People usually think they know themselves well enough.
At least, they likely know what they like, what they hate, what they can do, and what they cannot. Those basic matters don't even require much time to think before answering, as they are the very things we've used to define ourselves our whole lives.
What's far more interesting are the things we never think to find answers to.
For instance... just how much can we endure?
Not the kind of patience used to make oneself look good by saying, "I'll keep trying," or something like that—but the actual boundaries of the body and mind. A boundary that, once crossed, might leave no way to ever return to being the same again.
The problem is, humans never know their own boundaries until they are forced right up to them.
And sometimes... once we reach them, we don't just stop there.
Instead, we find ourselves wanting to know what would happen if we took just one more step forward.
That is an annoying habit of humans. We tend to think that knowing the answer is a good thing, even when some answers offer nothing but damage waiting for us to take responsibility for it ourselves.
If that's the case, knowing full well that the destination might leave you with nothing of what you used to be, would you still keep walking?
That question would probably be easy to answer if we still had a choice.
Turning back before it's too late, leaving everything behind, and returning to being oneself in a way that is still well-known—it sounds like a frustratingly sensible choice.
If it were my own affair, the answer would be even simpler.
It's just that the problem is... I no longer have any way to return to before everything started.
『Someday, you may be swallowed whole by that thing... until not even your true self remains.』
"...."
,
But real life isn't a game where you can press load on an old save file and have everything return to the way it was.
Once you've walked to a certain point, what has already happened has happened. Even if you close your eyes and pretend not to see it, it doesn't just disappear anywhere.
Hmm.. it's not like I haven't thought about this before. That annoying bastard who likes popping up in my dreams already warned me about this once.
It's just that, what else could I do? Right now, it has already become a part of my body.
Even if a well-meaning person insists on warning me, in the end, I still can't do anything about it anyway.
All that remains from running out of options is "time."
Time that slowly processes the results from choices already set in motion. Since I've been placed on this path, the only thing left to do is keep walking, and wait to see what the destination will welcome me with.
Therefore, for me, continuing onward isn't because I'm particularly desperate to know the answer.
I just don't want to run away anymore.
People should naturally choose the safer route anyway. Knowing that something might consume one's very identity, backing away ought to be the most correct answer.
Yet, here I am, still walking. Originally, I didn't even care what other people would view me as.
Trash? A dangerous entity? Someone you shouldn't get close to?
Suit yourselves…
Hikigaya Hachiman is no stranger to being looked at like that anyway. Being pushed out of conversations, being misunderstood, or even being hated—none of it is particularly new.
I used to think that as long as I knew what I was doing, the gazes of others held no meaning.
And that was a truth that had already happened before.
But currently, I'm starting to find that there's one thing different from before.
It hasn't made me hesitant about what I'm doing, it hasn't made me want to stop, and it hasn't made me afraid that the whole world will hate me.
It simply made me think…
If I were to become something I could no longer call "myself," would there happen to be someone's gaze that I wouldn't want to see me like that?
Just thinking like that is annoying already.
Because it means that, without me even realizing it, I've let someone's opinion into an equation that I originally never intended to put in.
And when the equation changes, the answer naturally changes with it.
Perhaps the most terrifying change isn't us turning into someone else.
It's us still believing we're the same person, even though the yardstick used to judge everything changed a long time ago.
If that day truly arrives…
I honestly don't know whether I'll be afraid of losing myself, or afraid that someone's eyes will no longer be able to look at me the same way again..
Fwip—slash!
Bang!
Crunch—crack!!
Rumble...!!
"Oh, we're here."
Day 3 since starting the training... no, rather, the torture I gave to Issei. In the evening, the two of us finally returned to our lodgings.
Originally, I intended to return tomorrow, but Issei's condition was far too battered. With my healing power not being proficient to a professional level, it probably wouldn't be enough, and leaving this guy to suffer through throbbing pain until the next day seemed a bit too cruel.
Besides, there are only 2 days left until the scheduled Rating Game. If this guy's body isn't fully recovered before the actual day, it'll turn into a problem again.
I looked over at the courtyard field.
Step... step…
I stepped forward, carrying the unconscious and wound-covered body of the 'sacrificial protagonist,' walking inside the front area of the mansion lodgings. The reddish-orange evening sunlight cast long shadows onto the ground, along with the figures of two girls—Rias and Akeno, who were standing waiting for our return right in front of the door.
"Welcome back, Hikigaya-kun."
Akeno greeted with a faint smile before her eyes and Rias's shifted to see the battered state of Issei, who was lying slumped on my shoulder.
"Issei—!!"
Rias gasped in shock. Her beautiful blue eyes widened, and she hurriedly stepped forward to check on her servant in a panic.
"Why is he in such a ragged state?! Hikigaya... What on earth did you do to him?!"
"Just some practical training..."
I answered in my usual voice, fixing my gaze on Rias without any worry.
"This guy drew out his erupting Dragon Power a bit past his limits, plus he took my attack head-on, so his state turned out looking like what you see."
I carefully set Issei's body down on the long wooden bench beside the training ground.
"I've already done basic healing on his external wounds. As for the rest, you guys take over yourselves."
Fwip—slash!
—Creak, rumble!
I looked over at the field near the river, seeing Kiba and Koneko fiercely exchanging fists and blade edges.
One had the advantage in physical strength and durability, while the other had the advantage in speed and precision.
No matter which side, both had advantages and disadvantages, with different roles and duties. But in actual combat, nothing is fixed like chess; no matter what field the opponent is proficient in, you have to get used to and counter these things early on to have a chance of winning.
While standing watching their training, it suddenly occurred to me that I needed to find time to clear things up with that white-haired girl over there.
It was the anxiety in my heart, coming from that indifferent gaze of hers... a gaze that often scowled and kept staring intently at me all the time, as if suspecting and wary of an identity filled with a dangerous aura, similar to someone she had faced in the past.
I have to find out whether the suspicion in her heart toward me is really what I imagined it to be.
If it isn't, that would be good, but if it actually is... I don't know how I'd cover it up... Oh well, when that time comes, there'll probably be a way.
.
.
Nighttime
"Haa…."
By the second-floor balcony railing of the mansion, a high vantage point offered a sweeping view of the courtyard and the river below.
I stood leaning against the railing, sipping hot coffee while waiting for someone to show up.
A cool evening breeze swept past, brushing against my face with a chill. The rising steam and the bittersweet, aromatic scent of the milky coffee helped pull my fatigued mind from the long day back into proper focus.
Step... step...
The sound of light footsteps—the kind ordinary people could never hear—began to echo from behind me.
I didn't even need to turn around to guess who it was.
"Yuto-senpai said that Hikigaya-senpai wanted to talk to me..."
A calm voice spoke up from behind, followed by a small figure in pajamas stepping up to stand beside me, maintaining a cautious distance.
She rested her hands on the balcony railing, her golden-brown eyes gazing straight ahead without even glancing directly at me.
"...So, what was it you wanted to talk about?"
