Published at 31st of August 2019 11:37 am

Volume 5, Chapter 03: Premonition of the End

This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml

…Somehow I felt the presence of someone.

A sweet fragrance tickled my nasal cavity and felt a pleasant weight on my right arm.

What was it? Did Nazuna sneak into my bed again?

Thinking so, I opened my eyelids, when my vision fell on shining beautiful silver hair that was shine on by the morning sun. Finely chiselled features like a French doll. Smooth cheeks, coloured in a light pink. And well-formed lips.

For some reason, I woke up next to the sleeping Elni.

Elni used my right arm as a pillow and showed an innocent sleeping face.

“…She’s so cute.”

Inadvertently I played with her cheek by poking it— It wasn’t the time for this. Hijiri was sleeping in the same room. This situation was extremely bad. I couldn’t have Hijiri misunderstand.

“Elni. Wake up, Elni. Wake up and dream~.”

I shook her shoulder with a quiet voice, when Elni opened her eyes a bit.

“…Mmh? Oh, morning already?”

“Don’t give me that ’morning already’. Why are you in my bed?”

When I retorted lightly, I suddenly saw Hijiri straighten up her upper body in the corner of my vision. Timidly straightening up and turning around, Hijiri narrowed her eyes and watched us glaringly.

“…What are you two doing?”

“Eh- Ehm, all by herself, Elni—”

“It’s not fair that only Elni is allowed to! I’ll sleep together with you too!”

“…Huh? Eh?”

Hijiri cut into my words with an angry voice, slipped out of her bed and came closer.

But as she was still half-asleep, her tread was staggering and uncertain. Furthermore, during her sleep her clothes became messed up, exposing her voluminous two breasts clad in a pink brassiere and even her firm thighs.

Hijiri approached my bed in that condition and collapsing, she placed her cheek on my thigh, where she nodded off just like that.

Her sleeping face was as cute as Elni’s and while I gazed upon her glamorous lips, I remembered the kiss I had with Hijiri during the exorcist test before.

Hijiri’s lips had been so soft…

Before I noticed it, I had brought my face closer to Hijiri’s lips, but soon enough I returned to my senses and stopped my movement.

“…That was a close call.”

Mumbling that, I first wanted to lay Hijiri onto the bed, so I took her into my arms and moved her onto the bed. Then I lay her next to Elni, who had gone back to sleep.

Upon that Elni squirmed around and sweetly clung onto Hijiri. In reaction to that, Hijiri opened her eyes a bit and still half-asleep, she mumbled “Shinobu-kun, I’m so happy…” quietly, then she embraced Elni back tightly.

…That was a somewhat erotic scene.

The girls entwined with disordered clothes. An erotic world that interweaved innocent sleeping faces and brilliant skin.

I got quite excited on their sleeping posture, so I decided to leave the room before I got funny ideas. Going down the stairs, I went out into the garden and took a deep breath. Sucking in the fresh morning air into my body calmed down my feelings. There I spotted Nazuna doing karate exercises on the middle of the garden. Her movements were refined and vigorous beautiful.

“—Like that, Nazuna trains to have her body remember the technique, so that it can execute the technique unconsciously.”

I had time, so I commented, when Nazuna noticed me. She came over with a smile and raised her hand full of energy.

“Morning, Brother~”

“Yeah, morning.”

I returned the greeting, when Nazuna said still smiling.

“Let’s practice together, Brother.”

“Sorry, but I decline. I already quit Karate. During my time in the Karate club in my first year of middle school, I came to know that Karate skills can even kill, so I became unable to practice it from the fear of that. Or to be more frank, practice is hard and a pain in the ass.”

“…Truth is, you told your seniors, who worked the first-years hard and said unreasonable things, an even more unreasonable thing of ’I can’t stand your faces!’, then run havoc and defeated all the seniors, which made them chase you out of the club, right?”

“…How do you know about that?”

“The adviser Kashiwagi-sensei told me about it. You’re amazing, Brother. So cool!”

…That bearded old geezer told Nazuna some unnecessary things.

“Nazuna, rumours always get exaggerated. Certainly I was mischievous in middle school, so I made a ruckus at the Karate, Judo and Kendo club, but I quit all of them on my own accord. I wasn’t chased out.”

I joined in hope to gain something from it, but I didn’t learn anything from middle school clubs. So I spent a lot of time at my gramps’ doujo.

“Well, that’s the reason I won’t do Karate exercises.”

“Then be my opponent.”

“Oww! My stomach and head hurt…”

It was too troublesome, so I feigned illness to fool her.

But Nazuna wouldn’t get deceived like Machina. Staring at me, she said spoiled.

