Published at 31st of August 2019 4:10 am

Volume 2, Chapter 02: Who’s bad! The birth of BADNazucat!

This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml

Morning. I woke up by Nazuna and Luna’s quarrelling voices.

I listened to their quarrel still half-asleep. Apparently Luna was angry at Nazuna for sneaking into my bed.

“That’s not fair, Nazuna-chan. Please let me in too.”

“No! I was here first! There’s no more space for you!”

“Wh- Why are you so mean? There’s still a bit of place there…”

Luna said saddened. But Nazuna stayed unyielding with “The early bird catches the worm!”.

“….Nazuna, there’s still place, so let Luna in too.”

I got up and said while bearing down a yawn.

“You’re so nice, Shinobu-san.”

For some reason Luna started to look at me with a bright expression.

In accordance, Nazuna pouted unsatisfied and suddenly hugged onto me.

“Even if Brother gives his okay, you can’t come in.”

“B- But Shinobu-san said it was okay.”

In rebellion to Nazuna, Luna clung to my arm.

Upon seeing that, Nazuna strongly grabbed my arm. Luna didn’t give in and also put strength into her grip on my arm. Just like yesterday, the two of them started to quarrel again.

“Brother likes me more than you!”, “No, he likes me more.”, “That’s not true!”, “…But he took a bath with me!”, “And I slept with him!”. They were making a big fuss while each pulling on my arms.

….Please, leave me out of this. Don’t fight so early in the morning.

I let out a small sigh and strongly pulled my arms away from them.

Doing so made both Luna and Nazuna lose their balance, but I paid it no mind and stood up. Then I lightly chopped their heads.

“For now, sit down, both of you.”

I strictly pointed on the bed. Upon that, both Luna and Nazuna, who were holding their heads with both hands, sat down in perfect synchronisation.

While thinking how good they actually get along, I crossed my arms and said.

“You’re too loud in the morning. It’s a bother for the neighbours. And also a great bother for my beauty sleep.”

I tried to sound angrily, when Luna and Nazuna again showed perfect synchronisation in their panicked expressions and bowing heads.

“I’m sorry, Shinobu-san.”

“Sorry, Brother.”

“Good, as long as you understand. Okay, now apologize to each other and make up.”

I said as kind as possible, when Luna and Nazuna stared at each other, then averted their heads with “I don’t care” and “Hmpf!”.

H- Huh? They apologized to me, but they won’t to each other?

For a while I tried to persuade them, but got glared at, so I gave up.

Looks like their fight was far from over yet.

I let out a big sigh.

…By the way, I’ll keep it a secret that their glares were quite scary.

* * *

When we left for school, Luna was sending us off like always in front of the house, but Nazuna gave her the cold shoulder and pretended not to see her. In response to that, Luna first said “Be careful” to me with a bright smile, then gave Nazuna a cold glare then looked away and said.

“…You be careful too, Nazuna-chan. I- It’s not like I’m sending you off because I want you to come home back all safe!”

“H- Hmp! And it’s not like I’m happy that you send me off. Not the slightest bit. Don’t misunderstand, okay!”

…What’s with these tsundere?

Weren’t these two actually real good friends!?

Actually, you guys didn’t really hate each other, so hurry up and make up already. What were they so stubborn for…?

On my way to school I gave Nazuna a quick glance, when I saw that her earlier anger was all gone. With her shoulders dropped, it was more than obvious that she was depressed.

“…Hey, Nazuna. Why don’t you apologize to Luna?”

I believed she would agree, since it certainly seems like she regretted it. I continued.

“I believe even Luna will apologize once you do. Luna might say all that, but you got an extra bacon for breakfast today. Luna also wants to make up with you.”

“…But I don’t want to make up.”

The always so obedient Nazuna turned away her head for a change and answered quietly while looking at the ground.

“Hey, hey. Don’t say stuff you don’t even think, Nazuna. You’re a good girl, so go make up with her.”

“I don’t need to be a good girl.”

“Then you’re a bad girl?”

Upon my words, Nazuna frowned, strongly clenched her fists and shouted with tears welling up in her eyes.

“Fine! If you say I’m a bad girl, then I’ll be one! WHO’S BAD!”

O- Ohh. I didn’t really get it, but Nazuna went astray. So this was the rumoured rebellious age?

“I’m angry, Brother. I definitely won’t apologize!”

“…What are you so riled up for? Weirdo.”

When I said so with a sigh, Nazuna glared at me and bit on my hand with a “Ham!”.

“O- Ohh? Nazuna-san? That’s my hand, you know?”

“I know! But I’m a bad girl, so I’ll bite!”

I clarified hastily, but Nazuna only let go off my hand to “declare her bad girl status” and then bit on my hand once again.

“No, it hurts, Nazuna. So please stop…”

“I won’t! I won’t stop until you apologize!”

Geez, why did I have to apologize? As I wondered about this unreasonableness, Nazuna bit me even stronger, probably because I wasn’t apologizing. Her teeth dug deep into my skin and it hurt like hell.

“Ow! You’re a beast! A beast called Nazuna!”

Jesus Christ. Nazuna had become BADNazucat!

“I apologize! So please forgive me, BADNazucat!”

When I apologized, BADNazucat finally let go of my hand.

When I looked at my hand, I could see a perfect bite mark.

“Argh, so cruel. You idiot.”

When I looked resentful at BADNazucat, she spread both her arms and probably because she didn’t like my remark, shouted intimidating.

“WHO’S BAD!”

“Uwa. She wants to bite me again! Time to split!”

Today Nazuna was too wild. Like a sharp knife. Too dangerous.

I started my escape, when Nazuna chased after me while saying “Meow, meow”.

While I fled from the chasing BADNazucat, I spotted a familiar face ahead.

A black-haired beauty with a stern look, Gogyou-san. When I recognized her, I sprinted towards her for help.

“Gogyou-san! Help me! A beast is trying to eat me!”

“N- Nanjou-kun? What’s up? Where’s that beast?”

Gogyou-san looked at me surprised with her head tilted. I turned around and pointed at the beast behind me.

The beast—-BADNazucat stood there with both her arms spread and meowing threatening.

What a stupid—I mean, scary fellow.

I swiftly hid behind Gogyou-san’s back.

“…S- So cute.”

I heard a charmed voice that was totally out of place.

“Nanjou-kun, can I pat her?”

Gogyou-san had turned around and asked me that. I hastily shook my head.

“No, it’s too dangerous, Gogyou-san. She might look like Nazuna to you, but actually it’s a beast called BADNazucat that’s possessed by an evil spirit. If you let your guard down, your hand also will—-huh, you’re patting her like it’s nothing.”