Her question was asked in a normal tone, but it carried an unmistakable layer of wariness.
I took another sip of my coffee before murmuring casually, still without looking at her.
"Nothing much... I just wanted to clear a few things up to set my mind at ease."
I cast a sideways glance at her.
Compared to when we first met, her attitude right now felt a bit more approachable, didn't it?
Was it because she knew I was a disciple of Nee-san, which caused her to lower her guard just a fraction?
...Just a little bit, yeah.
"Tōjō-cha—"
"Koneko... You can just call me Koneko. Issei-senpai calls me that too."
What she meant was... since Issei called her by her first name, I should do the same, huh.
"...Is that so?"
I nodded lightly before changing my pronouns to match her preference.
"In that case, Koneko... Is there something weighing on your mind that you wanted to make sure of with me?"
"—!"
Finally, she turned to look directly at me with a slightly startled expression.
"Don't make such a surprised face. Staring at people with a scowl like that—anyone would notice, you know..."
I met her gaze in return before calmly repeating the question.
"Koneko... Why were you staring at me like that? Is something the matter?"
She averted her gaze from mine, lowering her head slightly.
"Does senpai dislike being stared at by girls?"
Huh? Where did that come from? Did this girl actually have a sense of humor? She didn't look like the type to joke around at all, especially not in an awkward atmosphere like this...
"Yeah, because I might accidentally let my imagination run wild and think you like me so much you can't take your eyes off me."
I replied in a joking tone, trying to loosen up the atmosphere and make it more relaxed.
"I never thought the senior would be the narcissistic type."
"You can't blame me, you know. Given my current situation, I really can't help entertaining that possibility..."
Even though the reality right now was entirely the opposite.
"Guys always tend to imagine things in their own favor. Especially when you already start off with a face that makes girls lose their minds, when a girl glares at you like that, your brain can't help but interpret it in the most self-serving way possible... Even inexperienced guys get completely swept away just by being greeted by a girl, blindly thinking, 'She must have feelings for me,' and all that..."
"The latter sentences sound a lot like senpai is complaining about himself."
"No way! That's just a story about a friend of a friend of mine."
"Then if it really were like senpai thought, why wouldn't you like it?"
"Because I hate rejecting girls."
I answered almost immediately.
Seeing her lips twitch as if about to question my previous remark, I quickly cut in to head her off.
"It's a matter of responsibility... which I don't think I have the qualifications for anyway."
"Why would you think that? From what I've observed of senpai all this time, there doesn't seem to be anything abnormal about you... Plus, you're quite reliable."
"Uh... it's pretty complicated."
I scratched my cheek in embarrassment, trying to dodge her earnest, wide-eyed stare.
"Does that mean you'd turn down every girl who approaches you?"
"Well, unless there's an unusual reason or I'm being forced into it... the answer would probably be yes..."
I quickly raised a hand to interrupt before she could ask anything else.
"Let's drop that subject for now. It feels like we've strayed way off the main point... Koneko, can you tell me why you were staring at me?"
She turned her gaze back toward the dark forest and courtyard, then spoke in her usual tone.
"A month ago... when we went to rescue Asia-san from the fallen angels at the abandoned church, we faced a masked man. Senpai probably already knows about that, right?"
"Hmm, yeah... I heard about that from Issei's own mouth. So what's the issue?"
"I could sense it..."
Koneko paused for a moment.
"That masked man had an aura and demonic power very similar to senpai's... So I thought senpai might be involved with him in some way."
"Hmm... If you could sense it that clearly, why didn't you just think that the masked man might be me?"
"At first, I did think that... But after learning that senpai is grayfia-sama's disciple, and that you can even release her demonic aura, I figured I was probably just overthinking it."
Turns out my status as a disciple saved me in the nick of time, huh?
Koneko turned to lock eyes with me again, though this time her expression was far more serious than before.
"Does senpai possess some kind of copying ability, or something similar? If you have a power like that, it would explain why your aura matches that masked man's... And that would mean senpai has met him before, right?"
And here I thought I'd have to sweat bullets making up excuses to BS my way through this... But as it turned out, lady luck was on my side this time.
"Haa... Yeah, just like you said, Koneko."
I let out a soft sigh, putting on a look like someone who had just been caught red-handed, and nodded to confirm her hypothesis.
"I've faced that guy several times... He's a completely unpredictable opponent. As for my own abilities, honestly, even I don't know when I acquired his power. Before I knew it, after clashing with him a few times... I became able to draw upon his power. There must be some kind of condition or mechanism behind it that I didn't even notice."
"Is that how it is... No wonder. Even Grayfia-sama's demonic aura—senpai can just use it without knowing the mechanics behind it..."
"Something like that... I'm not too keen on broadcasting this, since there are more intricate details to it, but oh well..."
I paused for a moment before adding:
"That's all you were harboring doubts about regarding me, right, Koneko?"
"Yes."
A sigh of pure relief escaped my lips, as if a heavy weight pressing down on my shoulders had finally been lifted.
"Good then... Sorry for calling you out this late at night. Let's head back to our rooms."
I turned around, preparing to walk back, but after taking only a few steps, her voice sounded from behind me.
"Does senpai think we're going to win?"
"Hmm?"
My footsteps came to an immediate halt before I slowly glanced back over my shoulder. I saw her looking back, though her gaze was cast downward at the ground like someone weighed down by anxiety.
"Lacking confidence in yourself, Koneko?"
Her small frame flinched slightly.
"A little... This is my first Rating Game too. I'm just worried I won't be useful enough to Buchou..."
Her small form radiated uncertainty that she couldn't completely hide.
I let out a breath, walked straight up to her, and reached out to place a hand gently on her head, patting it softly—it felt just like petting my little sister back in my old world.
"If you want to win, shake off all that hesitation... Because that very doubt is what could end up causing your defeat."
Her small body stiffened in surprise for a moment as my hand came down unannounced, before that tension gradually melted away upon feeling the warmth radiating from my palm.
"Don't worry, I already have a counterplan... Besides, I promised Shisho that I'd lead you all to victory, so you can rest easy."
"If senpai says it to that extent..."
Koneko looked up, meeting my gaze directly, and let out a faint, reassuring smile. The hesitant, uncertain look in her eyes instantly transformed into an overflowing surge of determination.
"Then I'll leave it in your hands, senpai."
I pressed my hand down slightly harder, ruffling her hair a bit to acknowledge the trust and reliance the young girl was placing in me.
"Oh, you can rest assured this match will end quickly... But first, I need to get everyone else on board with this plan. Tomorrow at the usual time, help me gather them together... But make sure Rias doesn't find out about any of this."
"Why shouldn't Buchou know about it?"
I offered an awkward, sheepish smile in response.
"If she finds out, the plan will fall apart... And everything I've prepared in advance might go to waste. Let's just say, do as I ask for now. You can do that, right, Koneko?"
Even though her face was filled with doubt and confusion, the young girl eventually nodded in agreement.
"I understand, senpai."
Once we had everything settled, we parted ways and returned to our respective rooms.
