Volume 1: Chapter 3 - Part 1Author: Geraint
Nearly two years had passed, and my baby sister had grown so much. She was lying on my lap while I tickled her side, making her giggle.
"Gehehe~"
I sat on the couch, being silently judged by my parents and our maid. I was already sixteen and supposed to be attending high school—but I got into trouble on the first day.
It started when I bumped into a group of delinquent upperclassmen on the way to school. I was walking with Yuuka, Lilith, and Shiina at the time. They told me not to cause any trouble, especially on our first day.
But then those bastards tried hitting on the girls, their eyes practically undressing them. They ignored me when I tried to apologize for bumping into them. Then one of them touched Shiina, who looked scared and uncomfortable.
I snapped.
I gave him an iron claw to the face. A full-on brawl broke out. I broke my promise to Yuuka and Shiina. Again.
I sent all of those bastards to the hospital, and word spread quickly at school. I was immediately suspended for starting a fight.
Mom and Dad had a massive headache, forced to report to school on the very first day. Luckily, thanks to their influence, I wasn't expelled outright.
"For me, that suspension was kind of a blessing," I said, patting Fuyumi's head. "Now she won't be lonely at home."
"Gehehe~" Fuyumi giggled as I poked her nose.
"You should be glad it's only two weeks, Seir," Dad sighed.
"Who cares? I'd regret it more if Yuuka or Shiina got hurt. Even if I got expelled, I'd just go back to homeschooling."
"Well, those three girls came from an all-girls school and chose to transfer to a co-ed one just for you. They must be pretty disappointed."
"It's fine. We all live in the same house anyway," I said, lifting Fuyumi up and making her laugh.
I threw her gently into the air and cast a spell.
"Air Magic: Levitation!"
Fuyumi floated near the ceiling. I guided her flight with my finger, and she zipped around the living room joyfully. After a few loops, she came back, and I caught her safely in my arms.
"As expected, I can't get used to this," said Himiko-san, holding her head. "I'm going to lie down a bit." She quietly left the room.
When the girls came back from school, Yuuka looked irritated. As soon as she saw me, her expression hardened.
"Hmph," she said, turning away and stomping upstairs.
Shiina walked over with a guilty expression.
"I'm sorry, Yuki-kun… Because of me, you got—"
"Don't worry about it," I interrupted.
Her shoulders drooped, looking even more upset.
"I'm always giving people trouble. Yuuka and Lilith are always covering for me, and I just let it happen. I never even try to defend myself... I'm always the one being protected."
Tears welled up in her eyes. She was crying again.
"Here you go again—blaming yourself. It's not your fault for being pretty and having such a curvy body."
"Eh?!"
Shiina turned bright red, wrapping her arms around herself. She was very self-conscious about her body—especially her chest. She thought she looked chubby, but she really didn't. Her curves were just part of growing into adulthood.
"Go change clothes first. I want you to hold Fuyumi while I cook dinner."
"Okay," she mumbled and scurried upstairs.
"Lilith," I called.
She appeared, kneeling in her maid uniform.
"Yes, Seir-sama."
"How was school?"
"Nothing major. We got bored listening to the principal's long, scripted speech. Oh, and we're in the same class as that girl—Nishimiya Riko. She still remembers me. We became friends quickly."
"She asked about you a lot when we talked. She was really excited when I told her we'd be attending the same school."
"She even hugged me," Lilith added, clearly uncomfortable.
"Haha, that's just how she is."
Later, I was in the kitchen cooking dinner. Shiina stood behind me, holding Fuyumi in her arms. Unfortunately, Fuyumi had latched onto her chest.
"Uuuuugh… Fuyumi-chan, please, spare me… I don't have any milk! Yuki-kun, help me!"
Shiina's blouse was soaked in saliva, revealing her white bra. Her face turned crimson as she covered her chest.
"Don't look!"
"Okay." I turned back to the stove and focused on the food.
After dinner, I sat on the couch again, half-asleep, while gently patting Fuyumi, who snoozed in my arms.
Himiko-san came over to take her.
"Thank you for your hard work, Yuki-sama," she whispered, smiling softly as not to wake Fuyumi. She carried her upstairs.
I yawned. Sleep was about to take me when—
"Seir-sama! Seir-sama!"
"Shhh! Lilith, keep your voice down. Fuyumi is sleeping."
"Ah! I'm sorry, Seir-sama. I have great news!" she said excitedly.
She pulled out a glowing crystal ball. It floated above her palm, flickering with magic.
"I finally made contact with the other side!" she said, tears of joy welling in her eyes.
A woman with short pink hair and glasses appeared inside the crystal. She was sitting at a desk, surrounded by papers.
"Hey, Naamah! Can you hear me?" Lilith called.
"Naamah? Wait—is that really her?" I blinked in surprise. I almost didn't recognize her.
"Naamah, I'm with Seir-sama now. Like I said, he's alive. We successfully escaped the Demon King's castle."
Naamah looked up. Her eyes widened in shock.
No way... it's real! Seir-sama, you're really alive!
"What happened to you, Naamah? You used to dress a lot more... um, succubus-y. Now you're all professional. And your hair's short! Don't tell me—you got married?"
Naamah looked away, her mood dropping.
Listen to this, Seir-sama! My fiancé suddenly broke off our engagement! He said he preferred younger girls and that I was past his strike zone! I'm still 18! Waaahh!
I was supposed to be disgusted—but demons were always honest about their desires.
"Just forget that creep and move on!"
Seir-sama, you've gotten taller… and more handsome… Please cheer up this lonely old hag!
"You're only two years older than me! Get a grip!"
"Seir-sama," Lilith said, "I already spoke with Naamah. She has a way to open a gate… to return us home."
I should've been happy. But instead, I felt... conflicted.
"We can finally go home! Yay! Seir-sama, it's time for you to become the next Demon King!" Lilith cheered.
I turned to the side—and froze.
Yuuka and Shiina stood in their pajamas, having overheard everything.
"Onii-sama?"
"Yuki-kun… are you really going back?"
Yuuka's eyes welled with tears before she turned and ran upstairs.
"Yuuka-chan!"
Shiina hesitated, glancing back at me with a pained expression before quietly following her.
(To be continued.)