At the Minamiya household dining table, Remilia sat lifelessly while Veldiana and Avrora stood beside Remilia and Natsuki, each holding a tray, forming a lovely scene.
Why do I have to go to school… Remilia couldn't help raising that strange question in her mind.
"What's wrong, Remilia-nee?"
The silver-haired girl—Kanon—appeared beside her, her face full of confusion.
After the Blazing Banquet, Kanon began living in the Nangou household, with Natsuki becoming her guardian.
Kanon accepted this new environment without any resistance.
Her personality quickly made everyone in the Minamiya family fall in love with her within a short time.
Not only Natsuki—even Remilia told her to just call her Remilia-nee.
That said, Kanon really was an honest kid. Seeing someone shorter than herself and still calling her sister, she didn't question it at all and accepted it immediately. Truly, she was straightforward.
If it were Ren, he would've tricked her into calling Kanon big sister instead.
Hearing her, Remilia glanced at Kanon and slowly asked, "Kanon, let me ask you something."
"What is it, Remilia-nee?"
"Why do humans climb mountains? Since they eventually have to come back down, why go up at all? Just because the mountain is there? Isn't that too boring?"
Kanon: "???"
Natsuki raised her head slightly, her eyes narrowing. "What exactly are you trying to say?"
"You see, Natsuki, it's the same logic as climbing mountains. Why should I go to school? I won't use any of the stuff they teach there, so why should I go? Is it just because the school exists?"
"What nonsense are you even talking about… You're going to school for one reason: to keep you busy."
"I'm busy every night!"
Natsuki didn't say a word. She silently turned on the TV.
At that moment, every media outlet on Itogami Island was reporting the mysterious explosion that happened last night, repeatedly airing interviews with witnesses.
Hearing the report, Remilia's face instantly froze and she lowered her head.
Avrora also turned her head away guiltily—she had taken part in the explosion as well.
Natsuki tilted her head and looked at Remilia with mocking eyes.
"The famous Fourth Primogenitor? Just this? A terrorist who only destroys her own territory?"
Remilia: "…"
Natsuki's ridicule left Remilia speechless.
How was she supposed to know her familiars were that strong? Her territory was just too fragile.
Ren completely ignored Remilia and Natsuki's argument. He was holding Flandre and Ophis while feeding and playing with both of them.
Flandre's face was full of joy, while Ophis quietly munched on the food Ren offered her. The scene was peaceful and warm.
Watching the scene, Remilia felt a strange mix of jealousy—was she jealous of Ren or Flandre? She snorted softly. "Why are you two so close? It feels like Flandre liked you from the very beginning."
She truly didn't get it. Was it really just because Ren played well with Flandre at the start?
Impossible! She was Flandre's older sister! How come Flandre never liked her that much?
"Hehe… Big brother is gentler than big sister. Flandre loves big brother the most!"
Before Ren could reply, Flandre stuck out her tongue at Remilia, her face full of mischief.
Hearing 'the most', Remilia was furious. "Flandre…!!"
"Hehehe…"
But all she received was Flandre's playful laughter, leaving Remilia helpless.
Flandre really was something—ever since meeting that man, she always wanted to go against her.
But… this wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
Seeing Flandre laugh from the heart, Remilia quietly sighed in relief.
To her, Flandre being able to smile like this was more important than anything.
"Big brother, ah—"
Flandre held up her breakfast pitifully toward Ren.
Seeing Ophis being fed made Flandre jealous.
Ren chuckled and tapped Flandre's nose, then picked up Flandre's plate and began feeding her.
A bite for Flandre, a bite for Ophis.
Suddenly, a strong gaze pierced through him. His hand paused.
Realizing what it was, Ren looked over, and at that exact second, Remilia jerked her head away, pretending nothing happened.
Natsuki, who had watched the entire scene quietly, smiled inside. The so-called Fourth Primogenitor was really just a child.
Not only Natsuki—Avrora, Kanon, and Veldiana were all holding back laughter.
Then Ren reached out and pulled Remilia into his arms. Remilia, Flandre, and Ophis all sat in his lap as he raised a sandwich toward Remilia's mouth.
"Come on… ah—"
"Y-You… I'm not a child!"
"Sure sure…"
"You're not even trying."
"I get it. I wasn't treating you like a child—I was treating you like a pet that needs feeding."
"Who's a pet that needs—uuu…"
But after seeing the food in front of her, Remilia still shyly opened her mouth and ate it.
…So good…
But when she noticed everyone looking at her teasingly, her face turned red as she lowered her head.
It felt like something important inside her had shattered the moment she took that bite.
Her dignity as a Primogenitor completely vanished…
If Ren heard that, he would definitely laugh.
Dignity? What's that? Didn't she already lose that back when she was just a regular vampire?
"Ahh…"
"Ahhh…"
"Ahh…"
For a moment, the only sounds at the Minamiya household's dining table were Remilia, Flandre, and Ophis being fed.
Natsuki calmly sipped her tea, watching the scene with serenity.
Even as the Fourth Primogenitor, she was still someone's adorable pet.
That was something she had privately admitted herself.
But…
Watching Remilia's expression—both angry and enjoying it—Natsuki's face showed a hint of complexity.
In her mind, she recalled what Remilia told her that night:
{Since that's the case, then what are you still hesitating about? After spending so much time with us, you're still using that false body to interact with us. Whether it's me, Fran, or that man, all of us already know something's wrong with your body}
And the contract with the demon king… can that man truly resolve it?
In Natsuki's heart…