“Let’s play together, Brother. If you play with me, I’ll wash your back as a thanks.”

“A man’s back doesn’t exist so that woman can wash it. It exists to tell of it’s manliness to the woman. So I decline your offer. Also, you‘re no match for me as an opponent, so I decline that too.”

“Uh~ Your words are so cool, yet so mean…”

Nazuna dropped her shoulders dejected, but soon enough she raised her head and shouted strongly.

“But! Your confidence won’t last forever, Brother! The Nazucat, who mastered the cat paw, is different from the Nazucat of before! I’m super Nazucat!”

“Oh? The gentle Nazucat awoke to super Nazucut by fierce anger—Like that? …Interesting. Try me.”

I beckoned Nazuna in a challenge with jerking my index finger.

Upon that, Nazuna closed the distance between us in mere seconds.

“Meow!”

She launched a sharp high-kick.

Moreover, it was a Brazilian kick. A high-grade skill that changed the kick’s trajectory midway.

She probably learned it from the TV or a manga… But it was still immature.

I completely saw through her due to her small preparation movement, so I warded off her kick with ease and while taking a step forward, I clipped Nazuna’s leg and lightly pushed her abdomen.

Instantly, Nazuna, who was standing on one leg, lost her balance and fell flat just like that.

Nazuna somehow managed to absorb her fall, but I looked down on her and exaggeratedly shrugged my shoulders in disappointment.

“That attack was super Nazucat? Or were you playing around? If it was a serious attack, then you know you don’t stand a chance. Do you still want to continue?”

“Grrrr!”

When I provoked her, Nazuna puffed her cheeks and shouted while pointing at me.

“Brother! I only used 80% of super Nazucat’s power! I’ll show you 100% now!”

“Hoo, that’s intriguing. Then show me your strength! Your full power! I’ll completely smash you!”

“I won’t lose, Brother! If not super Nazucat, who else will—do it!”

“…I don’t really get it, but whatever! Now try your best! To chance history, that is!”

Like that, I played with Nazuna for a while.

But after all I saw through all of Nazuna’s attacks, so she was no match for me. So when Nazuna started to breathe heavily, I loosened my stance and took a breath.

“Fuh, worked up a good sweat.”

“…You’re not sweating at all, Brother.”

Pointing that out, Nazuna seemed somewhat depressed.

“Uhh, to think I didn’t hit you even once…Why are you so strong, Brother?”

“Because otherwise I can’t protect what I have to.”

..Not good. I seriously answered her casual question.

Feeling ashamed, I scratched my cheek, when Nazuna opened her mouth remembering with “Reminds me…”.

“Brother, you learned a new skill from grandpa, right?”

“Yeah, I did…Gramps told you?”

“Yeah, he told me when I met him recently. Hey, what’s the new skill like?”

“It’s a dangerous skill. It’s arrange with a penetration type, so it harms the interior and exterior of the body at the same time. When you master it, you not only can defeat a human, but even a bear.”

I explained precisely, but Nazuna tilted her head with “Interior of the body? Exterior?”.

“I don’t get it.”

She laughed.

“…Well, you’re more of the intuition type.”

Positively said, a genius. Negatively said, a ferocious child. At school, Nazuna was outstanding in her subsidiary subjects, but the rest was average at best. I couldn’t help but worry if she properly did her summer homework, but this year Luna and Machina were around, so as a last resort we all would help her on the last day.

…If my mother were here, she might call me a “Siscon” again.

Pondering like that, I left the words “I’m going to take a shower” behind and turned my back to Nazuna. I wanted to eat something before my shower, so I walked with the kitchen as my target. There I heard the cutting sound of a kitchen knife on a chopping board.

Was it Luna?

Thinking so, I showed up in the kitchen, but there didn’t stood Luna in the kitchen, but instead Kaorun.

Kaorun noticed me and grinned on a rare occasion.