I gazed out the window into the night, looking up at the pitch-black sky as the corners of my lips slowly curled upward into a smile.
Now then... let's set up a nice, proper stage for our dear 'Prince Phoenix' to come crawling down and make a fool of himself under our feet.
(Break)
.
.
And then... this day had finally arrived.
The current time is 23:40. With only 20 minutes left, the 'Rating Game' was about to begin.
Everyone was now gathered together inside the Occult Research Club room to prepare for their first battle.
Some still looked calm, some even though trying to act normal, still had slight tension that required careful observation to notice... As for the person who revealed the traces of nervousness most clearly, it probably goes without saying who it was.
…10 minutes passed
Zoom—Fwoosh!
The familiar magic circle emitted a bright light in the middle of the room before the person we were waiting for revealed their form.
"Is everyone ready? There are only ten minutes left, and the match will begin."
Rias and the others nodded in response before standing up to get ready... Only I remained sitting still, because I am not part of Gremory's peerage.
"When the battle time arrives, everyone will be sent to the battlefield through this magic circle... The battle area is set in a separate dimension. You can unleash all the power you possess to the fullest because that place is a disposable simulated area. Therefore, please fight to your heart's content."
Nee-san explained in a calm and composed voice while the others were listening intently.
Issei, who was standing a little away from me, gradually moved closer before whispering in my ear with an anxious voice.
"Hey... will that plan really succeed? And that thing you gave me, will it really work?"
"Sigh... It's going to fail just because you keep asking the same things over and over like this. I told you not to act suspicious."
It's starting to get a little annoying now... This guy has been asking the same repetitive questions since the afternoon.
"And what did your partner say about the thing I gave you?"
"Ddraig? Oh, right! He said it's a top-notch item that is very useful to me, and even asked where I got it from."
"Then what's the problem, since the owner of the Sacred Gear himself has guaranteed it to that extent?"
"I'm just worried that if we carry out this plan and it goes wrong... Not only might we lose, but it might also cause Buchou—"
"What are you two talking about?"
Rias, who happened to overhear her own name slipping into the conversation, immediately chimed in.
"N-Nothing at all, Buchou!"
Issei startled, hurriedly and flusteredly making up a high-pitched excuse.
Rias narrowed her eyes slightly when she saw that suspicious reaction.
"Issei... You aren't hiding anything from me, are you?"
"O-Of course not! There's no way!"
Inside her mind, Rias immediately realized that something was wrong with her peerage... not just Issei, but everyone else looked suspicious as well, such as Koneko, who sometimes secretly glanced at her with a gaze filled with guilt.
These strange behaviors had been happening for the past day, ever since Issei and Hikigaya returned from training.
What on earth was going on?
"For this Rating Game match, members of both households will be able to watch the battle from another location via live broadcast... Of course, Maou Lucifer-sama himself will also be watching this battle. Please do not forget this point."
Just hearing the name 'Maou Lucifer', the thoughts that had been focused on suspicions regarding Rias's peerage were immediately pulled back to the present reality right in front of her.
"Onii-sama?... Hmm, I understand. He's coming to watch too, huh.."
"Is there anything to be surprised about?"
I spoke up casually while taking a sip from my can of Max Coffee.
"It's his little sister's match, of course he'd come to watch... Besides, wasn't he the one who organized this event in the first place?"
I actually wanted to say outright, 'As if a siscon like that wouldn't come and watch'... But I'll hold back a bit, otherwise, people might say I'm teasing and showing disrespect to someone at the Maou level.
"Wait!? What did you just say!? Maou Lucifer is Buchou's older brother!? ...I didn't mishear, did I!?"
"You didn't hear wrong, Issei-kun. Buchou's older brother is the Maou."
Kiba, who had remained silent all along, spoke up to help confirm and clear up Issei's confusion.
But Issei's expression was still furrowed in a frown, as if there was still some point he hadn't got an answer to.
So I stepped in to add:
"You're confused about the different family names, aren't you, Issei?"
"Ah, yeah.."
"You probably know that in the Great War of the Three Factions, all four of the original Maou perished in that battle... In order for demon society to keep functioning and not collapse, it was necessary to have new rulers and administrators for the demon world, so four of the strongest and most powerful high-class demons were selected to take the position of Maou instead."
I took another sip and continued
"And one of those chosen was 'Sirzechs Gremory'... Upon ascending to the position of Maou, he had to abandon his original surname and inherit the name of the previous Maou, becoming 'Sirzechs Lucifer' as the strongest Maou."
"Because of that reason, Rias had to take on the role of successor to the Gremory family in place of her older brother."
"Oh, I see. No wonder... But you know a lot about these things, Hikigaya."
Huh? Has this guy's brain deteriorated? Or did he get hit in the previous attack and all the folds in his brain shriveled up?
"Did you forget who I am?"
"Er..."
Issei frowned in thought for a moment before his gaze fell upon the silver-haired maid standing right in front of him.
"Ah... That's right!"
Issei slapped his fist onto his palm with a loud thwack! as if he finally remembered.
His condition is heavy... If I had known in advance that this guy's brain state would turn out like this, I should have held back less during training.
"Everyone, it's time. This way, please."
At Greyfia's voice, all members of the Gremory peerage stepped into the center of the prepared magic circle.
"Once everyone is sent to another dimension, teleportation magic circles cannot be used until the match ends."
Vwuum!
The symbol at the center of the magic circle changed its pattern before emitting a blindingly bright light.
Shing! Whoosh—!
In just a split second, all of their bodies were sent to the battlefield.
"...."
"...."
After finishing the can of Max Coffee, seeing that there was no use in staying here anymore... and Nee-san probably had to go busy herself with her duties.
I stood up, preparing to head back home.
–Fwoosh
However, before I could even take a step, the hem of my shirt was gently pulled.
The distinguished silver-haired maid walked closer before gracefully seating herself on the sofa right next to me.
"Where are you rushing off to, Hachi?"
The calm voice she used in her capacity as a maid vanished in an instant, replaced by her familiar, comforting, and gentle voice.
"Well.. I'm just heading home—"
And before I could finish, that hand pulled hard on the hem of my shirt, causing me to lose my balance and fall to sit right next to her without warning.
What I felt against my upper arm the next moment was softness and warmth, blending with the familiar, relaxing, and enveloping fragrance.
"A place where I am can be considered your home too, Hachi... Come sit here with me. Let Onee give you a hug."
With that, she tightened her embrace, pulling my arm close right between her breasts, then gently intertwining her fingers with mine and resting her head naturally against my shoulder.
The soft touch and gentle fragrance surrounding me made the thought of refusing instantly halt.
Are the two of us really still siblings?
"And what about your work?"
"Underestimating Onee-san too much like this is bad, you know. I can still perform my duties while being here."
As if confirming those words just now, several holographic magic screens popped up in the air right in front of us, showing perspectives from both the Gremory peerage side and the Phoenix peerage side. And shortly after, Ne-san's voice resounded from the screens.