By Gogyou-san’s hand BADNazucat had turned into CuteNazucat.

Nazuna let Gogyou-san pat her head and had narrowed her eyes happily.

I couldn’t believe this. Hey, BADNazucat, was that really all your BAD amounted to?

Is what I thought, but when I saw Nazuna link arms with Gogyou-san and start walking while meowing happily, I forgot about that soon enough.

And when Nazuna parted with us in the direction of her school, she was smiling. Thanks to Gogyou-san her mood had brightened up a bit. Yeah, a smile suited Nazuna the best after all. I hoped she would make up with Luna as soon as possible.

* * *

Hoping that Nazuna and Luna would make up as soon as possible— is what crossed my mind when I arrived at school, but the same could be said about me. I had to make up with someone too. Because of the fight between Nazuna and Luna, I had forgotten it, but yesterday I made the transfer student angry. The red-haired beautiful transfer student arrived at school surrounded by male students. When she made eye-contact with me, she faced away with a “Hmpf!”.

Looks like I was hated quite a lot.

Surely I deserved it, but it still kinda hurt to be hated by someone. And even more so when it was a beautiful girl. I sighed and pondered on how I could make up with her.

In class the transfer student made a bored expression, probably because she didn’t have any textbooks and thus couldn’t follow class properly. But unlike yesterday, today she didn’t tell me to show her my books. She didn’t even deign to look at me.

That certainly made my heart bleed a bit. So during lunch break I tried to chat her up with stuff like “Yo, how are you?”, “Did you watch the show on TV yesterday” or “Virgos are supposed to have good luck today”, but I was outright ignored.

There was no other choice but to honestly apologize.

The moment the fourth period ended, I faced the transfer student once again and said.

“Transfer student, I’m sorry about yesterday.”

The transfer student raised her head a bit, then stood up with her unchanged frowned expression and left closemouthed.

“No, wait. Please wait. I apologize. Really.”

I hastily grabbed the transfer student’s arm and apologized.

“I’m really sorry. I feel bad about it. I’m completely at fault. Forgive me. Forgive me now. Hurry up and forgive me!”

“You don’t feel bad about it at all!”

When she finally responded to me, it were merely words of anger.

The transfer student had turned around and was fiercely glaring at me.

“You still look cute when angry.”

For now, I tried to praise her. But immediately after she gave me a kneekick. Her hard knee pierced into my stomach and I lost my breath for a moment.

“That hurt…”

“Huh? Doesn’t look like you’re in pain at all!”

She said unreasonable and reached back for another kick.

“Hey, wait. Don’t be hasty. It really hurt. Stop with the violence. I’ll give you a part of my lunchbox, so forgive me.”

I blabbered out in a haste… but part of my lunchbox? Was I trying to bait her?

Just when I thought I had gambled away my last chance, the transfer student said “Lunchbox?” with an intrigued expression.

I was back in the game. I immediately pulled out the lunchbox from my bag, unwrapped it and opened the lid.

A colorful lunchbox rich on variety presented itself. Octopus sausages, fried stuff and omelets. Of course there were also vegetables like carrots and spinach.

I hated carrots, so I preferred them not to be in there, but it didn’t change the fact that it looked were appetizing. The transfer student asked with her gaze fixed on the lunchbox.

“…You’ll really share it with me?”

“Y- Yeah. Sure, if we forgive me for yesterday then.”

The transfer student pondered for a bit, then said with another displeased expression.

“Well then, if you can say my full name, I’ll forgive you.”

She was still angry about it.

I firmly looked her into the eyes and answered.

“Machina Liebelei Orangelo.”

“…Geez, so you remembered it after all. So you were just teasing me yesterday?”

“Sorry, Orangelo-san. I was messing around a bit too much.”

When I apologized honestly, the transfer student sullen mumbled an “Idiot” and cranky kicked my leg.

I found that behavior rather cute, but I’ll keep that to myself.

The transfer student gave a small sigh, then said to me.

“I don’t really like my last name. So call me Machina. Then you’re forgiven.”

“Machina.”

I obediently called her.

“Why are you calling me without any suffix!? Add a “sama”!”

“Oh, excuse my rudeness, Machina-sama. In the future I will pay more attention to my choice of words.”

For some reason she seemed angry, so I replied all polite.

“U- Uwa, so disgusting. Forget the “sama”. Also, don’t talk so polite. Somehow it gives me the creeps when you talk like that.”

With both her arms wrapped around her body and an expression as if she just saw a monster, the transfer student said that.

For the record, I was deeply hurt by it.

In my mind I complained about the deprecation of my special polite speech, then I said.

“Okay, then I’ll call you Machina from now on.”

“Hey, you skipped on the suffix again. Stop that.”

“Then I’m back to Machina-sama.”

“Uhh, it’s really disgusting.”

“Stop saying it’s disgusting. If you don’t like it, the only other choice is ‘Machina’.”

“You sure don’t know how to compromise.”

The transfer student pondered, then sighed and said.

“Just Machina is fine then.”

While the transfer student—no, Machina muttered that, she took my lunchbox and sat down. Then she took her chopsticks and shoved a fried side dish into her mouth.

Ehm, I preferred she wouldn’t use my chopsticks.

Machina was happily stuffing herself with my lunch without any reservation. That was MY lunch, you know. I certainly said I would share it with you, but not the whole thing. While I watched my side dishes disappear one after another, uneasiness welled up inside me.

But seeing Machina stuffing her cheeks, made me lose all will to remind her.

I only had a ferocious image of her, but her cute smile was quite charming. While I was drawn in by her expression, I asked.

“Good, isn’t it?”

Luna’s cooking was even more delicious than any food in a restaurant. Even though it wasn’t mine, I had asked all proudly, when Machina unexpectedly with a honest “Yes”.

“It’s delicious. It’s worlds apart from the lunch set I ate at the cafeteria yesterday.”

The lady from the cafeteria surely would be angry to hear that, as her words had no shred of insincerity. Machina picked a dish one after another with her chopstick without rest.

“…Could it be that you were really hungry? You’re really digging in there.”

“Sh- Shut up. I can’t help it, since it’s been a while since I ate something this good.”

I said a bit playful and while Machina turned red, she didn’t stop from eating.

Seems like it really had been a while since she last ate something delicious.

“Mhm? You don’t cook yourself? Doesn’t your mother make you one?”

I asked inadvertently, when Machina’s hand stopped immediately.

For a moment then, really just for a moment, she made a really sad expression, but immediately reverted back to her usual queen-like mien and said.

“I don’t cook at all and my mother… is no longer with me.”

…Could it be that her mother had already passed away?