“Good morning, Darling <3.” “GYAAAA!” “…Uhm, do you not believe that a sudden scream is rather mean? I feel a bit like crying.” “Ah, my bad. I was just surprised. And my scream was meant as a little joke.” “What a lame joke.” I apologized in a casual tone, when Kaorun frowned lightly. “Sorry. I’ll do my best to make it funny next time.” “I will not forgive you. If you seek my forgiveness, please reply to my ‘darling’ with ‘honey’.” “Roger.” When I nodded, Kaorun started anew and grinned once again. “It is a nice morning, Darling.” “Honey Flash!” “This is wrong on so many levels!” I said so, since I considered it funny, but Kaorun go angry. “Good grief. Shinobu-sama, you just do not understand a maiden‘s heart.” “What’s a maiden’s heart? Does it taste good?” “It has a sweet, yet bitter Marmalade Boy taste.” First time I heard of that. “…Just for reference, how does a boy’s heart taste?” “I do not know. Shinobu-san, you are interfering with my cooking, so please go away.” “Sure, sure. I get it.” While nodding, I felt something was amiss. I stared at Kaorun. “What is the matter, Shinobu-sama?” “…Huh? Kaorun, you’re calling me by my first name for a while now.” Realizing the origin of the amiss feeling, I asked so, when Kaorun faintly blushed and answered while looking back at me. “Y- Yesterday you told me that it was okay to act spoiled. Therefore I will call you by your name from now on.” “I don’t really mind… but why so suddenly?” “…I, In the future I believe that the Miss will become Nanjou Hijiri, so I want to use this opportunity to get used to calling you by your name. The reason the Miss started to call you so surely had the same reason.” “…When you think too far ahead, the dead will laugh at you.” “At that time, I will turn the laughing dead into crying corpses.” I didn’t really understood her, but it sounded reassuring. Inadvertently I smiled, reached out for Kaorun and patted her head. However, at that moment “…Auh” Kaorun’s face turned so bright red that she might as well emit steam and she looked down. “S- Stop, Shinobu-sama…That is embarrassing. I am… not used to such treatment…” Kaorun said so with a shy and fickle voice. Damn, that was cute. I unconsciously fell into a daze and continued to pat her head. Kaorun accepted that, albeit quite embarrassed. “N- No more. That is enough…!” Quickly getting away from me, she fled with her face still bright red. …Mh, I found an unexpected weakness of Kaorun. Next time she goes overboard with her pranks, I should shut her up by patting her head. With these thoughts, I headed to the bath in a good mood and took a shower. I was flooded by the pleasant, warm water, when I suddenly heard a noise from the anteroom. And then, “Why did you go in first?” I heard Machina’s pouting voice and then the bath door opened. “I said we should go in together, Nazuna……..Eh!?” Looking over my shoulder, there stood Machina naked. My vision fell onto her well-formed, big breasts, her narrow waist and her beautiful, long legs that inadvertently shook my heart. When I turned my gaze upwards, Machina stared at me with a perplexed expression and froze up perfectly on the spot. First of all, I covered my body with both my arms “No, you pervert.” and the moment I blushed, “NOOOOOO!” Machina raised a scream and covered her body. However, I considered myself the victim, so I replied firmly. “Sc- Screaming at that, you’re so rude! Actually, what’s up with you! Hurry up and get out! Just to tell you, this is frigging embarrassing!” “Sorry! I’m so sorry, Shinobu! I didn’t see! I didn’t see anything!” “…What did you not see?” “Your---wait, nothing! Forget that! Forget it, you hear! I really didn’t see it! So…I’m sorryyyy!” Machina left the bath while saying so. ….She definitely saw. Anyone would notice when she turned bright red like that. But well, I got a sight too, so I couldn’t complain. Actually, rather than complain, I felt like expressing gratitude. Thanks, Machina. I mumbled in my heart, then I left the bath behind me… After my shower, I lazed around in the living room for a while, when the girls showed up and we all ate breakfast together. Though Luna was still missing, as she probably was still sleeping. It was a rare occurrence, so I should go wake her up… I stood up, left the living room and headed for Luna’s room. However, when I stood in front of her door, I suddenly remembered the kiss I shared with Luna last night, so my hand inadvertently stopped it’s intent to knock. ---I love you very much, Shinobu-san. Luna’s words floated in my head and my cheeks became hot. But Luna’s love was probably meant as a family. As a matter of fact, Luna kissed even Machina. Making a fool of myself for having weird expectation was too embarrassing. I took a deep breath to calm my feelings, then I knocked anew. “Luna, are you awake? It’s morning.” As such I called out to her, but there was no reply from Luna. Guess she really was still asleep? I continued to call out to her numerous times, but I still didn’t get a reply. There I declared a “I’m coming in” and opened the door. Then I shifted my gaze onto the bed. Luna seemed to be in a deep slumber, as she emitted regular sleeping sounds. But unlike the other girls, Luna’s sleeping appearance was strangely erotic. Her well-formed, glamorous pink lips, her pretty neck and collarbone line. Charmed by it, I started to get a funny feeling, so I shook my head to the sides as to get rid of it. “Luna, breakfast is ready. Wake up.” “….Mm.” While I called out to her, Luna leaked a bewitching breathing and covered her face with the blanket. “Hey, wake up.” I grabbed the blanket with a wry smile and pulled it away at once. Instantly, lots of snow-white skin expanded before my vision. ---Luna was only