{Hello everyone, I am Greyfia, maid of the Gremory household, and today I will serve as the referee for the Rating Game match between the Gremory household and the Phoenix household.}
Whoa, seriously... To the extent of pre-recording your own voice into the virtual dimension? Can you even do that, nee-san!?
I glanced sideways at the young woman beside me, who was comfortably dozing with her eyes closed, leaning against my shoulder.
'Investing this much effort just to slack off on the job... Aren't you trying a bit too hard?'
I couldn't help but mutter softly to myself.
"Lazy Nee-san..."
Hearing the teasing remark from my mouth, her beautifully shaped, bluish lips instantly curved into a smile before she retorted with a good-natured tone.
"It's called 'delegating tasks for the system to allocate itself'..."
She paused for a moment before landing a direct hit on my weak spot.
"Fufufu~ There's a saying, 'Work smarter, not harder for exhaustion'... Do you agree with your sister, Hachi~?"
"Ugh.."
She got me... attacking me with my own logical phrase from a few years ago, seriously?
{In the name of the servant of Sirzechs Lucifer, I will be keeping a close eye on this match. With the consensus of both Rias-sama and Riser-sama, we have created this battlefield, which is a replica of Kuoh Academy, the school where Rias-sama studies in the human world.}
"Keeping an eye on it, my foot.. you're sitting here with your eyes closed tight, that's what."
"Hachi is mean... Instead of offering me even a little praise, you're nagging at me non-stop like this~"
She grumbled in a sulky voice while puffing out her cheeks slightly at me, all while still resting on my shoulder without any intention of moving away whatsoever.
Good grief... She's acting way too comfortable, isn't she? Ever since the screens turned on, she hasn't even bothered to cast a single glance at them.
"Then how would you like me to praise you... 'Nee-san, you're amazing for being able to deceive viewers across the entire Demon World into thinking you're diligently fulfilling your duties as a referee, while in reality you're secretly leaning back and resting on your younger brother's shoulder with a straight face'... How's that for praise?"
The slim body trembled slightly as if trying hard to suppress amusement, before a soft laugh escaped her throat.
"Heh... I suppose so. That's not bad either~... But to make it perfect, it needs a slight tweak to 'resting on her beloved younger brother's shoulder', that's how it should be."
Hey hey... At least by the time she listened up to this sentence, she should have objected, not just nodded along with a straight face like that!
"Nee-san.. are you not drunk, are you?"
"Why would you think that, Hachi~?"
{"All right, it's time to start the battle. This competition will continue until dawn in the human world's time, therefore... the game begins right now—!"}
Click…
Oh? Why'd you mute the sound?
"It was interrupting sibling bonding time... Let's continue with the question from just now. Why did you think I was drunk~?"
You're really not gonna watch? Don't you care about the win-loss outcome of your sister-in-law?
"Well, it's just that.. today, Ne-san seems unusually determined for some reason."
"Come on now~ I haven't seen Hachi for a full fifteen days, you see. So all those suppressed feelings just burst out all at once like this~"
"Isn't it just 'fifteen days'? For a demon with a long lifespan, that amount of time is no different from fifteen minutes, right?"
'Talking so exaggeratedly... Nee-san must have taken the wrong medicine, otherwise her condition wouldn't be this severe. This must be a side effect of medication-induced hallucinations, huh.'
"Hachi... were you just badmouthing me with vulgar words in your mind...?"
As though the sweet atmosphere from a moment ago was merely an illusion, her voice suddenly shifted to being icy cold, sending a chilly shudder running down my spine.
She raised her head to look at me from over her shoulder with a sharp gaze, while the arm of mine that she was embracing and our interlocked hands began to squeeze tighter, until I could feel the tips of her nails gradually digging into my flesh.
"N... No way! I wasn't thinking anything like that!"
Dammit!
I completely forgot that this woman can read my mind. Even though I still don't know what exact method she uses.
"Your expression is giving it away completely."
It's over! She cut off all my paths of escape, leaving me no time to think at all.
And what was that just now?
In just a fleeting moment, her eyes turned crimson red before returning to their usual silver, as if nothing had happened at all.
...I must have been seeing things, huh.. right?
"Why would you say something like that, Ne-san! Why would I ever think anything nasty about the older sister I love the most?"
"Hmm... Is that so? Then what are you thinking right now?"
What am I thinking, huh...?
I glanced to my side, meeting her beautiful pair of eyes once again.
'Ugh... My brain is completely blank, I can't think of anything at all!'
"I was just thinking that..."
Bad boy mode, activate!
Using my other hand that was still free, I reached out to gently lift her slender, beautiful chin, then spoke in a deep, low voice laced with soft tenderness.
"Nee-san's stern, cold expression... looks so captivatingly charming, you see."
"...."
Grayfia was slightly surprised by the bold action of the younger brother right in front of her, and that made her heart involuntarily flutter and tremble... The reason being that his face at this moment overlapped with the image of someone she deeply yearned for and desired deep within her heart..
A faint blush rushed across both of her cheeks. The young woman averted her gaze elsewhere for a brief moment to mask her shyness, before gracefully curling her lips into a sly smile and turning back to tease him.
"I never would've imagined you had this kind of taste, Hachi... But I don't really mind, you know, if you want to be the M and let this Onee-san take on the role of the S to take care of you~"
What M? What S?
"Actually, I might even like this position—"
"Wait!"
Aw, crap! This is getting way out of hand, folks!
Didn't I just accidentally trigger and turn on some weird hidden fetish deep within this woman's mind right now!?
What on earth is wrong with all the women in this world!?
No way! My wonderful Nee-san mustn't be someone who delves deep down that path!
Taking advantage of the moment she was blushing shyly, I successfully shook my arm free from her bindings, then grabbed both of her shoulders firmly and gave her a gentle shake to bring her back to her senses and look at my face.
"Hold on, Nee-san! I didn't mean it like that!"
"Ah~ What kind of mood is this~ Do you want to get all affectionate and lovey-dovey with me right here? You've got quite some nerve... truly worthy of being my beloved little brother~"
Ouch, oh lord! This big sis isn't listening to a single word I'm saying at all!
"But come to think of it~ That night, you played pretty rough with me too, you know... Hmm? What's wrong, Hachi?"
Grayfia asked, tilting her head in concern as she saw her younger brother's body collapse limply, his head dropping in utter despair and hopelessness. He let both hands fall away from her shoulders listlessly, then mumbled back in a low voice.
"I don't love Nee-san anymore.."
The moment those words slipped out, her playful smile vanished, replaced by panic and alarm. The young woman hurriedly reached out with both hands to grab my hopelessly dejected face, forcing it to face her immediately.
"Oh dear, no Hachi, don't say such cold-hearted things to hurt my feelings like that. Making me feel this sad is a grave sin, you know."
"Is that so... Do devils care about sins and virtues?"
"Not really..."
Without any further ado, she pulled and pressed my head down to bury it right against her soft, voluptuous curves instantly.