That tearful expression that she showed for only a moment just now.

Inadvertently words of condolence made their way up my throat, but I swallowed them back down.

Not like anything would change if I were to offer her words of condolence.

But I couldn’t just sit there and watch anymore either.

I extended my head towards Machina’s head.

“You can eat the whole lunchbox. So…take your time and enjoy it.”

Then I gently patted her head.

Probably out of surprise, Machina didn’t answer anything and just narrowed her eyes pleased. But then she suddenly came to a realization, turned red and slapped my cheek.

“Oww! What are you doing!”

“Th- That’s what I should be saying! Don’t touch me so casually!”

Machina shouted displeased, turned away and while still red, she mumbled “…You’re just like my older sister….” so quietly that I couldn’t hear it.

“Mh? You said something?”

“N- No, nothing. You, ehm, idiot!”

Why was she calling me an idiot?

What an obnoxious girl. I sighed, when Machina asked all shyly, which didn’t suit her at all.

“…Hey, can I really eat all this?”

“Yeah. I’m not hungry. So don’t hold back.”

I wouldn’t die from skipping a meal or two. So I answered all nonchalant.

But my stomach made terror against my cool statement. Ignoring the fact that I was trying to look, it made a situation-defying growling sound.

“…You’re stomach is growling.”

“J- Just your imagination. You should get your ears checked.”

When I answered all red, Machina laughed happily.

“Wh- What’s so funny?”

I asked with my cheeks still red, when Machina replied with snickering.

“Fufu. You really are an idiot. You’re cheeky, don’t listen to me, behave all arrogant and don’t act like I want it at all, but…”

Machine continued with a smile on her face.

“Well, I’ll forgive you this time. Let’s get along from now on, Nanjou-kun.”

I was startled by this charming expression, but I couldn’t fail to notice some kind of strange indication in her voice. For some reason I felt uneasy and I mentally tilted my head.

While I pondered about that— my stomach once again disregarded the situation and let out a growl.

Immediately after, Machina snickered and with a “You’re so hopeless” she grabbed a side dish with the chopsticks.

“Here, eat.”

She held up the chopsticks to my mouth.

No way, was this the glorious, but embarrassing “Ahh~” act?

While I was getting excited, I honored her actions and opened my mouth wide to wait for her to proceed. But Machina looked at me with an evil smile, said “Not giving you” and put the side dish in her own mouth.

“…Hey. Is it fun to play with a boy’s naivety?”

“It sure is. You were pretty cute with your mouth all open.”

“C- Cute…? First time I have been called that…”

When I blushed on purpose, Machina got weary and said.

“You got the eyes of a demon.”

“That’s not true. Take a closer look at these eyes full of radiance.”

I opened my eyes widely.

“H-Heh. Quite the rocking pair you have there.”

I started it as a joke, but I got praised.

Only once in the past had my eyes been called a rocking pair. It was by Luna’s stepfather Bram…I was a bit happy about it.

I looked away to hide my bliss, when Machina once again picked a side dish with the chopsticks and brought it to my mouth with a “Here”.

“…No pulling back this time, okay?”

“If you want it, beg for it.”

—It, It’s not like I want it or anything!”

I tried a tsundere approach.

“You aren’t being honest.”

“You’re not really the honest type yourself, are you?”

“Shut up.”

While Machina said that, she shoved the side dish into my mouth. I had never seen such a rough “Ahh~” before.

Actually, that was my lunchbox anyway.

There was a lot I wanted to say back, but whatever. I managed to achieve my goal, to make up with Machina, so I’ll let it go.

Over the course of the rest of the lunch, I chitchatted with Machina. Then I packed away the empty lunchbox, stood up and headed for the toilet.

When I returned to the classroom and headed for my own seat, I saw that Machina was surrounded by the male students.

I didn’t know any of them, so they must have been from a different class.

She sure was popular.

When I watched Machina, who was dealing bored with the boys like a queen, I was suddenly called out “Nanjou-kun”.

“When I turned around, there stood the blac-haired beauty Gogyou-san. Today again she was so pretty, is what crossed my mind.”

I played out a monologue, whereupon Gogyou-san gave me a “Th- Thanks” and turned red. Then she returned to her usual stern expression and talked to me with a complicated look.

“Nanjou-kun, It’s about that transfer student, Orangelo-san… Isn’t she giving off bad vibes?”

“Bad vibes? Well she acts like a proud queen, but it’s fun to tease her, you know? Should I go tell her that you called her a pervert?”

“Th- That’s not what I meant! No….I can’t phrase it well, but it’s bad. By her smell I can tell that she isn’t a devil, but I’m still getting bad vibes. It makes me restless….”

Gogyou-san tilted her head as she didn’t really understand it herself.

“…That reminds me, when Luna came to pick me up before, you also said something about a “smell”. Is it the same? Does that mean it’s possible that Machina is possessed by a devil?”

I got a bit worried, but Gogyou-san shook her head with a “No, it’s different”.

“I don’t get that kind of smell from the transfer student. So it’s not a devil.”

I thought this was going to be about her exorcism work, but I was wrong. Gogyou-san denied it outright. Apparently what she felt was more of an intuition. Gogyou-san tilted her head with her still complicated look.

Mm, her frowning expression coupled with worry sure was sexy. For a moment this inapt thought crossed my mind, but I shook my head as to reorder my thoughts. Then I crossed my arms and pondered.

What could her make feel so restless?

“Mhm~ I didn’t really feel anything from her, so could you elaborate on the bad vibes a bit more?”

When I asked that, Gogyou-san apologetic shook her head and answered.

“Sorry. I can’t explain it well. It’s just that I’m getting bad vibes from her…”

When Gogyou-san mumbled that, my classmate Minami came over with her short skirt swaying, probably because she overheard us. Then she agreed with Gogyou-san “I feel the same” and continued.

“How she took the seat besides Nanjou-kun by force makes me so envio— I mean, gives me bad vibes.”

“Mh? Envious?”

I tilted my head, when Minami got red for some reason and hastily shook her hand.

“N- No, I mean—- her attitude is questionable! It throws the class’ order into chaos.”

Minami suddenly got all serious, even though she wasn’t the class rep.

“Her self-importance or how she’s going to twist every boy around her finger makes me only worry for the future….”

“Anyway!” Minami sharply pointed at me and said.

“Orangelo-san is like a witch. Therefore Nanjou-kun, you can’t be deceived by her!”

“Don’t worry, Minami. I’m more of the type that deceives others.”

I couldn’t really think of Machina as a witch, so I gave a random reply.

“…You’re so cool, Nanjou-kun.”