wearing sexy, black panties. Even face-up, Luna’s big breasts maintained a hemisphere shape and showed off it’s firm elasticity. Moreover, her small navel and soft thighs were in plain view, so I hastily pulled back the blanket over her. Then I back off to get someone else to wake up Luna, but “Owah!” in my agitation, my legs entwined and I fell down on the spot. A loud noise sounded through the quiet morning. Upon that Luna leaked another bewitching breathing and straightened up her upper body while pressing the blanket to her chest. Her eyes were seemingly sleepy and I saw that she didn’t really comprehend her own state of affairs. As a matter of fact, Luna looked around curiously and when she noticed me, she tilted her head and asked. “…Uhm, Shinobu-san, why, am I here? For some reason, my memories of yesterday are unclear…” Apparently, Luna didn’t remember anything from yesterday. Well, if she didn’t, that was fine. I hid the fact that she got drunk and attacked everyone and just gave a fuzzy smile… * * * After breakfast, the matter of playing outside popped up, so we left the house and walked down the woodland path heading to the nearby river. Because we were in the country side, the path wasn’t paved well and weeds grew wherever they wanted. Stones in all sizes were laying around everywhere and made the path bumpy. Continuing to walk down that path, we arrived at the river, which hadn’t change from the time I had been here before. It was still a playground for the locals. There were high school boys and girls, children and even families. Watching over that, we headed for a nearby plain changing room. After splitting up with everyone, I quickly changed into my swim trunks, then spread a vinyl sheet near the river together with two parasols. Just when I was going to give myself a treat with a bit of reading, there were voices behind me. “Oh my, you already set everything up?” “And here I thought about helping out…” When I turned around, there were Machina and Elni. Machina wore a black bikini with a high exposure rate. Her voluminous breasts were generously put onto display and her great figure was standing out. On the other hand, Elni wore an adorable pink bikini. Compared to Machina, her chest was moderate, but her slender body was extremely attractive. Inadvertently I was charmed by their swimsuit appearances, when Machina came a step closer and asked timidly. “…Hey, Shinobu, how’s it? Does is suit me?” “Y- Yeah, it really suits you. Looks great, but…isn’t it showing a bit too much skin?” “But Elni said boys prefer this kind of swimsuit…” …Again Elni, huh. Why were Luna and Machina taking Elni’s words for real? I was a bit astonished, when this time Elni talked to me. “Shinobu! How’s my swimsuit?” “Ohh, that’s a nice material of your swimsuit.” Since she asked how her swimsuit was, I honestly evaluated the swimsuit’s value. “Elni Punch!” Needless to say, she got angry. Because Elni pressed circling on my cheeks in a pouting state, “The swimsuit is nice, but you, Elni, are even nicer wearing it!” I leaked my real thoughts in my haste. Elni puffed her chest confidently. “W- Well, I’m a Goddess, so it’s only obvious.” So Elni claimed, but her cheeks seemingly turned a bit red. That was a bit cute. Such thought crossed my mind, when now Kaorun and Hijiri showed up. Kaorun wore a blue bikini with a pareo around her slender waist. Her white thighs peaked out lightly and dazzled my eyes while her model-like symmetric figure stole my heart. Hijiri was somewhat hiding behind Kaorun and remained there while approaching us. “…Miss, how long do you plan to hide yourself?” “B- But, now that I think about it, this swimsuit is rather embarrassing. I bought it on your recommendation, but… it’s weird after all. After I left the changing room, everyone has been staring at me…” Hijiri curled herself up even more while saying so. Seeing Hijiri like that, Kaorun made a small sigh and suddenly made a beautiful full-rotation. Pushing her onto the back, Hijiri was made to stand before me. Upon that, my vision got filled with Hijiri wearing a bold leopard-patterned bikini. That leopard-patterned bikini had the same exposure rate as Machina’s and exposed Hijiri’s wealthy body quite provocative. …No wonder everyone’s gazes were gathered on her. A black-haired cool beauty was wearing such a provocative outfit. Even I couldn’t get my eyes off--- wait, not good, not good. Considering it rude to stare, I was about to avert my eyes, but Hijiri accepted my gaze and was pressed forward by Kaorun from behind. Then she shyly lowered her waist with her voluminous breasts bouncing, leaned forward and emphasizing her breasts---she took a leopardess pose like a gravure idol. Keeping that pose, Hijiri showed some kind of hesitation, but opened her mouth while blushing. “G- Gwar~ I’ll eat you!” “In a sexual meaning <3” …Somehow, something outrageous was said just now. Now even my cheeks became hot and I averted my eyes from Hijiri. “…I knew it, you’re perverted, Hijiri.” “N- No! Certainly I said ‘I’ll eat you’, but I didn’t mean it in a weird way! It was Kaoru-san, who said the perverted stuff! It wasn’t me! C’mon, you say something too, Kaoru-san! Shinobu-kun is misunderstanding!” Hijiri desperately sought a follow up from Kaorun, but “…Miss, you are a bit naughty.” Kaorun coloured her cheeks red and averted her eyes from Hijiri. “K- Kaoru-san! Why are you saying that! Clear up the misunderstanding!” “Miss, there are also loves that start with a misunderstanding.” “…Uhm, I’m not sure what you’re getting at.” As such Kaorun and Hijiri talked, when finally Nazuna and Luna showed up. Nazuna’s small body was clad in a orange one-piece swimsuit and since there was few exposure, big