"That.. that's just an ironclad rule I made up for the two of us ourselves~"
The tight, close contact and the intense, alluring fragrance caused my brain to short-circuit for a brief moment, forcing me to quickly bite down hard on my tongue to let the pain shoot through my nerves, subduing the raw instincts that were about to awaken.
After that, she began to move her hand up to stroke my head lightly, paying not the slightest attention to the chaos I was facing right in front of me, before speaking in a calm yet serious voice.
"Even though for devils, fifteen days is considered a very short span of time, just like you compared it to being only fifteen minutes... But for me, when having to wait for someone I love very much, those times stretch and expand by dozens of times.... or even more."
The words she uttered felt somewhat like they were touching upon past events rather than just talking about the immediate present, as if she were releasing through that tone of voice a yearning she had kept bottled up inside for a long time.
"....."
"Furthermore, isn't this what Hachi wanted?"
"..Huh?"
I tried glancing upward, peeking past the mounds of her chest that were blocking my vision in utter puzzlement.
"You wanted me to rest and be happy, didn't you?"
At that very second, I realized my own mistake... If it is for the happiness of my benefactor, my master, and this precious older sister, no matter what it is, I am ready to devote myself entirely to it..
However, her teasing might seduce me into making a careless blunder just like on that night. Even if she insists she doesn't mind and holds no grudge, I cannot let such a thing happen a second time.
Because this is not just a matter between the two of us. If this relationship were to be exposed, the ensuing consequences would likely be too much to bear... The dividing line between our positions should not be crossed any further than this.
And yet…
I stared deep into those beautiful eyes looking at me with utmost affection and fondness, as if gazing at the most precious thing in life.
The thought that I was trying to use reason to refute and erase this image... my heart gave a sudden jolt, leaving me barely able to breathe.
The moment I tried imagining if those eyes were to turn into disappointment and sorrow…
Those reasons were ready to melt away completely before my eyes without a single piece left.
"Nee-san, will you be happy if you do this?"
"That's right... This is my best resting time right here. Being mingling and close to you like this makes me the happiest... And I'd probably be even happier if you'd act a bit more clingy and sweet toward me~"
I could only close my eyes and let out a huge sigh of exasperation.
"Could you please let go of your hands first..."
"Did I make you feel uncomfortable or uneasy...?"
"No... Just let go first, please."
After she willingly loosened those hands from my head, I leaned back into my original sitting posture. The backrest of the sofa supported my weight just right before I let out another sigh, glancing sideways at the young woman beside me who was now showing a dejected, guilty expression.
A corner of my mouth curved into a smile.
Sometimes... getting to see unexpected sides like this frequently isn't so bad, huh. Should I call this lucky, I wonder?
Tap, tap
I used my hand to pat lightly on my lap, then invited her with a relaxed tone.
"Come here, Nee-san."
Grayfia's eyes widened slightly, her smooth, clear cheeks gradually flushing with a radiant red that spread all the way to her ears.
"You're... you're really gonna do it right here, huh Hachi..."
"Huh...?"
"You're gonna let me straddle your lap right here, and then—"
"No! I meant come rest your head on my lap right here! Don't you want to receive some pampering from this younger brother of yours!?"
"Oh dear~ Well, how was I supposed to know... And why didn't you make it clear from the beginning? That's why my thoughts drifted way off track."
"Well, I thought you could read my mind and grasp the meaning yourself, you see."
"Are you saying I'm the only one having lewd thoughts?"
"No, of course not... Anyway, are you coming to lie down or what?"
Swish
She didn't utter a reply, but nonchalantly dropped her upper body weight to rest her head right on my lap, while shifting to adjust her lying posture with her legs stretched out on the sofa into the most comfortable position possible.
...But the problem is, the pose is starting to look rather lewd, isn't it.
"Uh... Nee-san, could you please turn your face forward... I think this sleeping posture facing straight towards my belly isn't quite the proper way to rest one's head on a lap, you know..."
"Eh~ But I think it's not all that different. Is there a problem, Hachi~"
"Sigh... Have it your way then."
"Fufufu~"
She chuckled gleefully upon seeing that I let it slide and didn't argue back with her.
I reached out to slowly unclip the maid headband from her head, then placed it down on the table right in front of us. After that, I gently slipped my fingertips through the slightly messy hair strands at her temples, carefully combing and untangling those locks to make them neat and straightly gorgeous just like before.
"How attentive of you~"
"Of course, because I learned these things from you after all… Hmm?"
My gaze happened to catch on a long, faint bulging outline around the side of her waist, right at the pocket opening of her blue fitted bodice. The moment I saw its shape and size, I immediately knew what was hidden beneath that fabric, and without waiting a second longer, I reached my hand in and pulled that item right out.
"What is it, Hachi?"
The thing that was pulled out from there... was none other than an ear pick.
My low laughter sounded softly as I raised the ear pick up and waved it back and forth in front of her.
"Heh heh... Seriously, Nee-san, carrying this thing around ready for use all the time like this, isn't your intention a bit too obvious?"
"Oh, that's right! I almost forgot. Today, I intended to let Haji rest his head on my lap and clean his ears a little bit, you see."
She acted as if she had just remembered, before speaking in a cheerful voice completely unlike someone who had almost entirely forgotten her own plan.
"It seems the situation has turned around a bit, hasn't it~?"
From her voice, there's probably no need to ask anymore whether she wants me to clean her ears or not.
Without waiting, I carefully inserted the ear pick into her ear, only as deep as necessary, and then gently moved the tip to stroke along the inside in a circular motion softly.
"Ah~... Mmm~... This feels insanely blissful~"
Her satisfied moan immediately sounded out, as if all the happiness in life had been gathered into this single moment.
"Nee-san... Don't you feel embarrassed at all? Usually, women don't really like anyone doing this kind of thing to them. It should be the other way around instead."
"Mmm~... Of course I feel a bit embarrassed... If this were the first time, that is~"
"What do you mean? Has someone ever cleaned Nee-san's ears before?"
To be precise... Is there anyone she would allow to do something this intimate with her?
"Hmm... Who knows~"
Just how much does she plan to tease me?
"Then I'll stop."
"No! Don't sulk yet... What's wrong, Hachi? Are you jealous? Knowing that this isn't my first time?"
"...."
"Rest assured. What I meant was... this isn't the first time you've cleaned my ears~"
…?
What are you saying?
This ear-cleaning for her is definitely my first time. I don't remember ever doing anything like this for her before…
"Uh... I don't remember ever doing anything like this before."
"It's fine even if you don't remember... No, that you don't remember is actually correct."
She's left another riddle for me…
The old matter hasn't even been resolved yet, and a new one pops up. What in the world is my life? The more I live, the gloomier the world looks.
Even if I tried asking her directly, the chance of getting a clear answer is probably less than one percent.
Damn it... Just how far does this woman intend to keep me hung up?
Or could it be that... I actually lost my memory before?
"Hachi, your hand has stopped."
"Ah... Sorry."
I was so caught up in nonsense that I accidentally stopped my hand.