For some reason Minami was making a dreamy expression, then gave me a “Just be careful” reminder. I nodded and then asked Minami discreet.

“So, Minami, since when had you been listening on to Gogyou-san and me?”

“Eh? Around the time when she brought up the bad vibes of the transfer student, why…?”

“I see.”

Minami answered with a perplexed expression, whereupon Gogyou-san and me breathed a sigh of relief.

It surely was best to keep Gogyou-san’s exorcismT work a secret. I gave Gogyou-san a glance saying “Next time we need to be more careful when we talk about it”. Upon that Gogyou-san send me back an “Okay” by nodding.

Upon seeing that, Minami pouted for some reason and said.

“You two sure have getting close lately.”

“That’s not true.

“Ehh?”

For starts I denied it, but Gogyou-san let out a depressed voice.

“Nanjou-kun, you saved me when I got hit on, you gave me that dog plush-toy and we thought of a name for it together, yet you…”

For some reason Gogyou-san looked really dejected.

“No, just a joke. I was just kidding.”

I hastily followed suit and Gogyou-san breathed a sigh of relief.

But why did she get so depressed?

I tilted my head as I didn’t get it, when the bell rang and our homeroom teacher Hiiragi-sensei entered the classroom, so I returned to my own seat.

Then fifth period started and just like yesterday Machina came closer and said “Show me your textbook”.

When I obiedently showed her my textbook, surprisingly Machina didn’t snatch it away like yesterday. She closely stuck her shoulder against mine and looked at the textbook.

M- Mhm. I did hear that foreigners aren’t as opposed to physical contact as Japanese, but she wasn’t showing any signs of opposition towards our contact. Her soft red hair was lightly falling on my collar, a sweet fragrance was filling my nose and I could feel her body temperature on my shoulder. It made my heart beat faster.

Then Machina suddenly stared at me furtive and said.

“Hey, Nanjou.”

“Mh? I’m single and looking for a girlfriend.”

“I didn’t ask that!”

I had intended to answer the anticipated question beforehand, but it seems I was mistaken. After Machina angrily told me off, she took a deep breath as to cool her anger, then she looked at me again and erotically whispered into my ears.

“Hey, I already said it yesterday, become my slave.”

“Nope.”

Not letting myself fooled by her sweet whispering, I rejected her outright, whereupon Machina frowned.

“Why? I’m being so generous as to let you become mine, you know?”

“…Does that come with any privileges?”

I asked that, when Machina slowly extended her hand towards my head and while patting it, she said.

“If you become my slave, I’ll gently step on you.”

“You think my proud and great self would be happy to be stepped on?”

“…Want to try it?”

Her erotic expression made a shudder run down my spine, but nevertheless I wouldn’t be tempted.

Nope means nope. I averted my eyes from Machina’s amber-colored eyes, reminded her of “We’re still in class, so be quiet” and escaped her sweet temptation. Machina looked displeased, but obediently listened to class as she had given up.

But as the class went on, Machina started to doze off.

Well, I couldn’t blame her. Fifth period was Hiiragi-sensei’s classic literature class.

One was already sleepy from the lunch break that just ended and Hiiragi-sensei’s slow and gently voice was only sounded like a lullaby.

In time, Machina closed her eyes, snuggled against my shoulder and went off into dreamland while breathing slowly.

When I looked down to her, her eyes were closed and her pink, well-formed lips were exposed defenseless. Her slightly opened lips were seemingly tempting me to do something, which got me excited.

But more than that, her sleeping face was so innocent that it made me feel all fuzzy.

It was really adorable.

A bit astonished, I spent the fifth period gazing at Machina’s sleeping face.

* * *

Fifth period ended without any problems, followed by the sixth period and the day ended like always with the closing homeroom—Now it was the long awaited after school. I remained seated and let someone else take the glory of becoming the ace of the going-home club. I crossed my arms and pondered.

About Luna and Nazuna.

If I were to go home just like this, these two would without doubt continue to fight. I tried to think of a tactic, when Machina talked to me from the side.

“Hey, Nanjou.”

“—Where’s the sama?”

“Ah, sorry. Nanjou-sama—-Hey, why do I have to add sama!”

“…You’re rather easy to trick.”

“No! It’s just because you’re so arrogant and say it like it’s only obvious to call you that!”

Machina protested while kicking my shin.

What a violent girl. I frowned and watched the other students, when suddenly Gogyou-san, holding her bamboo blade pouch, poked her face into the classroom from the hallway.

She looked around the classroom in search for someone and when she spotted me, she raised her hand with a “Nanjou-kun”.

“Good, you’re still here.

Gogyou-san was smiling and giving off an atmosphere different from her usual self. Her expression was somehow relaxed and friendly.

“Nanjou-kun, come here.”

What did she want? I stood up and walked over the smiling and waving Gogyou-san, when suddenly I was grabbed at my sleeve. I turned around and saw Machina making a displeased expression.

“Where are you going? Weren’t we still talking?”

“Ah~ Yeah, right. We’ll continue later, so be a good girl.”

I patted Machina’s head as you do to appease children, then I headed once again for Gogyou-san. From behind I could hear an angry voice shouting “Hey, Nanjou!”, but for now I ignored her. I reached Gogyou-san, who stood in front of the classroom door, when

“—MEOW!”

suddenly a silhouette jumped out from behind Gogyou-san.

This small figure had both arm raised and came flying towards me with an adorable smile.

I would have dodged it if it were a stranger, but upon seeing her, I gave a wry smile and spread my arms as to catch her.

“Yay, Brother”

The one who clung onto me with a bright smile was Nazuna.

This morning she had turned into the evil BADNazucat, but right now she was the usual Nazuna.

I tightly hugged Nazuna, who gave off the scent of the warm sun. Whereupon I could hear sentences like “N- Nanjou, the devil Nanjou is giving off such a gentle smile. We’re doomed!”, “So he can make an expression like that too…It’s a bit cute” and “A loli. A beautiful loli has descended upon us!” from behind me, but I paid it no mind. I ignored them and played with Nazuna.

“Fufu. Good for you, Nazuna-chan.”

When I turned to the voice, Gogyou-san was looking at Nazuna with a gentle gaze.

“Thanks for helping me find my brother, Gogyou-san.”

Nazuna nuzzled her cheek against my arm and laughed a “Ehehe”.

“….Did you bring her all the way here, Gogyou-san?”

“Don’t worry about it. I met her by chance in the hallway and was just so delighted…”

“Delighted?”

I asked to confirm, when Gogyou-san coughed once as to embezzle it.

“Eh- Ehm, I just guided her so that she would see you as soon as possible. It’s not like I wanted to talk to her or anything.”