brother was relieved. However, the energetic Nazuna in a swimsuit was adorable even when you took out my family patronization, so I was worried that she might get hit on. Meanwhile Luna was, she was…well, I couldn’t put it into words well. Luna wore a dazzling white bikini and compared to Machina or Hijiri, the exposure rate was low. Still, even then it strongly emphasised the existence of her huge breasts and my heart was captured by her narrow waist, her smooth, long beautiful legs and small ankles, with no way out. Furthermore, Luna had changed her usual hairstyle by tying up her glamorous blonde hair into a ponytail…..My heart wouldn’t stop racing. Thus, I forgot my words and just continued to stare at Luna. Amidst that, Nazuna pushed Luna’s back with “C’mon, Luna-oneechan” to make her stand before me. Pushed from behind, Luna blushed sexily and slowly held out something she had been holding on to me. Looking at it, it turned out to be sunblocker. “Shinobu-san, could you rub this onto me?” “Yes.” Without even the option to decline and forgetting all my shame, I nodded on a conditioned reflex. There Kaorun, who had watched over us, clapped her hands. “Then I will apply the sunblocker to Machina.” “…Eh? You sure?” “Yes, as thanks for yesterday.” Kaorun replied softly, whereupon Machina smiled happily. But soon enough she hastily looked sideways and said with a quiet voice. “Ac- Actually I wanted Shinobu to do it, but if you insist, I’ll make do with you, Kaoru.” “Yes, thank you, Machina.” Kaoun smiled faintly and slowly rubbed the cream onto Machina’s back. Watching over these two, now Elni raised her hand and said. “Okay! Then I’ll rub the sunblocker onto Hijiri!” “…Elni, I’m sorry, but I also want Shinobu to do it---wait, Uwaah! I get it! You can do it! So don’t pull on my swimsuit!” “Mh, then it’s all good. Just give me a moment, Nazucat. After Hijiri, it’ll be your turn.” “Yeah! Thanks, El-chan! In return, I’ll also rub it onto you! And since I have nothing to do while I wait, I’ll help you rubbing it into Gogyou-san!” “Y- You’re going to rub it into me too, Nazuna-chan? That makes me happy…” “Muh! A complete different reaction than to me! Damn you!” “Hyan! Don’t touch my butt!” Like that, everyone got the sunblocker applied, when Luna said “Shinobu-san, me too please.” and sprawled on the vinyl sheet while untying her bikini top. ….I was close to a nosebleed. Her plump breasts pressing on the vinyl sheet oozed out and her smooth back. Her bottom was defenceless in front of my eyes. All of that stimulated me. …I guess, she would get angry if I were to touch her bottom? But she might forgive a small feel as a joke. Such a wicked thought crossed my mind for a moment, but I shook my head to get rid of that idea. Then I carefully and gentle, like caring for a flower, touched Luna’s back. “Mm…” There Luna leaked a bewitching breathing. “Wh- What’s up? Did it hurt?” “No, I am fine. It just felt so pleasant. Please continue like that.” These words trigger more unnecessary delusions in my head, but I emptied my heart with repeated deep breath and rubbed the sunblocker onto Luna. But suddenly Luna once again raised a bewitching voice. “Nha…Yah…Sh- Shinobu-san, I will do my bottom by myself…Hyan…No…Stop… Mm!” Despite these words, with no intention to stop----not me, but Elni fondled Luna’s butt. While I had made no progress, Elni had finished applying the sunblocker to Hijiri and Nazuna and was now happily touching Luna’s bottom. “You are so bold, Shinobu-san…Even though….there are so many others around…Hahn…!” “No, it’s not me. Elni is playing a prank on you.” “Yeah! The Goddess! Your butt is so soft and feels good, Luna!” Elni told her envious impression, whereupon Luna said somewhat angrily. “Geez, you cannot do that, Elni-chan. And here I hoped----No! Ehm, I was surprised!” Luna protested like that, when Elni didn’t show any sign of guilt and whispered quietly into my ear. “…Shinobu, that’s your chance to touch her butt now. Her bikini is untied, so she can’t turn around.” “Ohh, right. Thanks, Elni.” I gave Elni my honest gratitude and lightly poked Luna’s butt. Upon that, the squishy feeling of her butt attacked my fingertip and it’s elasticity softly forced back my finger. “Wow….” Inadvertently I leaked a voice of admiration, then I suddenly came back to my senses. …J- Just what was I doing? I gave in to my desire and was readily tempted by Elni. I was the worst. “S- Sorry!” Hastily apologizing, I left the words “I’ll go cool down my head” behind and left the place behind me in my escape. …I couldn’t face Luna. She trusted me with applying the sunblocker, yet I betrayed that trust. I was ashamed of myself. So for a while I continued to reflect on my actions alone, when I made the decision to properly apologize to Luna. With heavy steps I was going to go back to the girls. However, on the way, “Big trouble, Shinobu-sama!” Kaorun came running over in a panicked state. “What’s up? You’re in such a hurry…” I was a bit surprised. Kaorun answered with a somewhat pale face. “Th- The Miss, she nearly drowned!” “What! Where is she! I’ll go immediately!” Right away I followed after Kaorun. Upon that, I could see Hijiri laying powerless near the river. …This wasn’t good. Did she swallow water? Was she breathing? What about her pulse? I ran over to Hijiri in a haste and examined her. My vision fell on her slender nose line. With her eyes closed, the long eyelashes stood out sexily---wait, no! I had to quickly check upon her condition. Is what I thought, but on a closer look, Hijiri’s cheeks were lightly flushed and her voluminous breasts were slowly going up and down. Furthermore, out of nervousness, her fists were tightly clenched. Yeah, she totally didn’t drown