Just imagine, if the people in the Devil world were to see the current state of the woman nicknamed the 'Strongest Queen', how would they react?
I'm afraid nobody would believe their own eyes. They might even go as far as accusing the woman in front of them of being an impostor.
Which is not an exaggeration at all, because probably no one would expect that the woman who normally exudes a lofty, cold, and hard-to-approach aura would come and rest her head on some guy's lap while making a blissful expression as if ascending to heaven like this.
If anyone were to actually see this, the image she has built up would surely be utterly ruined.
"Daydreaming about random things again?"
"Probably... By the way, Nee-san, aren't you going to watch their match?"
"Whether I watch or not, the outcome will be the same anyway."
...Is this really a sentence someone assigned to monitor the match should say?
"That's true, though..."
"Since we've talked this much, I just remembered I haven't asked yet... How is their training going?"
"Isn't it easier to just look at the results right now?"
"It's boring, you see. Talking to you is more fun~"
...Your words are starting to go too far.
If your sister-in-law were to hear this, what kind of expression would she make? No... maybe she'd be too shocked for words.
"You really are self-centered."
Pinch
I used my free left hand to reach out and softly pinch her smooth, soft cheek.
"Ah~! Hachi, why did you pinch me?"
"Sorry. Hearing what you just said, I couldn't help feeling affectionately tickled."
"If you're that eager to pinch, why don't you bite me instead~?"
This woman…
I'm starting to wonder just how far she intends to provoke me.
Pinch!
I increased the squeezing force on her smooth, soft cheek a little more, as if venting my playful annoyance onto the smiling person in front of me.
"—Mmm! It hurts, you know~"
"If you're going to lie poorly, go practice again."
Even though my mouth said that, after pinching her cheek, I still didn't forget to use my thumb to gently stroke the area, as if comforting and apologizing to her through actions instead of directly speaking an apology out loud.
"Mmm~ So gentle, Hachi... And what about the answer?"
"It's considered good. The others don't have any special problems, except for the two who just joined."
I began explaining the training results of those two while cleaning her ear.
"One person was able to draw out a mass of demonic power after just one training session. As for the other... even though he lacks talent in demonic power, he can still make up for that weakness with a powerful Sacred Gear, plus he has over a hundred percent determination and willpower."
Honestly, these traits are quite admirable.
"Of course... all the traits I mentioned are partly related to his perverted imagination as well. If you take that away, that guy would probably look like a character straight out of a shonen manga without a hitch."
"Fufu, sounds like someone you particularly like to take sarcastic jabs at."
"It's not to that extent. I just hate the thoughts inside his head a little bit."
"Oh, try giving an example of what you just said."
"Er... Nee-san, you should already know."
"No~ I don't know anything at all."
You really want to push it, huh... this woman.
"Well, like... That guy, whenever he just sees a pretty woman with large breasts, inside his head he starts imagining lewd, perverted things with that woman going all out."
"Is that so~ No wonder he blushed when we first met... Meaning he must have imagined bad things about me, huh."
Suddenly, a vein on my temple began to visibly bulge.
...She is clearly enjoying provoking me.
"Nee-san, to be frank, I am extremely displeased that some random guy out there, especially perverts, imagines your body."
"...."
The jealousy hidden in the voice and expression of the younger brother in front of her was so clear that Grayfia was taken aback for a moment.
She had never thought before that she would see Haji show such feelings directly, especially his possessiveness that he barely even thought of concealing.
The surprise transformed into astonishment for a moment before the corners of her mouth slowly lifted into a smile.
It seems this younger brother of hers has a side that even he might not have noticed yet. Looking closely, his golden-amber left eye is glowing.
"Fufufu~ Onee's Haji is so cute~♡ Both your voice and your expression... You're really jealous of Onee, aren't you? My~ If I had known that seeing you act this way would make me this happy, I would have teased you into jealousy long ago~"
"Nee-san, I am being serious."
"Then what are you going to do, Hachi~? How are you going to protect my body from their gazes and thoughts?"
She squinted up at me with sparkling eyes tinged with a challenge, her lips adorned with a sly smile, as if waiting to see what kind of answer I would come up with to reply to her.
I narrowed my eyes, my eyebrows furrowed in irritation, before shifting my gaze down to her slender hand, which was deliberately pressing down slightly on her own chest, as if using that gesture specifically to provoke me.
Of course... I had fallen right into her trap without realizing it at all.
"I will make sure that all their memories regarding Nee-san will disappear within less than one second."
While uttering those words, my hand began to move again, carefully sliding the ear pick in before skillfully moving the tip in circles, as if I weren't talking about something cruel like erasing the memories of a number of people, but merely chatting about trivial everyday matters.
"Whether it's your face, your figure, your name... or even any scrap of memory related to you, I will erase it all completely, leaving not even a single trace."
My voice remained calm and normal, yet my eyes grew noticeably cold. My lips were devoid of any smile, leaving only a blank expression that made it hard to guess the thoughts behind it.
"No matter how hard they try to think of you, what they get back will only be murkiness... Therefore, do not worry, I will handle everything properly myself."
I looked down at the young woman resting her head on my lap, before moving my hand to gently grab the tip of her chin and forcing her face to turn back and look directly into my eyes.
"Because if they can no longer remember you, there is no reason for me to sit around worrying about their gazes anymore... Right?"
"...Ah~"
A soft moan escaped Grayfia's lips. The fierce atmosphere radiating from the young man in front of her, combined with the gentle touch of the ear pick that was still moving steadily, gave rise to a strange feeling she couldn't explain.
A flickering heat gradually formed around her lower abdomen, as if something was wriggling inside, causing her to involuntarily tense her body slightly without realizing it.
Her silver eyes that used to sparkle with amusement began to tremble slightly. Inside her heart, certain thoughts slowly formed in silence.
She wanted to add more fuel to the fire, wanting to see how much more feeling was hidden beneath the cold demeanor and nonchalant words of the young man in front of her.
The more jealousy he showed, the more she wanted to tease him deeper into it, wanting the feelings he tried to hide to gradually intensify until he could no longer be satisfied with possessing just a mere fraction of her.
She wanted to see him reveal his greed... the desire to keep her by his side alone, leaving no space for anyone else to insert themselves in between.
What a pity... If she were to do that, this place would hardly be appropriate. At least it should be a more private location, and the timing should be more favorable too.
"Damn it, Hachi~... You're starting to make me turn into a strange person more and more."
"Just realizing it now, Nee-san? Right now, you are so different from normal as if you're a completely different person. I really want to know what kind of expression others would make if they saw you in this state."
"Hmm~ Does Hachi want others to know this side of me?"
"No way. Absolutely not."
Grayfia understood the meaning hidden in that answer instantly.
It was a short answer that concealed only one single meaning—her current state 'belongs to him'.
The smile on her face gradually deepened as she gazed at the young man who was cleaning her ears unconcernedly.
"I knew it~ Haji must love me very much indeed, to have answered like that~ Come on, try saying 'I love you very much' for Onee to hear~"
"Er..."
'Taking advantage of the situation, aren't you, this woman.'
