kanade-kun, you have to obediently listen to your sister today~” Nagin gently pressed her forehead against Kanade’s, speaking softly.
This was a traditional event they had had since childhood.
From the lore of “Hoshiyomi 2,” the male protagonist “Tsukimi Kanade” and the female protagonist “Hoshimiya Nagin” were supposed to be born on the same day, sharing their birthdays.
However, in this world, Nagin was a premature baby, so her birthday would come earlier than Kanade’s.
Thus, each time after Nagin’s birthday, she would take on the role of “older sister,” hoping that Kanade would listen to her. This was to experience what it was like to be an “older sister,” and also served as a belated birthday gift for herself since they couldn’t afford much when they were children.
Even though in the following years, Kanade gradually had opportunities to give Nagin real birthday gifts, this habit remained.
It was like a “special privilege of Nagin’s birthday.”
“I, I got it…”
“Then I have a task I want you to complete today!”
“So quick!? Did I inadvertently sign some unscrupulous contract!?”
The moment Kanade shyly nodded in agreement, Nagin announced loudly with great momentum, prompting him to involuntarily voice his complaint.
—What exactly does Nagi want me to do?
Kanade thought, feeling a bit uneasy.
Since Nagin seemed to be prepared, she must have already thought over her request.
“So, the first thing I want you to do for me today is—”
Accompanied by Nagin’s elongated voice.
Kanade involuntarily tensed up until Nagin gently embraced him, whispering in his ear:
“I want to hear you say, ‘I will always like you.'”
Because of the embrace, Nagin’s face was resting on Kanade’s shoulder, making it hard for him to see her expression.
But Kanade could clearly sense the anxiety within Nagin’s heart.
Although he didn’t know why, he tightly embraced Nagin in return, saying those words that would never change, no matter the time—
“Yes, I like you, Nagi, I will always like you. I can swear on my soul, this matter will never change.”
“…..Thank you, I feel the same.”
After the two of them quietly maintained their embrace for an unknowable amount of time, Nagin slowly released Kanade and sat up, her face returning to the bright and radiant smile.
“I’m really looking forward to the birthday date~”
—————–
In front of the Hoshimiya family home.
“Am I an idiot… why have I hesitated for so many days just to deliver a gift?”
Manao, dressed in a light-colored white shirt and beige knee-length skirt, the simple outline of her clothes showcasing her slender and curvaceous figure, and the exquisite lightweight fabric complementing her platinum blonde hair, radiated an air of noble elegance that didn’t match her being a high school student.
Having finally returned to Kawano City, although she had long prepared the gift for Nagin, she always hesitated before going out and ended up gathering the courage to visit the Hoshimiya family only on the day of Nagin’s birthday.
Before ringing the doorbell, Manao, still feeling a bit uneasy, took out a compact mirror to touch up her bangs.
If someone who knew Manao was present, they would surely be surprised that the usually calm and cool “Ice Queen” could show such a girlish side.
After three years apart, Manao felt nervous.
Finally, after taking a deep breath, she recited her prepared greeting in her mind and rang the doorbell.
But before she could hear any sound from the intercom next to the door, the door in front of her swung open.
“Little Nagin!” Walking out was Sayaka Hoshimiya, dressed in casual attire.
Now a stunning beauty after graduating from university, Sayaka had her beautiful black hair tied up, her proud and voluptuous figure clad in a dark tank top and home shorts, her fair skin largely exposed, an outfit that would make any man’s heart race.
“Ah, I’m sorry! It’s just you, Manao~” When Sayaka opened the door and saw the platinum-haired beauty standing outside, she realized her misunderstanding.
“I’m so sorry, I thought it was Nagin and Kanade returning from their summer camp!” Sayaka said with an embarrassed expression, scratching the back of her head.
Although Sayaka appeared to be an impressive intellectual beauty, her demeanor was a bit carefree.
Manao had never known how to respond to her since childhood.
Fortunately, someone soon stepped in to alleviate the awkwardness.
“Put some clothes on before you answer the door, you idiot perv.”
Renji said as he calmly delivered a chop to Sayaka’s head from behind.
“Ow! Domestic violence! I oppose domestic violence!” Sayaka protested, holding her head and moving to the side.
“Sorry, I startled you. I apologize on behalf of my silly sister.”
“How rude! My brother is actually a scoundrel who forgets his family when he sees beauty!”
After not having seen the sibling interaction of the Hoshimiya family for a long time, Manao couldn’t help but smile wryly.
“Um, good morning. Long time no see, Renji-oniichan and Sayaka-neechan.”
Manao reverted to the childhood way of addressing them, when she used to play with them.