at all… To affirm the situation, I looked at Kaorun with half-closed eyes, when she avoided my gaze and said monotone. “What are you doing, Shinobu-sama? Please hurry and fondle the Miss’ breasts!” “..No, normally when someone drowns, you give a heart massage and CPR, you know?” “Then give the Miss a kiss--- I mean, CPR please!” …Our scheme was more than obvious. This surely was another part of the seduction plan. Once I realized that, I replied wearily and slovenly. “I leave the CPR to you, Kaorun. I’ll do the heart massage.” “I understand. Now then, Miss, prepare yourself---!” Along with her words, Kaorun readily hung over Hijiri, when “EHH!? That won’t do!” Hijiri hastily straightened up and got away from Kaorun. …As I expected, Hijiri was perfectly fine. Hijiri snuck a peek at me while saying to Kaorun protesting. “Kaoru-san, that’s not part of the plan. Why aren’t you following the plan?” “…Miss, it has been said since ancient times that to fool your enemies, you first have to fool your allies!” “Uhm, what’s the point in fooling me in this situation?” Kaorun was merely acting on her own personal desire. However, it might be possible that Kaorun promptly noticed that the plan failed and took the fall by herself before I could blame Hijiri----Or was that just overthinking on my part? Anyway, I approached Kaorun , place a light chop onto her head and said softly. “Kaorun, occasional pranks are all fine, but I was really worried this time. So don’t much such jokes again.” “…Yes. My apologies, Shinobu-sama.” “Ehh? Kaoru-san apologized honestly…?” In the corner of my vision Hijiri raised a surprised voice, but I paid it no mind and just patted Kaorun’s head. There Kaorun pleasantly narrowed her eyes even while being embarrassed. Seeing that, Hijiri raised another surprised voice. “K- Kaoru-san is strangely meek. She suddenly calls Shinobu-kun by his name and is honest with him… So strange.” While saying so, Hijiri stared at me. Or to be more accurate, she was inspecting my body somewhat happily. I became a bit embarrassed and covered my body with both my arms. “Don’t stare so much at me, you perv.” “N- No! That’s not what I was looking at your body for!” “Miss, you do not need to hide it. After all Shinobu-sama has a sturdy and firm body. He has no excessive muscles or fat, so it charms you unmeant….But on a closer look, he is covered in scars all over. Why are there so many scars? I can even see a sword wound…?” I answered Kaorun’s question with a casual tone. “Yeah, most of my wounds were inflicted on me by my father or gramps. I hardly suffered any in official matches, you know?” “…No, I find it more surprising that you got wounded by a relative…Especially the wound on your chest stands out. How did you get that one?” Upon Kaorun’s words, Hijiri dropped her shoulders dejected and answered. “…That wound was inflicted by me…” Oh right, such a thing happened. Previously, I was cut by Hijiri’s sword when I covered for Machina and the wound I suffered there remained perfectly on my chest. Personally, I didn’t care about it at all, but Hijiri seemed pretty bothered about it. For a while she dropped her shoulders and hung her head. But then she raised her head with attitude and said with a serious expression while gazing upon my scar. “Shinobu-kun…I’ll take properly responsibility for having scarred you!” That statement was sure to bring about a misunderstanding. Inadvertently I made a wry smile. “That was an accident, so you don’t really need to worry about it.” When I said you, Kaorun clapped her hands. “Then let us settle it like this: In exchange for getting scarred by the Miss, please take her first time, Shinobu-sama.” “…Farewell.” Not playing along with her joke, I walked away to find Luna. Thereupon, I spotted her quickly. Luna had sat down near the river and was having fun by putting her long legs into the pretty clear stream. Luna was watching over Elni, Nazuna and Machina playing around by splashing water on each other. There I took a deep breath in my heart and approached Luna. “Ah, welcome back, Shinobu-san.” When Luna noticed me, she gave me a soft smile. …I had touched her butt, yet she didn’t seem angry at all. However, I had to be a man and properly apologize. “Ehm, Luna, about earlier…” “Earlier? Did something happen?” “Well, yeah, you know, when I, uhm, touched your bottom…” I pathetically stuttered, whereupon Luna showed a smile while blushing. “Shinobu-san, please do not worry about that. You are a man after all, so, uhm, I believe that it cannot be helped. But, next time you want to touch it, please ask me properly, okay? Because it would surprise me when it is all of a sudden.” As always, Luna was so kind. Soothed by that kindness, I followed Luna’s example and watched over the other girls. There Elni stared into the river with a serious expression. Then she swiftly plunged her hand into the water. “Got ya~!” Elni proudly held up the big fish in her hand. She was just like a bear… While I considered it a formidable action, Elni passed the fish to Machina with a smile. “Machina! Accept my feelings! Eat it all up!” “Oh my, thanks---wait, what am I supposed to do with this! Sister, pass!” Machina rolled up the struggling fish, then threw it towards Luna. Thereupon the fish flew onto Luna’s breasts and crawled into her deep cleavage. “Hyan! Yahn, n- no. Shinobu-san, please take it out!” “Eh? Me? Well, okay…” Luna seemed troubled, so I should help her. There I quietly took a stance and took aim. “There!” I grabbed the tail of the fish. Mh, a wonderful catch, if I may say so. However, when I pulled out the fish, Luna’s swimsuit got greatly disordered and forced out the important parts. In other words, I could see her pretty pink spots.