While thinking of a way to deal with her self-centeredness, my gaze happened to glance at the situation on the floating screen right in front of me, so the corners of my mouth lifted.
"Let's put that aside for now, Nee-san. First of all, try turning on the sound and look at the screen over there."
"No way~ I won't do it. Say 'I love you very much' first~"
..Sigh.. I really am exhausted…
..Is the reason you are like this because of me?
"Sigh… Very well."
I sighed before lowering my gaze to look at the young woman resting her head on my lap right in front of me.
Our eyes met. The playfulness that used to clearly shine in her eyes was still there, but for me, what was right in front of me made all my wandering thoughts quiet down with startling effectiveness.
I raised my hand to gently support her face, using my thumb to lightly stroke her smooth cheek while looking at her with a gaze that revealed my feelings directly, without thinking of hiding them behind sarcastic remarks like usual.
"I love you very much… Nee-san."
The moment she heard those words of love, Grayfia felt as though an electric current surged through her body from head to toe. A spark flashed everywhere, causing her shoulders to jerk sharply before her body trembled slightly as if she had just been heavily shocked.
"Mh~ That's the way to completely win my heart! Okay, take an 11 out of 10 from onee-san!"
Snap!
Grayfia snapped her fingers lightly before the announcement from the display screen right in front of us sounded out.
『Riser-sama's 5 Pawns and 2 Rooks are incapacitated in combat.』
Crack!!—Zzzt!!
Swish! Boom!!
The sounds of explosion and clash echoed almost immediately, amid the announcements revealing that the number of members in Riser's faction who had been withdrawn from the match had increased at an alarming rate. Finally, Nee-san slowly turned back to look at the screen.
"Oh…"
『Riser-sama's 3 Pawns, 2 Knights, and 1 Bishop are incapacitated in combat.』
The image on the screen was filled with groups of smoke obscuring the view before the dust gradually faded away, revealing the state of the battlefield which had changed until it was almost unrecognizable.
Countless swords sprouted up from the ground, spreading to cover the entire field as if this land had been transformed into a graveyard of sharp blades. The field was soaked with water, and water droplets were clinging all over each and every blade.
Amidst that alarming sight, a large crater scorched until its surface turned pitch black also appeared. Faint lines of electric current were still darting and flickering above the burn marks, like fragments of destructive power that had just erupted and not yet completely dissipated.
『What in the world is this!?』
The golden-haired girl's scream rang out from the screen, her tone filled with shock and disbelief at what she saw. She must have been the only Bishop remaining from this attack; because she hadn't participated in the combat from the start, she escaped the same fate as the other members in Riser's faction.
"Do you like this kind of result, Nee-san?"
"…This exceeds what I expected by a lot, Hachi. I thought you would use the method of gradually dealing with them one by one."
"Maybe it is as you say if they followed Rias's game plan from the start, and the result might have turned out differently from this. That kind of plan is good when looking at the big picture. Knowing that one's side is at a disadvantage in manpower, dealing with opponents one by one separately is a reasonable method, at least helping to reduce the risk of confronting multiple enemies at once.."
"But the problem is... actual combat does not always proceed according to the planned blueprint, and this strategy also has one severe drawback: the amount of energy that must be lost in each battle."
"Just think about it. If one has to face the other side's subordinates one by one, even being able to win every time does not mean one can get through without losing anything. Magical power, physical strength, concentration, as well as physical condition that gradually degrades from continuous combat—the more different each opponent's abilities are, the harder it is to estimate how many resources must be used to win."
"And don't forget... winning does not always mean needing only a small amount of power. Sometimes, even if one wins decisively, it might require paying a price that is higher than necessary."
"Now, let's suppose they really managed to break through all the subordinates. When the time comes to face the team leader like Riser, they might not have enough power left to fight him. Even if they can still stand, if their bodies are exhausted, magical power is low, and responsiveness is reduced, no matter how good the plan is, it's hard to turn the situation around. To put it simply... they might win every minor battle, but end up losing the most important battle."
Her silver eyes shone with admiration and awe at the sharpness of Hachi, the younger brother who always managed to surprise her with a way of thinking that pierced through to the outcomes behind the battles… No, she had been impressed with him for a long time; it's just that this time it revived the admiration that had been absent for a long time.
"The explanation sounds reasonable, but luring enemies to gather in one spot also has risks... In practice, if it were beginners lacking experience, I could understand that they might fall for it, but this team includes Riser's younger sister. She is a smart person. I can boldly say that victory in past matches was partly due to her ability, and this time might be the same… So why is Hachi so confident that they would fall for it?"
"That's precisely because they didn't think this was Rias's plan. Rias's movement of each piece looked too haphazard, lacking any clear pattern or plan, making them think it was all just arbitrary decisions by each individual, especially a piece like Issei who had a history of that sort of thing since that discussion meeting.."
"Even though Rias had never participated in official matches before, that point actually turned out to be an advantage for her side, because the enemy had very little information regarding their abilities."
"Of course, we are talking about Riser, the one most ambitious about this marriage. No matter how arrogant he is and how confident in his own victory, he wouldn't be careless enough to lower his guard, because he himself rates Rias highly as well. I think he must have been watching Rias's battle patterns for a while now."
"Watching?"
"Yes. A few days ago, shortly after Argento-san became Rias's servant, I shot down a bird. Upon checking, I found it was a Phoenix familiar, so I deduced that the other side probably got some information about us. And it turned out just as I thought—Riser ended up sending his subordinates to garrison strategic points one by one, anticipating in advance that Rias would likely execute her plan in that direction... Oh, look at Rias's expression, Nee-san."
Another screen displayed the slightly pale face of Rias, who had just managed to ease her anxiety a moment ago. The sweat still lingering around her temples showed that she still couldn't fully rest easy.
She was staring intently at the unfolding events from an exposed position a short distance away.
"After this match ends, she'll probably feel so dejected and mopey for a good while, because none of her subordinates followed a single order."
I shrugged slightly before continuing in an indifferent tone.
"I just persuaded them with the reasoning of 'doing it for Buchou.' After this, those guys will probably just go apologize and try to win her back themselves."
"My~ Why is my student so cruel? I don't remember ever teaching you anything like that. And doesn't Hachi think he went too far and should apologize to the other party as well?"
"Of course I'm not wrong. I just kept the promise I made. As for whether she feels like she was betrayed or not, that wasn't something included in our agreement from the start, unless Nee-san wants me to go apologize to her."
"Fufufu~ Are you asking for my permission? Of course, my answer is no. I don't care about that. Even if you were truly in the wrong, I would always stand by your side... Unless you wronged me personally, that is~"
"...."
…I really have a bad premonition about this.
Or am I just overthinking it?
But for some reason, I feel that if one day I had to choose between the Gremory household she serves and me—just an ordinary strange boy…
She would choose me without a moment's hesitation.
"Nee-san…"
"Is something wrong, my dear~?"
I shook my head slightly, brushing those nonsensical thoughts aside before turning my attention back to the situation in front of us.