She wasn’t a good liar.

Shaking one’s hand desperately was practically saying it’s a lie, but that behavior was just so enjoyable.

“Thank you.”

“S- Sure.”

Gogyou-san turned red on my gratitude. Her expression was kinda cute. I looked at Gogyou-san with a smile, when

“What? That girl is Nanjou’s sister?”

suddenly I heard a voice from behind me. When I turned around, there stood Machina as she probably had followed me. Then she looked at Nazuna as to examine her. Most people would get scared by her powerful glare, but

“Hello!”

it was totally irrelevant to Nazuna.

Nazuna, who never ever had been shy, greeted her energetically with a smile.

Machina made a slightly surprised expression, as she didn’t expect this reaction. But infected by Nazuna’s innocent smile, Machina also started to smile, slowly extended her hand and patted Nazuna’s head.

Seeing that expression on her surprised me.

It was a smile different from all smiles so far, a really gentle smile.

Her smile right now was way more charming that her queen-like smiles from before.

“You sure a cute when you smile so honest.”

I spoke out what was on my mind, whereupon Machina got slightly red and turned away with a “H- Hmpf!” as to cover it up. Then she left as nothing had happened.

“She got embarrassed.”

When I playfully said that to Nazuna and Gogyou-san, Machina turned around on the spot and kicked me in the same motion.

When her foot left the ground for the kick, her short skirt fluttered and white panties shortly revealed themselves.

“…White today, huh.”

The moment I said it, Machina’s cheeks became even redder.

“Y- You saw them!”

“I sure did. I’m a gentleman, so I won’t hide the fact that I saw them! Sorry for that!”

Washington was being honest when he cut the cherry tree of his father and was forgiven. So following his example, I also apologized proud and honest. But

“You pervert! Deviant! Skirt chaser!”

Machina shouted all these rude things and kicked me again, but because she was worried about her skirt, her kick lacked strength. On top of that, this time I had braced my abdominal muscles, which allowed me to negate most attacks.

“Not gonna work.”

I laughed boldly and believed that “Skirt Chaser” was really too rude, when

“Geez, that’s no good, Brother.”

Nazuna grabbed my sleeve and scolded me.

“A real gentleman would avert his eyes when a girl’s panties are about to get visible. Just now you were nothing but a pervert. You fail as a gentleman.”

Failure as a gentleman.

I, totally, stopped, being, a gentleman.

I received an unbelievable shock and broke down on my knees right there.

“I, I don’t really get it, but be sure to reflect on it!”

Machina made a perplexed expression when she looked at me, then she mumbled a “To think the brazen Nanjou could receive such a shock…” and left the classroom.

Witnessing that, I hugged my knees.

You see, I wasn’t a gentleman anymore…

I drooped with a painful expression, when my shoulder was gently clapped. I turned around, where Gogyou-san said with a wry smile.

“Eh- Ehm, you’re a boy, so I believe it cannot be helped. So, don’t take it to heart too much, okay?”

Gogyou-san was so nice. While grabbing her offered hand, I stood up. For some reason, the warmth and softness of Gogyou-san’s hand moved me nearly to tears.

I was really happy to receive this kindness when I felt depressed. Still holding Gogyou-san’s hand I was about to say my thanks, when

“I’m sorry, Brother.”

Nazuna apologized with a sorry expression.

“W- Well, it was my fault, so don’t worry about it…”

I received quite the damage, but thanks to Goyou-san I made a full recovery. I gently placed my hand on Nazuna’s head.

“So, why are you here? Don’t you have club activities?”

I asked while patting her head.

“Club activities got suspended today. So I came here to play with you.”

Nazuna huddled against me like a cat.

Thinking back on it now, ever since Luna came to our house, I hadn’t much time to pay attention to Nazuna.

Nazuna might have felt lonely all this time.

And this loneliness became so critical that she ended up fighting with Luna—- Once I came to this conclusion, I removed my hand from Nazuna’s head and said.

“Okay, then let’s have a blast today, Nazucat. Wanna go to the South shopping district?”

I also sincerely wanted to go out play with Nazuna. And it surely would prove to be a good change of mood for her. Once she wasn’t lonely anymore, she could be honest with Luna again. I proposed my idea with that in mind, when Nazuna replied with a “Yeah!” and a stormy nod. Then she super happily linked our arms, when

“S- Say, could I come too?”

Gogyou-san, who had watched over us, raised her hand a bit and asked shyly. I was happy that she wanted to tag along, but there was something I was concerned about.

“Gogyou-san, what about your club?”

I pointed at the bamboo blade pouch in her hand, when she hid it behind her back and answered.

“Th- The club is on break today.”

She was hectic looking left and right, which made it pretty obvious that she was lying. But seemingly Nazuna didn’t notice that.

“Same as me then.”

Nazuna smiled happily, took my arm with her right hand and Gogyou-san’s arm with her left hand, then she started walking.

Gogyou-san seemed to have dropped her guard as she dreamily uttered a “So cute”.

On our way through the hallway we were spotted by a junior girl wearing a kendo uniform.

“Ah, Gogyou-senpai. There you are. I’m here to pick you up.”

“…Huh? Wasn’t the club on break today?”

Nazuna, who had believed the lie, looked at Gogyou-san with her head tilted. Receiving that innocent look, Gogyou-san broke out a heavy sweat on her forehead.

“Th- That’s strange. I think it was supposed to be on break..”

Gogyou-san was in a bind. Seeing her troubled like this was somewhat new and interesting, so I merely watched.

“What are you saying, Gogyou-senpai? The practice match is just around the corner. Let’s hurry.”

The junior girl got closer, grabbed Gogyou-san’s hand and pulled her away without getting any resistance.

Gogyou-san looked back at us with a sad expression fitting the song Donna Donna, but there was nothing we could do.

We just waved our hands with a “See you” and Gogyou-san waved back with an incredible saddened expression.

After seeing Gogyou-san off, Nazuna and me left school with our arms linked. We headed for the South Shopping District. On the way Nazuna told me about her school day today, so I listened to it while we walked.

“Ah, it’s Shinobu.”

I heard a cheerful voice from behind me and was suddenly someone hugged my back.

Two little, but incredible soft swellings pressed warmly against me. The sweet fragrance of soap filled my nose. The sudden and blissful happening made me excited.

“Guess who.”

Two hands were covering my eyes and I could hear a sweat whisper at my ears.

“I, I wonder?”

I had already guessed that it was Elni, but I wanted to enjoy the soft sensation on my back a little longer, so I pretended not to know.

“…Fufu, your back is wide open.”