“…I- It wasn’t on purpose!”

In an awkward silence, I said so timidly, whereupon Luna raised a small scream and tried to cover her breasts with her arms.

But in that moment, her voluminous breasts revealed her full magnificence and bounced greatly…. I petrified completely.

There Elni and Machina, who had watched over us, frowned and came over.

“What are you getting weak over. Shinobu!”

On a rare occasion Elni continued angrily.

“Let your only weakness by your Achilles heel!”

“You sure love a certain passionate tennis player.”

“Yeah! If you’re serious, you yourself will change! If you’re serious, everything will change! From now on, if you make a blunder, make a guts pose!”

Since I made a blunder, I decided on a guts pose, like Elni told me.

But soon enough Machina pulled on my cheek.

“…Uhm, it hurts, you know?”

“Shinobu you pervert.

I had nothing to say back.

I apologized to Luna, then played in the river with everyone until the sun set.

* * *

On the way back, we walked the woodland path in the evening sun, when Nazuna came talking to me.

“Hey, Brother. When I was playing at the river, the locals told me that there will be a festival at the nearby shrine tomorrow.”

“Mhm.”

“That sounds fun.”

“Really? Crowded places are just annoying.”

“That’s not true. It’s fun. There’s going to be even fireworks.”

“I don’t need flowers en masse, a single is just fine.”

I replied like that, when Nazuna clung onto my arm.

“Brother, let’s go to the festival.”

Nazuna said spoiled , whereupon Machina opened her mouth agreeing.

“Shinobu, since Nazuna wants to go, let’s go there for her sake.”

“…You claim it’s for her sake, but actually you want to go yourself, or am I wrong?”

“Well, since you already figured it out—wait, no! It’s not for me, but for Nazuna! Besides Hijiri also said she wants to go! Right, Hijiri?”