Her clear and pleasant voice interrupted the usual bickering between the siblings. Renji, who usually appeared indifferent, was much more talkative whenever he interacted with his sister, a detail that gave Manao a slight sense of relief.
“Yes, long time no see, Manao-chan~” Sayaka smiled back and immediately hugged Manao.
—Is, is this how sisters are?
Manao felt Sayaka’s warmth and the softness of her chest against her and couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.
Seeing this, Renji raised his hand in exasperation, but this time Sayaka anticipated his action, releasing Manao and running back inside.
“Oppose domestic violence! Anyway, I’m not going to disturb you guys. I’ll go prepare for tonight’s birthday party~” Sayaka flashed a radiant smile at Manao: “Manao-chan, if that scoundrel Renji bullies you, you have to tell your sister, I will definitely help you get revenge!”
Sayaka finished with a wink full of implications.
It made Manao’s usually cool and distant face blush for the first time.
Soon after, Sayaka disappeared from the entrance, leaving a visibly troubled Renji behind.
“Ugh, sorry. My sister really is too rude.” Renji once again apologized.
Manao took this brief moment to adjust her demeanor, returning to her usual cool expression.
“Sayaka-neechan is still as lively as ever.”
“Too lively, unfortunately… Are you coming in to sit for a bit?” Renji slightly moved aside.
But Manao shook her head: “No, I just came to deliver a birthday gift for Nagin-chan.”
As she spoke, Manao took out a delicately wrapped small gift box.
“I see, then let me thank you on behalf of my sister.” Renji received the gift and his eyes, hidden behind his glasses, landed on Manao’s face.
“Well, I’ll just—”
“—Manao, do you have some time to chat with me?” Renji proactively interrupted Manao’s farewell.
Manao’s body slightly trembled.
“Chat soon?” Manao softly asked back.
“Yes, after all, we haven’t seen each other in many years.”
…
…
In the end, Manao didn’t refuse Renji’s request.
After Renji put away the gift and changed into outgoing clothes, the two of them walked shoulder to shoulder out of the neighborhood.
“I heard you got into Todai, that’s impressive, Renji-oniichan.”
Although Manao had been at Ark Academy without returning to Kawano City for the past few years, she was still aware of Renji’s recent situation.
“To enter a top-tier company, this level of effort is quite usual.” Renji replied calmly, as if stating a fact, making it completely not offensive.
“Was it because of the cram school?” Manao asked lightly, glancing at Renji from the corner of her eye.
Renji first blinked in surprise, then subtly averted his gaze: “Yes.”
Their figures walking on the street attracted the attention of passersby.
Leaving aside the fact that Manao is a magnificent biracial beauty, Renji also retained his handsome looks and tall, sturdy physique after becoming a university student, making him an incredible handsome man from every angle. Together, they looked like the characters in a movie.
“By the way, what does Sayaka-neechan mean by preparing a birthday party? Will Nagin-chan be back today?” Manao asked curiously, wanting to continue the conversation despite its lack of substantial content.
It seemed like there were endless topics for them to discuss.
“My idiot sister seems to have made a habit of preparing birthday parties on this day, claiming that even if Nagin doesn’t come back, she will still celebrate her birthday at home.”
Renji shrugged.
Unknowingly, they had arrived at a park they used to frequent, and there were no signs of anyone around.
Renji was the first to halt.
As Manao wondered what he wanted to discuss with her, he said, “Nagin is with Kanade now, right?”
“Yes, they should be participating in the school summer camp right now.” This was the line Ark Academy had informed beforehand. Although Manao was puzzled by Renji’s sudden question, she kept her voice natural and replied.
“The summer camp, huh… It seems even after all this time, you still can’t learn to lie, Manao, though I don’t know whether that’s a good thing or not.” Renji said casually, facing away from Manao.
“!?” Manao was startled, but before she could speak.
“Nagin is in a dangerous situation now… isn’t she?”
As Renji spoke, he slowly turned to face Manao—
He threw something that glinted golden in the sunlight, creating a dazzling parabolic arc in the air.
Manao reflexively reached out to catch it.
Lying in her palm was the emblem of Hoshizora Academy.
—————–
A gentle breeze swept through every corner of Kawano City.
The moment Nagin returned to Kawano City, she noticed that the entire city was filled with numerous superhumans and contract beasts.
The Special Circumstances Agency seemed to have realized their itinerary.
However, Nagin was not flustered.
Rather, it was the result of her intentionally leaking information to the agency.
—Has that day finally come?
As Nagin stepped out of the station, she looked up at the azure sky.
She was born in this city.
And now, her life would also curtain in this city.