A complete turn-around from her earlier sweet whispering voice. A deep voice was rining in my ears and when I thought that she finally let go of my eyes, she suddenly started to tickle my sides.

“Ahahaha—Hey, stop it.”

The tickling attack was pretty effective, so I turned around baffled.

“….Eh? Who are you?”

For a moment, I didn’t recognize the girl standing in front of me.

A beautiful girl with shining silver hair freely falling off wearing a white camisole. I only recognized her as Elni by her ruby-red eyes and her French doll-like facial features….but she was giving off an aura different from usual.

“How’s it? You’re surprised, right! See, I can pull it off if I want to!”

Charmed by Elni, I nodded uncontrolled. Upon that Elni nodded satisfied and return her hairstyle to her usual twintails.

Apparently she had only changed her hairstyle to surprise me.

I certainly was surprised. When

“Brother, Brother, who’s this cute girl?”

Nazuna asked while she pulled on my sleeve.

“Ah, she’s Elni. Don’t ask me why, but she claims to be a Goddess.”

“A Goddess?”

Nazuna tilted her head, whereupon Elni said proudly.

“I—will be the Goddess of the new world!”

…That sounded rather risky?

When I wondered which anime she got that from, Nazuna faced Elni and like at a shrine visit, she clapped her hands together twice and made a wish “I hope I’ll become a devilish girl”.

Elni nodded satisfied and asked while looking at Nazuna.

“Shinobu, who’s she?”

“Ah, she’s Nanjou Nazuna. My sister. Her special move is cat claws.”

When Elni lowered her hand onto Nazuna’s head as to pat her, Nazuna shouted a “Meow, meow!” and launched her cat claws into space.

Since she belonged to the karate club, her movements were quite sharp. Seeing that, Elni’s eyes started to sparkle and she shouted.

“Wow! So cool! You’re amazing, Nazucat!”

Upon that, Nazuna, who was easily getting into stuff, replied a “Goddeeeeess!” and clung onto Elni.

Like this, the two of them became hugging buddies.

Well, I had already imagined before that these two would hit it off well, but not that they would exchange a hug minutes after they met for the first time.

I narrowed my eyes, looked at these two and said.

“Elni, Nazuna and me are going to play at the South Shopping District now. You wanna come too?”

I was somewhat happy that she wore the camisole that I bought for her yesterday, so I suggest that. Hearing that, both Elni and Nazuna got a sparkling in their eyes.

“Okay. No need to say anything. Your eyes say it all. Then let’s go together.”

“Yeah! You’re coming, right El-chan?”

“—We’re leaving in forty seconds!”

Elni replied immediately, then linked arms with Nazuna and started walking.

I followed behind Elni and Nazuna and we headed for the South Shopping District. Walking beside the two and listening to their conversation, we entered the Shopping District, when Elni suddenly proudly declared.

“Truth be told, I have good news for you two.”

“Good news?”

I asked, when Elni beckoned us with her hand.

“Mr. Store Clerk, lend me your face.”

“Why, yes, dear governor.”

Who was she calling a store clerk, but I came closer while rubbing my hands. Elni brought her face to my eyes.

“Elni Fire~”

When I wondered what she was up to, she suddenly puffed into my ear.

Her soft breath tickled my earlap, which made a shiver run down my spine. Likewise a sweet fragrance blew over from Elni.

“Wh- What are you doing….”

I covered my ears in a haste and got away from Elni.

“Okay, just like Hijiri, your weak spot is your ear, Shinobu.”

“Hey, stop taking weird notes. And don’t group me together with Gogyou-san. I was merely surprised. Actually, what are you doing out of the blue!”

Heck, that pleasant breath made me excited.

I felt my cheeks turn slightly red and glared a bit at Elni. Upon that Elni said “Don’t fret it” with a smile. Seeing that angelic smile made me lose all will to complain. So I sighed and asked Elni once again.

“So, what good news?”

“Yeah, this.”

Elni pulled out three orange paper pieces out of her skirt pocket and showed them to us.

I looked at the paper pieces offered at us and noticed that it were raffle tickets for this South Shopping District.

“I perfectly happen to have three, so let’s go do it.”

“Ohh, that’s quite mindful of you. How did you get these?”

“I volunteered for the city cleaning, so I got them from an old lady.”

“Hee, good girl.”

I patted Elni’s head and looked at the tickets. The tickets stated where they were holding the raffle, so I started heading for that location.

After a while, a big white tent came into vision.

The raffle tent was set up boldly in the middle of the Shopping District. Underneath the tent stood scantily-clad women ringing a golden hand bell.

“Congratulations! What do we have here, a sympathy prize! A pack of tissues for our old lady!”

A quite energetic woman was in charge.

Giving the old lady, who had won the tissues, a wry look with a wry smile, we checked the prizes of the raffle.

First prize: A luxury hot spring trip. Second prize: A 37-inch LCD TV. Third prize: A hot kiss from the event women <3

….I guess the shopping distract actually wasn’t faring well. The third prize was just too sad. Wearily I turned to Elni to seek her agreement, but she clapped me on the shoulder and said.

“Shinobu, give it your all and take the third prize.”

When Elni made this unusual remark in front of the event women, one of them snickered and looked at me. That sexy woman threw me a kiss and said with a coquettish look.

“Good luck, boy.”

Yeah, I wasn’t all that opposed to learn about a kiss for future references, so I handed the woman the ticket and winded the raffle box with a ratter.

Upon that, a shining red ball fell out of it. But

“Too bad. That’s the fifth prize, boy.”

The sexy gwoman said with a sigh and handed me something with a “Here, your prize”. I took the prize from the woman somewhat disappointed. Then I saw that it was a dog plush-toy.

“The fifth prize is a cell phone strap. It’s so popular that production can’t keep up, so even if you pre-order it, it’s really hard to get.”

The sexy woman said so consoling, then she pulled out a small long box that looked like a business card box out of her pocket, opened it, took out a business card and placed it into my hand.

“I work there at night. If you have time, come over. I’ll give you some service.”

She smiled alluring.

I looked down at the business card to see that it was from some rather risky shop. Giving that to a minor, how naughty.

Really, how regrettable. I put away the card into my wallet and just put the prize strap away into my smart phone pocket.

Seeing that, Elni once again clapped my shoulder.

“Too bad, Shinobu. Should I give you a kiss on the cheek instead?”

“Ah, then me too!”

Both Elni and Nazuna got closer, but I stayed cool and answered.

“I’m not interested in your underdeveloped bodies.”

Instantly I was hit by them. They launched their fist into both my left and right side. It hurt like hell.

“Shinobu, you idiot.”

“Stupid Brother”.

My self-esteem sloped.