Machina turned the matter to Hijiri. She nodded with a smile.

“Yeah, I want to go to the festival. Let’s go together, Shinobu-kun.”

“Mh, I’m not sure.”

I acted up for a bit, when now Luna said with a smile.

“Shinobu-san, I want to go to the festival as well.”

“Okay, then let’s go.”

I gave Luna an instant reply.

Seeing that, Machina and Hijiri frowned for some reason.

“Hey, Shinobu! You’re favouring Sister too much!”

“Shinobu-kun, it’s not good to play favourites.”

…It was just a little joke, but why did they get so angry?

Doubtfully I calmed down Machina and Hijiri first, then we talked about going to the festival together while heading for the holiday house.

However, Kaorun didn’t join our circle.

She kept a certain distance and continued to walk behind us.

Kaorun was expressionless like always, but for some reason she appeared gravely lonely, so I fell back from the others and called out to her.

“What’s wrong?”

“…No, it is nothing.”

“Doesn’t look like it. Did something happen?”

When I asked so, Kaorun suddenly stopped and said quietly.

“Today was a fun day…So I became a bit lonesome.”

“…Lonesome, huh.”

Certainly you felt a bit lonesome when a fun day came to an end. But

“The fun stuff won’t end with today. Tomorrow we’ll have even more fun.”

with a mindset like that, the lonesome feeling would disappear.

With a bright tone, I grinned at Kaorun.

“…Indeed. It might be just as you said, Shinobu-sama.”

While saying so, Kaorun still had a lonesome expression and continued with “Therefore”.

“I need to enjoy myself if only for now.”

For some reason, Kaorun’s tone sounded discomforting.

Just like she expected these slack times to come to an end.

—And then, that expectation became reality.

Suddenly, the wind stopped and the bug’s voices disappeared.

Everyone else noticed something was amiss too. They stopped and looked at each other.

Amidst that, Hijiri showed a stiff expression and opened her mouth.

“No way, a barrier?”

“…It appears they have found me.”

Upon Hijiri’s words, Kaorun said resigned.

In that moment, a tall beautiful woman and three men with swords in their hands appeared from the trees in the area.

I didn’t know the men, but I recognized the woman. She was the observer during Hijiri’s previous exorcist test.

“…Tachibana-san.”

Facing the woman, Hijiri mumbled.

“Playtime is over. We’ll have her return at once.”

The woman—Tachibana-san approached Kaorun with a tone that didn’t allow discussion.

“…You’re going to take Kaorun with you?”

I stood covering in front of Kaorun. Tachibana-san shrugged her shoulders and sent the men a look.

“Do it—”

Before Tachibana-san could finish, I moved. I stepped in fiercely and crossed the distance, closing in to the man in the center.

Victory to the one who moves first. The man put his hand onto his sword to draw it, I chopped that hand. At the same time, I rammed my fist into his face. At once, I grabbed the man at the nape of the neck and raised him up. Then I tossed him to the left side.

For a bit, that should stop the movements of the at least two men.

Making that judgement, I turned to the other man on my right.

At that moment, I heard a sharp wind-cutting sound and something hit the man. The man was sent flying just like that.

…Was it Machina’s air bullet?

I looked at Machina, when she was holding up her right hand and sending Tachibana-san a fierce glare.

“Shinobu’s enemies are my enemies. I held back for now, but if you wish to continue, I’ll show no mercy.”

When Machina said so, Hijiri approached Tachibana-san and opened her mouth.

“Tachibana-san, I share Machina’s opinion. Please just leave.”

“…You believe this will end with just that?”

Tachibana-san continued with a hard voice.

“Even if you manage to escape our grasp, it’ll only worsen your standing as an exorcist.”

“I don’t care.”

Hijiri declared without hesitation.

“Say what you want. I won’t hand over Kaoru-san.”

“Yeah, no matter how often you come at us, we’ll chase you away like today.”

I nodded in agreement with Hijiri. Tachibana-san frowned. She opened her mouth to say something…but instead of words, she let out a deep sigh. Then she looked over us

“Could you give me some time alone with Hijiri-sama for a moment?”

and said.

Hijiri gave back a nod and faced us.

“You guys go ahead of me.”

“…Will you be fine?”

“Yeah, no problem. I can trust Tachibana-san.”

“I see…”

If Hijiri said so, it should be alright.

Abiding Hijiri, we took the worried looking Kaorun and headed back to the house.

…However, on that day, Hijiri didn’t come back.

For the time being, I got a short mail saying “I won’t be back tonight” from Hijiri on my cell phone, but even when I sent a mail to ask about the situation, I didn’t got a reply.

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