"No, nothing."
"Hmm, is that so~"
Although still feeling slightly doubtful, she didn't press me for an answer…
At least, not right now.
"From here on out is the real deal. So what kind of contingency plan does Hachi have?"
We both turned back to gaze at the image on the screen.
I flashed a sly smile the moment Riser appeared along with his Queen. The expressions of both of them clearly indicated frustration, especially Riser, who looked like he was boiling with anger to the point of potentially exploding at any second.
"As for that, I think Nee-san has to see it for herself to find it fun."
"Eh~! How can you do that? Tell me."
"Spoiling it in advance reduces the excitement, Nee-san."
I smiled faintly before continuing.
"This time I want to surprise you with the visuals rather than telling you myself… Is that okay?"
"Hmm~ Alright then. Since you're asking like that, this time I'll let it slide~"
—Beep… Beep… Beep..
Huh?
Suddenly, the phone in my pants pocket vibrated while emitting a notification sound. I reached in and pulled it out, wondering who was calling.
Caller Name:
[Fallen Angel Reject]
Raynare?
huh? It's rare for her to call me.
Two options appeared on the screen.
『Accept / Decline』
I created a soundproof magic barrier covering my head so that the conversation wouldn't disturb nee-san, who was watching the battle beside me.
Click—
I tapped the screen to answer the call before bringing the phone to my ear.
"What is it?"
『Hey! Hikigaya! Kalawarna is in bad shape!』
"What did you say!?"
I immediately frowned upon hearing the shouting from the other end of the line, before asking back in a tense voice.
"What happened? Give me a quick rundown of the situation!"
『Hah... Sob... On the way back from the convenience store... we bumped into Freed and Kokabiel...』
Freed Sellzen… Kokabiel!?
『That guy proposed a plan for us to join, but when we refused... he attacked us out of nowhere... Ugh!』
『Cough! Cough!』
『Luckily, I managed to escape... Damn it... I'm still somewhat okay... My wounds aren't to the point where I can't move... But Kalawarna... her condition is much worse than mine...!』
『Her wounds are so severe that she barely has the strength to move... If she doesn't receive high-level healing soon... she might not make it...!』
『Sob... Hikigaya... come help us...!』
"Okay, got it! Where are you guys right now!?"
『...Cough! Cough!... At home... Please hurry...!』
—Click
As soon as the call disconnected, I turned to speak to the woman who was resting her head on my lap while watching the battle in front of us.
"Nee-san, I have some urgent business to attend to. Please excuse me."
"Hmm? Business?"
She slowly sat up before raising both arms above her head, interlocking her fingers, and leaning back to stretch.
That posture clearly highlighted the curves of her figure, especially her large breasts, which naturally pushed forward.
"Will you be gone for long?"
"All I can say is... I'll be back in time before the match ends."
"Hmm, I understand. Then go hurry and finish your business, and come back as promised."
I nodded in acknowledgment before standing up and quickly pacing toward the exit door.
...But after taking only four or five steps, my feet suddenly came to a halt.
...Wait a minute.
Even if I hurry back home, what good would it do?
My healing magic is only at a standard level.
What should I do... There's no time left!—
"What happened, Hachi? Why did you suddenly freeze up? Aren't you going to do your errand anymore?"
That's right!
If it's nee-san... she might have it!
As the Queen of a Maou, she naturally has connections with several high-tier Devil households. This position might allow her to access what I need much faster than wasting time trying to find a way by myself.
I turned back to her with an awkward demeanor before asking hesitantly.
"N... Nee-san... Um... By any chance, do you have any Phoenix Tears?"
"Hmm? Yes, I have a bottle."
A silver magic crest appeared in mid-air beside her. Grayfia reached her hand inside the magic crest and pulled out a bottle containing a certain liquid.
The moment I saw it, my face instantly lit up with joy, as if I had finally found a way out of a dead-end situation.
Without hesitation, I walked over to her and slightly bowed my head.
"Nee-san, could you please give me that bottle of Phoenix Tears? Don't worry about the price, I have more than enough money to pay for it."
Just this single bottle of potion could drain my living expenses for two to three years.
Even though it hurt to part with the money, right now I just had to ignore that.
"…"
Five seconds passed, but she still showed no sign of responding.
Huh?
Out of curiosity, I slowly raised my head to observe her expression.
—!
The moment my eyes met that face, my body instantly froze.
Pain? Disappointment? Or regret?
I didn't know what I was looking at, but her expression made me feel as though I had just made a terrible mistake.
I quickly raised my hand to scratch my head awkwardly, trying to recount whether I had said something wrong.
No... Didn't I just mention the price?
But seeing her expression again, those thoughts immediately halted. I didn't want to see her make a face like that.
That thought popped into my head out of nowhere, so fast that I barely had time to even comprehend it.
"I... I'm sorry. I was just joking. Please don't take it seriously, nee-san."
I blurted it out, even though I still didn't know what I should actually be apologizing for.
"Th... Then I'll be going now—"
"Stop right there, Hachi."
She stood up, slowly stepped toward me, and softly reached out her hand to touch my cheek.
On her previously calm face, traces of pain and disappointment now appeared. Although those eyes were still gentle, a clear hint of resentment was concealed within them.
"Hey, Hachi... I'm very angry right now."
"I... I'm really sorry. About that potion, I was just joking—"
"That's not it."
She cut me off before looking straight into my eyes.
"Why did you think I wanted money from you as compensation... Is this all our relationship means to you?"
My thoughts instantly plunged straight to the bottom.
Finally, I understood why she made that face earlier.
What upset her wasn't the price of that potion, but because I viewed her help as something that had to be compensated with money, as if the relationship between the two of us could be quantified by money.
"Tell me, Hachi... Do you think the love I have for you would stop just because of worthless pocket change?"
Her voice trembled slightly before she lowered her eyes for a moment.
"No... I admit that I want compensation from you too."
She raised her head to meet my eyes once more. The hand touching my cheek began to stroke it gently.
"But... it's not those physical items or money. You know what I want from you, right, Hachi?"
Desperate to get home as quickly as possible, I didn't hesitate. I raised both arms to wrap around her waist and back before pulling her body into a tight embrace.
"Mmm~ Although this feels nice, this alone isn't enough."
Still not enough?
I paused for a moment before my eyes caught sight of her smooth, fair cheek.
I swallowed hard with difficulty, then slowly leaned in to lightly press my lips against her cheek.
"Ah~ The other side too."
Upon hearing that, I pulled my lips back before moving to kiss her other cheek as requested.
"Mmm~ This will do, as a down payment in advance."
She gave a faint smile while handing the bottle of Phoenix Tears to me.
"Alright, this bottle of Phoenix Tears is yours. As for the rest of the compensation... sister will come collect it later, Hachi."
"Thank you very much, nee-san. I'll go and come back quickly."
Woommm…
As my words ended, a black-and-gold magic crest appeared beneath the soles of my feet.
Whoosh!—
A split second later, the young man's body vanished from the spot.