Elni and Nazuna left me behind and approached the raffle box.

Seeing that, the event woman took the microphone and opened her mouth.

“Okay, now it’s the girls turn! Can you do it, Miss?”

Nazuna answered a “I can!” to the energetic event woman, then winded the box strongly with a “There!”.

Upon that, a green ball fell out with a clatter.

Seeing that, the event woman took her hand bell, rang it loudly and shouted.

“Congratulations! It’s the sixth prize! A snack set! Actually, I wanted this!!! But just take it, you theft~!”

Nazuna took the prize and turned around with a smile.

“Brother, El-chan, I did it!”

She happily hugged onto me. But

“You’re too lenient, Nazucat, to be satisfied with taking the sixth prize! Watch me! I, a Goddess, will show you what real luck is!”

Elni proclaimed blaring, got all fired up and took a step forward.

“Watch me, commoners! The special power of a Goddess that can shake the heaven and earth! Shiver on this miracle! Shiver and fall asleep! Dawn will always come!”

After she finished her long prologue, Elni grabbed the crank with her right hand and forcefully winded it. But when Elni shouted “Now! and stopped, what came out of the box was a plain white ball.

“Too bad! Aww, how cruel. Why is life such a fickle thing? Miss, you get a sympathy prize!”

When Elni received the tissue pack from the event woman, she dropped her shoulders sadly.

“…Sorry. It was no good.”

Elni dropped with tears welling up in her eyes.

For naming herself a Goddess, she had no luck at all.

I felt sorry for her, so I patted her head consoling. Upon that, Nazuna also clapped Elni’s shoulder gently in consideration and said “I’ll share my snacks with you, El-chan”.

Elni must have been moved by our kindness. She wiped away her tears with the prize tissues….

* * *

We wandered around the shopping district, where Elni and Nazuna hit it off quite well. They had quite the common interest in shops. Smiling and frolic, those two had much fun.

They got along so well that I felt out of the loop, so I went my own way to buy a present for Luna. I bought a white-black skewbald apron. When

“..Huh, what’s that, Brother?”

“You bought something?”

Nazuna and Elni stared at the bag in my hand full of curiosity.

If I were to answer them honestly, they would also demand a present, so I looked away and tried to deceive them.

“You know, this is a never-fading dream for a boy of any age. Well, I doubt you understand it since you’re too young.”

I played cool while brushing through my hair.

“…It’s a perverted book.”

“…It’s a perverted book for sure.”

Both Elni and Nazuna nodded and looked at me with mellow eyes.

“No, wait, you’re wrong. Don’t be mistaken. It’s not a perverted book.”

“Don’t worry about it, Brother.”

“Yeah. I mean, you’re a boy after all, Shinobu. I’m quite understanding.”

Nazuna and Elni clapped my shoulder lightly and started walking.

I followed after them while embracing my feeling of defeat. When we were through the shopping district, the sun had already started to set, so we decided to call it a day.

At the crossroad where we parted, Nazuna waved Elni goodbye quite sadly.

“El-chan, let’s play again.”

“Yeah, let’s. It’s a promise.”

Elni hugged tightly onto Nazuna, then tried to hug onto me, but it was embarrassing, so I dodged. Then I put my hand on Elni’s head and said.

“See you. It’s getting dark, so be careful on your return, Elni.”

“Yeah, I’ll return into your arms.”

“Too bad, but my arms are already fully booked. You need to make an appointment beforehand.”

“An anointment?”

“Whatever. See you.”

I tousled Elni’s head, then turned around with Nazuna and walked away.

“Bye, bye~”

From behind I could hear Elni’s bright voice. I turned around a couple of times, just to see Elni still standing there and waving her hand.

…Could it be she was lonely?

She didn’t look lonely at all, so I didn’t pay it any mind, but seeing her like this made me somehow concerned for her.

Elni. In a way a devilish girl.

I considered treating her again next time, when Nazuna besides me talked to me.

“El-chan sure is funny.”

“Yeah.”

I nodded and was happy that Nazuna’s mood lifted by playing with Elni. Going by this mood, she would surely apologize to Luna when we get home.

I was optimistic like that, but the closer we draw to our house, the quieter Nazuna got. By the time we reached our house, she had turned completely silent.

Not good. While scratching my head, I opened the front-door with a “We’re home” and entered the house together with Nazuna. Then Luna came to greet us with a smile like always. But

“Welcome…. home.”

The brightly smiling Luna awkwardly averted her gazes when she met yes with Nazuna. Nazuna also averted her gaze and turned awkward.

“…Hey you two, could you make up already?”

I said so, when Luna’s and Nazuna’s shoulders trembled lightly.

“Luna, Nazuna, you aren’t actually angry anymore, right?”

I asked gently, whereupon Luna hesitated a bit, but then nodded slightly.

“….Yes. I heard from Tomoe-san that I ruined the game Nazuna-chan was playing. Nazuna-chan has a right to be angry. Yet I got so serious and said some mean stuff. I’m sorry, Nazuna-chan.”

Luna lowered her head, whereupon Nazuna fidgeted.

Judging by her expression, she was more than ready to apologize herself too.

But Nazuna looked down, clenched on her sleeves and didn’t say anything, probably because she hadn’t sorted out her feelings yet.

“Nazuna, you’re not going to apologize?”

A bit pushing, I continued.

“You’re at fault too, so stop sulking and apologize.”

“….I’m not at fault.”

Nazuna objected with a small voice.

“It’s Luna-san’s fault.”

She was still looking down, so I couldn’t see her expression, but her hands grabbing her sleeves were slightly trembling.

“Ehm, Nazuna-chan, I’m really sorry.”

I turned to the voice, when I saw Luna lower her head to Nazuna with a teary face. But Nazuna wasn’t reacting to that.

“…You’re really beyond help.”

I said with a sigh, then pulled out the white-black skewbald apron from the bag in my right hand.

“Luna, Nazuna is just sulking, so don’t worry about it. Here, a present for you. Cheer up.”

I handed the depressed Luna the apron.

At that moment

“…Brother, you didn’t buy me anything.”

Nazuna mumbled quietly. She said it really quietly, but for some reason the sadness in her voice was transmitted all so clearly.

I turned around and Nazuna was raising her head slowly.

Nazuna was tightly biting her lips as she was trying to hold back something.

“Like I thought, you’re only kind to Luna-san. You stopped caring about me and always take Luna-san’s side.”

Big pearls of tears were flowing from her eyes—Nazuna was crying.

I was at a loss for word out of surprise. I opened my mouth in an attempt to say something, but Nazuna turned on her heel and put her hand on the front-door doorknob.

“H- Hey, Nazuna. Where are you going?”

In a haste, I grabbed Nazuna’s hand. But Nazuna shook it off and shouted.

“I hate you, Brother! I hate you too, Luna-san! Leave me alone!”

She pulled open the door and ran outside.

“Wait, Nazuna!”

I immediately chased after her. But Nazuna had shut the door again with such force, that I was delayed. By the time I had opened the door again, Nazuna was already out on the street.

Even if I were to chase after her, Nazuna was quite quick on her feet. In mere moments, I could only see her small back before I lost sight of her.

At a crossroad illuminated by the street lanterns, I let out a big sigh.

“Shinobu-san!”

I heard Luna behind me.

I turned around and saw her rushing over to me. Out of breath she asked.

“Ehm, where’s Nazuna-chan?”

I shook my head, when Luna looked down with a “I see”.

Then Luna and me walked the night streets, searching for Nazuna. But we couldn’t find Nazuna and my worry only grew.

How long had it been since I saw Nazuna crying?

My thoughts were focused on finding her as soon as possible— when suddenly my cell phone rang in my pocket. I took it out and peeked at the display. It said “Elni”.

I pressed the call button and put the cell phone at my ear.

“…Fufufuh. I have your cute sister. If you want her back, then praise your adorable and sanguine Goddess called Elni.”

“Elni, is Nazuna with you?”

Ignoring her play, I asked seriously, when Elni correct her tone and answered.

“Yeah. I coincidentally found her crying on the road. So I invited her to my house.”

Elni continued with a worried voice.

“Did you guys fight? Nazucat said she doesn’t want to go home.”

“…I see.”

“I don’t know what’s going on, but I can escort her back, if she wants to go home. What do you say?”

“No, it’s already late. Just call me when Nazuna feels like coming home. Then I’ll come pick her up.”

“Okay. Then I’ll send you my address….But ss that fine, Shinobu?”

Elni asked worried.

“Do you think Nazucat would follow obediently when you immediately came to get her?”

Being told that, I realized it would be difficult to get Nazuna obediently to come home.

“Sorry. Stuff happened, you know. Maybe she just needs some time to cool her head.”

“Mmh? I don’t get it… but just leave it to me. As long as she’s by my side, I’ll take responsibility and protect her.”

“Thanks. I’m glad you’re there.”

I said my honest thanks to Elni’s encouragement.

“N- Not, Not at all! I, I’m a Goddess, so it’s only natural. Don’t worry about it. B- But it’s rare for you to apologize so honestly. Okay, I’ll take care of Nazucat. You can rest assured.”

After hearing Elni’s happy and embarrassed voice, I said my thanks once again and hung up. Then I told Luna, who had stood there with a worried expression during the call, everything. Then I sighed.

Luna also hanged her head and shoulders, then we both tramped homewards, when

“….Mh?”

I could see a silhouette in front.

Usually I would pay it no mind, but something was off. From the small silhouette, I could tell it was a female, but she staggered and seemed to collapse any moment now.

For a moment, I thought it was a drunkard. But when I recognized her, I opened my eyes widely.

“Gogyou-san?”

I called out to her, when Gogyou-san turned to me in the darkness.

“Nanjou-kun…?”

Gogyou-san recognized me and said, when she suddenly staggered and was about to collapse.

Luna and me rushed over and supported her at the shoulders. But Gogyou-san just entrusted her body to us and closed her eyes.

“Hey, what’s up? Are you okay?”

I asked her while holding her on her shoulders. Gogyou-san opened her eyes weakly and opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out. Maybe she lost conscious, as her body just eased up. The bamboo blade pouch fell out of her hand loudly on the ground.

“Shinobu-san, look at this.”

I listened to Luna and looked at Gogyou-san.

Then I noticed that Gogyou-san’s clothes were torn here and there. On the skin exposed by that, I could see traces of blood. Her clothes were dyed red too. When I looked at the bamboo blade pouch, the drawstring was opened and revealed a Japanese sword inside.

Guess she just finished an exorcism job.

She probably was tired and relaxed when she saw us.

Anyway, I couldn’t leave her alone.

Elni was looking after Nazuna, so it should be fine.

Gogyou-san took more priority right now.

I learned the basics of first-aid from my gramps.

I put my hand on Gogyou-san’s neck and first confirmed her pulse and breathing. Next I attended her wounds.

“…Looks like it’s not bleeding anymore.”

Guess it wasn’t necessary to call an ambulance.

Relieved I picked up Gogyou-san and headed home to give her first-aid.

For some reason, Luna halfway changed her worried expression for Gogyou-san to one of envious. But I paid it no mind and headed home. I had Luna open the front-door and carried Gogyou-san into the living room. Then

“Oh my, Shinobu, Luna-chan. Welcome home. Luna-chan, when’s dinner—”

My mother sitting in the living room noticed us and spoke to us, but when she saw the weakened Gogyou-san, she stopped talking and froze up. Then she pointed at me with her shaking finger and said surprised.

“Wh- What are you doing….? Don’t tell me, you had Luna-chan help in kidnapping this random girl, so that you could train her into your slave…”

“Not at all! She’s a friend! A friend!”

“Y- You forcibly kidnapped your favoured friend to brainwash and train her into your slave…!”

“I said, not at all! I wouldn’t do something like that! This is first-aid!”

“That’s right, Tomoe-san! Shinobu-san wouldn’t do that! And even if he should get that frustrated, I’m here then, so it’s okay!”

Luna explained desperately. Then my mother nodded a “Yeah” with a smile.

Mh, I had only noticed it know, but my mother had figured it all and was just teasing me. Even now she was looking at me with a smirk, so there was no doubt.

I wanted to tell her off, but Gogyou-san’s treatment came first.

I carried Gogyou-san into the guest room and laid her down on the bed. Until just now my mother was screwing around, but now she entered the guest room with a serious expression together with Luna.

Then I left the room to let Luna and my mother treat Gogyou-san’s wounds and change her clothes. I waited outside the room, when my mother suddenly came out.

“Hey, Shinobu. Where’s Nazuna anyway? Didn’t you guys leave together?”

I sighed and answered my mother’s question.

“Nazuna ran away. I chased after her, but couldn’t find her—”

In the middle of my sentences, I received a liver blow from her left fist, followed by a blow to my temple from her right fist. The finishing blow was an uppercut to my chin from her left palm.

The perfect combo followed a short pause, where I staggered, then she put me into a iron claw and said with a low voice.

“What you mean? Explain yourself.”

I was scared to death by her angry glare that I told her the reason why Nazuna had run away….

In the end, Nazuna didn’t return home that night.

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